About Shamanic Connection

Gary and Debbie Gent a.k.a. Shamanic Connection are Shamanic Facilitators from Phoenix, Arizona. Their mission to help people to reconnect with themselves, Spirit and Mother Earth through Shamanic and other healing practices. They view their role as two-fold -- to assist our clients in re-acquiring the tools for their growth and then to hold a safe space for them to do their work. It is by using these new tools that growth and healing happen.

Gary and Debbie came together as life partners almost three decades ago, neither seeing the journey on which they had embarked. Gary Gent is a traditionally trained Shaman of Cherokee/Irish descent. Gary began his shamanic training at the age of six. His father was one-quarter Eastern Cherokee of the Wolf Clan and what Gary calls a "Closet Shaman". As is typical with traditional training, Gary's training began without explanation spending many hours on focus and concentration exercises, as well learning to work with Spirit, animals, and nature. After experiencing "life" for a time, Gary was called to finish his training. As Gary returned to his shamanic studies, Debbie began refining the psychic and healing abilities that were forbidden throughout her childhood. Her close connection with Mother Earth and the Elemental realm assisted her in the teachings of their two children and raising them in a shamanic household, as well as taught her much about plants and animals. She has also re-learned a number of body/mind/soul therapies including shamanic training, hypnosis, flower essences, Reiki, aromatherapy, and energy balancing.

Together, they began walking the shamanic path and helping others re-gain their connections with Spirit and Mother Earth. Their journeys have taken them many places in the U.S., Canada and Europe. They currently reside in Phoenix, Arizona. Although they live in the city, they continue to walk the shamanic path in their daily lives.

In 2001, "Mother" entered their lives. Gary was gifted with a phenomenal drum, hand made by a friend in Wisconsin. She was introduced to the world in the midst of a wilderness workshop Gary and Debbie were facilitating. Debbie had kept everyone down by the fire at the sweat lodge and several of the men had left to "get supplies". Through the darkness, those at the fire could hear drumming. Were they hearing the Ancestors enjoying our ceremony? As they looked around, they could begin to see a small light, as the men made a processional through the darkness beating on the drum as they approached. What an outstanding sight! It was with this vision of ancient times that Mother was born into her role as the focal point of group gatherings. Mother was carefully transported home to Phoenix and has been the center of many circles and ceremonies, including monthly drum circles that Gary and Debbie host.

After some time in the Gent household, Mother began to reveal another purpose to Debbie. The seed was planted that a CD was to be born. As this seed began to grow, Debbie was gifted with the vision to create the CD. After searching for someone who understood Shamanic drumming to assist with the recording, a young recording arts student, James Lynch, joined their drum circle, and all the components for completion of the vision were gathered together. On December 20, 2003, Mother was transported to the recording studio and with Gary and Debbie stroking the drum, James recording and Spirit over looking the whole process the first and final recording was born.

As this vision came to fruition, it brought more light to an old vision that Gary and Debbie have carried since they stewarded their acreage in Oregon. They have had a vision of building a retreat - a place to hold wilderness workshops, to provide a space for people to make a connection with Mother Earth, and a place to bring other teachers to gift their teachings. So, in true tradition of the Circle of Life, the completion of one vision began the next. All profits from the CD "Mother Drum Journeys - Rhythms for Shamanic Journey" will be set aside to acquire land and begin the development of the retreat.

Gary works full-time as a Shamanic Facilitator, doing journeys or shamanic healings, both in-person or by phone consultations. He conducts playshops on soul recovery, energy work and connecting with self, spirit and nature -- walking a shamanic path.

Debbie Gent currently works as a Shamanic Coach, Hypnotherapist, and EFT Practitioner. She has studied a number of body/mind/soul therapies and draws on these many skills and blends these disciplines into her nurturing style. She also conducts self-empowerment playshops such as Reclaiming the Goddess Within, Shadow Process and Past Life Regression, as well as facilitating group hypnosis programs and performing Comedy Hypnosis shows (Laughter is the best medicine!).

Gary and Debbie co-create workshops and conduct ceremonies such as sweat lodges, naming ceremonies and weddings. Both are Ministers and Diplomats of Earth Stewardship of The International Assembly of Spiritual Healers and Earth Stewards.

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