“Shamanic Shrines and Creating Community” on October 4 “Why Shamanism Now?” Radio Show

Streaming live on the Co-Creator Radio Network (www.co-creatornetwork.com) on Tuesday, October 4, at 11 a.m. Pacific time/2 p.m. Eastern time, on her show “Why Shamanism Now?: A Practical Path to Authenticity,” shaman and founder of the Last Mask Center for Shamanic Healing Christina Pratt tells listeners that we live in sacred space all the time, every day, but most of us do not know how to acknowledge it or to use it. By working skillfully with altars and shrines, we can acknowledge the energies of the sacred around us and engage these energies in creating mutual benefit. According to Pratt, the most basic purpose of a shamanic shrine is to open up a direct dialogue with an important energy in your everyday space. Traditional examples found around the world in the practices of shamanic peoples are ancestral shrines, elemental shrines, and shrines dedicated to mountains or lakes or other specific spirit energies of the region. Usually misinterpreted as places of worship, these shrines are places of relationship and direct communication between the people and powerful energies present in their daily lives.

In this episode of “Why Shamanism Now?” titled “Shamanic Shrines and Creating Community”, Pratt explores the contemporary creation and use of shamanic shrines. For example, you may travel to Peru and learn powerful practices for working with the Andean mountains, but that isn’t going to help you much if you live in Florida where there isn’t a true mountain in sight and the most powerful spirit of the place is either the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf, or the Everglades. Pratt tells listeners that in this environment, for example, one can create a water shrine, open a dialogue with the energies that are actually part of your sacred space, and develop powerful practices for your life and the sacred space you live in.

Christina Pratt is an authentic, non-traditional contemporary shaman. In practice since 1990, she specializes in mending the soul and transforming the parts of life that feel impossible. A teacher of exceptional clarity, humor, and inspiration, Pratt brings the power of shamanism into the practical grasp of anyone willing to take responsibility for improving the quality of their life. Her well-received book, An Encyclopedia of Shamanism (Rosen), is an 800-page, two-volume set with over 750 in-depth entries that clearly discuss the basic concepts of shamanism, methods, and traditions of over 50 different shamanic peoples. Pratt is the founder of the Last Mask Center for Shamanic Healing in Portland, OR, and New York, NY, creator of the original Foundations of Shamanism and Shamanic Healing course at the University of Minnesota, and a frequent and honored speaker for the American Holistic Medical Association.

“Why Shamanism Now? A Practical Path to Authenticity”, a live internet talk radio with host Christina Pratt, airs Tuesdays at 11 a.m. Pacific time/2 p.m. Eastern time on http://www.co-creatornetwork.com/hosts/shamanism/host_bio.htm. Each week host Christina Pratt and guests explore the practical application of shamanic skills in our contemporary lives to create robust well-being, strong and clear community connections, and life enriching spiritual maturity. Listeners can ask questions by calling 512-772-1938 or via Skype. Prior episodes from “Why Shamanism Now” can be downloaded for free from the iTunes library (www.iTunes.com). Pratt also talks about Shamanic Healing on YouTube (www.youtube.com).

For more information on Christina Pratt, the Last Mask Center for Shamanic Healing, and workshops and classes with Pratt, or to order An Encyclopedia of Shamanism at a special discounted rate, visit www.lastmaskcenter.org. Upcoming classes with Pratt include a new Cycle of Transformation Four Year training starting October 7; advanced shamanism trainings for experienced practitioners starting with “Outlaw Shamanism: Creating Ritual and Ceremony That Works” on November 11-13, 2011; “The Basics of Living Well” series open to all starting in January 2012; as well as Shamanic Journey Circles the third Tuesday of every month; Wisdom of the Shaman talks every third Friday; and Qigong classes every Wednesday, all in Portland, Oregon. For additional information or to arrange an interview with Pratt, please contact Linda Woznicki, 845-417-8811, Woznicki.linda@gmail.com.