Ace of Cups School of Botanical Alchemy & Herbcraft : 200 hour (80 and 120 hour) Starts January 26th

Program Overview: The Ace of Cups School of Mystical and Medicinal Herbal and Botanical Studies – Level One

We offer a comprehensive and immersive 200-hour program that weaves together mystical, medicinal, and botanical perspectives, providing a rich and holistic approach to herbal education. Beginning in January 2026, this program is structured into five modules themed around the alchemical elements: Earth, Fire, Water, Air, and Ether/Spirit. Our curriculum is designed to balance folk traditions and scientific methods, offering a deep dive into both the energetic and anatomical aspects of plant medicine. You’ll explore everything from plant identification and ethical wildcrafting to advanced herbal formulations, supported by a diverse lineup of expert teachers who are leaders in their fields. Our instructors bring varied expertise, including traditional herbalism, modern botanical sciences, holistic health, and alchemical arts, ensuring a well-rounded education. By the end of the program, you’ll be equipped with the skills to craft potent remedies, understand the anatomy of the body’s systems, and apply both folk and scientific approaches to herbal medicine, all within a supportive, vibrant community of like-minded learners.

Course Structure:

• 80-Hour Online Interactive Course:
  This portion of the program can be taken separately, providing a solid foundation in herbalism and earning you an 80-hour Community Herbalist Certificate. The online course includes 40 live, interactive classes held on select Monday evenings (6:30-8:30 PM via Zoom).
• 120-Hour In-Person Course:
  This component is available to those who have completed the 80-hour online course and must be taken to fulfill the full 200-hour requirement. The in-person course consists of 12 weekends of immersive learning, with classes on Saturdays (10:30 AM – 4:30 PM) and Sundays (10:30 AM – 4:00 PM)
• Full 200-Hour Program:
  To become a Registered Herbalist through the American Herbalist Guild, the full 200 hours are required. Completion of the 80-hour online course is a prerequisite for enrolling in the 120-hour in-person program. Once you complete the 80 hours online, you can take the 120-hour in-person course at a later date.

Module Breakdown:

Module 1: Earth 

• Explore the grounded and nurturing force of the earth element.
• Includes herbal vocabulary, pharmacology, ethics of wildcrafting, growing, sourcing, and storing herbs.
• Study the anatomy and physiology of the skeletal, muscular, and immune systems, and learn herbal formulations to support these systems.
• Practical skills include tea blending, decoctions, broths, and syrups.
• Materia Medica: 13 herbs per module
• Sustainable sourcing: Learn to identify certifications for ethical and environmentally friendly practices.

Module 2: Fire 

• Focus on the transformative and energetic properties of the fire element.
• Covers anatomy and physiology of the digestive, integumentary, and cardiovascular systems.
• Learn to make vinegars, oxymels, tinctures, glycerides, and scrubs.
• Includes endangered species awareness and conservation efforts with guest speakers.
• Materia Medica: 13 herbs per module

Module 3: Water 

• Explore the fluid and emotional aspects of the water element.
• Topics include herbal vocabulary, pharmacology, and actions related to the urinary, lymphatic, and reproductive systems.
• Learn ethical wildcrafting techniques and salve and herbal oil making.
• Materia Medica: 13 herbs per module

Module 4: Air 

• Delve into the vital and expansive qualities of the air element.
• Study the respiratory and nervous systems, including anatomy and herbal formulations.
• Learn about salt inhalers, sprays, skin care, and herbal honey making.
• Practical applications in cultivation and propagation with visits to local gardens.
• Materia Medica: 13 herbs per module

Module 5: Ether 

• Focus on the ethereal and expansive qualities of the ether element.
• Includes study of the endocrine system, related chakras, and subtle anatomy.
• Learn about herb rituals, dream oils, satchels, and poppets.
• Practical applications in making herbal preparations, teas, tinctures, and salves.
• Materia Medica: 13 herbs per module

Full 200-Hour Herbal Program (Includes 120-Hour In-Person + 80-Hour Online)

Program Cost:

• Early Bird Payment: $2000 if paid in full by October 31, 2025
• Full Payment: $2,500 if paid in full between November 1 and December 31, 2025
• Payment Plan: $2,750 with a $600 non-refundable deposit, followed by structured payments ($500 by September 1st, $300 by October 1st, 2025, with the remaining $1,400 on a payment plan). Contact us for details.
• 80-Hour Program Only: $1,000 if paid in full, or $1,200 with a payment plan.

Scholarships and Work Trade: One $500 and one $750 scholarship available. Contact us for details.

Supply Fee: Included in the 200-hour. $75 per module for folks in 80 hour program, covering all 65 herbs used during the program and material.  Shipping fee for those who live out of state.

Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of $600 is required to hold your spot. The program is non-refundable. If you choose to withdraw before 50% completion (by April 1, 2026), 50% of your payments can be applied to the next herbal program.

Application Process:

Applications can be submitted here. The program accepts a maximum of 18 students.

