October 9th-14th
Terra Elaya, Puglia, Italy
the art of regeneration, magic and inner transformation
Join Us
For a transformative immersion in Puglia, Italy, where we will explore the interwoven worlds of herbalism, alchemy, ritual, and healing. In these lands, alchemy flourished for centuries as a sacred science, one that sought to understand the profound relationships
between nature, spirit, and the human soul.
Together, we will tend to the traditions rooted in this place while drawing upon ancestral herbal and magical lineages from other cultures too. Through this weaving of wisdom we will cultivate a living framework for reclaiming this “medicine of transformation”, a medicine that has always belonged to the people
and that always sought to create harmony.
An Invitation…
To remember the language of the Earth, the wisdom carried within the body, and the transformative power that emerges when we bring ourselves back into relationship with the living world.
Through study, practice, ritual, and ceremony, we will explore what it means to become students of the “the Great Work”. We will learn to engage with plants as living beings, to deepen our perception of their medicinal and spiritual qualities, and to create remedies that honor both their physical and subtle virtues. We will study the planets and stars, understanding how they influence life on earth. We will reclaim our sovereignty as medicine people, healers, herbalists and people devoted to health.
Together…
We will contemplate the alchemical teaching: “As above, so below; as within, so without.” We are not separate from nature: we are nature. Our lives are woven into the rhythms of the seasons, the movements of the heavens, and the cycles of the Earth. Alchemy reminds us that all life is infused with intelligence and that our role is to properly observe and interact with the seen and unseen worlds.
We Call…
The plant lovers, the star lovers, the healers, witches, the rebels and activists, the ones who are devoted to restoring right relationship to the land, those that want to expand their skills, learn magical, mystical and ancient preparations and ways, and those who want to live, pray and commune with the living forces of life.
Topics & Activities…
Astro Herbalism & Plant Spirit Meditations
Medicine Making & Alembic & Distillation
Plants for Ritual & Limpias, Clearings, Herbal mixes
Herbal Baths & Temazcal
Somatic Practices to Connect with the Land
Ceremony to Restore Relationship
Gardening, Putting Our Hands in the Soil
Have questions, want to learn more,
or want to register and
chat with us about it?
Email us sarah@villagewitch.org
The Faculty
Emilia Cianci is a facilitator and guide, healing arts practitioner, ritualist, birth worker, astrologer and culture maker. She is devoted to the restoration of right relationship to self, body, land and cosmos and supports others in remembering the path of their souls her on earth. She has more than 12 years of experience as a space holder, teacher, mentor and guide. Although not formally trained as a herbalist, yet with countless hours of “unofficial” study, she is a deep lover of the plants and the alchemical arts. She sees the trees, flowers and herbs as friends, allies and teachers. Her work is very much rooted in the remembrance of a more harmonious way of existing on earth, resurrecting the Feminine Ways so to balance the last 2000+ years of male dominance which has caused much of the separation from the land and from our relationship to the invisible forces. For her alchemy is both an internal and practical sacred science which helps us remember our place in the web of life and transform the denser forces into more refined ones. As a healer she draws on the power of plants both as medicine and in their spiritual essence. As an astrologer she weaves the plants with the stars and our own bodies. As a ritualist she allies with the green world to clean, clear and restore. She teaches her work all around the world and is now the steward of Elaya, the place that will host you during this time.
Sarah Wu is a passionate educational curator, facilitator, and mentor dedicated to adult learners of all backgrounds. As a representative for Mother Nature, she teaches Deep Ecology, Therapeutic Ecology, and Whole Systems Design through Herbalism and Permaculture. With 25 years of experience in Regenerative Herbal Medicine, her foundation lies in Planetary Energetic and Western Wise Woman Traditions. Sarah has been practicing clinical and community herbalism in the Neo-Tropics since 2009. Her portfolio includes over 30 Permaculture Design Courses (PDCs), focusing on earth sciences, regenerative human settlement design, community development, and alternative social structures. Sarah curates and facilitates courses, workshops, and events centered on community, deep ecology, regenerative design, and holistic health. She teaches all aspects of herbal medicine, including Materia Medica, ethnobotany, medicine making, formulation, anatomy/physiology and plant spirit medicine. An international facilitator, she has brought her teachings to the United States, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Cuba, Italy, Portugal, France, Greece, and Germany. With a degree in Art History, world religion, and mythology, she also interprets archetypal symbolism and storytelling through Tarot and Evolutionary Astrology.
About the Location
Nestled amongst ancient olive groves, fig and pomegranate trees, Elaya is a home, sanctuary, gathering place & regenerative land project.
Built on the ruins of a 17th century farmhouse it has been restored to preserve its traditional feel. Around the house is a 3 hectare land that is being stewarded and tended to in order to nurture the soil, foster biodiversity, and cultivate ecosystems that sustain life in all its forms.
Our prayer at Elaya is to foster a culture of care and offer a space that recalls the ancient healing sanctuaries present all around the Mediterranean. These were places where people would come to find refuge, restore connection between body and soul and receive visions for the future.
We are also a creative center that values cross pollination of peoples, cultures and the land. We are here to support the re-imagining of a world that is in the right relationship to the web of life.
Tuition
Includes accommodation option, meals,
classes and activities.
Transportation to and from
the venue is not included.
To Register
We ask for a €500 non-refundable deposit
to hold your space for the course.
Second non-refundable installment of €500
is paid before September 15, 2026,
Final balance is paid in cash on site upon arrival.
Spaces are limited! Sign up Now!
Accommodation & Meals
Housing for the event is in gorgeously comfortable double, triple, and quadruple rooms each with a private bathroom.
All meals are crafted from the abundant and ancient Italian bioregion, exploring traditional and fusion tastes for both omnivorous and vegetarian needs.
Herbal teas are flowing throughout the day. We start our mornings with tea, coffee, fruit and light fare, with a rich brunch and dinner served daily.
DOUBLE ROOM
single beds + ensuite bathroom
€ 1,595.00 (early bird)
€ 1,895.00 (regular)
TRIPLE ROOM
single beds + ensuite bathroom
€ 1,505.00 (early bird)
€ 1,795.00 (regular)
QUADRUPLE ROOM
single beds + ensuite bathroom
€ 1,450.00 (early bird)
€ 1,720.00 (regular)
A gift from Sarah
Plants of the Craft is a 4 part course where students will learn about the Sacred, Holy, Wisdom and Master Plants, how to integrate them into their practice, and how to work with Magical Plants of Protection, Love and Abundance.
The course includes 4 videos, a 16 page guide covering 77 plant’s correspondences, a copy of the presentation for review, info on how to prepare the plants and suggestions on how work with them.
This free pre-recorded online course is a gift to those who register for
The Way of Alchemy
to help enrich your journey with the plants.
A gift from Emilia
Participants receive access to Blueprint of the Cosmos, an introductory video on the relationship between
planets, plants and people. In the video you will learn the foundations of the sacred science of astrology
and how it influences humans and the earth.
The video comes along with a short PDF.
This free pre-recorded online course is a gift to those who register for
The Way of Alchemy
to help enrich your journey with the plants.
Have questions, want to learn more,
or want to register and
chat with us about it?
Email us at sarah@villagewitch.org
