WALKERS BETWEEN WORLDS SHAMANIC PROGRAMME
Shamanic Training for 2024-25
TEACHING SHAMANISM IN THE ANCESTRAL TRADITIONS OF THE SISTER ISLANDS
‘What has preserved tradition? The joint memory of two seniors, the tradition from one ear to another, the composition of poets, the addition from the law of the letter, strength from the law of nature; for these are the three rocks by which the judgements of the world are supported.' – Senchus Mór
John and I have been teaching the Walkers Between Worlds Programme for 34 years now, working with the traditions of the Sister Islands of Britain and Ireland. Our courses are progressive, leading from entry level to professional level, with oversight, monthly support, and supervision for those who are practising in their community. Our aim is to help students learn in a safe and kindly way, with support to find spiritual allies, and walk a prayerful path that keeps them balanced as they study. All our courses are in person, we work with smaller groups.
While we do not take apprentices, we do expect commitment to the path, which is why our courses are to be taken in order of sequence, rather than taught within a fixed period, like many others. This is a longer road that will take a few years, allowing for the vagaries of life happening. To view our curriculum, go to: http://www.hallowquest.org.uk/resources/curriculumtraining.pdf
For those who would like to see me speaking about this tradition, then here is a podcast interview with me by Liane of Waking the Wild, where I am talking about the traditions of the Sister Islands of Britain and Ireland. https://www.bemythical.com/podcast/439
FOUNDATION COURSES IN CELTIC & ANCESTRAL SHAMANISM: LEVEL A TRAINING - OPEN TO ALL.
This course begins the Level A training. Completion of the Foundation Course – which must be taken at one location. enables students to proceed to the next level of the Walkers Between Worlds Shamanic Training Programme with Caitlín Matthews and other teachers. Each part of the two-part Foundation Course must be taken to go onwards:
Part One, THE TREE OF TRADITION: Walking Between Worlds, concentrates on acquiring journey skills, learning the basics in a supportive and friendly environment.
Part Two, SACRED COMPANIONS Deepening Our Spiritual Connection with Allies, which builds upon the relationship with our spirits, and helps balance our shamanizing. We explore the basic healing skills & deepen our journeying.
This coming year, we are offering Foundation Courses in three locations:
2-3 November 2024 and 15-16 February 2025. WALKERS BETWEEN THE WORLDS 1st South Coast Foundation Course in Celtic & Ancestral Shamanism with Tish Marrable & Jonathon Huet. This course teaches students to journey, heal, quest and arbitrate along the ancient paths of wisdom, gathering spirit allies. We ground in the ancient mysteries of our native shamanic tradition, gathering as a clan of the sacred earth. Held at the Sustainability Centre is East Meon, Hampshire. Take both weekends to qualify for Level B courses. Total fee £480 (£240 for each weekend). Food is £30 per weekend extra, including a substantial lunch, tea, coffee and biscuits throughout the day. Or for those who wish to self- cater, £8 per weekend for tea, coffee and biscuits. While this is a non-residential course, accommodation is available at the centre and locally, please contact Tish for further details. £150 deposit can be paid by cheque, made out to L. F. Marrable and sent to 16 Ravenswood Drive, Brighton BN2 6WN. Email Tish at ravenswoodshamanics@gmail.com for further details or to pay by bank transfer.
15-16 March and 13-14 Sept 2025 WALKERS BETWEEN THE WORLDS 35rd Oxford Foundation Course in Celtic & Ancestral Shamanism with John Matthews and Wil Kinghan. This course teaches students to journey, heal, quest and arbitrate along the ancient paths of wisdom, gathering spirit allies. We ground in the ancient mysteries of our native shamanic tradition, gathering as a clan of the sacred earth. Held in North Moreton, Oxon. Take both weekends to qualify for Level B courses. Total fee £530. (£265 for each weekend). Food is £40 per weekend extra, including a substantial, varied lunch, with tea, cake and biscuits. Or, for those bringing their own lunch, £10 for teas and cake per weekend. Send a deposit of £150 payable to ‘John Matthews’ to Jane May, Briarwood, Long Wittenham, Oxon OX14 4QW (01865 407680.) Held in North Moreton, Oxon. Contact Jane May for bank transfers or course details: janedmay@btinternet.com PLEASE NOTE THAT PLACES ARE LIMITED TO 12 students only.
14-16 March 2025 and 19-21 Sept 2025. WALKERS BETWEEN THE WORLDS 2nd Irish Foundation Course in Celtic & Ancestral Shamanism with Margot Harrison, and Kait Curtis. This two- part course teaches students to journey, heal, quest and arbitrate along the ancient paths of wisdom, gathering spirit allies. We ground in the ancient mysteries of our native shamanic tradition, gathering as a clan of the sacred earth. Held at Danu Lodge in Co. Wexford, Ireland. http://www.danulodge.com/ Fees: Residential sharing is 480 Euros, non-residential 340 Euros, including vegetarian and gluten-free options. Booking: Non-returnable deposit of 150 Euros to Kate Curtis kaitcurtis@icloud.com Phone +353 (0) 872325383.
