April 2016

Spring Greetings!

You're invited to join my first online course: Animism for Anti-Racist White People and Other Less Recently Indigenous Folks. Yeah, I'm aware the title is a touch provocative, and please consider reading the actual description (below or link here). Native/First Nations participants are welcome at no cost. Looking forward to spirited dialogues! 

Later this week I'll be in Athens, GA for an ancestors intro talk (Fri, Apr 1st), day of river ritual (Sat, Apr 2nd) and training on practical animism (Sun, Apr 3rd). 

Then in mid-April I'm out to the S.F. Bay Area for the first offering in the Hillula series (Tues, Apr 19th), earth ritual tending on Mt Diablo (
Wed, Apr 20th), and the Ancestral and Family Healing Intensive in Berkeley (Fri-Sun, Apr 22-24th). This will be my last time in the Bay Area in 2016 (trainings already scheduled for early 2017).

In May I'll be out to Portland, OR and later in the year to Boulder, CO. Here in Asheville folks may want to check out the monthly ancestors circle (be in touch for info), the intro talk in early April (info below), and the next three-day intensive July 15-17th

Just reach out with questions or to register for anything. Thanks all for your interest!

Warmly,

Daniel

(828) 767-9234
ancestralmedicine.org

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Animism for Anti-Racist White People 
and Other Less Recently Indigenous Folks
Thursdays of April 14th, 21st, & 28th
8-9:30pm Eastern / 5-6:30pm Pacific

***Please note: This course comes from an anti-racist perspective and people of all backgrounds are welcome. In brief, the ways that many European-ancestored folks (and others) express their calling to earth spirituality (e.g., shamanism, indigenous ways) is offensive to many non-European folks, especially but not only Native North American communities. Slowing down to deeply understand these concerns is a win-win that leads to cross-cultural healing and more potent ritual work with the spirits.

Full description: The vast majority of our human ancestors lived as tribal, indigenous peoples and practiced some version of what we might call 'animism'. Animists view humans as only one type of person within a much wider web of relations. Animists aspire to be respectful people, not only with other humans but in relationship with the larger web (e.g., animals, plants, ancestors, deities). Animism is a relational approach to life that recognizes our interdependence.

As we spiral deeper into global ecological crisis and the spiritual bankruptcy of modern capitalism becomes apparent, more people of diverse backgrounds are drawn to indigenous paths, shamanism, paganism, and different more or less animist ways. For the minority of folks blessed with recent indigenous ancestors, acting on this this calling may look like participation in still-intact ancestral traditions. For the rest of us, expressing a calling to earth-wisdom ways is often less straight-forward and puts us at risk of acting from a place of unconscious privilege.

In this three-week course, we'll briefly explore the history of how modern Americans (of diverse backgrounds) got into our current cultural mess. Participants will learn in non-judgmental, non-shaming ways to recognize dynamics of white privilege and cultural appropriation in contemporary spiritual circles and about the relevance of being ancestrally situated. Participants will also learn strategies for constructively helping others become more aware of blinds spots based in unconscious funk. Native/First Nations people who wish to join the dialogue are welcome at no cost. This course is especially great for:
  • European-ancestored folks who recognize that racism and historical injustice are real concerns but don't want that to stop them from engaging spiritual teachings and traditions at depth
  • Shamanic practitioners or people who identify with Native traditions who sincerely wish to understand what all the fuss and anger is about
  • Folks already on an earth-honoring path curious how their spirit work can include an element of social justice and cultural healing
In the three-week offering we'll follow a progression of:
  • Session One: Ancestor Reverence & Ritual (4/14)
  • Session Two: Relating with the Land and Spirits of Place (4/21)
  • Session Three: Deity Work and Aligning with Established Traditions (4/28)
For each topic we'll consider some foundations of practice and ways to transform ancestral (and present time) privilege into anti-racist, de-colonizing approaches to the work (without making spirit work too political or mental).

The class is for folks whose tribal, indigenous ancestors are more historically distant and all are welcome. Cost for the series is $60. Teachings will be recorded for when you need to miss a session. There will be plenty of time for discussion and some recommended readings/links to complement the class time. For more info see: ancestralmedicine.org/animism
Honoring Spirits of Place and the Natural World
Athens // S.F. Bay Area // Portland // Saxapahaw

For folks drawn to earth-honoring traditions (e.g., animism, shamanism, indigenous ways, pagan traditions) one of the primary tasks is to come into more conscious and respectful relationship with the larger web of other-than-human relations. These others include but are not limited to the collective wisdom or spirits of animals, plants, stones, bodies of water, weather, and 1,001 other local powers.

In the first half of 2016 I'll guide the following outdoor rituals emphasizing inclusive, heart-centered skills for honoring spirits of place. Each is naturally a little different as the medicines/spirits at each location vary:
  • Apr 2, Athens, GA. Honoring the Spirit of the Oconee River (Facebook event)
  • Apr 20, Alamo, CA. Honoring Spirits of Place on Mt Diablo (Facebook event)
  • May 7, Portland, OR. Animal, Plant, & Fungi (Facebook event)
  • May 21, Saxapahaw, NC. Honoring the Spirit of the Haw River (Facebook event)
For descriptions of each event see the Facebook page or the calendar of events. Participants can expect to learn empowering practices for engaging our other-than-human relations. 
Practical Animism for the People 
Sunday, April 3rd, 10am-5pm
Heart Path Studio
Athens, GA

The vast majority of our human ancestors lived as tribal, indigenous peoples and practiced some version of 'animism'. Animists view humans as one type of person within a much wider web of relations (human and otherwise, seen and unseen). Animists aspire to be respectful people, not only with other humans but in relationship with the larger web (e.g., animals, plants, ancestors, deities, spirits of place). Animism is a highly relational approach to life that recognizes our profound interdependence on the sacrifice of others.

