The Piedmont Shamanic Circle

2009-07-12T18:11:00.000-07:00

2009-07-12T18:09:00.000-07:00

2009-06-20T19:49:00.000-07:00

We had a small gathering at our house for the Summer Solstice Celebration. We held it outside in the leafy shade of the front of our house, by the stream. We had to cancel a big celebration because of the extreme heat and because we had a bad smell in the house. Erick had to go under the house into the crawl space looking for a dead animal in the air duct. The 1st floor smelled terrible. We were having a rough day until a few friends joined us for a small celebration outside.
We had a wonderful time reading poetry, playing music, drumming and journeying and doing a rock divination. We sang the Evening Sun song to the sun to take away our pain away and take it to the deep, cool water. We took a journey to the setting sun to give thanks to the sun and to ask for its blessing. Then we shared our experiences in front of a small fire. We enjoyed listening to the hawk and other birds in the trees as well as seeing the dancing light bugs.

2009-06-20T19:47:00.000-07:00

2009-06-20T19:46:00.000-07:00

2009-05-27T08:35:00.000-07:00

Animal Angels

2009-05-21T15:22:00.000-07:00

This month's meeting focuses on power animals, one of the fundamental elements in core shamanism. Just what is a power animal, and how can we interact with them respectfully? What can we learn from relationships with animals in the dream world and beyond?

Shamanism is all about relationships. In healing and dreaming, the shamanic practitioner relies upon his spirit guides, including animals, plants, natural forces, ancestors, and divine teachers. All of these dream guides are important, and a good place to begin developing these relationships is with an animal helper.

We might think of power animals as our relatives in the animal world. Biologically, of course, we're related to all life on this planet, sharing a huge portion of our DNA with our animal cousins. At an individual level, each of us may be closely linked to one or more animal helpers, who act as our animal angels. Shamans say our very survival depends upon their protection. You may not know the identity of your power animal, but the old people would say that you must have some animal watching over you, protecting you from illness and accidents--after all, you're alive!

Shamanic cultures differ in their relationships with power animals. Some consider them wild forces to be tamed. Some think of animal allies as servants who do the shaman's bidding (think of the "familiar" in Western magic). A more loving approach resonates with most students of contemporary shamanism. We encourage you to consider your power animals as friends. After all, our dream partners accept us as we are while encouraging us to grow, help us when we ask, hang out with us, and often appear just when we need them most--which is a pretty great description of friendship!

How do we interact with these helpers? Many of us carry questions about our current challenges to our animals within the dreaming. Living outside of time, animal allies have a broader perspective than we do, and can offer immense wisdom and healing. Forming a relationship with a dream ally may also change our relationship with animals in the physical world--once you've gone to the dream deer for advice, you may find yourself a little more understanding when a doe nibbles your rose bushes.

In our interaction with dream animals--as with all allies--we suggest a real relationship, one that takes time to develop. Dreaming with your ally, placing a picture of your animal where you can see it every day, and wearing jewelry related to your helper are all ways to strengthen your relationship and keep your power animal nearby, where you can both be transformed. Whatever drew this particular animal to you, you can learn from each other about soulful relationship, making the world a bit brighter.

If you have questions or stories to share about your animal helpers, we would be happy to hear from you. Our email addresses are listed on our profile. Meanwhile, good journeys, and if you feel drawn to practice the shamanic journey with us, please join us at the Piedmont Shamanic Circle, where the dreaming is honored!

Dreaming with the Animals

2009-05-12T14:31:00.000-07:00

Our next meeting is May 23. We'll be Dreaming with the Animals. First time visitors will meet at 6 to learn the basics of the shamanic journey. Returning dreamers will join us at 7, and we'll meet until about 9:30.

Please bring a drum and/or rattle if you have one, an eye mask or bandana to cover your eyes, a journal and pen, and a snack to share. We'll take a break for snacks and conversation between our dream journeys.

Our activities will vary somewhat based on our attendance, but we plan to cover new shamanic exercises, including power animal retrievals, a very empowering form of shamanic healing. Come ready to be transformed and make new friends in both waking reality and the dreamworld!

