March 2013. Looking back thru the archives of this site, it is revealed that shamanacircle.com began two years ago this month. ISA has had a website since 2000 (www.shamanworld.com) but for a period of time we were unable to update it (before we moved to wordpress). In order to keep moving forward, Quynn decided to create shamanacircle.com and wait until a tech angel came to help update and change the old site of Shaman World. This has now magically occurred. Our tech angel came in the form of Re Carlson of abtek.ca media.
Shamanworld.com is now updated, recreated and alive and well once more! It is bigger and better! Ready for action! So…now it is time for some spring combining. ISA will be migrating the content from this site to shamanworld.com for one easy-to-find megasite for ISA’s Spirit Guided Shamanic Community. By summer this will be complete. Stay tuned!!!
While reading past posts, many wonderful events are remembered, and some awesome quotes and photos are seen once again. Here are some by, and of, community members past and present. Enjoy! If you have yet to attend an ISA event, you are welcome to do so! Find out more about our events at http://www.meetup.com/tucson-institute-for-the-shamanic-arts/
ISA has given me a community of brothers and sisters on the path and safe place to explore all that my inner and outer worlds have to offer. It’s given a way to connect to the earth no matter where I am.
ISA is a true community…an open, kind welcoming and strong force for personal and global change.
I can feel the pulse of community when we rhythm together. This will heal us and our world. Thank you for our blessings.
These are beautiful people and they took me to a beautiful place. For that I thank them.
I feel relief from the lonely feeling… it is a relief, not being the only person who hears voices or sees spirits….I am able to bare my soul without fear of ridicule.
ISA has helped me connect with the most awesome group of people. There are so many with so much to share, and they are here to share with all their hearts, as am I.
The Institute of Shamanic Arts has given me an amazing sense of community. I have met so many wonderful people with whom I share common interests. This is a safe haven for those of us who have felt “different” from common society, you will not be judged or labeled “weird” here. Nothing but open arms and loving hearts.
Nature Walk
Stacking Stones for Ceremony
making Rainbow Wands
Shamanic Performance
Rainbow Labyrinth Walk
Holy Bitch! Remaking Barbie
Drumming after Peace Fair
Thanks to all who joined us for our last night in the Healing Cave!
Feb. 16, 11:00 a.m.-Stone Guided Soul Retrieval and Activation– That little empty spot you feel…? The stones want to assist you in retrieving just the right soul piece to fill it up. Oh, and they do this in such a loving way. They love you. Hosted by Quynn Red Mountain
Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m.-Magnetizing Love, Abundance, and Joy with Crystals– Think about it, the title of this workshop lists off what we all want. Love…..Abundance…..Joy…..all there waiting for you and lots of crystal helpers would be thrilled to help you magnetize these in your life. Hosted by Elisabeth Black and Alyson Greene.
PLUS! On Sundays February 3, 10 and 17 at 10am, Quynn hosts a weekly Shamanic Journeying Circle.
We drum for you twice. Always fascinating. Never the same. Open to all.
Door closes 15 minutes after start time. Parking is available in the lot on the northwest corner of Stone and Toole.
These circles are open to people with all levels of spiritual and shamanic experience. Find out more at any of the listings at ISA’s meetup group calendar.
Tucson folks have been anticipating the arrival of the Tucson 2013 Gem and Mineral Show. On Jan. 28 the Institute for the Shamanic Arts officially welcomed all of the Stone and Crystal Elders to our lovely city.
As shamanic folks many of us look forward to feeling the loving energies of the Stones surrounding us for the Show. It is also an opportunity to find new connections to work with.
We honor and respect our Stone Friends. With this in mind, the Institute for the Shamanic Arts will continue to offer stone themed workshops all during the month of Feb. We hope to see you at one of the workshops!
Feb. 3, 2:00 p.m. Sacred Nature Journey #1:Desert Earth and Stones–How many times have you been driving along and the desert hums to you? Not nearly enough. Take a little walk out into the desert and ground, center, and refresh yourself. Be right in among the stones and earth. Hosted by Alyson Greene.
