Calendar of Events
Upcoming events and things to do in Asheville, NC. Below is a list of events for festivals, concerts, art exhibitions, group meetups and more.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
Each year at the OGS Spring Conference, we recognize a local leader for their dedication, steadfastness, civic commitment, and responsibility for organic education.
Last year, Tamarya Sims from Soulfull Simone Farm and Patryk Battle from Living Web Farms won the Organic Educator Award!
In the last few years, we’ve given the Organic Educator Award to folks who have been at it for decades, but this year, we wanted to recognize those folks who may be just getting started but are already making a profound impact.
This award honors the individuals in our midst who have made ongoing and important contributions to the sustainable agriculture community in Western NC and the Southern Appalachians.
Have someone in mind?
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Volunteer at Spring Conference!
We work hard to make the Spring conference available to all. We’re excited to offer the opportunity to volunteer in exchange for a weekend and/or pre-conference pass. We truly couldn’t do this without our spectacular volunteers! Nearly 200 of you will make this conference a success.
We are still finalizing the volunteer opportunities available at the 2022 Spring Conference & Market and will be updating our volunteer page as soon as possible! In the meantime, please reach out to our Spring Conference Volunteer Coordinator at [email protected].
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Food and Supplementation are often at the forefront of the Medical Medium®️ healing discussions. But one of the MOST important aspects of healing is the SPIRITUAL aspect of healing.
What we’ll do:
11:00 Short introductions
11:15 Discussion/Q&A
11:55 Bathroom Break
12:00 Continue Discussion/Q&A
12:25 Closing Blessing
(Please be on time. We’ll begin right at 11:00).
*Please be in a location with a quiet background and where you can devote your full attention to the person speaking. We often get personal and emotional and being present helps keep this a safe and compassionate space.
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Gardening in the Mountains presents: Presenter: Phil Roudebush, Extension Master GardenerSM Volunteer Herbs are commonly grown in gardens and containers for a variety of uses. This presentation will provide general information about growing and using herbs with a focus on those used for culinary purposes. You’ll get Ideas about how to process and use culinary herbs year-round. Recipes for making various types of herb pesto, vinegar, butter, rubs, and oils will be discussed and provided in a handout. |
Each year at the OGS Spring Conference, we recognize a local leader for their dedication, steadfastness, civic commitment, and responsibility for organic education.
Last year, Tamarya Sims from Soulfull Simone Farm and Patryk Battle from Living Web Farms won the Organic Educator Award!
In the last few years, we’ve given the Organic Educator Award to folks who have been at it for decades, but this year, we wanted to recognize those folks who may be just getting started but are already making a profound impact.
This award honors the individuals in our midst who have made ongoing and important contributions to the sustainable agriculture community in Western NC and the Southern Appalachians.
Have someone in mind?
Each year at the OGS Spring Conference, we recognize a local leader for their dedication, steadfastness, civic commitment, and responsibility for organic education.
Last year, Tamarya Sims from Soulfull Simone Farm and Patryk Battle from Living Web Farms won the Organic Educator Award!
In the last few years, we’ve given the Organic Educator Award to folks who have been at it for decades, but this year, we wanted to recognize those folks who may be just getting started but are already making a profound impact.
This award honors the individuals in our midst who have made ongoing and important contributions to the sustainable agriculture community in Western NC and the Southern Appalachians.
Have someone in mind?
Organic Growers School is excited to bring this training opportunity to Southern Appalachia in partnership with Certified Naturally Grown. Holistic Crop Management aka CNG’s Bootcamp South, is a six-part webinar series led by local farmers and agricultural resource specialists. Growers will gain the tools to manage soil health, weeds, pests and diseases for whole-farm success.
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Tools from the Holistic Management Framework: Learn how to view the farm as an ecosystem while managing the four ecosystem processes to establish balance and promote productivity on your farm.
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
6:00pm – 8:00pm
A Holistic Approach to Soil Health: Learn and apply whole farm management methods, basics of soil science and soil monitoring to increase your farm’s soil health and productivity.
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Managing Pests Holistically: Gain an ecological understanding of pest biology, and management strategies commonly used to prevent pest damage.