120-Hour In-Person Program Only
Early Bird Payment: $1,200 if paid in full by November 30, 2025
Full Payment: $1,400 if paid in full between December 1, 2025 and January 10, 2026
Payment Plan: $1,500 total
Includes a $400 non-refundable deposit due upon registration
Followed by structured payments:
$300 due December 1, 2025
$300 due January 1, 2026
Remaining $500 on a payment plan (contact us for details)
Program Begins: January 15, 2026

80-Hour Online Program Only
$1,000 if paid in full
$1,200 with a payment plan

Scholarships and Work Trade: One $500 and one $750 scholarship available. Contact us for details.

Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of $600 is required to hold your spot. The program is non-refundable. If you choose to withdraw before 50% completion (by April 1, 2025), 50% of your payments can be applied to the next herbal program.

Application Process:

Applications can be submitted here. The program accepts a maximum of 18 students.

Dates for the 200-Hour Program (See online and in person syllabus below) 

40 Online Interactive Classes (80 Hours):
Classes are held on Monday evenings (6:30 PM – 8:30 PM).

2026 online Dates:

January 2026

All class offerings and schedules are subject to change as we listen to the needs of our teachers, students, and the rhythms of the season.
Jan 26 – Introduction (Earth) 

Meet your community, explore what herbalism means, and learn how we’ll study and create together this year.
Discover basic tools, supplies, and plant vocabulary. Learn how to start your own home collection and herbal journal.

February 2026

Feb 2 –How to Build Your First Apothecary and vocabulary

Start your plant journal and learn simple ways to record herbal observations through sight, scent, and experience.

Feb 9 –Creating a Materia Medica and herbal actions

Feb 16 – Introduction to herbalism

Feb 23 Working with Water: Teas, Decoctions & Tisanes
Hands-on practice with herbal water-based extractions for flavor, healing, and nourishment.

March 2026

March 2 – Botany Basics
Learn about plant parts and begin simple, hands-on identification techniques. How to Work Respectfully with Plants 
Explore ethical harvesting, gratitude practices, and building mindful relationships with plants.

Mar 9 – How the Body Works: 12 Systems Overview 
Learn how herbal actions interact with the body in simple, easy-to-understand ways.

Mar 16 – Formulation/Blending Herbs
Explore taste, texture, and intention in herbal blending for balance and purpose.

Mar 30 – Botany for herbalists

April 2026

Apr 6 – Support Digestion Naturally 
Learn simple digestive herbs and practices for nourishment and comfort.

Apr 13 – Case studies

Apr 20 –Digestive system formulation

Discover how gentle herbs help the stomach, liver, and heart. 
Create simple alcohol-free remedies using sweet and tangy extractions.

Apr 27 – Botany for herbalists -Plant Identification

May 2026

May 4 – Care for the Liver 
Learn how the liver supports the body and herbs that aid gentle cleansing.

May 11 – Cardiovascular System

May 18 –Herbs for Heart and Lymph

May 25- How the Reproductive System Works 
A simple overview of reproductive anatomy and herbal nourishment for balance.

June 2026

Jun 1 – How to Support Menstrual Health
Explore herbs that soothe, balance, and nourish during cycles.

Jun 8 – Support Pregnancy  Naturally 

Jun 15 –Herbs for Men’s Health

Jun 22 – Support Menopause Naturally 
Explore herbs for comfort, hormonal balance, and emotional grounding.

Jun 29 – Support the Urinary System
Discover soothing and cleansing herbs for bladder and kidney wellness.

July 2026

Jul 6 – How to Make a Tinctures and Honeys 
Learn the basics of alcohol-based extraction and record keeping.

Jul 13 –Case Studies

July 20th –How the Lungs Work/ Respiratory anatomy 
A beginner’s look at the respiratory system and breathing support.

Jul 27 – How to Care for the Lungs with Herbs 
Make herbal blends to ease breathing and support the immune system.

August 2026

Aug 3 – How the Nervous System Works 
Understand the basics of how the body responds to stress, rest, and calm.

September 2026

Sep 21 – Calm & Strengthen the Nervous System 
Explore herbs that support emotional balance and ease.

Sep 28 –Support Children with Herbs 
Learn gentle, safe ways to prepare herbal remedies for kids.

October 2026

Oct 5 – How Stress Affects the Body
Understand how stress impacts wellness and ways herbs can help.

Oct 12 – Phytochemistry  
Learn what makes herbs effective in everyday language.

Oct 19 –Tincture making

Oct 26 –Endocrine system  
Explore glands and energetic balance through plant support.

November 2026

Nov 2 –Herbs for Adrenal health 
Work with gentle adaptogens and tonics for endocrine balance.

Nov 9 –How to Make Herbal Oils 
Create infused oils for body care and massage.

Nov 16 – Case Study: Building Confidence 
Continue exploring simple scenarios and solutions.

