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Fall Equinox Celebration
 Fall Equinox Celebration at Unity House When : September 22: 2008, 2009: September 23, 2010 We gathered for a Sweat Lodge and fire, followed by a feast and then a Equinox Celebration Ceremony. It was a delightful surprise that one of my teacher, Lynette Edge, a medicine Woman from a long linage of the Swinomish Tribe came to join with us and share her medicine as well. It was a deep and delightfut event as we gathered. The Autumn equinox signals the beginning of Fall. It is the point where there are exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness at the equator. If you live anywhere else, however, you will see a little bit more or a little bit less than 12 hours of daylight. The daylight hours are dwindling and will continue to do so until we reach the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year and the start of winter. Song: We Are Opening up to the Sweat Surrender Dragon Medicine Lodge  Our Celtic ancestors celebrated Dragon Day at the spring and autumn equinoxes. The Dragon is an ancient symbol representing Earth energy, dynamism, fire, will and courage. At this time of autumn equinox we will invoke the Spirit of Dragon to carry the fire energy into the inner realms as Dragon retreats underground to prepare for the winter season. Hence this time of year gives us the opportunity to re-kindle the fire within to shine light onto our inner power and strength, our inner focus that allows us to connect with our wisdom. It is the time to stop and look within. The double spiral is the Celtic symbol of the autumn equinox illustrating the in-breath and the out-breath, the point of balance between the worlds, the inner and outer journey. Lamplight glimmers in darkened rooms And you fold your hands across a swelling belly Cradling the fruits of your labor. The rich scent of new-mown hay, the dark Earth beneath it Where seeds that fall soon deeply sleep Here as we move towards the darkness of Samhain The shadow that brings the light of Yule Teach us to be willing to pause for a moment To reflect on the season of growth The crisp bite of air and the comfort of firelight and shadow. Demeter, Isis, Arianrhod, Inanna, Freya, Mother of Shadows, Welcome! Smoke hangs like haze over harvested fields The gold of stubble, the brown of turned earth And you walk under the red light of fall The scent of fallen apples, the dust of threshed grain The sharp, gentle chill of fall. Here as we move into the shadows of autumn The night that brings the morning of spring Come to us, Lord of Harvest Teach us to be thankful for the gifts you bring us The bounty of your sacrifice The warmth and the light of friends gathered around the bounty of the earth. Dionysus, Osiris, Cernunnos, Dumuzi, Frey, Lord of the grain, Welcome! Hoof and horn, hoof and horn; All that dies shall be reborn! Corn and grain, corn and grain, All that dies shall live again! We talked for sometime of the misconception the the Equinox is a Celtic Celebration when in fact it is held and has been for thousands of years through all cutures, lands and peoples. Each having their own way of honoring the turning of the season. It is easy to Google Search for Autumn Exquinox or Autumn Exquinox Rituals. Much is wrttten of the Celtic way becaue it is popular at this time, but dig a bit deeper and you will find a wealth of information to round out your awearness. Autumn Equinox - Meditation  Breathe deeply and relax. Close your eyes. Let your breathing become slow, even, more and more relaxing. Relax, relax into the darkness. Relax deeper into yourself. Descend into yourself as deeply as you desire. As you descend, experience fully the sense of darkness. And know that although you descend to the depths of darkness, you are safe. And experience, too, that although you are deep within yourself, you are connected to all those here, and to many who have come before, and also to future generations. In this darkness tonight we remember especially those who have come before us in this life and have passed from it. We may have experienced their death as darkness and we know that both darkness and light are part of nature's cycle. You may want to remember now one particular person. You may even be able to sense their presence, here, now. See them now, if you wish, in the darkness surrounded by light. They are your past, but they can light your present and your future. (Pause) On this night of balance, we seek to restore the balance in the world, and in ourselves. On this night of increasing darkness, we ask guidance in seeing clearly. On this night of beginnings and endings, we seek to understand the past, to fully experience the present, and to know what is necessary to continue successfully into the future. Let us take a few minutes to gaze into the flames--or if you prefer, you may keep your eyes closed--to see, to know, these things. Let us look first to the past. See in the flame, or in your mind's eye, a time in the past that still concerns you. (Pause) Ask what you need to know about that time to put it to rest. See it clearly now. (Pause) And now see it fade, slowly, slowly, fade into