Plant
Spirit Shamanism
Exploration and Initiation
into the Wisdom of our Plant Spirit Allies
An Experiential Residential Workshop with
Howard G. Charing, Charmaine Ferris, and Peter Prudden
 From earliest
times it has been recognized that knowledge goes
beyond sensory awareness or the rational way
of understanding the world. Entering into a communion
with the Plant consciousness or Spirit is a way
that can take us directly to a an experience
that can show us that there is no such thing
as an inanimate object. Everything in the universe
is alive, possesses an awareness, and has a spirit.
It offers a
significant challenge for the rational Western
mind to come to terms with the plant spirit consciousness,
and a leap of imagination is required to incorporate
the ‘otherness’ of the plant. The
magical world to which we are transported by
plants is not accessible through the verbal rational
mind but through dream language or an expansion
of the imagination. Thus dreams and the power
of our imagination act like doorways and allow
us to be in communion (in the true sense) with
the plant spirit consciousness.
In this workshop
we step deeply into the world of the plant spirit
shaman and explore the medicinal and spiritual
qualities of the plants and shamanic ways of
working with them. This workshop offers participants
a deepening into shamanic awareness and connection
with the plants as our communion with the plant
consciousness develops:
1. Introduction to Plant Spirit Medicine
Participants are attuned to the plants and learn how to journey with
plant spirits and make a connection to their own plant ally. And we explore
the shaman’s diet - an authentic Amazonian method of deepening
our spiritual connection with the natural world through the spirits of
the Rainforest plants. We continue the shaman’s diet with an introduction
to Amazonian plants which can aid our dreaming or our sensory perception
choosing to diet either the plants Guayusa or Ajo Sacha. During this
workshop we learn how plants are used in soul retrieval and energy re-balancing,
and we make and work with a medicine tool of the Amazonian shamans, the
shapaca.
2. Ayahuasca Ceremonies
During this four-day
residential weekend we will hold three Ayahuasca
ceremonies, the healing and visionary 'vine
of souls' and sacred icaros, the healing chants
of the Rainforest.
For many people, drinking ayahuasca is the beginning of a process of
profound personal and spiritual discovery and transformation. This process
can continue indefinitely even if one never drinks ayahuasca again. One
thing is sure, and that is that every person gets a unique experience.
We will be drinking ayahuasca
in the ceremonial, manner, and will bathe and
purify ourselves, as well as following the ayahuasca ‘diet’ before
this ceremony. During the ritual itself, there
will be icaros and blessings, and a gentle healing
will be performed. Detailed Ayahuasca information
guidelines are included in the programme sent
to all participants on their application.
We also learn how to
prepare pusanga, the famed ‘love medicine’ of
the Amazon, which draws good fortune and success
in all things. There will be a plant walk as
part of this.
And
we receive a floral bath, sacred 'limpia' cleansing
bath using flowers to refresh the body and
our spirit.
Some Participants comments
from our workshops.
"The Easter 2007 Plant
Spirit Shaman Workshop was everything and more
than advertized. As a Medical Herbalist and
Shamanic Practioner I was reasonably experienced.
Howard gave me the opportunity to be initiated
into deeper ceremonial practices with Plant
Medicine. This was done from a secure, safe
base in magnificent surroundings. The experiences
were wide ranging from medicine making to floral
baths to unique personal experiences with Plant
Medicines - Ayahuasca and my chosen Diet Plant.
Many thanks to Howard for
your professional and supportive role and to
Peter and Charmaine for personal care.
Maureen R.
"As an experienced user
of plant medicines and healing outside a ceremonial
context I looked forward to Plant Spirit Shamanism
with excitement. The course completely surpassed
my expectations as I reached resolutions on
a personal level and shifts of fundamental
beliefs on a spiritual level that I could not
have even imagined before the course. I am
graateful I responded to the call."
Nick
D. Psychotherapist & Mediator.
To go on such a journey
I needed to be safe and with experienced facilitators.
The environment created to explore Ayahuasca
was special and allowed me to have a truly
amazing experience. I feel a great awakening
and have so much love for the universe and
would like to thank the team for such a special
gift.
Kevin A.
The
Plant Spirit Shamanism course made me truly
realise that like us the plants have a spirit
and are waiting to communicate with us and
heal us if we open up to them and listen
to their wisdom. The plants, trees and spirits
of everything on the earth want to love and
heal us if only we become still and silent
long enough to hear and feel their presence.
Charmaine
2008 UK Workshop dates and Costs:
• Feb 21st -25th incl - Fully Booked
• Oct 16th - 20th incl
Cost: £545.00 This
includes a non-refundable deposit of £245.00,
with the balance payable at the workshop.
Please contact
Jaki Windmill if you have any further questions
or would like to receive the 14 page workshop
information pack.
Jaki Windmill tel: 01273 603683,
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