"My own spiritual search began 40 years ago in high school when I started reading Edgar Cayce books. I’d always had unusual experiences as a child and these books finally gave me answers. In my late 20's I discovered the Seth Books and was propelled into the awesome world of "you create your own reality." In the early 80's I began studying healing, beginning with a Reiki training in MariEl healing. I was searching at this time for some "path" that really spoke to my heart.

"In 1989 my 19 year old son, Jim, died in a car accident. It was a time of great testing for me. I initially threw out everything I believed, thinking it was all just stuff to make us feel good and deny the real ugliness of life. For the next four years I experienced the dark night of the soul. My heart and my world were shattered, grief engulfed me. I read everything I could on maternal bereavement and knew the process of healing was long, 4-10 years, before life could have any semblance of normal again. At the end of four years a friend suggested I look into getting a soul retrieval to help deal with the grief. Synchronistically, I had just read an article on soul retrieval and so I was familiar with the process. Years before I had read Michael Harner’s book, Way of the Shaman, but I hadn’t explored the area of shamanism further. Since I had nothing to lose, I went and had it done. The idea behind soul retrieval is that when trauma occurs in our life, a part of our soul leaves in order to survive the trauma. This leaves us with a loss of energy and power and chronic illnesses can result. Indigenous societies performed a soul retrieval within a few days of a trauma to keep the person healthy.

"I admit, I was initially somewhat disappointed. However, over the next few weeks I felt my energy and my self-confidence return. I felt I was re-entering into life, as I felt the heavy grief lift from my shoulders. I had to find out more about shamanism. I began my study with Bill Brunton of the Foundation for Shamanic Studies and found I loved shamanism. It was the language of my heart. I have since studied with many different shamanic teachers and have found every training to be healing and inspiring.

"Shamanism is about serving the community and I feel so honored to be able to practice and teach at Brigid’s House. Currently I am exploring the use of sound in healing and am loving discovering individual’s soul songs. I attended a training on shamanism and cancer which utilizes a ritual healing to sing to the cancer and affect healing. The results were phenomenal! I’m working on establishing a group of shamanic practitioners in our area to offer this healing ritual to those with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.

"I am a clan leader of our peace group of the organization Pathways which has peace clans around the country working for peace through shamanism. Offering free soul retrievals to veterans is one cause that the organization works for to help our young men and women recover from the horror of war.

"My future hopes and dreams are to write and record a CD of songs and chants for healing and maybe write a book about the power of song in healing. I would also love to travel and offer core and celtic shamanism classes and workshops. Teaching makes my heart sing.

"The gift of shamanism was given to me out of the dark night of the soul. I carry the shamanic world in my heart and soul. Nature heals us and guides us continually if we just learn to read its messages."

Jeanne Marie Troge, MA, co-owner of Brigid’s House, www.earthdrummer.com is a teacher, healer, counselor, published poet, songwriter, singer and minister. Jeanne is an Usui and Karuna Reiki Master Teacher, Shamanic practitioner and teacher of core and Celtic shamanism, spiritual counselor, and minister of the Circle of the Sacred Earth Church. Click here for Jeanne's services and workshops.

Jeanne is a registered teacher and practitioner of the International Association of Reiki Professionals and a clinician member of ACCET (Academy of Close Encounter Therapists, Inc.). She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Psychology and a Masters Degree in Human Development with focus areas in transpersonal psychology, ecopsychology, shamanism, grief and bereavement counseling and education.

Jeanne offers two year trainings in core and Celtic shamanism as well as Reiki and Karuna Reiki trainings and certifications. Jeanne offers a variety of classes and workshops including drum and rattle making, and wild women weekend.

She also offers a monthly drum circle, bimonthly trance dance, and is clan leader for the peace group, Spiral Peace Drummers, a local peace group associated with Pathways.

Jeanne also discovers, writes and records soul songs for individuals.

She will gladly travel to your area to offer classes and workshops and provide healing work. Jeanne is a skilled facilitator and her workshops can be life changing experiences.