2009-04-22T20:16:00.000-07:00

Next Meeting This Saturday

2009-04-20T09:17:00.000-07:00

It's time to continue our journey together! We'll meet this Saturday, April 25th, at 445 Longleaf Drive in Roswell. This meeting is open to new and returning dreamers. We'll continue to explore the lower world and develop relationships with power animals.

If you're joining us for the first time, please arrive at 6 P.M. to learn the basics. Returning dreamers will arrive at 7 (although you're welcome to come early for a refresher course). As we join together in our circle, we'll create a supportive community where the dream is honored.

Please bring a drum and or rattle if you have one, a blanket or mat to lie on, an eye mask or bandana, a journal/pen, and a snack to share. Our meetings are free with a love offering.

Please R.S.V.P. with one of our facilitators by Wednesday. We look forward to sharing the journey with you.

Tamara and Stephen

Shamanic Drums Painted by Tamara & Iliana

2009-04-05T19:36:00.000-07:00

Small drum designed by Iliana, my 3 year old. That is her little hand and she placed a moon at the center of hand and sun near little finger. There is a deer, a bow, a humpback whale and its calf , white rabbit and bird

This is my power animal drum with fox and hawk.

2009-03-20T10:44:00.000-07:00

What is a Shaman?

There are different definitions out there, it has been difficult for the sociologists to come to an agreement entirely, however I like these definitions:

The first comes from Roger Walsh, from his book: The World of Shamanism

Three Key Features of Shamans from pg 15

1) Shamans can voluntarily enter altered states of consciousness.
2) In these states, they may experience themselves journeying into other realms.
3) They use these journeys for acquiring knowledge or power and for helping people in their community.

The second definition I like is from Serge Kahili King, Urban Shaman book: He writes that a shaman is most of all a healer.

"Shamanism is a distinct form of healing. The outstanding quality of the shaman, regardless of culture, is the inclination toward engagement , or creative activity. Knowledge and understanding are not enough, nor does passive acceptance hold any appeal. The shaman plunges into life with the mind and senses, playing the role of cocreator. " page 14

2009-03-15T20:10:00.000-07:00

Notes on the Shamanic Journey

2009-03-12T13:51:00.000-07:00

We talk a lot in shamanism about the "shamanic journey," a conscious journey into the dreamscape. But what is the shamanic journey? Where do we go? And what do we do while we are there?

The shamanic journey is the primary tool of the shamanic practitioner. Believing that the dream world has answers for waking life and is a source of great strength, the shaman enters the dream time on purpose, while awake. Different cultures approach the shamanic journey differently, but one mutual ingredient seems to be rhythm. A steady drum beat or a monotonous rattle can actually shift our brain waves into the same patterns associated with dreaming. Sound can open a door between our ordinary state of consciousness and the primeval world of the dream.

In core shamanism, we use a drum beat of between 2220-250 beats per minute to help us focus on our imagery, to tune out the noises of the busy world around us, and to remind our unconscious and our dream guides that we are on a mission. That mission--the "what we do" part of this discussion--is limitless. We may enter the dream world to ask for healing. We may be looking for intuitive answers. We might want to develop relationships with animal, human, or divine figures. We may just want to take a look around, as we will in our first journey on March 21.

Typically, shamans divide the spirit world into three areas, the lower world (a place of natural beauty within the earth), the middle world (our waking reality, viewed with our dreaming eyes), and the upper world (which roughly corresponds to the idea of heaven). The shamanic dreamer forms friendships with spirits in all these levels, and relies on their help as (s)he does shamanic work. So, in our circle meetings, we will acquire animal helpers as well as inner "teachers" who can advise us on our life's challenges.

The idea of going into the dreamworld for guidance is nothing new to psychologists. The "inner advisor" is a key ingredient in guided imagery, Jungian psychology, "active imagination," and lucid dreaming. In fact, many of these modern methods seem to draw on shamanic roots. A therapist using imagery might guide a client into a dreamlike state, have the client meet with a dream guide who can help resolve a crisis, and then bring the client back to ordinary consciousness.

In shamanism, we do the same things, but we leave the nature of the guide--the identity of the animal or human guide you encounter, the nature of your dreamscape--up to you. While we journey intentionally into particular environments--we'll send our dreaming selves into the lower world, the middle world, and the upper world--the particular imagery that comes to us may be a surprise. And that's how it should be, for the dreamworld is as limitless as our imaginations.

