The daughter of Kiskeyan travelers, Elsie grew up living and traveling through the concrete jungle of New York City and the lush campos of Kiskeya (the Dominican Republic). A polymathic herbalist, educator, conceptual artist, & writer, Elsie possesses a wide array of experience, knowledge, and skills. Descending from generations of farmers, land tenders, earth workers, medicine people, artists, psychics, 2-headed multi-faceted beings, she has learned craft and proper reverence from and for the natural and supernatural realms at the feet and side of her elders. In 2008, Elsie formalized her journey in healing and education by pursuing a degree in Philosophy and Religion with a concentration in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Natural Healing. Alongside attending magnet schools of the arts from ages 11-17 in NYC and attending + graduating from university, she has also studied botany, foraging, water systems, phytochemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, biology, psychology, hypnotherapy, time, yoga, nutrition, food science, cannabis use, womb wisdom, flower essence therapy, arts, and sciences that have helped to supplement the work being done through GWA + GWAE (GWEC). Good teachers are great students, so the studies are ongoing and expanded upon + decolonized as needed.

She has taught with several organizations and at a number of conferences & gatherings including Herban Cura, Wild Ginger Herbal Center, Spirit Weavers, New Orleans Herb Gathering, Plant Spirit Herbalism Summit, and more. Elsie has also worked within public and private education as a K-12 teacher and mentor. Currently, she works as a 1st grade science teacher and a cooking & gardening club lead. Her work focuses on curating holistic tastes, spaces, remedies, experiences, and happenings. Through Gold Water Alchemy and Gold Water Alchemy Education, two of her personal initiatives, Elsie shares a vast breadth of wisdom and alchemical talismans. Some of her current projects include The Indigo Keys and the Spiral Portal, a collection of remedies and talismans connected to the 22 major arcana of the tarot; the 22 Flowers of Life which are the flower essence aspects of the 22 keys; 000 Womb Way, a collection of potions useful for the womb and to guide through processes of embodiment and remembrance. Herbascopes is another of her works which stems from a system of divination developed through a meditative process; in Herbascopes, Elsie shares her insights and intuitive impressions received within communion and communication with plants and tarot. Seed and Soil Science Initiative is another project she started & which will be shared in more depth and detail soon. Her forest garden Gold Water Alchemical Gardens is in the process of development and seeking funding for expansion. As an already published writer featured in several online and in print publications, she is also currently working on several written pieces.

(CV / curriculum vitae available April 2024)