Sword Magick

Don’t you just love these long days around the Summer Solstice when the sun doesn’t fully set until after 9pm? So delicious, so slow…dripping with light and possibility and magic…✨ Don’t you just wish someone would make a ritual circus theater production about it? ✨ I did- and my wish came true! ✨🤍✨🖤✨🤍✨Join us for .something ‘s production of The Longest Day- tonight and tomorrow night ONLY! Circus something dot com is where you’ll find all the details and tickets!! 🎟️

The fire is lit. The ritual is begun. It is the time of the Solstice- Are you craving an escape? A way to step out of your life for a while and be part of another world where magic is afoot and art reigns supreme?

A few short hours ago, I finished final dress rehearsal with .something ‘s production of The Longest Day.

Y’all: this is going to be ONE HELL OF A SHOW. You seriously don’t want to miss this. I am so proud and excited to be a part of such a well thought out, immersive, and creative experience. Join us! Circus something dot com for tickets!!!

⚔️ .burla and Sword Magick have a lot of big things coming up, including performance opportunities, showcases, retreats, and more. In August, there is a 4 week series is a fantastic first step on your Sword Magick journey, and will prepare you for the opportunity to dance on stage with Shannon in the fall if you’re interested in adding performance to your dance journey.⚔️

Wanna learn more? Visit the 🔗⤵! ❤

📸 Ken Vegas of Cielo Productions

Do you ever wonder...

"Am I Too Big, Too Old, Or Too (Fill-In-The-Blank) To Dance?!"

NO!

Hi, I’m Shannon, the creator of Sword Magick, and I want to reassure you that dance is for every body.

All my life, I was made to feel like I should hide, be small, and not take up space - that I was too big to be beautiful.

As an adult, I thought that dance was reserved for folks to are smaller, faster, more flexible, and younger (I didn’t begin dancing until I was 33).

In the years since I began dancing, I learned that those beliefs are untrue.

I’ll be honest with you: I still struggle with anxiety and body dysmorphia every day. But over the years, I learned a simple truth: Your size or shape does not define your ability to dance.

Neither does your gender, the color of your skin, who you love, or your age.
Dance has soothed my anxiety and depression, and become a safe haven for me. Through dance I’ve gained body confidence and completely changed my relationship with my body away from what I look like, and into what I feel like, and what I’m capable of. This has given me freedom, and affected my confidence in every other area of my life.

I’ve found friends, community, joy, and unending creativity in dance, and I know that you will too.

I truly believe that if you can move, you can dance. (And if you can move, you can move with a blade.)

Even if you’ve never danced before.

In my classes, you have permission to show up in the body that you’re in today.
You will have the opportunity to set down your groceries, and for an afternoon, you get to take a break from your daily grind to refill your cup, doing something that’s just for you.

If this resonates with you and you want to move with me, I have some classes coming up this summer. Visit the 🔗⤵ for all the details!

I am deeply honored to announce that I am now a certified DanceCraft Teacher (Zoe Jakes' signature fusion bellydance format)! I have been working toward this goal for a long time, and while the training, practicing, and learning is a continued practice at every level, I am so excited about this milestone!

(Photo taken by the incomparable Ken Vegas of Cielo Productions)

I don’t yet have words. This weekend was incredibly special, and my heart is so full it’s overflowing. Thank you so much to everyone who attended Sanctum Beltane: A Sword Magick Retreat. Let’s do it again next year!

Happy Beltane Eve to you all! This evening finds us deep in preparations for Sanctum Beltane: A Sword Magick Retreat. I am absolutely loving crafting every aspect of this event, and cannot wait to welcome everyone on Friday. May the fires of Beltane burn in your heart now and always!

I just had the most delicious dance marathon day- teaching at ASCENSION 2024 - Virtual Dark Fusion Dance Festival way such a joy, and also leading the final class of Sword Magick: Transformation for 2024- watching dancers grow and create things of their own is such the juice! Taking the afternoon off now to enjoy the sunshine and bask in the sweet vibes from today (And read a novel in the daytime!)

HOLY CANNOLI!! This is ASCENSION 2024 - Virtual Dark Fusion Dance Festival Weekend!!! I was just looking over my lesson plan for tomorrow morning and got super JUICED!! Tickets for my workshop (and everyone else’s also!) are still available! Go grab ‘em! Let’s do some dance magick together!