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Managing Disease Holistically: Discover ecologically-based preventive, and integrated practices to reduce the impact of disease on your farm.
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Managing Weeds Holistically: Understand common weed biology, ecology, and identification, as well as preventative practices to reduce weed pressure.
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Implementing Holistic Decision-Making Skills for your Farm: Learn how to use the holistic management monitoring cycle for decision making on your farm.
Each year at the OGS Spring Conference, we recognize a local leader for their dedication, steadfastness, civic commitment, and responsibility for organic education.
Last year, Tamarya Sims from Soulfull Simone Farm and Patryk Battle from Living Web Farms won the Organic Educator Award!
In the last few years, we’ve given the Organic Educator Award to folks who have been at it for decades, but this year, we wanted to recognize those folks who may be just getting started but are already making a profound impact.
This award honors the individuals in our midst who have made ongoing and important contributions to the sustainable agriculture community in Western NC and the Southern Appalachians.
Have someone in mind?
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Western North Carolina is one of the richest areas for medicinal plants in North America, if not the world. In addition to the famous woodland herbs in our area such as ginseng, black cohosh, and wild yam, we also have a lot of common plants and trees growing all over that could be used for healing purposes. Walking around our yards and fields we can find useful weeds like goldenrod and honeysuckle, native trees like sumach, sassafras, and witch hazel, and even some noxious weeds like kudzu, Japanese knotweed, and mimosa have a number of medicinal uses. In this short talk, author CoreyPine will discuss some of the common and useful medicinal weeds that are easy to identify and discuss how to harvest and use them for our health and well-being. CoreyPine Shane RH (AHG), founder and director of the Blue Ridge School of Herbal Medicine near Asheville, NC, has spent over 25 years helping clients and teaching people by artfully blending Chinese and Western herbal traditions with a focus on local plants. His new book “Southeast Medicinal Plants” (Timber Press) covers how to identify, ethically harvest, and use the medicinal Plants of the Southeast. CoreyPine has taught across the United States and in Europe, at many national herb conferences, and is a Professional Member of the American Herbalists Guild. Registration is required to attend this event. |
Each year at the OGS Spring Conference, we recognize a local leader for their dedication, steadfastness, civic commitment, and responsibility for organic education.
Last year, Tamarya Sims from Soulfull Simone Farm and Patryk Battle from Living Web Farms won the Organic Educator Award!
In the last few years, we’ve given the Organic Educator Award to folks who have been at it for decades, but this year, we wanted to recognize those folks who may be just getting started but are already making a profound impact.
This award honors the individuals in our midst who have made ongoing and important contributions to the sustainable agriculture community in Western NC and the Southern Appalachians.
Have someone in mind?
Each year at the OGS Spring Conference, we recognize a local leader for their dedication, steadfastness, civic commitment, and responsibility for organic education.
Last year, Tamarya Sims from Soulfull Simone Farm and Patryk Battle from Living Web Farms won the Organic Educator Award!
In the last few years, we’ve given the Organic Educator Award to folks who have been at it for decades, but this year, we wanted to recognize those folks who may be just getting started but are already making a profound impact.
This award honors the individuals in our midst who have made ongoing and important contributions to the sustainable agriculture community in Western NC and the Southern Appalachians.
Have someone in mind?
Kickoff 2022 with the Western Regional SBCN and EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems as we present a virtual series on enhancing your farming business. Convenient online classes for you to attend and hear from speakers with information, tips, and more. Registration is FREE!
Join us at 6 pm on Thursdays, January through March, to hear from EmPOWERING Mountain Food Systems. We encourage you to take this time to engage with fellow agribusinesses, entrepreneurs and resource providers while learning new skills and the power of collaboration along the way.
Kickoff 2022 with the Western Regional SBCN and EmPOWERing Mountain Food Systems as we present a virtual series on enhancing your farming business. Convenient online classes for you to attend and hear from speakers with information, tips, and more. Registration is FREE!
Join us at 6 pm on Thursdays, January through March, to hear from EmPOWERING Mountain Food Systems. We encourage you to take this time to engage with fellow agribusinesses, entrepreneurs and resource providers while learning new skills and the power of collaboration along the way.
