Shamanism workshop 8.-10.6.2012 (TÄYNNÄ, FULL)

A basic’s workshop in Shamanism and shamanic healing taught by Francis Joy who is a Druid from England over the weekend 8-10.6.2012. For information and booking, please contact Arja Pulkka from Aurinkoniemi on: +358 40 7163 777/ or by e-mail: info@aurinkoniemi.fi

Shamanism is the oldest spiritual practice known; its origins can be found way back in the Lower Paleolithic era some 40,000 years ago in Europe. Although shamanism is quite often regarded as a religion, this is not true, but it can be found as spiritual tradition within many of the Worlds Religions.

The practice of shamanism has in earlier cultures been related to animal ceremonialism and hunting, especially in northern Scandivavia and Sub-Arctic cultures where its profile has been much stronger because of the harsh and extreme environment.

Today, many people from all walks of life are taking interest in shamanism as a way of re-establishing contact with the powers of nature and the animal kingdom, and this is what participants will experience during the workshop.

Please note that for ethical reasons, the use of alcohol and narcotics is prohibited throughout the duration of the workshop.

The course is designed to give both newcomers and experienced individuals the oppertunity to explore the Shaman’s cosmos, and to learn the ancient techniques used in shamanic healing. The main purpose for the workshop is to help each participant to make contact with their spiritual guides, who are often referred to as power animals or helping spirits, in a unique and individual way. Different guides have different tasks, so these may vary considerably.

The structure for the weekend is as follows.

• Shamanism, animism and the world tree: our relationship with nature and animistic thinking; the basis for shamanism is animism.
• The importance of the altar, the different elements of earth, air, fire, water and spirit, and understanding the different powers associated with these.
• The lower, middle and upper world’s of the shaman’s cosmos, the shaman’s journey into non-ordinary reality
• The tools of the shaman
• Altered states of consciousnes
• Power animal retrieval, recovering lost power and shamanic healing.
• Shamanism as a way of life

Each person will need the following items: Rattle, blanket, pillow, something to lie on such as a mat or blanket, writing material including paper or a journal. The course is limited to 14 people so please book early, and for further information, about the course content, please contact Francis by e-mail: druidman1962@yahoo.co.uk 

The cost for the workshop is 350.00e per person including the course, accommodation and meals in Hyvän Olon Aurinkoniemi.

Please note that course language is English.

“The earth so say the Shamans possesses a structure that is related in essence to that of the

Human body. Like us, it has breath – the air. Like us, is has a heartbeat – the fiery magma.

Like Us, it has a skeletal system – the mountains and stones. Like us it has a musculature –

the hills and forests. It has glands like us – its mineral wealth. And it has a consciousness –

its own thought, of which we ourselves are merely one aspect…..”

Francis Joy, MA.

Originally from Yorkshire, Northern England has a Masters Degree in the Comparative study of Religion from the Unversity of Helsinki, Finland, with a special focus on Shamanism, trance and rock-art. I have also had several scholarly articles published about my research, see: http://www.freewebs.com/wisdomoftheearth/articles.htm

My training has included membership and education within the Ancient Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids in Britain, and also with the Shamanic Society of Finland. I have also undertaken extensive study into Mediumship where I trained as a Survival Medium for 5 years, proving evidence of Life after Death. In 1996 Istudied for a diploma as a Holistic Body Therapist and graduated with a distinction for my studies.

The development of my work as a healer and therapist is chiefly concerned with the field of recovery from addiction and chemical dependency, as well as relationship addiction and Co-dependency. The focus for this work is to bring more awareness about addiction as a disease and spiritual illness, and the impact it has on society both individually and collectively, into the awareness of clients and the individual as well as the therapeutic profession, and to discuss the various options for coping and understanding the nature of the illness, and for making recovery and healing possible. Shamanism is a healing modality which addresses these issues in a conscious, understanding and holistic way.

After working as a healer for almost fifteen years, in 2006, I became inspired to start teaching Reiki healing and then the craft of the wise, to those who honestly seek to follow the path of the heart and have love and respect for nature.

Francis Joy: http://www.freewebs.com/wisdomoftheearth/