A Wilderness Quest for Vision & Self Healing in Sápmi-lands (“Lapland”)

– Reprinted from Conflict Resolution for Holy Beings by Joy Harjo. Copyright © 2015 by Joy Harjo. Used with permission of the publisher, W. W. Norton & Company, Inc. All rights reserved.

This quest is held to assist those who seek to find their true nature in Nature and who wish to ‘knock on the door of spirit’ in a gentle yet profound way.

Who is vision quest for?
Those wrestling with a major transition in their lives,
Those looking for a healing for a bereavement, divorce or other life crisis,
Those wanting to make a deeper connection with the natural world and/or with spirit,
Those looking to deepen their own experience of sitting with the land as an aid to their work with others.

Since time immemorial people have gone to the wilderness to seek guidance and renewal; to call for vision and healing; to find a new way of living that is in harmony with the earth. At this time of crisis for our world, visionaries are needed for our community. It is a time to remember Black Elk’s prayer: ’Oh Great Spirit, be merciful to me [bring me vision] that my people may live.’

This Wilderness – Vision Quest has been created to assist those who call for their dream of life. Participation on a Vision Quest starts long before one walks into the wilderness of nature. The seeds may have been planted long ago, in childhood, and your arrival may seem part of a process unfolding steadily and naturally. Or the decision may be sudden, a crisis of transition causing something long-hidden to burst forth with compelling force, a force one cannot deny or refuse. Or it may just seem ‘the right time’, an affirmative way to answer a question, mark a change or renew the spirit. Alone, in nature, we stand before our mother the earth; we stand before our gods and goddesses.

During our time away the quester spends some days in preparation, receiving teachings both spiritual and practical, getting to know the land, letting go of the everyday world. Then you go out to quest for four days and nights. On your return, the days of integration are important: each story is witnessed and teaching is given to help illuminate the visions, dreams and signs that have come.

This is a powerful ceremony and not for everyone. You will need time to deepen and prepare and this could take a few months.

We aim to send out four – six people. Teaching is mostly in English, with Finnish as needed. Because this is a ceremony, the payment for this quest is divided into three: your deposit, your share of the expenses less your deposit, your donation to Christiana for holding you in the quest.

As this is a such a personal and strong ceremony, we suggest that you contact Chrisse to talk about it mobile phone / signal / FaceTime: +358 (0)50 494 7030. Also, send an email to christiana.solavoima@proton.me, subject Vision Quest 2026

CHRISTIANA ARO-HARLE, a shamanic healer, holds degrees as a Music Therapist, Breathwork Therapist, Beekeeper with a diploma in Women’s Consciousness, as well as a shamanic drum-birther. She has been working in the field of shamanic healing for over thirty years. Her path is woven with Land and Song, through Tuvan shamanic initiation with deepening paths into the Spirit of Song. Christiana is passionate about supporting and guiding people to find their path, heal, remember and re-connect with Mother Earth and all Beings. She has learned Questing from Wilderness Quests and Hartwell Annie Spencer – joining together with her own experiences. Visit her website: www.solavoima.fi

Venue: We quest in a beautiful region in Sápmi-lands, northern Finland, in the region of Muonio-Pallas mountains, Finland. This time of the year the dark night is brilliant with stars and the earth is fruitful with mushrooms, berries and mosses, as the pallet of colours slowly begins to turn as summer gives way to autumn. We will be on the homelands of the Saami people, home to reindeer, wild animals, and birds whilst low on insects (!) at this time of the year. There are panoramic views. All elements are present to help us in our call for vision. Our base camp is near a river.

The booklet is sent to you once you have contacted Chrisse and has much more information about questing as well as the financial side of this quest.

In brief:
– we estimate the cost of rental, food, Christiana and assistant travel between 200 -250€ per person – this confirmed by midsummer.
– this includes the 150€ non-refundable deposit by 15.06.
– plus an additional gifting-donation for the ceremony and ten days to Christiana.

To book: message Christiana and speak with her. Also you need to send a deposit of 150€ by 15.06 at the latest. For payment details please contact Chrisse.