January 20- Online Farm Taxes Explained: Property, Equipment and Sales. Dive deeper into farm taxes as they pertain to the many different sides of your farming business. Ask a local farmer about their experience navigating taxes and learn some tips of your own.
January 27- Online Sales Platforms for Direct to Consumer Sales: There are many choices to consider! Hear what works for some regional farmers and determine which platform may be a good fit for your operation.
February 3- Agritourism in Southwestern NC Trends and Storytelling: NCSU researchers spent a year learning from regional providers. What are their findings and recommendations? February 10- Airbnb, HipCamp and Harvest Host: Exploring farm visit options for lodging on your farm. Hear farmer success stories
February 17- Using Social Media to Promote your Farm Business: Facebook, Insta, and Twitter how to get followers and keep them!
February 24- Liability for On Farm Visits: Protect your visitors, your farm and home.
March 10- Making Value Added Products at Home: Regulations for a Home Certified Kitchen & Marketing Options
March 17- Food Safety: Good practices and Regulations for the farm
and market
March 24- Farm Service Agency and Natural Resource Management: Services and Cost Share for your Farming Operations
Each year at the OGS Spring Conference, we recognize a local leader for their dedication, steadfastness, civic commitment, and responsibility for organic education.
Last year, Tamarya Sims from Soulfull Simone Farm and Patryk Battle from Living Web Farms won the Organic Educator Award!
In the last few years, we’ve given the Organic Educator Award to folks who have been at it for decades, but this year, we wanted to recognize those folks who may be just getting started but are already making a profound impact.
This award honors the individuals in our midst who have made ongoing and important contributions to the sustainable agriculture community in Western NC and the Southern Appalachians.
Have someone in mind?
Did you know one of the oldest community food forests is located in Asheville? With over 40 varieties of fruit and nut trees, a butterfly habitat, and annual vegetable garden, maintaining this space named for the famous inventor and agricultural scientist is a year-round job for volunteers.
Come work in the George Washington Carver Edible Park and help maintain Asheville’s first edible park. Bountiful Cities will be on hand to lead the work day and provide an educational session.
Fridays, January 28, February 25, March 25 and April 22
Each year at the OGS Spring Conference, we recognize a local leader for their dedication, steadfastness, civic commitment, and responsibility for organic education.
Last year, Tamarya Sims from Soulfull Simone Farm and Patryk Battle from Living Web Farms won the Organic Educator Award!
In the last few years, we’ve given the Organic Educator Award to folks who have been at it for decades, but this year, we wanted to recognize those folks who may be just getting started but are already making a profound impact.
This award honors the individuals in our midst who have made ongoing and important contributions to the sustainable agriculture community in Western NC and the Southern Appalachians.
Have someone in mind?
ASAP’s Annual Business of Farming Conference brings together professional farmers from across the Southeast region to network and share resources to grow their farm businesses. Farmers learn about marketing, business planning, and financial management from regional experts and innovative peers. The conference is designed for beginning and established farmers as well as those seriously considering farming as a profession.
Workshops for Beginning and Established Farmers
Choose from workshops on business planning, farm financials, marketing, branding, legal considerations, and much more, led by regional business and marketing professionals and innovative farmers.
Grower-Buyer Meeting
Meet with restaurant owners, chefs, distributors, and grocers to discuss sourcing and possible matches between what you produce and what each buyer needs. (It’s like speed dating for local sourcing!) Many farmers have made connections with participating buyers, and many more have improved their ability to serve wholesale accounts.
Farmers Market Summit
The summit brings together farmers market managers from across the Appalachian Grown region for peer-sharing, technical assistance support, and annual planning. The summit is free for market leadership, but does require pre-registration. Contact Mike McCreary to learn more.
Networking and 1:1 Consulting
Attendees have the opportunity to meet, connect, and form supportive relationships. Experts are available to provide your farm with individual support on a variety of business, legal, marketing, and management topics.
Exhibitors Hall
Connect with representatives from a variety of regional agricultural and business services in our exhibitor hall. Interested in being an exhibitor? Contact [email protected].
