An Introduction to Alchemical Healing

*THIS TRAINING IS APPROVED FOR 23 PDA POINTS (CEUs) WITH NCCAOM*

Testimonials:

“The Introduction to Alchemical Healing weekend at Menla was so enriching … and beautifully presented – an aspect, I have found, that is lacking in so much education today and yet so valuable in how we absorb and process information.”  K. Jaeger

“I am so grateful to you and Lorie for all the work you do and how emotionally and spiritually generous you both are. It is contagious. The thoughtful work and dedication it takes to create an environment that induces a room full of people to keep moving toward the big self not lost on me.”   ~ Colleen Garvey

What does it mean to be truly healthy?

How do we care for ourselves and each other to inspire the emergence of vital new possibilities in the midst of environmental crisis and cultural breakdown?

For the past twenty years, we have been engaged in an exploration of these questions through the learning community of our Alchemical Healing Mentorship.

This weekend retreat is an introduction to our work – the art and science of healing as transformation.

We delve into the alchemical principles at the heart of Chinese medicine, Western astrology, and depth psychology, observing an attitude toward impasse and symptom that recognizes the interconnectedness of body, mind and spirit as the foundation of true health. We also discover how healing can move beyond protocol and pain relief to become a creative experience that enlivens and transforms the soul. The inner work of alchemy opens a doorway to a new consciousness that ultimately extends beyond the personal to the healing of our communities and our planet.

Together, we create a safe and vibrant crucible where we support each other in learning skills, using tools, and strengthening our authenticity as practitioners and as fully engaged human beings.

Though this weekend is geared to practitioners, anyone with a keen interest in healing and growth is welcome.

The workshop will include:

• an immediate personal experience of healing as creative process
• an overview of alchemy as a system of healing and transformation
• an experiential journey through the history of human consciousness and a look at where consciousness is headed in the future, and the critical impact this evolution has on health and healing
• an exploration of Lorie Dechar’s original work with the Five Spirits (the Taoist equivalent of the chakra system)
• an introduction to Five Elements as basic archetypes of the soul
• an introduction to the “Felt Sense” and somatic awareness techniques that support us in working more effectively with our patients and caring for ourselves in the treatment room
• an introduction to astrological archetypes as energetic patterns that inform our destiny
• a dipping of toes into the use of dreamwork in health care
• needling techniques, spirit points, flower essences, essential oils and three basic treatment protocols that support alchemical work
• practical ways you can make Alchemical Healing a part of your life and work moving forward

We will reference the following texts:

Lorie Eve Dechar, Five Spirits: Alchemical Acupuncture for Psychological and Spiritual Healing
Steven Forrest, The Inner Sky
Robert A. Johnson, Inner Work: Using Dreams & Active Imagination for Personal Growth
Anthony Stevens, Jung: A Very Short Introduction
Ann Weiser Cornell, The Power of Focusing: A Practical Guide to Emotional Self-Healing

Schedule

Thursday, April 5th

3-6 pm Arrival, Check-In and Free time (spa, hiking)
6:15-7:15 pm  Dinner at the Lhasa Inn
7:30 -10:00 pm  Creating our Alchemical Vessel, Introduction to Alchemy and Alchemical Healing

Friday, April 6th

6:45-7:45 am  Morning Yoga
8:00-9:00am  Breakfast
9:30-11:45 am  Working in the Alchemical Laboratory: Resistance and Prima Materia, Alchemy and the Structures of Human Consciousness
12:30 1:30 pm  Lunch
2:00- 6:00 pm The Axel and the Wheel: A Journey Through the Five Elements and the Five Spirits
6:15-7:15 pm  Dinner
7:30 – 9:30 pm Working with Alchemical Images and Archetypes

Saturday, April 7th

6:45-7:45 am  Morning Yoga
8:00-9:00am  Breakfast
9:15-12:15 am  Dreamwork
12:30 1:30 pm  Lunch
2:00- 6:00 pm  Alchemical Treatment Tools and Clearing Practices
6:15-7:15 pm  Dinner
7:30 – 9:30 pm Astrological Archetypes as Key to the Self

Sunday, April 8th

8:00-9:00 am  Breakfast
9:15-12:15 am  Closing Circle
12:30 1:30 pm  Lunch & Check-out

Note: Schedule is subject to change at anytime