Thank you for being in my world and being part of my community. I'm deeply grateful to each of you — for who you are, for what you bring to the world and for our connection. As we head into Thanksgiving, I'm sending gratitude and blessings to you and yours. May this season be full of connection and heart.

 

To mark the entry into the winter season, I'm delighted to invite you to our home in Eagle, WI, for "The Sanctuary of Eternal Light," a {Listen. Enjoy. Savor.} Winter Solstice Retreat on Friday, December 20 from 9 am-noon. 

 

As we enter into the winter season, I  invite you to make space to pause...listen...intend...and fill your inner cup.

 

Our guiding supports and archetypes for the gathering will be the Cedar tree (steadfast protection & true belonging), Archangel Sandalphon (weaver of the light codes, supporter of humans and intercessor), Rutilated Quartz (spiritual growth, insight & protection) and Seashell (balance, protection for pilgrims on the path, intermediary between the visible world and the Divine). 

 

We will focus on rituals for finding sanctuary in the eternal light within and without and prepare for the winter season with intention and heart. You'll leave with practices to navigate being in the dark whilst also tending our inner connection to light. As always, there will be space for sacred  listening and group sharing, light snacks and tea, and gifts connected to our themes.

 

These {Listen. Enjoy. Savor} mini-retreats offer space to reflect, vision, receive and BE...with yourself, with Nature and the Divine.  

•  You'll have time alone to reflect and be...AND time to share and be together in circle. 
•  You'll be offered practices and tools for discovering what wild alignment means for you,...AND have the freedom to choose what's best for you and use the time as you most need. 
  
•  You'll enter fall with insights and intention,....AND a collection of practices and rituals to sustain your soul. 

I'd love to celebrate the start of the season with you. Are you called to be a part of this special gathering? 

{Listen. Enjoy. Savor.}

Sanctuary of Eternal Light: A Winter Solstice Retreat

Friday, December 20, 2024 from 9 am to noon Central Time 

Exchange: $50

To register: Venmo (preferred) or Paypal

Scholarships available if needed.

Yummy snacks and tea provided. Gifts and surprises included.

Bring your own lunch if you want to stay for a lunch social after.

Held at my home in Eagle, WI (15 min SW of Delafield, WI)

Questions or need to know more? Email me. Feel free to invite others who might be interested. 

Message from the Clouds {received for the first Listen. Enjoy. Savor. Retreat 5/2017)

Start where you are:

Here on the ground,

Ear turned inward,

Staring at the sky. 

From this place listen and know

what is true 

and pure. 

From this place, soak in and savor 

this skin you are in and this life you have been gifted 

and the love that is always there. 

From this place, 

All is well, 

All is given, 

All is restored

All is known and held and received.

Come let us be in this space together.

Listening.

Savoring.

Enjoying. 

What is Listen. Enjoy. Savor.? 

{Write to Change the World} A Circle for Writers

I host an encouraging and supportive circle on the 1st Wednesday evening of the month on Zoom for writers of all types. We will open enrollment again in January, for the February-June session. We meet for two five-month cohorts each year. Please email me if you are interested. 

 I do hope you'll join us. It's magic when writers support each other. Let's get writing!

To your fullest expression,
Shannon

 
PS Closing with encouragement from writer Roxane Gay:

“One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself as a writer is to take yourself seriously. This does not mean you should take yourself too seriously, but it does mean that if you love writing, if you put in the work of writing, you are a writer. You don’t need to ask anyone if you can call yourself a writer. You don’t need to reach a certain publishing threshold. So long as you put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard, you are a writer.

And if you are a writer, you want to respect your craft the same way you respect the other important things in your life. Make time for your writing whether it’s writing itself, reading, participating in the literary community or anything else that contributes meaningfully to your creative life. Write regularly, which does not mean you need to write every day but does mean that your work will be stronger if you are consistent. When you make a time to write, honor that commitment to yourself and your creative work as much as you honor all the other commitments in your life."

from here: https://1000wordsofsummer.substack.com/p/day-2-1000wordsofsummer-2022

About Me 

Since 1998, when I taught my first writing class, I have been passionate about inspiring others to write. I have taught more than 1,000 writing students, spoken at writing conferences (including the Midwest Writer's Conference, Great Lakes Writer's Conference and Fox Valley Writer's Conference) and have been a book "doula" and developmental editor for almost a dozen published books. My strengths are being an inspiration catalyst and encouraging cheerleader for writers. I am the author of two books — Flowering Wisdom: Inspiring Thoughts on Life, Love and Blooming Big (Self-Published) and Everybody Loves Ice Cream: The Whole Scoop on America's Favorite Treat (Emmis Books) and the past editor-in-chief of Ohio Magazine, an award-winning 100,000 circulation magazine featuring the best of the Buckeye State. My varied background also includes public radio producing, newspaper reporting, magazine writing, and corporate communications. For the past decade, my focus has been on serving creatives and spiritual seekers through my shamanic-based energy work, intuitive guidance and Human Design readings and in offering seasonal retreats for inner listening, community sharing and creative ritual at her home in the forest of southeastern Wisconsin and via Zoom. 

What Past Writing Students Have Said…

Thank you, Shannon, for holding the space so we can be good writers influenced by your wise teaching and your strong support of our creative expression. You are a gift to all of us. — Rosemary

I can honestly say you were the one who really got me to enjoy writing again, and I wouldn’t have
stuck with it without you. Thanks for all the help and encouragement. — Matt

Your teaching style is so positive and encouraging.   — Sue

I don't want to lose track of you because you are still the person in my life who most changed my life.  After 4 years, I'm still writing. — Mickie