Spagyric Medicine Intensive
Calling herbalists, gardeners, curious makers, students of the esoteric, scientists, and anyone drawn to the intersection of plants, spirit, and science. No prior alchemy or lab experience is needed. Come curious and ready to get your hands dirty. This class will be 24 hours in total spread across 3 days, November 13th - 15th.
Step into my personal lab for a weekend of making, distilling, and deep conversation. Spagyric medicine is a beautiful, worldwide practice of creating potent extracts, and in this class we'll practice that art with our hands, minds & hearts while exploring the ideas that shaped it. From animism and humoral medicine to modern chemistry. You won't watch a demonstration from the back of the room. You'll work alongside me and your fellow students at the bench, ask questions freely, and leave with finished remedies and a working understanding of why each step is done.
What we'll make together
Over three days we will create two spagyric tinctures using different methods, so you can compare their process and chemistry side by side and see for yourself how the choices we make at the bench change the medicine in the bottle (we will discuss other spagyric preparations as well). We'll use distillation to capture the aromatic and volatile aspects of plants as hydrosols and essential oils, and you'll learn how different distillation apparatuses work, how they differ, and how each one shapes what you collect. We'll make oil of egg, a traditional alchemical preparation, and we'll converse on oil of gold, a guided exploration of this classic alchemical subject and a small dive into the metallic realm.
Alongside the extracts we make with our own hands, we'll discuss many more at length, including a wide range of herbal alchemical products and how each is approached. We'll also carve out dedicated space for the world of fungi, looking at how creating spagyric extracts with mushrooms differs from working with plants, and why.
What we'll explore
Because this class is part lab and part lecture, the hours at the bench are woven together with long, open conversations. We'll look at the many ways people around the world are making spagyric tinctures today, and the rich history of this practice. We’ll get nitty gritty about the chemical differences between those approaches, so you leave able to understand the traditions you encounter, not just follow one recipe.
Running through all of it is a thread of animism, chemistry, herbalism, astronomy, astrology, epistemology, humoral medicine, alchemical theory, and the history of humanity, science, and spirituality. These aren't separate subjects, they're one interwoven story, and together we’ll interlace these.
An optional trip to the observatory
Join me for an optional but highly encouraged outing to our local observatory, where Pluto was discovered. We'll talk about the formation of stars and planets and the correlation of myth. Connecting the sky overhead to the planetary correspondences at the heart of alchemical tradition. (Added timing, transportation, and added cost applies)
Friendship, food & setting
Three days is long enough for a room of strangers to become friends, and that's something I care about fostering. Between the distillations and the deep dives, there's time built in for sharing meals, swapping stories, comparing notes on your own practices, and building connections that last well beyond the weekend. A vegetarian lunch is included along with one breakfast in the price of the class, along with tea and coffee all day long, so you can settle in, stay curious, and focus on the work.
Class takes place in person in a spacious conference room overlooking the iconic San Francisco Peaks, nestled right up next to the Arizona Trail. Bring layers and comfortable shoes if you'd like to step outside on a break and take in the mountain air.
Registration
Class size is limited to keep the experience hands-on and personal, and registration is available on this page. Three discounted spots are available for BIPOC and low-income students. [to apply, email me at mj@auralavoura.com with an inquiry]
Payment plans are available at check out, unfortunately we cannot offer refunds.
Calling herbalists, gardeners, curious makers, students of the esoteric, scientists, and anyone drawn to the intersection of plants, spirit, and science. No prior alchemy or lab experience is needed. Come curious and ready to get your hands dirty. This class will be 24 hours in total spread across 3 days, November 13th - 15th.
Step into my personal lab for a weekend of making, distilling, and deep conversation. Spagyric medicine is a beautiful, worldwide practice of creating potent extracts, and in this class we'll practice that art with our hands, minds & hearts while exploring the ideas that shaped it. From animism and humoral medicine to modern chemistry. You won't watch a demonstration from the back of the room. You'll work alongside me and your fellow students at the bench, ask questions freely, and leave with finished remedies and a working understanding of why each step is done.
What we'll make together
Over three days we will create two spagyric tinctures using different methods, so you can compare their process and chemistry side by side and see for yourself how the choices we make at the bench change the medicine in the bottle (we will discuss other spagyric preparations as well). We'll use distillation to capture the aromatic and volatile aspects of plants as hydrosols and essential oils, and you'll learn how different distillation apparatuses work, how they differ, and how each one shapes what you collect. We'll make oil of egg, a traditional alchemical preparation, and we'll converse on oil of gold, a guided exploration of this classic alchemical subject and a small dive into the metallic realm.
Alongside the extracts we make with our own hands, we'll discuss many more at length, including a wide range of herbal alchemical products and how each is approached. We'll also carve out dedicated space for the world of fungi, looking at how creating spagyric extracts with mushrooms differs from working with plants, and why.
What we'll explore
Because this class is part lab and part lecture, the hours at the bench are woven together with long, open conversations. We'll look at the many ways people around the world are making spagyric tinctures today, and the rich history of this practice. We’ll get nitty gritty about the chemical differences between those approaches, so you leave able to understand the traditions you encounter, not just follow one recipe.
Running through all of it is a thread of animism, chemistry, herbalism, astronomy, astrology, epistemology, humoral medicine, alchemical theory, and the history of humanity, science, and spirituality. These aren't separate subjects, they're one interwoven story, and together we’ll interlace these.
An optional trip to the observatory
Join me for an optional but highly encouraged outing to our local observatory, where Pluto was discovered. We'll talk about the formation of stars and planets and the correlation of myth. Connecting the sky overhead to the planetary correspondences at the heart of alchemical tradition. (Added timing, transportation, and added cost applies)
Friendship, food & setting
Three days is long enough for a room of strangers to become friends, and that's something I care about fostering. Between the distillations and the deep dives, there's time built in for sharing meals, swapping stories, comparing notes on your own practices, and building connections that last well beyond the weekend. A vegetarian lunch is included along with one breakfast in the price of the class, along with tea and coffee all day long, so you can settle in, stay curious, and focus on the work.
Class takes place in person in a spacious conference room overlooking the iconic San Francisco Peaks, nestled right up next to the Arizona Trail. Bring layers and comfortable shoes if you'd like to step outside on a break and take in the mountain air.
Registration
Class size is limited to keep the experience hands-on and personal, and registration is available on this page. Three discounted spots are available for BIPOC and low-income students. [to apply, email me at mj@auralavoura.com with an inquiry]
Payment plans are available at check out, unfortunately we cannot offer refunds.