Wandering Wednesday: Witch & Bitch at DRAM Apothecary

This is a language we used to know-- reading and communicating with the land, using and celebrating what it has to offer...hunting and gathering. Foraging for food in the wild is a forgotten skill that is so natural and beautiful. Last Sunday I attended Witch & Bitch, a class self-described as a badass Girl Scouts for grown women...From foraging and tea blending to beer making and ax throwing, these classes are based on the five senses while learning a new skill in the community. Shae Whitney of DRAM Apothecary has teamed up with the ladies of R.L. Linden, Lynn Till and Robin King, to continue "the time honored tradition of folk wisdom being passed down by wise women, mothers, grannies, midwives, healers, gardeners, cooks, medicine women and all those who are labeled as witches that came before them." 

This summer class focused on tea blending and herb foraging. We hiked the hills of Silver Plume, Colorado and were taught how to identify locally growing herbs in nature-- smelling, tasting, collecting. The women taught us that foraging is also about responsibility to the land, taking only what you need and harvesting in a way that ensures the future survival of the species. We returned to the Bread Bar where we got even further into the natural benefits of these herbs, and how can be used in everyday life as remedies and soothers of specific ailments. Using the knowledge we had just learned, it was time to make our own, personal tea blend! I made a Sleep/Calm tea blend of Skullcap, Lemon Balm, Linden, Lavender and Rose :). I've been having some restless nights lately. The day was topped off with delicious food, a tasty cocktail, and lovely conversation. Although it was unseasonably cold and drizzly, we couldn't have asked for a better day, in the most magical location (seriously, how wonderful is this place?!). I sipped my Grey Gardens adult beverage concoction by the fire and thought about how nice it felt to be learning something new again. Thank you women of Witch & Bitch for sharing your expertise, I can't wait for the next one!