Volunteers from the Sand Hill area and surrounding neighborhoods harvested over 1,800 pounds of leafy greens, legumes, and other fruits and vegetables from Sand Hill Community Garden in 2021. Around 79% of that total – 1,441 pounds – was donated to ABCCM, Montmorenci UMC, and Snow Hill UMC for distribution to local people in need of food.
“Buncombe County Sports Park is one our most visited park locations each year and Sand Hill Community Garden sits at the entrance,” said Lynn Pegg, Buncombe County Recreation Services Program Manager. “The garden represents a commitment to community and sustainability – a positive message for all visitors. Whether you volunteer a few hours a week or a few hours a year, friendships are fostered and mountain spirit is affirmed by spending time out here.”
Want to Help Out?
In all, volunteers spent 1,001 hours sharing in garden space, knowledge, and labor using organic growing practices to promote community health and wellness. Anyone in Buncombe County is invited to help out at public workdays beginning in February. The first community garden workday for 2022 will be Saturday February 26th from 10:00am – 12:00pm (Weather Permitting) at the garden, Buncombe County Sports Park, 58 Apac Drive Asheville NC 28806. Follow Buncombe County Recreation on Facebook and Instagram for additional dates and times when workdays are scheduled.
Each year at the OGS Spring Conference, we recognize a local leader for their dedication, steadfastness, civic commitment, and responsibility for organic education.
Last year, Tamarya Sims from Soulfull Simone Farm and Patryk Battle from Living Web Farms won the Organic Educator Award!
In the last few years, we’ve given the Organic Educator Award to folks who have been at it for decades, but this year, we wanted to recognize those folks who may be just getting started but are already making a profound impact.
This award honors the individuals in our midst who have made ongoing and important contributions to the sustainable agriculture community in Western NC and the Southern Appalachians.
Have someone in mind?
Each year at the OGS Spring Conference, we recognize a local leader for their dedication, steadfastness, civic commitment, and responsibility for organic education.
Last year, Tamarya Sims from Soulfull Simone Farm and Patryk Battle from Living Web Farms won the Organic Educator Award!
In the last few years, we’ve given the Organic Educator Award to folks who have been at it for decades, but this year, we wanted to recognize those folks who may be just getting started but are already making a profound impact.
This award honors the individuals in our midst who have made ongoing and important contributions to the sustainable agriculture community in Western NC and the Southern Appalachians.
Have someone in mind?
Organic Growers School is excited to bring this training opportunity to Southern Appalachia in partnership with Certified Naturally Grown. Holistic Crop Management aka CNG’s Bootcamp South, is a six-part webinar series led by local farmers and agricultural resource specialists. Growers will gain the tools to manage soil health, weeds, pests and diseases for whole-farm success.
Tuesday, February 15, 2022
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Tools from the Holistic Management Framework: Learn how to view the farm as an ecosystem while managing the four ecosystem processes to establish balance and promote productivity on your farm.
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
6:00pm – 8:00pm
A Holistic Approach to Soil Health: Learn and apply whole farm management methods, basics of soil science and soil monitoring to increase your farm’s soil health and productivity.
Tuesday, March 1, 2022
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Managing Pests Holistically: Gain an ecological understanding of pest biology, and management strategies commonly used to prevent pest damage.
Tuesday, March 8, 2022
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Managing Disease Holistically: Discover ecologically-based preventive, and integrated practices to reduce the impact of disease on your farm.
Tuesday, March 15, 2022
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Managing Weeds Holistically: Understand common weed biology, ecology, and identification, as well as preventative practices to reduce weed pressure.
Tuesday, March 22, 2022
6:00pm – 8:00pm
Implementing Holistic Decision-Making Skills for your Farm: Learn how to use the holistic management monitoring cycle for decision making on your farm.
Each year at the OGS Spring Conference, we recognize a local leader for their dedication, steadfastness, civic commitment, and responsibility for organic education.
Last year, Tamarya Sims from Soulfull Simone Farm and Patryk Battle from Living Web Farms won the Organic Educator Award!
In the last few years, we’ve given the Organic Educator Award to folks who have been at it for decades, but this year, we wanted to recognize those folks who may be just getting started but are already making a profound impact.
