“In my time working with Atava and her classes at Ancestral Apothecary I have grown and healing in ways that were always just out of reach but became firmly the center of my love and attention. Atava is gifted with true connection to the plants and is a talented teacher, centering the power of the student to heal themselves, and the innate wisdom of each of our bodies. As an herbalist, Atava’s ability to talk between and through scientific, spiritual, the personal and political is unmatched Thank you to Atava and your ancestors for sharing your gifts.”

I have had years of solitary and group study and found home at Ancestral. The classes are nurturing, informative and transformative. They offer a wealth of knowledge and a path with heart. The community of plants teachers, ancestors and wise cohorts co-create a healing space that carries and nurtures me through the week until the next class. I am engaged at all levels and thankful to Atava for making this possible. My life is better for it! This program is unique; one that engages the spirit, heart and hands. Rather than communicating a dogma on the plants and spiritual practice, we are offered guidance to develop a relationship with one’s indigenous self, traditions, and ancestors. It is from here that authentic education about healing takes root.

I have learned so much about myself, the word at large, and the plants that hold us down through my experiences as a Cecemmana student. Getting to deepen our skills, knowledges, and perspectives as plant people in a container like this is a gift. I feel grunded by the rigorous work that was asked of us, and know that I have grown so much as a whole human.

I chose Cecemmana because as a queer person of color, it was important that my foundational studies in herbal / plant medicine be reflective of me and the world I want to live in and secure for future generations. A whole new world has opened for me, as if it had been waiting for me all along.

Cecemmana is a brave space. This space has taught me the strength to know when to step back and when to have a voice. It’s taught me to care in the form of community and in turn to care for myself. It’s taught me to be still. to cringe. To be okay not knowing. This is a space of magic, reverence, and power. I recommend this course to everyone.

I can confidently say that joining Cecemmana was one of the best decisions of my life. My life has been changed by the course and connections I’ve made with the plants, students teachers. and my ancestors.

Cecemmana was the highlight of my year. The Cecemmana program is a unique offering in the world of herbal medicine. I am so glad I participated in this program. When I was searching for herbal programs I knew I wanted something that would center the voices and knowledge of BIPOC and Ancestral is dedicated to this. The teaching staff is knowledgeable and caring. Not only did I become more connected to the plants and their medicine but I created important relationships with my own ancestral medicine and fellow plant people