Shamanism Blog

Martha has been very busy participating in 3 private blogs with current and past Advanced Two Year Shamanism students. Martha has also been writing her newsletter, Shamanism and Medicine for the Earth and teaching shamanism every month. Martha is also overseeing the Transition of the Blue Canoe in South River, formally our retail store, now a centre for transformation and healing arts.

Please drop her a note at edge@shamanismCanada.com if you have any questions about Shamanism. If you want to connect with her directly, try finding her or Northern Edge Algonquin on Facebook.

I step off the plane….up until this step I had fully anticipated having a pleasurable trip with my loved ones. As my foot hits the pavement I feel an ache in my heart. With each passing step I feel the pain in my heart deepen. Something has triggered me and the heaviness spreads with each pulse through my veins. I begin a spiral downward into the dark place of the void.

My perception shifts and I am no longer in the present but replaying wounds of my past… the wounds of my mother and grandmother. Judith Duerk in her book ‘The Circle of Stones’ shares that a woman must go down into the darkness to discover her own value and authentic voice. Yet we are not encouraged or supported in this place like women were long ago. It is essential for our healing to go to the depths, beyond ordinary space and time to the lower world and listen to the truths that lie there, as well as find the jewels. The void is feared because it is a place that necessitates change.

I really wish to be home in my place of comfort where I can close my bedroom door, or go to a cabin in the woods and do the work I must do… alone. But, I am not alone and not in my comfort zone. My spiraling affects the others. My darkness is ever present, and I feel out of control. Did I unconsciously choose this time and place to do this work? The perfect ingredients are present to propel me into the perfect downward spiral.

Those I am with take on the roles of the mother and father that I perceived abandoned and rejected me. My wounded child self grieves. I delve deeper to find the root of abandonment. Underneath I discover the feeling of rejection…of feeling de-valued. I go deeper to discover this wound is not just mine. Within my cells are the cells of my mother and grandmother. Within my wounds are the wounds of my mother and grandmother and their mothers and grandmothers.

It is my job now to birth new dreams and possibilities, shifting old patterns that limit our beliefs about who we are and what we are capable of. As I dream new dreams for myself, a ripple is created that affects the whole. The Chaos Theory of the Butterfly Effect states that with a flap of its wings, a butterfly can create change on the other side of the world: Perhaps even affecting change into the future and into the past.

This is not the first time I am in the void. It takes time to shift perceptions, shape new dreams and heal old wounds. Going to the void I peel another layer. The deeper I allow myself to go, the more layers I peel. I go deep and touch my own spirit…my own soul. Thankfully my companion supports me as I cradle myself in the void, connecting once again to my authentic self.

Sandra Ingerman author of “Soul Retrieval: Mending the Fragmented Self” shares that many shamanic cultures around the world believe that illness is due to the loss of the soul. The cause of ‘soul loss’ is trauma, accident, and illness and the symptoms include dissociation, chronic depression, suicidal tendencies, grief that does not heal, apathy, walking through life as an observer rather than a participant, addictions to food, relationships, substances, alcohol, material objects and a lack of vital life energy.

Shamanic cultures understood the importance of retrieving the soul of a person shortly after the trauma, usually within 3 days and it was the role of the Shaman to do this work.
In our present culture without an understanding of the importance of Soul Retrieval, there are millions of people walking around with soul loss….generations of soul loss.

I cry the tears of my wounded child, and gradually my heart begins to lighten. I feel myself moving back up to the surface of ordinary reality, but my work is not yet done. I now find a Shaman to assist in retrieving the essence of my soul so that I may feel once again revitalized with a sense of purpose. I use the energy that has brought back my vitality to create a positive present and future.

Martha

“It’s not what we do, but who we become that changes the world.”
~ Sandra Ingerman, Medicine for the Earth

A few months ago a friend of a friend passed away. Over the years while visiting with my friend “Maria”, I would hear stories of how her magical community of friends shared their passions with one another. I heard stories of the “Dream Circle” where they shared their nighttime dreams with one another, very gently supporting the dreamer to discover what the dream meant to them. One of the women expressed an interest in singing, and so they created a “Singing Circle” they called the “Unchoir” providing a safe place for those who felt they could not sing.

When one of the members of this community found out she had breast cancer, some of the group created a healing circle. Maria shared “Over the years this circle evolved, into a place of refuge and tender hearted acceptance. In the glow of beeswax candles, we formed a circle and held vigil with each other in meditation, with the occasional prayer or song and quiet words exchanged. From early on we learned the value of placing our hands, first on our beloved friend, and then on any one of us in need.”

