THE HAZEL HOUSE RETREAT ©
The Hazel House Retreat
“The Salmon of Knowledge is also the Salmon of Wisdom whose home is the Well of Segais or the Well of Conla. The Well of Segais is the Otherworld source of the Boyne. It is a deep pool, surrounded by the Nine Hazels of Inspiration. The Hazel nuts ripen and fall into the pool where the Salmon eats them. She cracks their shells, which stain the waters of the well purple. The empty shells float off, down the five streams that flow from the Well of Segais. The five streams are the five senses through which we perceive the world. It is said that one may never be wise until one has drunk from the Well of Segais and from each of the five streams.” The Green and Burning Tree: A Faery Shamans Handbook, Tira Brandon-Evans
Retreat to the Hazel House. Discover wisdom and inspiration through total immersion in this unique shamanic experience.
From the moment you enter the Hazel House to the moment you leave, you will be engaged in tradition and ritual. This is an intensive and intense, one on one, personal growth, experiential journey with the ancestors and animal spirits.
The retreat is designed to transport you into the minds and lives of the ancestors so you may grow closer to them in spirit, mind, and body.
Tira Brandon-Evans, founder and moderator of the Society of Celtic Shamans, will work one on one with you, and only you, for your entire stay.
The program includes daily and seasonal rituals, working with your hands and heart, interacting with the faerys of place and the elementals, and understanding your relationship with your Celtic ancestors and with your clan totems.
You will remember your days and nights in the Hazel House forever.
The Hazel House is located near Chilliwack, in the Fraser Valley, less then two hours drive from Vancouver, BC.
The Hazel House Retreat is available from May 1, 2009 through September 21, 2009.
You must book at least two weeks in advance. All bookings must be paid in advance by bank money order or through PayPal.
$630.00 – 3 nights/2 days – Friday 3.00 pm to Monday 9 am.
$945.00 – 7 nights/6days – Friday 3.00 pm to following Friday 9 am.
Email Tira, info@faeryshaman.org, for details and to book your Hazel House Retreat.
(This is a solitary, total immersion retreat. If you plan to tour Vancouver and the surrounding area you will need to do this either before or after your scheduled time in the Hazel House.)
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Tira Brandon-Evans is the Founder and Moderator of the Society of Celtic Shamans, editor of Earthsongs: Journal of the Society of Celtic Shamans, and is, herself, a Faery Shaman. Her books, The Green and Burning Tree: A Faery Shaman's Handbook, Portals of the Seasons: A Celtic Wheel of the Year, Through the Unremembered Gate: Journeys of Initiation, The Labyrinthine Way: Walking Ancient Paths in a Modern World, and Healing Waters, are all published by Elder Grove Press. She is presently writing a book about the Ogham. You may contact Tira by email at info@faeryshaman.org.
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The Society of Celtic Shamans Suspends Participation in Second Life
I am sorry to announce we are no longer active in Second Life. The Society of Celtic Shamans had invested a great deal of money in this project and Tira Brandon-Evans had invested a great deal of energy in trying to establish a shamanic studies centre in Second Life. This work was undertaken in the hopes that many of people involved in the groups would wish to interact with one another in a safe, virtual environment. This hope did not prove to be reality. Therefore, rather then continue to invest money and time into the project we have, with regret, decided to sell all our lands in December. To everyone who did participate in our Second Life programs and encourage this work, thank you.
The Society of Celtic Shamans
Returns to Second Life
I am pleased to announce we are back in Second Life. Now the Society of Celtic Shamans has its own island, Pan Shamana, in Second Life.
We are back and this time we have our own island. This is our land where we can work together to help and heal, make and mend. Come and help us build our new community in this enriched virtual environment.
(As of December 2008 we are no longer associated with Second Life. See the December 2008 update above.)
The Society of Celtic Shamans
Temporarily Suspends Participation in Second Life
In order to establish the sort of shamanic centre we need in Second Life, I am selling all our lands in the Eternia region. When these lands have sold I will be putting the proceeds of the sale aside and eventually using those funds to purchase our own island. Until then, we will not have a permanent base in Second Life.
(As of December 2008 we are no longer associated with Second Life. See the December 2008 update above.)
