School of Healing Arts


Dean:

Overview


The School of Healing Arts is established for the exploration and study of the healing arts and medicine ways of western cultures beyond the boundaries of allopathic medicine. It describes and teaches the healing pathways of western peoples unfolding from the cradles of western cultures and western indigenous wisdom's, to the practices and methods of present times. In line with the Ardantane mission, the School provides experience and study in the wisdoms, practices and skills of diverse Pagan, nature centered and western indigenous traditions.

Health is being in the moment of balance and relationship of body, mind, spirit/soul and place within the continuum of one's community and culture. Healing involves and includes the actions and activities, materials and methods engaged to maintain and regain health, function, action, and life. Not simply the absence of disease, health is an active state of well being and aliveness, fully engaged with the life spirit within the whole realm of experience. It is a co-creative state of being with the natural universe.

Mission


It is the intent, purpose and practice of the School of Healing Arts:

  • To demonstrate and teach the knowledge, skills and practice of the Pagan, nature centered and western indigenous traditions and practices of wellness, health and healing.
  • To provide an interactive and inspirited community of learning, practice and experience with a cross-disciplinary and multicultural focus.
  • To cross-connect to, support and integrate with all the Ardantane schools of study and practice.

Certificate Program


Classes can be taken individually for personal interest, as part of a certificate program with the other Ardantane schools or as fulfillment of a Certificate in Healing Arts. Each class and workshop will provide the student with a body of knowledge, a level of experience and a measure of skill in the subject presented.

There are two levels of learning, experience and application. The Basic Knowledge Level presents four introductory classes providing a broad foundation of knowledge is western nature centered healing arts. The Skill Level gives the student a selection of classes covering specific skills and methods in the healing arts.

The Program currently offers four Basic Knowledge Level classes and variety of Skill Level classes. Completion of a total of ten classes plus a Practicum class or the Teaching Intensive is required to achieve a Certificate in Healing Arts. At least two classes from other Ardantane Schools can be used to complete the ten-class requirement.

On completion of the Certificate Program the student will have a demonstrable body of knowledge, skill and practice. The Certificate Program provides the student an opportunity to develop their unique focus of practice in the healing arts drawn from the diverse Pagan, nature centered and indigenous wisdoms and medicine ways of western cultures.

Application for a Certificate in Healing Art can be made on completion of four Basic Knowledge Level classes. The application should include a statement of application, completion of the Elemental Perspective and completion of a Learning Contract.


Certificate requirements:

 

Level One Basic Program: Knowledge Ways

• Western Way of Healing (two days)
• On Being a Healer (two days)
• Basics of Energy Healing (two days)
• The Healing Earth (two days)

Level Two Skill Program: Skill Ways

• Basic Herbalism 201, 202, 203 (each two days)
• Energy Healing 201, 202 (each two days)
• Compass Rose: the Art of Placement (two days)
• The Healing Home (two days)
• Color and Light Therapy (two days)
• Journaling for Health (two days)
• Health Facilitation (two days)
• Nature Awareness Practicum or Teaching Intensive (each two days)

Fulfillment of the Certificate Program requires completion of four Basic Knowledge Level classes and six Skill Level classes plus the Practicum or Teaching Intensive class. For students interested in teaching at Ardantane, the Teaching Intensive is a required class.

Course Descriptions

  • Western Way of Healing
    This workshop presents a nature based focus of health, healing and well-being. It introduces the wisdom seeker and practitioner to the many pathways and practices of the Western Ways of Healing.

    It presents methods and practices that have been used for centuries in western cultures as the ways and means of healing the sick and maintaining the well-being of the community. It includes explorations, protocols and models of practice that have developed in the present centuries.

    The participant will explore the nature ways of Naturopathy and Homeopathy, and the plant ways of Herbalism, Aromatherapy and Flower Essences. The workshop invites meetings with the Spirits of Nature, the Gods, the Goddesses and the Wisdom Keepers of the ancient ways of healing. This workshop involves the participants in work with the energies of body, mind, spirit and place. It will explore the practice of Radionics and Radesthesia, Kinesiology, Healing Touch, Intuitive Healing and Environmental Healing.

    This workshop is a beginning to the Certificate Program in the School of Healing Arts. Over a two day weekend the participant will gain a basic knowledge and experience as a foundation for further specific study.

    The universe and place we live in is alive and speaks with us in many ways. The medicines and wisdoms of the past were grown from that conversation. This workshop provides the opportunity to re-engage in that conversation and reconnect with the healing wisdoms of Nature.

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  • On Being a Healer
    The healing relationship is the interaction one has with one's self, with another person, with soul and spirit, with community and place, with nature and the universe. This two day workshop explores and teaches the interpersonal skills and the basic elements of that healing relationship.

    An intentional healing relationship is a partnership of persons who come together for the purpose of health and healing. The healing relationship is both intuitive and sensing, It focuses attention and intention. It is participative and co-creative.

