A Time to be Grateful

Let me start by sharing an eye-opening experience I had in October. I was finishing up teaching the last round of the WOW program, and my vision started to blur along with being slightly light headed. It took a while for the vision to restore, but after the class concluded I felt sick to my stomach after which I naturally thought it was food poisoning. I was instantly freezing, and all I wanted to do was sleep. This is totally not normal for me as I’m usually still pumped up for hours after teaching all day. So I got a pillow and blanket, and took a little nap while waiting for my husband to return. I had texted him the symptoms so he walked in the door, he suggested I get ready to go to the ER. Based on symptoms, they took us in right away, and I was immediately overwhelmed by various staff members asking questions, and testing my responses. My husband said we were there two hours, but I only remember the first few minutes, and when the doctor told me I had bleeding in my brain that might require brain surgery. I was shoved into an ambulance, and whisked away to the main campus of the hospital. I only remember one image when arriving there, and one memory of being wheeled down for testing. Testing revealed an erupted AVM which is an abnormality that only 1% of the population have. It’s where the arteries and veins get twirled up into a knot. It can erupt and bleed at any time, or not at all. The only way they’re typically discovered is after they erupt and they take an angiogram. The eruption is very serious. The brain doesn’t know what to do with blood, so a lot of functions shut down which is why I don’t remember much and was so sleepy. Damage can occur, a stroke can be caused, and some people, if they survive, can have deficits or paralysis—all depending on the AVM’s location. So I had emergency brain surgery with a lovely 8 inch scar to show for it! On the plus side, I ended up with the top neurosurgeon at this hospital, and suffered no damage at all.

So what is the moral of the story? You never know from one second to the next if something horrific is going to happen, or if you’ll survive it in tact. So many others don’t have a positive outcome. The idea of gratitude rushes to the forefront. It’s been 9 weeks post op, I feel wonderful, my energy is back, and I have yet another story to share. Recovery couldn’t happen at a better time of year where we all take the time to be grateful for what we have. To me, with this comes the responsibility to offer oneself to those who have less. So many people are struggling in a variety of ways. So this season, in any way you can, open your home, your heart and mind towards other people because we all could use it. Forgive the past and start anew, especially during the Solstice. A hug never hurt anyone either!

Way of the Warrior Starts Again in March 2026!

Real Awakenings’ new flagship program, Way of the Warrior (WOW) is well underway, and a third round will be offered next March—pushed back from the original date for January. 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: After its debut in Sept 2024, the third offering is scheduled for March 28, 2026. See website for details, or email me 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 me 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