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The Threshold
~ November 2025 Newsletter ~

The Veils at their Thinnest

Autumn is a season of change. The cold winds blow through you, stripping the leaves from the trees. Frost and freeze kiss away flowers and greenery with beautiful whispers of death, promises of renewal. The nights become hollow yet mesmerizing as the moon rises, grabbing your attention in the stark, dark night.

Energetically and environmentally, for those of us in the northern hemisphere, the season of autumn embodies slumber, hibernation, the cycle of life, grief, and death. Its organ affinity, the lungs, can be heard in a cackle, cough, sigh, or sob. Many worldwide traditions view this midpoint between autumn equinox and winter solstice as a time when the veil between life and death thins. Press on it with your fingers - perhaps your ancestors are on the other side. Rituals of reconnection, reflection, and remembrance hold us through this slippery season. Precious time with loved ones here and passed.

They say, as death rattles close by, the dying rally briefly. One last burst of energy before letting go. The way the foliage flames, evoking a bittersweet swoon. This is the time to release and allow yourself the time to acknowledge and honor your grief - whether it's new, raw grief or has been gnawing on you for years. It's easy to stay busy and distract yourself, and that's ok. But sometimes, when we allow ourselves to hold these emotions, with compassion and surrender, we experience deeper healing and gratitude.

This autumn, many of my loved ones have lost their loved ones or are fighting to maintain this mortal ties just a little bit longer. If you must succumb to breath your last breath, this is a good season to do it. The earth holds you in mutual understanding. 

It has been a heavy honor this autumn to support the caretaking of my father-in-law (who moved in with us last year) throughout several months of terminal liver cancer, and into the afterlife last week. He was a good man and will be deeply missed.

In an unintentional but fitting scheduling, Suchil Coffman-Guererra will teach one of the last classes on November 11: Death and Dying for Herbalists. This class was recommended by a mutual student. Many of my students sat at parent and in-law bedsides as loved ones transition. They've asked for a class like this, wished they'd have it, and want to offer these practical and soothing caretaking tips (including herbals) to others. As I sit with my husband and mother-in-law, holding their hands through my father-in-law's slow transition, I know I'll appreciate the lessons Suchil shares.

"I hear the angels coming, but they're taking their time. They all decided to walk here, instead of flying." -- Deb Talan, "Angels Marching"

I've found my best experiences of this season of autumn and the grief of processing the passing of several beloved people these past months were driving through the shifting New England scenery listening to my Indie for Autumn Spotify playlist. Neko Case's Wish I Was the Moon still stirs my heart after all these years, as does her new Magpie to the Morning. (Unfortunately, Deb's "Angels Marching" song is not on Spotify, so not in the playlist.) On lighter days and nights, consider crisp fiddle tunes of Cape Brenton, Nova Scotia, via the Natalie MacMaster Pandora station. A book to read that evokes the haunting beauty of this season? If you haven't read it yet - The Secret Life of Addie LaRue (one of my favorite books of all time, which, interestingly, tells a similar tale as Wish I was the Moon). The Winternight Trilogy captivates on cold nights if you like dark, haunting Russian-inspired folk tales (not for kiddos).

New & Seasonal in This Email

• Brilliant Winter Squash

• Plant Spotlight: Sage

• Immune Hub & Favorite Teas

• A Little Plug for the American Herbalists Guild

• Upcoming Classes: Canadian Herb Conference, Herbal Academy Master Class, last two Advanced Health Concerns Series classes

•  Herbal Gut Health Preorders

 Quick Announcements

Meet the Team! It's been busy behind the scenes the past few months. I'm excited to bring on and begin training two exceptional grads Kate Duikerken and Diana Barkelew as new additional Education Advisors on the Wintergreen Botanicals team to help longtime amazing advisors Liana and Jenn correct the influx of student homework in the Home Herbalist and Beyond series. Thank you to Alex Williams of First Curve Apothecary in Chicago as the new custom apothecary for my clients. And welcome back, Dayna, my right-hand-woman in admin and operations, from maternity leave! 
SO grateful to welcome you to the team! 💞

Be savvy and aware of spoofer and scammers! Now that I'm the AHG Board Chair, they've found even more ways to try to pretend to be me (and other herbalists) to try and get your money. I will never send you personal emails asking you to buy me gift cards, nor will I private message you on social media selling herbal products or services. I don't sell herbal remedies, nor do I offer astrology readings. sigh If it seems weird or fishy - it is.

