Renaissance &
Astro-Herbalism

Astrology - Herbalism - Natura Sophia

Explore the foundations of astrology and herbalism, including solar and lunar associations with herbs, gems, and metals. Learn a new way to take your herbal practice to a whole new level.
"...first in astro-herbalism this century to learn from Judith and Matthew."
RL
"many gems of knowledge in my treasure box" 
CVB
"herbs to strengthen the person based on looking at the natal chart."
EH

Nearly 100 years of herbal and astrological wisdom.

This introductory course brings together one of the luminaries of modern herbalism (Matthew Wood) with one of the shining stars of astrological medicine (Judith Hill). Both share a deep interest and knowledge of the history of astrological, herbal, and Renaissance medicine, as well as the closely related "Nature Wisdom" (Natura Sophia) movement.
This class places the subject within its historical milieu but then quickly moves on to the discussion of practical herbal lore related to astrology, gemstones, and metals of the seven planets, planting, making, and administering remedies by the stars, surgical dates, concluding with a discussion of chart reading.

Matt and Judith discuss and share the scope of the series, their backgrounds in the topic, a few stories, and how we make the connection between Astrology and Herbalism. Ancient identification of stars with plants, animals, people, and gemstones. Star lore and wisdom. In Native American teaching, Star Woman descended to Eldest Turtle, bringing the stars or archetypes of creation to the earth. In European teachings, it is Sophia or Wisdom who embraces star lore, plant lore, and earth lore. This “ Wisdom of Nature” or Natura Sophia culminated in the Renaissance, the “golden age” of astrological herbalism.”

This 9-hour Course Includes:

  1. Foundations of Astrology and Herbalism. Solar Herbs: Angelica, Rosemary, and Calendula. Solar Gem: Ruby. Solar Metal: Gold. As above, so below. Similars and contraries. Signatures and correspondences. “The Lost Etiologies,” i.e., forgotten causes of disease (“accident-proneness,” etc.) Lunar Herbs: Marshmallow Root, Chickweed, Cucumber Water. Lunar Gem: Pearl. Lunar Metal: Silver. Astrology and medicine; partners since ancient Greece and Rome, culminating in the early Renaissance. When science was astrology: the ten spheres surrounding the earth: ancient cosmology, astrology, and science. The origins of ancient astrology: work by Robert Schmidt and Ellen Black.

  2. Astrological Classification of Plants, Organs, Diseases. The Grand Man of the Zodiac and the twelve major organ systems of the body. Medical and medicinal properties of the planets and signs. Mars Metal: Iron. Gem: Red Coral. Herbs: Cayenne, Yarrow, Gentian. Venus Metal: Copper. Herbs: Peach, Rose (Venus and Mars), Lady’s Mantle. Gem: White Diamond. Metal of Mercury: Mercury. Gem: Green Emerald. Herbs: Fennel, Alfalfa, Oatstraw. Jupiter: Metal: Tin. Gem: Yellow Sapphire or Yellow Topaz. Herbs: Dandelion, Burdock, Fenugreek. Saturn Metal: Lead. Gem: Blue Sapphire. Herbs: Horsetail, Oak Bark, Blackberry.

  3. Astrological Herbalism and Renaissance Medicine in Practice. Planets in signs. Astrological chart reading for assessment. Surgery dates.

  4. Principles of Timing for Harvesting, Decocting, Administration. Planetary Hours is not as strongly effective as any of these methods: Moon-Planet conjunctions, Planets conjunct angles, Moon-Planet conjunctions on angles (best!); Moon in sign required, Moon in element required (Blagrave). Planetary Hours are the “layman’s” method, based on the thinnest ice, and widely popularized because laymen didn’t have access to ephemerides. The method is ancient but flimsy and in practice, hardly noticeable.
Small text.
Note: This class is one of our earliest class offerings and may have been recorded before the Matthew Wood Institute of Herbalism was formally started. In this handful of classes, the video and audio may be sub-par. Nonetheless, we've included them so you can gain from the information you otherwise will not find.

Includes:

Support Materials

Timeline of Astrological Medicine by Judith Hill
(not downloadable)

Video

8 hours of teaching

Pay Once = One Year Access

1 year to view and review content, ask questions and discuss

This is for you if you...

want insights from 100 years of herbal and astrological wisdom, merging modern herbalism with astrological medicine.
want to learn from experts in their fields, Matthew Wood and Judith Hill, exploring the historical roots of astrology and herbalism.
want to acquire practical herbal lore, understand solar and lunar associations, and elevate your herbal practice to new heights.

Upon completion, you will...

have a solid understanding of the foundations of astrology and herbalism, integrating celestial influences into herbal practice.
understand the basics of astro-herbalism: gemstones, metals, and planetary influences in remedies, planting, and administration.
feel more confident to begin astrological chart reading, enabling you to assess planetary influences and timings for herbal action and potency.

Teachers

Matthew Wood, MS

Matthew Wood has been a practicing herbalist for over forty years. He is an internationally known
teacher and author with more than ten books to his credit, including The Book of Herbal Wisdom, 
The Earthwise Herbals, Holistic Medicine and the Extracellular Matrix, and A Shamanic Herbal 
(July 2024). Matthew has an MSc in herbal medicine from the Scottish School of Herbal Medicine 
(accredited, U. of Wales). He lives in the Midwest. 

Judith Hill 

Judith Hill, an award-winning author and Western Medical Astrology pioneer, founded The Academy for Astrological Medicine. She is one of the longest practicing full-time astrological consultants in America.
Write your awesome label here.

Renaissance &
Astro-Herbalism

Explore the foundations of astrology and herbalism, including solar and lunar associations with herbs, gems, and metals.
Looking For A DEEPER JOURNEY INTO HERBALISM?

Check out our certificate courses!