In-Person, Immersive 7-Day Course

Plants & Planets

March 11-17, 2025

Explore the incredible connection human beings can source from the natural world through the understanding of planetary correspondence. Plants hold so much wisdom if we are willing to listen to their unique vibration, and the planets with their myths and archetypes help us to understand the plants in a whole new way. Join us for this 7-day immersion to deepen your connection with plants.

PLANTS & PLANETS CURRICULUM

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  • We’ll dive into the rich tradition of Astrology and its correspondence within Herbalism, learning how the light of nature runs through us in it’s patterning.

  • A brief intro to the incredible world of herbal alchemical preparations. . Spagyrics are the beating heart of an ancient healing paradigm currently having a renaissance, and they rely heavily on the understanding of how planetary rulership influences medicines.

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  • Studying the work of Stephen Buhner, we will learn how to communicate with plants through the language of the heart.

  • We will head out into the garden to dream and speak with the plants directly. Drum journeys, plant baths, plant scrubs, temazcal sessions, and sharing circles will bring us all closer to the beating heart of herbalism.

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  • In this module, we will learn how the planets correspond not only to the herbs, but also to our bodies.

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  • Calling in the spirit and soul of the planets and the plants we will gather to move our bodies and allow these forces to guide us.

Meet Your Facilitators

  • Herbalist, Mother, Teacher, Birth & Postpartum Doula, Steward of Casa Curativa

    Julia Bentley, originally from Tennessee (ancestral territory of the Cherokee people), found her path into herbalism through her own healing journey from eczema and psoriasis. After studying with Sajah Popham, Julia moved to Lake Atitlán, Guatemala, where she founded Casa Curativa, a sanctuary where people from all over the world can connect with the healing power of plants.

    A humorous and engaging teacher, Julia blends lightheartedness with deep wisdom, encouraging students to laugh and find humility in their practice. Her lectures on alchemy and the spagyric arts invite exploration into the more mystical aspects of herbal medicine. Julia’s entrepreneurial spirit shines through in her work, as she has cultivated Casa Curativa into not only an educational hub but also a thriving herbal brand, focused on quality, ethics, and community.

    Living onsite at Casa Curativa with her son Emmitt, Julia continues to steward the sanctuary, nurturing both the plants and the community that surrounds it. Her teaching inspires students to embrace both the practical and the profound in their herbal practice, empowering them to create their own path in the world of herbalism.

  • Herbalist, Master Natural Builder, Full-Spectrum Doula

    Ashley McDonell, a native of Minnesota (ancestral Dakota and Anishinaabe land), has been a dedicated herbalist for over a decade. She studied under Kiva Rose and Matthew Wood, learning to connect deeply with the plants and the land. Ashley is also a master natural builder and full-spectrum doula, blending her knowledge of herbalism with a holistic approach to life and healing.

    Known for her engaging teaching style and thought-provoking "soapbox rants," Ashley’s classes challenge students to think critically and connect deeply with the plants, the earth, and themselves. She invites students to see herbalism as more than just a practice—it’s a way of being in relationship with the natural world.

    Ashley’s approach to healing is grounded in the belief that plants hold wisdom that extends beyond their chemical properties, and her teaching inspires students to explore both the science and spirit of herbalism.Ashley McDonell, a native of Minnesota (ancestral Dakota and Anishinaabe land), has been a dedicated herbalist for over a decade. She studied under Kiva Rose and Matthew Wood, learning to connect deeply with the plants and the land. Ashley is also a master natural builder and full-spectrum doula, blending her knowledge of herbalism with a holistic approach to life and healing.

    Known for her engaging teaching style and thought-provoking "soapbox rants," Ashley’s classes challenge students to think critically and connect deeply with the plants, the earth, and themselves. She invites students to see herbalism as more than just a practice—it’s a way of being in relationship with the natural world.

    Ashley’s approach to healing is grounded in the belief that plants hold wisdom that extends beyond their chemical properties, and her teaching inspires students to explore both the science and spirit of herbalism.

