Nordic Naturally
Are you craving deeper connection with northern traditions, your ancestral roots, or the Scandinavian healing arts, ancient and contemporary? Gigi will help you learn to thrive and enjoy elements in life that are deeply rooted in traditional northern herbalism and healing arts.
Gigi Risberg Stafne, MH, ND, is a longtime clinician, educator, and writer within the ecological, health justice, and natural medicine fields. On a deeper, intimate level, Gigi shares northern ancestral healing and herbal wisdom deriving from her bloodline, as a 3rd generation granddaughter of Scandinavian immigrants. Her elders, grandparents and great-grandparents were from Norway, Finland (indigenous Finnish Karelian), and the Sweden-Norway borderlands.
In the spirit of Eir, the traditional Norse goddess, and her great-grandmother Anna, a Norwegian-Finnish midwife, these ancestors guide her herbalism and healing arts teachings.
Gigi's workshops and events are fusion in nature, blending elements of northern cultures, winterers, indigenous Karelian and Sami lost healing arts, Norse medicine and mythology, and aspects of the contemporary North American Scandinavian experience.
While she has been serving patients and teaching natural and botanical medicine for 3+ decades, it was twenty years ago that Gigi began formally teaching Nordic Herbalism-Healing Arts at the Winterer's Gathering and Arctic Film Fest at North House Folk School near Lake Superior...as she still does today, there and numerous other locations.
Weaving Winter Wellness Traditions
Are you craving the coziness of herbs, handcrafting, and wisdom of northern cultures? How would it feel if winter was full of simple, enchanting rituals that promote joy and wellness throughout our snowy season?
In this workshop, renowned herbalist Gigi Stafne will draw from Norse and Sámi-
inspired herbal medicines as well as her decades of experience living and teaching in
the Upper Midwest as she guides participants to:
- Engage deeper in winter folklore and medicine traditions
- Connect with sentient evergreens and birch
- Embrace the season of darkness and dreamtime
- Cultivate winter well-being and self-care practices
Saturday, December 2, 1pm-5pm
Location: Minneapolis-Address will be provided upon registration
Cost: $55
Full registration form url: https://forms.gle/9iq6Nzo6Pkqjy8vG6
Sorry, this gathering is now full.
Gigi will share Northern herbal and wellness traditions including medicines and
mythology of evergreens, birch, and other herbs.
In the spirit of Eir, the traditional Norse goddess of healing, you'll create a medicine
bundle to accompany you through the darkest season and engage in herbal
handcrafting including an evergreen tea or sauna blend, Berkana (birch) infused oil,
Nordic mugwort medicine bundle, and Eir medicine stone.
Participants are welcome to bring an example of a tradition or ritual that helps you
thrive during winter - a family recipe, knitting or crochet project, special candle, story,
or memory. Wisdom-sharing is encouraged; There will be space for group discussion.
Snacks and beverages will be provided.
Gigi Risberg Stafne MH, ND is a clinician, educator and writer within ecological,
health justice and natural medicine fields. She is Director of Green Wisdom School of
Natural & Botanical Medicine in the Upper Midwest United States and Ontario, Canada
and former longtime Executive Director of Herbalists Without Borders International,
addressing issues of health and social justice globally. In this special gathering Gigi will
share her Scandinavian ancestral herbal and healing arts traditions of the north, as well
as her passion for people, plants, and this precious planet.
Stacy Carlson will host the gathering at her home in the Whittier neighborhood of
Minneapolis. Stacy is a studying herbalist and published novelist driven by an abiding
love for wild nature and sustainable cultivation. Born and raised in Seattle, she spent a
dozen years living in Oakland, Calif. before moving to Minneapolis in 2021. She serves
as education and outreach manager for the Women's Environmental Institute.
DEEP WINTER MEDICINE
A special tele-seminar series with Gigi; register for one or all
The Winterers: Nordic Medicine and Magic
Nordic Medicine and Magic in this 7 part series of intimate tele-seminars winter 2024-25. Most sessions start at 11AM Central Time on Fridays via Zoom or tele-seminars.
Most are Fridays.
Recordings are available upon request.
