Facilitators - Past & Present

Laura Kristine Amazzone recently completed a Master's in Philosophy and Religion, concentration in Women's spirituality at the California Institute of Integral Studies. Research from her Master's thesis was published in the summer 2002 edition of Revision: A Journal of Consciousness and Transformation. She has traveled extensively studying Asian healing practices and philosophies, and will begin a doctoral program in Asian Comparative Studies in fall 2003 at CIIS. She teaches at UC extension in San Francisco and lectures on Hindu Shakta tantra and the Goddess throughout the Bay Area. In fall 2000 she co-facilitated a pilgrimage to the Goddesses of Nepal through the World Religions Program of New College of California.

Jennifer Berezan is an acclaimed singer/songwriter/recording artist whose recordings include In the Eye of the Storm, Borderlines, Voices on the Wind, She Carries Me and Refuge. She has performed and taught music and healing internationally and has led women's sacred pilgrimages throughout Europe. Jennifer is currently working on a new healing piece of music recorded in the Hypogeum in Malta.

Deeann Bruno has been training and facilitating adult growth for over 25 years. She likes to teach topics for the empowerment of all people, but especially women and children. During her work spiritually, she has taught workshops about the Goddess, astrology, numerology, the tarot, self-discovery through the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), and 10 Steps to Success.

She has been a member of various women's groups for the last seven years. She was on the board of directors for the Artemis Institute, and is currently part of the Kokua Group for Daughters of the Goddess.

She is a priestess and guardian who has led several public rituals. She is extremely grateful to her teachers of the Native American traditions, the Dianic tradition, Welsh fairy tradition, Astrology, and the Motherpeace tarot. She is thankful for her sisters in tantric work, in exploring multi-cultural goddesses, enjoying fairy energy, and all the loving and healing energy shared between womyn.

Mary Condren. Born in Dublin, Ireland, Mary Condren was educated at the University of Hull, England; Boston College, and Harvard University where she obtained her doctorate in the area: Religion, Gender and Culture.

She is the author and editor of numerous articles on feminist liberation theology and feminist theory, and The Serpent and the Goddess: Women, Religion, and Power in Celtic Ireland (Harper Collins, 1989).

She currently teaches in the Centre for Gender and Women's Studies at Trinity College Dublin, and is director of the Institute for Feminism and Religion.

For the past several years she has been working on a feminist critique of the sacrificial social contract and on the development of a feminist philosophia of mercy.

Michael Dames is a writer, artist, and prehistorian living in Britain. He is the author of The Silbury Treasure: The Great Goddess Rediscovered, The Avebury Cycle, Mythic Ireland and Mythic Wales (forthcoming).

Mauve Fishleigh, daughter of the earth, a songwomyn, a storyteller, an optimistic, idealistic Pisces, a children's advocate, a gardener, a tour guide and student of life. Mauve has lived in Hawai'i for part of the year, for fourteen years and has been learning teachings of Hawai'ian Ho'opono Pono.

She has worked and played at 45 womyn's festivals, doing body work, Holistic pulsing, and Watsu. For the last ten years, she has produced and directed circles and womyn's gatherings in Arizona and Hawai'i. She has also lead sacred site tours for small groups of womyn from all over the world for the past four years.

Mara Freeman - British writer, lecturer and storyteller, has studied the Celtic sacred traditions for more than 35 years. She writes regularly for the award-winning journal PARABOLA and is included amongst the world's best tellers of tales in the compendium Storytellers.

International workshop leader for 15 years, she currently teaches at the University of Creation Spirituality and is author of Kindling the Celtic Spirit: Ancient Traditions to Illumine your Life through the Seasons.An Archdruidess in the Druid Clan of Dana, Mara was recently honored Bard of the Order of the Bards, Ovates and Druids.

