🌿 FROM PLANT TO ESSENCE

A day of harvesting, distillation & plant alchemy

I’ve been thinking a lot about how much we have forgotten about our relationship with plants — not only as something we use, but as living beings we can observe, learn from and create a relationship with.

So I created this day around something I love deeply: harvesting plants and turning them into essences through botanical distillation.

On 26 September, we’ll spend the day together at the farm in the Perth Hills, moving through the whole journey of the plant — from harvesting and preparation, to working with the still and collecting the resulting hydrosol and essential oil.

We’ll explore the practical process of distillation, while also looking at some of the deeper ways plants have traditionally been understood through plant signatures, elements, planetary correspondences and Vegetal Spagyria.

🌿 DURING THE WORKSHOP YOU WILL

Learn how to harvest and prepare plant material according to its characteristics
Discover the essential principles of botanical distillation
Work with a still and experience the process from plant to essence
Explore how water, temperature, plant material and time influence the distillation
Learn about hydrosols and essential oils, including their qualities, uses and preservation
Develop your sensory observation of the plant and its distillate
Explore plant signatures, elements and traditional planetary correspondences
Discover an introduction to Vegetal Spagyria and plant alchemy
Explore conscious and sustainable ways of working with aromatic plants

This is not simply about learning how to operate a still.

It is an invitation to slow down, get your hands in the plants, observe what happens through each stage of the process, and experience the transformation from plant to essence.

You’ll also take home a small portion of the distillation created during the day.

🌞 A DAY AT THE FARM

Herbal drinks will be provided throughout the day.

Shared lunch: Please bring something to share. We’ll enjoy a relaxed communal lunch together at the farm.

🌕 FULL MOON DRUMMING

As the day comes to a close, there will be an optional Full Moon Drumming Circle guided by John’s wife.

Workshop participants are warmly invited to stay and join the evening experience at special discounted rate.

A beautiful way to close the day through rhythm, connection and the full moon.

26 SEPTEMBER · PERTH HILLS

🌿 Limited places available. Come spend a day with the plants, the still, fire, steam, water and the people who want to explore this beautiful practice together.

Contact the host of Workshop: Plant destilation Hydrosol & Essential Oil