Wednesday
3:00 pm – 5:30 pm | Check-In
6:00 pm – 7:30 pm | Dinner
7:30 pm – 9:00 pm | Opening Session + Blessing
Activity Level
●●●○○
Group Size
95 max
Duration
5 days / 4 nights
Prerequisites
No experience needed
Find connection with
Nature & Community
This retreat is not only a chance to experience something unforgettable but also to share that experience within a beautiful community.
The shamanic circle at Mt. Shasta is full of diverse people, young and old. Families and individuals from around the world return year after year to celebrate the summer season together in nature.
Spiritual practices and ceremonial celebrations in nature bring the community together, unifying the circle with all of creation.
What to expect from the
Experience
Clarity
Start each day by focusing your intentions and connecting with the light of Grandfather Fire. Ground yourself in the love of Mother Earth as you walk on the land and celebrate the summer season in sacred ceremony. Through these practices, we purify the spirit and find clarity for our life.
Prayer
Tap into the life force of this place of power. Make a pilgrimage to Mt. Shasta and make prayers for yourself, your loved ones, and all that lives on the Earth.
Connection
Cultivate a deeper bond with the elemental powers and the spiritual world of nature. Learn ancient chants and use the sound of the drum and rattle to shift consciousness in order to strengthen your connection to all of creation.
Purification
Cleanse body and soul in the abundant waters that flow freely from the summer ice melts of Mount Shasta’s glaciers. Purify your consciousness and unite with the flow of nature.
Community
Share the experience with a wonderful group of people, all striving to bring healing to themselves and the planet. The way of shamanism not only strengthens your relationship with the spirits of nature; it also naturally helps us build a more loving and kind community.
Meet Your
Teachers & Guides
Brant Secunda
Brant Secunda is an internationally acclaimed shaman, healer, and teacher in the indigenous Huichol tradition of Mexico. During an intensive 12-year apprenticeship, Brant became the adopted grandson and close companion of Don José Matsuwa, the renowned shaman who passed away in 1990 at the age of 110. Brant was chosen by Don José to take his place in helping to carry on Huichol Shamanism.
Recognized as a global thought leader and spiritual teacher, Brant has been a lecturer at the Mayo Clinic, the American Holistic Medical Association Conferences, and a faculty member of the Five Branches Institute of Chinese Medicine. He also co-founded the Humanistic Medicine Conference with the World Health Organization, the Peace University in Berlin, and is a founding member of the American Herbalist Guild.
Striving to bridge the worlds of fitness and spirituality, Brant co-authored the award-winning book Fit Soul, Fit Body: 9 Keys to a Healthier, Happier You.
Nico Secunda
Nico Secunda has been steeped in the indigenous Huichol tradition and shamanic practices since birth. He completed an intensive shamanic apprenticeship with his father (Brant Secunda) at twenty-one years of age and underwent the rare transmission of power ceremony to become a Mara-Akame (Huichol Shaman) in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico.
He is the Managing Director of the Dance of the Deer Foundation – Center for Shamanic Studies. Nico is also the Co-Founder of the Huichol Foundation, which provides economic and cultural support to the indigenous Huichol people of Mexico.
As of member of the Provost Advisory Council at the University of California at Santa Cruz, Nico utilized his unique perspectives to help guide the long-term vision of the college with an aim of supporting a balance of environmental sustainability, modern technology, and community diversity.
Nico holds a 4th Dan (degree) black belt in Aikido and is a regular instructor at Aikido of Santa Cruz. As a close student of Motomichi Anno Shihan (8th Dan), Nico has journeyed to Japan many times to deepen his practice and connection with the roots of Aikido. He is also a member of the Aikido for Tomorrow initiative, striving to support future generations of Aikido practitioners around the globe.
As a child of both the modern world and the ancient Huichol culture, Nico has walked a unique path, bridging the new and old worlds. Because of this, he offers a very relatable approach for people striving to integrate spiritual practices into their daily lives and unify various aspects of the self.
Pricing
Tuition + Accommodation options
- Tuition Prices increase Nov. 1st
- Adult • $505
$680 - Child • $252.50
$340 - Infant • FREE $0
- Accommodations
- Tent Camping • $400
Tent not provided; please plan on bringing your own tent, sleeping bag, and pillow. Price is per/person. All meals included.
- Commuter • $250
Select this option if staying offsite (hotel, B&B, etc). You will reserve and pay separately for your own off-site accommodations. Price is per/person. All meals included.
- RV / Car Camping • $250
Limited spaces are available and must be booked and paid for separately with the venue. Price is per/person. All meals included.
Tuition Options
include program instruction and materials
Morning, afternoon, and evening sessions
- Tribal songs, chants, drumming & rattling.
- Journeying exercises working with the 4 directions.
- Meditation practices to connect with the elemental powers.
- Lecture & discussion including Huichol cosmology and myths.
- Question and answer opportunities.
Dance of the Deer Ceremonies
- Ancient ceremony to honor the light of creation, celebrate the summer season and pray for healing for ourselves and the planet.
