Exploring the Ancient Path: A Beginner’s Initiation in Shamanism
A Yearlong Shamanic Intensive with Brita Rekve
March 20-23, 2025; June 19-22, 2025; September 11-14, 2025; January 8-11, 2026
Shamanism is an ancient spiritual path originating with the earliest peoples of the planet who lived a hunting and gathering life. Some anthropologists say it is 60,000 years old, some 100,000. Whatever the age, it is a path of direct revelation providing a rich way of being with the natural and unseen worlds. Shamanism is about connection, about “seeing with the heart” and acquiring wisdom and answers to life’s problems. It is about healing.
This year-long program introduces participants to the foundational principles and practices of cross-cultural shamanism (core shamanism) offering a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Each quarterly session focuses on key aspects of shamanic practice and provides hands-on experience with shamanic journeying and healing techniques. Participants will become familiar with journeying to non-ordinary reality for wisdom and healing, make their own shamanic tools, acquire divination skills and begin to develop a rich relationship with their compassionate helping spirits.
This is a transformative personal experience offering a range of benefits from personal growth and inner peace to spiritual awakening. Engaging in this ancient practice will enhance your connection with nature and the world of compassionate spirits to promote healing and well-being for yourself and others.
Please be aware this training is an initiation in the shamanic path. It is a serious undertaking and requires focused attention so please be sure of your commitment to the work. The completion of the training and the development of your own practice will give you the skills necessary to engage with the benevolent and virtuous spirits for personal healing and knowledge, though is not intended to facilitate personal healing.
However, if you feel in the need of shamanic healing for yourself please contact the facilitator through the Christine Center and she will assist you in identifying a qualified practitioner in your area.
This year-long program introduces participants to the foundational principles and practices of cross-cultural shamanism (core shamanism) offering a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical experience. Each quarterly session focuses on key aspects of shamanic practice and provides hands-on experience with shamanic journeying and healing techniques. Participants will become familiar with journeying to non-ordinary reality for wisdom and healing, make their own shamanic tools, acquire divination skills and begin to develop a rich relationship with their compassionate helping spirits.
First Quarter Session: March 20-23, 2025
Overview of Shamanism and the Shamanic World View
- Introduction to shamanic trance through use of the drum
- Guided journey for power animal
- Animal Dance and Power Song
- Crafting a rawhide rattle for use in journey and ceremony
- Ethical shamanic practice considerations
Second Quarter Session: June 19-22, 2025
- Understand spirit communication
- Learning how to ask questions
- Exploration of Lower, Middle and Upper Worlds
- Dedication of Shaman tree for Christine Center
- Crafting a medicine bag and smudge fan
- Ceremony, Intention and Gratitude practices
Third Quarter Session: September 11-14, 2025
- Exploring deeper relationships with spirit helpers, guardians, teachers and power animals
- Divination with nature, recognizing omens
- Meeting the spirit of the land
- Home altars
- Creating a clay effigy of your spirit helper
Third Quarter Session: January 8-11, 2026
- Exploring traditional shamanic healing practice
- Mapping the Lower, Upper and Middle Worlds
- Developing a personal practice
- Gratitude and Compassion practices as sustainers
- What’s next?
Your Guide for the Journey
Brita Rekve
Spirituality and creativity are twin sisters I like to hang with. Knowing one I know the other and I love sharing my passion with these two beauties. Upon retirement from a career in social work and hospice, I started messing up all my good clothes while teaching Intuitive Painting and the making of Spirit Dolls in my art studio. It excites me to guide the “oh-I-am-not-an-artist” believers to the promised land because I believe we are all creative.
I also teach people how to create ceremony and how to journey using shamanic drumming as a way to connect with the spirit world. Connecting to the spirit world is critical to my health and well being. Shamanism is a spiritual path of direct revelation which brings healing and answers to life’s questions. I get really jazzed opening this door for people and guiding them to finding their own answers and creating relationship with their spirit guides.
I have been extremely fortunate to have had amazing teachers in my life. I have been a student of shamanism for several decades and studied with Michael and Sandra Harner and Sandra Ingerman, among others. I am trained in soul retrieval, psychopomp, extraction, divination, shamanic counseling and ethical practice.
I live in the Ozarks Mountains with my best friend Jerry and my wonder dog Frankie.
List of things needed for the year long program:
- A Mindfold mask or a similar sleeping mask which blocks all light while allowing you to keep your eyes open (available on Amazon). You will wear this during journey.
- A notebook and pen for recording your journeys.
- Warm socks or slippers as we will not wear shoes while in circle.
- A blanket to use for journey.
- A frame drum and beater: this need not be an expensive drum- in fact it is desirable if you do not spend a great deal of money for your first drum.
- Remo creates a frame/buffalo drum perfect for shamanic journey with a fiberskyn (synthetic) head. The advantage of a synthetic head is it is playable in all conditions. It does not react to humidity or dryness and will always sound perfect. You can find remo drums starting at about 80.00.