Archive for January, 2010

Returning to my people

Thursday, January 28th, 2010

I'd like to conclude my story of the medicine walk with telling you about how Ruth and Larry mirrored the story for me, and what has happened since then. As I mentioned in Three parts of the ceremony, the final stage is reincorporation. During this stage, we bring the gifts ...

The three parts of the ceremony

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

A medicine walk, just like a full-length vision quest, has three parts to the ceremony: severance, threshold, and reincorporation. The time spent mirroring my intention was part of the severance phase, during which I was preparing to leave my people and go out into the wild. This time also included packing ...

The medicine walk: getting down to the nitty gritty

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

Continuing on with the story of the east shield ceremony, I was now near the mouth of the canyon, near the canyon wall on the north side of the wash. The wash was filled with stones, from tiny pebbles to large boulders, but I'd chosen a ceremonial spot that was flat ...

The medicine walk: ceremony with the inner masculine

Sunday, January 17th, 2010

I have been writing about my medicine walk in Eureka Valley, California, last October. After I completed the north shield ceremony, which involved gathering the bouquet of flowers and making gifts for my people, I felt that I wanted to do an east shield ceremony. I didn't know what form ...

Yoga for the New Year

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

Speaking of bears, I'd like to invite you to a yoga class I am teaching on Tuesday, January 19. It's free for members of the Society for Technical Communication. If you're not a member, it's $15 to pre-register online, or $20 at the door. One of the poses I'll be teaching is ...

The puzzle of the marks on the tree

Saturday, January 16th, 2010

Hi Amy, I'm answering you as a blog entry rather than a comment, so I can include photos. I've puzzled over the pictures you sent me of marks on a tree, as well as the details about measurements and known wildlife in your area. I also consulted with an expert woodswoman. The ...

Mixed media and more sex for the New Year

Thursday, January 7th, 2010

Happy New Year, dear blog readers o'mine. Before I continue with the story of my medicine walk, a few amazing things have come through my inbox that I'd like to share with you: First is a mixed media music video by cartoonist Doug Savage (music by Laura Veirs), a friend of ...

The medicine walk: bouquets and gifts of the north

Saturday, January 2nd, 2010

For the next part of the medicine walk I've been writing about, I wanted to do some work in the north part of the wheel, which involves giving our gifts to our people. It can also involve making gifts, doing concrete physical tasks, craftwork, and so on. I walked farther down ...

The medicine walk: cholla cactus and golden braids

Friday, January 1st, 2010

If you have been following this story of the medicine walk, you might be wondering what my longing for a loving relationship has to do with the intention I brought on the walk, and why I chose to ask the lizard that question. I can tell you two things about ...

Vision Fast Retreats at BC Wilderness Visions

Friday, January 1st, 2010

2011 Dates Possible fast in October 2011. This will be a 5- or 6-day trip with a 3-day fast, preparations, and post-fast storytelling and incorporation. $800 - $1,200 sliding scale 2012 Dates TBD July and August (week-long trips include 3-day fasts, with preparations and post-fast storytelling and incorporation) $800 - $1,200 sliding scale If you are ...