The Tree Spirit Medicine of Birch is “Empowered Presence.” Yellow Birch helps us to shed what is not needed so that we can enter into a place of Empowered Presence. This presence brings us to that liminal space, that threshold, between what has been and the Great Mystery where something incredible is waiting to be known.

Liminal space is the transitional space and the place of great potential. It is an invitation to pass through a sacred doorway into the beautiful mystery where all possibilities and creativity await. The power and the gift of the liminal space is that it draws us out of what we have known that no longer works for us so that something new can be created; something more in alignment with our heart’s calling. The medicine of Yellow Birch brings us to that liminal space with Empowered Presence, free from the burden of doubt and resistance, so that we may pass through that beautiful doorway into what awaits us.

In this workshop participants will directly receive Birch’s gifts of healing, wisdom and guidance by transmission through Monika. Experiences will be shared and interpreted so that we may all learn from each other the depth and breadth of Birch’s tree spirit medicine. It will be with you always whenever you need it.

Location: In person at Living Earth School in Maple, Ontario or via Zoom.

Date: Saturday March 28, 10:30 am to 5 pm.

Tuition: $100.

Registration: www.livingearthschoolonline.ca. When you click this link, you will be taken to the Living Earth School Online website. You will need to create a new account if you don’t have one already. Creating an account is quick and easy! If you have any problems creating an account, contact Talise at talise@livingearthschool.ca.

NOTE: If
you don’t use PayPal, then you can e-transfer your payment directly to the email below.
Questions: monika@livingearthschool.ca; 416-537-8842

This workshop covers all aspects of the process of making poultices, compresses, infused oils, liniments and ointments from both fresh and dried herbs, including:

∙ Understanding different base oils.
∙ Different methods for preparing oil infusions.
∙ Herbs that are suitable for oil extractions.
∙ Jars and equipment.
∙ Differences between using fresh and dried herbs.
∙ Using essential oils.
∙ Comparison with other types of oil-based preparations.
∙ Using water-based topical preparations such as poultices and compresses.

This workshop will include both lectures and demonstrations of how to prepare, infuse and press fresh and dried herbal oils using different kinds of equipment. Students will receive samples of an infused oil and ointment that are prepared as a demonstration during the workshop.

Date: Saturday April 18th, 10 am to 5 pm.

Location: Living Earth School in Maple, Ontario.
Tuition: $100.

Students will take home preparations made during class. Registration: www.livingearthschoolonline.ca. When you click this link, you will be taken to the Living Earth School Online website. You will need to create a new account if you don’t have one already. Creating an account is quick and easy!

If you have any problems creating an account, contact Talise at talise@livingearthschool.ca.

This workshop includes both lecture and demonstration of how to make topical creams for therapeutic purposes use using herbs and other natural substances. All aspects of the process of making medicinal creams will be covered including: Different methods for preparing creams; comparison with other types of topical preparations; understanding emulsification; what herbs to use; using infused oils, teas, Bach Flowers, homeopathics and essential oils in creams; understanding different base oils; storage and preservation of creams; and jars and equipment. Students will receive samples of creams that are prepared as a demonstration during the workshop as well as copious handouts.
Format: You can attend this workshop either in person at Living Earth School of Herbalism in Maple, Ontario, or through Zoom.

There is an additional $20 material fee for in-person attendance.

Tuition: $80 via Zoom; $100 in-person.

Registration: www.livingearthschoolonline.ca. When you click this link, you will be taken to the Living Earth School Online website. You will need to create a new account if you don’t have one already. Creating an account is quick and easy! If you have any problems creating an account, contact Talise at talise@livingearthschool.ca.

NOTE: If you don’t use PayPal, then you can e-transfer your payment directly to the email below. Questions: monika@livingearthschool.ca; 416-537-8842

In this workshop participants will directly receive Birch’s gifts of healing, wisdom and guidance by transmission through Monika. Experiences will be shared and interpreted so that we may all learn from each other the depth and breadth of Birch’s tree spirit medicine. It will be with you always whenever you need it.

