Shamanism and the Medicine Wheel Way

June 26 – 28

The Plains Medicine Wheel is the finest cosmology I know for growing myself as human web weaver. Many spiritual traditions offer excellent paradigms for understanding the sanctity of all life forms within the rhythm of Earth herself.
The Plains Wheel is the one living deepest within me and the one from which I launch myself in my shamanic walking and practice. One beauty of this Wheel is that although it offers a structured cosmology (based on the relationship between Earth and Sky), none of Earth’s mysteries or wisdom is excluded. Inclusion simply becomes a matter of “how does this event or activity weave itself in the web?”

This is highly experiential and involves working with an actual Medicine Wheel situated within the great Redwoods of the retreat center. Through a mixture of journeys, ceremonies, discussion, and wakeful-walking within wilderness, we will learn how to integrate this Wheel in our lives. This may seem a monumental task for a weekend workshop yet when participants live the Wheel more than 48 hours, it can be amazing how clear does this cosmology become and how useful it is for locating and evolving ourselves with nature and as nature. It is analogous to learning how to Journey---once one knows how to journey, the rest becomes collaboration between one’s self and helping or tutelary Spirits. Internalized perception of Earth’s processes as a living medicine wheel becomes the launching pad for weaving connections and knowing where to track for medicine and power. It is this medicine wheel cosmology that gave rise to the saying “Everything is alive – Everything is connected.”

To assist our continued learning beyond this weekend, we will be making Medicine Wheel Pouches and learning how to use them both for healing and for divination purposes. Between now and the time for our gathering, Medicine Wheel articles will be posted at my website that will be useful for coming prepared to take full advantage of this time together.

see related materials

Registration & Lodging options:

The retreat is at a Retreat Center in the Santa Cruz mountains.

I continue with my commitment to keep shamanic workshop cost as minimal as possible. A large cost is that associated with retreat centers themselves. Thus, for the first time I am viewing commuting as a viable option in creating Circle. Previously I have requested that individuals choose onsite lodging and, of course, that is still available.

To assist you in determining your overall cost (based on lodging option), we are listing the choices below. Since the center charges for day use, a commuter’s option is listed as well as onsite overnight choices. Thus, you must choose one of these options in registering for the workshop and the meals are included in these options.

All the lodging is comfortable with a variety of choices and costs. The camping sites are flattened and prepared for tenting. Both the camping and tipi choices require that participants bring their own bedding. Bedding is provided for in the cabins and dorm lodgings.
These total costs include tuition, food, and lodging or day use fee. Meals are included for commuters.

Lodging Options

Commuting = $300
Camping = $320
Tipi = $340
Dorm = $380
Guest House Loft = $400
Cabin = $410
Guest House Bedroom = $420

To register:
Send registration form together with either the full amount (tuition + lodging) or a nonrefundable deposit of $100
to Pirkko.
Make the check payable to Shamanic Visions and mail to:
Pirkko Miller
P.O. Box 193
North Webster, Indiana 46555
Complete payment is due by June 1, 2009.

Limited Enrollment: To further the development of Circle and opportunity for intense individual explorations, workshop enrollment is limited to 16 people. If you are interested in participating, I encourage you to apply as soon as possible or to notify Pirkko of your interest.

**Scholarships: Through the generosity of others, we are able to offer some partial scholarships and information for requesting one can be found with the registration form
You can apply for a scholarship by contacting Pirkko for an application.
If you are someone who can assist others, consider a tax-deductible donation made to Shamanic Circles. You can send this donation to Pirkko who will then forward it to the Treasurer for Shamanic Circles . It is through this cycle of giving and receiving that we thrive as a community.

If you have any questions, feel free to email or call Pirkko.
Phone #: (574) 834-3460
Email: Pirkko@embarqmail.com

A month before the workshop begins, a letter will be sent regarding preparations for the weekend. You will receive directions for travel to the retreat center which is located about 30 miles South of San Jose International Airport.

Refund policy: Should a workshop need to be canceled by the Coordinator, a complete refund will be given. Otherwise notice of cancellation must be received three weeks prior to the workshop and a refund will be made minus the $100 nonrefundable deposit.