Nov 23 – Herbs of the Seasons: Celebrating the Wheel of the Year 
Reflect on cycles, nature, and seasonal herbs.

Nov 30 –Putting it all together

Continue exploring simple scenarios and solutions.

December 2026

Dec 7 – Materia Medica

Dec 14 – Closing Circle & Recipe Exchange
Celebrate your journey, share creations, and reflect on your growth as an herbalist.

10 Weekends In-Person (120 Hours): (10:30 AM – 4:30 PM) and Saturdays and Sundays

In Person Program Outline by Month

January 31, Feb. 1 – Winter Wellness & Foundations

Theme: Herbs for winter wellness, immunity, and skin health
Body Systems: Immune & Integumentary
Medicine Making: Tea blends for winter months
Botany 1: Introduction to plant structure & form (outdoor session)
Lesson Overview:  Learn foundational principles of herbal energetics, winter nourishment, and how to prepare herbal teas  for immune support and skin care.

February 21, 22 – Herbs for Wet Conditions

Theme: Congestion, coughs, sinuses, and rashes
Body Systems: Respiratory
Medicine Making: Cough syrups, herbal steams, poultices, compresses
Botany 2: Practical plant morphology & identification (outdoors)
Lesson Overview: Explore herbs that balance moisture in the body and support healthy respiration, with hands-on labs for steams, and soothing topical remedies.

March 13,14– Spring Equinox & Cleansing

Theme: Cleansing herbs for spring renewal
Body Systems: Digestive & Circulatory
Medicine Making: Teas, tisanes, decoctions, tinctures, elixirs
Botany 3: Outdoor plant ID walk
Lesson Overview: Connect with spring herbs that awaken the body after winter. Learn about herbal bitters, liver support, and digestive tonics for gentle detoxification.

April 18,19– Circulation & Renewal

Theme: Spring cleaning for the circulatory system
Body Systems: Heart & Blood
Medicine Making: Glycerites and  vinegars
Botany 4: Outdoor identification & sensory plant connection
Lesson Overview: Focus on herbs that strengthen the heart, move stagnation, and bring radiance to skin and hair. Students experiment with topical and internal circulatory formulas.

May 16,18– Reproductive & First Aid Plant Work

Theme: Plant gathering and reproductive system care
Body Systems: Reproductive
Medicine Making: Oils and  salves for cramps & first aid, natural bug sprays
Botany 5: Outdoor gathering & ethical harvesting practices
Lesson Overview: Discover the rhythms of fertility, hormonal balance, and plant cycles. Practice ethical wildcrafting while creating fresh-plant remedies and natural body care.

June 13,14 – Cooling & Calming

Theme: Nervous system support in the summer heat
Body Systems: Nervous
Medicine Making: Fresh and dried plant tinctures
Botany 6: Flower dissection & outdoor plant exploration
Lesson Overview: Work with nervine and adaptogenic herbs to soothe stress and heat. Blend refreshing summer remedies and learn the anatomy of flowers through dissection and observation.

July 18, 19– Musculoskeletal Support

Theme: Herbs for strength and recovery
Body Systems: Musculoskeletal
Medicine Making: Formulation for repair
Botany 7: Indoor study & preparation techniques
Lesson Overview: Build knowledge of herbs that aid in recovery, inflammation, and movement. Create body oils and balms that support joints and muscle repair.

August 2, 3  – Seasonal Medicine

Theme: Nourishing herbs for the transition into fall
Body Systems: Whole body tonics for balance
Medicine Making: Syrups and fire cider
Botany 8: Seasonal.
Lesson Overview: Celebrate the turning of the seasons with immune-boosting and grounding tonics. Prepare warming remedies to carry into the cooler months.

October 17, 18 – Samhain & Ancestral Plants

Theme: Plants of magic, ritual, and remembrance
Body Systems: Spirit & ancestral connection
Medicine Making: Candle blends, incense, smoke cleansings, smoking blends, satchels, ritual baths
Botany 9: Plant correspondences & folklore
Lesson Overview: Explore herbs of the liminal and unseen worlds. Learn the folklore, correspondences, and ritual uses of plants connected to honoring ancestors and the season of Samhain.

November 14, 15– Culmination & Final Projects

Theme: Integration and community sharing
Students present their final projects, including a Materia Medica entry, recipe, and prepared herbal creation (tea, tincture, oil, salve, or ritual item). The program concludes with a closing circle and medicine exchange celebrating each student’s journey.

This program provides a well-rounded education in herbal and botanical medicine, combining practical skills with mystical perspectives. It covers a broad range of topics, from herbal actions and formulations to ethics and conservation, making it an ideal choice for those interested in deepening their understanding of herbalism and related fields.

For more details, visit our website to view the full class information and module breakdown. We look forward to guiding you on your herbal journey!

Please be aware there are no refunds for this program, if you drop out before 2 months is done we give you 50% toward the next herb program and you will be responsible for all payments if you are on a payment plan.