The Society of Celtic Shamans
Ventures Into Second Life
(All of the programs presently delivered via e-mail and webpage will continue as they are now. This expansion will not affect the present programs in any way whatsoever.)
The Society of Celtic Shamans is expanding its programs into the virtual world of Second Life.
(As of December 2008 we are no longer associated with Second Life. See the December 2008 update above.)
WISE WOMAN WEEKEND
September 15-17, 2006
Naramata, British Columbia, Canada
Tira Brandon-Evans will be presenting two workshops at this year's Wise Woman Weekend.
Dragon Quest
Journey into the Shining Realms with Tira Brandon-Evans to meet your dragons, form alliances with these great spirits, and make Otherworld friends. |
A Blessing Between Us
Discover the ancient art of Celtic blessing—draw the worlds of spirit and matter together to make and mend, help and heal. |
Join Tira Saturday morning for the Sunrise Celebration – Drum stirring in a healing circle. Bring a drum if you have one.
Tira is also offering Faery Healing and Assisted Journeys in the Oasis this weekend.
This year the Wise Woman Weekend features over 30 workshops, healing circles, a creativity studio, the healing Oasis, and many celebrations of our wisdom. Register early to be assured a place.
For full details: http://www.wisewomanproductions.ca
Telephone: 1-888-497-1182 or 1-250-490-0329 in Penticton, B.C. to speak with Urmi, Samarpan, or Laurel.
THE HAZEL GROVE SCHOOL OF BARDIC WISDOM
May 31, 2005
The Society of Celtic Shamans is pleased to announce our new program The Hazel Grove School of Bardic Wisdom is now a reality. We are accepting students in the first year of the program. This is a one year—twelve month—program. The first year is dedicated to Irish myths and legends. There are plans to arrange a second year of Welsh myths and legends in the future.
The Hazel Grove School of Bardic Wisdom is designed to give you a deeper understanding of the Myths and Legends of the Gaelic speaking people of Ireland and Scotland. Our Celtic ancestors saved these stories for us and handed them down from generation to generation. These myths and legends are an integral part of our ancestral heritage and they contain many of the hidden keys to our ancestral wisdom. Anyone who claims a desire to walk the path of the Celtic shaman needs to have these stories in their hearts.
The tuition for the year's study is $99.00. A certificate of completion is issued upon successful completion of the program. Successful completion of the first year of the Hazel Grove School of Bardic Wisdom counts as a pre-requisite credit towards admission in the Faery Shamans Apprenticeship Program.
To learn more about the Hazel Grove School of Bardic Wisdom, click here.
OAK GROVE OGHAM MASTERS PROGRAM
Dec. 15, 2004
The Society of Celtic Shamans is pleased to announce changes to the Oak Grove study group. The Oak Grove is no longer an informal study group but is, instead, the SCS Ogham Masters' Program. This is a one year—twelve month—program. The lessons include source texts from the Middle Ages, Classical sources, information on and analysis of Ogham inscribed stones, modern theories of the Oghams, analysis of the Celtic Tree Calendar and comparison to other possible Celtic or Ogham based calendars, and in depth study of some of the Oghams—including the Bird Ogham, Herb Ogham, and so forth.
The Oak Grove Ogham Masters' Program is designed to give you a deeper understanding of the Oghams and also give you the tools you need to continue your own research and study in years to come. This is not an easy program. While we do delve into the personal spiritual aspects of the Oghams the program is more scholarly in nature than many offered on-line. If you don't like learning new things this is not the program for you. If you enjoy programs that basically rehash everything you learn in popular books about the Tree Calendar and divination using the Oghams, you will not like this program. The Tree Calendar and the Ogham divination are addressed in the Oak Grove Ogham Masters' Program but they are not at the centre of what you will be learning. If you like those one-size-fits-all, become-a-druid-in-ten-easy-lessons programs you will not enjoy this program. If you like to learn and grow, to stretch your mind and spirit it is likely this program will suit you.
The tuition for the year's study is $99.00. A certificate of completion is issued upon successful completion of the program. Everyone completing the program will be entitled to call themselves Ogham Masters and use the letters O.M. after their names. Successful completion of the first year of the Oak Grove Ogham Masters Program counts as a pre-requisite credit towards admission in the Faery Shamans Apprenticeship Program.