Feb. 9, 11:00 a.m.-Heart of the Crystal–Journey inward to your heart with singing, (no singing experience necessary and led by Medicine Singer, Phillip Cash Cash) meditative stone stacking, and making a healing crystal grid.
Feb. 16, 11:00 a.m.-Stone Guided Soul Retrieval and Activation– That little empty spot you feel…? The stones want to assist you in retrieving just the right soul piece to fill it up. Oh, and they do this in such a loving way. They love you. Hosted by Quynn Red Mountain
Feb. 17, 6:30 p.m.-Magnetizing Love, Abundance, and Joy with Crystals– Think about it, the title of this workshop lists off what we all want. Love…..Abundance…..Joy…..all there waiting for you and lots of crystal helpers would be thrilled to help you magnetize these in your life. Hosted by Elisabeth Black and Alyson Greene.
PLUS! On Sundays February 3, 10 and 17 at 10am, Quynn hosts a weekly Shamanic Journeying Circle.
We drum for you twice. Always fascinating. Never the same. Open to all.
Door closes 15 minutes after start time. Parking is available in the lot on the northwest corner of Stone and Toole.
These circles are open to people with all levels of spiritual and shamanic experience. Find out more at any of the listings at ISA’s meetup group calendar.
Recently ISA Practitioners gathered to journey and reflect on how ISA is growing and evolving.
We began by lighting candles that represented each practitioner and the light we carry with us in all of our work. Then Celia Blackwood called in all the directions and asked that our spirit guides be present. This is really important because all ISA work, events, circles, journeys, labyrinths, etc. are spirit guided.
Next, we tuned into what messages our spirit guides wanted us to share. Each of us received meaningful information from our journeys that we imparted to others in our group.
In the picture to the left you can see a big octopus. It represents ISA and the different branches of ISA. All around the octopus is an ocean and that is like Earth Web Media-the umbrella for ISA.
We exchanged positive thoughts regarding ISA and then finally we closed with a beautiful blessing offered by Alyson Greene.
Each of us took time to reflect and write a thought about ISA down.
Here are our offerings:
Alyson Greene: Hummingbird magic journey of delight. Room filled with energy of Hummingbird (joy, love, beauty, quick flight, far journeys between the worlds). Everyone (all of us) had profound Hummingbird experiences in our journeys. One theme that came through was being courageous, shedding what is not needed, and the steady loving presence that arises when the busyness is set aside.
Celia Blackwood: Being involved with ISA has been a deeply enriching experience on a personal and community level. ISA has helped me discover and develop my own abilities and connections with my helping spirits as well as my own highest self. My confidence in the tools and techniques of shamanic practice has grown and continues to be nurtured. I am so grateful to offer circles and teachings to others because I know how transformative this shamanic experience can be.
Darcey Blue: The Idea! Yay! series helped me to define, clarify and enhance my professional image and presentation-with spirit guidance.
Plant Journey Walks that are magical and deeply move people to connect with nature in a meaningful way and put them beyond their usual comfort zone helping them to grow and feel the joy and magic of the world.
Plant Journey Circles help people of all skill experience levels to trust their intuition, the shamanic process, and their ability to communicate and understand nature and its messages and gifts.
Quynn Elizabeth Red Mountain: I am very happy to say that our recent shamanic performance came together perfectly. I am grateful that each performer was brave and listened to their guides about what she was to present. Each segment shared an aspect of the shamanic path as experienced by the performer. I don’t know if the whole audience “got it” but I know our spirit guides “got us”. Thanks to all who attended.
I am grateful to be back to offering personal sessions for people. I took a break over the summer and then while I drummed for participants in a workshop in September, I was given a clear “go ahead” from my guides to offer shamanic journey sessions. I am thrilled to be of service in this way once more.
Elisabeth Black: My positive note is that ISA is having a greater outreach to younger people. Children have started attending circles and labyrinths with their parents. Sensorium for Kids is having a growing outreach. We are striving to meet the needs of children and their parents.
ISA has a strong foundation of beliefs and practitioners that understand and live these practices. They are models for healthy, vibrant, light filled, shamanic mindfulness.
