The Healing Art of Storytelling

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​As the full moon is just rising above the pines out here in the wood, and as the moonlight falls on the last of the lingering first snow of the season and illuminates it between the pines, and the familiar becomes unfamiliar, it is much easier to walk and remember that the earth below is dreaming, the stars above are singing, and that unseen blessings walk beside us at each moment.  I wish you great joy as you find, unlock, and begin to unpack your own treasures ... may there be moments of stillness where in the here and now it's possible to sit and dwell on what true treasure is."
- Jeff Stockton


Traditionally, storytelling has not been simply a means of entertainment.  It has been a rich method steeped in culture, music, and dance along with spoken word used to breathe life and vitality into a culture and its traditions.  Through storytelling, meanings were given to the history of a tribe's people.  Life lessons were passed along regarding leadership and love, and how to have a harmonious relationship with the earth, her plants, her minerals and her animals.  

Storytelling is also a skill which can be tuned and refined.  We can find ways to use the healing messages of our dreams and bring them forth into a story.  We can take an incident within our lives that we have been struggling with, and transform it into a story through word, song or movement so that we may be witnessed by another, and healing may occur.  


Our imaginations are tuned deeply into the other worlds, and the art of storytelling allows us an avenue upon which to create something tangible from our imaginative depths.  Both magic and healing happen here.  We can create a world within which we feel comfortable stepping.  We can learn new things about ourselves which give way to epiphanies and open new doors.  


And ultimately, through storytelling, we can really take the time to slow down and process.  This slowing down gives way to the counterpart of storytelling.  In fresh, new ways, we learn to listen ... to truly listen to the whispers of our imaginations, the messages from spirit, the wisdom of our own inner teachers.

One of my favorite examples is that of the Celts and Druids.  When a message was received through the Dreamtime, they would take the time to write in as much detail as possible that which they could recall of the dream.  Upon fine tuning the details, yet more time was taken to transform the words into a song or a poem.  


This song or poem that was made about the details of a dream was called the "Aisling" (ash-ling).  In essence, this would always transform the dream into a thing of harmony, and lead to a manifestation of beauty.  This is the healing power of the story.

In this work, we use movement medicine and potent introspective tools that assist in bringing stories to life.  Perhaps we work together in order to create a piece of choreography to be shared in a small setting and have it witnessed, or simply commune together in a Deva Dance Temple and sweat our prayers.  Let us share in the beauty of the story.
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