Basic course in shamanism

SHAMANISM EXPERIMENTALLY AT AN ISLAND LOCATION * ONE OF THE MOST SACRED NATURAL PLACES OF EARTH * TRADITIONAL FINNISH SMOKE SAUNA EVERY EVENING * BOAT JOURNEYS ACROSS THE LAKE *

GUIDED BY HELENA KARHU


Welcome to Koli in North Karelia in the summertime. This is one of the most sacred natural power places of Finland, and we welcome you to learn about our Ancestral ways together with us. As your course guide will serve the local Helena Karhu, whose ancestral roots are deeply from the region.

We will meet in the harbor of Koli. We travel by boat through the lake islands towards the magical Tarina-aho retreat place in Kelvänsaari Island. The enchantment of Tarina-aho is difficult to describe in words or photos; we enter a world whose traditional Finnish wooden buildings and special island milieu support awakening our senses, raising spells, and summoning the nature spirits.

We are going to get to know the natural dimensions of our own folklore. During the weekend, we will learn the basics of shamanism and relax together. We will enjoy the unique nature of Kelvänsaari on an incredibly beautiful beach, and for a moment we will touch the beautiful secrets of Koli's nature for the bearers of folk traditions or other nature lovers.

This course is suitable for anyone who has natural curiosity to learn about the basics of a shaman's activity, the natural dimensions of human consciousness, and our own selves at this point in our life path. We look at shamanism both from the point of view of our own cultural heritage and from a wider global dimension, which includes our experiences and connections around the world. The course is especially aimed at people who are getting to know the shaman's world for the first time, or for people who have practiced on their own, but now want to enjoy togetherness with likeminded souls for a long weekend. The weekend is also suitable for those who have practiced shamanism before, even those who have taken a basic course - because now is a good time to start again and learn from the nature of this place.

During the course, we will cover the cornerstones of the shaman's activity. We create a common energetic base from which shamanistic activity can develop. We learn about the basic elements of the universe, and we get an experiential understanding of how these are combined in shamanistic consciousness. The participants make their own shamanistic altars, i.e. the so-called "medicine tables", which acts as a support point for the shaman in finding his/her own magic. You will learn how to make a good foundation for your own possible shamanic activity. The altar serves as the center of the shaman's work, collecting the most important tools and objects. We will also make a shared shamanic altar outside, dedicating it to the local nature spirits of Koli and Pielinen, and our course destination Tarina-aho.

The purpose of the course is to strengthen your life path, whether you are a practitioner of shamanism after the course or not. The purpose of all shamanic activity is simply to be who we are. During the weekend, let nature tell you more about who you are.

Helena Karhu on syntyperäinen joensuulainen kansantietämyksen opettaja, yhteisökasvattaja ja kaksosäiti. Karhu kirjoittaa väitöskirjatutkimusta pohjoismaisesta shamanismista Itä-Suomen yliopiston Joensuun kampuksella. Helena palasi vuonna 2018 takaisin Joensuuhun yli 13 Kööpenhaminan vuoden jälkeen, ja hän on asunut myös Grönlannissa ja Alaskassa. Pohjolan esivanhempien ja luonnon henki kutsuu häntä kertomaan lisää pohjoisen luonnosta, alkuperäisestä shamanistisesta traditiosta, sekä yhdistämään arkaaiset metodit ja nykykulttuurin mahdollisuudet. Lisää Helenasta tästä linkistä: https://www.karhuntalo.com/karhu

The course is suitable for everyone who feels interested in the subject of the course. Please notice, that the destination requires normal mobility and is unfortunately unsuitable for disabled. The course is alcohol- and substance-free, and the meals are vegetarian.