Location: In person at Living Earth School in Maple, Ontario or via Zoom.

Date: June 7th, 2026, 10:30 am to 5 pm.

Tuition: $100.

Registration: www.livingearthschoolonline.ca. When you click this link, you will be taken to the Living Earth School Online website. You will need to create a new account if you don’t have one already. Creating an account is quick and easy! If you have any problems creating an account, contact Talise at talise@livingearthschool.ca.

NOTE: If
you don’t use PayPal, then you can e-transfer your payment directly to the email below.
Questions: monika@livingearthschool.ca; 416-537-8842

Cost: $100.00

Awakening Your Natural Capacity to Speak with the Spirits of Plants!

Plants are fully aware beings that have intelligence and spirit as well as a great deal of wisdom that they are willing to share with us, we need only learn how to hear them. In this workshop, participants will learn how to not only speak to plants but to speak with them through an easy and effective method called ‘dream journeying’. Dream journeying is a two-stage process of getting to know the nature of a plant and then dreaming in an intentional way while still awake to meet and commune with their spirit. This way of dream learning from plants is available to everybody. You do not need years of specialized training to awaken this gift inherent within you. By dream journeying to the plant people, you will develop an intimate, two-way relationship with them and learn directly from them of their wisdom, blessings, messages and medicines.

Date: Saturday, June 20th, 2026

Time: 10:30am - 5:30pm

Location: You can attend either workshop in person at Living Earth School of Herbalism in Vaughan, Ontario, or through Zoom if you are unable to attend in person.

Fee: $100

Instructor: Monika Ghent

Cost: $100.00

In this fun and informative virtual workshop, you will learn the art of making your own effective, natural sunblocks, SPF lip balms and after sun care products with no toxic compromises using only 100% natural and organic ingredients.

What you will learn in this workshop:

What is SPF?
An introduction to many different natural products such as base oils, essential oils, butters, teas, etc. that have natural SPF.
How to make light sunblocks for everyday use and stronger sunblocks for more intense sun exposure.
How to make SPF lip balms.
After sun care: how to heal your skin when you’ve gotten too much sun.
Facial repair serums: what natural substances can be used to reverse sun damage.
Equipment, storage and preservation.

This workshop will include both lectures and demonstrations. Participants will informative, detailed handouts including lots of recipes and the recording of the product-making demonstration.

Date: Saturday June 21st 10 am to 5 pm.

Location: Available in-person in Maple, ON and on Zoom.

Tuition:$100.

Instructor: Monika Ghent

Questions: monika@livingearthschool.ca; 416-537-8842

Cost: $100.00

The Spirit of Herbs is a six day intensive workshop/retreat that focuses on an energetic and intuitive approach to working with healing plants that will help you to expand and deepen your connection to plants and Living World. The ability to connect and communicate with the many beings with whom we share the Earth—including plants—has long been considered one of the most important attributes of traditional healers. Through a variety of meditation and attunement exercises, you will experience a greater awareness of and connection with all aspects of the natural world and develop your ability to communicate with the plant people. This workshop provides the theoretical background and guidelines to help you integrate this knowledge and experience into your daily life. The Spirit of Herbs will help you on your own personal healing journey and to live in deeper relationship with yourself and the world. Whether you are called to work with plant medicines on a professional or purely personal level, you will find this workshop to be a life-changing and healing experience.

Prerequisite: None.

Required textbooks: None.

Scheduling: The next offering of this workshop will be Saturday August 23rd to August 28th 2026.

Location: The Seed Lodge (formerly Maple Sweet), Rocklyn, Ontario.
The fee for the workshop includes the cost of meals and accommodations. The meals are mostly vegetarian and organic as much as possible. Indoor accommodations consist of shared rooms that sleep two persons. Occasionally single rooms are available. Tenting is also an option.

Tuition: $1,100.

All inquiries regarding the SOH workshop must be made to Michael Vertolli.
Instructor: Michael Vertolli.


Cost: $1100.00