To learn more about the Oak Grove Ogham Masters' Program, click here.
TWO DAYS ON THE MOUNTAIN
Oct. 15, 16, & 17, 2004
On the weekend of October 15, 16, 17, the Society of Celtic Shamans held its first international Gathering. The Gathering took place at the Mountain Retreat Centre in North Carolina, a site of unparalleled beauty.
The Gathering was an incredibly powerful experience. Since my return to British Columbia I have felt amazingly energized and my aura – my light body – is brighter and much more
energetic than it has ever been in my entire life.
There were many wonderful people at the Gathering – many were people we
all know from our on-line Society of Celtic Shamans community. There are no words to tell how much I
enjoyed meeting and shamanically interacting with everyone from here. There were also some wonderful and amazing people from outside our group.
A lot of healing was done on this last weekend. Healing of personal issues
for very many who attended and healing of the earth and 'all our relations'.
I cannot express my gratitude to everyone who attended. Many travelled very
long distances – Margaret and her people drove 2000 miles there and back.
Daphne Luna and her partner, Ray, were on the road for many hours too. They
came despite serious sudden illness in their family. Helen and her sister
travelled by air and by road a very, very long way and Helen was absolutely
heroic in her efforts to keep going even when she was so ill. Dev flew from
the Southwest and drove for hours and hours from and to the airport. She
also put up with Theo and I and our silliness. What a champion she is!
Theo flew all the way from Britain and back – an eight and a half hour
flight each way. And, of course, Mandy spent many hours over the last year
organizing the Gathering. The Greens offered Theo and I a place to stay and
transportation while we were in Georgia and for that I am eternally
grateful.
I am hoping to plan another great Gathering for the West Coast next year.
Even though I am a bit scattered from being so long away from my walled
garden here in British Columbia, I am so full of enthusiasm for the future of our
community.
Grandfather Merlin has showed me many wonderful ideas on how we can grow and
change and spread our light energy and our healing magic out into the world.
Thank you all for your support and kindness.
TIRA'S WORKSHOPS AT WISE WOMAN WEEKEND
Sept. 17, 18, & 19, 2004
- THIS PERFECT SHINING MOMENT (Saturday Evening)
We do not remember days, we remember moments. We may endure hours but we live moment-by-moment, breath-by-breath. We are eternally now. In the perfect shining moment of the here and now all is one complete. This workshop is designed to help you develop an awareness of and appreciation for this moment of shining perfection we call life.
- MEETING THE MATRONS (Sunday Afternoon)
Faery Shamans believe every species on Planet Earth is the child of a great mother or matron. They are sometimes called devas, nature spirits, great mothers, matrones, or faeries. The great mothers pour their energies into their children eternally. Many are willing to work with us to help and heal, to make and mend. Here are some shamanic techniques to help you discover and work with the matrons.
- TIRA'S SUNRISE CIRCLES
Be sure to attend Tira's Sunday Sunrise Circles in Upper Alberta Hall. STIRRING UP HEALING, drum stirring in a healing circle. Everyone welcome. Bring your drum, Tibetan singing bowl, Amazon rain stick, or other percussion instrument if you have one.
TWELVE JOURNEYS PROGRAM
The Twelve Journeys Program contains twelve journeys of initiation. These journeys are meant to be taken once a month for twelve months – twelve initiations in one year.
What is initiation? Initiation is beginning. It is the first step into the rest of your life.
Faery Shamanism is an initiatory path – a path of discovery. When we walk through the glimmering forests and shining meadows of Faerie we do not follow any road map. You are engaged in your own journey of exploration. As we journey into the Shining Realms we meet the Sidhe, the High and Lordly Ones, the Fair Folk who dwell in those bright lands. We meet beasts and birds and other creatures who inhabit these realms. We meet the Green Folk who inspirit tree and herb and seed. With some of these we may establish connections, alliances, friendships. When we win the friendship of the Fae they are often willing to teach us the things we need to know to help us accomplish the great work of the shaman. The great work of the shaman is to make and mend, to help and heal.
We acquire the skills, tools, knowledge, and wisdom we need through initiation.
