Way of the Warrior
Program At-A-Glance
Get ready to immerse yourself into ancient shamanic techniques, and Celtic wisdom!
Learn powerful tried-and-true shamanic methods of journeying, connecting to spirit helpers, tracking, meaning-making, and more!
Shamanism isn’t just about drumming, and the wisdom wheel isn’t just a calendar. They’re both so much deeper. This robust 42-hour in-person wisdom wheel program, designed for those new to shamanism, helps you lay the groundwork for personal transformation. You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of how shamanism, and the Celtic wheel are used as powerful tools to connect to spirit, gain insight, understand trauma, and rediscover meaning in today’s complex world.
Way of the Warrior (WOW) will provide:
✔ Deep understanding of the shamanic arts
✔ Confidence with drum journeying
✔ In-depth exploration of the Celtic wheel
✔ Track your energy the shamanic way
✔ Forge a path for personal transformation
✔ Examine trauma and conditioning
Join me in crafting your journey to self-empowerment!
REGISTER FOR A FREE, LIVE
ONE HOUR MEET & GREET INFO SESSION!
BONNIE ONTKO, MA
Shamanic Practitioner & Teacher
READ BIO
FREE, LIVE & ONLINE
Thurs, April 17th, 2025
from 7 – 8pm
Fill in the form below to attend the Meet & Greet Intro Session!
About The Program
A comprehensive tour around the wisdom wheel combining shamanism with Celtic spirituality.
Bonnie has been teaching wisdom wheel technology since 2015, with two prior versions, and a different tradition. Way of the Warrior (WOW) is the culmination of over 1,400 hours of development that incorporates a Celtic architecture. It’s been a true labor of love to create this pathway to wonder, wisdom and self-sufficiency.
Why Celtic?
Compared to other traditions, the Celtic perspective provides an easier, and more relatable way for westerners to adopt shamanism into their lives. The stories and mythology anchors us to the insight of the past, and bridges the gap to our 21st century issues.
Why A Warrior?
The enlightened spiritual warrior archetype can been seen in mythology all throughout history. The warrior represents traits of strength, stability, confidence, presence and resiliency, many of which have become dormant within is. We need to rekindle these essences in order to feel equipped to deal with the struggles of today.
Who Should Take WOW
Are you interested in ancient spiritual technologies? Does the world seem overwhelming, confusing and stressful? Or, maybe you’re wrestling with some old traumas or personal issues. Bonnie designed Way of the Warrior for newcomers who want to learn how shamanism, and Celtic spirituality provides insight and clarity. WOW will endow students with a complete understanding of shamanic practices, medicine wheel technology, and energy management. Once applied, you’ll be able to manage yourself on the wheel with a renewed enthusiasm, a deeper understanding of the world, and your place within it.
The focus of WOW is on applying, and embodying shamanism, and the wisdom wheel into your life. It is NOT a deep academic dive into Celtic mythology, history, culture or specific practices.
What You’ll Learn
WOW is an opportunity to glimpse into the world of spirit that typically eludes us. The wisdom wheel, and its teachings offer guidance as we traverse the year to explore the wonder of existence. The program is designed to help your forge a new path of self-discovery, personal growth and transformation. This unique hybrid blend of core shamanism, energy work, and Celtic spirituality covers:
✔ Deep understanding of the shamanic arts
✔ Confidence with drum journeying
✔ In-depth exploration of the Celtic wheel
✔ Holidays, gods, goddesses & the elements
✔ Reconnection to nature
✔ Principles of archetypes and alchemy
✔ Tracking energy the shamanic way
✔ Examining trauma and conditioning
✔ Soul loss, and emotional entanglements
✔ Connecting to timelines and destiny
Wisdom Wheel Value
PERSPECTIVE
Through weaving the Celtic stories and value system into the wheel, you’ll learn how to apply ancient shamanic principles into your world in a meaningful way that actually makes a difference. Some think the wheel is superficial, but in reality we live, interact, and consult the wheel continuously. The wheel becomes a trusted friend, that’s there to provide insight, and guidance each day.
PRACTICAL
After completing WOW, you’ll understand why the ancients were so resilient. We have a tendency to become embroiled in our current time in history with all its complexities and issues. The wisdom wheel is a tried-and-true device; one that’s time-honored throughout history. It helps create order out of chaos, and reorients you towards a balanced way of being. You’ll get a clear understanding of boundaries, sovereignty, and energy management from a shamanic point of view, and easily apply it to your personal circumstance.