$20 per recording: [email protected]
An eclectic tapestry of various Scandinavian, Norse and Winterer traditions.
"Seid" (Old Norse)
Explore the sacred elements of landscape in Nordic traditions with a focus on mineral/metal elements of early to midwinter, as well as water element of late winter.
Mineral-gemstone elixirs will be featured at the end of this session. Learn to create a magical set of your own at home.
Participants will also receive Gigi Stafne's Amazon e-book about mineral and gemstone elixirs.
Time: 11am-12:15 or so
"Koselig" (Norwegian)
Create a sense of sacred space and sanctuary this winter in your home or other special location.
Evoke a sense of happiness, harmony and wellbeing during chaotic times. Learn about basic geomancy, land energies and currents, as well as several ancient Nordic methods to detect these. Another aspect of exploration will be creating your alter or sacred space inside and outside this winter. Time: 11am-12:15 or so
"Sisu" (Finnish)
Sisu relates to a strong characteristic or trait when facing immense adversity.
Learn more about how to cultivate this type of inner resilience as Finnish culture embodies.
Along with development of Sisu you'll learn about herbs for strength and resilience. Time: 11am-12:15 or so
Tapio (Finnish, Karelian)
Become aware of the medicine and magic of various northern trees. Tap into Tapio's energy, becoming a forest or woodland guardian. Participants receive an instruction packet of tree medicine applications to try at home this winter. Time: 11am-12;15 or so
"Taiki and Loki" (Finnish and Old Norse Viking Mythology)
Magic and mystery of Nordic herbs will be shared in this lively session, from root magic to
boundary medicines. Time: 11am-12:15 or so
"Dream-Njorun" (Norwegian, Swedish)
What was the role of dreams, visions and prophecy in northern cultures?
Learn about 20+ dream realms (types of dreams) with the longtime intuitive guidance of Gigi, tijhe fireweed. Understand how to work with your dreams more fully. An important discussion of herbs for dreaming will be a part of this session...going much deeper than mugwort, which of course is an important Old Norse herb. Time: 11am-12:15 or so
"Noadi" (Saami)
Explore the role of the northern shaman in an honoring way with Gigi, tijhe fireweed, who has been initiated in several pathways in past decades. Her maternal lineage being Norse, including Sami and Finnish Karelian. Time: 11am-12:15pm or so
Registration:
email our school for form: [email protected]
or use our PayPal system which is the same.
Must register and prepay 7 days prior to entire series.
Fee: $40 per session; Series of 7 at discounted rate of $195.
Featured In Person Workshops with Gigi in North America
Norse Medicine and Mythology of Trees
In the spirit of several Nordic folk medicine traditions, trees have been a source of not only myth and magic, but also food, shelter, and medicine for humans and animals for thousands of years. They provide northern people with sap, nuts, bark, berries, blossoms, and leaves that are not found elsewhere in nature. Eight common medicinal trees and shrubs have been frequently used in Nordic healing arts traditions and will be introduced. Participants will have the opportunity to handcraft a tea, tincture, and sauna blend in this course to take home to enjoy the spirits of the north.
American Swedish Institute
Minneapolis, MN
Visit this site for full description: www.asimn.org
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
Time: TBA
Please register directly through ASI above.
NORDIC HERBALS COURSE
North House Folk School
Grand Marais, MN-Lake Superior
www.northhouse.org
Saturday-Sunday, November 1-2, 2025 (full days)
Please register directly through NHFS: [email protected]
BLACK FROST MOON
A special seasonal shift workshop, late winter into early spring,
with Gigi Stafne at the American Swedish Institute.
Nordic traditions recognize the transition of late winter into early spring as, "Black Frost Moon".
Rather than being cooped up with cabin fever, take a day off at the American Swedish Institute to learn about aligning with the energy of this in-between season. Discover foods, herbs, and other traditional activities for enjoyment and health. During this workshop you'll be busy handcrafting a variety of botanical goodies to help you stay nourished in a true Nordic tradition.
American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis, MN.
