The origin story of Divine Dandelion; from seed to flower.

Trainings -

In 2018 ~ DONA International Birth Doula training

In 2020 ~ ProDoula Birth Doula training

In 2020 ~ FEMM Body Literacy course with Tere Marie

In 2020 ~ Adult and Infant CPR/AED certified (Red Cross)

In 2021 ~ Northeast School of Botanical Medicine Community Herbalism Certification

In 2022 ~ BADT Full Spectrum Doula training

In 2022 ~ BADT Abortion Doula training

In 2023 ~ Best Doula Trainings Placenta Encapsulation Specialist training

In 2023 ~ Blood Borne Pathogens training

In 2023 ~ ServSafe (Food Handlers) training

In 2023 ~ Neonatal Resuscitation Program (NRP)

Hey, Folks!

I guess I'll tell ya a little bit about myself and why I've started Divine Dandelion.

My name is Coral (she/her) and I am a queer birthworker, herbalist, and earth skills witch currently residing and working on occupied Haudenosaunee land (also known as Hamilton, NY). I am a Cancer sun, Taurus moon, and Virgo rising and definitely identify as a Jackie of all trades. I am an amateur potter, basket weaver, broom maker and gardener. I have an 12 year old pup that I love taking on long walks, and I have an affinity for the outdoors (though I am a cold weather wuss, but will still get out). During my spare moments off call my partner and I try to steal away to the Adirondacks as frequently as we can so we can spend our time deep in the woods near a lake or stream without any cell service. I’m an open book and love conversation so I’d love to connect more to hear about you!

A look into my past ~

I grew up in Coastal Maine and Upstate New York. My family and I always lived out of "town" (really more of villages than towns) and had gardens, horses, a few pigs and many pets. From a young age, with my mother being a nurse and my father a part-time respiratory therapist/part-time sail boat captain, my siblings and I were taught that preventive measures and self-care were the most important part of a healthy lifestyle. When I found myself deciding what to do after high school, I couldn't think of anything better suited than to start studying medicine. I couldn’t imagine myself in any other role other than health care/community care. So, I left the comfort of my small town and headed for the big city of Miami.

Skip ahead a few years and many moments:

I found myself nose-deep in folk medicine and herbalism books, when I should’ve had my nose in my assigned organic chemistry books. I began to soak up every ounce of knowledge I could from people of all herbal levels. Thanks to countless amazing peers and master herbalists I came upon an avenue of medicine that finally clicked. I began diving deep into ‘alternative’ avenues of health. This is where my love for birth work and herbalism sprouted. I myself was just a spout then, so I had a lot of growing to do before Divine Dandelion was born. In my twenties I traveled a lot and knew that I would one day settle somewhere beautiful and make roots in a community I cared deeply about. In 2015 that’s exactly what happened. I moved back to Upstate NY in my 1986 Ford camper and parked it for good.

Because I grew up in the countryside with parents that honored the Earth, I formed a deep connection to our past as well as the present. I gravitated toward learning the traditional practices of just about everything! For me, this means bringing to fruition the knowledge I have acquired, the lessons and traditions of centuries of herbal medicine and birth work while simultaneously tapping into modern techniques. Finally, having made a more balanced and rhythmic life (not to mention having a hugely supportive partner who inspires me every day and helps me toward my fanciful dreams) I made the leap and started Divine Dandelion in 2017! It began as an herbal apothecary Etsy shop and has grown into what you see here over many years and iterations. It is my soul purpose and passion project, and I give myself completely to this dream because I believe that cultivating a space where someone can come to feel supported and heard is deeply healing. It is my hope that Divine Dandelion can provide even just a tiny bit of light in someone’s life.

Why I’ve started Divine Dandelion:

I am drawn toward holistic, reproductive health as I feel there is a huge hole in that space. While we can be grateful for all that modern medicine does, we can also acknowledge where it’s lacking. Divine Dandelion was dreamed up to try and make that hole just a little bit smaller with full-spectrum doula support, menstrual cycle classes and education, herbal allies for the entire reproductive arc, and simply (and not so simply) creating a space for people to come and be heard. Let's ditch the standards of how reproductive support should look to return to one that incorporates natural and supportive modalities with our modern bodies! I am here to combine my knowledge (and many others') with your desires to create a life in bloom!

My ‘birth philosophy’ (a question almost every parent-to-be wants to know):

When a person becomes pregnant they have a long lineage of people that have birthed before them to tap into. The ancestral knowledge of giving birth is something every birthing person carries with them. I feel called to assist my clients in finding their power. For me, this means seamlessly combining the lessons and traditions of centuries of birth with modern, evidence-based techniques. The combination of old and new knowledge often lends itself to a birth experience that goes far beyond just the “happy and healthy” most providers strive for.

Each and every birth is vastly different and it is my belief that it is every birthing person’s birthright to have access to an environment that is not only working toward a healthy pregnancy and birth, but also one that is steeped in empowering the soon-to-be parent with compassionate, inclusive, evidence-based care. I support and believe in birth anywhere and anyhow you want to achieve it! The transition into parenthood is often isolating - I believe it is important to provide customized care for each parent so they can move through their pregnancy and postpartum feeling supported in their mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.

I have completed three birth worker training programs and plan on continuing my education and training indefinitely – to be an informed community care worker, the learning never stops. As a doula, I specialize in trauma informed, evidence based, judgment free care. My style is founded in inclusive and compassionate connections with my clients. Whether you are giving birth in the hospital or at home, using medication or meditation to manage pain, I will be your steadfast advocate through your entire perinatal experience.