The other day I was looking for some innovative session ideas for my shamanic group for teenagers. I asked my youngest son Brendan (13) for some suggestions. He said: “A session on the Spirit of Chocolate!” And he was not just trying to put chocolate on the menu, he truly is intrigued by sacred substances and how our culture has stripped them of their ceremonial use and made them ‘everyday items’ (also think of e.g. tobacco or alcohol). When I mentioned his idea to friends many wonderful links and esoteric information about a ‘Chocolate Goddess’ rolled in! We learned about the way tribal peoples use chocolate in ceremonies. As…

    APPRENTICE OF THE WIND I made this painting in the year 2012 after being told by my helping spirits that I am an Apprentice of the Wind. Crow is one of my power animals. When I undertake shamanic journeys (soul flight) I often fly with crows. For that reason I have painted a segment of this vision on my shamanic drum. I find it very interesting that the Hebrew word ruach means wind but also breath and spirit. As a teacher of Norse Shamanism and Seidr I have a particular affinity with the North Wind. Being an Apprentice of the Wind is a journey, always bringing me new…