The Shaman traditionally worked to help us mark crucial moments in our lives: birth, coming of adulthood, marriage, death and other moments of significance.

As a shamanic practitioner I work with these too.  Whether joining a couple in a celebration of Union, or blessing a newborn babe, or journeying to escort the Souls of the Dead to their new home beyond this life ('psychopomping').  To mark or celebrate the greatest occasions ceremonies such as the Vision Fast can help us to truly connect to where and who we really are.

I also believe that we all have the power to find ways of marking and celebrating our own lives - we do not need to turn to others to do this for us, unless we actively choose to celebrate in this way.  

"... my husband and I felt that a registry office wedding would have been 'going through the motions' for us.  We decided to write our own wedding ceremony and married each other in an English woodland setting.  We did this in front of shamanic and non-shamanic friends alike, with the express intent of speaking from our hearts and not alienating any of community with our unusual approach.  The feedback we received was truly encouraging.  Everyone was touched by the simplicity of our heartfelt approach and this marked a wonderful commitment in our lives in a meaningful way."

Jo B, Camberley

The work - the shamanic 'techniques' and our path through our everyday life - is all about finding the Power in the Present. Of truly being and celebrating where we are in this life - or the next.  It can mean truly embracing the pain of where we are, to allow us to find some peace and stillness within, or shouting our joy to all who want to share in it.

The Vision Fast is a deep ceremony to mark something we really want to pay attention to.  For more information on this I strongly recommend Ancient Healing Ways' Vision Fast programme, which includes 4 days with intention in a ceremony in the wilds of North Wales.  Visit the website at http://www.ancienthealingways.co.uk.