As we spiral deeper into global ecological crisis and the spiritual bankruptcy of modern capitalism becomes more apparent, people of diverse backgrounds are increasingly drawn to non-dogmatic teachings and traditions of animism (e.g., indigenous paths, shamanism, paganism). For the minority of folks blessed with recent indigenous ancestors, this calling may look like returning to participate in still-intact ancestral traditions. For the rest of us, how to actualize the calling to earth-spirit ways is often less straight-forward.

In this day of embodied learning, we'll explore the history of how modern Americans (of diverse backgrounds) got into our current cultural mess. Participants will learn to recognize dynamics of white privilege and cultural appropriation in contemporary spiritual circles. We'll discuss how to engage intact traditions in culturally healing and truly reciprocal ways. We'll spend time facing the depth of ancestral and earth healing needed and identify healing and authentic ways to participate in reinvigorating earth-spirit culture.

Total beginners and those with decades walking an earth-honoring path are welcome. We'll keep the dialogue heart-centered and invite perspective from our ancestors and helpers in the unseen. Cost for the day is $90, flexibility as needed, no one turned away due to cost. To register Paypal to: [email protected]m. 10am-5pm at Heart Path Studio. Facebook event page here. For more info see: ancestralmedicine.org/animism.
Ancestral and Family Healing: Three-Day Intensives 
Berkeley, CA // Athens, GA // Asheville, NC // Boulder, CO

Everyone has loving and wise ancestors, and by reaching out for their support we access tremendous vitality for personal and family healing. In addition to supporting repairs with living family, our ancestors encourage healthy self-esteem and help us to clarify our destiny, relationships, and work in the world. 

Participants will learn to relate safely and directly with family ancestors, both helpful guides and the dead who are still in need of assistance. Expect to engage lineage ancestors through prayer, song, visioning practices, offerings, forgiveness work, and group dialogue. This is the foundational ancestor training I've guided throughout the United States since 2005. 

There are no prerequisites, however, experience with inner work/psychological healing and relating with spirit guides/teachers are both helpful. Folks new to ancestor work, adoptees, and those with a tough experience of family are welcome. Those with a healing arts practice will learn new skills to support your work.

Spaces are limited; preregistration and full attendance requested. Trainings are 10am-5pm each day. 2016 dates include:
Cost is $300 in the Southeast and $400 west of the Mississippi. As always, talk with me if you need flexibility to attend. See ancestors page for details on my approach to this work.
Ancestral and Family Healing: Intro Teachings 
Carrboro // Athens // Asheville // Berkeley // Portland // Boulder // Online

Attendees at these talks will learn a basic framework from which to safely and directly engage family and older lineage ancestors as sources of guidance, healing, and spiritual inspiration. Discussion will include ways to assist those who have not yet joined the ancestors and how to approach ancestor reverence in ways that support personal and intergenerational/family healing. 

No prior experience with ritual, ghosts, or really anything needed. Skeptics and those who feel burned by your family are warmly welcome. For details on any given event see the calendar of events and here are times and dates: 
  • Friday, April 1st in Athens, GA. 6:30-8pm (Facebook event page)
  • Friday, April 8th in Asheville, NC. 7-8:30pm
  • Sunday, April 10th, Online Offering, No Cost, 6:30-7pm Eastern (Link to Join Here)
  • Tuesday, April 19th in Berkeley, CA. 6:30-8:30pm (Facebook event page)
  • Thursday, May 5th in Portland, OR. 6:30-8:30pm (Facebook event page)
  • Wednesday, September 7th in Boulder, CO. 6:30-8pm
The Berkeley talk in April will be co-led with Taya Shere of Kohenet Hebrew Priestess Institute and will be our first offering in the HIllula series we're weaving on ancestor reverence and healing in Jewish traditions (more info here: ancestralmedicine.org/hillula). 
Ancestor Work Open Support Call
Tues, April 26th, 5pm PST, 8pm EST

This open-to-all monthly call is for anyone seeking to relate well with their ancestors. All questions about engaging your ancestors & the dead are welcome.
 
No cost to call, and if the time's helpful, a modest donation is welcome ([email protected] via Paypal). To join call (712) 432-1212 // Meeting ID: 558-294-141. Dates for 2016 include: 4/26, 5/24, 6/28. Try to call in on time and stay for the duration. Hope you can join us!
Personal Sessions

Individual sessions tend to be about ancestral and family healing, spiritual guidance and mentorship, or occasionally consultation for folks building a holistic healing practice. People sometimes reach out to try to make sense of a spiritual calling, so that's welcome, and I'm also a psychotherapist with a Ph.D. in psychology if you're struggling with the 1,001 things of life and just want to approach it all from a more holistic angle.

I offer a free 15-minute phone consult to decide if you'd like to set a session. Sessions can be by phone or Skype, in-person in Asheville, or sometimes in-person when I'm traveling to teach (e.g., CA, GA, NC, OR, CO). For more info see: personal sessions.
Dr. Daniel Foor | (828) 767-9234 | [email protected] | www.ancestralmedicine.org