Roots School of Mystery Medicine 

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Introduction to Shamanism:

Shamanism is the oldest spiritual practice that we know of today and it underlies the cosmologies of indigenous peoples around the world. 

From a shamanic point of view, everything is alive and everyone is interrelated with everything else. This does not only include our human relations, animals, and plants, but also the beings and elements of nature – the rocks, stars, rivers, wind, fire, and the earth itself. Shamanism recognizes that we live in a universe of both ordinary reality, this physical world, and non-ordinary reality, the world of the spirits. Knowledge of both these worlds is vitally connected to the  well-being of all.  

To this day many tribal cultures know the reality of a spiritual side of Nature and the need to live in good relationship with those spirit beings. Despite the grievous loss of many of the world’s indigenous cultures and their shamanic knowledge, we still have access to our original spiritual roots. Our ancestral worldview is not lost and there are many doorways left to us to recover our heritage of ancestral wisdom. 

At this time of world wide environmental crisis, the ancient methods of Shamanism can play a vital role in the attempt to restore balance and harmony with all our relations – human, animal & plant – and with the Earth. Shamanism provides us with something that is otherwise largely lacking in our Western worldview namely, a reverence for and spiritual communion with other beings of the earth and with the planet itself.

These ancient ways invite us to step out of our normal realms of how we perceive and relate to the world, and enter into an expanded openness of heart and consciousness. They provide us with methods that give us the opportunity to heal the rift between Nature and ourselves, a healing based on the simple understanding that actions have consequences and that humankind must assume its responsibilities in the unfolding of our global destiny. 

The worldview of shamanism provides us with an effective and profound way to reconnect with Nature and embrace a sense of the infinite power and wisdom found in the spiritual world. Following the lead of spirit, we can heal the wounds of disconnection from Nature thereby enhancing our own  well-being and that of Mother Earth.  ‘When people and Nature are in perfect harmony, then magic and beauty are everywhere’.     

About Roots:

There is a crucial awareness in all spiritual paths of the need to share experience whatever the depth of understanding. Collective insight, encouragement and enthusiasm promotes a healthy, creative environment for enquiry and personal growth. It is upon this principle that ROOTS, a School of Mystery Medicine, is based. Although we read, study and practise on our own, it is a simple truth in all education that we need others to act as catalysts and sounding boards in the process. Confusion can arise from solitary work when it is neither witnessed nor shared; our commitment can falter when our enthusiasm flags. While the true guides are our spiritual contacts, allies, and helpers, as we walk this path we need others to walk aside us, fellow travellers with whom we can share ourselves. ROOTS provides the foundation for a spiritual community for those who practice the ancient ways of shamanism.

ROOTS draws upon ancestral knowledge and the wisdom of the ‘Unseen’, with its instinctive respect for the earth and all our relations upon this earth.

The teachings of the school are rooted in both realities – our everyday consciousness and that unseen but no less real Otherworld inhabited by the spirits. The one cannot exist without the other, just as the roots and branches of a tree cannot exist without each other.

ROOTS stresses the importance of been firmly grounded in both realities, as it is easy to become out of balance by seeking elevation to spirit. If we neglect the roots of the tree in order to reach for the fruit of the branches, we may find that the fruit has not set because the roots have not been nourished. Working in non-ordinary reality will involve practices such as retrieving healing methods from our Ancestors, retrieving information and guidance on how we can improve our relationship with the earth, creating sacred rituals to honour the seasons and to mark rites of passages. Working within ordinary reality will include Ancient Arts and Crafts, knowledge on herbs and wild foods, exploring and familiarising ourselves with the practicalities of daily life of our ancestors, deepening our understanding of our environment, the making of sacred objects and ceremonial items.

ROOTS also explores the issues of human interaction, receiving guidance through both our spirit allies and modern methods with the aim of fostering a keener sense of harmony and balance within our communities, relationships and ourselves.

Over the past few decades, Shamanism is re-awakening in our Western Society and we are witnessing an ever growing population of initiated shamanic practitioners. ROOTS has been established, not only to provide a network for practitioners, but to act as a storehouse of knowledge compiled by members through direct experience. As always within the works of the Shaman, the main mentors and supervisors are the spirits and nature all around; every member of the School has responsibilities to discover areas of their choice within a wide remit of shamanic studies. Tasks may include accessing information on ceremonial work and healing methods through communion with the spirits and the environment, which like all valuable insight may be shared. Working in strong partnership with the spirit allies, every member of the school becomes a mentor to the other members of the school.

The core practices of Shamanism provide us with a blueprint for every possible vision and there are no limitations to how we can use these methods.

Traditionally, the Shaman fulfilled many roles such as: keeper of the tribal lore, healer, prophet, diviner, herbalist, storyteller, ceremonialist as well as ambassador to and interpreter of the spirits. His or her visions informed, shaped and changed the tribal communities aimed at maintaining harmony and well being amongst the tribe, within the individual, and with their intimate relationship to the earth and their environment. Interpretation of this role within the context of Western culture is the fascinating challenge that lies before us.

Membership of ROOTS is open to both experienced shamanic practitioners and to those who have a basic understanding of Shamanism, including the practice of the shamanic journey. The core requirement however, is an open heart, a depth of integrity and above all, enthusiasm for the ancient ways of Shamanism.

First annual gathering :
28 April – 2 May

Followed by the Autumn gathering:
8-10 October
 

First Annual Gathering

28 April – 2 May 2010

The first annual gathering will explore a range of issues as befits the inauguration of this new association which will include the following topics:

Initiation

As a means of fostering an identity and awareness of a common purpose, all participants will undertake an initiation. This simple act of commitment will help nurture a sense of oneness, mutual respect and support for what lies ahead.

Finding our role as tutor:

Through the methods of core-shamanic practice, participants will have the opportunity to find areas of specific interest within the unlimited richness of the Ancient Ways. It is the intention that, with deepening understanding and a growing sense of self-confidence, individuals will have the option of stepping into the place of tutor by sharing their knowledge at future gatherings.

Toltec Shamanism

Workshop with Twobirds

Teachings from the Toltec people offer a wonderful opportunity for personal enquiry and self-understanding.

Toltec knowledge arises from the same essential unity of truth as all the sacred esoteric traditions found around the world. Though it is not a religion, it honours all the spiritual masters who have taught on earth. While it does embrace spirit, it is most accurately described as a way of life, distinguished by the ready accessibility of happiness and love. The Toltecs laid a path for us on how to live in community – in harmony with each other, and indeed with ourselves.

Using core shamanic practises, we will explore these teachings which will greatly assist us to establish a healthy and harmonious community.
 

Community Celebration:

One evening will be dedicated to a community celebration of our emerging fellowship, with members contributing their own expression of togetherness through storytelling, music, poetry, song and dance.

In addition to the work we will undertake as a group, space and time is given for other activities:

Individual sessions

The Anam Cara healing room will be available for practitioners to offer one-to-one sessions to other individuals in the group. This will be considered an act of service. A timetable will be established at the beginning of the gathering with sessions conducted out-with the formal programme.

Arts & Crafts Market

For the duration of the gathering, a display area is available for participants who wish to display and/or sell any home made arts and crafts, books, CDs, or any other appropriate items within the context of the gathering.

Autumn Gathering

8-10 October 2010

As a follow on from the Annual Gathering, the Autumn Gathering will mainly consist of presentations and teachings from members of Roots, and continued teachings of the Toltecs. Details of this event will be available towards the end of July.