I’m so excited! My latest book, Singing to the North Wind – The Calling to an Extraordinary Life, has just been released. Writing a book might seem at odds with practicing as a Northern Tradition shaman, a service profession focused on healing, and yet, it’s my work that motivated me to tackle this project.
As a shaman, much of my work involves spiritual counseling and many of the individuals coming to me struggle with how to make sense of unusual experiences and curious states of consciousness they experience. Many commented how they had never fit into society at large, and as a result, they often carry significant histories of trauma. I’m not a therapist and often recommend that a client seek out an open-minded therapist in conjunction with our work together. (This is more challenging than one might think, given how inclined our society is to pathologize anyone who is “different” or who walks the world in a different way.)
It occurred to me that I’ve managed to navigate the challenges of difference successfully, albeit with a lot of therapy and hard work around my own history of trauma. While I don’t propose that anyone else undertake to become a traditional shamanic practitioner – it’s a grueling process – I’ve learned that when we share our own story authentically, we empower others to do the same. Our willingness to be vulnerable with one another models and shares the gift of Sacred Witness. I have been blessed to have people in my life who embodied this with me, and I strive to bring that same presence to my work with others, whether in ceremony, or as they read this book.
“Susannah has managed to take us along on her journey through a world of radical trust and self-acceptance.” – CM
“I was inspired and deeply moved by the author’s profound connection with Nature. Such a relationship holds hope for our troubled world.” – Martin J.
“In a world filled with pseudo-magic and New Age appropriations, Susannah shares the honest power of ancient traditions.” – Thomas D.
You can obtain your own signed copy of Singing to the North Wind: The Calling to an Extraordinary Life by contacting me at sravenswing@gmail.com or through Amazon.