Marc Hadley is a musician, writer and high priest in the English Craft, and a graduate of Oxford University and the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. Initiated by Vivianne Crowley, he was privileged to work with Doreen Valiente before her death in 1999. He has specialised in British Mythology, and is the author of audio adaptations of the Icelandic Eddas ("Fire & Ice- myths of the Norse people" 1997) and "The Mabinogion" (1998.) His experience and knowledge of the archeo-mythological landscape of Southwest England contributed towards the initial research of the itinerary for the Mists of Avalon Tour. As a facilitator, his workshops have covered areas from Energy work through Tarot to Transpersonal Psychology. Marc has been an integral member of Sacred Journeys for Women . He has safely driven our groups since our first year of operation in 1997 and shared his knowledge and delightful humour.

Martha Harkey is adjunct professor of pharmacology at the UC Davis School of Medicine, where she teaches and conducts research in the fields of alternative and herbal medicine. She has over 20 years of experience in pharmacology, has lectured extensively to professional and community groups, and in 1998, developed the first course on "Integrative Medicine" for medical students at UC Davis. Her research focuses on interactions between herbal products and pharmaceuticals. A Libra, she balances scientific knowledge of herbs with an appreciation for the magical and ritual uses of plants, and lives on a 50-acre ranch where she grows medicinal and culinary herbs.

Kathy Jones is a healer, writer, ceremonialist, ritual dramatist, speaker, workshop leader, tarot and psychic reader and goddess guide to the sacred landscapes of Avalon, Avebury and South West Britian. She is an organiser of the fabulous Glastonbury Goddess Conference and is a co-founder of many community based spiritual projects in Glastonbury, including the Isle of Avalon Foundation. She lives and works in Glastonbury upon the Isle of Avalon and is dedictated to the Goddess in all her expressions and to the life of the spirit manifest.

Kathy's website

Mahealani Kuamo'o-Henry

Kumu 'Elele O Na Kupuna

Mahealani, a native Hawaiian speaker from Puna, on the Big Island of Hawaii, is one who shares the Aloha Spirit philosophy for lokahi (unity) self-awareness and truth.

She is a Kumu 'Elele (messenger) for the spiritual voices of her Ancestors within the strong lineage of Kumus, Kahus, and Kahunas (teachers, trusted guardians, priests/advisors and healers) under the leadership of her ancestral Kupuna-Kane (grandfather) named ³Kaiwikuamo'okekuaokalani.' This translates as 'the backbone strength of the heavenly chiefs.'

Her workshops are of the ancient spiritually-pragmatic teachings from approx. 342 to 1299 A.D., and how to apply the practice in today's lifestyle. Mahealani claims that her role as a teacher-messenger is the easiest because all she does is 'show up' in place and her ancestors do all the 'messaging' and the teachings in the workshop. Kumu Mahealani also served as a cultural-based counselor for the Federal DASH (drug alcohol substance abuse) rehabilitation program. She is also a Kahu-priestess and officiates at weddings, blessings, wakes, memorials, etc.

In 1993, societal climate, and Mahealani's acceptance to serve her ancestors in public, began the path for her to bring forward the ancient teachings of Ho'opono pono (making right, more right) or Pono Ke Ala (the Right Path), both as the more descriptive title for the pre-Tahitian and pre-Western teachings that Kumu Mahealani ascribes too in her teachings and presentations. In brief, the Right Path is the 'recognition' and the 'permission' that we give ourselves to accept our 'greatness' and to experience it in our daily moments. In Hawaii, we refer to these experiences as, 'Chicken-skin' moments!'

Nancy Leatzow has practiced yoga for over 25 years. Her teaching originates in her work as a feminist family therapist, Reiki healer and Phoenix Rising Yoga therapist. Creator of mythoyoga - sacred practice that stretches, strengthens and transforms the physical body, emotional body, mind and spirit - Nancy believes that when the body and mind relax into pure joy, yoga has happened. Author, storyteller and ceremonialist, she has been travelling to sacred sites in Greece since 1994.

