The Mystic's Garden - Hildegard’s Healing Wisdom for Women in the Second Half of Life

2026 DATES COMING SOON

This workshop is created for the thematic series 'everything is connected'. Over two days we will explore the inspirational herbalism, art, psychology and culinary ideas of the 12^th century abbess Hildegard of Bingen, and how we can work with them for health, wellbeing and resilience in today’s changing world.

While a benedictine nun, many of Hildegard’s ideas have resonances with other spiritual and nature-based paths, from Celtic druids to the Vedic healers of India, and it is this that we will explore. Her perspective was profoundly female and resolutely grounded in nature. Her understanding of the medicinal properties of plants, the way she sees how the things we tell ourselves can shape the world around us, and her thoughts on food, exercise and the materials we surround ourselves with create a compelling and practical roadmap for life in the 21^st century.

Hildegard stepped into her own power in her mid-40s, and at a time when the average life expectancy of women was 35, she lived to the age of 83. So, in recognition of the second half of her life, we will use this workshop to celebrate and empower the second half of ours.

Over the course of the two days, we will explore the following:

• Hildegard’s extraordinary life story – a woman in a man’s world
• The mystic’s art – we will look at some of her extraordinary artworks and music
• The idea of vices & virtues  - how we can change our own self-talk
• Where emotions are mapped on the body – and how to work with them
• Five healing plants – some of Hildegard’s favourite herbs
• Gems for love and rage – how she used gems in healing
• Hildegard’s thoughts for a better life – everything is connected
• The Mystic’s kitchen – some recipes from her monastery

 This will be a deeply experiential workshop. You will make some of her healing and culinary recipes, you’ll deepen your connection to her plants, respond to her art and start the transformational process of resetting your self-talk.

This two-day workshop will take place in the Archeus Apothecary. It is strictly limited to six participants and will focus on life after menopause. An online offering will become available in due course.

Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 September 2025
10am - 3pm each day
The Archeus Apothecary, Havelock North.

$295 per person.  (Earlybird price $221.25. Discount will be applied automatically at checkout). Payment must be made at the time of booking. If opting to pay by internet banking please pay upon booking (you will receive banking details with your order confirmation). If payment is not received within three working days the booking will be voided.

Materials and light refreshments will be provided.

Further details will be sent following booking.

Please note: due to the small and intimate size of this workshop booking fees are nonrefundable.