Alchemy is the science of life. Like  Ayurveda, Alchemy looks at the basic patterns in life to understand the life processes that happen daily, in the body, the environment, the earth, and the wider universe. 

Historically alchemy was the original science before the Ether element was erased from science, and science split into smaller and smaller parts. 

Up until the 1700s, all doctors were required to have an understanding of alchemy and astrological herbalism.

 I have chosen the alchemical practice of herbalism because it is part of our lost Western history gone underground with the burning of witches etc. And Ayurveda because it is an equivalent practice mostly uninterrupted by the destruction of spirit from sciences. 

Alchemy in the Context of Herbalism 

I am not an Alchemist, I apply alchemical processes and principles in my practice of herbalism. This is a practice of learning by doing; I am and always will be continuously learning.

Alchemy looks at the whole being. The human being is not a human doing. We study the patterns in your day-to-day and the energy of those patterns. We study the patterns in your living environment and those energies. When we understand the root causes of your symptoms we look for simple steps and adjustments with the aid of herbal plant allies. 

Together we will look at the whole being and address the wholeness with the aid of the wholeness that is inherent within nature. 

Together we will study your individual nature because every being is different and diverse and a healthy lifestyle that fits you and your needs. There are no silver bullets here. 

We will learn and grow in tune with nature and ground in her ever-changing ways. So that you can live and embody your best self.

Hi, I’m Sanne. My parents are from the Netherlands but I was born here in New Zealand. My parents studied soil and found life. They brought me and my siblings up on the Eco Farm, where I learned what life is and how to respect it. After a year at university studying architecture, I went back home, perhaps because I realized my studies missed an inherent quality of life, perhaps because interior architecture was not my dream.

I spent a year working on the farm in the CSA. I found that I learned so much more on the farm than in my year at uni. As long as I was learning I was happy working on the farm, and a few years went by after which I ran the packing shed and then the gardens.  Lastly, I started creating my own herb garden on the farm. Here was art and architecture but living and growing and I kept learning.  

Then I found it, The School of Evolutionary Herbalism! A teacher who speaks the same language as Frank. A language of patterns and energy, with puzzle pieces that fit together to create a picture of wholeness. I signed up for two classes Alchemical Herbalism and Vitilist Practitioner programs.

I felt drawn to one more class, a feminine form of Ayurveda at Shakti School. Perhaps because the feminine within me was calling for healing and reintegration. 

And so here I am ready to introduce you to my world of earth, plants, and stars. 

With that in mind, life is a learning process and I hope to never stop learning.