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Experience A Profound Initiation Into Nature:
During the Ritual Healing Village 9-Day Encampment
The Encampment will open a gateway into the mystical world of indigenous spirit technologies,
the interconnectedness of Ancestors, Nature, Ritual and Community.
This is a local program
See Registration Page
ECV Elders & Assistants
Why the ritual healing village?
- Are you seeking vision and clarity of your gifts and purpose?
- Do you want to mark a significant transition in your life?
- Do you long to reconnect with your inner wisdom?
- Do you wish to connect with the forces of the elements for guidance and healing?
As the call of the Ancestors and other spirits to rise up to the medicine needed for the healing of our time becomes louder, so is the challenge to cough up some new indigenous skills suitable to modern day needs for healing.
Malidoma Somé
Dagara Elder, Author & Teacher
When Elder Malidoma began offering the Indigenous African Spiritual Technology (IAST) program many, many years ago, it was intended for those in “whom the heart of ancient Africa speaks” and those who wanted “to check in for an exciting and compelling journey home where they can expect to find how much of the old in them has been waiting to burst in service of the world’s need to heal and to transform”.
That invitation still remains the same, even with his transition to the Ancestral Realm. The 9-Day Encampment was designed as rite of passage experience for anyone wanting to rise to the “next level of consciousness and spirituality.” The East Coast Village is indeed honored to continue this legacy, offering the Ritual Healing Village 9-day Encampment to all who are seeking a path to reconnect with the healing wisdom of Africa.
Going the through the rituals was a big initiation that has transformed each and every person that attended and placed them a step closer on their higher spiritual path.
-RHV Participant-
what to expect during the ritual encampment
Camping Out In The Woods For Nine Days?
Yes! We live excessively indoor lives. We have become de-naturalized and unbalanced in ways that damage our natural senses and the Earth herself. In the West, we have normalized this “nature deficit disorder” - our fear of, domination over, and disconnection from Nature. Real, deep and lasting transformation happens in Nature.
This destructive separation from the natural world interferes with our body, mind, and spirit. Even science has confirmed that we thrive best in Nature. We suffer the detrimental effects of nature deficit disorder until we find ways to reconnect with nature's restorative power.
The Ritual Healing Village can be the “cure” for this disorder. Immersing in the elements of fire, water, earth, mineral and nature can be a path to decolonize the Western mind; to untangle from the conditioning of the "machine culture" and return to indigenous consciousness and communion with Mother Earth. Our Ancestors understood the power of Nature and embraced those forces within it, what we call magic.
JOURNEY INTO NATURE'S WOMB
To become a man I must go,
Into Nature’s womb I must return.
But when I come back,
The joy of rebirth for you I will sing.
Malidoma Patrice Somé, Of Water and the Spirit: Ritual and Initiation in the Life of an African Shaman
As a rite of passage, the Ritual Healing Village Encampment is about total transformation! Rites of passage may be described as a four-staged process (at times subtle, oftentimes deeply moving and challenging).
1
Orphaned Status
In this pre-initiation phase, you may feel like something is missing in your life; a void that needs to be filled; a desire for healing or divine guidance. It may seem as if you have been lingering in this orphaned state for a long time, wondering what to do or where to turn for answers. Ask what or who is calling to you? What transformation are you seeking?
2
Journey, Death, and Sacrifice
This is the moment of separation from your old life and patterns of thinking. You are faced with taking the blue pill or the red pill - to see how deep the rabbit hole goes. In the case of the Ritual Healing Village, you decide to take the red pill and venture down the rabbit hole. Once in ritual space, you will be brought to the threshold of the sacred through intensive rituals of fire, water, earth, nature, and mineral. This threshold is a symbolic death - a surrendering of the old psyche, of unhealed wounds, of fears and doubt - as sacrificial offerings to the Ancestors.
3
Acquisition of Power and Knowledge
There will come a time when you will be rendered receptive like warm wax. In this phase, the Ancestors and spirits of nature are then able to fill you with knowledge, wisdom, clarity and renewed vision. For some, this happens instantaneously. Those moments when they recognize who they are, and who they are to become. For others, it may happen over time, a gradual knowing and growing into something else or someone else.
4
Affirmation and Rebirth
This is the stage of reintegration into the community, one which acknowledges and welcomes your newly acquired awareness, renewed sense of purpose, deepening of personal power, and perhaps untapped gifts of healing. As a community, we will celebrate your homecoming with a feast, song, and dance! Welcome home!
PREPARING FOR THE ENCAMPMENT
I enjoyed being in the wild forest and sleeping in a tent and being buried in the earth (with my head out) and all the fires and beautiful brave souls.
-RHV PARTICIPANT-
As a fully outdoor experience, we’ve provided a basic list of the essential gear you may need. Please go here for the list.
We highly suggest that you bring clothing suitable for getting dirty or wet. And If you need space in your luggage for other supplies, know that the focus will not be on what you’re wearing!! So it will be OK to pack lightly on clothing so you can bring the essentials for nine days in the wilderness. In addition to your gear, you will need to bring...
Frequently Asked Questions
This is a local event, where can I stay?
I have never been on the Land, what do I need?
Do you provide meals? I have a special diet...
I need more information, who do I contact?
