The Circle is the foundation of spiritual belief in the Far North. The ancient teachings are important for this day and age, because we have forgotten how to live in a Circle.
No one of us is ever really alone, even when we live separate lives, coming together in person only occasionally. We are part of the Circle. Close your eyes to the ordinary world and the Circle is there.
—from the word card
CIRCLE - ULAMERTAQ - AMMALOQISAAQ
Polar bear near Ittoqoortoormiit in East Greenland —Steve Berthelsen
When you become comfortable and accept yourself, then you can be at home anywhere in the world.
—Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq
Please join us for an introductory workshop with the Ceremony Cards, which were developed to capture both the natural wonder of the Greenlandic landscape and the traditional wisdom of the Greenlandic culture. The Ceremony Cards combine evocative photographs of Greenland with words and phrases from Greenlandic culture.
For millennia, the Kalaallit (Greenlandic) people not only survived but thrived in a land of cold winter darkness and summer midnight sun, a place where the natural world was both spectacularly beautiful and unforgivingly harsh. Survival required that practical knowledge and skills be integrated with a rich inner life so that, within each person, family and community, both the seen and the unseen were woven intricately together in the ceremony of life.
Using the cards as a divination tool allows wisdom from the Far North to spark and facilitate a conversation within and amongst ourselves, a conversation in which the Ceremony Cards are an invaluable inspirational aid, especially for those of us who are just coming to know and trust our own intuition.In an illustrated presentation, Jane will share some of the insights from Greenland that led her to develop the Ceremony Cards and will explain some of the ways in which the cards may be used.
The following introductory events will give participants the experience and confidence to embark on the wonderful adventure of using The Ceremony Cards for themselves and for their friends and families.
Introductory Lecture -- Letting the cards introduce themselves through everyone forming an intention, choosing one card, and sharing their experience with the Circle. Then Jane talks about the cards and their use, followed by questions and discussion, and a slide show of Greenland.
Participants will be able to break into small groups to use and play with the Ceremony Cards. Sets of Ceremony Cards will be available for purchase.
2-3 hours - evening, or weekend afternoon
Introductory Weekend -- Letting the cards introduce themselves through everyone forming an intention, choosing one card, and sharing their experience with the Circle. Then Jane talks about the cards and their use, questions and discussion.
Demonstrate the Soar Like an Eagle card ceremony with one person, then people pair up and facilitate Soar Like an Eagle or Sweetgrass card ceremonies for each other.
Saturday evening slide show and/or film showing.
Includes other activities from the list below.
Friday dinner thru Sunday early afternoon
3-4 hours, or the first half day of an advanced workshop
Learning the Lodge Card Ceremony -- one person’s ceremony facilitated by Jane and other Wisdomkeepers, other people supporting, including sharing when asked, and a Circle discussion. Includes other activities from the list below.
Learning the Mirror Card Ceremony -- one person’s ceremony facilitated by Jane and other Wisdomkeepers, other people supporting, including sharing when asked, and a Circle discussion. Includes other activities from the list below.
Doing and Facilitating the Lodge Card Ceremony
Pair and swap with sharing in Circle.
Jane and Wisdomkeepers support and consult.
Includes other activities from the list below.
Full day. Can be evening plus full day when combined with Learning the Lodge Card Ceremony.
Doing and Facilitating the Mirror Card Ceremony
Pair and swap with sharing in Circle.
Jane and Wisdomkeepers support and consult.
Includes other activities from the list below.
Full day. Can be evening plus full day when combined with Learning the Mirror Card Ceremony.
• Greenland slide show
• Sacred Pipe Ceremony
• Silent walking outdoors
• Sit spot - sit alone in nature for a half hour or more
• Making Fire Ceremony - using bowdrill -- learn its use
• Sunrise Ceremony
• Chant and/or sing
• History of the cards
• Discuss divination and its relation to science
• Smudging with sage, shell and fan
• Creating Smoke Ceremony
• Creative use of the cards - make one’s own ceremony
• Discuss use of journal - when to write and when not
• Discuss how to facilitate another person’s card ceremony
• Discuss daily use of the cards
• Discuss how to integrate the cards into one’s life
• Blessing the everyday medicine -- keys, wallet, etc
• Learn “uncensored” seeing — awareness of first reaction to a card
What to bring:
• your intention -- intention is what makes these card ceremonies "work"
• your cards if you have them -- we have several extra sets for workshop use, and have sets for sale
• optional potluck snacks for afterwards if you want to stay a while
• clothes suitable for a short walk to refresh ourselves in the middle of the afternoon
• optional donation
Questions?
email to - - - or call - - -
Resources to look at beforehand:
• Website - more about the cards is on other pages of this website
• A pdf of the slide show (minus the videos of dog sledding)
• The first part of the book that goes with the cards -- includes the shorter card ceremonies we will use in these parties
We welcome your inquiry about doing an event for your family, friends or group.
Send us an emailback to the top of this page
Yellow cinqfoil, white starflower - Ulloriaasaq napasoq, and black seaweed, near Maniitsoq - Greenland —photo by Jane English