I am SUPER excited to be a part of ‘s Ascension again this year! There are wonderful workshops all weekend, check them out! I’m teaching a very special workshop in honor of Beltane on Sunday at 9:30PST/11:30 CT. Join me and step into your magick!

In just TWO HOURS, the DOORS ARE CLOSING on Sanctum Beltane! Don't miss this deeply potent, empowering, restful, decadent and inspiring experience. I am truly so excited for the experience the team and I are putting together for you, and I can't wait to be there with you all. Click below or visit the link in the bio to book your spot!

Questions? I've got answers! Post below or shoot me a DM!

We see you there, magickal human - about to miss out on Sanctum Beltane! The doors are CLOSING tonight at 11:59pm PST!

Here are just SOME of the things you'll experience in the Sanctum:
✨ Boutique bed and breakfast style lodging in a victorian mansion or water tower with en suite private bath
✨ 900 square foot ballroom for workshops and Beltane celebration
✨ 11 hours of workshops with Shannon Burla , Belladonna Boheme , Regina Skinner, and Jason Cool
✨ One group sound healing session
✨ Deeply powerful Beltane ritual
✨ Welcome Dinner (Friday Night)
✨ Beltane Feast and Hafla (Sat night - includes a performance opportunity)
✨ Three breakfasts (Sat, Sun, Mon)
✨ Three lunches (Fri, Sat, Sun)
✨ Walks along the seaside and in among the coastal redwoods
✨ Group outing to nearby mendocino for shopping, soaking, and shenanigans
✨ A true reset that will leave you rested, inspired, and empowerd.
✨ An opportunity for a photo session with Ken Vegas of Cielo Productions

Follow the link in the comments or go to Shannon Burla dot com and click on calendar for full details and registration!

Sanctum Beltane Workshop Spotlight:

Power & Prowess with Belladonna Boheme

In these uncertain times, Belladonna will lead you through some empowering movements with a big ass blade! This workshop will focus on mastering your weapon as well as mastering your mind. We will move though exercises for strength and centering with emphasis on power, purpose and prowess. All levels welcome.

Ready to register or find out more about the retreat? Full retreat spaces and day passes are available! Follow the link in the comments or go to Shannon Burla dot com and click on calendar for full details and registration!

May 3-6, join me by the sea for Sanctum Beltane: A Sword Magick Retreat. (Registration is CLOSING in two days!)

Beltane is the celebration of fertility, flowers and springtime as it blossoms into summer. It is the beginning of the warm part of the year. We will use the fertile energy of Beltane give birth to a new version of ourselves that is rested, inspired, and empowered.

Sword Magick is a means to help people connect to each other, themselves, to their spirit, and to their inner strength. To build each other up so we can create art and beauty for ourselves and each other as a means to recharge, enilighten and inspire.

Art is how we process life, let's do it with witchcraft and a big sword!

Follow the link in the comments or go to Shannon Burla dot com and click on calendar for full details and registration!

Sanctum Beltane Featured Artist:

I am so excited to welcome Ken Vegas of Cielo Productions to the Sanctum!

"At Cielo Productions: My mission is to elevate my clients, allowing them to embody the rockstars they truly are. Through my lens, I aim to reveal the versions of themselves they cherish most, immortalizing these moments for all to see."
- Ken

Sanctum Beltane guests will have the opportunity to book photo sessions with her as an add-on during the Sanctum Beltane retreat, May 3-6!

She is offering a generous rate of $325/hr which includes:

✨ 1 hour of shoot time
✨ 3 professionally edited photos
✨ all raw photos

When registration closes, guests will receive full details about how to book their time with Ken, if they choose to take advantage of this incredible add-on.

Just another reason to join us on the Mendocino Coast this spring for Sanctum Beltane!

So we have a long weekend in a victorian mansion by the sea, glorious food, inspiring workshops, a performance opportunity, and NOW the chance to have a shoot with a fancy photographer!

Seriously, could this retreat get any more decadent and glamorous?? Registration closes Monday April 8 (SO SOON!). Don't miss the window!

Follow the link in the comments or go to Shannon Burla dot com and click on calendar for full details and registration!

Sanctum Beltane Workshop Spotlight:

Boho Blade SLAY with Belladonna Boheme

Bohemian Blade is the foundation of Sword Magick. I am so excited to give you the the opportunity to learn from *my* teacher during Sanctum Beltane! Join Belladonna for a workshop delving into some of her signature Boho Blade sword combinations!

