Frequently Asked Questions
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ONLINE PROGRAMS
Are Medicine Woman programs suitable for men?
Yes. Medicine Woman refers to a state of consciousness or a way of thinking – it’s a way of living and being on the planet as opposed to specifically referring to the gender of an individual. All Medicine Woman programs are suitable for both men and women. We have the pleasure of having quite a number of men undertaking our programs. Male or female, young or old, if you seek to reconnect with the magic of nature and the power of the ancients in your everyday life, you will find that Medicine Woman programs have something to offer you.
Do I have to start with the Medicine Woman Rite of Six Moons© before undertaking a Healers or Shamanic program?
No. While the recommended spiritual magical pathway starts with Medicine Woman Rite of Six Moons© and progresses through to the Medicine Woman Certificate in Advanced Shamanic Studies©, and further to Medicine Woman Rite of the Twelve Celestial Regents© and Medicine Woman Ritual of the Twelve Gates©, all Medicine Woman programs can be undertaken in any order that suits you.
Can I do more than one Medicine Woman Centre for Shamanic and Esoteric Studies® program at a time?
How is the teaching provided?
The teaching is provided in a number of different ways, with each being a vitally important part of the program and very carefully structured to ensure that you gain maximum learning in the physical as well as the metaphysical realm.
During the course of the program you will be working dynamically and cooperatively with the remarkable intelligence of the highly esteemed New Zealand native teacher plants that have stepped forward as your wise elders, teachers and initiators. You will have access to comprehensive ancient mystery teachings, instructions and videos relevant for your studies. The Medicine Woman online school also provides a great platform for connecting with other students, sharing and learning.
How much of the content in Medicine Woman programs contain Maori elements?
As the Medicine Woman Centre for Shamanic and Esoteric Studies® teachings are universal in their approach and application, there is no single emphasis on any source of wisdom. In some Medicine Woman online programs there is some information that has a Maori correlation however it is not predominant in any way as the overall teachings incorporate wisdom from many cultures and traditions.
Is there support during the length of the program?
- Common Room where you can connect with the elders and all other students
- Specialised Classrooms where you can engage with others and share your experiences with your fellow students who are doing the same program
- The Library with unique content
- Program Content areas are where you can view videos and read teaching material
- The Ask Franchelle area is where you can submit your questions to Franchelle and read answers to all previously answered questions
- The Healing Hive, a space where you can request healing for yourself or others
What does esoteric mean?
The word esoteric is generally defined as meaning; likely to be understood by a limited number of people who have a specialised knowledge or interest. It also has the added meaning of profound, not easily understood, abstruse or obscure. The word esoteric originally comes from the Greek word, esoterikos meaning; belonging to an inner circle. The word esoterikos comes from, esotero meaning; further inside.
The Greek word esoterikos originally referred to certain writings of Greek philosophers such as Aristotle and Pythagoras in that they referred to secret teachings of a scientific nature as opposed to public or exoteric ones.
The Medicine Woman Centre for Shamanic and Esoteric Studies® uses the term esoteric to refer to Western esotericism which is the Western mystery tradition and its teachings. This is a Western form of spirituality that has had an inner tradition of non-public teachings. These teachings are Hermetic in nature and also include Gnosticism and the Qabbalah. Hermeticism is founded on the Hermetic sciences of alchemy, astrology and magic.
The Medicine Woman Centre for Shamanic and Esoteric Studies® makes the recontextualised Western mystery teachings available as it recognises the vital importance of individual effort to gain spiritual knowledge, or gnosis to discover the true nature of the greater universe and answer the questions; Who am I? and; Why am I here?
I am wondering what it means to be an apprentice while studying?
With the ritual and creation of magical objects during the Medicine Woman Rite of the Twelve Celestial Regents© are these objects supplied or are we having to buy all the materials for the altar and necklace?
You may wish to build your own ritual altar or you may wish to use an existing piece of furniture. You can choose your own ritual items or you can purchase specially commissioned ritual items at www.medicinewoman.com/products. All instructions for preparing your ritual items for magical use to ‘purpose good’ will be provided within the online program.
Is doing this program and working with New Zealand teacher plants going to benefit me if I am living outside of New Zealand?
You can undertake the Medicine Woman Centre for Shamanic and Esoteric Studies® programs from any country. We have a global community of students who are successfully undertaking the Medicine Woman Centre for Shamanic and Esoteric Studies® programs from different parts of the world, including USA, UK, New Zealand, Australia, Europe, Thailand and many others.
Can I access the program on any of my devices from anywhere?
Can I undertake this program while travelling?
I have done other spiritual programs, am I still going to gain value from this program?
How much time do I have to put in every week?
