Fire Dance Ceremony

Last Tuesday's Drumming Circle was a Fire Dance Ceremony. Much too cold to do this out doors, so I set up 3 fire cauldrons in the center of my sacred temple, otherwise known as the "Shaman's Hut". We gave thanks into one of the cauldrons, representing the Maiden aspect of the Goddess. Three candles represented the Father, Son, and Sage, while the other 2 cauldrons represented the Mother and Crone. The fire was lit and the circle began to drum, with individuals entering the circle to dance around the fire. What a beautiful sight! Part way through I received the message to "jump the fire...one cauldron to the other," which I have never done. But, being an air elemental, I decided to give it a whirl. Lo and behold, I was able to take the flame from one cauldron to another. And then later from that one to a third! We now had 3 flaming cauldron to dance around! And dance we did! It was very healing for all participants. I found myself to be profoundly affected by this experience. It spoke to the "Ember" within me.

Drumming Circle

Last nights Drumming Circle was such a blast! Originally it was set out to just be a big jam session, but as usual, we can't just drum. Even if that is our intent some pretty huge healing just happens. I loved having my friends, Trish, Vanitha and Gail there. What a cool combination of feminine energies! My youngest daughter was also there and, to tell you the truth, I had no idea that this little Frog Clan person could play a wooden frog so well! Last, but not least, my nephew was there. This was his first drumming circle and he did so well. Thank you all for attending and bringing such vibrant energies into the circle and into my life!

Vision Quests

I often get the question, "What is involved in a Vision Quest?". The short answer is "Lots of preparation". The long answer is this: Without the preparation involved, you are only going to hallucinate. Hallucinations result when one starves the body of food and water. That is a chemical reaction, not a vision. There are many traditions that include the fasting aspect, and if that is what you are into, then that is cool. I would encourage people to realize though, that this leads to hallucinations, not visions. People also don't necessarily need to attend a sweat lodge to Vision Quest. And, with the preparation involved, they certainly don't need any medicine plants. These are also hallucinogenics. There is nothing a vision inducing plant can bring us that our own receptive minds cannot.

So how does one prepare? To begin with, the energy system of the individual must be strong enough to do a Vision Quest. This means working with the chakras, the auric fields and the meridian flow to release mental, emotional, physical and spiritual blockages that disconnect us from our own inner source. When this is done, the kundalini (flow of energies through all the energetic bodies) is cleared and activated so that you can achieve a receptive state of being. The practice of quiet meditation also helps tremendously.

Sometimes it is also important to prepare yourself by having ceremonial healing work done. This can include releasing toxic energies that bind you, having soul retrieval done, or resolving ancestral and karmic issues. The more you do, the better you will be prepared for the Vision Quest. Needless to say, the preparation can take a lot of time, but it is also extremely worth the work put into it.

The Vision Quest is a time when you receive a vision or visions given by spirit that will help guide you on your sacred path. In other words, it is a moment of inspiration (when Spirit enters us and guides us). With the loving guidance of Spirit, and with the clarity and groundedness of the preparatory work, you can find yourself achieving a much deeper connection to your own inner guidance. We all have inner guidance. Most folks just don't resonate with it. The preparation helps us to resonate well, thus allowing ourselves to open and receive that "inner wisdom voice" that lets us know what the next step needs to be in our lives.

Crystals and Healing Stones

A very dear friend of mine says that she has "rocks in her head". This means that rocks and crystals communicate to her. When I realized what she was saying, I replied, "Me too!" and we have been instant friends ever since. The crystals and healing stones I use in my healing therapies communicate to me when they want to be utilized, how, and for whom. This is a very sacred connection for me. Rocks and crystals never lie. They will always speak truth because they are nature's record keepers. I have also recently had a friend bring me a crystal from Tibet, which turned out to be the "sister" of the one I have carried with me for years which came from northern Ontario and asked me to find her sister for her. My crystal squealed when she saw the one I pulled out of the gift bag. That is so cool when you can, inadvertently, help a family reunion take place in the mineral kingdom!

Earth Honoring

The trees speak to me. They tell me of weather changes, upcoming migrations of animals and birds and of shifts in the energy grids of the earth. I am told that the reason spirit speaks to me is because I am a good listener. At these times I know to keep my mouth shut and use my ears. Because I hear what spirit says, I connect deeply with the earth. She is a living, sentient being and she has needs and provides everything that we, in turn, need in order to live upon her body. Have you ever held a stone or crystal in your hand and experienced a resonance with its energy? This is a communion with the Earth. Some just dismiss this type of thing. Others take note of it with much confusion. Then the rest of us know that this has deep meaning. We respond to her call. This is what responsibility is all about....the ability to respond.