Saturday, July 11, 2009 from 2 to 6pm, at Radiance in Lancaster
The purpose of the class is to give participants an overview of the tradition called "Shamanism". This class will be the introduction to a longer series of deeper study for those who may wish to further their interest in Shamanism.
Shamanism is found all over the world and takes on many cultural/social forms relating to its function within these communities. A Shaman in it most basic definition is some who has mastery of communication with spirits. The first spirit they work with is their own and this requires training and guidance from a teacher and the commitment of the student to be guided and supported by the unseen or spirit world. This ability to navigate the seen and unseen worlds gives the Shaman the tools to bring about balance in the world around them.
Each culture has its own spin on how this works with in their social structures, and there are many different types of Shamans. They are usually divided into three groups:
1. Mundane/Lower world Shamans - or those who work primarily in this world, with the ancestors, and nature spirits as healers and spiritual guides.
2. Middle world Shamans - who work with the Elementals and higher beings as diplomats to negotiate things such as the weather, balancing the elements of a region, and fighting evil forces. These types of work to keep the "Matrix" of this reality whole.
3. Upper world Shamans - are rare and they communicate only to the very upper beings. They are in a constant state of ecstatic trance.
And, of course, there are crossovers and combinations among the three.
In this class participants will have the opportunity to see a traditional "Mesa" or sacred bundle, experience the use of the frame drum and rattle for trance meditation, as well as learning the traditional and contemporary place of the shaman in society.
Bring a journal to class.
Class will be held at Radiance, 9 W Grant St, Lancaster, PA, across the cobblestones from Central Market. Stop in or phone 717-290-1517 to register. Cost is $45.00 in advance.