the darkness. And as it fades you are at peace with it. It is over now, it has faded until you can no longer see it. And you are ready to look at the present. And so a second time you look into the flame with your eyes, or with your mind's eye. And you see a present situation. (Pause) See it now clearly. (Pause) If you are happy with this situation, keep it clearly in your sight. If there is something in this situation you would like to change, see it change now to exactly what you would like. See it clearly. (Pause) And now, for the third time, look into the flame. And if there is anything about the future you need to know, you see it now, you know it now. (Pause) And now, in your own way, you thank Our Great Mother for these visions and for this guidance now, as in the past, and in the future. (Pause) And when you are ready, come back to this place and time. Then with a round of chanting we all focused on sound or ward, saying what you need to express! -Love for Life A Poem Shared I am so small and yet I’m always cared for, My Share of abundance awaits.  And your life is yours just for the cost of living it - And even that is up to you. “I love myself exactly the way I am” Counting Blessings and Thanking the Land Connecting to the source of life -Opening hearts in simple gratitude and Returning love for life So sit on the hill and watch the sunrise - Forget your hardships, break your bread We give so much – We give so little - The balance settles with gratitude Courting blessings, thanking the land, connoting to the source of life Opening hearts in simple gratitude and return love for life Returning love for life returning – love for life returning for the Love Returning Love for Life As we honored the seeds that we planted last Autumn, we examined what came to pass. We brought awearness to what we had followed up on and put our true intent behind. Then we looked at the year to come. "I let go of the past – then state your intentions (suggest writting them down) We had each brought a gift or two, some wrapped, others not. Then in a Gifting Cermenoy that was lead by Spirit and we each shared why we brought that gift and the recieve looked at what the teaching or message was to them. It was quite delightful how it all turned out. End with love of Life Poem and closing of the circle Blessings to you all Tana Hamiter - Blue Deer Woman On Wings Of Light Web Shamanism in Todays World  Although Shamanism in thousands of years old and has been practiced in various forms in all around the world, today many people find themselves living in an industrialized nation with only a wisp of memory of the times we lived as tribal units. Does that mean Shamanism is a dead spiritual &cultural practice? NO, for much of the world time moved on but people still live in small groups, clans or tribes. So where does that leave us that no longer have any Tribal communities or often even any cultural connections left. Is Shamanism still needed for the people? Yes, even perhaps more so and the crazy hustle and bustle of modern life can be quite disorienting to the natural ebb and flow of our being. When we walk the Shamanic Path we learn that everything has its own spirit and that in these challenging times of turmoil and even distrust, becoming or developing shamanic awareness can be more important and useful than ever. Tana Hamiter – 'Blue Deer Woman' Conclusion of Circle Gathers for the Season  June 7th was the closure of out Soul Flight and Beyond Circle for the season. We were hoping to spend the day in the mountains but alas, the weather was quite cold, wet and most folks don’t have the necessary clothing to go out and embrace the elements. I found getting out all year long a part of my physical, mental and certainly spiritual health. So if you don’t have the clothing necessary in your area of the world, suggest this is the year to hit yard sales, good will, or the camping stores and get it. There is nothing more invigorating that standing the river’s edge, with the river boiling, rain falling, winds blowing; it can make your feel so very alive. Let’s not just wait for balmy summer days! Anyway, off my soap box, grin! We spent the day working deeply on Shamanic Journey, working with skills and how to phrase questions, taking one journey into the next to go deeper and deeper. It was rewarding and brought the power of the Shamanic journey back to us, who might have put it on the back shelf as a once in a while thing. It is best when remembering, you never lose your ability to journey BUT ‘use it or lose it’ as far as the depth of information you area able to receive and your relationships with your totems and guides. We also talked about ideas for the summer and perhaps a new way to hold circle and events for the coming year. We are forming an inner circle of those people who want to have input into what we do, the flow and intent, ceremonies, etc. for Turtle Clan. Anyone who wants to be involved with that so their voice can be heard should contact me.  