Newsletter
Talking Stick: February 2016
Sawubona!
Sawubona is the gorgeous Zulu greeting which is used to say “hello” and directly translated it means “I See You” or “You are seen”…
Last weekend I spent some time with some gorgeous friends who are just so loving and generous and accepting, and I realised once again how important it is to spend time in this type cauldron where you are loved and accepted exactly as you are… Warts and all! You don’t have to smile or be happy or make people happy all the time, You can cry if you want, sulk if you want, lick your wounds if you want… laugh if you want, burst out in song should you want to… Whichever way you turn up… You are loved an accepted.. Being seen in your wholeness and in your brokenness and not needing to pretend to be any different. This is the true Salve of the Soul. Sharing and Laughing (real big-belly laughing) and crying and telling long-kept secrets and supporting and listening… That is when something stirs and came alive again.. Like the seed in the ground getting the water and sunshine it needs to start growing again. That is when the Sh&@%t becomes fertiliser and we can grow from it. 😉
My wish for you is that you have such a place… a cauldron-kind-of-a-place in which you can simmer, stir and mix things up and help you to sing your soul back home….
With much love and Imbolc blessings,
Jo-Anne
PS
Did you notice??? My newsletter has a new name! Talking Stick…a talking stick is also called a speaker’s staff. In a tribal council circle, a talking stick is passed around from member to member allowing only the person holding the stick to speak. This enables all those present at a council meeting to be heard. Talking sticks also have high ceremonial and spiritual value and if you have been to any of my workshops, you know that we always use a talking stick to pass around the group – to hear from all and give everyone the time and space to be heard. So now the talking stick has been extended and I would love to hear from you. So feel free to pick up the talking stick and send me a reply by leaving a comment below  🙂
PPS
I have some exciting events coming up during the year and will post these closer to the dates and I am currently involved in some wonderfully exciting projects and the development of online and offline training programmes, with two other beautiful souls. Â More info to come on this in the following months.
PPS
I am also running a Shamanic Drumming workshop with a group of Playtherapists in County Kerry next weekend! And so looking forward to the creative space already in the making. I just love to share healing sounds and drumbeats with others. <3
Newsletter September 2014
Hello Folks!
The Summer is definitely drawing to a close fairly fast and the first signs of Autumn is already looming… I love the crispness of the air and the colours in the landscape this time of year, and makes letting go of the Summer months a bit easier 🙂
September is a busy month for me as I am sure it is for a lot of you, getting back to work, college etc. And as always I have plenty of news on upcoming workshops and new blog posts. I am also happy to say that we will be back with our monthly meetups in Kilmurry Hall, Castletroy, Limerick in September!
Blog Post
Abracadabra! and other Spells
I am fascinated by the energy of words and how what we say can have a profound effect on our emotions, how we carry ourselves and what we believe to be true.
In many spiritual traditions there is the belief that words create a physical manifestation in the world. For instance, in the Bible in the book of John it describes the story of creation and it states “In the beginning was the word….” and so you get similar writings in may spiritual and ancient texts.
The phrase “Abracadabra” has its origins in the ancient language, Aramaic “Abraq ad habra” which literally means “I will create as I speak“.
Click here to read more about how we create our reality by the words we use.
“Into the Otherworld”
This is the title of our CD being launched this month! This CD is an Introduction to Shamanic Drumming and Journeying and a collaboration by me and Noirin Rooney.
Click here to read more about what this process was like and where you can buy the cd when it is available near the end of the month.
Upcoming Workshops and Events
Shamanic Journey Circle
Come and join me and other like-minded folk for Shamanic Journey circle. No experience necessary.
Date: Saturday, 13 September 2014
Time: 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Venue: Kilmurry Hall, Castletroy, Limerick
Fee: €10
Please send me an email to info@joannemacmillan.ie or a text to 086 166 2157 to confirm that you will be joining the circle.
Explore your creative self
Come and explore your creativity through paint, clay and sound. Â Through guided imagery and sound awaken the visual awareness. The class will include some technique and colour theory and range of materials, including acrylic paint, clay and collage materials. Beginners and experienced artists welcome as this is a free flowing space. Materials supplied just bring your creativity.
