08/19/2025
Dear Universe,
I love herbs. I love writing. I love making music.
I feel that is my trinity of calling. But how to make my life's work successful enough to eliminate my need to use the food bank every other month and stressing about credit card and upcoming student loan debt?
I had hoped my business 13 Moons Herbal Apothecary would be financially solvent by now (year 5). I do my best to address the needs of my community, I love the work and lifelong learning, but find myself working harder than ever for less dividends. I'm exhausted, emotionally and physically. My writing and music have been put on the back-burner far too long. I know I need to make a change.
Some very smart friends suggested I cut down on my products, focusing on the ones that sell the best and seem to help the most people, therefore enabling me to make enough money to feed my kids, keep a roof over my head, and feel less money stress.
That is definitely an option I am seriously considering. But what of being a Community Herbalist? How do I go about making those special items that are so essential for the health and well-being of people who have put their trust in me?
I admire and enjoy what The Carousel Collective has done in terms of sharing rent and responsibility for a downtown business. I find myself wondering if that would be an option for a group of alternative health and wellness practitioners here in the South Okanagan, BC (especially Summerland).
My focus is on local, sustainable herbs from the herbalist perspective of alternative healing. I don't want to make cosmetics, lotions/creams, toiletries or cleaning supplies. I want to focus on medicinal herbs in tea, elixir, decoction and tincture format, with a smattering of good salves/oils and maybe some tonics. To offer personal consultations, as well as self-healing education (either hosted by me or providing another excellent herbalist such as as I did in July, which was amazing, BTW) for workshops on medicinal plant identification, harvesting and processing. But that's about it.
This will be my final year doing things as I've been doing them thus far. I would like to find a way to continue, but it isn't financially viable. I wanted to make sure I gave all of you enough time to find another herbal medicine provider, or let me know if you need things as I decide which products to w**d out. If any of you have suggestions for how I can proceed to continue in some form as an Apothecary, please let me know!
Also, a huge thank you for all of you who have supported me, either as clients or friends. Know that you are all very appreciated. I am so grateful for this learning and connecting.
I still believe that Plants are the People's Medicine, that ALL people have a right to choose what best supports their healing journey, and that we are ALL people who belong on this beautiful, magical, and very fragile Earth.
Blessed Be!
Sarah Willard
owner/operator & Community Herbalist.
13 Moons Herbal Apothecary
Discover the benefits of locally-sourced herbal medicine with our experienced Community Herbalist practitioner. Tailored consultations for your health and wellness journey. Teas, elixirs, salves, tinctures and other formulations available! Want to learn? Join our mailing list or go to ...