Of course drumming and song as always fills and heals the spirit. Singing, stories and drumming is at the heart of community every where I’ve been in the world, working with different Shamans, learning their ways. As the wheel turns we now look to the Summer Solstice and a new energy that flows. Blessings to you all. Tana ‘Blue Deer Woman’Passing of our Sister Mickey McMahon  Our Dear Sister in Spirit,,,, Mickey McMahon passed on shortly after doing one last gathering with her community. She had so wanted to come to one last sweat lodge and be with her circle family. She came with a smile and twinkle in her eye and a deep knowing this would be her last time to be with us. We were blessed to have known Mickey and I’ll always remember how open and loving she was. Always giving unselfishly of herself; never once complaining of the many years of relentless pain she was to endure. Her heart was open to each and every person. She taught by her living and by her dying that love is all we have to give. Help each other; be open and willing to forgive. Walk without judgment and always look for the rainbow within. This is the River Where Mickey Did Her Last Vision Quest and Where Her Ashes are to be placed so that she can travel free .... that was her wish and so it shall be. Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep.I am in a thousand winds that blow, I am the softly falling snow. I am the gentle showers of rain, I am the fields of ripening grain. I am in the morning hush; I am in the graceful rush Of beautiful birds in circling flight, I am the star shine of the night. I am in the flowers that bloom, I am in a quiet room. I am in the birds that sing, I am in each lovely thing. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there. I do not die. Mickey asked that her ‘soul was sung back home’ …. Friends gathered by the waters and we drummed and sang to her, shared the poem above that she would have read to us and then ended with the song, “We are sisters on a journey, with no beginning and never ending”. With laughter and tears we remember and always will her smiling face and full heart, the times we shared and how blessed we are were to have known her. Good by dear sister until we meet again. Your family the ‘Turtle Clan’. The troubles of this world pass, and what we have left is what we have made of our souls. Medicine Wheel and Wholeness My teachers and mentors have tought me  in the Medicine Way that there is no greater responsibility than to live and express fully the essence of who we are – in concert and harmony with other humans and with all of life. We are all one and in that one is the grandest of diversity leading to unity. Each of us has our song, our path to follow as we walk this earth walk.“Finding and voicing our soul's longing is not enough…. If our intention is to change who we essentially are, we will fail. If our intention is to become who we essentially are, we cannot help but live true to the deepest longings of our soul.” --Oriah Mountain Dreamer, The Dance What is a Medicine Wheel? Medicine Wheels are maps of wholeness and balance derived from thousands of years of observing natural systems. Each wheel is related to and builds upon every other wheel. There are wheels for knowing ourselves, wheels for gathering wisdom, for making decisions, wheels for healing and wheels for seeing into and resolving life’s difficult challenges. One way we might think of them is as compasses that help us find our way when we are lost, in danger or seeking to discover the next layer of awareness of who we are, how we choose to live and what is ours to do in this life. What is your life path and where is it leading you? Are you listening and learning as you are gently lead forward in life to lean the important lessons of oneness and unity. To truly experience the beauty of the many paths weaving in and out as we transverse the medicine wheel of life.
Soul Flight and Beyond April 2008  As alwys we gathered with drumming and singing, sharing and renewing relationships, welcoming anyone new to Turtle Clan Circle.As we passed the talking stick we reflected: Wisdom Lessons learned from the North Gate – each person shared something: *Go with the flow – don’t’ push the river. *Remember today could be the ‘last day’ of someone you are interacting with or someone you haven’t seen recently. *Trusting and letting go! (Sometimes, often it doesn’t happen the way I want it to or expected.) Then just need to let go again! *Creator has something in store for me soon; something wonderful. It is easy, it will flow and in the unfolding is a magical experience. *Being more OK with just being ME! It’s ok for me not to be the super __, __,__. Me is a good thing and I am blessed. *I’m learning how to create true unconditional love for humans, tolerance and “expectations”. When expectations are gone then I can live in the moment and that is where not only life happens but the magic is found; where the flow is strong and steady. Your Life Line Supplies: 3 pieces of paper, tape, colored pens and markers, yard stick or ruler. 