Meet The Village Shaman at the Mind Key Winter Solstice Celebration 11/21/15

We are pleased to announce The Village Shaman as one of our vendors and healers at the Mind Key Winter Solstice Festival in West Milford, NJ this Saturday

 Today, Kieran of The Village Shaman shares The Village Shaman's philosophy and offerings:

"The whole is more than the sum of its parts".

                                                               ~ Aristotle

Holistic care addresses not only imbalances of the physical body, but encourages harmony within the entire being, body, mind and spirit. The Village Shaman believes that the best healing occurs within a partnership between client and practitioner, in which the client is educated and inspired to take an active part in sustaining their well-being in all aspects of life.  Through a variety of modalities, we offer an opportunity to rediscover health, peace and empowerment. By living our own Truth in integrity and joy, we who walk the shaman’s path hope to inspire others to do the same by reawakening their inner wisdom.

Traditionally, shamans have been the Wounded Healers of societies and cultures, enduring a symbolic—and sometimes literal—process of death and rebirth. Through this powerful journey they learn to heal themselves, often with the assistance of spirit guides and guardians, angels, buddhas or other spiritual beings, and having traveled this path of healing, are called to guide others to wholeness. The shaman walks between worlds, acting as healer, warrior, mystic, counselor and teacher as required.

Most of us are aware of the many changes taking place in our world today... socially, culturally, economically, spiritually, even climatologically. With compassion and insight, The Village Shaman hopes to assist people in adjusting to these changes as smoothly as possible.

The Village Shaman carries a variety of raw and polished crystals, geodes and healing tools, plus an eclectic assortment of jewelry. Prices range from $1 to over $100, with most merchandise ranging between $10 - $30. We also offer services by appointment including Tarot and Chakra Readings, Life Empowerment, Guided Meditation, Energy Balancing and Herbal Medicine.

At the Mind Key Festival, we will display a selection of our merchandise as well as offer readings (approximately 20 min) at a special discounted festival rate of $20. Stop by to view a fusion of natural beauty and creative inspiration, enjoy an Intuitive Card or Chakra Reading, or just say hello!

The Village Shaman offers:

Intuitive Card or Chakra Readings

Michka Grant

“Awaken Your Inner Light”

“My main goal is to help people.  Lead them back on the path that they've wandered away from.  Help them in their relationships.  Help them understand why they have the problems they do.  All of the information given to them is guided by and attributed to Spirit.  The work I do doesn't start with me.  I am only a vessel, not the source.”   
                
~ Michka, Brindle Light Wolf Spiritual Consulting

Michka Grant – Also known as ~White Raven~ is a unique Tarot Reader and Intuitive. He has a variety of decks from which clients can choose, and employs an approach which allows the cards to speak to the client directly through the words of the original authors. Michka’s technique allows for the “Wall of Privacy” to be maintained, as he is made aware only of what needs to be addressed during the reading. There are also are times when additional information comes through. Guided by Spirit, Michka shares his insights with a blend of humility and perception, to provide honest and often eye-opening readings.

Herbal Medicine     

 “Treat the person, not the disease.”
                                    David Winston, RH (AHG)

As holistic practitioners, our goal is to use the natural healing properties of herbs to nourish & support the body’s innate intelligence & gently guide the systems back into alignment, while providing encouragement to make lifestyle changes that address underlying issues.

Energy Balancing

Energy Balancing is a form of healing in which the energy system is rebalanced and replenished, promoting harmony among the body, mind, emotions and spirit.

A being’s energy system can be compared to the circulatory system. If there is a blockage in one of the blood vessels, if blood has been lost or the pressure is too high, a body won't function to the best of its ability.  Likewise, if one’s energy is depleted or stagnant, if there is a blockage or a leak, that being will not experience the fullness of their capacity.

And more!

The Village Shaman is proud to support businesses who display integrity, compassion, & Fair Trade practices. Check out our Likes on Facebook for local businesses you can trust!  Also, we have an Online Marketplace for those unable to attend the festival!

Stop by to see us at the Mind Key Festival on Saturday,  November 21st on Maple Road in West Milford, NJ.  Click here for more information, to sign up for our open mic and to learn about our vendors and free, family-friendly events throughout the day.

Learn more about others at the festival:
About the festival
The Village Shaman 
Living your most radiant life
Muses with Scissors creativity for all
Essential oils and goddess energy

Battling the darkness as a spiritual warrior

In this time of great change, indigo children are the souls born to pave pathways through the darkness for future generations.  They are considered the spiritual warriors of our time.

Indigo children, so called because of the predominant indigo color in their aura, often undergo periods of great turmoil and personal stigma, and must accept and embrace the shadow side of themselves in order to transform the the world into light. 



Ara MacDonald explains the astrological implications of being an indigo child, and what it means to be a spiritual warrior.



"Spiritual warriors encounter the urge to fight, but the spiritual side asks if it’s a battle worth fighting… having a battle with self to discover the answer," Ara said. 



