Welcome to Earthwise Ways!
Earthwise Ways is a community dedicated to healing in all its many layers. We join together to come into balance both within ourselves and within the ever expanding circles that we touch both physically and energetically. How we find balance is different for each of us and how we regain balance after life has tossed us about is equally unique. But we have been given markers along the way, rituals to ground our lives, and allow us to return to the rhythms of the natural world. This is a healing of mind, body, and spirit; a sense that we can move with the flows and find sacred space within the mundane.
When I first opened the Apothecary Garden in Chestnut Hill, my goal was to become the neighborhood herbalist. To get to know the families in the community, watch the kids grow, and help to instill a love of the earth and the plant world. My hope was to form lasting relationships with those who desire to walk this path for both health and spiritual enrichment. It is an honor to form Earthwise Ways and to make this path visible and integral to my practice.
Why come together in a community?
It is my belief that healing, in its true sense, mind, body and soul, takes a village. It takes a sense of belonging and connection. It takes knowing that when you reach out for help, you won’t be asked to wait three weeks for an appointment. It takes relationships based on mutual support, care and respect. Finally it takes relationships that develop over time, so that we can remind each other of our best and highest selves as we go through life's challenges.
Further, there are many changes happening in the wider world and laws have already been passed (and more are in the pipeline) that will make it more difficult to obtain handmade natural medicines. I am already restricted in my ability to mix tinctures for formulas. As a community we can make homemade medicines, salves, and soaps to gift to our friends and neighbors. If we are sharing and gifting, we fall outside the laws of commerce.
What does membership include?
* An appointment with Maia each month. “Appointment” can mean so many things:
- discussing healthy lifestyle choice
- working with herbs, essential oils or flower essences
- learning to make syrups, salves and tinctures
- walking in the garden to learn about different herbs
- working on nutrition or cooking skills
- a phone conversation, a labyrinth walk, garden designing, planning a celebration or ritual… the possibilities are many!
* You will be able to reach Maia directly by phone or email instead of going through a receptionist.
* You will receive 10% off medicinal products at The Apothecary Garden in Chestnut Hill and at our new store, the Herbiary at the Reading Terminal Market.
* A village is a living breathing entity... so many possibilities exist as we evolve and grow together!
What is the monthly fee?
Your individual monthly membership fee will be set on a sliding scale from $65-$105. We can work together to find comfortable payment options if you are joiing as a family.
I have often heard that herb-work should be free, that it is our birth right. If you think about it, though, you'll realize that there has always been some sort of trade. It used to be that the village healer was provided with food and shelter. In our society, money is a symbol of a trade made and allows for indirect trading. Money is an abstract concept which is sometimes tough to relate to. So if you want to fix my roof or bring me eggs and vegetables, I am absolutely open to this kind of trade!
I'm interested. What do I do next?
Call the Apothecary Garden and let Bethy (or whoever else might answer) know that you want to set-up a meeting with Maia to discuss EWW. She will set-up a 1/2 hour for us to sit down and discuss our mutual needs and figure out whether this is a good fit.
I want to continue seeing you occassionally as needed. Will that be possible?
I will continue seeing clients on a fee-for-service basis with a smaller amount of my time allocated to that work. What that means for you is that you may have to wait a little longer to get in for an appointment. I will be discontinuing acute care appointments. Please note that rates have gone up for appointments.
What if I don’t need to see you one month?
The monthly fee is like a retainer or a gym membership. Whether you use the service is up to you!
Can I get rid of my health insurance?
Nope. Again, this is more like joining the gym or Weight Watchers. I can't run tests, diagnose or treat a disease (sorry to sound formal, but we've got to get the legal language in!), and I certainly can't put you back together if bones are broken!
What if i need to see you more then once in a month?
We will discuss this possibility at our initial meeting and come up with a solution that is comfortable for both of us.
Other questions? Write to Maia at maia@theapothecarygarden.com