Thank you to our ISA practitioners for bringing us all of the wonderful workshops and circles!
If you are interested in becoming an ISA practitioner, your first step is taking the Healing Practitioner series offered by Quynn each season. The first meeting for this takes place on Saturday, November 3. You can find out more information about it on our meetup page at:
Recently, ISA (Institute for the Shamanic Arts) gathered on a magical and glittering golden day to welcome in Autumn.
Duck Anticipation
Rubber duckies were lined up (some kept falling over but they tried their best) awaiting divination. On the bottom of each duck, Quynn Red Mountain had written meaningful words. Participants had the thrill of choosing a duck and finding out what word was just right for them.
Rainbow Wand Making
People gathered round with Elisabeth Black and used their creativity to make rainbow wands.
Alyson Greene storytelling
Then we were treated to spectacular storytelling about the colors of the rainbow by Alyson Greene.
Finally, as the sun began to set we got to walk a rainbow labyrinth made by our official labyrinth maker Jacob Gardener. The setting sun glimmered and glowed and rainbow colors and blessings followed each of us as we wove through the gentle turns of the labyrinth.
As shadows lengthened across the saguaros and sunlit clouds gathered above us, six journeyers hiked into Sabino canyon. Herbalist and plant whisperer Darcey Blue led the way. As we traversed a rocky, narrow trail above mature cottonwood trees and willows, we could see and hear the water flowing below. Our recent monsoon rains have brought out perky new growth on shrubs and trees, and everything smelled fresh and lovely. Even the rocky outcroppings seemed to be a more vibrant shade of desert pink.
As we walked, we discussed the deliciousness of freshly-plucked prickly pear trail snacks. Then, as we rounded a bend in the trail, we spotted a prickly pear fruit loose on the path. Darcey quickly (and valiantly) rolled the fruit on the ground to remove its spines and then skinned it for us. Happily, we each tasted a bit of the succulent red fruit. Smiling, we continued along our way.
At our lovely gathering place nestled in the canyon, with the sounds of flowing water and rustling cottonwood leaves, and with flying clouds all around us, Darcey invited us to imbibe the scent of the intoxicating Desert Lavender (Hyptis emoryi), which is also amusingly known as “hippopotamus lavender” to a few of us. After several dreamy “oohs” and “ahhs” were uttered, our group gathered in a heart-shaped “circle” and began a special heart meditation. We were invited to connect with the plants by way of our deepest heart knowing, rather than with our thinking minds. We felt very peaceful, and then Darcey instructed us to each choose a plant and to settle in with it for a shamanic journey.
Our group dispersed, some people sitting with trees or herbaceous plants next to the water, others with mesquite or willow. As dusk floated into the canyon on pink clouds, the brilliant red and orange hues of the river rocks intensified. Even the water began to glow. Cottonwood leaves turned a deep green, seemingly lit from their own source of light. As Darcey began to drum, the cicadas immediately began a lively concert. It was a symphony of summer night sounds—the insects, leaves, water, hawk, sky! Darcey drummed and drummed, and the journeyers traveled with the spirits of their chosen plants. When we gathered back in our heart-shaped “circle” to share our experiences, we heard that vivid messages and imagery had been received. Also, Snake and Hummingbird had visited two of us.
Darcey drummed for us a second time, and this time Nature loudly called out to us! Soon after the drumming began, the winds suddenly raised a wild ruckus of cottonwood leaves, and then Hawk let out a sharp greeting across the sky! During this second journey, the plants themselves made strong requests of at least two of the journeyers. Later, while hiking out, we were a merry little group walking through the night. The temperature was perfect, and the breeze so lovely. After we arrived back down at the trailhead, a few little drops of rain (and three frogs!) blessed our evening, and we all said good night to each other.
In the coming weeks, Darcey Blue and others with the Institute for the Shamanic Arts will be offering more shamanic events in nature. You are invited.
–By Alyson Greene
Darcey and Alyson both offer circles through our meetup group. To find out more information please see:
Every February, Tucson hosts The Tucson Gem and Mineral Show.
About 50,000 visitors flock to Tucson to barter, collect priceless crystals, buy stock for their own enterprises, purchase delights, and exhibit gems and minerals from all over the world.
