This workshop focuses on incorporating flower remedies (or flower essences) in daily practice as well as folk and clinical herbalism settings. Suitable for flower enthusiasts and seasoned herbalists alike, we will spend the afternoon learning about how this homeopathic medicine can support balance of emotional and energetic shifts.

In this workshop we will:

• discuss the history and background of flower essences and a relational, place-based approach

• learn about the process of making a flower essence (both indirect and direct methods)

• expand understanding of flower families and their energetic components

• explore how color, shape, and environment can influence the energetics of a flower remedy

• experiment with formulating flower remedies that combine multiple essences to make a particular formula using an expansive flower essence apothecary

Students will walk away from this workshop with:

• a flower essence kit containing a small crystal bowl, 4-oz boston round bottle, small funnel and strainer

• a small booklet of flower essence descriptions you can add your own to as you expand your flower essence practice

• a personalized flower essence formula in a 1-oz dropper bottle made in class using an expansive flower essence apothecary (students will be able to choose from a brandy or vegetable glycerin preservative base)

More about Flower Essences:
Flower Essences are an energetic form of plant medicine made from vibrational infusion of plants in spring water, preserved, and ingested in drop doses. Commercialized by Dr. Edward Bach in the 1930s and later developed by others including the Flower Essence Society, it was discovered that in addition to a plant’s medicinal and nutritional properties plant flowers have specific vibrational patterns that correspond with various personality types and emotional states in humans, animals and plants.

Through supporting our exploration of energetic patterns (emotional, psychological, spiritual, etc.), they enable us to relate to the world in the particular pattern of the flower. This process creates a new relationship with themes in our lives. When we make a flower essence, we are working with the spirit of the plant, which means we are also working with the spirit of place, the elements, stories, stars, and more. Their effects are gentle and are best utilized over longer periods of time to help shift perspective or provide support to one in a time of change. Unlike a tincture or essential oil, essences do not contain constituents of plants, making them generally safe for all.

Date: Saturday, July 12, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Ages: Adults only
Materials Fees: $15
Location: Viroqua, WI

Instructions: This class will be primarily indoors and mostly seated, but will involve a short neighborhood walk to gather flowers. Pen & notebook highly recommended.

Sliding Scale Course Fee Guidelines (not including Materials Fees)

Supporter Level Ticket: $70
If you move through the world with financial ease and the means to fulfill many of your wants as well as your needs – you are able to eat out when you want, abundantly meet your needs through employment or can comfortably not work, have access to family wealth, own property, etc. – consider paying at this level, which will help us ensure the long term sustainability of our programs while keeping our offerings accessible to those with access to fewer resources.

Sustainer Level Ticket: $55
If you are able to meet your needs with relative ease while budgeting your educational and entertainment spending – for instance, you are able to take classes and eat out occasionally as long as you are mindful – consider paying at this level, which will help sustain the work of the Folk School at a modest level.

Supported Level Ticket: $40
If you struggle to fund your basic needs and have limited access to resources in your family and community, or if you would not be able to access this offering without a discounted payment option, consider paying at this level. We value your presence and contributions to our community and do not want any economic circumstances to be a barrier to attendance!

Instructor Bio — Kayle Karbowski (she/they)

Kayle Karbowski (she/they) is a facilitator and artist living on the western banks of Lake Michigan. In 2019, she founded Other Dust, a psychospiritual consultancy and technoapothecary focused on developing intuition and reclaiming interdependence in an age of disconnection. A driving force of Kayle’s work is rekindling the relationship between our intellect and intuition. Kayle works between herbalism, animism, mythology, and homesteading in contemporary urban living.