My Journey
Welcome to Stellaria Apothecary! My name is Sheena Stellaria aka Sheena Heinitz. Stellaria is the Latin name of the plant I was told I had a life time of learning with by one of my first teachers of plant spirit medicine. This common plant probably is growing in your garden, hedge row or lawn every spring, autumn and perhaps winter. The star shaped flower is the emblem for the work I am here to share with you at Stellaria Apothecary. I have studied and practiced herbalism since 2005. I began studying Nutrition, Yoga and Herbalism in my first year of college in 2004 at SUNY Ulster Community College. That path led me to a slow food nutritionist apprenticeship learning about whole foods and food as medicine. I met many local farmers and was introduced to numerous local herbalists.
Susun S. Weed (www.susunweed.com) a now internationally acclaimed herbalist and author was one of the first authors I read on the subject of plants as teachers and healers. I began attending her volunteer weekends to get hands on experience at her homestead. Later on, I took a course with Isla Burgess (www.IslaBurgess.com) an herbalist and author from New Zealand that studied with the Indigenous Māori peoples specializing in Plant Spirit medicine and Woman’s Health.
The South West Catskills in NY hosts many herbalist and herbal authors including Susun S. Weed (www.susunweed.com), Dina Falconi (www.botanicalartpress.com), White Feather (www.wisewomanuniversity.com) and Eliot Cowan (www.eliotcowan.com). I began studying with Dina Falconi attending her weekly plant walks with the local permaculture group, Green Phoenix Permaculture which two years later I participated in their six-month internship program. During my internship I was able to participate in Dina’s intensive herbal medicine workshop. For a few years I did work trade in her garden for one to one consultations with Dina that specialized in Ayurvedic Medicine and Vitalism.
White Feather a student of Grandmother Twyla Nitsch, Elder of the Seneca Wolf Clan, teaches the Seven Movement Meditation taught to her by Grandmother Twylah, she also focuses on Western Herbalism/Vitalism and Traditional Chinese Medicine. I participated in an intensive with White Feather. Diving deeper into constitutions of plants and people with White Feather as well as learning the importance of moving energy physically with intentional movement.
I have had a calling toward the practical and spiritual aspects of the practice of herbalism, which brought me to the work of Eliot Cowan and his center in the heart of the Catskill Mountains, The Blue Deer Center for Plant Spirit Medicine. Eliot studies and visits with the Huichol indigenous people of Central America. His book on Plant Spirit Medicine has created a large awareness around the topic. I have attended a live lecture of Eliot’s as well as attended two intensive workshops at the Blue Deer Center.
My love of plants and learning to incorporate herbs in my daily life became my passion for living! I was invited to work at three local children’s programs; a farm summer camp at Green Phoenix, a wilderness education program at Wild Earth Wilderness School, and later on an after-school garden program at the local public elementary school. I have traveled to many states in the United States as a willing worker on organic farms as well as participated in invasive plant projects encouraging the native plants survival in wild life sanctuaries. My path led me to ancestral and wilderness studies for 9 years of my life working at wilderness programs and participating in a Stone Age Project with Lynx Vilden at her Living Wild School. (www.LynxVilden.com)
My herbal studies have included many workshops, herbal symposiums as well as my own life experience and personal consultations with herbalist, acupuncturists and holistic medicine partitioners. Most recently with local herbalist Kat Maier in Charlottesville, VA. I am currently enrolled in Sajah Popham’s Astrological Herbalist Certification Program. (www.evolutionaryherbalism.com)
The online program focuses on Medical Astrology, Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Vitalism to detect imbalances in the human body, mind and spirit as a means to returning to balance through diet, herbal remedies and daily practices with alignment to seasonal changes. Sajah Popham is also the author of Evolutionary Herbalism. Sajah has studied with many acclaimed modern herbalists including Matthew Wood.
Astrology has been used in many ancient and modern cultures as a map to the unique physical, mental, ancestral and spiritual aspects of an individual. The season an individual is born as well as each planet in the chart and its placement within the astral plane can help a practitioner find a unique way to relate to someone seeking guidance on their path toward wholistic well-being.
I use Astrology as well as Ayurvedic, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Vitalism practices of the diet and daily routines of an individual to help facilitate improvement in their vitality and well-being. I then create herbal remedies, somatic practices, yoga asanas, Reiki, affirmations/positive self-talk, meditation and time spent in nature tailored to an individual’s unique human experience. I am a trauma informed practitioner and want to help you live your life in alignment with your unique purpose with joy and peace!
We will be guided by your astrological chart, your physical form and the practices of Vitalism to lead you toward living a life in alignment with your goals and dreams. I look forward to serving you on your path!
