The Forager's Apprentice
This is the first of two in-person conversation recorded early in 2016, and is a follow-up to the interview recorded last year with Erik and Victoria. Today the focus on Victoria and The Forager’s Apprentice program.
During this course she provides a foundation to her students in botany, wild foods, and herbal medicine. The class starts the conversation, but where we wind up is deeper into the personal change that comes from a connection with nature; to know that nature is us and we are it; that we create our lives and the resulting yields from the system; and that each of us can choose to take action out of fear or out of love.
Just as we hold that choice, Victoria shares how her studies of healing lead to an understanding that trusting ourselves, one another, and the mystery of life leads to abundance and true, lasting security. We become free.
Find out more about Victoria and The Forager’s Apprentice program at charmcityfarms.org.
There is a parable, sometimes called “The Wolves Within” and attributed to the Cherokee, that came to mind when Victoria spoke about fear and love. A grandfather is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside of me,” he says to the boy. “This terrible fight is between two wolves. One is evil, full of anger, envy, sorrow, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good, full of joy peace, love, hope, serenity, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going inside of you, and everyone else.” The grandson thought about this and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?” The old man replied, “The one you feed.” I’ve read or heard a version of that lesson dozens of times.
For years, though a person of faith, I trusted the results that came largely from the security of a full-time job, often working more than 60 hours a week. It was the only way I knew to live. Even now there are times when it is incomprehensible, but a mystery arises by feeding your personal abundance, that wolf of joy, that brings more abundance into the world and sets you free, opening unimaginable doors.
Whichever wolf you currently find yourself feeding, if I can help you tend it, get in touch by leaving a comment below.
Resources
The Forager’s Apprentice
Charm City Farms
Urban Permaculture in Baltimore (The first interview with Eric and Victoria)
Aldo Leopold
Barbara Brennan
Henry David Thoreau
Gary Strauss
Jack Kornfield