These initiations take place in the Shining Country or Inworlds, which some call the Faery Realm. Your initiators are the Shining Folk who dwell there.
In the Twelve Journeys Program you will follow the horse, the wren, the bee, the salmon, the boar, and seven other animal guides into the Shining Country. There you will meet the Great Mare Mother, the High Druid, the Lady Smith, the Prince of Tides, the Greenman, and seven more of the Shining Folk who will offer you gifts and initiate you into their mysteries.
The Twelve Journeys Program is based on the book Through the Unremembered Gate and in addition to the $99.00 program tuition you must purchase a copy of the book from Elder Grove Press.
You may engage in these journeys of initiation on your own or you may wish to enroll in the Twelve Journeys Program offered by the Society of Celtic Shamans.
Click here to register for the Twelve Journeys Program.
Click here to purchase Through the Unremembered Gate.
The path before you is one filled with beauty, wonder, and power. Enjoy the journey.
SEPT 12, 2003
WISE WOMAN WEEKEND AT NARAMATA, BC
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TIRA BRANDON-EVANS Will Be Leading Two Workshops
THE MAIDEN CRONE & THE HORRIBLE HAG
At The WISE WOMAN WEEKEND
Sept. 12, 13 & 14, 2003 Naramata, BC, Canada
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Tira Brandon-Evans is Founder and Moderator of the Society of Celtic Shamans, an editor and the publisher of Earthsongs, a Chartered Herbalist, and a Faery Shaman. Author of many books, her articles have appeared in Spirithumter; Body, Mind, Spirit; Earthsongs and other magazines. Tira facilitates workshops, teaches, initiates and cares.
TIRA'S WORKSHOPS AT WISE WOMAN WEEKEND
SEPT. 12, 13, & 14, 2003
- THE MAIDEN CRONE (Saturday Evening)
Childless by choice or chance? Childless friends? Understanding, embracing, and celebrating the maiden crone.
- THE HORRIBLE HAG (Sunday Afternoon)
Raging hormones or a wounded psyche? Understanding, embracing and transforming your angry crone.
- TIRA'S SUNRISE CEREMONY
Be sure to attend Tira's Sunday Sunrise Ceremony in Upper Alberta Hall. STIRRING UP HEALING, drum stirring in a healing circle. Everyone welcome. Bring your drum, Tibetan singing bowl, Amazon rain stick, or other percussion instrument if you have one.
OTHER WISE WOMAN WEEKEND EVENTS
You Will Want To Attend
- THE QUEEN COMES HOME – Saturday, 4:00 - 5:30 pm in the Gym. Join the Wise Woman community for a celebration of the magic, mystery and delight of embodied womanhood. Through song, dance and ritual we will come home to our true selves and our own Divine power. Come prepared to be crowned.
- DRUMMING & DANCING – Saturday Evening, 9 - 11. Enjoy impromptu entertainment including the suensual art of belly dancing.
- WISE WOMAN PARADE – Sunday, at 3:55 pm. You are invited to dress up as your favorite Goddess, Heroine, Clown or Wise Woman and joine the fun.
BLESSING & SHARING
- GIVEAWAY TABLE, for cherished, personal items it is time to let go of.
- EARTH BELSSINGS TABLE, you are welcome to bring natural objects to be blessed and taken home.
- WATERS OF THE WORLD, bring water from any place in the world that you would like blessed in the closing ceremonies.
TO REGISTER
Wise Woman Weekend is FOR WOMEN ONLY
To REGISTER ON-LINE click here.
- To REGISTER BY PHONE 250-492-0039 or 1-888-756-9929. Be sure to have your credit card in hand.
- To REGISTER BY FAX 250-492-5328.
