The Poet's Heart Workshop

Emerald North

Visionary painter, ceramic artist, gardener, poet and teacher, Emerald North, brings years of vital and vibrant experience to the ceremonial circles she facilities. She teaches from the depth of a full and rich life with humor, vision and love. Emerald has been with The School of Lost Borders since 1993 and co-directed the School with Angelo Lazenka from 2001 through 2005. Currently, she directs the Mentoring Program, leads fasts and trainings and works with advanced trainees. Emerald lives in Cochiti Lake, NM.

Raymond Hillis

Ray has led and assisted fasts with the School of Lost Borders in the past few years. He received his Ph.D. in Psychology from UCLA in 1968, recently retired from a lifelong career of teaching human development and counseling, and has had a psychotherapy practice with a special interest in Jungian analytic dreamwork since the 1970s. He's a pianist, wilderness explorer, student of dreams, and ceremonial practitioner. He now spends much of his time on the land where we will be meeting and is restoring it for groups like ours to use in the coming years. He also lives with his partner of 22 years, Monika Wikman, in Santa Fe, NM.

The Poet's Heart, with Emerald North and Raymond Hillis
Saguache, Colorado, Jan 31 to Feb 3, 2008

Poet's Heart

Somewhere, beneath the soft curves of soul,
Under the brittle broken branches,
Are eyes that feel what they see.
They have known the suffering and the rising.
They have birthed the great compassion and the great loneliness.
They have danced in raging wind, whipping the sword of the great jealousy.
Even God has been there.
It is from here that the poet breathes his words into my mouth.
It is from here that the embrace exists.
The poet is the witness that never waivers,
The heart friend that burns with soothing fire.

Within the poet's heart lies a secret emotional life, not only of the poet, but also of Psyche herself, not only of Psyche, but the landscape out of which she emerges. This living connection is the basis of this ceremonial seminar. We will explore the nature of poetry, our own and that of others. Time will be spent alone on the land with the intent to trust the voice that wants to speak, wants to loudly proclaim and to whisper, to take on the form of the wind, snow, winter sunlight and the sweet promise of things dormant awaiting Spring. There will be time spent in community sharing the voice that emerges in solitude. This is a ceremony built upon trust. This is a ceremony built upon courage. This is a time for jumping into the fire and being the water that mellows that flame. Are you ready to let your voice blend with the voice of the land that is your home and the heart that knows Self?

This Seminar takes place at Dragonback Springs, located outside Saguache, Colorado, 4 hours north of Santa Fe, or 3 1/2 hours west of the Colorado Springs airport. While the Springs is located at 9000 feet in the Rocky Mountains, It has a full southern exposure for warmth, excellent sheltered protection from winter winds, light to moderate annual snowfall and excellent terrain for foot travel in the snow. Nights are cold, but days are generally very pleasant for outdoor activity. Nine out of ten winter days provide full sun.

Dragonback Springs offers us the rare opportunity to enter deep into a remote winter wonderland with excellent indoor facilities as our base.

We will each take daily excursions into snowy forests with intents based upon the Four shields of Human Nature, which will be taught at the first meeting. Mirroring of stories brought back from the land will be incorporated into our days. Each participant is asked to bring 5 poems of their own making, or that of others, to share with the circle in addition to whatever one wants to share of writing during the workshop. Be prepared with weather-appropriate clothing and sleeping gear. Simple, warm indoor accommodations and meals are included in the cost of the seminar. Please bring coffee and wine to share. An equipment list and directions to the land will be sent to registered participants.

Enrollment limited to ten.

Fee $550

For more information contact:
emerald@gmail.com or raymondhillis@gmail.com