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HerbalGram
The Journal of the American Botanical Council
Issue: 59 Page: 69
William LeSassier 1948 – 2003
HerbalGram. 2003;59:69 © American Botanical Council
I am honored to write words of remembrance for William LeSassier: the
mystical teacher of all my teachers. He who dropped under the radar for so
many years. The famous and infamous William LeSassier.
In the late ‘60s, William opened The Christos School of Herbal Medicine in
Taos, New Mexico. By the 1970s, herbalism was re-awakened. He was one of
the most well-known herbalists in the country. During those early years he
wandered and taught, selling herbs as he went. He wrote some of the very
first herb articles in Well-Being magazine, possibly the first publication
on alternative medicine. In the early ‘80s, he settled in New York City to
open Chiron’s Magic Minerals, where he practiced and taught energy work.
The Taoist Arts Center was also graced with his wisdom. He continued his
busy herbal practice, blending modalities of bodywork and incorporating
herbs, energy work, and acupuncture. A perfectionist, William’s book was
constantly evolving. We hope to publish his works in the next few years.
Like so many people of genius, William led a life full of intensity we
would expect from one who received formulas shared from the book of
Pythagoras, in blasts of white light. Thus, the birth of the Triad System
of Formulation 30 years ago, visually drawing one triangle within another,
with the client’s constitution/core condition in the center. Herbs on the
apex representing the "king," the ruler/significant herb/neutral signified
by a circle, a "minister" the herb that communicates to other plants and
takes the message to the king, signified by a plus sign, and a "servant"
the reciprocal part of the formula that acts upon/eliminates through the
"doorways of the body." Measurement of herb was formulated by energetic
strength, not weight. William’s Triad System of Formulation continues to
be taught from coast to coast.
Hanging in herb schools and practitioner’s offices around the country are
William’s Facial Diagnosis Charts, which illustrate the five elements as
they relate to general and specific characteristics including the shape of
the face, temperament, tone of voice, and the myriad of fascinating
descriptions that make up a "type" of person. The chart is based on a
combination of traditional Chinese physiognomy and William’s own
interpretations. Clients are always curious to discover their "type."
William was exceptional and at the same time completely human in
experiencing the extremes of life. Never one to moderate excess! A gifted
man and blessed soul. So regular, so ordinary, so "no big deal" in his
beige turtleneck and sweats with words falling out of his mouth in such
profusion that one could easily forget that he was a brilliant genius and
channeled the healing energy of the universe. The flow of knowledge while
he taught was magical. Humor and lighter entertainment interspersed
between the meatier portions of diagnostic tone and color, nails and
tongues. He grasped each line of the face, each subtle marking, explained,
and drew so beautifully. That smirk, his delightful wry comments sneaking
in at just the right moment, to tickle the joy button of the whole
experience. He was so gracious. How fortunate we were.
It was good to see he had come back into his own light these past few
years. He returned to his herbal family. What impact can a single man
make? The lineage of those directly influenced during his life journey
walking our Earth includes a bounty of accomplished practitioners. I share
Rosemary Gladstar’s sentiment that William was "…sweet, rare and fairly
complex. May our hearts feel peace as his heart does. He is close, even
closer now than in life. That is the gift of those who pass over. Our gift
is to remember them and to honor them."
Herbalist, acupuncturist, artist, teacher, husband, father, keeper of his
beloved Virginian land – William was always a body worker. Matthew Wood so
succinctly added, "William touched the four elements – earth, air, fire,
water – and then the fifth element which changes everything, as in the
######### of an eye, in a magical moment when no one sees. And then he was
gone. We thought we could always learn from him, but suddenly the book was
complete."
Spirit and wind are the same word in Greek. To inspire is to breathe in.
We all share inspiration, our breath. To inspire is to excite with
passion. William was my inspiration to be a better practitioner. He always
liked an "Amen corner." I am not alone in that corner. So Amen, my friend,
amen.
– Margi Flint
American Botanical Council, 6200 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78723
Phone: (512) 926-4900 | Fax: (512) 926-2345
Email: abc@herbalgram.org | URL: http://www.herbalgram.org
HerbalGram journal of the American Botanical Council (ABC) is a
benefit of membership of ABC at all levels. ABC is the leading herbal
medicine education organization. For more information about membership
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http://www.herbalgram.org
