Giving Voice to the Animals
Healing Our Souls

July 17 – 19:

In the last two to three years, like many others, I have heard this wailing and keening that is the Animals calling to us – asking us to Speak for them and to partner with them once again before the hour grows too late. An inescapable role of the shamanic practitioner is to heed this Call. Unless heeded, not only will our ordinary world be forsaken, our spirit guides whom we call “Power Animals” will withdraw. It is erroneous to assume that the nonordinary Animal allies are independent of their ordinary brothers and sisters. Just as our Ancestral Spirits at one time wore the human cloth of flesh, so too did our Animal Spirits. What might appear as a “never seen or known before” Animal Ally is simply using some of the magic possible when not restrained by the vessel of flesh. As the Chuckee Shaman laments:

“Oh Bear you used to come around our fires
now we see you only in our dreams
some day maybe not then too.”

Although we have separated ourselves from our kin of wilderness, sky, and water, our language still indicates our evolution with them whether that be in the name of starry constellations (the largest and most visible being Ursa Major and Minor – Big and Little Bear), or the names for our sport teams (Dolphins, Panthers, Orioles, Buffalos) or the more human qualities of ‘bearing up,’ being sick as a Dog, having an Eagle’s eye, or the heart of a Lion.

Our souls feel fractured because Home in our collective unconscious is a Place that is shared and inhabited by many remarkable and beautiful other beings. Without them around, Home is greatly shrunken and our souls suffer the withering. And the animals themselves are losing their sense of Home for surely did we evolve together. They have been our grand sacred partners in this experiment called Life-on-Earth. We are blessed that in some cultures, they continue to lead and support with their essential animal powers. The Call is for our shamanic community to join hands and voices with those who still speak and walk with the Animals.

During this weekend, we will learn just what Animals wish to speak through each of us. We shall learn their dances, sounds and songs, and through our beings, give body to them. We shall shift shapes as we move through the forest in these mountains. We shall learn what each of us can do to build a sustainable partnership with these wild beings that will make more possible the continuance of their lives on this planet. We do this with humility and not with a grandiose savior complex….rather with a complex of knowing that what we do has impact---in our lifetimes and for the future. What we learn together can then be shared with others in our home circles, families, and communities.

And in these days, we can take joy in honoring and celebrating the Animals -- bringing us closer together…step by step till we have achieved the respectful distance necessary for mutuality in our partnership.

Registration & Lodging options:

The retreat is at Earth Matters Retreat Center in the Santa Cruz mountains. See this pdf file for views of the center

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.