The indigo children are born with an aspect of Scorpio somewhere in their chart. Scorpio energy initiates the death of the ego, Ara said, particularly accepting and integrating the dark side of nature into the whole being.



"The true warrior energy is about protection of creatures, people and beings that can’t protect themselves, and it’s about defense rather than attack."





Indigo children, predominately those born within the years 1983-1995, have a double dose of this Scorpio warrior energy, Ara said. They were born under another warrior sign, Pluto, which rules the sign Scorpio. The planet Pluto represents transformation and transmutation of selfish desires into proper use of power.




"Western culture has a warped view of what a warrior is," Ara said.  "They’re looking at the warrior energy the wrong way and they want to shun it.  That’s part of the initiation of being a spiritual warrior, to be attacked, traumatized, beaten down.  Not having support.  That’s how they become spiritual warriors."



Historically, a warrior—both the physical and spiritual variety, such as shamans—were ceremoniously initiated. Sometimes this took the form of a spirit quest, being bitten by a poisonous snake, or taking plant medicine.  In our generation and culture, Ara said life does much of the initiation for us.

Being labeled as ADD, being misunderstood, having intense childhood experiences, being labeled troublemakers or rebels are all examples of warrior initiations of our time, particularly those directly related to the spiritual awareness of an indigo child. Depending on how "well aspected" Pluto is can determine the intensity of the initiation

."

A lot of people have had a hard time understanding that energy, so they don’t want to delve into it, but you must acknowledge and accept them, and integrate [that energy] into our beings so we can be fully understanding and accepting of who they are."


If this first stage of initiation can be considered the "death of ego," then Ara said the next stage is self-training. For the spiritual warrior this often happens like the first stage—internally, and alone.




"It doesn’t matter how it happens, as long as you are going through your spiritual truth," Ara said.  "It’s battle with self, it never ends.  The point is to keep on training and… it gets easier. Once you accept your power, working with it and transforming it, then that feeling of being alone starts to vanish and you meet other warriors."

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Ara has been studying astrology for the past 20 years, and has been teaching others in the art for the past seven. She also reads tea leaves, tarot cards, palms and charts. She can conduct a phone reading in tarot or astrology. 



Ara is preparing to write her first book on the energy generations, including the indigo children.



Contact Ara at fortuneteller69@yahoo.com or visit her on Facebook to receive a reading or learn more about taking one of her astrology classes in the Crestone area of Colorado.

To learn more about the Indigo Children and other astrological archetypes, listen to Ara's radio session on "Thinking Outside the Box" or check back soon for more blogs on the topic.

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Click here for a look at Mind Key's new Anthology featuring Darkness and Light!!

Nuances of Shamanism - what shamanic healing means to me

Vera at a Raven Reiki Drum Circle

I felt the horse I loved so much was “off”.  I contacted the vet who examined him, watched him move and told me I was crazy but agreed to take an x-ray anyway – mostly to shut me up.   I received a distraught message from him several days later saying my beloved mount had “rotation” of 17 degrees in the navicular bone in both front feet.  That’s a really awful thing for a horse, a painful, crippling condition.  He should have been lying down or limping painfully.  What I didn’t tell him was that for months before as soon as I felt he was starting to go "off", I would take his hoof in my hands and hold it and hope beyond hope that the pain I felt he was experiencing would be healed or in the very least he would not hurt anymore.

That’s the first time I remember being successful changing things with intent.  I guess I may have done it before, but this is the first time I remember.  Healing was something I wanted to learn more about and be good at, if I possibly could.  Working as a lawyer put that on a back burner but, upon retirement, I went for it.  Shamanism resonated with me and I started to study.

Most shamanic practitioners don't go around healing horses in a barn. Shamanism is an ancient mode of spiritual healing that is present in cultures all around the world. Traditionally Shamanic practice is passed along in families, but for others, like me, it is formalized in training sessions. Shamans don't heal someone without permission; they respect privacy and make no promises about outcomes. They can't, because, in their view, it's the spirits that do the healing. In my own practice I tell clients this is not my work, but rather Spirit working through me. My goal is always to be a clear and open channel for God’s healing, wisdom, and love to flow through me for the healing of the client.

Drumming is an important part of this healing.  The drumming induces a trancelike state during which time shamans can journey to other worlds. The closest you may have come to this is through your dreams, which shamans believe are full of information from the spirits. If all sounds a little far-fetched, a little “cray cray”, that’s was I thought too. Trained as a lawyer, I asked myself if I was making this up, but the experiences were powerful, and when I started doing shamanic healing and seeing little miracles happen, there was no way it wasn't happening.

My concurrent journey in paranormal research made it easy for me to recognize there are other realities that can be called upon to help heal people. That power comes from a "whole" soul and the protection of compassionate spirits and power animals, which create a spiritual force field around us.

Raven Reiki has drum circles about once a month during which times healings are visualized for all those who desire them.  Mostly though we get together to experience the positive effects of group drumming and chanting.  All are welcome.  www.mindkey.me/drumcircles

Shamanism for Dummies

While the vast majority of members and subscribers of Mind Key, the concept of Shamans and Shamanism may be very familiar, there are those of us out here who are clueless.  So, I decided to do a little research.

