Veteran brother in returning ritual, Mike Novotny, US Army Veteran (1SG RET), Father, Reaserching PhD Candidate, Artist, Community Builder, is stepping off on his personal 6-Week Rite of Return pilgrimage, ceremonially tracing his steps over 2800 miles to six military bases in which he served to close the circle and come home whole.

We ask the community to send the positive vibrations, prayers, and intentions Mike’s way at 7pm MST on Saturday, June 7th as he crosses his threshold into his journey home.

In his pilgrimage, Mike will also be conducting his PhD qualitative research that invites opportunities for (1) Earth acknowledgment and place-based healing, (2) personal growth and self-illumination, (3) ceremonial closure of the warrior journey, and (4) reclamation of imagination and creativity through spontaneous artmaking and dream tending.

Check out this YouTube video and Mike’s substack to learn more.