Workshops
Workshops
Workshops
Workshops
The Five Pillars
Of Medicine
About
"There are only five pillars of medicine.
And all medicine, across all time, fits into these pillars."
Origins
The Five Pillars of Medicine is a body of knowledge that began to emerge shortly after I completed an initiation in a Southern African medicine tradition. These teachings have come through dreams, plant wisdom, and spontaneous insights in nature, offering a comprehensive understanding of the patterns of nature.
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This work is not only about sharing the information received, but also about inspiring an ancient remembering—that there are ways of gathering knowledge about the world that differ from the conventional methods we’ve been taught.
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The knowledge is holographic, meaning it applies to both the tiniest microcosm and the greatest macrocosm. The same principles that form the foundation of this work are echoed and expanded upon as the knowledge deepens and becomes more sophisticated.
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There are five branches in this tree of knowledge. This website explores the first two: The Cedar Teachings and The Five Pillars of Medicine. Each branch builds upon the foundations of the previous, expanding that understanding and offering insights that can enrich our lives. This sacred order guides us as we dive deeper into the well of our existence, uncovering untapped gifts.
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Explore these teachings and apply them in your own life. Investigate, question, and see how this map resonates with you...
The Cedar Teachings
When I was in training, learning about various herbs and plants, I often felt overwhelmed. There was so much to absorb, and the method of learning was one plant at a time. I remember walking in to the garden one day and speaking directly to the world at large:
“I cannot learn such an abundance of wisdom and information inductively, one plant at a time. I request to understand deductively, to be able to deduce the medicines and properties of a plant through their underlying principles. I'd like to know the “why” behind how these plants hold their properties. Please teach me these patterns, so I can recognise them in any plant…”
And I left it at that.
A few years later, I received a response in the form of The Cedar Teachings.
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This teaching came directly from a Cedar Tree. I had been working with a shaman from Peru, sitting in the garden between sessions, discussing the various plants around us. Later that day, with a mischievous smile, he told me that the three Cedar trees along the driveway were waiting for me to begin a friendship with them.
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I found it a fascinating invitation, and began engage with them curiously from that moment on. Each time I returned home, I would greet them, leaving small offerings of tobacco or other gifts. I began speaking with them, singing to them, and giving them a hug upon my arrival. One day, as I touched them in greeting, I noticed that one of them had left a sticky kiss of resin on my sleeve. Now, I knew the needles of the this tree were a powerful smudge when burned, but I hadn’t considered what other parts of the plant might offer. Excited by this new discovery, I was eager to see if the resin shared similar properties and, if so, how it differed from the leaves.
I fired up a piece of coal and dropped the resin onto it, heading outside to stand beneath the trees as the resin began to bubble and smoke. It took a moment for the smoke to rise gently towards me. As it reached me, I was suddenly engulfed with this most exquisite, unexpected aroma. It felt aged and feminine, an ancient scent that carried a warm, wise essence. Caught completely off guard, my heart burst open in delight and I stood in awe at the base of the trees, guiding the smoke between myself and the cedars… And in that moment of gratitude, the tree spoke to me.. It said:
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It gave me a moment to digest this, revealing how these principles largely govern the allocation of qualities across the plant kingdom, giving me examples to illustrate this. It seemed so logical, so simple. Over time these principles came to shape how I navigate the use of herbs and herbal interactions, with this information proving to be consistently impeccable.
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As this teaching unfolded, it became clear how these principles extend across all natural bodies— molecular, biological, human, and the macrocosm of the Earth as a whole. From micro to macro levels, the same principles apply. Understanding this simple, self-evident formula allows us to use it as a guide for growth and evolution.
​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This potent insight continues to inspire and inform as understanding deepens. Combinations become formulae, and these ingredients serve as the building blocks of creation. As we arrange the correlating parts of ourselves, we can design our alignment and engage different aspects of what it is to be human in enlightening ways.
After working with The Cedar Teachings herbally for some time, it was revealed that these same principles flow through all the kingdoms, from microcosm to macrocosm. The same pathways of functionality found in plants extend through humans, animals, the planet as a whole, and every cell within it. These correlations of principle are shared in the online course.
This, then, is the doorway to the rest of the teachings, acting as a bedrock for understanding the Five Pillars of Medicine….​
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The Spirit of a plant lives in the sap
Power is in the leaves
Medicine is in the bark
Connectivity is in the roots
And Love is in the fruits
The Five Pillars Of Medicine
The Five Pillars of Medicine describes the five governing principles that move through all of nature. They articulate the sequential and universal stages of life’s unfolding, and how these can be applied as medicinal and therapeutic approaches.
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These teachings came to me after a day of working with powerful Zulu sangoma - a traditional healer - with whom I had worked for many years. Just as I was falling asleep that evening I heard a strong instruction: "Get up and write this down!"
I jumped up and began to notate what was coming through. It said that,
“There are only five pillars of medicine. And all medicine, across all time, fits into these pillars”.
The teaching proceeded to stream through, showing me the five modes of medicine, the ancient and current systems that use them, and how we instinctively draw on them in our daily lives. This body of knowledge serves as a profound medicinal tool, applicable in contexts ranging from personal to universal.