This award honors the individuals in our midst who have made ongoing and important contributions to the sustainable agriculture community in Western NC and the Southern Appalachians.
Have someone in mind?
Last Spring Gardening Class until Summer Series!
Join general contractor Keenan Phillips for a hands-on workshop about tools and skills commonly used in the garden and homestead. The workshop will include basic information on tools and safety, and focus on some common needs around water carrying, electricity, and construction.
Each year at the OGS Spring Conference, we recognize a local leader for their dedication, steadfastness, civic commitment, and responsibility for organic education.
Last year, Tamarya Sims from Soulfull Simone Farm and Patryk Battle from Living Web Farms won the Organic Educator Award!
In the last few years, we’ve given the Organic Educator Award to folks who have been at it for decades, but this year, we wanted to recognize those folks who may be just getting started but are already making a profound impact.
This award honors the individuals in our midst who have made ongoing and important contributions to the sustainable agriculture community in Western NC and the Southern Appalachians.
Have someone in mind?
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Organically Divine
Rev. Darlene Strickland
Minister at Unity of the Blue Ridge
Unconsciously a person crafts an individual identity and personal reality. As Ram Dass said, “We all go through ‘Somebody’ training”. All the while, our Divine Identity is intact, organic, complete, and immutable. In any moment you can realize and live from your Divine Identity. You do not have to acquire your Divine Identity; you have only to mature in your experiential understanding of this essential identity and allow it to become your moment-by-moment reality.
*****
Rev. Darlene Strickland is a spiritual visionary and mystic for our times. She is an outstanding speaker and singer who has a knack for weaving spiritual wisdom and transformational practices into real life experiences.
Darlene is an openly intuitive, gay, cancer survivor, who experienced an extraordinary and powerful kundalini awakening when she lived and worked on Maui. Speaking of that experience and what followed, she said “You can’t poo-poo what’s woo-woo if it happens to you-you”.
Raised in eastern North Carolina, Darlene became uncomfortably aware of racial injustice and religious intolerance at an early age. “I was white in the rural South and I was part of the ‘right’ religious affiliation. So, I was told. But my heart knew there were no better-than or less-than people… and my soul knew we came from the one, same divine Source.”
Darlene became an Ordained Unity Minister in 2004 and previously served ministries in Kansas, Hawaii and Washington State. Prior to seminary, she served as the Music Director at Unity of the Triangle in Raleigh, N.C. She currently serves as Senior Minister at Unity of The Blue Ridge in Mills River, N.C.
Before entering seminary, Darlene was a Senior Executive in the children’s toy industry, working with BRIO Toys and TY Inc. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management and is a Seminary graduate of Unity Worldwide Institute.
She lives with her partner Tia and their fur-angel Ari Grace. Life is best when rendezvous with Mother Nature, family time, and sharing home cooked meals and hearty laugher are involved!
Each year at the OGS Spring Conference, we recognize a local leader for their dedication, steadfastness, civic commitment, and responsibility for organic education.
Last year, Tamarya Sims from Soulfull Simone Farm and Patryk Battle from Living Web Farms won the Organic Educator Award!
In the last few years, we’ve given the Organic Educator Award to folks who have been at it for decades, but this year, we wanted to recognize those folks who may be just getting started but are already making a profound impact.
This award honors the individuals in our midst who have made ongoing and important contributions to the sustainable agriculture community in Western NC and the Southern Appalachians.
Have someone in mind?
All are invited to join St. John in the Wilderness for any or all of our Lenten Series sessions, to take place each Thursday evening in Lent. The evenings each have three offerings all of which are open to the public with adults and youth most welcome. You do not have to be present for all three portions of the event to participate. See below for details.
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Evening Prayer at 6:00 in the Atrium Chapel in the Parish Hall
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Dinner at 6:30 in the Parish Hall – RSVP required below – $8/person or $20/family of 3+
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Program from 7:00 to 8:00 in the Parish Hall, or join via Zoom with RSVP
Our Lenten program this year will be led by the Sisters of the Community of St. Mary. These Episcopal Nuns live at their convent in Sewanee, TN and are members of a monastic movement that goes back to 1865 when their order was started in New York. The sisters will take turns sharing with us the richness of their ancient monastic way of life. Together we will learn about their Benedictine way of living that includes prayers, work, radical hospitality, rich community, accountability, and more. While many think of monks and nuns as being something restricted to the Roman Catholic Church, the Episcopal Church has a long history of monastic life that continues to influence our churches to this day.
