FAQ

Shamanism acknowledges that there is more to life that the physical - there is Spirit within everything. In questing or searching for your own connection to, or deepening your awareness of Spirit, we offer to support you in mindfully participating in the activities of dance and ceremony.

What is a Shamanic Journey?

Intentionally entering into a Shamanic state of consciousness that allows you to connect with Spirit to find answers to your quest. We create sacred space through calling in the Spirits of the Elements and using White Sage to smudge/cleanse your auric field. Then we help you to clarify the purpose for your journey/quest. Peta Jane drums you into the journey which consists of you dancing/moving for a period of time to recorded music. You will be 'drummed back' from your journey and given 'circle time' to share some of what you have experienced and insights gained.

What are the benefits of attending a Dance Journey?

They can help you wake up the wisdom and creativity of your body .... giving you time-out from your everyday world to nurture your physical, emotional and spiritual roots. Connect, and learn from Nature and Spirit through marking the Celtic Festivals with ceremony and structured ways. Let go of the outside world and enjoy. And some answers to your questions.

Why do you work with the Celtic Festivals?

These are times when the 'veils' between the worlds are known to be thinner and access to the realms of Spirit is therefore easier. The festival times are also ones of great change in Nature and we can access this connection with the natural world more. These are times which have historically been celebrated through dance. We are both continuing and re-creating these traditions.

What dance forms do you work with?

Usually 'free-form' dance, with the occasional circle dance or meditative, Sufi dance.

What type of music do you use?

We like to use music that have been created by Shamanic musicians who are in tune with this land that we live and work on, so we play tracks by Carolyn Hillier, Nigel Shaw, Scott Jasper, Celtica. Additionally, we use world music that helps us connect with Spirit and the realm of Nature.

Our experience of dancing late into the night is that it opens up rivers of creativity and gives you time and space to manifest ideas more fully. By staying in the energy of the dance overnight, this creative force can become grounded in everyday reality, rather than lost in the journey home. It's also a magical time to dance and embrace aliveness in the darkness. Dance Journeys started as a series of small, overnight events and these are still our favourite way of working with you.

No. We create the structures and hold the space in which you can do some deep journeying. These are personal quests in which we ask you to take responsibility for your journey. They can facilitate and help you make life decisions. They can also help you mark major changes in life circumstances, but they are in no way a substitute for therapeutic support.

No. We ask you to pace yourself and to take responsibility for looking after your own well-being. We do dance until the early hours, but then we take a break for some creative dreaming time, or meditation, or some creative activity such as writing, drawing. The circle resumes and the Journey completed after breakfast.

There is great power in speaking our prayers, wishes or invocations out loud and having them witnessed not only by others in the circle, and also by the spirit world and their greater powers. This can help sharpen our awareness of purpose, and begin to take us into Sacred Space and time.

Sarah works with the Celtic framework, Peta Jane works with a holistic Shamanic form and Graham works with the Native American tradition. There is no right or wrong, it is about your intention - to ask for help from Spirit, and about finding out what works for you.

We might speak the following words (or invite participants to speak the words that are relevant to them).

Spirits of Air - we ask you to bless us with your inspiration and wonder. Please bring us a clear and open mind and help us to spread our wings in life. Give us insight into our own natures, and clarity for our directions in life.

Spirits of Fire - we ask you to bless us with passion and the powers of transformation. Blazing spirits of Fire, bring our lives and hearts fully alive - let us shine in all that we essentially are. Give us courage to live our truth.

Spirits of Water - mighty and gentle waters, spirit of dreaming, love and compassion - we ask that you bless us and help us cleanse our hearts, bodies, minds and souls - allow us to release that which needs releasing and begin to flow in the direction we most need to go. Bring us healing on all levels.

Spirits of Earth - we ask that you bless us with your strength and stability - helping us to remain grounded during this Dance Journey and in our world beyond. Please give us the strength, stamina and consistency to embody our ancestral dreams and live our creative gifts whole-heartedly and with abundant joy.