1. Take 3 sheets of typing paper and connect them end to end – the long way. 2. Draw a line in the middle from one end to the other end 3. Label each page at the top with the year – 2005 2006 2007 4. Mark along the line of each page, making some mark that breaks each year into four seasons: Winter (North Gate), Spring (East Gate), Summer (South Gate), Autumn (West Gate). Start by marking off major holidays, birthdays, deaths, marriages, moving homes, new jobs, new people joining family, those leaving. Special times (like vacations or anything that pops into your mind as a memorable special time). Chart where you were physically (health issues and overall health) including self care on all levels, emotionally, mentally (which includes your financial ups and downs), spiritual connections or when you felt lost along the path. Especially look to your emotional healthy, crisis and triumphs. Watch for patterns to start showing up. Where do the tests come from, how did you handle it? Where are you in re-act or healthy action, whatever that might be? What are you drawing into your life? Take your time with this as it will really reveal a pattern for the last three years. Now is the time of truth for you…. Take a good look. Do you want this next year to be the same as the last three? Do you want different outcomes, goals, friends, relationships, emotional and financial health, etc? If you want more of the same, do nothing, you know how to create where you are right now and you’ve been practicing that. However if you want to chart a new course, make a commitment to yourself and go for it! We took tag board about 2’ x 3’ and drew a circle in the middle, marked the medicine wheel (although you don’t have to do it this way). Then took the day going through magazines, working with our journals and cutting/pasting and creating a strong visual of the year we are to manifest. It was powerful work and everyone was surprised at their life line and what they learned about themselves. Post this motivational chart of your year to come where you will see it often. Do your personal work to plan for the changes that you are willing to make and go for it … your life is in your hands. What you think and believe YOU will create. PLEASE HEAR ME  Don't be fooled by me. Don't be fooled by the face I wear, for I wear a mask. I wear a thousand masks, Masks that I am afraid to take off and none of them is me.Pretending is an art that's second nature with me; But don't be fooled, for God's sake don't be fooled!I give you the impression that I'm secure, That all is sunny & unruffled in me, Within as well as without, That confidence is my name and coolness my game,That the water's calm, I'm in command, And that I need no one. But don't believe me. My surface may seem smooth,but my surface is my mask,My ever-varying andever-concealing mask.Beneath lies no smugness,no complacence. Beneath dwells the real me, in confusion, in fear, in aloneness. But I hide this. I panic at the thought of my weaknessand fear being exposed. That is why I frantically create a mask to hide behind. A nonchalant, sophisticated facade, to help me pretend, To shield me fromthe glance that knows. But such a glanceis precisely my salvation. That is, if it's followed by acceptance, If it is followed by love, It's the only thing that canliberate me from myself. From my own self-built prison walls, From the barriers that I so painstakingly erect. It is the only thing that will assure me of what I can't assure myself: That I'm really worth something... But I don't tell you this, I don't dare.. I'm afraid to. I'm afraid your glance will not be followedby acceptance and love. I'm afraid you'll think less of me, that you'll laugh...And your laugh will kill me. I'm afraid that deep down I'm nothing,that I'm just no good, And that you will see this and reject me. So I play my game, my desperate pretending game, And my life becomes a front. I dislike the superficial game I'm playing, The superficial, phony game. I'd really like to be genuine and spontaneous, and me. But you've got to help me. You've got to hold out your hand... Even when that's the last thing I seem to want or need. Only you can wipe away from my eyes the blank stare of the breathing dead... Only you can call me into aliveness. Each time you are kind and gentle, and encouraging, Each time you try to understand because you really care. My heart begins to grow wings...Very small wings, very feeble wings, but wings. With your sensitivity and sympathy, And your power of understanding,You can breath life into me. I want you to know that. I want you to know how important you are to me. How you can be a creatorof the person that is me, If you choose to. It will not be easy for you. A long conviction of worthlessness builds strong walls. The nearer you approach me, the blinder I may strike back; It's irrational, but despite what the books say about man, I'm irrational! I fight against the very thing that I cry out for, But I am told that love is stronger than strong walls, And in this lies my hope. My only hope. Please try to beat down those walls with firm hands, But with gentle hands --for a childis very sensitive. Who am I, you may wonder? I'm someone you know very well. For I am every manor woman you meet. -by Charles C. Finn We each are creating our 'mission statements', who we are, what we stand for, the core of our being. Closing ceremony with one of the mission statments being shared. We will do that as each person is ready. Spring Time I look for my Garden Fairys  Fairy: An imaginary supernatural being or spirt supposed to assume a human form (usually diminutive), either male or female, and to meddle for good or evil in the affairs of mankind; a fay. See elf. "Elves and fairies in a ring."