Pilgrimage to Mt. Shasta
- Learn how to approach places of power in prayer.
- Receive a transmission of power from the mountain.
Accommodations
all options include the following
Selected lodging option
- Choose between Camping, Commuter, and RV options.
- Prices are per/person.
11 vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) from dinner on Wednesday to breakfast on Sunday.
Access to the retreat grounds + amenities – rivers, ponds, bathrooms, hot showers, and laundry facilities.
Discounted Attendance
Students
Register with a .edu email address and save 10% on all tuition options.
Seniors
If you’re 65 or older, you can save 10% on all tuition options. Simply select the checkbox when registering.
Families
We love having families at our programs and strive to bring all ages into the sacred circle. Children 4-17 receive a 50% discount on all tuition options and infants (under the age of 4) are FREE.
Families of four or more receive 10% off each adult attendee.
Retreat Itinerary
Program schedule + session details
FAQ + Guide
Tips to ensure a great retreat experience
Where is the retreat located?
The retreat will be held near the town of Mt. Shasta in Northern California. Detailed location information and directions will be provided upon registration.
What are the accommodations?
There are a variety of lodging options for this retreat, though most people choose to camp. RV/Car Camping spots must be booked and paid for separately with the venue. Venue contact information will be provided upon registration.
All meals are included (Wednesday dinner – Sunday breakfast). Our chefs prepare vegetarian meals and can provide vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free options.
What is the activity level of the retreat?
Daily activities may include walking, swimming in rivers, and easy hikes; and some days may include longer hikes and pilgrimages.
What is the weather typically like?
Generally, the typical climate is hot and dry during the day and cooler at night.
The heat adds a unique intensity to the program, though we like to meet in the shade whenever possible. There is a creek that runs along the property with cold mountain water that you can enjoy during breaks.
Do I need to bring anything?
Here is a list of items to bring:
- Blanket or camping chair to sit on outdoors
- Tent + sleeping bag (if camping)
- Personal toiletries
- Bath towel + beach towel for swimming
- Layers of clothing (it can get hot in the day and cold at night)
- Hat + sunscreen (we make an effort to meet in the shade)
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Flashlight
- Pocket knife (for making prayer arrows)
- Anything special you would like to have blessed on the ceremonial altar
Are dogs allowed at this program?
For the well-being of all attendees and our beloved animal friends, dogs are not permitted at our event sessions. Our program includes drumming and rattling sounds that may be unsettling to them.
If you’re considering an RV spot, the venue may accommodate your dog, although breed-specific regulations apply. Kindly inquire with the venue when reserving your spot.
Are there any prerequisites to attend?
No. This retreat is open to anyone, whether you are looking to take the first step on the shamanic path or if you’ve been studying with Brant for decades.
When does the program start and end?
The retreat will begin on Wednesday (July 17, 2024) with check-in from 3:00 pm – 5:30 pm, followed by dinner at 6:00 pm and an opening session at 7:30 pm.
The program will conclude on Sunday (July 21, 2024) at 11:00 am with a closing session following breakfast.
Will the program be live-streamed?
No. This retreat will only be available for those attending in person. If you’re interested in joining a virtual program online, please take a look at our schedule of upcoming programs.
Do I need to attend the entire retreat?
We greatly encourage everyone to join the retreat for the full time in order to gain the complete experience of the teachings and practices, while also helping maintain the energy of the collective group.
Will plant medicine be offered?
No, this program does not include any type of plant medicine. Although this is indeed an integral part of shamanic traditions, this program will focus on the use of drumming, rattling, chanting, and dance to achieve similar altered states of consciousness.
Will I become a shaman by attending this program?
No, our programs do not provide any type of certification and are not designed to teach people to become shamans, as this requires years of complete dedication through a traditional shamanic apprenticeship. Instead, this retreat provides an opportunity to practice shamanism, learn the ancient exercises for spiritual developemnt, and celebrate life in sacred ceremony and ritual.
The practices of shamanism are ones that can be integrated into your everyday routine in order to empower yourself, your community, and all that lives on Mother Earth.
Can children attend?
Yes, we welcome families and children at all our programs and love having all ages included in our circle. We offer a 50% discount for children ages 4-17 and infants under the age of 4 join free of charge.
Children (anyone under 18 years of age) must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
Have questions?
Schedule a call with us
What people are saying
Testimonials
What is Shamanism?
Shamanism is a way of honoring nature. Practiced in various forms around the world by different indigenous tribes, the methods of shamanism are diverse; however, they are unified in their inherent basis in the natural world.
Huichol Tribe
The Huichol (Wixaritari) are a small indigenous tribe of approximately 35,000, living in the Sierra Madre Mountains of Mexico. They are considered one of the last cultures in North America to have maintained their pre-Columbian traditions to this day.
Shamanic Healing
Inherent to the spiritual traditions of shamanism is the art of healing. Although our programs do not aim to teach people to heal or become shamans, they most definitely provide the tools for personal healing and transformation.