School of Shamanic Midwifery

The School of Shamanic Midwifery (SSM) is a Women’s Mysteries School for midwives and doulas, a gathering of wise women, a year long Earth based ‘religious’ experience. It will awaken in you a deeper connection to the cycles - the way of life - and enable in you a range of ancient and traditional skills and tools to serve women and the birth process.

Commencing in the Southern Spring of 2009, SSM will offer a program run over a year or so.
The aim of the program is:
* to awaken the Shamaness in you so that you may take this to your practice as midwife or doula and serve the women, their process and the birth process at a deeper, healing level.
* to learn ways of ‘being with woman’ that best facilitates the transformation possible for women, and their families, during pregnancy and birth.

This is a program designed to develop shamanic skills, a connection with the Earth, the Goddess and self-awareness.
Besides offering you further tools for your practice, the program aims to provide you with the opportunity to see who you really are and why you do the things you do the way you do them.

The School of Shamanic Midwifery is based in Australia and is given and co-ordinated by Jane Hardwicke Collings, Homebirth Midwife, Mother, Grandmother. Jane has apprenticed with many great teachers – Maggie Lecky Thompson, Blackbear James Harvey and the late Jeannine Parvati Baker. She brings the experience of 25 years of homebirths and shamanic practice together and, as requested, presents what she has learned and commits to helping facilitate those who are interested on their journey toward being Shamanic Midwives.

SSM1 October 2009 - November 2010, to held in a combination of Southern Highlands, NSW and Melbourne venues - fully booked (15 women), waiting list. Fee: $2000
SSM2 October 2010 – November 2011, to be held in a combination of Southern Highlands, NSW and Northern NSW/Queensland venues. Taking bookings now. Fee: $3500


What is Shamanic Midwifery?
Shamanism is humanity’s oldest 'religion' and healing art. It is universal across cultures. It involves working with the cycles, in alternate dimensions of reality with guides and powerful subtle energies, episodes of visionary states and serving others as a gatekeeper and a guide. It is about facilitating transformation and healing.

Shamanic midwifery is midwifery working with the energy of healing and transformation. Childbirth is a transformational experience what ever happens. The practice of shamanic midwifery facilitates for the mother - personal growth and development, self awareness and positive change. This happens by asking the appropriate questions, accessing inner wisdom, practicing intuitive listening and mindfulness. What arises for a pregnant woman in her relationships, in her day to day life, as her fears, her concerns, are not random occurrences. In the same way that her cravings for various foods are her body calling for a specific vitamin, mineral or nutritional content - what arises are the ‘tips of the icebergs' of the issues she has the opportunity to be with and deal with at that time, as she travels toward wholeness and balance in her being. Pregnancy and childbirth provide this opportunity, shamanic midwifery is the art of facilitating that.

The time commitment required for the program is attendance of the following:
Opening gathering - 2 days plus overnight camping
Moonsong workshops – weekend workshop, attendance at a second Moonsong workshop later in the year as well if possible. Attendance at two preferred.
Pregnancy Workshops - 3 days. Attendance at each scheduled Pregnancy Workshop over the year is encouraged, but at least two.
Vision Quest - 5 days away, 3 days and 3 nights solo
2 1-2 day camping retreats around particular moon phases (not necessarily on weekends)
Closing gathering - 2 days plus overnight camping

Besides these gatherings together you will be required to stay in email contact with me and do specific reading and research and engage in a meditation practice.

For inquiries and to enrol please contact Jane.
Jane Hardwicke Collings
janecollings@bigpond.com
www.moonsong.com.au