I remember a time when the friend who was sick had to go for treatment away from home. She received a message or gift each day from a member of the circle reminding her of her light.. her beauty, and her gifts. Reminding her that she is loved and supported.

I am in awe of the generous circle of support that this group of friends created. I am in awe of the community that came together to sing, rejoice and celebrate her life and each other. I feel the ripples of this circle, like sparkles of light emmanating out and touching the hearts of many.

This is what I believe we all ache for…. a loving circle of friends and family…. a safe container to expose our vulnerabilities, and share our talents…..a place we can truly call home.

Martha

“It’s not what we do, but who we become that changes the world.”
~ Sandra Ingerman, Medicine for the Earth

This past week has been a full week here at the Edge. As part of our Staff training week, one of our first guides “Chris Mortimer” introduced us to some nature awareness activities. Each day in the morning and evening we were invited to go to our “Sit Spot” with a journal in hand and observe using all of our senses, life around us. This morning at my sit spot I focused on listening to the birds. I questioned why birds sing, especially in the morning and early evening? I watched and listened as the sun rose up over the lake, and this is the story I heard…..

Living high up in the trees, birds are the first to see the sun rise in the morning. They are like nature’s alarm clocks, and their role is to awaken life. Their songs together create a chorus inviting the web to awaken from their slumber. They arrive with spring as once again their role is to sing and awaken life….. seeds that have been covered by the winter snow, and animals in their dens hear these beautiful songs and emerge. The songs of joy are spread through the land and over the water from bird to bird reminding all of us that we each have a song to sing.

Their songs are fullest as spring moves towards summer diminishing as the summer moves toward fall. The birds also tell us when it is time to retire, and fall back asleep. They sing us to sleep with their lullabies as the sun begins to set. As fall sets in they fly to where they can sing life awake again in a different place. This is the reason they have wings to fly, otherwise it might be a much longer time before spring arrives again!

Martha

“It’s not what we do, but who we become that changes the world.”
~ Sandra Ingerman, Medicine for the Earth

While on one of my first Shamanic Canoe Trips that I lead in 1997 I was introduced to the poem “The Invitation” by Oriah

This poem deeply affected me, as at the time I was being asked to step into my power and prepare to work on the behalf of my father, who was just diagnosed with leukemia. I often share this poem with participants in programs I facilitate, as well gift my private clients with a small book called “Opening the Invitation”.

Oriah visited the Edge in 2002 while preparing for a multi-day Vision Quest. I was pleasantly surprised when she shared her experience at the Edge in a book she wrote after her Vision Quest called “The Call”.

Oriah invites us to listen to a CBC radio interview that was recorded last spring which will be replayed this Sunday, June 11, on Tapestry with Mary Hines. Tapestry is a weekly exploration of spirituality, religion and the search for meaning that airs on Sundays at 2:05 p.m. ET, AT, CT, 2:35 NT, 3:05 PT, and 4:05 MT on CBC Radio One.

The Invitation

It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.
I want to know what you ache for
and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.

It doesn’t interest me how old you are.
I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn’t interest me what planets are squaring your moon…
I want to know if you have touched the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened by life’s betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.

I want to know if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep
in the empty moments.

by Oriah from the book THE INVITATION published by Harper San
Francisco. (c) 1999 All rights reserved, posted with permission of
the author.

Martha
“It’s not what we do, but who we become that changes the world.”
~ Sandra Ingerman, Medicine for the Earth

I had the opportunity to visit the Norval Morrisseau art exhibit last week in Ottawa at the National Gallery of Canada. I was intrigued and inspired as I learned Norval’s story through his art. Last year I was introduced to Norval’s art while visiting a friend. The rich brilliant colours of his art captivated me. He paints with deep contrasting colours and thick lines, with each stroke telling a story about his Ojibway culture and his struggle to embrace his path.

Norval is a storyteller and Shaman. In his book “Return to the House of Invention” the artist talks about his intention of awakening people’s psychic ability through his painting. On his many shamanic journeys to the “House of Invention”, he learned about the use of colour as a means of healing. Norval’s perception is that the world is a dark place and his art is an attempt to brighten up the world by expressing colour.

Recently while traveling I noticed in the airport that almost everyone in the section I was sitting in had on black. I was returning from a tropical place to mid-winter in Canada, however it felt like a rude awakening to the reality we live in. As I walked through the exhibit I noticed Norval’s paintings getting brighter and brighter, with more and more colour being expressed.

I was profoundly affected by Norval’s story and his art. It captured my imagination, and I felt my soul touched by the rich contrasting colours that he uses. Norval is Canada’s first native artist to share the beliefs, customs and rituals of his people (Ojibway). He was criticised by his own people for revealing this sacred information, however followed the guidance of his helping Spirits. His story is an example of the struggle of walking the ‘razor’s edge’ that those walking a Shamanic path often encounter.