For the first session on March 3, we will host the Prioress of the Community of St. Mary, Sister Madeleine Mary, who will travel from Sewanee to be with us. Sister Madeleine Mary has been living in religious life for over 50 years having entered the cloister after teaching middle school in New York and spending time advocating for environmental justice issues.
In the sessions following on March 10, March 17, March 24, March 31, and April 7, we will meet in person at the Parish Hall to gather for a virtual visit with other Sisters from the Order, including Sister Hannah Winkler, who made her life profession in January 2021, and Sister Elizabeth Grace, who will share on Rule of St. Benedict’s emphasis on humility. You may also participate on Zoom for any of the sessions, but we will hope you will join us in person if you can. Click here to sign up to be emailed a Zoom link.
All are also invited to join us for Evening Prayer in the Atrium Chapel of the Parish Hall at 6:00pm on each Thursday in Lent (March 3 – April 7). Dinner follows at 6:30pm in the Parish Hall. RSVP and pay for dinner by clicking the one of the boxes below by Tuesday of each week so food is not wasted. Masks will be required except when eating.
Sister Madeleine Mary will also be preaching at St. John in the Wilderness on Sunday, March 6, at the 8:45 and 11:00 services. Please join us as we journey through Lent together.
For more information:
https://www.communityofstmarysouth.org/about
https://www.facebook.com/communityofstmarysouth/
Each year at the OGS Spring Conference, we recognize a local leader for their dedication, steadfastness, civic commitment, and responsibility for organic education.
Last year, Tamarya Sims from Soulfull Simone Farm and Patryk Battle from Living Web Farms won the Organic Educator Award!
In the last few years, we’ve given the Organic Educator Award to folks who have been at it for decades, but this year, we wanted to recognize those folks who may be just getting started but are already making a profound impact.
This award honors the individuals in our midst who have made ongoing and important contributions to the sustainable agriculture community in Western NC and the Southern Appalachians.
Have someone in mind?
Each year at the OGS Spring Conference, we recognize a local leader for their dedication, steadfastness, civic commitment, and responsibility for organic education.
Last year, Tamarya Sims from Soulfull Simone Farm and Patryk Battle from Living Web Farms won the Organic Educator Award!
In the last few years, we’ve given the Organic Educator Award to folks who have been at it for decades, but this year, we wanted to recognize those folks who may be just getting started but are already making a profound impact.
This award honors the individuals in our midst who have made ongoing and important contributions to the sustainable agriculture community in Western NC and the Southern Appalachians.
Have someone in mind?
In this evolutionary offering, we will deepen into our Embodied Sovereignty with the Cosmic Star Child Transmission infused with the divine balancing of inner polarities. Deeply nourish your own precious heart with high frequency activations from Ascended Light Being Sarah, the Cosmic Star Child of the Galactic Magdalene Lineage and Yeshua Christ. We will visit and receive her darshan shamanically at her etheric temple in Glastonbury.
We will call forth and transform any fragmented versions of ourselves, bringing all our past selves into present time with LOVE, completing and collapsing old templates as we come into alignment with Gaia and the natural frequencies of joy and fulfillment.
Ana Estrada is a Quantum Light Practitioner with more than 25 years experience of working consciously with Beings of Light and Ascended Masters. Her graduate degrees in Transformative Art and Spirituality took her to the Amazon jungles and the temples of India where she studied shamanic cultures and visionary art making processes. She is certified as an Intuitive Energy Healer in various healing modalities and serves as a channel for the Divine Mother and her sacred Light Language. Ana offers Quantum Light Alignment Sessions privately and at sacred sites around the world.
Donations appreciated and accepted via Paypal!
ana@quantumlightpractice.com
For more information or to schedule a private session, please visit:
www.QuantumLightPractice.com