The "why" of the shamanic journey differs for everyone. For Tamara and Stephen, one of the best answers is that our guides have become dear friends. In encountering the dreamworld, we may find that the universe is not quite as scary, that we don't feel quite as alone. After all, whenever we need help, we can enter the dreaming, ask for advice, and spend a little time with our allies. The Lakota prayer "Mitakuye Oyasin" seems to sum up this feeling. It means "All My Relations," and points to our relationship with all that lives upon the earth. In our journeys, we may find this sense of oneness growing deep roots in us as we encounter more and more of our relations in this world and beyond.

As we prepare for our next meeting on March 21st, we wish everyone a good journey and send our thanks to all our relations. Mitakuye Oyasin.

Announcement for Next Meeting

2009-02-23T19:03:00.000-08:00

The Piedmont Shamanic Circle

Learn the ancient techniques of the shaman
Develop relationships with your dream guides
Connect more deeply with the natural world

We meet monthly and offer instruction and practice in Core Shamanism which teaches universal principles of all shamanic traditions in a modern way. Together, we’ll explore the dream world.

Our meetings are open to new students and experienced dreamers and we encourage teens to attend.

Please bring a blanket or mat to lie on, a journal and pen, an eye mask or bandana, and a drum and/or rattle. Please bring a healthy snack to share. For more information about the circle and to R.S.V.P., please contact our facilitators or visit our blog,

http://www.piedmontshamaniccircle.blogspot.com/.

Meeting Saturday, March 21, 7 - 9:30 P.M.
445 Longleaf Drive, Roswell, GA 30075
RSVP: 770-552-3179 Love Offering

Please RSVP at 770-552-3179 or by email

by WED. March 18th. as we need a certain number of people to make this happen. Thank you.

Tamara Barhar studied with Raven Walk in NJ. tamarabarhar@charter.net (770) 552-3179

Stephen Cavitt studies with the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. http://www.goodvibes.energy.com/. stephen@goodvibesenergy.com (678) 526-4799

What to Expect

2009-02-18T18:33:00.000-08:00

What is a shamanic circle, anyway? What should you expect at our first meeting, this Saturday, February 21, at 6:30 P.M.?

Tamara's beautiful description of our intentions is listed below, but simply put, expect to encounter the power of the dreamworld among supportive friends. We'll be using a drum beat to enter into a meditative state, so if you have a drum and/or rattle, please bring it.

We'll begin our explorations by taking a couple conscious journeys into the dreamtime, the archetypal world of our dreams. We'll begin to establish relationships with dream guides who can share wisdom and healing, and we'll learn how to deepen these relationships through our daily practice.

We'll meet at 445 Longleaf Drive, Roswell, GA 30075 and have a potluck after our dreaming. Please contact Stephen (678) 526-4799 and/or Tamara (770) 552-3179 with questions or to R.S.V.P.

Good journeys!

Links and our Sister Shamanic Circle in Stanhope, NJ

2009-02-10T18:22:00.000-08:00

Julie Lange Groth & Elise Cummiskey of Raven Walk in Northwest New Jersey, were my inspiration for this journeying circle.
They studied core shamanism at the Foundation for Shamanic Studies at the Omega Institute Foundation for Shamanic Studies and also with Sandra Inkerman.

Update: Recently, Elise has decided to go in a different direction with her spiritual practice and will not be doing core shamanism anymore. Julie and Elise have no hard feelings about this and they are still best friends. "It's just part of the continuing evolution of two souls, each with their own mission on this earth walk." Julie is continuing with the shamanic work and has developed a new website called Ravensdrum. Julie also just completed her book called Life Between Falls - A Guidebook for Those Who Grieve. She is writing about her loss of a child.

I first took Julie and Elise's workshop The Shaman's Way: Beginner's Shamanic Journey in 2006 and have never forgotten the experience and the fellowship we shared with each other. These were peak experiences for me. Julie and Elise also created two sacred blessing ceremonies for my daughter Iliana - one was a baby shower and the other her baptism.

