A portion of my shaman training involved adopting specific sacred sites and working with the spirits that were connected to those places. Imagine exploring the ruins of an ancient city and stumbling upon a temple that had been in use for thousands of years. You would feel an incredilby rich energy and, most likely, find that it was much easier to interact with the spirit world in that place that in many others. In its simplest form, that's the concept of a sacred site - a location where the energy is rich and the connection with the spirit world clear and strong.
In the lesson, Discovering Sacred Space, I outline the basic process for finding and adopting a sacred site. (Years previous, I outlined the basic process for students even before Old Ways was born.) You find yourself drawn to a particular site, you humbly ask to be allowed to work with the spirits and energy there and, if you're request is accepted, you find new doorways to spirituality and magick opening for you. As you build a relationship with the spirit realm, the process becomes streamlined and refined, but the basic concept remains.
Over the years, I've been blessed to have had the opportunities to work with a wide variety of sites and the spirits that call those places home. Here are some of my favorites, photographs, and a collection of stories and lessons connected to those places. The links below are listed in roughly chronological order of when I began working with the site.
Tips and Techniques
Helpful hints in identifying a sacred site and techniques to utilize when working with the spirit world in a nature location.
An Old Quarry (Oregon Coast Range Mountains)
The first site that I was accepted to work with while I was studying with Nukah, I learned a great deal about nature spirits, the flow of natural energy, and the power of magick while working with this site.
The Faerie Grove (Oregon Coast Range Mountains)
Hidden in Oregon's Coast Range Mountains is a place where the fae still cross-over into our world and where students and, most notably my friend Conor, have watched faeries in broad daylight.
The Nestucca River Valley (Oregon Coast Range Mountains)
A beautiful mountain valley where I did my first visionquest and collected the stones for my first altar.
Coming December 25, 2007
Crescent Cove (Oregon Coast)
A beautiful stretch of secluded beach where I've not only done ritual work, but was approached with directions to a hidden sea cave.
Coming January 29, 2007
Simpson-Reed Grove (California)
An annual destination for our family, the energy is so rich and deep that we refer to it as "spiritual cheesecake."
Coming February 26, 2007
Cape Blanco (Oregon Coast)
The site of our annual "pagan family" campout two years in a row, we've encountered some otherworldly presences and countless wildlife and spiritual influences while staying here.
Coming March 25, 2007
A Hidden Sea Cave (Oregon Coast)
A hidden sea cave on the Oregon Coast where I've taught classes, done ritual work, and celebrated Winter Solstice.
Coming April 29, 2007
Dog Mountain (Oregon)
On Summer Solstice 2005, I followed the guidance of intuition and the spirit world (without a map) to find the correct place to release a fossilized bone's spirit - and this is where I ended up.
Coming May 27, 2008
Mt. Jefferson Wilderness Area (Oregon)
A gorgeous slice of natural beauty hidden within a reasonable drive of our front door.
Coming June 24, 2008
Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (Washington)
A place where I do shamanic work at the end of every August, a wild shoreline inhabbited by bear, deer, bald eagles, and sea otters.
Coming Coming July 29, 2007
Mt. Rainier National Forest (Washington)
High rugged wilderness hiding the power and mischievousness of the fae.
Coming August 26, 2008