A brief overview is provided below. To fully immerse yourself in and apply this information, visit the online course.
The First Pillar of Medicine:
Harmonic
medicine
The Roots
Like cures like
Resonance
medicine
Connection
The First Pillar of Medicine involves the use of a 'substance' - be it plant, animal, mineral, time or space - that mirrors our current state. It reflects the exact frequency of our experience, and by holding that frequency it allows us to be freed from holding it ourselves. As a result our energy can be redistributed through our system.
Homeopathy is an excellent example. The term ‘homeo' means "same", and ‘pathy’ means "to suffer with". Meeting the symptom with a resonance that mirrors it is the foundational principle. As Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathy, famously explained, "Similia similibus cura"—like cures like, or similar heals similar.
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Much like the root, where 'connectivity' resides, this pillar is about resonance, acceptance, rootedness — our anchor, our ground zero. Any form of medicine that uses resonance as its core modality—whether through practice, treatment, nutrition, or sound— can be considered a First Pillar medicine.This lays the foundation for the healthy emergence of Second Pillar Medicine…
Earth Element
Level of the Body
Skeletal System
Cedar Teaching: Root | Connectivity
Qualities of Resonance | Reflection | Acceptance
Archetypes: Like-minded folk | Friends | Mirroring
Places of 'Home': Anchor | Ground | Sameness
Kabbalistic World of Assiyah – World of Action
Chinese element: Earth | Organs: Spleen and Stomach | Taste: Sweet
Tibetan Buddhist Skandha - Aggregate of Consciousness: Form – our physical beings
The Second Pillar of Medicine:
Entrainment
medicine
The Leaves
Potentiality
medicine
Expansion
medicine
Power
The Second Pillar of Medicine is where we utilise a 'substance' - whether plant, animal, mineral, time or space - that represents what we aspire to. It represents the direction in which we wish to expand, the place we are reaching toward. This expansion occurs through learning, and stepping beyond our comfort zone. In moving towards this direction, we give our being orientation and set up a trajectory for growth.
Examples of this are found in any form of entrainment, learning, or evolution that promotes our expansion—embodying our potential. Whether through gaining new knowledge, acquiring new skills, absorbing new energy, or nourishing ourselves in novel ways, all of these are reflective of Second Pillar Medicine.
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Like the leaf, where 'power' lives, and energy is collected for broader growth, this pillar is about expansion, courage, energy, entrainment, and learning. Any medicine that facilitates the movement from our current state to a new and expanded condition, through skill and purpose, is a Second Pillar medicine. This lays the ground for the emergence of Third Pillar Medicine....
Water Element
Level of the Heart
Nervous System
Cedar Teaching: Leaf | Power
Qualities of Expansion | Potential | Energy
Archetypes: Teacher | Guide | Mentor | Guru
Places of 'Learning': Entrainment | Knowledge | Emulating
​Kabbalistic World of Yetzirah – World of Formation
Chinese element: Wood | Organs: Liver and Gall bladder | Taste: Sour
Tibetan Buddhist Skandha - Aggregate of Consciousness: Feeling - sensory realm
The Third Pillar of Medicine:
Protection
medicine
The Bark
Inoculation
medicine
Poison
medicine
Immunity
Medicine
The Third Pillar of Medicine involves working with a 'substance'— whether plant, animal, mineral, time, or space—that symbolises where we do not wish to be. This is 'venom' or 'poison' medicine. It serves to exercise the immune system and stimulate protection. At its core, it is about inoculation, maintaining boundaries, and navigating wellness with discernment. A small dose of danger is enough to awaken vigilance.
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For instance, a small dose of a poison, such as a purgative, triggers an immune response. Exposing the body to reasonable amounts of stress or 'toxicity' in this way strengthens its defences. The concept of 'hormesis' explains how stress—when applied in controlled doses—promotes a strengthening response, benefiting overall health.
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Like the bark that protect a tree—where the 'medicine' lives—this pillar represents a concentrated function designed to contain and protect. It is where our inner world intersects with our outer environment—much like the 'skin' of our being. It is astute in its porosity, allowing for discernment. Medicines that focus on boundaries, protection, inoculation, and containment fall under the Third Pillar. This foundation creates a healthy platform for the Fourth Pillar of Medicine to unfold...
Fire Element
Level of the Mind
Immune System
Cedar Teaching: Bark | Medicine
Qualities of Containment | Intelligence | Discernment
Archetypes: Warrior | Shaman | Heyoka | Trickster
Places of 'Protection': Immunity | Boundary | Defence
Kabbalistic World of Beriah – World of Creation
Chinese element: Metal | Organs: Lung and Large Intestine | Taste: Astringent
Tibetan Buddhist Skandha - Aggregate of Consciousness: Cognition
The Fourth Pillar of Medicine:
Enchantment
medicine
The Fruit
& Flower
Attraction
medicine
Invocation
medicine
Love
The Fourth Pillar of Medicine is more subtle than the previous ones, as it transcends the level of dense substance and moves beyond the 'boundary'. It enters the energetic realms, functioning within the non-physical attributes of our being. This is the realm of thought, language, symbol and imagination. It is where dreaming occurs and where beauty emanates. This is the magnetic realm of our being, where we draw towards us that which we focus on.