Joan Marler is an international lecturer and editor of The Civilization of the Goddess (1991) by Marija Gimbutas. A producer for public radio since 1982, she has taught dance as a healing art for nearly thirty years. Joan is the authorized biographer of Marija Gimbutas and is the editor of From the Realm of the Ancestors: An Anthology in Honor of Marija Gimbutas (1997). She teaches Archaeomythology at the California Institute of Integral Studies and New College of California in San Francisco.

Caterina Martinico, ATR-B.C., is an artist and Art Therapist, who has been teaching Creative Process classes at Santa Rosa Junior College for the past 20 years, and is co-founder of the Creative Arts Studio in Santa Rosa, where she works privately in in small groups focusing on artmaking as a spiritual practice. Her work focuses on inspiring others to connect with the spark of their creative selves, and their own inner wisdom as it reveals itself through the art process, and in the dedication to artmaking as a healing, transformative experience. For more information contact her at the Creative Arts studio (www.creativeartstudio.com) in Santa Rosa at 707 538-4696, or via email at cmm@sonic.net

Jessica Montgomery, MSW, ceremonialist and Artist in Residenace at Breitenbush Hot Springs Retreat and Conference center, has studied the Celtic traditions for 18 years. trained as a clinical social worker and art therapist, she combines ecopsychology, earth mysteries and years of experience with the power of circle to facilitate direct relationship with the wild divine. She leads daily meditation, movement, sacred arts and ritual and teaches workshops on crafting personal devotional practices. She has made pilgrimages to numerous sites in England, Ireland and Malta and is currently writing her first book on contemporary ritual in the sacred landscape.

Oona Mourier, Ph.D, is the author of "9 Secrets to Bedroom Bliss". She is an explorer of the many faces of the Self, a shaman, a wise woman, a visionary, a trickster, a mother, a sex therapist and an entrepreneur. She has devoted her life to the exploration of the Mystery. Her innovative mind has led her to create new paradigms in sexuality, as well as in relationships and business. Oona is a practicing Buddhist. She has lived on four continents and easily crosses cultures bridging disparate traditions. She is fluent in four languages.

Amantha Murphy is a Shamanic Healer and Priestess of the Goddess. She started her work professionally thirty one years ago as a clairvoyant and moved into trance-mediumship and healing within three years. Since then she has worked with, and continues to work with, groups and individuals. Her passion is the Land and returning to HER story ­ working through the Grandmothers and the "shining ones" the Tuatha de Danann.

She has been running Goddess tours successfully in Eire since 1992, of which she is passionate about, and has returned fulltime to her roots in Kerry, Eire since 1997. She facilitates a meditation group, woman's group and ongoing shamanic groups in Kerry, West Cork , Dublin and the U.K.

Amantha's teachings have come from her ancestral teachers, her Grandmother and the land Herself. Amantha's focus is very much on Sacred Ceremony, the Celtic Wheel and Rites of Passage for women. She also is available as a Dula (one who is with women when they are giving birth, especially home-births). Amantha is the mother of four and Grandmother of three.

Vicki Noble is a feminist shamanic healer, author, scholar and wisdom teacher whose Motherpeace Tarot (co-created with Karen Vogel) has become a common language shared by contemporary women around the world. In her teaching she combines Buddhism, feminism, yoga, shamanism, and Goddess worship with a special focus on the female lineage of healers since ancient times. Vicki is the author of Motherpeace, Shakti Woman, Down is Up for Aaron Eagle and Making Ritual with Motherpeace.

Alaura O'Dell was born and raised in Britain. She is the owner and operator of Sacred Journeys for Women and is currently based in Northern California. Alaura has given presentations in Europe, North America, Canada and Japan as a musician and lecturer on ritual and performance art. Alaura has an intimate knowledge of the sacred sites of Britain and has been exploring these powerful locations for more than 20 years.

Jo Pettit, CHT, is a High Priestess of the Goddess, ordained in the Dianic Tradition of Wicca, a Certified Hypnotherapist and a daughter of the Earth. She is dedicated to lifting the veils of illusion from the hearts, minds and bodies of women, revealing the Truth about ourselves and our Divine Feminine Nature. A gifted ritualist and intuitive healer, she weaves a magical web of Love and intention, creating a safe, sacred space for healing and transformation. Drawing upon her experience as a priestess and a hypnotherapist, she brews a potent blend of trance journey, hypnotherapy, flower essences, creative expression, ritual and tarot in her classes, workshops and private sessions.

