THE WAY OF
ALCHEMY
October 9th-14th
Terra Elaya, Puglia, Italy
the art of regeneration, magic and inner transformation
Join us for a transformative immersion in Puglia, Italy, where we will explore the interwoven worlds of herbalism, alchemy, ritual, and healing. In these lands, alchemy flourished for centuries as a sacred science, one that sought to understand the profound relationships between nature, spirit, and the human soul.
Together, we will tend to the traditions rooted in this place while drawing upon ancestral herbal and magical lineages from other cultures too. Through this weaving of wisdom we will cultivate a living framework for reclaiming this “medicine of transformation”, a medicine that has always belonged to the people and that always sought to create harmony.
The intention of this immersion is to support the restoration of our relationship with Self, Earth, and cosmos, and to deepen our understanding of how intimately these realms are connected. As we care for the soil, we care for the soul; as we nourish the living world, we nourish ourselves. By turning to these alchemical ways, we remember our place in the web of all living beings creating the opportunity for health to be re-established both at a personal and collective level.
Together we will contemplate the alchemical teaching: "As above, so below; as within, so without." We are not separate from nature: we are nature. Our lives are woven into the rhythms of the seasons, the movements of the heavens, and the cycles of the Earth. Alchemy reminds us that all life is infused with intelligence and that our role is to properly observe and interact with the seen and unseen worlds.
Through study, practice, ritual, and ceremony, we will explore what it means to become students of the “the Great Work”. We will learn to engage with plants as living beings, to deepen our perception of their medicinal and spiritual qualities, and to create remedies that honor both their physical and subtle virtues. We will study the planets and stars, understanding how they influence life on earth. We will reclaim our sovereignty as medicine people, healers, herbalists and people devoted to health.
This immersion is an invitation to remember: to remember the language of the Earth, the wisdom carried within the body, and the transformative power that emerges when we bring ourselves back into relationship with the living world.
TOPICS COVERED:
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Astro Herbalism
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Plant spirit meditations
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Medicine making
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Plants for ritual
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Alembic & distillation
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Limpias, clearings, herbal mixes
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Herbal baths & temazcal
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Somatic practices to connect with the land
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Ceremony to restore relationship
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Gardening, putting our hands in the soil
FOOD
We will be sharing two meals together: brunch and dinner. Herbal teas are flowing throughout the day. We start our mornings with tea, coffee, fruit and light fare. All will be cooked using local, organic products of the region.
Puglia, and Italy as a whole, is known for its traditional, seasonal, nourishing recipes. We will be inspired by these whilst of course adding our own personal touch. Meals will be shared together, as a community, in celebration of these lands and their fertility.
ACCOMODATION
We offer four different accommodation options: double, triple, quadruple and a bell tent option that accommodates two people.
All accommodation options have single beds, including the tents. Every room is unique in its taste, yet all rooms are spacious and comfortable.
Moreover, all rooms have their private toilet aside from the tents which share a bathroom and outdoor shower.
ABOUT ELAYA
Nestled amongst ancient olive groves, fig and pomegranate trees, Elaya is a home, sanctuary, gathering place & regenerative land project.
Built on the ruins of a 17th century farmhouse it has been restored to preserve its traditional feel. Around the house is a 3 hectare land that is being stewarded and tended to in order to nurture the soil, foster biodiversity, and cultivate ecosystems that sustain life in all its forms.
Our prayer at Elaya is to foster a culture of care and offer a space that recalls the ancient healing sanctuaries present all around the Mediterranean. These were places where people would come to find refuge, restore connection between body and soul and receive visions for the future.
We are also a creative center that values cross pollination of peoples, cultures and the land. We are here to support the re-imagining of a world that is in the right relationship to the web of life.
WHO IS THIS FOR
We call the plant lovers, the star lovers, the healers, witches, the rebels and activists, the ones who are devoted to restoring right relationship to the land, those that want to expand their skills, learn magical, mystical and ancient preparations and ways, and those who want to live, pray and commune with the living forces of life.
You don't need to have previous knowledge of herbalism, astrology, alchemy or any of the themes covered. The course will both lay the foundations for those that are absolute beginners and will also hopefully expand wisdom to those that have been tending the relationship to plants as medicine, as allies, in ritual, in healing practices, for a long time.
The experience is intended as both a hands on practical course and as a place for communion, healing, magic and expansion of consciousness.