INTERMEDIATE LEVEL SHAMANIC PRACTITIONER TRAINING: LEVEL B
For those who’ve completed the Foundation Course. Please take Thresholds of Power First and then Midwifing the Soul: as these as the two hands of healing Courses marked * are £20 cheaper to those who subscribe to FíOS – see details below.
*6-9 April 2025 (Note: Sunday-Wednesday) THRESHOLDS OF POWER & HEALING with Caitlín & Margot Harrison at Little Earth, Earthspirit, Compton Dundon Somerset. This course teaches a full range of shamanic healing ways including plant-spirit healing, extraction of intrusions, embodiment of personal allies and includes the shamanic ceremony of The Mare Mother's Dream-Dance. This course is an essential next component for shamanic practitioner training. Held at EarthSpirit’s Little Earth centre, Dundon, Somerset. Cordwood suite: £717 Ensuite: £652, Standard: £607 Camping: £573, Non Res £501 Single supplement £45 Dietary Supplement £35. BOOKING: Non-returnable deposit of £190 to Jane May, Briarwood, Long Wittenham, Oxon OX14 4QW (01865 407680) janedmay@btinternet.com
*9-12 September 2024 MIDWIFING the SOUL (Monday-Thursday) with Caitlín Matthews & Dr. Angela Cotter This residential course teaches the essential skills of shamanic soul healing, exploring the nature of the soul, soul-loss, soul retrieval, and how intrusions are removed for soul to return. We also explore how healing can be brought by the Reconsecration Ritual. Only for those who completed Thresholds of Power:we do not accept students trained elsewhere on this course. Held at EarthSpirit’s Little Earth centre, Dundon, Somerset. Cordwood suite: £510 Ensuite: £482, Standard: £456 Camping: £432, Non Res £386 Single supplement £35 Dietary Supplement £35. Non-returnable deposit of £175 to Jane May, Briarwood, Long Wittenham, Oxon OX14 4QW (01865 407680) janedmay@btinternet.com
ADVANCED LEVEL SHAMANIC PRACTITIONER TRAINING: LEVEL C for those who’ve completed Intermediate Level B.
Note: The Advanced Level courses run over a 3-4 year cycle and are not all available every year. When sufficient students stay to activate it, we open up Level D courses every five years or so, which will happen next year. The nature of this training takes into account that people need to stop or assimilate teachings for a while between courses. Work your way through the levels in order, in real, rather than in serial time. We do not take apprentices, but we do expect consistency in and dedication to the work.
*4-7 July 2024 TENDING THE HEARTH: HOUSE CLEARING IN THE CELTIC TRADITION Led by Cáit Branigan and Caitlín Matthews.
The tradition of house-clearing in Ireland and Britain is ancient and still holds a strong place in the spiritual traditions of those lands We will explore the core elements of house-clearing, focusing on work with ley/dragon lines and underground streams; clearing of negative/blocked energies; communication with spirits and the 'hauntings' and the blessing of the home. Learn how to apply these skills from an experienced bean feasa who clears houses professionally. This course is for those who can journey fluently: not suitable for beginners. Participants require a strong access to inner guidance as experienced through, for example, journeying, spiritualism or deep meditational practice. Prices. Early Bird price (booked before 5 April) single £570, shared £484, Non res £395. (Booked after 6 April) Single: £645, Shared: £570 Non-Res: £465, Please send your non- returnable deposit of £120 payable to Hawkwood College, Painswick Old Rd., Stroud, Glos GL6 7QW (01453 759034) Please send your non-returnable deposit of £150 payable to Hawkwood College, Painswick Old Rd., Stroud, Glos GL6 7QW (01453 759034) https://www.hawkwoodcollege.co.uk/event/tending-the-hearth/
CÁIT BRANIGAN (above) is a Bean Feasa (Shamanic Practitioner) and healer working within the Irish tradition. She teaches groups and conducts ceremonies, teaching internationally. She teaches regularly on the Walkers Between Worlds curriculum. Caitlín Matthews teaches the traditional art of singing the landscapes of the soul, a method she uses in her shamanic practice in Oxford. Her work on the three cauldrons text is taught in a practical way on this course.
*2-5 February 2025 BLESSING ANCESTRAL HEARTHS: Healing our Bloodlines, with Caitlín Matthews and Dr Angela Cotter, at the Main Centre, Earthspirit.
This course stems from the core of Caitlín’s ancestral work. When we begin to reconnect with our ancestors, our own feelings of abandonment begin to pass and we feel at ‘at home’ in our world.
When shamans see a person with a problem of ancestral causation, they treat the whole family - those who now alive, those who have died, and also those who are not yet born. This course is dedicated to restoring dignity to the ancestors and giving them a place in our lives. We will open up the ways between the worlds so that the strengths of our ancestors can flow into our families, as well as bringing healing to ancestors who were unable to hold the blessing. Over this celebratory, advanced shamanic weekend, we will welcome our ancestors and so gladden the whole circle of life. We will also lead a ceremony of ancestral hospitality to honour all our ancestors and the wisdom that we receive from them. We invite you to draw together as one kindred and find the love and support that makes us strong.