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A powerful example is the practice of mantra. The physiology of the language activates specific points in the mouth that are connected to meridians in the body. By chanting mantras correctly, we stimulate these meridians, causing the energy lines to vibrate in harmony with a certain qualities, thereby drawing those qualities into our lives.
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Like the flower and the fruit where 'love' resides, this is the realm of "calling medicine"—invocation, enchantment, enticement, and attraction. It is through this pillar that we offer of ourselves and receive the gifts of the world around us. It is where cross pollination happens, where we exchange with other beings, sharing love and energy. It is what we call towards ourselves. This is the realm of what we call toward ourselves, setting the stage for receptivity to the Fifth Pillar of Medicine...
Air Element
Level of the Soul
Respiratory System
Cedar Teaching: Flower, Fruit | Love
Qualities of Magnetism | Invocation | Attraction
Archetypes: Priest | Magician | Messenger | Wizard
Places of 'Offering': Devotion | Calling | Incantation | Offering | Ceremony
Kabbalistic World of Atzilut – World of Emanation
Chinese element: Fire | Organs: Heart and Small Intestine | Taste: Bitter
Tibetan Skandha - Aggregate of Consciousness: Volition – Intentional activity
The Fifth Pillar of Medicine:
Vibrational
medicine
The Sap
Representational
medicine
Quantum
medicine
Informational
medicine
The Fifth Pillar of Medicine represents the most refined level of being, the realm of the quantum. This is the extraordinary field that sustains and encompasses all the others. Without it, none of the others could exist. It is the aether that hosts the elements, the non-form that contains all form. In Sanskrit this is known as the Akash, the subtle element that pervades the universe, luminous with consciousness.
With an understanding of the quantum nature of reality—the holographic design of our universe—we can influence the macrocosm by focusing on the microcosm. A clear example of this in a therapeutic context is kinesiology, family constellations, or any form of oracle work. In these practices, a whole system is represented within a focused, compact treatment, and this influence ripples out to affect the field as a whole.
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Like sap, the waters of life, the Fifth Pillar is where the 'spirit' lives. In its clarity it holds profound guidance. It is the essence of being. The quality of this part of ourselves infuses the rest of our experience. This is quantum medicine—vibrational medicine. It is the domain of the Akashic field, from which all frequency emanates. From here vibration is emanated, forming a resonance, which once again lays the foundation for First Pillar Medicine...
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And so, the vortical cycle of nature continues.
Ether Element
Level of Spirit
Reproductive System
Cedar Teaching: Sap | Spirit
Qualities of Wisdom | Essence | Grace | Clarity
Archetypes: Prophet | Seer | Oracle | Diviner
Places of 'Guidance': Nature | Cosmos | Wholeness
Kabbalistic World of Adam Kadmon – Primordial Space
Chinese element: Water | Organs: Kidney and Bladder | Taste: Salty
Tibetan Skandha - Aggregate of Consciousness: Consciousness –physical and non-physical
Lila Lieberman
I have been working with medicinal plants and indigenous healing practices since 1996. My journey began in the Atacama Desert of Peru at the age of 18, where I first encountered the native plants and teachings of the region. Later, in 2012, I underwent initiation as a sangoma—a traditional healer and seer—in the Shona tradition of South Africa. Over the years, I have immersed myself in cultural wisdom and the medicinal use of plants and practices.
My work focuses on learning from the living library of the mineral, plant, microbial, animal, and spirit kingdoms, exploring how their collaboration creates powerful openings and pathways within us. This deep connection unlocks new and creative ways of perception. What truly excites me is exploring the spectrum of cultural ways, rites of passage, and ceremonies that activate these channels of learning.
This knowledge informs my therapeutic practice, is shared at conferences, and is taught through the body of wisdom known as The Five Pillars of Medicine.
Academically, I hold a BA in Anthropology, Linguistics, Philosophy, and Psychology, with an Honours degree in Transpersonal Psychology and Philosophy, as well as a Diploma in Integral Coaching.
My work is devoted to the upliftment, inspiration, and re-membering of our collective humanity, as well as the natural capacities, powers, and openings that are our birthright.
Conferences, Talks and Festivals
Limmud, Johannesburg, South Africa: 2013
Khanyisa, Johannesburg, South Africa: 2013
Breaking Convention panel, UK: 2015
Plant Consciousness panel, UK: 2015
Somara Conference, Byron bay, Australia: 2016
Plant People talk, Johannesburg, South Africa: 2016
Talks in UK - Glastonbury, Manchester, The Wirral: 2016
Rainbow Serpent Festival, Australia: 2016 and 2017
University of Glasgow "Other Psychotherapies - Across time, space, and culture": 2017
Earth Frequency Festival, Australia 2016 and 2019
Rebel Herbal Conference: 2018
Entheogenesis Australis - online presentation: 2021
Entheogenesis Australis Conference, Melbourne Australia: 2022
Embodying Psychedelia Conference - Uki, Australia: 2023
Through the Goddess Portal - Global Summit online: 2024