Arisika Razak, RN,CNM, MPH, has been a midwife, healer and spitual dancer for thirty years. An Associate Professor of women's spirituality at the California Institute of Integral Studies, San Francsico, CA. Arisika has led spiritual and healing workshops for women for over two decades. Her dance celebrates the physical body of woman, and the blood mysteries of childbirth, menstruation, sexuality and menpause. She has contributed to several books, and is a featured dancer in the films "A Place of Rage" and "Fire Dancer".

Cheryl Straffon is a writer, researcher and workshop facilitator who lives in West Cornwall, where there are some of the most extensive numbers of ancient and sacred sites in Europe.

She edits the local earth mysteries/pagan magazine "Meyn Mamvro", and is author of several guide books to the ancient sites, as well as the books Pagan Cornwall: Land of the Goddess and The Earth Goddess: the Celtic and Pagan legacy of the Land. She is one of the organisers of the Cornish Earth Mysteries Group, and a member of the local Sacred Sites Committee, whose responsibility is to look after and care for the ancient sites.

She is also co-editor of the Goddess Alive! magazine, and has much ritual and ceremonial experience of the sites. It will be her pleasure to welcome you to the sites in Cornwall and guide you to a deeper appreciation of their meaning and purpose.

Sandra Stein, Ph.D. is an author, teacher, and community activist. She holds her doctorate in Women's Studies and has spent twelve years researching women's learning and development. Sandra's short stories have recived national attention. In 1998, she was selected as one of the best new Bay Area authors by KPFA. She has recently completed her latest book, Dancing in the Shadows: Choreography of the Nightsoul, which is awaiting publication. In 1994, Sandra designed the writing workshop; Women, Spirit and Story. Since then, Women, Spiritand Story has gained recognition and popularity with new and seasoned women writers. Sandra offers the workshop once a year in the San Francisco Bay Area, and Alaska.

Barbara Voinar began her practice of yoga 30 years ago as a student and has been developing herself as a teacher for the past 25+ years. Barbara's experience of yoga is extraordinary. The scope of her teaching and love of yoga brought her into the prison community where she initiated and developed a model to bring weekly yoga classes into state and federal prisons in upstate New York, the women's community through specializing in pre and post natal yoga, and cancer community through her development of Healing Yoga. She has the capacity to translate the practice of yoga to meet the need of each individual at the different crossroads of life. Her love of combining Healing Sound and yoga has presented itself in co-teaching workshops and retreats with Jennifer Berezan, Krishna Das, WAH, Jai Uttal & Geoff Gordon. She is a co-founder of 4th St. Yoga in Berkeley, CA, teaches workshops and retreats nationally and internationally and continues delightfully collaborating with other respected and dynamic teachers. 510-528-4469 or barbara@4thstreetyoga.com.

Karen Vogel is a renowned intuitive who is widely known as co-creator of the Motherpeace Tarot deck (currently over 200,000 in print) and as a teacher and outdoor guide as well as an extraordinary artist. Karen has a degree in anthropology and a background in women's studies, art and shamanism. She grew up in New York City but fell in love with the wild places of the western North America as a teenager. She's lived there ever since and explored many places in the intermountain and far west.

Karen's creative voice expresses her deep sense of animation and spirit in nature. Her art has appeared prominently in a number of well known performances and public rituals in the Bay Area of California. She was the artistic director for Jennifer Berezan's concert ReTurning to the Mother of Us All.

Patricia Waters, MA, is an art therapist and artist who has led art process groups in the Bay area, Canada, and Ukraine. She and Caterina are partners in the Creative Arts Studio in Santa Rosa, where they facilitate groups and individuals in art process for self-empowerment and healing.