Brilliant Winter Squash

As soon as I see them at the farm stand, I know my fall game is on: Winter Squash. And not just butternuts (which I do adore) and the acorns (over-rated IMHO), but the fresh harvest of lesser-known local favorites like kuri and delicata.

 It’s time to turn up the oven.

🎃 Fascinating Story of Squash Varieties

🍁Simple, Delicious Cooking Tips

🍂Creative Uses for Pureed Squash & Pumpkin (yes, even in coffee and my Thanksgiving classic whipped butternut)

🌱 Butternut Squash and Sausage Soup with Crispy Sage Leaves (freezes well!)

Autumn Plant Spotlight

Herb of Strength and Wisdom ~Regular ol’ garden sage (Salvia officinalis) is a mind-blowing apothecary in and unto itself. And right now, she’s taking center stage in the late summer garden with lush, frost-tolerant silvery foliage and potent, aromatics.

AUTUMN CUISINE: When basil fades to black with cool nights and the kiss of frost, sage never looks happier. Sage pairs so well in cooler season cookery alongside white beans or chickpeas, mushrooms, winter squash and pumpkin, butter, olive oil, eggs, pork/sausage, roasted chicken, pasta, bread, etc. While surely we lose some the health benefits, I adore fresh sage leaves fried in butter (or olive oil) and then incorporated into recipes. Without frying, sage leaves can be overpowering, but when you sear them in olive oil or butter, the flavor transforms into rich, mellow amazing alchemy. 

Favorite Immune Teas & Herbal Health Hub

In Winter, we find ourselves prone to common viral respiratory infections like the cold and flu. Herbs can often lend a hand in supporting our immune system, whether it’s to strengthen it so it’s better able to fight infections when we’re exposed to viral invaders, ramp things up at the first tickle of an oncoming infection or when you’re likely to be exposed or directly support specific symptoms.

Below is a link to my hub of the many various articles I have speckled across my website and the internet regarding herbs, mushrooms, and food for immune support, and I’ll share with you a few of my favorite tasty and helpful immune support tea recipes. 

A Little Plug for the American Herbalists Guild

Some of you know that I ran for the American Herbalists Guild board in the most recent elections and was voted in. I've actually been on the board as an interim officer since August and stepped into the Board Chair role, at least for this interim, last month. I certainly did not need more on my plate (who does?), but it's already been a rewarding and heart-gladdening experience to be part of the team. It's been an honor to serve this community that has been an important part of my life since before I even decided to study to become an herbalist. The AHG has, admittedly, been through a rough patch. This often happens during leadership and technology transitions and tight times -- unpleasant but  common in the cycles of any nonprofit group or business. In spite of what you might have heard, the problems were not the fault of any one person or group; it was the result of a lot of different old and new complicated and accumulating factors. The good news is: This organization is on the mend! We're letting go of blame and hostility and working together to revive and improve the organization for the years to come. I have great appreciation for my fellow officers and the AHG staff and confidence in our forward trajectory towards better times. To that end, there are some really cool things going on with the AHG that might interest you and, if you're in the place to support this fantastic nonprofit -- the only group in the country devoted to supporting clinical herbalism and excellence in herbal education, please do! 

How You Can Get Involved & Support the AHG

These all have the potential to benefit YOU, too!

• Become a Member or Renew Your Membership (access to the audio/visual class archive is my favorite member benefit and well worth the cost) Note that my series students get 1-year student memberships included with their course registration. If renewing, make sure you use the same email address of your prior membership. 

• Take a Class! Several super cool "focus sessions" with affordable "pay from the heart" pricing options have been introduced, with more to be announced in 2026. They also have a FDA dietary supplement GMP intensive geared towards herbal product makers coming up with the fabulous Steven Yeager of Mountain Rose. Herbs.

• Donate an Item to the Silent Auction (accepting submissions now - also a great way to promote your wares!) and/or participate in the Auction December 2-4 - TBA on the AHG mailing list.

• Donate Money: In the spirit of the upcoming Giving Tuesday - nonprofit tax-dedictable donations big or small will be accepted with the deepest of gratitude. 