Sunday, March 2, 2025
10am-3pm CT
Register directly through ASI: www.asimn.org
SUNNA
Norse Natural Healing Arts and Herbs of the Summer Season
American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, MN
June 29, 2024
Description and registration: www.asimn.org
"Sunna, She is Healer" ~Poetic Edda
Sunna is a Norse Sun goddess and archetypal healer in traditional Nordic mythology. Sun Mothers appear in many cross cultural cosmologies, both tropical and cold climates. Correlating with Sunna of the old tradition, is a special knowledge and sacred wisdom of medicinal herbs and wild foods found in every village and rural region, handed down quietly through the generations. During the summer seasonal shift there are special plants that embody the Sun and Fire Element in both Scandinavia and North America. Join national botanical and natural medicine educator and writer, Gigi Risberg Stafne, to joyfully study Nordic Herbals. Also included in this inspiring summer's day session is a make-n-take component in which you will be creating three hand crafted herbal blends to bring home: Fireweed Flower Essence, Amber and Citrine Gemstone Elixirs and sacred Norse Mugwort Bundles.
Nordic Medicine from Trees
Wednesday, October 2, 2024
10am-3pm Central
At the American Swedish Institute
with national educator Gigi Risberg Stafne
Minneapolis, MN, US
In the spirit of several Nordic folk medicine traditions, trees have been a source of not only
myth and magic, but also food, shelter, and medicine for thousands of years. Join herbalist
Gigi Risberg Stafne to learn more about eight common medicinal trees and shrubs common
in Nordic healing arts traditions that can also be found in the Upper Midwest. Participants will
learn about the importance and uses of various saps, bark, nuts, berries, blossoms, and
leaves and have the opportunity to handcraft a tea, tincture, and sauna blend to take home.
Tuition: $80 ($70 for ASI members).
A $20 materials fee is due in class and covers all necessary materials
Register directly through ASI:
612-871-4907
[email protected]
www.asimn.org
"Dream-Njorun"
What was the role of dreams, visions and prophecy in northern cultures?
Learn about 20+ dream realms (types of dreams) with the longtime intuitive guidance of Gigi, tijhe fireweed. Understand how to work with your dreams more fully. An important discussion of herbs for dreaming will be a part of this session...going much deeper than mugwort, which of course is an important Old Norse herb.
Date/Time TBA
Location: Chippewa Valley in Wisconsin
at the Green Wisdom satellite classroom
Visit this page periodically for upcoming Nordic Herbalism Healing Arts courses with Gigi Stafne in 2024:
Great Lakes Herbal Faire
Chelsea, Michigan
September 6-8, 2024
Gigi Risberg Stafne presents "Nordic Herbs and Healing Arts"
on September 8th
Event is now full
American Swedish Institute
"Sámi Herbals for the Eight Seasons"
with Dr. Aila O'Loughlin and Gigi Risberg Stafne MH
September 10, 2024 (4-6pm)[email protected]
American Swedish Institute
"Nordic Herbals" (for winter)
November 22, 2024
Minneapolis, Minnesota
[email protected]
Folklore Village
Dodgeville-Madison, Wisconsin
Nordic Herbals
September 14-15, 2024
Contact Terri Van Orman: [email protected]
Visit full description: www,folklorevillage.org
Nordic Herbals
North House Folk School
November 2-3, 2024
Grand Marais, Minnesota
www.northhouse.org
Wild Spring Greens Scandinavian Style!
Friday, April 18, 2025
10am-3pm CT
American Swedish Institute
Minneapolis, MN
[email protected]
Feeling inspired to host a workshop or gathering in your home community?
Contact: [email protected]
Images from Gigi's Nordic Herbals and Healing Arts Courses
A statement from Gigi
On reclaiming what is Nordic...
My teaching and healing work weave in themes of northern elements and cultures, based upon nature, my childhood, relatives, ancestry, medicine, and magic. I reject racism and all that white nationalism attempts to appropriate with their misuse of the word and interpretation of Nordic.
My mother is nearly one-half Finnish Karelian, which is an indigenous ethnic minority that faced constant inequities and historic displacement due to power imbalances and greed.
In teaching, my intention is to weave, mend, and heal humanity."
~Gigi Risberg Stafne, tijhe fireweed
