Back to Basics for the Equinox

Spring is underway, Daylight Savings Time is in full swing, and we’ll soon hear the sound of lawnmowers, and leaf blowers when folks prepare their yards for the season. Flowers will bloom, and gardens tended to. It’s such an uplifting time of year, and so nice to see things beginning to green. This time of year always reminds me of what the solstice really stands for: equality, balance, and renewal. This year, more than any, it seems like we all could take a moment of reflection about those three words. First, equality reminds us that like the 2 halves of the equinox, we humans are all equal underneath our superficial differences, and most of us want the same things out of life. So with all the division we’ve experienced in our country over the last 9 years, it’s nice to put that aside and see the things we have in common. This is the glue that used to hold us together during difficult times. Balance is part of recognizing equality. If equality is a fundamental principle, then striving for balance is a natural outgrowth of that. Balance is what keeps us from going off the deep end in extreme directions when we become polarized. It feels like many people are tired of the isolation that inequality and imbalance produces. It takes a lot of energy to sustain that, and plenty of us need our energy for other things. Last we have renewal. If we’re centered between polar opposites, or in essence, balanced, and have a sense that we’re all in this together, then we can enjoy the sense of renewal this time of year has to offer. Take a moment and ask yourself what part of your life needs refreshing. What needs to be refurbished or restored? Is it something in your dwelling, or something within your mind. Shamanically, these are classic questions to ask yourself: What things in your life just aren’t working for you anymore that either need to be eliminated, updated or replaced? Where do you need a fresh perspective? This is how we practice the wisdom wheel during spring. In many respects, the world is laden with the opposite of equality, balance, and renewal so it’s up to us to generate it for ourselves, and inspire others to do the same. I hope you can find ten minutes to contemplate how equality, balance, and renewal applies to your life.

Summer Session for Way of the Warrior: June, 2026!

Real Awakenings’ new flagship program, Way of the Warrior (WOW) is well underway, and the date for the third round has been changed to this June in the Cleveland, Ohio area. Built around Celtic spirituality, this new robust 45-50-hr. workshop is divided into 6 modules. Each session meets one full day per month, for six months, ranging from 7-12 hours each. The first module is a comprehensive Introduction to Shamanism, while the other 5 modules dive deep into Wisdom Wheel technology, and it’s relevancy to modern life.

Way of the Warrior includes lectures, a notebook full of handouts, crafts, drum journeys, and guided meditations. Mugs, and a poster are sold separately. WOW is specifically designed for newcomers to shamanism, where we start from square one with all the basics about shamanism, including how to journey.

Availability: June 16, 2026. See website for details, or email Bonnie to set up a Zoom interview/application. This one-on-one meeting gives us a chance to see if the program is a good fit on both ends.

Note: All courses are currently being taught in small intimate gatherings of 6 or less. An online version can be made available by request, and an on-demand website version is TBD, hopefully by 2027. If you have a small group that might be interested, I would consider traveling a reasonable distance to offer the class—email Bonnie to discuss! WOW is for personal development, and not a certification or practitioner-level program.

Besides WOW, shamanic services, and group ceremonies, other things are in the works:

• Possible Companion Workbook for the WOW program
• Mini Workshop in Dealing with Negative Energies
• Path of Empowerment – Advanced Celtic Shamanism & Working with Clients (2027)
• Mentorship program for individuals/practitioners