juliette of the herbs

Who is a BOHEMIAN MUSE, you may wish to know?

All my life, I've been fascinated with strong, creative, free-spirited souls. Independent and inspired individuals who made their lives and work according to their own lights. And usually defying conventional social expectations. Most of my creative heroes are writers and artists, although I admire anyone who is brave and resourceful enough to forge their own wild, weird and wonderful path.

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A big part of BOHEMIAN MUSE's mission is to honor those individuals, both men and women, who've eschewed the expected and orthodox route, to do something brave, original and creative with their time on Mother Earth. And I have so many inspiring muses in mind, in beginning this venture!

Although there is a stellar cast to choose from, the first BOHEMIAN MUSE I shall profile here is wise woman and wanderer,  Juliette de Bairacli Levy. She was known primarily as an herbalist; but her adventurous life fascinates many beyond students of the plant mysteries. 

Juliette was born in England to Jewish parents in 1912; her father was from Turkey and her mother was Egyptian. Her family was quite wealthy, and her early life included chauffeurs and private schools, but Juliette would grow up to turn her back on her privileged upbringing. How is that for a Bohemian beginning in life?

juliette de bairacli levy

Juliette always loved animals--but was distressed how her childhood pets frequently sickened and died, and veterinarians couldn't seem to help. She determined to become a vet herself, and studied veterinary medicine in Manchester and Liverpool. But she was disappointed with the ability of modern medicine to heal her animals, and after two years dropped out of university. Soon she was enthralled with the possibilities of herbal medicine, and inspired by Matthew Arnold's famous poem The Scholar Gipsy, took off to wander the world, learning people still living close to the land, notably the Gypsies.  

One can only imagine what her parents had to say about her leaving school for that reason!

(Note: usage of the term 'Gypsies' is controversial, but I use it here because it is what Juliette used.)

Juliette's wanderlust led her to many countries: amongst them were France, Spain, Turkey, Tunisia, Israel, Greece and Mexico. She always preferred to travel by sea, managing to bring various animal companions with her, including goats, owls and her beautiful Afghan hounds. She lived simply--sometimes camping happily in ruined cottages and caves--and always planted a garden wherever she journeyed. She eventually would bring her children along, and with the knowledge gained through her travels, raised them to be natural and robust. She made many friends along the way, including fellow BOHEMIANS Helen and Scott Nearing, and became accepted as a family member amongst Gypsies, Berbers, and Arabs.

Juliette was reknown for her knowledge and healing skills, and wrote many books on herbal medicine--recording for posterity the fast-disappearing lore that had served humankind through the millennia.  She also pioneered the field of veterinary herbalism, writing some of the first books on natural care for dogs, cats, horses, goats and other creatures. Her books are revered by all modern herbalists.

Like most free-spirits, she also loved poetry, and published several volumes of her own verse; as well as at least two novels. I haven't gotten my hands on any of them, as they are collector's items, so can't comment on them specifically. However, her herb books and her fascinating travelogues have been re-published thanks to Ash Tree Publishing. They have taken old, out-of-print and hard to find volumes and made them accessible today for curious and thoughtful readers. I heartily recommend them. She writes in an accessible, conversational style which makes you feel you are sitting with her in the garden and sipping mint tea.

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Juliette of the Herbs is a wonderful documentary about her life, made when she was in her later years.  I am grateful to the makers of the film for telling the story of this remarkable being, but also recording so much of her natural voice--which is so gentle, rich and unaffected. I watch this documentary whenever I am low and requiring some much-needed inspiration from a wise elder. Juliette of the Herbs is also available on-line at Vimeo, which is a kindness to me, because I've looked high and low and can't find my DVD!  But if you love the film as much as I do, I recommend buying your own copy--and supporting the producers who worked hard to bring it to us.

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It may be odd, but whilst listening to Juliette speak I am oft reminded of the wise voice of another revered Bohemian elder, Tasha Tudor, whom I shall profile in a future post.  I don't know if these two expert plants-women ever met; although they were close in age, and Juliette traveled to New England when both were still alive.  It amuses me to think what these two fiercely creative and independent women--both Titanesses of my imagination--would talk about, given the opportunity.

After living happily on the Greek island of Kythira near Crete (the rustic abode depicted in the above mentioned documentary) Juliette moved to Switzerland, where she passed away in 2009, at the age of ninety-six. She had lived a full, unusually colorful life--one which it is hard to imagine living today.

Juliette de Bairacli Levy continues to inspire me, teach me, and encourage me to blaze my own Bohemian path. She is a favorite muse in my own private 'circle of elders'.  Is she one of yours too?

A lovely memorial by another great-souled bohemian can be found at Alicia Bay Laurel.