--ShakespeareSit very still in your garden or walk softly and with aweakness while in the woods. If your blessed, out of the woods or gardens will come our Fairy Friends. Be still and Listen. You are a guest in their home. Offer them a gift and ask what you might learn from them or what help they need form you. Be open minded and you might just be 'gifted'. They are rather shy and still around the 'human' folks. So it is us that must gain their trust and friendship. Shamans Death or Sickness  There was no place to walk in this world where there are no elders, no medicine people or even knowledge of such things. A child growing up, seeing and being aware of realities, thoughts and such that others seemed not to notice. Being smart enough not to talk of what I experienced, lest I be punished or put into some mental ward as often happens in our society Diagnosed MPD and other medical and mental illnesses, treated by western medicine and never healed. But then they didn’t know what they were dealing with. How many others wander the streets or seem ‘odd’ to others we will never know in a society that lost touch with its routs and history. By the time I was taken to a Shaman at about 40 years of age, I was seeing my body in a state of decomposition in a mirror or window as I walked by. It was normal for me to be in and out of my body, into different times and places. Over time I’d finally lost control to hide what was happening to me. It is referred to as the Shamans Death but that would have meant nothing to me. In one Soul Retrieval this man took me from the point of insanity to my defined illnesses being gone. It was only much later I learned what had happened and started putting the pieces together with help of both native and non-native Shamans who took me under their wing and helped through the awakening process. This article explains some of the process. "The “shamanic sickness” is a common theme, though many shamans never experience any such “death” and “rebirth.” This is almost certainly the basis for the common beliefs in a dying and rising god, as detailed by James Frazer in his classic, The Golden Bough. The shaman experiences some crushing trauma, whether physical or emotional, which threatens death (even if only by suicide). This usually culminates in a dream featuring the vivid, painful and terrifying dismemberment of the afflicted. Once dismembered, the afflicted is re-assembled by the spirits. The shaman’s task is very often portrayed as a painful ordeal, but this “shamanic sickness” provides a severe impetus to pursue that path. The afflicted is forced to become a shaman. The alternative is to die. As a “wounded healer,” the shaman may then use the skills and spiritual alliances she formed during her own healing to help others. Her own brush with death leaves her somehow “touched” with the spirits, drawing her forever afterwards closer to that world. In this excruciating way, the shaman neither chooses her own path, nor is chosen by the people; rather, the shaman is chosen by the spirits. Shamanic cultures also consistently teach that the most valuable training a shaman recieves is not from other people–not even other shamans–but from the spirits themselves. The spirits teach shamans “power songs” and other information they will need to be effective shamans." The Shaman’s Vision by Jason Godesky Shamanism History  Jennifer Wurges speaks of Shaminsm History "Shamanism is the oldest form of healing. It is a form of religious medicine that originated over 25,000 years ago in the Paleolithic hunting cultures of Siberia and Central Asia. The word shaman is derived from the Siberian Tungus word "saman," which is defined as a technique of ecstasy. The shaman is considered a great master of trance and ecstasy. He is the dominating figure in certain indigenous populations. Most early cultures' healing practices stem from a shamanic tradition. For instance, when visiting the sick, Egyptian magicians often brought a papyrus roll filled with incantations and amulets in order to drive out demons. The shaman is often the religious leader or priest of the tribe. He is believed to have magical powers that can heal the sick. The shaman is called upon to mediate between the people of the community and the spirit world to cure disease, exorcize evil spirits, and to promote success in hunting and food production and to keep the tribal community in balance. Traditional shamanic rituals included singing, dancing, chanting, drumming, storytelling, and healing. The shaman is a specialist in human souls. He is able to see them and know their form and destiny. The shaman controls the spirits. Rather than being possessed by them, he communicates with the dead, demons, and nature spirits. The shaman's work is based on the belief that the soul can forsake the body even while a person is alive and can stray into other cosmic realms where it falls prey to demons and sorcerers. The shaman diagnoses the problem, then goes in search of the wandering soul and makes it return to the body. Shamanism is still practiced all over the world, although each culture's shamanic tradition has evolved in different ways. Native American medicine men perform soul flights and vision quests to heal. North American Inuit shamans undertake undersea spirit journeys to ensure a plentiful supply of game. Tibetan shamans use a drum to help them in spirit flight and soul retrieval. Central and South American shamans often use hallucinogenic plants to invoke their shamanic journeys. Australian aborigine shamans believe that crystals can be inserted into the body for power. Author: Jennifer Wurges