What if I cannot start immediately? Can I still enrol?
Who are the Medicine Woman Centre for Shamanic and Esoteric Studies® programs for? Are they right for me?
The Medicine Woman Centre for Shamanic and Esoteric Studies® programs are for you, if:
- You are ready to experience profound transformation and rapid spiritual growth
- You want to develop deeper levels of wisdom and power
- You feel passionate about helping the planet
- You want to enhance your spiritual, healing and magical capacity
- You want to expand your capacity to assist others
Will I get a certificate at the end?
Yes. Each Medicine Woman Centre for Shamanic and Esoteric Studies® program is certificated. You can receive your Medicine Woman Certificate upon completion and submission of the exercises to meet certificate course criteria at the end of your program.
Do I need to have astrological or alchemical knowledge?
No. You do not require any prior astrological or alchemical knowledge. The Medicine Woman Rite of the Twelve Celestial Regents© and Medicine Woman Ritual of the Twelve Gates© programs provide you with step-by-step instructions and alchemical tools that enable you to establish your own link with the planets, zodiacal signs and mansions of life, and acquire wisdom and access power from them.
I have completed the Medicine Woman Rite of the Twelve Celestial Regents© program, will I gain benefit from the Medicine Woman Ritual of the Twelve Gates© program?
Yes, Medicine Woman Ritual of the Twelve Gates© program is ideal for those who have completed the Medicine Woman Rite of the Twelve Celestial Regents© program as it is designed to be complimentary to the Medicine Woman Rite of the Twelve Celestial Regents© program.
The Medicine Woman Ritual of the Twelve Gates© program is a standalone program that is a mature course for serious and committed students and is designed in part to deepen your connection and relationship with the Goddess by coming into magical accord with the divine celestial powers.
I am new to the Medicine Woman Centre for Shamanic and Esoteric Studies®, can I start with the Medicine Woman Ritual of the Twelve Gates© program?
While the Medicine Woman Ritual of the Twelve Gates© program is a standalone program and it can be taken by new students, it is designed to ideally be undertaken after having completed the Medicine Woman Rite of the Twelve Celestial Regents© program. The Medicine Woman Ritual of the Twelve Gates© program is a mature course for serious and committed students and is designed in part to deepen your connection and relationship with the Goddess by coming into magical accord with the divine celestial powers.
Are your master teacher plant essences hallucinogenic?
Can I complete Medicine Woman Centre for Shamanic and Esoteric Studies® programs faster?
The Medicine Woman Centre for Shamanic and Esoteric Studies® programs are formal spiritual and magical apprenticeships. The structure of the teachings is age-old and fully embodies all of the necessary traditional elements ensuring the teachings are a perfect expression of the ancient earth wisdom tradition. The programs are a proven pathway to acquiring, developing and enhancing spiritual and magical skills, qualities, and disciplines. Each program begins on a New Moon and maintains a lunar cycle focus throughout. Each lunar month you will be working with a different teacher plant essence or alchemical formulations and undertaking a different rite of passage to enable the development of specific spiritual and magical skills, qualities and disciplines.
Are Medicine Woman Centre for Shamanic and Esoteric Studies® programs based on a certain tradition or culture?
The Medicine Woman Centre for Shamanic and Esoteric Studies® teachings are universal in their approach and application.
Questions About Teacher Plants and Alchemical Formulations
What does 'dieting' mean?
Each lunar month (quarter moon for Medicine Woman Rite of the Six Moons) you will work with a different teacher plant essence taking a specified number of drops of the teacher plant essence at various times daily.
Do your teacher plant essences and alchemical elixirs contain alcohol?
As part of the Medicine Woman programs you will be ingesting First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® teacher plant essences or First Light Porta Alchémica® alchemical elixirs. First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® teacher plant essences are preserved with brandy and First Light Porta Alchémica® alchemical elixirs contain ethanol, both of which contain alcohol. At this stage it is not possible to manufacture our products to their consistently high standard without the use of alcohol.
If you are sensitive to alcohol, First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® teacher plant essences and First Light Porta Alchémica® alchemical elixirs can be ‘flashed’ by pouring just-off-the-boil water onto them, to effectively evaporate the alcohol content.
Some students, such as those in recovery from alcohol addiction or dependency and others who must abstain from all alcohol-containing products, may not be able to use First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® teacher plant essences and First Light Porta Alchémica® alchemical elixirs. However, many people who are in recovery from alcohol addiction or dependency are using First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® teacher plant essences and First Light Porta Alchémica® alchemical elixirs without a problem.
Choosing to ingest First Light Flower Essences of New Zealand® teacher plant essences and First Light Porta Alchémica® alchemical elixirs is a personal choice and each individual's personal responsibility.