  • Herbalist, Apothecary Manager & Astrological Guide

    Lindsay Chestnut hails from Michigan, land traditionally stewarded by the Anishinaabe peoples, where her journey into herbalism began. Lindsay moved to the Tzununa valley of Lake Atitlán in 2020, finding both community and purpose during a time of global uncertainty. While studying with Sajah Popham, she quickly recognized the need for help at Casa Curativa and stepped in, bringing her sharp organizational skills and a deep passion for herbalism. Lindsay’s entrepreneurial spirit and talent for creating systems have been vital in transforming Casa Curativa into a flourishing herbal brand.

    Her commitment to quality control and ethical practices ensures that the apothecary’s medicines remain potent and reliable. Lindsay has also played an integral role in shaping the apothecary’s production process, learning firsthand alongside Julia Bentley to create standardized, effective herbal remedies.

    With a passion for astrology, Lindsay integrates planetary wisdom into her herbal teachings, helping students make connections between plants and cosmic cycles. Her love for permaculture and landscape design also informs her work, finding peace in the daily harvests that fuel the apothecary. Lindsay’s teaching style is animated and engaging, blending humor and structure to help students grasp both the science and the artistry of herbalism.

  • Origins Oracle

    Maz holds a BA in environmental studies and anthropology, completed the Alchemical Herbalist program at the School of Evolutionary Herbalism, 200hr yYTT, and 2 years of Oracle Arts Apprenticeship with the Academy of Oracle Arts.

    Maz is a multidisciplinary practitioner using divination, ritual, herbalism, and astrology with her clients. She leads group programs that weave together magic, science and microdosing.Maz is dedicated to weaving deeper relationships between humans, their souls, the earth, and the cosmos.

  • AstroHerbalist and Foraging w/ Saint Alchemy

OUR DAILY FLOW

9-10 am

Movement & Practice

10:30-1 am

Lecture on the Yoga Platform

1 Pm

Lunch at the Lodge

2-5:30 am

Medicine Making
in the Lab

5:30-7 pm

Optional Evening Activity
(Sauna, Fire, Etc)

Join us in March, space is limited!

$850 | COURSE & LUNCH

7 Day in-Person Retreat | March 11-17

Includes all learning materials, daily nourishing lunch, and 7 days of non-stop experiential learning.

If you would like to stay on-site please make sure to select your desired accommodation upon check-out.

WANT TO TALK TO A HUMAN?

We love discovery calls with future students, so click the link below to schedule a time to speak to one of our facilitators. Let’s hop on a call and connect before you book, scheduling is easy with just a few clicks. See you on the call!

FAQs

  • This training is an intimate in-person container happening on beautiful Lake Atitlan, Guatemala at Casa Curativa in the tiny Lake town of Tzununa.

  • You will be flying into Guatemala City’s Aurora Airport. From the airport, the Lake is a 3.5 hour drive depending on traffic. Recommended to arrive late in the day, and perhaps even plan to spend a night in nearby. Antigua, before coming to the Lake to break up the trip a little bit.

  • We have private car we can arrange for you for $100 USD, or you can take a public shuttle from the airport/anywhere in Guate City or Antigua. We will send you all the info you need for the public shuttle, its a simple message. sent through WhatsApp and they will come pick you up at your location.

  • Lake Atitlan, Guatemala is similar in altitude to Boulder, CO yet enjoys a temperate tropical climate year round. Temperatures rarely exceed 85 F/25 C. This is basically the land of eternal spring.

    Bring long pants and socks (there are tiny biting bugs), and long sleeve shirts and a sweater for the evening. It can get a little chilly in the evenings.

  • If you're interested in exploring additional in-person herbalism courses at Casa Curativa, we offer a variety of transformative experiences. Discover other immersive retreats and workshops that align with your interests and goals.

    If you are interested in other In-Person Herbalism Courses at Casa Curativa: Explore our other courses, here.