If you're an AHG member, expect to hear from us via AHG channels more in the months to come as as we communicate with and engage with you more for feedback and guidance on how we can better serve you.

And/or.... register for this year's main AHG educational event 
(I am not teaching at this event, but I am sharing and will be attending it as a student)

American Herbalists Guild Virtual Summit
Resilience in Herbal Practice
Live Streaming Saturday, December 6 & Recorded

How do we nourish ourselves, our communities, and the planet through herbal practice? Join the American Herbalists Guild for a one-day online summit exploring resilience in herbalism — featuring six inspiring sessions and a keynote from Erika Galentin, RH (AHG).

Join the AHG on December 6th for a brand-new one-day experience designed to inspire, connect, and deepen our collective practice. Learn, connect, and be inspired by voices in six in-depth sessions with Naa Adjeley Tsofanye, Anjali Deva, Lupo Passero, Amy Branum, Mel Kasting, and Caty Crabb as they share wisdom on healing, ecology, and community care.

$125 for the full event (including both live stream & recording access)
AHG Members get $25 off!
Register Here

Upcoming Classes & Events

Death and Dying Workshop for Herbalists 
with Suchil Coffman-Guerra, BSN-RN 

Online November 11, 6-9 pm Eastern Time & Recorded

This is a three-hour workshop that will cover what end-of-life care is like, what to expect, and how to provide compassionate care using herbs. As an herbalist, caregiver, or any provider who may work with those at the end of life, this workshop offers clarity and guidance. Suchil is a respected herbalist, teacher, nurse, and co-owner of the Herbal Path and Herbal Medics Academy. This is the last guest class of Maria's Advanced Health Concerns series this year. Register Here

The 6th Annual Canadian Herb Conference
ONLINE November 13–16, 2025

40+ teachers. 40+ workshops. One vibrant herbal community.

This year’s theme: Diverse Minds, Common Ground.
Let’s explore how herbalism can support the nervous system and honor all ways of thinking, learning, and being. I’m honored to be part of this extensive event featuring many great teachers and workshops. I will be participating in a 90-minute live streamed Mental Health Panel and teaching two 20-minute pre-recorded classes as part of the conference: Soothing Herbs to Heal the Gut and Herbs to Stimulate Digestion.

Register at herbconference.com
(Save $25 with code: MNG25)*

*With this affiliate code, you will get $25 off the ticket price and I receive a small stipend at no additional cost to you

COVID Considerations 

Online November 11, 6-9 pm Eastern Time & Recorded

In this class, I will cover concepts and support strategies for prevention/resilience to COVID and other common infections, acute infection care, and long-term approaches for long haul COVID. COVID can present in many different ways and severity in different bodies and infection rounds, and nothing is guaranteed; however, students will understand a holistic and customized approach to the individual and their presentation. Register Here

RELEASES MID JANUARY 2026
Preorder! Herbal Gut Health Book:
Natural Therapies to Promote Healthy Digestion, Boost Your Microbiome, and Support Gut Repair

A healthy gut is the key to good overall health—both physical and mental—and researchers are beginning to uncover the links between an unbalanced gut microbiome and chronic conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and cancer. As a clinical herbalist with decades of experience, Maria Noël Groves has helped patients of all ages resolve their digestive complaints and related health issues by teaching them how to adopt healthier dietary habits, employ herbs to alleviate digestive issues and improve digestion, and incorporate balanced lifestyle practices—resolving their diseases and dramatically improving their quality of life. Gorgeous full-color illustrated book, 300+ pages, including anatomy and physiology, herbal actions, detailed plant profiles, protocol points for key concerns, herbal energetics, recipes, charts, and more! The book will ship mid-January when it releases!

Includes Special Bonuses!

• Free Access to Maria’s Mini Gut Health Online Course On-Demand course, releasing in 2026

• Special one-time discount for 10% off 

Maria’s online live streamed and on-demand classes and series when you buy the book direct from her here.

• And of course, your book will be signed by Maria!

Local folks - at this time I don't have a free pick up option because my  home is not safe nor easy to swing by in winter.  Stay tuned, In December  I'll be announcing some few free community classes in the area during January with pick up options there.

Wintergreen Botanicals

Maria Noel Groves, RH (AHG)

www.WintergreenBotanicals.com

603-340-5161

wintergreenbotanicals.office@gmail.com