For the record, this is a strongly-scented, intense native spice that survived (somehow) all those North American glaciers.  Imagine allspice and a handful of ripe cloves on steroids.  The flowers bloom during spring floods and smell like baskets of ripe lemons.

Ground Shots Podcast episode *seven* is now live. ++++ ++++ This episode we have a conversation with Rebecca Beyer of Blood and Spicebush. ** ** We talk about: ** ** a few plants in southern Appalachia and the folklore around them ** ** different ways to think about how to responsibly teach about Appalachian folk herbalism ** ** acknowledging the erasure of the contributions of West African folks to Appalachian folk herbalism practices due to white supremacy ** ** ethical questions and ponderings around wildcrafting in different bioregions ** ** the need for conversations around dispelling the myths surrounding rural Appalachian folks as 'primitive ancestors' ** ** Don't forget to pledge on our Patreon if you appreciate the podcast! (linked in bio and episode notes) ** ** Episode is found on the Of Sedge & Salt website, or wherever you listen to your podcasts. (Spotify, ITunes, Tunein, Stitcher, and more) ** ** Photo of @bloodandspicebush by Shauna Caldwell . . . . . . . . #podcast #bloodandspicebush #southernappalachia #wnc #avl #ashevilleplantpeople #folkherbalism #sassafras #wildcrafting #appalachia #beckybeyer #rebeccabeyer #herbalists #witchesofinstagram #herbalmedicine (at Barnardsville, North Carolina) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqf4LrcBk3-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1vnoz8gtpxpn9

Becky Beyer gave me a turkey foot. I can die happy. #whatisthiswitchcraft #ethicallysourced #bloodandspicebush

“Traditional forms of Paganism and traditional worldviews are not flashy, not structured to the nth degree. They are as old as the ground under us, and they are as old as the souls within us. They have no appeal to those who are looking for flashy names, ceremonial robes, and titles. . . nor are they a place that offers comfort to the rebellious ego, that only exists to please itself. The traditional path is one of quiet immediacy and deep seriousness, and it offers no great and simple code for you to thrust in the faces of other people during debates. It offers no great assurances past the greatest assurance of all: You are one with the Land, and all is as it must be.” The Witching Way of the Hollow Hill by Robin Arlisson 🌟 Loving, loving, loving this book which I picked up after looking at the suggested reading list on the @bloodandspicebush blog for folks wanting to dig deeper into traditional witchcraft. Great blog and great ig account, so check them out! 🌟 #greenmagic #natureismychurch #naturechurch #sacredmundane #diymagic #homemademagic #handmademagic #ceremony #practicalmagic #altar #magick # #folkrevival #southernmagic #mountainmagic  #livemoremagic #mundanemagic #naturemagic #natureismagic #magicisforeveryone #littlealtarseverywhere #magicinthemundane #magicinprogress https://www.instagram.com/p/B21cpc2HpXP/?igshid=z4w3v3oph2dq

Episode #7: Rebecca Beyer on syncretism in Appalachian Folk Herbalism, moral questions surrounding wildcrafting, cultural appropriation and more.

Episode Seven of the Ground Shots Podcast.

A conversation with folk herbalist, teacher, witch and forager Rebecca Beyer of Blood and Spicebush, out of Barnardsville, NC on Appalachian folk herbalism, wildcrafting questions, acknowledging all the different folks who contributed to the practices of Appalachian folk herbalism, southern Appalachian plant lore and more.

We talk about:

 a few plants in the southern Appalachia and the folklore around them

different ways to think about how to responsibly teach about Appalachian folk herbalism

acknowledging the erasure of the contributions of West African folks to Appalachian folk herbalism practices due to white supremacy

ethical questions and ponderings around wildcrafting in different bioregions

the need for conversations around dispelling the myths surrounding rural Appalachian folks as 'primitive ancestors' 

   Links: 

http://www.bloodandspicebush.com/

https://www.sassafras-school.com/

Becky's instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloodandspicebush/

Becky's facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/bloodandspicebush/ 

 episode photo by: Shauna Caldwell

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Support the podcast on Patreon and access a plant profile on Black Cohosh written by Becky.

+++ We are aiming for 75 patrons by January! (We are currently at 53!) Help us make this goal by pledging monthly at any level, so we can continue to provide free content for everyone. +++

Join the Ground Shots Podcast Facebook Group to discuss the episodes

Theme music: Mother Marrow

Produced by: Opia Creative

Rebecca Beyer on YouTube: