The Cavewoman Way
Michelle Rigling, PhD
Chattanooga, TN
Invitation
This special immersion is designed for those who wish to know the plant world through the eyes of the scientist, the hands of the maker, and the heart of the mystic. Offered in partnership with Manitou Cave
of Alabama, this is a unique opportunity to connect with Manitou Cave and the ancient Cedar that resides there in a way that few people get to experience!
Cedar ~ A Living Monograph
Step into a multi-sensory experience with the Cedar that stands tall outside of Manitou Cave. Heather Holloway will guide us in engaging with this living teacher, helping us bridge the gap between botanical data and nature's wisdom. During our time together, we'll journey through the four pillars of experiencing (Witness, Medicine, Vessel, and Spirit) to get to know Cedar in a more intimate way.
The Witness
We will begin with a guided sit spot meditation. Observing the tree firsthand,
learning to see the tree as a living presence. Then we will touch, smell, and interact with
Cedar directly, gaining confidence for future identification on your own.
The Medicine
We will experience and learn about Cedar medicine through a traditional
lens as well as a modern herbal approach.
The Vessel
We will hold space for a guided writing session, where you will compose
your own "Living Monograph,” developing a personal, written record of the tree's
properties. We will explore botanical facts, history, traditional and modern medicinal
preparations, and your own intuitive insights.
The Spirit
We will harness the protective spirit of the tree by crafting our own Cedar Sentinel
Charm to take home after the immersion ends.
Picnic Lunch
We'll break after our time with Cedar for a picnic lunch. Picnic foods will be provided such as chicken salad, cheese, fruit, and dips. Lemonade and tea will also be available.
A Cave Journey through Time
We'll escape the heat of the afternoon by descending underground where it's nice and cool. Once inside the cave, we'll journey through time (in more ways than one) and explore the history and herstory of the cave. Honoring this cave as a ceremony site, we'll pause for a period of reverent silence, allowing ourselves to connect with the spirit of the cave and listen closely for wisdom or a message before we walk out. While the pathway is clear and wide, there are many stairs and several small ascents/descents along the way. Proper footwear and the ability to traverse staircases and an uneven dirt trail is required.
Closing Circle
After a short break, we'll gather in circle to reflect on the day, reconnect with Cedar, and share our own stories before heading home.
Immersion Schedule
9:30am: Gates Open
10:00am: Cedar Immersion
1:00pm: Picnic Lunch
2:00pm: Cave Journey
4:30pm: Closing Ceremony
Investment & Reciprocity
This event is a fundraiser for Manitou Cave of Alabama. It is a rare and unique experience to be able to spend time in and around the cave, as it closed to humans most of the year to protect and preserve the fragile wild and aquatic life inside.
Registration for this full day immersion is offered on a sliding scale of $125-$200. We want this experience to be accessible to as many people as possible while also being able to provide a substantial donation to Manitou Cave. The lower end of the scale will allow us to cover our costs, provide a small honorarium to our guides, and make a donation. Those able to select a registration on the higher end of the scale will be helping fund a more substantial donation to the nonprofit that stewards the cave and surrounding property.
Immersion Guides
Heather Holloway, Herbalist
Heather is owner of The Cat & The Crow Botanicals. She is also the founder of the Wild Weeds Tea Party virtual gatherings and Sylva Sancti (The Holy Forest) herbal medicine course. Heather is a haunter of the woods, an avid gardener, and an herbalist with a focus on plant ecosystems and how those relationships speak to human wellness and support. She is an advocate for keeping herbal medicine grounded and accessible, teaching to work with plants and tools that are easily at hand. Through her work with local non-profits, Heather is passionate about bioregional native plant protection and restoration. Based in Northwest Georgia, she is enthusiastic about inspiring awe and wonder of plants and trees, as well as helping connect others with the magic and wisdom of nature through her herbal preparations, workshops, and private herbal wellness and support consultations.
Michelle Rigling, Transpersonal Counselor & Sacred Medicine Guide
Michelle currently serves as the President of Manitou Cave of Alabama's Board of Directors and this gathering is being offered as a fundraiser. She has been fascinated with cave lore, caves as ancient ceremony sites, and the cave as a living embodiment of The Heroine's Journey for decades. Beyond her work with Manitou Cave, Michelle is a doctorate-level Transpersonal Counselor, Plant Medicine Guide, and director of two regional herbal conferences (Midsouth Women's Herbal Conference and The Wild Medicine Conference). In all of her work, her goal is to create spaces and opportunities for people to intimately connect with the wild around them as well as the wild within as a path to belonging and wholeness.