Walking into the Atrium this morning I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Shamanic Workshop. Scattered in a semi-circle were fresh daffodils, and as we entered John and Karen from Slí an Chroi greeted us. We were going to make a burla ghuí (prayer bundle) to give to the Earth and provide us with good energy for our “epic lives”. We began by thanking North, South, East and West, each representing four different elements and seasons.
Next, we were to be cleansed of our worries and stresses. We lay on the ground and they shook Druidic rattles around us and tapped us on the chest. I actually felt lighter after it! We were given some rose water and told to pick three leaves; the first represented our own life, second was loved ones, and third was for the earth. John told us to blow into each and spread our hopes into each leaf and into the world.
Finally, it was time to make the prayer bundle, which they would bury in the Phoenix Park, and all of our intentions would spread into the world. Included in the bundle were oats, seashells, honey, leaves, daffodils, some sweets, and more. Each represented something different, my favourite were the sweets – the sweetness of life, our fun, our humour, our love; everything that makes life sweeeeeet. We then said a word we felt summed up the Shamanic experience. Words ranged from joy to anxiety, hope to friendship. My word was appreciation, as by the end I felt so grateful for the world we live in and the people in my life.
We said a HUGE thank you to the universe and to each other – we shouted, we stamped, we clapped, we clicked! I felt so revived and wonderful afterwards! If you have just read all this and you’re thinking ‘Ha you sound like an absolute loon!’, well yes, I would have agreed with you before, but after the workshop I felt so alive and happy – I think anything that makes you feel like that is worth a shot!
Photo by Lisa Nally
