What is a Hedge School?

A hedge school was a kind of secret hearth of learning, kindled in the open air or tucked into a byre, a cabin, or the shelter of a hedgerow, where knowledge passed hand to hand like a blessing. Born under the shadow of the Penal Laws in Ireland, these schools gathered quietly, led by wandering scholars who carried Latin, poetry, and numbers in their memories rather than in books. Children bent over slates while skylarks sang overhead, and lessons unfolded in rhythm with weather and seasons, as if learning itself were part of the land. In these hidden classrooms, education became an act of enchantment and defiance, preserving language, story, and intellect as living things, kept alive by breath, recitation, and the fierce belief that wisdom could not be outlawed.

This Hedge School is ever-evolving, focusing on herbalism and connection to the land, wherever you are planted. Two courses are offered in Mother Hylde's Hedge School: The Hedgewalker's Path- a six month herbal medicine making course), and Spiral of Seasons- reconnecting with the Celtic ritual year through plants and the land (coming soon!)

About The Hedgewalker's Path

This course brings together aspiring herbalists to celebrate the magic and science of herbalism through hands-on learning and shared experiences, so that we can nourish our bodies, minds, and spirits while connecting with like-minded individuals on our herbal journey. The Hedgewalker's Path is not one you walk alone, you walk with the guidance of your mentors, your fellow apprentices, and the wisdom of the plants. We're creating and celebrating a community of  medicine makers!

Gifts of the Hedgewalker's Path

Our community is pretty special. We’re focused on the ways it will make a huge difference in your life.

Here are a few of the things you’ll be able to do as a member of The Hedgewalker's Path:

• Provide nourishment for your body, mind, and spirit through herbal practices. You'll cultivate your own materia medica of plants you know how to work with for many common health issues.
• Engage in hands-on learning from experienced herbalists and gain new insights into herbalism. At the end of the apprenticeship, you will feel empowered to know how to work with plants on your own.
• Connect and share experiences with like-minded individuals passionate about herbalism. Your fellow apprentices and your mentor are with you all along the way!
• Learn how to research and write about herbs in a scholarly way that also includes room for your own experiences and creativity with plants. There is a lot of misinformation out there about herbal medicine, and by the end of this course, you'll be able to know where to find and recognize good, solid resources.

When You Join Today

When you join The Hedgewalker's Path today, you’ll get access to our:

• Interactive Online Course: Engage in hands-on herbalism by getting to know the plants and how they can be our allies. This leads to knowing how to create your own herbal remedies and applies what’s learned in the lessons in a practical manner. One lesson a month will be presented in a PDF format for you to work through. We will also have live online gatherings with guest speakers and time to check in with questions and talk about what plants and remedies we've been learning to work with.
• Network and Chat: Participate in regular chat sessions with fellow herbalists to share your knowledge and learn from others. It's a direct communication channel to spark conversations around specific topics related to herbalism and can foster a strong sense of community and collaboration. We can share photos, videos, and experiences as we learn!
• Monthly Live Events: Join our monthly live calls that focus on educating, sharing experiences, and celebrating the wonders of herbalism. Monthly check-ins hosted by Ruthie (Mother Hylde) will offer new perspectives and deepen your understanding of the practice of herbalism. We also have a stellar lineup of guest speakers who are all well respected and experienced herbal colleagues.
• Access to Archives: Occasionally, we will have a guest teachers as live online classes, and their recordings are stored in the course for you to access as many times as you like. We also have a huge resource library for further learning and research.

Course Fees

The Hedgewalker's Path is available to sign up for anytime for a one-time fee of $599 (a real bargain compared to other herbal courses!). After the initial fee, a monthly fee of $15 is required to stay in the private online classroom. This helps to maintain the cost of the hosting site as well as make guest teachers possible. There is always new content being added to the course (live classes, recordings, course material, etc), as well as a community forum where all students can interact and post their medicines and other herbal wonderings. The initial fee of $599 is non-refundable, but you can cancel your monthly subscription anytime.

About Spiral of Seasons- Coming Soon!)

Part of my own personal path has been reconnecting with the traditions of my own ancestors. In this course, we will first take a scholarly look at what we know of the 8 Celtic festivals, then we will work through the calendar year through the lens of ritual and plants. Give yourself to your own earthspace for one year and cultivate a meaningful seasonal practice of your own.

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