I encourage you to visit Norval Morrisseau at the National Gallery
of you have a chance. The exhibit is there until April 30.

Martha

“It’s not what we do, but who we become that changes the world.”
~ Sandra Ingerman, Medicine for the Earth

Yesterday Martha’s 20 minute TV appearance talking about core shamanism was shared with family and friends here at the Edge. As core shamanism reaches deeper and deeper into the mainstream, interest in core shamanism workshops Martha leads continue to grow. I’ll post the video interview soon.

A month ago my husband Todd and I returned from a fabulous trip to Dominica, in the West Indies.

It was a long day of travelling to get there, but well worth the journey! We were met at the airport by “Ervin”, who is a guide and lives in the jungle without electricity or running water. He truly lives with the land.

From the airport to Jungle Bay Resort and Spa (www.junglebaydominica.com), we tasted 5 or 6 different fruits we had never even seen before, as Ervin identified trees and plants along the way. We were graciously greeted by all of the staff, and led to our comfortable cabin on stilts in the rainforest. Interestingly, there are no bugs to speak of and no poisoness snakes or spiders. During our entire stay, we left all the windows and doors facing the ocean open. At night we fell asleep to the roaring waves on the shore. At times it sounded like thunder as the waves rolled very large boulders around.

The island is a volcanic island, therefore very mountainous. We had the opportunity to go on several guided hikes (6-7 hour hikes, straight up and down!). One to a boiling lake at the top of a mountain/volcano and another to a fresh water lake again up in the clouds!

Once at the top of the volcano I found a comfortable safe place to sit, and closed my eyes to the sound of the boiling water and wind. I journeyed here to meet the spirit of Dominica. I was led deep down into the boiling lake, to the belly of the volcano where the spirit dwells. I felt the tremendous power and potential for healing in this place. I also felt the nature spirits desire for connection.

After leaving this location, we bathed in several natural hot springs along the way, fed by waterfalls. We also stopped and boiled some eggs in a small hot spring for a treat!

I admired the deep connection that the Dominicans have with nature. People live very intimately with nature, growing their own food, and foraging. I also was struck by the sense of sharing and communtiy that they are fortunate to have. They still hold and practice the belief that the community raises the children. Also, if there is a mango/banana or other fruit baring tree, it is an unspoken rule that you are welcome to take from it, even if it is on someone elses property, however it is expected that you share what is abundant on your own land.

The original native people are Carib, and live on designated land. I bought some beautiful basketry that they make to support themselves. Most Dominicans speak english/french mix or Creole, and many of the Dominicans ancestors came from Africa during the slave trade era.

The Jungle Bay Resort is a community built eco-lodge. All of the employess are local, and have been taught how to built, serve, cook, and in training presently to offer spa treatments. The food is all very delicious and again local. They are set up to accommodate up to 200 guests, however there were only a handful of guests when we were there.

We felt we were able to offer a great deal of help to Sam and Glenda, the owners. I was invited to come and teach a shamanism program next February there. It would be a fantastic place to connect with the spirits of nature. I’ll keep you posted.

If you are interested in hiking, nature and exploring the jungle I highly recommend visiting Dominica.

“It’s not what we do, but who we become that changes the world.”
~ Sandra Ingerman, Medicine for the Earth

Martha

I received an email from Bernie Quigley, who lives in Haverhill, NH. Bernie contacted me in response to a blog I wrote around the 25th anniversary of John Lennon’s death.

Bernie Quigley is a prize-winning writer and has worked more than 30 years as a book and magazine editor, political commentator and book, movie, music and art reviewer.

Bernie shared with me his blog that he wrote called “Life with the Lions: John Lennon’s Unfinished Journey - work in progress - Quigley in Exile: Notes from The Land of the Dead - The Thunder Gods, Pt. 2″.
In this article, the author draws parallels between John Lennon’s life, and the Journey of a Shaman.
I found this article to be very thought provoking.
http://quigleyinexile.blogspot.com/2005/12/life-with-lions-john-lennons.html

Imagine….. a planet with clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, and an abundance of harmony and peace.

“It’s not what we do, but who we become that changes the world.”
~ Sandra Ingerman, Medicine for the Earth

This weekend two-year advanced shamanism course participants gathered for some winter learning. Medicine for the Earth was the theme of this gathering. A ceremonial offering to the elements of the earth took place in a variety of settings including a stop at the snow-covered fire circle shown here. On Saturday morning all awoke to 20-30 cm of fresh snow that beckoned all to participate in an afternoon snowshoe hike!
Nice.