Return to your nature in nature
To be whole. To be complete. Wildness reminds us what it means to be human, what we are connected to rather than what we are separate from.
Terry Tempest Williams
Raven Council
This course combines circle work, land-based teaching, rites of passage, self-generated ritual, mirroring, power tools, indigenous & archetypal teaching to guide you on a journey into inner & outer wilderness to find your call, direction, purpose, power & a new name & identity.
What is included
Learn to use all the related tools, walk into a job and be a rockstar from day one. The skills you need to become a real professional. Thrive in your career.
- 10 circle gatherings over 5 months onsite or online option
- partner, group and individual support circles
- Video Conferencing &online resources with video, audio & links
- Art Projects: hand made & painted drum, medicine pouch, necklace, rattle, nature journal, talking stick & power circle
- 3 day rite of passage in nature with a ceremony
Why we need this now . . .
Benefits for your mind, body & life.
Why walk this path?
Who is this path for? Everyone
The future will belong to the nature-smart-those individuals, families, businesses, and political leaders who develop a deeper understanding of the transformative power of the natural world.
Richard louv
Frequently asked questions
1. Does this have to be hard
While rites of passage are traditionally rigorous, this does not have to be hard. What is more important is that your experience is meaningful and perfect for you. Yet, the wilderness is an initiation, calling & challenging you. The traditional commitment is fasting with water for 3 days but it can be one and mental & physical health are 1.
How does this work?
There is a magic to this that can't be explained, rooted in the archetypal nature of 3 days in the wilderness. We gather in circle, learning techniques & tools inside & out, but what we are really doing is returning to the ways of our ancestors to build on their legacy & return to our roots, gaining visionary insight & power for our lives.
What are the onsite options?
Two primary locations are in Tumwater, Washington & La Quinta, California, where you come to "class" inside & out on the land at 2 creative (nature + art) learning centers. From these "home bases" (both with many acres of Land), we go deeper into the wilderness for our ROP in the Olympic National Park & Joshua Tree National Park, which are close to their respective centers & WOW.
What is the purpose & outcome?
This will vary in the details, but overall the purpose is to find & make your way through a phase of deep but challenging growth to come through with the needed qualities & skills to take the next step in your life. This may be upon graduation from high school or college, after a disease or divorce or upon retirement, but it is really a time of transition & transformation.
What are people saying . . .
Our family healing rite of passage has been profound for me, facing the pain I caused, regaining harmony, feeling the love we all have for each other and our life, remembering and laughing together, all this has been a joyful transformation.
.I learned things about myself and from that made forward movement in healing which is great, huge and appreciated!
ROP Participant
Dr. Taylor was able to walk us through a group dynamic with remarkable ease. I was concerned that it would be emotional and resurrect our historical conflict. We were able to move through obstacles and reunite as a family. It was a truly transformative process.
My rite of passage opened me to a new perspective and a new love of life.
ROP Participant
ROP Participant
The family rite of passage led by Dr. Heather Taylor-Zimmerman brought our family not simply closure on the past but a future. We were able to process old wounds and see each other in a new way. We have transformed our relationships to emerge with a deeper understanding, compassion and love for each other.
ROP Participant
The experience was transformative. My parents had not talked for decades and we had years of emotional trauma. I was hoping to simply be able to communicate with each other. What occurred far exceeded my expectations. We are not only able to communicate but my parents have become good friends. We were able to reclaim our family.
ROP Participant