COMPREHENSIVE
By incorporating concepts from other disciplines, and connecting all the dots for you, WOW lets you’ll walk away with a much broader understanding of the shamanic arts compared to other workshops, and in far less time. By completing WOW, you’ll quickly feel empowered enough to move deeper into your own healing, start your personal practices, or incorporate the material into your client modalities.
Program Details
May 17, 2025: 6-month cycle estimated to begin; final dates will be posted shortly.
The content is dense, so get ready to take lots of notes! You’ll receive a notebook with plenty of handouts too! All six modules constitutes @42 hours of class time driven by PowerPoint to maintain interest, and assist with note taking. The program consists of:
- Lectures
- Exercises
- Journeys
- Guided meditations
- Rituals
- Crafts
- Powerful healing ceremony
- Optional OTC herbal elixirs
As spiritual warriors, don’t we all know that in times of battle, a warrior could use a dependable ally at their side? Mother Nature to the rescue! Armed with the forces of nature, a warrior becomes energetically endowed with the magic of his/her plant spirit allies. WOW offers herbal plant spirit allies available for those who may want to energetically enhance their drum journeys (legal, herbal, OTC, non-psychoactive).
Program Structure
The full Way of the Warrior program is comprised of 6 modules, meeting 1 full Saturday per month, for six months. Classes range between 6.5 to 8 hours.
A Zoom option may be available in 2026, but would not include a closing ceremony, crafts, or the use of plant spirit allies.
The full Way of the Warrior program is comprised of 2 parts:
Module 1: Introduction to Shamanism
Modules 2-6: WOW Wisdom Wheel Modules, ceremony, and conclusion
Location/Setting: Way of the Warrior is ideally suited for serious students meeting in small groups of 4-8 in a relaxed, intimate, informal setting. The program is currently meeting in-person in the Cleveland area. Location details will be emailed to applicants.
Bonnie will consider traveling a reasonable distance to teach the class if you have a small group in your area. Email Bonnie to discuss options.
Program Requirements
Introduction to shamanism (or equivalent) is a prerequisite for taking Modules 2-6 of WOW. It is necessary to have a solid understanding of shamanism, and the ability to perform a proper drum journey. A drum is required for attendance.
Those with a solid shamanic background, and journey experience may have the Intro module waived. To see if you qualify, please mention your background in your application.

Module 1: Intro to Shamanism
This modules provides all the basics that any newcomer to shamanism would ever need. If you haven’t journeyed in a while, need a refresher, or want a more well-rounded foundation, the Intro is an excellent workshop to take, and is included in the full program.
The module is a full day of exploring:
- History of shamanism
- Intro to Celtic shamanism
- Who becomes a shaman & what they do
- How shamans heal
- Brain states, and the journey
- Map of the spirit world
- How to perform a drum journey
- Retrieve power animal, and helping spirit
- Medicine wheel basics
- Shamanic craft
“WOW helped me appreciate each direction of the wheel in a down to earth way. Bonnie created, and shared powerfully valuable wisdom, and delivered it from a place of passion, deep belief, and dedication to shamanism. I highly recommend this course—Life changing!”
~DOTTIE LAMOUREUX
Pilates Instructor
“Stepping onto the path of the Way of the Warrior has been nothing short of transformative. The lessons are timeless, the healing is profound, and the growth is immeasurable. Thank you, Bonnie!”
~SHAUNA LOUGH
Pricing & Payment Options
Way of the Warrior Full Program
6 modules including Intro to Shamanism:
$1290
Way of the Warrior w/ Intro waived
5 Medicine Wheel module only:
$1075
Introduction to Shamanism
Standalone workshop
$215
Companion pieces such as posters and mugs are sold separately during class.
Email Real Awakenings to inquire about deposits, payment options, referral discount, or methods of payment!
Refer-A-Friend

RECEIVE A $75 DISCOUNT!
To qualify:
Register for the full WOW program, and refer a friend who also registers for the full program!
—OR— If you’re an existing client, and refer a friend who registers for the full program, you may apply the discount for another service offered by Real Awakenings!
Note: Way of the Warrior is not designed to be a practitioner-level or teacher-training program. Existing practitioners are welcome, but how you apply the WOW tools to your practice is at your discretion. An advanced program for 2026, Pathway of Empowerment, may better be suited for those specifically learning to be practitioners.
Still Have Questions?
Email Bonnie to find out more about WOW, or sign up for the Free Online Introduction.
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