WISE WOMAN WEEKEND FEES
ADULTS 64 yrs. OR LESS (All Fees Are In CANADIAN DOLLARS)
If you register on or before AUGUST 15 the rates are:
- Weekend $135
- Saturday Only $90
- Sunday Only $55
If you register AUGUST 16 - SEPT 11 the rates are:
- Weekend $155
- Saturday Only $105
- Sunday Only $60
If you register SEPT 12 & ON-SITE the rates are:
- Weekend $165
- Saturday Only $110
- Sunday Only $65
ADULTS 65 yrs. OR MORE
If you register on or before AUGUST 15 the rates are:
- Weekend $115
- Saturday Only $90
- Sunday Only $40
If you register AUGUST 16 - SEPT 11 the rates are:
- Weekend $125
- Saturday Only $85
- Sunday Only $40
If you register SEPT 12 & ON-SITE the rates are:
- Weekend $135
- Saturday Only $90
- Sunday Only $55
MEALS vary in price from 6 meals package of $60.50 to individual meals on-site starting at around $8.00. Click here to visit the Wise Woman Weekend website for full details, or telephone the numbers above.
JUNE 16, 2003
Into the Light,
photograph © 2000,
Timothy C. Kelly. All Rights Reserved. |
HEALING GROVE CLOSED
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JUNE 1, 2003
From the Oak Grove is an anthology of essays, poetry, art and discussion harvested from the members of the Oak Grove, the on-line study group of the Society of Celtic Shamans. Complied, edited and designed by Mary Pat Mann, From the Oak Grove includes personal essays, observations of the natural world, reflections on Celtic myth, and poetry, illustrated with paintings, drawings and photographs and all inspired by the Oak Grove lessons and the personal interaction among the Oak Folk. This wonderful compilation of art, poetry and wisdom will transport you into the journeys and inworld experiences of Celtic shamans.
Click here to read excerts from this book.
APRIL 25, 2003
Due to repeated requests and enquiries, Tira Brandon-Evans has agreed to abandon her
anchorage for the weekend of April 25-27 and lead two workshops at the
"Spring Festival of Awareness" at Naramata, British Columbia. This annual
festival is arranged and managed by Issues Magazine and you will need to
contact them to register for the weekend.
There are a number of other workshops offered and the way the festival works
is that you register for the weekend (or for a day) and then attend as
many — or as few — of the workshops as you wish. Tira's Saturday workshop is
"Animal Allies and Guides" in which you journey into the Shining Realms to
discover your animal guides and allies. The Sunday workshop is "Dragons Are
Forever", in which you will be working with dragons.
Naramata is a beautiful place. It is on a lake in the Okanagan Valley, one
of the sunniest spots in BC. Naramata is a large retreat centre and has been
around for a long time, so a lot of good energy has sunk into the earth and
breathes in the air there — in addition to the truly magical quality of the
area on its own. There is are many meeting spaces, a labyrinth, and lots of
places to commune with nature. Click here, for a virtual tour of the Naramata Retreat Centre.
RATES:
If you register on or before March 25 the rates are:
Adults $140 (Canadian Dollars — CAD)
Seniors/Teens $115 (Canadian Dollars — CAD)
plus meals and accommodation for the weekend.
Saturday Only: Adults $95 (CAD) Seniors/Teens $80 (CAD)
Sunday Only: Adults $55 (CAD) Seniors/Teens $45 (CAD)
If you register March 26 - April 24 the rates are:
Adults $165 (CAD)
Seniors/Teens $140 (CAD)
plus food and accommodation for the weekend
Saturday Only: Adults $110 (CAD) Seniors/Teens $95 (CAD)
Sunday Only: Adults $65 (CAD) Seniors/Teens $55 (CAD)
Registration April 25th, and on site registration, rates are:
Adults $175 (CAD)
Seniors/Teens $150 (CAD)
plus food and accommodation for the weekend
Saturday Only: Adults $125 (CAD) Seniors/Teens $110 (CAD)
Sunday Only: Adults $75 (CAD) Seniors/Teens $65 (CAD)
To register by phone: 250-492-0039 or 1-888-756-9929
By fax: 250-492-5328
On line:
http://www.issuesmagazine.net/events/spring_register.html
The registration form on-line appears to apply to this year's festival —
2003 — although, as of Feb 7, 2003, the schedule of workshops and events appears to be for
2002 — evidently, as of this date, they have not yet updated the workshops schedules.
The SCS cannot register anyone. You have to contact the fetival people at these
numbers or at their website to register.
August 2, 2002 - Webpage Renovations
- We are giving the webpage a facelift. As you go through the site you may find some links that don't work and some pages that are decorated in the old way. Please report dead links to the Webmistress. The work should be done in a few weeks so keep checking back to see the changes in progress.
