ÅSBACKA

Due to a series of miracles, a small piece of land in the middle of the forest in southern Sweden, Åsbacka, has come under our care. Åsbacka is located only two hours from Copenhagen and lies high up on Hallandsåsen.

There are five small wooden houses, each with their own character and potential – including Dansstugan (the Dance House), which is perfect for coursework and has room for a nice sized circle of people. There are many different varieties of trees and wild flowers, birds, and animals in the forest. Already many people have visited and experienced the power and beauty of the land there, and have helped to welcome Åsbacka into our community. Many hands have started to give Åsbacka the loving care with painting, carpentry and gardening that will bring it to its full potential.

In the not too distant future we are looking forward to opening Åsbacka to smaller groups and courses, including combined shamanic and working gatherings. We hope you will soon have the opportunity to be there.

NEW COURSE BROCHURE FOR AUTUMN 06 TIL SPRING 07
We have just sent out more than a thousand letters with the new course brochure to the people on our earth-mailing list. The brochure comes out on a half yearly basis, every harvest and early spring, with fresh illustrations from Annette’s hand. This summer, we have changed to a new format of 8 pages instead of 6, and we think it looks beautiful.

Would you like to help us distribute our course brochures? About half of our course participants learn about the courses by word of mouth. However, the grass root networking is just as valuable. So if you know of a place - library, book café, or other meeting place - where it would be appropriate for you to put a handful of course folders, we would be very grateful for your help.

UPCOMING COURSES IN ENGLAND AND IRELAND
The next Basic Course will be September 29-October 1 in Glastonbury. It will be taught by Jonathan. For centuries, people have been aware of the special energies at Glastonbury, and for years people have been suggesting to Jonathan that he brings his teaching there. This year Keith Dobson, who lives there and has studied with Jonathan, invited him to do the basic workshop.

In London the next Basic Course will be October 27-29 taught by Jonathan and organised by Shenoah Taylor.

November 1-5 Jonathan teaches a Soul Retrieval Training course at Poulstone Court in Herefordshire assisted by Shenoah.
This course is for those who wish to go deeper in their own learning process and strengthen their relationship to their spirit-helpers as well as for people who want to bring soul retrieval healing work into their practise with others. This year we have made the Soul Retrieval Training course a day longer, giving more time for all of us to examine the many aspects of this important healing work.

October 18-22 there will be a Shamanism Death and Life 1 course in County Sligo, Ireland, taught by Jonathan and Liam.

The very best late summer greetings

NEWS APRIL 2006

Scandinavian Center for Shamanic Studies

 

EQUINOX

Searching for balance
It is sometimes necessary
To go to extremes

The Earth and Sun
Doing a Dance
Like You and I

It is not your step
Nor mine alone
But our steps together

With this poem by Jonathan we wish you all a Happy Spring Equinox

 

20 YEARS ON THE PATH OF SHAMANISM
We have suddenly realised that this April marks the 20th Anniversary of the day Jonathan travelled by train to Stockholm and did his first workshop in shamanism! It is very moving for us to think back on all that has happened since then, the places we have been, the people we have met who have helped us on the way, the circles we have been honoured to sit in, and the power and gifts from the Spirits we have witnessed and experienced. We thank you all for helping to shape what is today. Truly, “…It is not your step, nor mine alone – but our steps together…”

INTERVIEW WITH JONATHAN: ON SHAMANISM, DEATH, AND LIFE
On the website you can now read the fine interview Karen Kelly made with Jonathan, originally for her core-shamanic newsletter Spirit Talk. In it, they discuss the shaman’s work with death and dying, with a focus on facing our own mortality. Using Death as an advisor has become more and more central in Jonathan’s way of teaching this course, which turns it into a celebration of Life. You can read the interview here. This year, Jonathan is teaching the course Shamanism, Death, and Life in Denmark, Russia, and Ireland. The first being in Northern Jutland May 11-14.

SPECIAL EVENTS IN LONDON
Arranged by Alternatives, Jonathan will do a talk and a one day workshop:
Shamanism as a spiritual path is a talk on Monday, April 3.
Shamanic healing is a one day workshop on Sunday april 9.
The events will mark almost to the day Jonathan’s 20th anniversary as a teacher in shamanic skills and life-ways. They will, as their titles suggest, reflect the road he has travelled and what he has gathered on the way. You can see more about the two events here or here: www.alternatives.org.uk

UPCOMING COURSES IN ENGLAND
June 9-11, the weekend following the basic workshop in London, Jonathan will teach Into the Journey in the same venue. This course emphasises the deepening connection and co-operation with Spirit Helpers, working in the Middle World, and group healing practises. We recommend the course to every one who wants to travel further on the path of the shaman. We can already announce that Jonathan will teach a Soul Retrieval Training workshop November 1-5 in the beautiful and supportive environment of Poulstone Court in Herefordshire.

 

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NEWS FEBRUARY 2006

Scandinavian Center for Shamanic Studies

 

NEW COURSES FOR SPRING AND SUMMER
We have now put the courses we offer for the coming season on the course page. You can see it here.
Jonathan’s course activity is indeed international this season, bringing him to England and Ireland, Hungary, Italy, Sweden and Russia.

DRUM- AND RATTLE MAKING WORKSHOPS
All of a sudden there is an abundance of courses this spring and summer for those who are dreaming about making their own drum or rattle.

In UK Nicholas Wood has a craft-a-drum workshop March 11-12.
And Kathy Fried has a rattle making workshop May 6-7.
In Norway Day Feye has a drum making course May 31 – June 5, in English.

You can get more information about these courses by using the links on our Tools page.

The real exotic version is a drum making workshop with Jaana Kouri and Chris Harle-Silvennoinen in the Estonian forest, in Finnish and English, July 13-20. See also Jaana’s article ”The other Side of the Drum” here: www.shamaaniseura.fi/artikkelit/index.html

 

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