Roots of Seiðr and Spirit Voice
12-15 September 2024, Väddö, Sweden
This course is led by shamanic healer, Christiana Aro-Harle and is a unique opportunity to learn from a seasoned shamanic healer with a deep connection to the traditions of the Northern lands.
Photo by Phoebe Montague Warr
“For over sixty years I have had a singing voice. Thirty of those years has been exploring, researching, practising the craft of seiđr and shamanic singing. This experience I bring to our gathering with you who desire to deepen in the art, the craft of staff, song, spirits and nature.”
Seiđr and Spirit voice, the singing voice of spirits and Nature with words woven through the shamanic journey and staff is our place of origins for this intense in-practise workshop. For this course we will not be working with drums or rattles.
Our time together is with the ancient stories of Seiđr so that we can find our roots and inspiration for work in the present to serve community, family, relatives, Life and perhaps remember our self, when we were singing beings.
We explore the craft of communal and individual work with song and staff into the spirit lands of knowing.. The individual craft of spirit, song and staff is inspired from the communal Seiđr and returns to perhaps the Finnish runolaulu, the healing songs of Finland and Tuvan shaman’s algyshtaar, the Tuvan shaman’s healing songs.
Seiđr is a container for healing and service. It is to seek power, advice and knowledge and give it away. How do we open to song and Seiđr craft of Hjell, the High Seat, and the place of the Völva and the Seiđr-man?
Forming clear intention is part of the craft of Seiđr with possibilities of Sight, divination, liminal spaces of power, ecstasy, receiving and sending out power with the cooperation of our spirit helpers and Nature. How do we balance, knowing how to flow with these energies with integrity within the container of Seiđr and Staff?
Our time together is in Seiđr ceremony with Hjell and out on the land around the venue. Finding our voices, singing aloud with words as well as with power (väki, voima, kraft) as well as exploring the ways power can come through or be gathered and expressed in this craft is to deepen into our shamanic practices, into our ancestors and to be in service.
We hope to explore through practicing and sharing within our circle, supporting one another and learning more about the craft of Seiđr.
“Old furry back, old grumpy one
Old tongue and tooth the great hunger
Stood on all fours, stood on two
Hands and claws hands and paws
Reaching up reaching out reaching thru
Ready to cleave, ready to clean
Took the disease thru and thru”
Course Requirements
Solid foundation: Core-shamanic or similar journeying techniques and a solid connection to at least one of your power animals/spirit helpers is needed. Participants should possess a background in shamanic journeying, grounded in soul-flight, and be well-versed or at least experienced in traveling between lower, middle, and upper worlds with their spirit helpers.
Singing experience: No singing experience is required! The ability to sing in tune is not important, since anyone can sing. Humans are singing creatures.
Bring a Staff: Participants need to bring a staff for the course. Instructions on making one can be found here. If you only have a shorter staff (like a cane), please bring that too, but please make sure you also have a taller one.
“Sing the songs
Breathe your breath
Check the path
Sing the rest
Time to make your last days known
Time to gather all your stones
No more guilt no more sounds of
Not being able to stay your ground”
Expectations
Language: The course will be held in English. Some translation help will be offered by Emilia (Swedish and German) and Tia (Swedish).
Therapy: This workshop is for deepening into shamanic traditions and not a therapy course.
Runes and vikings: We work with the spirits of nature, our own spirit helpers, staff, song and intent. Old Norse world views, historical reenactment or runes are not part of this work.
Free from any substances: This is a drug-, plant medicine-, and alcohol free course.
Prepare with questions: Participants are encouraged to come prepared with questions.
Prepare for active participation: We will be engaged in lectures or exercises from early morning to late evening, with breaks provided for lunch and dinner.
Prepare for spending time outdoors: Make sure you bring suitable gear for varying weather conditions.
About Christiana
Christiana Aro-Harle has worked as a shamanic healer for over thirty years. Rooted in her initiation in Tuva, Siberia she is dedicated to shamanic healing and healing ceremonies in Finland, Estonia, UK and wherever she is called. As a registered Finnish Music Therapist and Breathwork Therapist, she brings a wealth of expertise. Some of Christiana's passions, among many others, lie in drum birthing, working with sacred songs and reintroducing the sacred sauna as a healing ceremony and initiation, as well as taking people out on the land. Years of leading groups as well as individuals has grounded her in supporting paths of spiritual growth and training shamanic healers. You can find more details about her here.
Photo by Phoebe Montague Warr
“Fire speaking Fire bright
Lit the way Lit the night to Bring
Healing bring for the bird song
Singing as one.
Not alone, not by yourself,
Keep nose up to the sky
Keep eyes on the Crown (Corona Borealis)”
Application
How to apply
Please fill out the form on this page.
Emilia or Tia will contact you as soon as possible. Once your approval has been confirmed, you will be provided with all the necessary details to finalize your application, including instructions on how to process the application fee.
Filling out the form is not a binding registration.
Refunds policy
The application fee of 2500 SEK is not refundable. Cancellations made before April 30th will be fully refunded. Cancellations made after May 1st will only be refunded upon presentation of a medical certificate.
Tickets are non-transferable.
Where: Stillpunkt on Väddö, one and a half hours north of Stockholm.
Dates: Thursday, September 12th, to Sunday, September 15th 2024
Times: The course will start at 10 am on Thursday and ends in the late afternoon on Sunday. Please arrive on Thursday morning at 8 am.
When and where?
Price: 8750 SEK (VAT included)
Application fee included in total price: 2500 SEK
The following is included:
Accommodation 3 nights.
Food: Lunch and dinner on Thursday, all meals on Friday and Saturday, breakfast and lunch on Sunday.
Equipment for indoor classes (seat cushions, yoga mats, blankets, etc.).
All classes with Christiana Thursday-Sunday.
Sheets and towels can be rented for 300 SEK.
Pricing
About the venue Stillpunkt
At Stillpunkt, time stands still - you can exhale and open your senses to everything around you. This space is dedicated to yoga, meditation, introspection, dance, and other meaningful, joyful, and vibrant activities.
Stillpunkt is a truly magical place situated on Väddö, one and a half hours north of Stockholm, quite remote and secluded, surrounded by the embrace of forest and sea. Here, you have the opportunity to walk in silent forests, warm up in our wood-fired sauna, take a dip in the sea, and much more. Stillpunkt is a healing space that brings tranquility and harmony to your being.
The venue offers singles rooms and shared accommodations in small cottages or a larger house. There are five single rooms, 2 double rooms and 2 triple rooms.The price is the same, first come first serve.
Immerse yourself in the serene atmosphere of Stillpunkt, where every detail is carefully designed to enhance your experience. Additionally, indulge in wholesome vegetarian meals.
Furthermore, Stillpunkt boasts a spacious room for group activities in the main house, offering a breathtaking view over the sea. See more pictures here.
Travels
You will receive travel information upon booking.
If you like, you will also gain access to a private Facebook group.
Tia and Emilia will assist in coordinating carpooling to and from Stockholm on Thursday and Sunday, allowing participants to avoid the hassle of catching buses or renting cars.