July 30, 2002 - University of Celtic Wisdom
The Society of Celtic Shamans is pleased to announce that we have expanded our educational facilities and that the on-line University of Celtic Wisdom is now open. The first student entered the program earlier this month. To learn more about the University of Celtic Wisdom click here.
June 30, 2002 - University of Celtic Wisdom
The Society of Celtic Shamans is pleased to announce that we are expanding our educational facilities and that the on-line University of Celtic Wisdom is opening around Fall Equinox -- September 20-22.
Not all details have been worked out and the cirriculum is, in any event, subject to change without notice, but as things stand right now this is what is planned:
CURRICULUM
- ANCESTRY
- Chronologies and Timelines of Celtic History. (Pre-requisite: None)
- Clans and Tribes - Social Structure of the Celtic World. (Pre-requisite: None)
- Genealogy and the Conjectural Pedigrees of Royal Lines. (Pre-requisite: Ancestry 1 or Ancestry 2)
- Annals of Ulster and Other Chronicles. (Pre-requisites: Ancestry 1 or 2 and Ancestry 3)
- Discovering Your Own Family History. (Pre-requisites: Ancestry 1 or 2 and Ancestry 3)
- ARCHAEOLOGY
- Archaeology of Gaul. (Pre-requisite: None)
- Archaeology of Ireland. (Pre-requisite: Archaeology 1)
- Archaeology of Britain and Wales. (Pre-requisite: Archaeology 1)
- Archaeology of Scotland. (Pre-requisite: Archaeology 1)
- Takla-Makan Mummies and Other Indo-European Surveys. (Pre-requisite: Archaeology 1 and Archaeology 2 or 3 or 4)
- ANCIENT WISDOM
- Celtic Languages. (Pre-requisite: None)
- Ogham. (Pre-requisite: Ancient Wisdom 1)
- Archaeoastronomy. (Pre-requisite: Archaeology 1)
- Heraldry and Totems. (Pre-requisite: Ancestry 2)
- Herbs and Healing. (Pre-requisite: Folklore & Anthro. 2 or 3)
- ANCIENT TEXTS
- The Sources. (Pre-requisite: None)
- The Táin Bó Cuailgne. (Pre-requisite: Ancient Texts 1) The
- Mabinogion. (Pre-requisite: Ancient Texts 1)
- The Book of Invasions. (Pre-requisite: Ancient Texts 1)
- Arthur and the Matter of Britain. (Pre-requisite: Ancient Texts 2 and 3)
- FOLKLORE & ANTHROPOLOGY
- The Sources. (Pre-requisite: None)
- Visions and Beliefs in the West of Ireland. (Pre-requisite: Folklore & Anthro. 1)
- The Carmina Gadelica. (Pre-requisite: Folklore & Anthro. 1)
- Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries. (Pre-requisite: Folklore & Anthro. 1)
- Folklore and Superstitions. (Pre-requisite: Folklore & Anthro. 1 and 2 or 3 or 4)
This is a seven year university program. Scholars will need to complete four units in each year of the first six years and in the final year develop, write and defend their thesis. Upon successful completion of each year the student's achievement will be honoured with a title of dignity.
THE DIGNITIES
- Successful Completion of Year One: FIRST GRADE BARD
- Successful Completion of Year Two: SECOND GRADE BARD
- Successful Completion of Year Three: FIRST GRADE OLLAVE
- Successful Completion of Year Four: SECOND GRADE OLLAVE
- Successful Completion of Year Five: DRUID
- Successful Completion of Year Six: SAMILDANACH
- Successful Defense of Thesis: AES DANA
Each unit is $36 and you must sign up for four units in a year. Each unit takes 3 months to complete. At the end of the three months you are expected to demonstrate your mastery and understanding of the subject by writing an essay or article on the topic.
I will inform the lists -- and all those who email me to express their interest -- as these plans progress and are completed.
I think you will agree that this is very exciting and I look forward to reading your comments and suggestions.
March 1, 2002 - Elder Grove Press
The Elder Grove Press is now accepting submissions of book length fiction, non-fiction and poetry. To find out more Click Here.
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