This introductory day will be followed by a series of 4 evening classes on a Monday evening. This will continue to provide a creative space to explore through the mediums of clay and paint. Themes such as visual expression of sound and the elements will be explored.
Sheila Stone is a local visual artist who works both in clay and paint. She has degrees in both of these areas and has been teaching art for over 30 years, and has many regular exhibitions of her work.
You can look at Sheila’s website  or Faceless Mural to read more about Sheila’s work and qualifications.
Day Workshop
Date: 14 September 2014
Time: 10:30am – 4:30pm
Venue: Killaloe, Co. Clare
Fee:€60 (Inclusive of materials)
Please bring a packed lunch, teas and coffees will be provided.
Places are limited and a non-refundable deposit of €30 will secure your place. Balance to be paid on the day.
Ring Sheila Stone for more information or to book your place on  086 1717 241Â
4 Monday Evening Classes
Start Date: 22 September 2014
Time:Â 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Venue: Killaloe, Co. Clare
Fee: €80 (Inclusive of Materials)
Places are limited and €40 deposit required to secure your place, balance to be paid on first night.
Ring Sheila Stone for more information or to book your place on 086 1717 241Â
Spirit of Folk Festival
19 – 21 September 2014
I am co-facilitating a workshop with Noirin Rooney at the Spirit of Folk Festival again this year! We will be facilitating a workshop called “Reconnecting with the Shee”. This is a fun workshop that will allow you to reconnect with enchantment and the belief in wonder! Looking forward to meeting many of you there. Click here to go to the Spirit of Folk Festival website. See the line-up of folk musicians, storytellers, workshops etc on offer for the weekend and buy your tickets.
Introduction to Shamanism
Date:  27 September 2014
Time:Â 10am – 4:30pm
Venue:Â Killaloe, Co. Clare
Fee: €70 (Including Lunch)
To book your place:
Contact Jo-Anne on
086 166 2157
info@joannemacmillan.ie
Many have asked that I run this Introductory workshop again, so here you go!
On this One Day Workshop we will broadly introduce Shamanism and the many facets of Shamanic Practice. Some of these practices help us to connect to the wisdom, insight and imagination within ourselves, that offer us teaching about our own woundedness and healing, find answers to questions and release emotional or energetic blockages.
Most of the day will be experiential and you will leave with a broader knowledge of Shamanic Healing and learn how to tap into the well of wisdom within you through Shamanic Journeying.
“Shamanic Journeying is a joyful path to regaining the knowledge of how to bring our lives back into a place of harmony and balance. It helps us to wake up to our full creative potential. As we do this, our lives change in a way that brings good health and well-being to ourselves and others.” ~ Sandra Ingerman
Bring an open mind, your open heart and come and learn techniques that will reconnect you with your True Nature, and share an enjoyable day with like-minded folk!
Certificate of attendance for CPD requirements available to all attendees.
Vegetarian Lunch, Teas and Coffees will be provided on the day.Â
Newsletter August 2014
Lughnasadh Blessings to you all! Aren’t the fields just gorgeous this time of year? Ripe for harvesting and the hay bales are just beautiful! That is one of the joys to live out in the country for me… I feel like I have a clearer connection with the seasons and love seeing the landscape change during the year.
May this time of Lughnasadh be evident of the hard work you have put in over the last few months. I know for many that this year has been especially challenging, and to you I want to encourage especially that you take some time to reflect on what you are harvesting at this time… Is there a piece of work that is finally completed? Have you perfected a skill of some sort? or have you simply survived a really rough patch.. It is time to harvest and reap rewards for the seeds sown and work done.
Prayer for Lughnasadh
I give thanks to life and to the great mystery for the abundant harvest created through my conscious engagement with life during this year’s journey.
Wonderful News!
I have recorded a CD in conjunction with Noirin Rooney this month. The CD is an introduction to Shamanic Drumming and Journeying and will be available next month! So more details on that next time! The whole process was certainly creative, full of energy and joy! The producer is a real gem and I am looking forward to the final product! And ofcourse to share it with all of you. 🙂