SHAMAN'S JOURNEY - INTRODUCTION

Shamanism is humanity’s oldest spiritual practice and is found all over the world. To this day, it offers many essential skills that help to navigate modern life and give powerful tools to work with both personal and environmental challenges. In changing and challenging times, working with the Spirits provides a compass for the soul.

Shamanism can be seen as a spiritual practice rooted in everyday living. The shaman’s craft is based on the knowledge that all that exists is alive and contains spirit power. The shaman works by contacting this power, asking for help and asking for teachings. To do this, the apprentice must first learn to make a consciousness shift. Learning to do this is easy for most people when practicing with clear intention and the rhythmic beat of the drum, chanting, rattling or dancing. Working in in this way can bring healing, maintain power and balance, and strengthen kinship between humans and the rest of creation. 

During this entry-level course, participants will be introduced to worldviews and methods used for thousands of years around the world. The main emphasis will be on the drum journey to the world of the Spirits. Participants will learn practices such as singing, dancing, rattling and drumming to shift to shamanic consciousness, meet Spirit helpers, and explore the Spirit world. In this other reality, one can receive power and knowledge for how to live well and in good relationship.

We will also touch the spirit side of Nature and learn how to ask for support, guidance and connection. There will be an opportunity to ask personal questions and receive help and insight, as well as learning how to ground it and take it home. 

In the circle, we will take time to share different experiences of the journeys, and learn how to understand them. We will also explore the ethics of shamanic work, ways to formulate intentions, and how Spirit relations can empower our everyday lives.

** The course is taught in English, by Jonathan Horwitz & Zara Waldebäck.

It is open to everyone, no previous experience is needed.

Read more in the articles ALL LIFE IS CONNECTED and POWER IN YOUR HAND

and listen to our introduction talk to shamanism

PRICE & BOOKING:
The total price for the course is 8800 SEK / 7800 SEK, which includes:
• Teaching Fee: 5000 SEK (standard price) or 4000 SEK (discount price) 
• Food & Accommodation: 3800 SEK

The teaching fee is paid in full by 1 July, either as one payment or in instalments. The price includes 25% moms/vat/sales tax and you will receive a receipt upon booking. The standard price for teaching is 5000 SEK. If you are on a low income, you can choose a discount price of 4000 SEK. 

Food & accommodation is paid directly to the venue via bank transfer. You need to pay this as one payment, between 1 June - 1 July. More information will be sent in April. All participants must pay the food and accommodation and live onsite. 

SINGLE ROOM -
costs an extra 400 SEK (in total, not per night). Make sure to click this option on the booking form. There may not be enough single rooms for all who wish it. 

TENTING -
discount of 400 SEK (in total, not per night). Make sure to click this option on the booking form. 

TERMS & CONDITIONS:

• If the course is cancelled at short notice, your payment is refunded in full.
• If the course is cancelled at short notice, we do not cover any travel expenses. All travel costs are your own responsibility and choice.
• If you cancel your place before 1 June, your payment will be fully refunded.
• If you cancel your place between 1 June-1 July, you will be refunded 100% of your payment ONLY IF we find someone to take your place. If no one takes your place, your payment is not refunded.
  
• If you cancel your place after 1 July, you will be refunded 50% of your payment ONLY IF we find someone to take your place. If no one takes your place, your payment is not refunded. 
• If you become ill in the days before the course, or have an emergency, contact Zara and stay at home. Please respect the health of others and do not travel if you have symptoms of cold, flu or covid. Thank you for your care and consideration. 
  
  

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
The course is fully residential. It includes 3 meals each full day, of delicious fresh vegetarian/vegan food. Gluten-free options available. The venue offers simple hostel-standard accommodation, single or shared rooms.

Number of participants: We will be between 20-30 people in the Circle

Please note, that we cannot welcome animals or family members. This is an intensive course that needs your full attention. We ask you not to consume any alcohol or drugs while on the course, beyond prescribed medicine. 

TIMES:
We begin with early dinner on Wed at 17.00 and end with late lunch on Sun at 15.00.

All participants must arrive between 14.30 - 16.30 and stay til the end of the course.

** IMPORTANT: Please do not arrive late or leave early

Make sure to check with Zara before organising any travel tickets.

On full days we work in Circle for 3 sessions, usually at:
• 9.30am - 1pm
• 3pm - 6pm
• 7.30pm - 9.30pm

Sessions have short toilet breaks but no coffee/tea breaks - this allows us to go deeper into the work without interruptions. Lunch and dinner breaks are longer.

PLEASE NOTE: Sessions are not optional - all participants are expected to take part in all sessions unless there is an emergency. Working in Circle and participating fully in all aspects of the course is an essential part of the learning experience.

VENUE:
Tokalynga is a large school house in a small village in Halland near the Ätran River. It is near the west coast of Sweden, an hour inland from Falkenberg or Varberg.

It is the home of theatre company "Teater Albatross" who will be present and sharing the venue during the course. All accommodation is of a basic youth hostel standard and participants need to bring sheets and towels. There are both single rooms and shared accommodation between 2-3 people (in cabins or in the house). It is possible to tent. All bathrooms are shared and of a basic standard.

The village is small and quiet with fields and forest nearby, and quiet roads and paths for walking. It is possible to swim in the nearby river and in several lakes. The nearest shop and bus stop is in Ätran, 4km away.

Contact details: Tokalynga Teaterakademi, Gunnarp 403, 310 61 Ätran 
More information and picture: https://teateralbatross.se/kontakt 

TRAVEL:
Nearest Airports: Gothenburg, Sweden (2-3 hrs away by train&bus) or Copenhagen, Denmark (4 hrs away by train&bus)

Nearest Train Stations: Varberg or Falkenberg. After this, take a bus to Ätran where it is possible to be picked up, if arranged ahead of time. More detailed travel information will be sent after booking.

Sometimes it is possible to lift-share with other participants - please ask if interested.

If you are coming by car and can offer lifts to others, this is very much appreciated.

Travel information for bus and trains: https://www.hallandstrafiken.se/