BUILDING THE VILLAGE

Mycelium Apothecary was birthed from the idea of awakening and gathering a village amidst modern city life. We make no promises of a high-ticket transformation package, or of any kind of transformation over a Plant Circle or by consuming a herb. We seek to gather people from the mire of everyday life who will roll their sleeves up and be unafraid of getting dirty. The ones who don’t settle for mediocrity just because they are seen and appreciated. The ones who find their rest in constant levelling up — each in their own way, and at their own pace. Our offerings create consistent opportunities for participation, for readiness to be a part of the village — so that, over time, it can become a habit.

The Village asks something of us that has been eroded: the idea of unity. And unity is a slow process. It is unity with self and, from that space, unity with others. It asks us to participate in a relationship, not just stay within personal experience. Hence it is not just slow but very slow. In fact, that is the only way we prefer it. But what the Village really offers is a special longevity, belonging, and a sense of home.

These things cannot be gained from a one-time session or a cup of herbs, or from aligning with someone over concepts of networking or collabs. The Village doesn’t use people to advance in life. Rather, it offers a sturdy hand as you transition from root to shoot, trunk to branch, flower to fruit — all in the holding of sisterhood. Why? Because we need each other to go through the growing pains. It is hard, dirty work.

THE WORK

For me, the journey towards health began with food. Getting high on raw. Getting drunk on raw foods. Falling down. Getting up. A hundred, a thousand times. Detox symptoms — holding my own hand as I went through the shit I’d gathered in my body, listening to a drunkard’s sermon of teetotalerism. Also, just because everyone eats cooked doesn’t mean it is perfect. Just because you won’t always find everything organic, seeded, etc., doesn’t mean you shouldn’t begin.

This is a part of my own journey with food and the body. Your journey may look entirely different. It is not work everyone will or can do. Doesn’t make anyone small or big for that. It is about bringing together people who are desperate enough at this point of time. Or for whom the established system has failed enough but somewhere deep down, they will seek out the way where none seems to exist. It is not going to be easy. It is for people who are ready. Not everyone has to be, and you are absolutely respected if that is your place in this lifetime.

THE VILLAGE HOLDS

When this is your path, the Village is the place where you belong. It is not only a place where you belong when you’re happy, thriving, and energised. You also belong when you’re sad, struggling, and tired. It is about being able to trust someone again and allowing them to hold you. But modern lives demand a tremendous amount of energy. The village also offers the possibility of not participating when you don’t have the capacity. You simply do not have to participate all the time. You can disappear for a while. You can be quiet. You can miss gatherings. And still belong. Also, the important thing is what happens after you have ‘shown up’, been there, and done that. Who do you share with what no one around you can understand? Participating in the village is not a sprint but signing up for a marathon. It will demand that you dig deeper, but the rewards are rewarding: a sense of home, a sense of belonging, a sense of connection to your local neighbours and land, and knowing that you’re truly held at your messiest, your most complicated. And there is the idea that the village represents our day-to-day values. It is a garden in which we can grow roots and thrive. And it doesn’t require a lot from us. It just asks for consistency, commitment, and pointing your compass to the North of you and your growth alongside your sisters in a zidd.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

Gatherings. Tea. Sharings. Herbs shared. Dance. Laughter. Tears. A place to come to, to feel yourself — knowing that you are not alone. A six-monthly subscription to a hand-picked, private, invite-only gathering.

COME BUILD WITH US

Worked with us? Want to make this your life? Does the task of building a village seriously interest you? Come, let’s get our hands dirty. The mud is waiting. So is the cool, gentle moonlight. Because if there is heaven on earth, we build it here, we build it here, we build it here. Drop an email at sheena@theighthtime.com to be invited when it goes live!