An Interview With Kathleen Maier — Simple Solutions

by Lee Warren

Kathleen Maier is a much-loved teacher at the Southeast Women’s Herbal Conference, year after year. We’re so happy to have her this year teaching an intensive, a class, and leading a ceremony. Here’s a bit about her, from her: 

What is currently inspiring you as a health practitioner/teacher?

Nervines! And any practices for staying in our body and staying centered. Right now in the world there is so much movement–exciting movement and challenging movement. I think we need to make centering practices part of our day and take them seriously.

Can you say  more about plants as allies in staying centered?

We’re all aware of the effects of stress. We all need help in creating tools. Because our hearts and bodies are one, plants can help shift our perception and states of consciousness. When we’re stressed we know we can take deep breaths but somehow or another the plants act quickly and effectively.

Simple things like milky oats, skullcapp (Scutellaria spp.), and mimosa are very profound. Skullcap can help us stay clear, stay focused, and be much more solid in our bodies.

Nervines are the support we need right now for the fall of 2012.

You’re branching into creating ceremony at the conference this year. How is that for you?

Well, I’m a Scorpio and we love theater. And I don’t mean theater in a superficial or inauthentic way. It’s high performance art that we all get to participate in. For me, shamanism is not only deep and real but touches into the spirit world and into the theatrical world.

In my classes, it’s important that participants don’t  walk away with just information. But that they’ve shifted to another place of understanding. Or at least they’ve shifted to the place of asking the right question.

With the ceremony at the conference this year I look forward to being playful as well as creating a transformative celebration.

What is one message you’d like to give to all women who are seeking health?

‘To thine own self be true.’ There are many ways, many formulas, and many plants.

Trust yourself.

Kathleen Maier, AHG, PA, has been a practicing herbalist for over twenty years. She is currently director of Sacred Plant Traditions in Charlottesville, VA which hosts a three year community herbalist training program as well as other classes and internationally known guest lecturers. Her training as a Physician’s Assistant allows her to translate the language of medicine and ground it in the wisdom of the age-old, earth-centered practices. She is very active with United Plant Savers.