Cordwood suite: £717 Ensuite: £652 Standard: £607 Camping: £573, Non Res £501 Single supplement £15 Dietary Supplement £15 BOOKING: Deposit of £190 to Jane May, Briarwood, Long Wittenham, Oxon OX14 4QW (01865 407680)
LEVEL D COURSES: NOTE: this level is only open to those who have done 2 or more advanced courses – it is not open to those trained elsewhere andruns every 5-6 years.
12-15 May 2025 HEARKENING TO THE HORSE’S MOUTH. Shamanic Spirit Consultation with Caitlín Matthews & Margot Harrison.
This course instructs practitioners in training how to teach journeying to clients, enabling them to contact their own allies, to find their own healing, answers and advice: this method brings shamanic work to the community, working in contemporary and personally-relevant contexts. Participants work as client and shaman in turn. Close personal supervision is given by course leaders. This course leads the Co- Walker Sessions, whereby students are supervised to a professional standard preparatory to practicing in community. Please send a letter about your interest in the course, with your shamanic experience to date to Caitlín Matthews.
The course is held at the beautiful medieval Charney Manor, Charney Bassett, Wantage, Oxfordshire, OX12 0EJ. Fee: £726. After you have been accepted on this graduate course, please send a deposit of £250 to secures your place to Jane May, Briarwood, Long Wittenham, Oxon OX14 4QW (01865 407680) NOTE: This course requires a firm commitment, since it is based upon dedicated pair-work, without which it cannot be run.
KEEP THE DATES FOR: Intermediate course: 21-24 September 2025 Midwifing the Soul. Advanced Course: 22-25 August 2025 Way of Council with Pippa Bondy
A NOTE FOR STUDENTS WHO HAVE TRAINED SHAMANICALLY ELSEWHERE.
If you are journeying fluently, have a good and trusting relationship with your allies and can conduct yourself with grace, focus and compassion, let us know the nature of your training and its duration: we will assess your response and, if we feel it appropriate, ask such students to start with the Intermediate Courses first, so that we are all on the same page!
INTRODUCING OUR SHAMANIC CO-TEACHERS in 2024-5
Dr. ANGELA COTTER is a Jungian analyst who integrates constellations work, energy psychotherapy and shamanic approaches into her practice.
MARGOT HARRISON is an experienced healer, shamanic practitioner and systemic ritualist working within the traditions of Ireland and Britain. Her practice Hinterlands is in Sligo.
KATE CURTIS works as an acupuncturist and herbalist and a Grof breathwork teacher/facilitator. She runs a small retreat centre near Gorey in County Wexford.
CAIT BRANIGAN is a Bean Feasa and healer working within the traditions of Ireland. She teaches worldwide. Listen to her being interviewed here:
WIL KINGHAN is an Irish artist, writer, shamanic practitioner, and explorer of Celtic traditions.
Dr TISH MARRABLE is a wellbeing educator and researcher with a background in counselling and griefwork. She has been working shamanically for over 20 years. She has a shamanic practice on the South Downs and a deep love of Welsh and Irish mythology and the land from which it emerges.
JONATHON HUET is a professional storyteller and environmental educator with extensive experience of running events, especially working with trauma, mental health and wellbeing. He has a shamanic practice in Brighton informed by a deep connection to the land and especially Celtic traditions and lore.
THE FOUNDATION FOR INSPIRATIONAL AND ORACULAR STUDIES.
The Foundation for Inspirational and Oracular Studies or FíOS is dedicated to the re-enchantment of the soul through the restoration of the sacred arts that shape the landscape of the soul, via vision, dream, memory. These creative, artistic and mystical arts are the gifting vision of all human beings. Discovering and sharing the ways by which inspiration comes is often an oral, rather than transcribed skill, whereby knowledge is shared with peers so that the inspirational pathways of our common life may be enriched. Such precious arts often remain without witness or record, although they were cherished by our ancestors. FíOS was formed to honour this sacred heritage.
In a world where mostly written and academic sources have respect, we recognize that there are sources of wisdom that fall outside of those categories, particularly the deep ancestral practices by which our world has been sustained. These oracular and sacred arts come to us from mouth to ear, unifying our understanding of the apparent and unseen world into one reality. They lead us to the place of our true abiding: to the communion with All That is, where we remember how to hear and trust the oracles from the heart of wisdom.
The FÍOS logo above shows the salmon of wisdom leaping to reach the hazelnuts of the Well of Segais, from whose waters five streams flow out into the world to transmit wisdom through the streams of the senses. The acronym FÍOS forms the old Irish word for the wisdom that is available by oracular and inspired means, rather than only by written or theoretical sources. Fíos,pronounced Fee'us, is also the modern Irish word for Knowledge.
FÍOS was founded in 1994 by Caitlín & John Matthews & the late Felicity Wombwell.
Annual membership of FIOS is £60 gives regular updates, as well as priority booking and £20 discounts on many courses. Paypal Caitlín Matthews £60 to tigerna9@aol.com.