Sunday 17 October 2010

Key Speakers and Lunchtime Activities

From Sinixt to Somerset and A Twist in Coyote’s Tale: the Rebirth of a Native American Tribe
In 1987, an enigmatic encounter with a Native American visionary drew Celia Gunn into the renascence of his people, the Sinixt Nation of British Columbia, Canada. Guided by a living shamanic tradition, for six years Celia walked a path that few have followed, her life entwined with the great wisdom of Native American philosophy. She will share some of her magical story - the song of a healing spirit learning her place in the dance of life - and explain the vital relevance of the Old Order of Native American teachings to us all today.
An English author who now lives in the West Country, Celia works with her husband Anthony Thorley (see below) on revitalising our connection to the land and nature. Her book about her experience with the Native Americans, 'A Twist in Coyote’s Tale', has been adapted into a film, 'The Sinixt: Bringing Home the Bones', which premiered in Canada in 2010. A trailer for the film is available on her website: http://www.earthskywalk.com/. She continues to be involved with the tribe's struggle for full representation. Her latest books are a novel, 'A Dark Wind', and a book about animal spirit guides, 'Simply Totem Animals'. Celia's love of gardening has led to the co-creation of a beautiful woodland chakra garden, which can also be visited on her website.
DR. ANTHONY THORLEY
The Great God Lugh and the 2012 London Olympics

This presentation will trace the geomantic and mythical history of the London Olympic Games of 2012. As well as exploring the Galactic Centre of the traditional Gypsy Switch English landscape zodiac and its significance to the Global Family, this talk will tell the tale of the spirit of Lugh and his role as the guardian of the sovereignty of the land, the origins of the Europe-wide celebration of great gatherings and sacred games dedicated to this elusive Mercurial sky-god of pre-Roman Europe, and how that tradition has emerged as the Lughnasa harvest festival now to be uncannily re-enacted in Olympic London in August 2012.

Anthony Thorley is a retired psychiatrist who has been researching landscape energies and traditions for over thirty years. Together with his wife Celia Gunn he has explored the place of pilgrimage and ritual journey in the contemporary British landscape (see www.earthskywalk.com for details). He is pursuing academic research on landscape zodiacs as sacred space and teaches sacred geography at Trinity St David, University of Wales. For some years, with astrologer John Wadsworth, he has been co-facilitating The Alchemical Journey, a series of workshops exploring the energies of the zodiacal signs as a journey of personal transformation in the landscape and through the zodiacal year (see www.thealchemicaljourney.com for details).

JAYNE JOHNSON
‘Walking Between Worlds’ – Shamanism, Soul Retrieval and Psychotherapy"

What is Shamanism? Why has it become so popular? What is soul loss? How does it happen? What are the symptoms? How does soul retrieval work? Who needs soul retrieval and why? How are Shamanism and Psychotherapy connected? Can they work together? How do we ‘Walk Between Worlds’? WARNING – you may come away from this talk with more questions than answers!

Jayne says: "For as long as I can remember I have always had a curiosity, natural instinct and empathy for working with and looking at how, as human beings, we interlink and relate to each other; how and what provides us with the tools we use to develop and create our environment and quality of life; and alongside this a natural enthusiasm for sharing my understanding with others. My work involves weaving together aspects of my life experiences and knowledge as a Homeopath, Body Psychotherapist and Shamanic practitioner. As well as my one to one work in Blackburn, Lancashire and Richmond, North Yorks, I run workshops on Shamanism throughout the UK and co facilitate workshops on Shamanism & Dreaming. I also run a monthly drumming circle in Blackburn. I am passionate about bringing together and connecting circles of like minded people." See Jayne's web site at http://www.jaynea.co.uk/

PHIL MEDLEY
"Activating the Stargate in Tibet"
A spiritual journey to Tibet. Phil took on an arduous journey to Tibet to activate one of Earth's major Stargates, and bury an energy device, taking 4 weeks, 4 jeeps and several Yaks. Defying an illness to complete the mission, a journey that cost a life to raise the consciousness of the planet.
Phil has channelled guidance from ET sources, is an earth healer and Reiki master.  He has travelled all over the world, under this guidance to activate star gates and clear negative energy sites, including spirit release from battle grounds and has been active in the UFO/CROP circle phenomena for 20 years.

LINDA SEVER
"Native British Shamanism - tuning into the landscape beneath your feet."

Early medieval documents point to the fact that there would have once been a native shamanic practice in these isles. These otherworldly journeys would have allowed people to meet their ancestors and their spirit and animal guides, as well as making a strong connection to the landscape on which they lived. This talk discusses the shamanic practice known as seidr and will give some tools and exercises to journey into the other worlds and to link into the energies of land upon which we live.

Linda Sever is Senior Lecturer at The University of Central Lancashire and is also involved in a postgraduate research project on Anglo Saxon art with colleagues at The University of Manchester. She was formerly an award-winning documentary film maker with the BBC. Linda is a practising heathen and seidr practitioner. She has taught spiritual development classes and has been involved in psychic questing for a number of years. She also plays and sings folk music and does Morris dancing. Linda Sever is the editor of "Lancashire’s Sacred Landscape", published by the History Press, 2010.

LUNCHTIME ACTIVITIES
Wand Making Workshop with Pagan Craftsman and Artist "Wisty" (aka Chris Jeffcott).  Chris will also have a stall displaying and selling his handmade crafts.
Drum Workshop with Phil Medley.  A drum player for 29 years Phil has also been involved in marital arts and researching UFOs and crop circles for over 20 years.  Bring your own drum if you have one!
Astrology Readings with Jane Ritson, API, MAPAI, AIQPS
Spiritual and Psychological Astrologer, FFE Flower Essence Practitioner and Channel.  Personalised Astro-essence recommendations from your individual birth chart.  New Energy Astrology readings.
'Finding the Wisdom of your Totem Animal' guided meditation' with Celia Gunn.