HOW TO REACH US
We are located in the town of Carovigno, a small and charming town of Puglia. Close to us you will find the famous Ostuni, Ceglie Messapica and a little further north Polignano a Mare. We are also just a few km from the magical Mediterranean Sea.
The best way to reach us is by
FLYING
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Flying into Brindisi which is around 25 minutes from us. From here we will organise a private transport for you. Price for this will vary according to how many of you are sharing the taxi.
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Flying into Bari which is around 90 minutes from us. Here again we can organise private shuttle shared with other participants. However, prices might be slightly higher as the distance is greater.
You can also choose to rent a car from these locations and drive to us. There is enough parking for this.
TRAIN
The closest train station is the station of Ostuni, around 10 minutes from us. From here a private taxi will be organised for you. Price is around 15/20 euros
DRIVING
If you choose to rent a car, live in Italy or want to road trip before reaching us, let us know and we will share precise locations to Elāya.
PRICING
THESE INCLUDE ACCOMMODATION + FOOD + THE COURSE.
TRANSPORTATION TO AND FROM THE VENUE IS NOT INCLUDED.
**early bird ends July 15th**
DOUBLE ROOM
single beds + ensuite bathroom
€ 1,595.00 (early bird)
€ 1,895.00 (regular)
TRIPLE ROOM
single beds + ensuite bathroom
€ 1,505.00
€ 1,795.00
QUADRUPLE ROOM
single beds + ensuite bathroom
€ 1,450.00
€ 1,720.00
BELL TENT (2ppl)
*single beds + toilet is shared and outdoor shower
€ 1,290.00
€ 1,520.00
To secure your spot we ask a €500 non-refundable deposit
Second non-refundable instalment of €500 is paid before
September 15, 2026
Final balance is paid in cash on site upon arrival.
Spaces are limited!
if you have any question or inquiry please email us at
ABOUT US
Sarah Wu is a passionate educational curator, facilitator, and mentor dedicated to adult learners of all backgrounds. As a representative for Mother Nature, she teaches Deep Ecology, Therapeutic Ecology, and Whole Systems Design through Herbalism and Permaculture. With 25 years of experience in Regenerative Herbal Medicine, her foundation lies in Planetary Energetic and Western Wise Woman Traditions. Sarah has been practicing clinical and community herbalism in the Neo-Tropics since 2009. Her portfolio includes over 30 Permaculture Design Courses (PDCs), focusing on earth sciences, regenerative human settlement design, community development, and alternative social structures. Sarah curates and facilitates courses, workshops, and events centered on community, deep ecology, regenerative design, and holistic health. She teaches all aspects of herbal medicine, including Materia Medica, ethnobotany, medicine making, formulation, anatomy/physiology and plant spirit medicine. An international facilitator, she has brought her teachings to the United States, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Panama, Cuba, Italy, Portugal, France, Greece, and Germany. With a degree in Art History, world religion, and mythology, she also interprets archetypal symbolism and storytelling through Tarot and Evolutionary Astrology.
Emilia Cianci is a facilitator and guide, healing arts practitioner, ritualist, birth worker, astrologer and culture maker. She is devoted to the restoration of right relationship to self, body, land and cosmos and supports others in remembering the path of their souls her on earth. She has more than 12 years of experience as a space holder, teacher, mentor and guide. Although not formally trained as a herbalist, yet with countless hours of "unofficial" study, she is a deep lover of the plants and the alchemical arts. She sees the trees, flowers and herbs as friends, allies and teachers. Her work is very much rooted in the remembrance of a more harmonious way of existing on earth, resurrecting the Feminine Ways so to balance the last 2000+ years of male dominance which has caused much of the separation from the land and from our relationship to the invisible forces. For her alchemy is both an internal and practical sacred science which helps us remember our place in the web of life and transform the denser forces into more refined ones. As a healer she draws on the power of plants both as medicine and in their spiritual essence. As an astrologer she weaves the plants with the stars and our own bodies. As a ritualist she allies with the green world to clean, clear and restore. She teaches her work all around the world and is now the steward of Elaya, the place that will host you during this time.
A FREE GIFT FOR YOU
Upon signing up you will receive two free gifts!
A gift from Sarah...
Plants of the Craft, a 4 part course where students will learn about the sacred, holy, wisdom of master plants, how to integrate them into their practice, and how to work with magical plants of protection, love and abundance.
A gift from Emilia...
Blueprint of the Cosmos is an introductory video on the relationship between planets, plants and people. In the video you will learn the foundations of the sacred science of astrology and how it influences humans and the earth.