Soul Flight and Beyond March 2008  As we gathered around the last North Gate circle with a sweet alter; buffalo skull looking towards our Ancestors, the place of Wisdom, Lori called to the directions in a way I'd not heard it done before. Our hearts were touched by her sincerity and purity. We had a great time, seems like just the coming together in circle, always knowing there is a place where you belong and that we will always be here for you ... well ... that seems to be such a support to many folks and has for many years. For this we are grateful.Since it was the time of Wisdom there were a few teaching we discussed. Two are Honorable Closure and the Blessing Basket. Links to these and other articles are on our web site onwingsoflight.com --- for those that missed circle, I encourage you to read and ponder on them. Much of the day was spent on practicing our Shamanic skills … to see what we can see. To that end we now have an ongoing monthly challenge for you. Mark gave us a dark brown wicker box, about 5 inches wide x 10 inches long and about 4 inches tall. Inside it I put something; it will always be at the beginning of each month. For now it will be animal, vegetable or mineral. It will be kept very simple until many of us get good at this. I had this box on the medicine wheel. We journeyed to our middle world teacher to have them show us what was in the box; did a very fast middle world look as if you were looking for your lost car keys or something, we worked with totem animal; used pendulum asking yes or no on each: animal, vegetable or mineral, to discover what it was made of. We also did the same with muscle testing (covering again 3 easy ways to muscle test), practiced bi-location, scanning with eyes and hands, etc. Of course you can use many other shamanic tools as well. In this session it was a folk. So mineral and several had little pieces of info but no one was totally right on which is to be expected in the beginning. This takes practice. So now this box sits on the small book shelf right inside the door where you enter for circle. Visualize it in your mind and then practice your skills. I suggest you also dream walk to look into the box. I’ve opened the shield to the entry door from the yellow gate. You will be able to enter into the entry way and look at the box. We’ll take it down to the medicine wheel each circle and discuss what any one got for those that are working on their skills. If you aren’t coming but want to let us know what you are receiving, email. And if you don’t feel called to do this, heavens, don’t worry about it. This is an advanced skill but one any of you can work towards if you feel called to. We spent time working with the Stone People and suggested that everyone spend time outside this month finding a stone or boulder. Be dressed very comfortably warm. Sit or drape yourself over the stone, sill you heart, breathing and mind. Ask ONE question and repeat it 3 X’s. Then be still and only listen. When your mind drifts away, take a deep breath and bring yourself back to center. Listen … this requires the ability of ‘be here now’. Have patience with yourself. I’ve sometimes spent several hours in the stillness listening to the old ones, the stone people. It is very rewarding. BTW if you don’t have a question in mind, a good one I use is: ‘show me what I need to see and take me where I need to go”. Felipe the Bundle keeper let us know not only how our bundle is doing but what it feels like to be a new bundle keeper. Cher kindly is going to work with him to guide him as she has carried this bundles several times in the past years. Work to prepare for next Circle April 5th. We are writing our Personal Mission Statements. As we enter the East Gate, the time of new beginnings, rebirth, spiritual awakening, it was felt this was the perfect time to look deep into the pool of self and get clarity. So if you feel called, write a statement of who you are, what you stand for, what is your purpose in this earth walk, etc. It defines what your life is about. It will take many drafts buy once you get it you’ll know in the depth of your bones that it is your core you. Bring it to circle and those willing will share and have a claiming ceremony. If you are not ready to do this, then put it in your basket for ‘someday’ things to do and let it rest. As always many blessings, Aho Blessed One, Aho Tana ‘Blue Deer Woman |
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