CLASSES, WORKSHOPS, MEETINGS and RETREATS

NURTURING OUR GIFTS (NOG) is a monthly meeting on the third Tuesday of every month, where we share our psychic/healing gifts and work with them. Often people are not sure how to care for themselves in their development of these gifts. This meeting has been ongoing for seven years and has helped people be encouraged in their development of their gifts and to normalize these gifts. It is free.

SWEATLODGE: Every third Saturday evening, a sweatlodge is held, hosted by Barbara McMains at Chaperal Healing Center, 2112 Upper Elgin River Road. The keepers of the fire, land and Spirit are Barbara, Karen and JJ Farrell. The Lakota tradition is the core of the Inipi but other traditions are brought in. Cotton clothing is best for the sweat and it is asked that everyone bring some food to share for the gathering at the end of the evening.

CAMPING EXCURSIONS will be using shamanic techniques in the natural world and with Mother Earth. Car pooling is done for these trips...we take off from the office, 3004 South First Street. Everyone is responsible for their own camping gear and food is shared and coordinated. Reservations will be made and reimbursement of the camp fees, usually $20 per person will be asked. Shamanic journeying and ceremonies will be done on the trips as Spirit guides us. These excursions are a way to deepen our relationship with Spirit/Mother Earth/Father Sky. Bringing your own instruments will enhance your experience. Two long camping trips are planned for each year; including Big Bend and another place. Several shorter trips are also planned throughout the year to explore the Texas State Parks. A head count is asked to coordinate efforts.

MAKING A DRUM/RATTLE uses techniques taught by Dawn Kenny of Virginia. JJ Farrell and Karen cohost this workshop. The Ancients recognized the power of creating our instruments and infusing our heart/soul into them. The participants will be creating a 13 inch drum in the Cherokee fashion with rawhide, sinew and wooden frame. Participants will be asked to bring wood for the beater and rattles, although there will be extra sticks available. Feathers, beads and other decoration can be added and brought to the workshops. $200 pays for the supplies. A head count is necessary to ensure enough hides are cut.

RETREATS are from Friday at 6 pm to Sunday at 1 pm and will be held at 5906 FM 973. The facility includes a meeting space, outdoor gardens, pond, kitchen area, bathrooms with showers and several rooms for air mattresses. The space will provide an ideal setting for participating in the classes and having time to oneself. Cost will include room, food and teaching. Topics for the Retreats included:
Medicine for the Earth: This is based on Sandra Ingerman’s book and training which includes Alchemy for Self and Mother Earth. Objectives include: 1)using altered states to transfigure our energetic field; 2) understand how changing self affects everything else; 3) using community energy for extending healing power. Topics include: Transfiguration....intention, focus, concentration, imagination, love, harmony, and union to become one with Spirit.

Shamanic Healing Techniques: This retreat teaches shamanic healing techniques with mother modalities. Objectives include: 1) ethics of shamanic /other nontraditional healing techniques; 2) how shamanism can be incorporated in any belief system; 3) understanding of integration of ancient/modern techniques. Topics include: Dis-Ease, Loss of Soul, Loss of Power, Energy/Entity Attachments, Envidia, Ethical Issues.

Shamanic Healing Techniques II: This retreat teaches ancient healing techniques for the various Dis-Eases: Soul Retrieval, Extraction of Curses and Trauma Bond Removal. Participants will practice these techniques on one another.

Advanced Shamanism: Objectives include: 1) learning about Nature Spirits, 2) learning how to do Sacred Fire Ceremony, 3) learning how to shapeshift. Topics include: Four elements, Siberian shamanic rituals, the Void.

Wounded Healer: Millennium Vision Quest. This retreat looks at the role and processes of a wounded healer and how that is similar to the Vision Quest in the skills and insights that have been discovered. Objectives include: 1) validate altered states as a survival/spiritual state; 2) honor/respect role as wounded healer; 3) understand own healing journey also heals Mother Earth and other beings; 4) learn how to separate own woundedness while working with others. Topics include: Role of Wounded Healer, Forgiveness of our Shadow, Listening to Intuition /Guidance, Psychic Protection and Spiritual Rituals.

Healing the Heart: This retreat focuses on using shamanic teqhniques to heal the heart and balancing the chakras. Objectives include: 1) introduction to Cycles of Truth; 2) Creation of Totem Pole for Chakra System; 3) use of sound to re-energize the chakra centers. Topics include: Seneca 12 Cycles of Truth, Chakra system, Balancing the chakra system.

Returning Warriors Retreats: Cohosted by Gerry Starnes, this retreat works specifically with wounded soldiers, both male and female, from all conflicts. It combines shamanic techniques with the traditional psychotherapeutic tools to do some intensive healing work. Trainings are also offered for therapists who are interested in this type of trauma work. Www.ReturningWarriors.com and www.RavensGroveFoundation.org are websites that will explain these in detail.