    In this workshop we will examine, discuss and learn the nature of being a healer, the elements of a healing relationship, creating and participating in a healing community, intentionally and the healing field, the traps and shadows of the healer, ethics and the boundaries of a healing relationship.

    This class is a basic class in the Healing Arts Certificate Program.

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  • Energy Healing I: Basics of Energy Healing
    This class introduces the student to an understanding and experience of the healing energy field. The life force is creative energy of the universe that moves through and enlivens all things. The class focuses primarily on the experience of healing energy moving within and between persons. The class will look at the various models and methods of working with healing energy.

    The primary focus will be direct experience with healing energy. Participants will have the opportunity to practice with both their own and the energy fields of others. They will learn energy balancing methods and have hands on experiential work.

    The class will also provide the participant with a Certificate in Comfort Touch. This class is a basic class in the Healing Arts Certificate Program.

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  • Energy Healing II: Healing in Hand
    In this class we will work with developing and practicing the hands on skills of healing energy work. We will look at various models of hands on healing such as Therapeutic Touch, Healing Touch, and Reiki. We will explore the use of muscle testing and pendulum work for energy field assessment. Participants will have the opportunity to practice with their own and others energy fields. They will learn energy balancing methods and have hands on experiential healing work.

    This is the first of a two-class sequence for those wishing to gain some experience and understanding of healing energy work. The Ardantane Basics of Energy Healing class or some comparable experience is the recommended pre-requisite for this class. This two-class sequence gives the student basic skills in healing energy work and opens the door to the world of energetic and vibrational healing.

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  • Healing from the Heart: Energy Healing
    This is the second phase of the Energy Healing sequence. We will continue the process of developing and practicing the hands on skills of healing energy work. Here we will explore and practice the tools and skills of healing at a distance. The student will explore and work with Radionics and Radesthesia, crystals and sacred stones, magickal practice and ritual in healing, spiritual healing and sacred practice.

    The Ardantane Healing in Hand class is a prerequisite. This sequence gives the student basic skills in healing energy work and opens the door to the world of energetic and vibrational healing. You may petition for a wavier to attend this class if you have experience or practice in other energy healing methods.

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  • The Healing Earth
    This class focuses on life from the heart of the planet; the healing energy of stones, crystals and Mother earth. Students will explore and work with the energy of stone and place. They will have the opportunity to create Sacred Space, Mythic and Magical Space.

    The class will include working with crystals, structures of stone, needles of stone, ley lines and sacred places, dowsing and pendulum work, baubiologie and healing homes, geopathic stress and geopathic zones, alchemy, gaiamancy and geomancy.

    This is a basic class in the Healing Arts Certificate Program.

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  • Plant Medicine: Subtle Plant Remedies
    This class focuses on our western herbal heritage, and will specifically address subtle herbal remedies, flower essences and homeopathy. Essential oils will be introduced as well.

    We will cover herbs and substances used in homeopathy, flower essences, sacred smudge, and hydrosols. We will look at a brief history of these subtle healing methods and how to develop remedies.

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  • Plant Medicine: Spring and Summer Herbs
    This is first of three classes in plant medicine. These three classes will focus on our western heritage of use and growing of herbs for medicine and for food.

    This class will specifically focus on our spring and summer herbals: cooling summer herbs, detox herbs, soups, teas, baths, and cooling sprays. We will dialogue about the history of herbal use involving many western cultures with a rich source of self-care and ritual through out the ages. Seasonal herbs will be covered in the Materia Medica as well as herbal identification, storage and preservation.

    This class is a part of the Healing Arts certificate program. The written Standards of Practice for the Healing Arts Herbalist will be reviewed. There will be further discussion of how these Standards contribute to the basics of an ethical herbal practice.

    Each class in Plant Medicine will stress aspects of plant medicine for the home, for self-health, and to assure that information will exist for future generations to come.

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  • Plant Medicine: Fall and Winter Herbs
    This class will discuss the fall and winter plants and foods useful for good immune health. Roots, berries, and herbals for flus, colds and winter blues will be addressed. Infections and how they are spread and how to interrupt the infection chain will be presented. The fall and winter Materia Medica will be presented. The herbal poultice, tincturing, teas, herbal wines, congees and “yes, more soups” will be discussed. We will make a tea, a fall soup and a tincture during this class. We will review the ethical use of Plant Medicine and the Standards of Practice as herbalists.

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  • Go Local: New Mexico Plants
    This workshop focuses on the plants growing in New Mexico. Have you ever wondered what a plant might be that is growing around your home? Come and learn what is growing in your own back yard!

    We will be looking at various New Mexico plant properties, uses, harvesting, and storage. Learn how to make a tincture and a ceremonial object.

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  • Betwixt and Between: Seers and Healers
    See the listing in the School of Pagan Spirituality Course Descriptions.

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