People have long had intimate relationships with plants that transcend the everyday use into the realm of the spirit.  Centuries of use as medicine and food have taught people about the energetic qualities of the plants, and over time, great stories and folklore about their magic have arisen.  In this workshop, participants will explore the way herbs, flowers, roots and seeds have been used throughout history in rituals to promote spiritual connection to the divine. This workshop will start with a discussion about some familiar herbs and will explore the history and folklore of each. A short-guided meditation will allow participants to attune themselves to the spirit of the plants. Participants will have the opportunity to create a personal herbal charm and will participate in a non-denominational ritual to purify and charge it, learning the basics of ritual and how to create sacred space.

Sara Martinelli is an herbalist, CEO of The Boulder Tea Company, and owner of Three Leaf Farm, a small urban organic farm, botanical sanctuary, and education center. She graduated from the University of Colorado in 1991 with a degree in Anthropology, with emphasis on nutrition and culture. Learning how different foods become integral in the development of society, religion, and culture led Sara to explore the historic uses of herbs and their folkloric meanings. After university, Sara attended from The Rocky Mountain Center for Botanical Studies in Boulder, Colorado. Sara, with her husband, also owns a number of Boulder area restaurants, including the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, Leaf Vegetarian Restaurant, The Chautauqua Dining Hall, The Huckleberry, and Zucca. Sara is the creator of the Botanica Festival, teaches numerous workshops on both medicinal and spiritual uses of herbs throughout the year, and has written many published articles about herbal health and wellness.