According to Wikipedia…

          Shamanism:  A practice that involves a practitioner reaching altered states

of consciousness in order to perceive and interact with a spirit world and channel

these transcendental energies into this world.  A shaman is a person regarded as

having access to, and influence in, the world of benevolent and malevolent

spirits, who typically enters into a trance state during a ritual and practices

divination and healing.

Ecuadorian Shaman

Now, when I think of a shaman, the first image that comes to my head is an old, Native American man, grizzled and peaceful, sitting cross-legged next to a fire and encouraging people to go on a mental journey with peyote in his peace pipe to find their own answers in the smoke.  Interestingly enough, when you look up images of Shaman, that’s what comes up first, so I guess I’ve been spoon-fed the concept by the media.

Instead of the origin being with Native American people, the concept of Shamanism actually began in the Upper Paleolithic Era (30,000 years BC) in what is now the Czech Republic.  The Evenk word "shaman" would more accurately be translated as "priest" and was used in the indigenous regions of Siberia and neighboring parts of Asia.

The Way of the Shaman by Michael Harner

Shamans by many names are known to practice and guide all over the world.  There are hundreds if not thousands of regional variations.  Among the Hmong people of ancient and modern day China, respectful animal sacrifice is a large piece of the healing process, exchanging the animal spirit for the spirit of the sick person.  In Scandinavian Shamanic practices, the De Kloka (Wise Ones) acted as naturopathic doctors and midwives as well as using “magic rhymes or songs” to heal the sick in their community.

Contemporary Western Shamanism centers on the teachings of Michael Harner and the use of ritual drumming and dance and has been criticized as a “watered down” form of ancient practices.  While the practice may seem “less”, it can be very powerful in the lives of all people who choose to follow the path and learn the teachings.

For more informational "for Dummies" blogs and blogs about lame, normal life experiences, go to www.charladury.com and learn along with me!

Trinity Summer Fest 2015: North Jersey's Premier Metaphysical & Paranormal Festival

Hosted by the Trinity Metaphysical Center of Hamburg, NJ, North Jersey’s Premier Metaphysical and Paranormal Festival will feature live bands, entertainment, food, as well as practitioners and vendors.  Those who are on a journey to personal growth and seek inner strength and insight through the metaphysical will be enlightened by the many presentations and services.  Coming together from throughout the country, practitioners will provide services in psychic readings, energy healing, reflexology, massage therapy, yoga, henna art and so much more! 

Danielle Rose, an elemental healer and life-long medium of the faerie realm, shares, “I am excited to be offering readings and mini-healings at Summer Fest I’m also offering discounts on all future readings and healings booked this weekend!”  Additionally, she will sell hand made wings and other beautiful items at the Mind Key booth.  Danielle’s work is featured in The Mind Key Project: An Anthology, which will be available to take home this weekend. 

Joining her at the Mind Key Booth is Tara Lesko.  As an avid writer and artist, Tara says, “ I am excited to introduce my new art party business called Muses with Scissors.  Since this service is in-home and includes mixed media, collage, and poetry, Muses is a different take on the art party phenomena that has taken the country by storm.” Tara will provide free material for guests to use at the booth table.  Guests will have a chance to get crafty and even receive a free gift if they book their own party.  

Also at the Mind Key Booth are Carol Douglas, Kely Luzio-Cardona and Kathleen Santora.   Carol is an artist who teaches workshops in polymer and metal clay.  Kely is an artist and photographer with a whimsical touch.  Her creations include chocolate lollipops, party favors, and photographs.  Kathleen is a spiritual healer, trance healer and medium.  She’s also the author of Thoughts To Awaken The Spirit, a book of prayers to help open our mind and spirit.

Fantasy artist Dana Bree will offer power animal themed jewelry with loving and healing intentions.  Made from hand carved buffalo bone, quarts, beads, moldavite and other stones. Find large dragon and owl kites at her table, as well as Essentially Coconut, a body cream made from organic 100% virgin coconut oil and grapefruit essential oil designed to soften skin and aid in the elimination of cellulite.

Those seeking wisdom can visit the Raven Reiki Booth.  There, Vera Ann Remes, a Shamanic practitioner, Reiki and H3 Energy Healer will be utilizing new skills from her recent trip to the Michael Harner Shamanic Counseling Workshop.  Her card reading sessions incorporate essential oils, crystals and psychic intuition.  Also using Usui Reiki as a foundation, Reiki Ruth will assist those seeking energy healing by incorporating crystals, essential oils, angels, earth energy and Shamanic drumming.

Last but not least, Jane Doherty, world-renowned psychic medium, paranormal investigator and TV celebrity, will be available for readings. For more information visit her website http://www.janedoherty.com/. 

The creativity and positive energy surrounding this festival will enhance the lives of those guests looking for inner strength and healing.