We are surrounded by the high vibrational energies of thousands upon thousands of crystals.
These are crystal beings that are ready and willing to guide us in raising our consciousness, sending and receiving magical messages, contacting extraterrestrial intelligence, and transmitting love, peace, balance, understanding, protection, and self-empowerment.
The year 2012 resonates with each of us in a unique and visionary way.
The Institute of Shamanic Arts (I.S.A.) recognizes our star connections with all benevolent beings and extends to you the opportunity to receive messages being offered from other realms.
We employ the use of the drum beat to journey within and we work closely with guides (including crystal beings) to expand our understanding and experience non-ordinary reality.
I.S.A. and its talented facilitators will have many special community offerings for the month of February and throughout the year so that we can all interact with the guidance and connections that unfold this year.
For more information about our offerings please see our Meet-up site at:
On Thursday, Dec. 22, we celebrated Winter Solstice.
45 light beings joined us in this spectacular celebration.
Together we celebrated by infusing each of our 7 chakras with light.
We called in the Spirits of Light to be present. We were thankful for “light” and felt much love.
This celebration used a combination of traditional celebration with chanting, meditation, journeying, rhythm of all sorts (bells, rattles, drums, etc.) and the new techno aspect of video and shadow play.
It was lovely to see how the senses were activated and how each person received just the right “light” message.
Thank you to all of our wonderful facilitators-Shannon, Don, Lance, Kym, Alyson, Ian, Elisabeth, Patricia, Dee, Quynn, Jacob, and Phil.
Thank you to Quynn and Jacob for making this celebration possible and for the prepping and detail work.
Thank you to Wilson for the use of the space.
Thank you to Kati for her beautiful imagery video.
Thank you to all that participated and were present during our celebration.
Thank you to all spirits, light beings, and star people that were present.
Here’s to a year full of much love and light. So say we all!
On Saturday, November 26, the Institute for the Shamanic Arts presented Cracking Open-A Shamanic Evocation.
Performance members spent the day preparing the space by setting things up, clearing the space with ritual, smudging, bringing in love and light, communing with our spirit guides, sharing camaraderie, and really invoking our intentions for the the night.
There were many well thought out goals for this performance. To revisit some of them, they were:
1. In a shamanic style, we will act as hollow bones to evoke messages of “cracking open” (creation anew through the power of memory or imagination).
2. We will personally bring forth a part/parts of ourselves that are ready to be manifested.
3. We will be a welcoming group to benevolent star beings. (This was amended to include all benevolent beings).
The performance was magical, moving and beautiful.
The audience left their “audience” status at the doorway and were like tribal members participating in the flow of energy, love, and belief.
Pieces flowed and morphed into what was needed. Even the train cooperated by arriving at just the most opportune time and then as it moved on it cleared the space for whatever was next.
There was a full house and no empty chairs with 50 people present. People even traveled from Phoenix to witness and be part of this wonderful event.
Comments were received after the performance that it was exciting, riveting, entrancing, and that we are onto something good.
Considering the feedback, and the way the cast and crew felt after the performance, we feel that we met and exceeded our goals!
Many talked of how they did personally “crack open” and about how excited they are from the process (even today, the day after.
Please know that if you didn’t get the chance to make it to Cracking Open, I.S.A. plans many future performances and you are welcome to be a part of them in whatever way you are called!
Remember, you are LOVED! And you are also very welcome to join this tribe.
Friends and supporters of ISA gathered at 7,800 feet up Mt. Lemmon for an overnight Full Moon campout. It was fun, filled with shamanic ideas, and darn cold! A cold snap moved in, so we desert dwellers went from 95 degrees to 25 degrees. Snow flakes even fell, for a minute or two.
We told stories of Free Spirits, welcomed far away travelers, and drummed around our warming fire. We prepared for future gatherings, raised money for ISA expenses, and had an opportunity to test our ‘cold weather’ gear.
Thanks to all who visited our mountain site, and to all who couldn’t make it this time…we look forward to the next outing, at a much lower elevation!
~Web of Life Church~ 