Devil’s Club & the Sacred Shift: A New Way of Seeing the Forest

I’ve been living in Alaska for more than 20 years, and let me tell you Devil’s Club has always been quite the character along our hiking trails. Back when I first started exploring these wild places, the warnings were everywhere: “Watch out for Devil’s Club!” Its towering stalks, covered in sharp thorns, were seen as a hiker’s worst nightmare. The leaves alone can grow up to 18 inches wide, and I even heard of newbies mistaking them for natural toilet paper. (Spoiler alert: do not try that.)

But over time, my relationship with this plant has completely transformed.

Devil’s Club—Oplopanax horridus—is one of the most iconic and sacred plants in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. You’ll find it in the lush, damp lowlands near streams, creeks, and wetlands, slowly reaching upward year by year. A plant that stands 12 feet tall is likely 30 years old or more. These aren’t just plants—they’re elders of the forest.

Its genus name, Oplopanax, translates to “the juice of all-heal,” and despite its intimidating look, Devil’s Club is actually part of the ginseng family. Beneath its prickly exterior lies powerful medicine. Indigenous peoples have long known its value, using it to soothe pain, calm the nervous system, support respiratory health, and create spiritual protection. Teas, tinctures, ceremonial tools—this plant’s gifts are many.

My aunt even hangs stalks of Devil’s Club above her doorways to keep negative energy away. And honestly? I believe it works.

Now, when I find myself walking through a thicket of Devil’s Club, I don’t see a menace, I see guardians. It feels like stepping into a sacred grove, full of wisdom and presence. There’s a stillness there. An invitation. A deep breath. I stop. I listen. I feel held.

And that’s the kind of connection we cultivate on the Mindfulness in the Wilderness experience.

This isn’t just a hike—it’s an invitation into a deeper relationship with the land. We don’t just talk about plants like Devil’s Club, fiddleheads, spruce tips, and blueberry buds—we learn from them. We slow down, breathe deeply, and awaken a sense of reverence that stays with us long after we leave the forest.

If you’ve ever longed to experience Alaska not just with your eyes, but with your heart, come join us. Let the forest show you what it means to truly be present. Let Devil’s Club and the wisdom of the wild remind you how healing nature can be.

👉 Click here to learn more and reserve your spot on the next Mindfulness in the Wilderness journey

We’ll be waiting beneath the spruce trees.