Ready to register or find out more about the retreat? Full retreat spaces and day passes are available! Follow the link in the comments or go to Shannon Burla dot com and click on calendar for full details and registration!

Sanctum Beltane and Weller House Room Feature!

The Seagrass Room
Private Queen Room

Probably our most unique room, this cozy hideaway located on the second floor is sheltered by the lush garden grounds and features an in room oversized soaking tub.

All rooms come with a private en suite bathroom. When booking, you are booking for a room type rather than a specific room, so amenities will vary slightly. Above is an example of one of the rooms you can enjoy at Weller House!

Follow the link in the comments or go to Shannon Burla dot com and click on calendar for full details and registration!

Sanctum Beltane and Weller House Room Feature!

Charming and spacious sun filled ground floor corner room where the modern and historic mesh seamlessly. Enjoy lush velvet curtains, vintage stained glass windows and a cozy daybed nook filled with fluffy pillows looking out onto the garden grounds.

All rooms come with a private en suite bathroom. When booking, you are booking for a room type rather than a specific room, so amenities will vary slightly. Above is an example of one of the rooms you can enjoy at Weller House!

Follow the link in the comments or go to Shannon Burla dot com and click on calendar for full details and registration!

Sanctum Beltane Workshop Spotlight:

Sword Magick: Beltane

Step into your power this Beltane, and delve into two hours of ritual sword dance with Shannon Burla and Sword Magick. You will learn foundational Sword Magick movements and drills as well as work together as a group to create our own unique ritual sword dance together. Option to perform the class combo as part of the hafla that evening.

Ready to register or find out more about the retreat? Full retreat spaces and day passes are available! Follow the link in the comments or go to Shannon Burla dot com and click on calendar for full details and registration!

Sanctum Beltane Workshop Spotlight:

Flower Crown Crafting with Regina Skinner of Mystic Flora Apothecary :
Weave in your powerful intentions as you learn to make a traditional flower Crown. As unique as you are, every flower and color has a vibration. These will come together in regal spring head wreath. Learn an ancient craft of celebrating seasons and eachother.

The flower crown workshop is incredibly special not only because it'll be taught by an incredible magical teacher, but also because the crown you create will be an integral piece of our Beltane ritual later in the evening.

Ready to register or find out more about the retreat? Full retreat spaces and day passes are available! Follow the link in the comments or go to Shannon Burla dot com and click on calendar for full details and registration!

Sanctum Beltane and Weller House Room Feature!

The Sandpiper Room
Twin Bed in a Shared Room

A large light filled corner room located on the second floor with both views of the ocean and the garden grounds, featuring a claw foot tub and a beautiful vintage stained glass bathroom window.

All rooms come with a private en suite bathroom. When booking, you are booking for a room type rather than a specific room, so amenities will vary slightly. Above is an example of one of the rooms you can enjoy at Weller House!

Follow the link in the comments or go to Shannon Burla dot com and click on calendar for full details and registration!

Jason Cool and I are hard at work testing recipes and preparing variations with multiple dietary needs in mind (the one I'm most excited to try is a salad made of edible flowers!!)

When registration closes all guests (day pass folks, too!) will receive a welcome packet email that includes a survey asking about all of those things so we can make sure that every single person who comes to the Sanctum has nourishing and delicious meals to enjoy throughout the event.

Food for the full retreat registration includes:
🍇 Welcome Lunch and Dinner (Fri night)
🥑 Beltane Buffet-Style Feast (Sat night)
🥐 Three breakfasts (Sat, Sun, Mon)
🥗 Three lunches (Fri, Sat, Sun)
🍫 Tons of snacks and charcuterie throughout the day
☕ All the coffee and tea (and water of course) you can drink!

See full details and register by clicking the link in the comments or visiting the link in b10!

Sanctum Beltane and Weller House Room Feature!

The Huckleberry Room:

Hidden among the lush greenery of the grounds, this charming room is overflowing with vintage charm featuring a gorgeous stained glass window in the bathroom and the original Weller House fireplace (fireplace is currently decorational only).

All rooms come with a private en suite bathroom. When booking, you are booking for a room type rather than a specific room, so amenities will vary slightly. Above is an example of one of the rooms you can enjoy at Weller House!

Join us! (link to registration in the comments - or follow the link in b10!)