Julie Lange Groth blesses our circle and provides guidance and support.
She is thrilled that we are a Sister circle to her monthly journeying circle in New Jersey.

Here are the links to Ravensdrum and Julie's book:

http://www.ravensdrum.com/
http://www.lifebetweenfalls.com/

Shamanic Art by Tamara

2009-02-06T13:51:00.000-08:00

This is hunting medicine art I have made for my husband. They are handmade with hand dyed boiled wool and silk embroidery thread and are my original design. They use some of my dream imagery from journeys.

Beautiful woods, Mitchell GA

2009-02-06T13:47:00.000-08:00

Stephen in the woods in Mitchell, GA

2009-02-06T13:45:00.000-08:00

Stephen & Tamara at property in Mitchell, GA

2009-02-06T13:25:00.000-08:00

Stephen came to visit Erick and Tamara on their property in Mitchell, GA. We are looking forward to having retreats here in the Spring and Fall months. It is also conveniently located 15 miles from Andersonville which has lodging and all the conveniences.

It is a "little piece of heaven" and we often go camping and hunting there. This is a 20 acre plot of mostly pinetrees and is in a quiet farming community in Glascock county, about 2 hours from Roswell. It has rolling hills. It's nice just to get away to this place. We are blessed with so much wildlife - bobcats, armadillos, wild pigs, deer, great horned owls, storks. We also have Big Creek running 800' which is an oasis for birds and animals.

We have a little cabin from a utility building - it is 10 x 20' and is a big upgrade from the tent.

Erick & Tamara

Intention for the Piedmont Shamanic Circle

2009-02-06T13:14:00.000-08:00

Piedmont Circle Intention

I affirm that the Piedmont Shamanic Circle Is created:

“A Sacred Community where the Dream is Honored and Celebrated.”

This circle meets regularly to provide structure for the practice, study and advancement of shamanic knowledge. Only shamanic methods will be used during our time together. Together, we learn to travel in other worlds as a shamanic journeyers in a safe, relaxed and supportive environment. We are blessed to have people of all ages and from all walks of life and are excited about introducing this work to teenagers and older children who are naturally adept at this work. We observe anonymity as part of our safe and supportive structure.

We are blessed to have people of all ages and from all walks of life and are excited about introducing this work to teenagers and older children who are naturally adept at this work.

We journey to CONNECT with ourselves and our true SOURCE and to find again our VITAL connection to SPIRIT and NATURE. We are empowered from our DREAM experiences to really LIVE.

We remember that LIFE is MAGICAL and that our JOURNEY here is an ADVENTURE.

We have FUN and LEARN and GROW together as a COMMUNITY by sharing our DREAMS and WISDOM with each other around the FIRE in the ANCIENT TRADITION.

Afterwards we CELEBRATE with FOOD and MUSIC. Everyone brings something for the PARTY.

The Piedmont Circle will grow and we will continue to gather at each others’ houses monthly to honor this sacred TRADITION.

Welcome to the Piedmont Shamanic Circle

2009-02-05T23:56:00.001-08:00

Welcome to the Piedmont Shamanic Circle blog, where we'll keep you informed about meetings, upcoming events, innovations in shamanism, and happenings around town.

Our first meeting is scheduled for Saturday, February 21. In this introductory meeting, we'll gain experience in the shamanic journey, a traditional form of guided imagery that shamans have used for thousands of years. We'll learn how to develop relationships with dream guides and go home knowing more about ourselves!

Please bring a blanket or mat to lie on, a journal and pen, an eye mask or bandana, and a drum and/or rattle if you have one. We'll have a potluck feast after our dreamplay, so please bring something healthy to share. (No pressure here, just bring whatever you'd like to share.)

Please contact Tamara and Stephen if you have questions about the circle, shamanic practice, or what to expect. Brief bios for our facilitators are listed below.

Good journeys!

Stephen and Tamara

Tamara Barhar is a Healing Touch Practitioner and Reiki master who studied shamanism with Raven Walk in New Jersey.

Stephen Cavitt is a Healing Touch Apprentice who studies shamanism with the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. Learn more about his private practice in holistic bodywork at http://www.goodvibesenergy.com/.