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Weekend Workshop, Medicine Walk, Southern Vermont
September 1, 2023 - September 4, 2023
Guided by: Sparrow Hart
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Workshop Medicine Walk, VT
$475.00
Find the Path… and Follow It Home
The medicine walk is a day’s journey — from sunrise to sunset — upon the face of the earth and a mirror in which signs and symbols of your inward journey are reflected. The walk begins and ends with ceremony, and it weaves an allegorical and symbolic story that can indicate future life direction, inherent gifts, the challenges you face, and the tasks you need to perform to become whole.
A medicine walk can be used in many ways: as a preparation for a vision quest; to face an issue or answer a persistent question — either chronic or acute — or as an open-ended journey of self-discovery. It can point you to deep core issues that need to be addressed, energies that need to be explored or released, challenges whose resolution can call forth and catalyze your powers and gifts, and those who are your ‘spirit guides’ and helpers.
The workshop — late summer – early fall in Vermont — begins by clarifying one’s intentions and life issues, presenting alternative models through which to view your current challenges and choices; and offers tools and possibilities for incorporating these into your medicine walk and making it rich and meaningful.
After the walk is finished, in Council you will tell its story, this “dream that mirrors your life.” You’ll be guided in seeing its symbols of meaning and importance, finding the challenges to be faced, the allegories and life-myths that need to be lived or discarded. And you’ll be supported in perceiving and embracing the strengths, gifts, and truths within your life’s journey at this time.
We are the authors and authorities of our own stories. Our lives need not be defined by the past and where we have come from. The creativity of life and the reality of death are both reflected by the world of nature, and we can find passion, purpose, and power when we give our hearts to where we are going.
Should unexpected circumstances make your participation impossible, and you notify us at least a month prior to your scheduled starting date, your registration deposit may be applied toward another program taking place within a year of your registration. We cannot provide any refunds for cancellations or postponements received less than 30 days before a program starts. You will receive a full refund for any courses canceled by Circles of Air and Stone, although this happens rarely.
Directions
Address:
130 Banning Road
Putney, Vermont
05346
Interstate 91 runs north-south from New Haven, Connecticut through western Massachusetts and half-way up the eastern side of Vermont. You should be able to find your way to it with any New England map. Take exit 4 in Vermont and follow the signs to the center of Putney.
As you come to the center of town, you will be on route 5 (Main St.), heading north. When you arrive at the center take a left at The Putney General Store and head up the hill on Westminster West Road. Follow Westminster West road for 1 mile. You will pass the elementary school on your right and you will take the first left turn after the school. (West Hill Rd.)
Stay on West Hill Road. At the 1.4-mile point there is a fork in the road where there is a left up to the Putney School. You stay right. Continuing on West Hill, until you are about 2.5 miles from where you turned off Westminster West road, there will be a road off to the right marked Putney Mountain Road. Take that right.
The road will fork almost immediately. Stay right. Proceed up Putney Mountain Road for 1.6 miles and you will see a road on the right marked Banning Road. Take a right on Banning Road and go for 0.6 miles. There will be a charcoal house with blue trim on the right. It’s close to the road. The mailbox will say “Sparrow Hart”.
If coming by plane or bus: The nearest major airports are in Hartford, CT, Manchester, NH, Boston, MA, and Albany, NY. There are smaller airports in Burlington, VT and Keene, NH, the Keene airport being the closest. There is a bus service from any of these airports, and from most cities in the New England /New York area to Brattleboro, VT. Brattleboro is approximately 10 miles south of Putney. If you make arrangements in advance, we can most likely pick you up at the bus station in Brattleboro.
Food and Lodging
Food:
Food will be provided, and we’ll share preparation and clean-up responsibilities for breakfasts and dinners. There will be fixings for lunches put out on a table, but no formal plans for a group meal. If you have any special needs or requirements around food, please let us know
Lodging:
Most people will be camping, and if you are, please bring a tent, sleeping bag, some kind of sleeping mattress or pad. There are a few spaces inside for an extra $100. These will be dormitory style, 2-3 beds per room with a shared bath. The beds will have a mattress, bottom sheet, and pillow. Please bring a sleeping bag or bedding. We can also provide a tent for your stay for $25. Please let us know ahead of time as quantities are limited.
What to Bring
Most people will be camping, and if you are, please bring a tent, sleeping bag, some kind of sleeping mattress or pad, etc. – whatever you need to be comfortable. There are a few spaces inside for an extra $100. These will be dormitory style – 2-3 beds per room with a shared bath – and the beds will have a mattress, bottom sheet, and pillow, so bring a sleeping bag or bedding. There will be plenty of room for everyone to be comfortable. Bring towels, toiletries, and loose-fitting clothing.
Clothes:
We should have reasonably warm temperatures during the day, but cool evenings and nights are possible, so plan for this when you bring clothing.
- Footwear: Lightweight hiking boots as well as other footwear for sitting/relaxing time.
- Raincoat or poncho; Jacket
Clothes for warm weather:
- Shorts, T-shirts, light shirt
- Something for your head: A bandana may be adequate, but if it is sunny (we hope), a hat which shades your face will be welcome.
Clothes for cool weather:
- Warm hat, scarf or neck gaiter, jacket, socks, fleece pants.
Other Equipment:
- Small day pack, pocket knife, flashlight
- Journal, pen or pencil.
- Water bottles, enough for 3 quarts/liters.
Personal items:
- Toiletries – toothbrush, paste, floss, biodegradable soap, hairbrush, towel, washcloth, razor, etc.
- Sunscreen, sunglasses, Chap Stick
- Bedding: sleeping bag or sheets/blankets; pillow
- Insect repellant (possibly… we should be past bug season)
Optional items:
- Musical instrument
- Sacred or ritual objects
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