the story of moonflower

Once upon a time a girl picked her way down a dry, dusty, and lonely path.

She came to the edge of a stream and was scared to cross, but took a step in. The icy cold water swirled around her legs and she felt more and more unsteady but with each step she was sure she needed to, had to, complete the journey . She struggled to the other side and stumbled out into a secret place. The place where the moonflowers grow. A place of enchantment, where the wind whispered tales of our ancestors in the rustling leaves, where spirits spoke thru plants and rocks, and mushrooms giggled as she tiptoed by. It was as if she could hear and see for the first time, like a veil had been raised. The Earth was alive and speaking to her. Slowly she lifted her gaze up and around, and she realized she was not alone. Many others like herself were walking with her in the magick. She was part of everything. The woman then came together with all that had gathered in dance and song and celebrated the mysteries………….and all of the sacred that had been forgotten was remembered.

MOONFLOWER HERB FEST 2019: YEAR OF WATER

We choose to focus on the element of water this year and explore all aspects of what water means to us personally and in our community – and how is used in herbal healing. The festival’s birth is a way to honor the sacred feminine, and the wheel of the year, and our regional herbs. This year we tie in the idea of how water heals, how to protect our own body’s water (our own Mother Ocean), and the waters of the planet(specifically those that trickle through Central Texas). Some traditions of healing would say water is our blood, water is life.

What happens when the water element is out of balance in our bodies and why would it be?

What happens when water element is out of balance in the Earth and why would it be?

How do we protect water in our bodies, our gardens, and our communities?

We plan to explore these connections with Teachers, Herbs, and Community Activists who are working to heal our waters.

The MOONFLOWER

Generally night blooming, these white flowers may be used as tools for divination though they are also toxic in whole plant form. Spiritually, they are thought to hold the mysteries of the stars in their petals. Moonflowers are cooling, moistening with the ability to draw us inward and look deep into ourselves. They embody all that is sacred and feminine.

WHAT IS MOONFLOWER HERB FEST?

Moonflower Herb Fest gathers herbalists and herb lovers together to celebrate and share their experiences with regional plant medicines, plant healing, and plant magic. Our mission is to strengthen the herbal community in our Central Texas home, connecting new and experienced herb lovers together to share information. We give special space to our elders & mentors who have studied for decades to be able to share deep and meaningful knowledge about plants. Though somewhat regional in focus, we seek to offer different cultural approaches and traditions that use plants today. We strive to offer a schedule of classes that will appeal to both beginners and advanced plant lovers alike with a special focus on our native herbs and traditions.

Moonflower Herb Fest honors the time of year in which the veil becomes thin between worlds. At this time we pay respect to ancestors and those who have come before us. We have classes & ceremonies surrounding death & embracing the dark as much as the light sides of ourselves. Most importantly, as Maria Elena has taught us, we work to create a loving and authentic experience that connects us to each other, the magic inside each of us, Mother Earth, and the sacred feminine.

Founding and Direction

Nicole Telkes joined forces with her Scorpio herb sister, Beth Ebbing-Johnson, to honor their Scorpio mentor Maria Elena. The two friends were passionate about creating a herb festival that had a lot of heart and soul and founded Moonflower Herbfest. In 2016, the maiden conference took place at the sacred land of Alma de Mujer in Austin, Texas over 3 days with teachers from around North America. The festival is now under the guidance of Nicole and Beth is on to new herbal adventures. Our team was so amazing, we are working together to do it again. Please take a look at the wonderful staff that make your festival happen along with help from Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine Students, Apprentices, and Staff.

About Nicole Telkes

Registered Herbalist and founder/Director of the Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine, Nicole brings decades of community organizing and activism to her work as a herbalist seeing clients, harvesting regional herbs, and educating her community. After publishing a book on Texas medicinal plants, she went on to steward a botanical Sanctuary and Apiary for her herbal students just outside of Austin and work on Moonflower Herbfest. She is also one of the defendants in the Free Fire Cider Traditions not Trademark Campaign. For the festival, Nicole is in charge of the educational and business decisions for Moonflower Herb Fest and is also helping to coordinate ceremony.

meet the moonflower team

Meet the Moonflower Staff! We work hard all year to bring you Moonflower Herb Fest. You can find our individual businesses below, as well as our social media and contact emails.

Darlene Starr
Project Manager & Sponsorship coordinator

Darlene is an Austin Herbalist and founder of Road Dog Health & Wellness. She specializes in Pros on the Go – and is the Project Manager for Moonflower Herb Fest.

Madeline Novak
Website, Vendors & Registration

Madeline, cofounder of Old Factory and Parousia lends her experience as an herbal skincare brand to coordinate the Moonflower Vendor Village. She also builds and maintains the Moonflower website.

Emily miller
marketing + social media

Emily is an aspiring herbalist and the newest member of the Moonflower team. She is taking the lead on our social media and marketing efforts, and is excited to be a part of the growing herbal community in Austin.

founding friends of moonflower

Beth Ebbing Johnnson
sacred moon herbs

While Beth has moved on to other herbal adventures, we want to thank her so much for her hard work and dedication to creating and Moonflower Herbfest. You can visit her at Sacred Moon Herbs in Dripping Springs, and she will still be teaching / vending at Moonflower.

sue gore-berryman
tumbleweed botanicals

Sue is an herbalist and founder of Tumbleweed Botanicals based in Lubbock, Texas. She helped jumpstart this conference in many ways, we are so appreciative of everything she has done!