Shamanism & Medicine for the Earth

Recently we had the honour of celebrating the new graduates of the 2 Year Advanced Shamanism program at the Edge. The weekend was very full as the program came to completion by the merging of ceremonies to honour the graduates and welcome them into the Peaceful Heart’s Circle.

The ceremony of welcoming and coming home touched my heart deeply. On Saturday evening, I drummed behind the new graduates as they were gently led to the dock by past graduates, blindfolded. As the heartbeat of the drum played, each initiate was so very tenderly cared for by the ‘Peaceful Heart’s Circle’ with such deep respect. They were each positioned carefully into a boat, and then in the quiet darkness led to a place of melting the limitations that were anchoring them from achieving their dreams.

As I watched from the shore, listening to the elder on the dock, calling to them “It is time to dissolve limitations and claim the gift that is waiting for you”, my heart filled. As I saw the tenderness with which each initiate was held, I wept. I was seeing the dream that I held in my heart, manifesting right in front of me. I was bearing witness to the Power of Love in Action!

Later as they were each led up the ancestor stone staircase, greeted by anancestor and led into the garden of gratitude, I gave thanks for all those whohave supported me in manifesting the dream of birthing this circle. They were led to the ‘Pathway of their Dreams’, entering a tunnel that was sacredly prepared for them.

I stood there watching and after the last person entered the tunnel, it was clear to me that it was time for me to enter the tunnel and be welcomed home into the Peaceful Heart’s Circle. I walked through with deep love and gratitude in my heart, and when I was introduced to the circle felt such enormous love, that I could not contain it. Each one that greeted me, filled me so much that the love spilled out of me, in joyful, heartful tears and laughter.

The circle is connected now, and filled with the power of love. It is love that heals and changes the world.I am so very grateful for the gift of the circle and for the opportunity to bear witness to the power of love in action. With deep gratitude and a full heart, I give thanks.~ Martha

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We are fortunate to have Mandaza return to Ontario to offer teachings, gatherings and a retreat. Mandaza has a precious way of inspiring us to take action in becoming the change we wish to see in the world. Here is a video created on his 2008 tour through Ontario with interviews of participants of the retreat at Northern Edge. They share the inspiration they received from participating in the retreat http://www.shamanismcanada.com/blog/2008/12/what-is-peace-mandaza-retreat-video/

Please read these words from Diane Longboat, Mohawk Medicine Woman from Six Nations about this opportunity

‘The Era of Living Spirit’: Message from Diane Longboat – Mohawk Medicine Woman from Six Nations.

The world has shifted on its axis, the ice caps and glaciers are melting. The world climate change is felt now upon all of humanity and all of our relatives living within the web of life. There has been much time spent on teaching and developing our spiritual strength. Now is the time for action to bring Spirit into daily living…living spirit. Your time with Mandaza is a precious gift of renewal and visioning for your role in birthing the new mind guided by the Spirit in all things of life. Take the time to feed your spirit.”

Although appointments and the circle is full in Toronto there is still the following opportunities:

Fri June 25th, 7:00 Institute for Traditional Medicine: How do we take care of our dead? 553 Queen Street West, 2nd Floor (416)-537-0928

Sat June 26th, 9;45 : Day of teachings and messages, Vivace Studio, 291 A Jane ST (just a few blocks north of Bloor) (flyer attached, please note, circle is full but Sat is open)

Fri July 2nd – Sun July 4th: An intimate retreat gathering with Mandaza at Northern Edge Algonquin. This retreat time will include teachings, ceremony & individual personal time with Mandaza (like a mini appointment/reading)
http://shamanismcanada.com/mandaza.html

World Drum
The World Drum is coming to the Edge July 2-4th! This is a rare opportunity to feel the pulse of this sacred drum that has traveled throughout the world and be part of a living ceremony bringing peace and healing to our selves, Mother Earth and the sacred waters of life. The World drum will likely not be in Canada again for some time, and we are honoured to host the drum and create ceremony that will help shift consciousness on our planet in this precious time we are now living.
www.worlddrumproject.org
http://www.shamanismcanada.com/world-drum.html

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The article from the grandmothers is from Grandmothers Speak, (grandmothersspeak.com)

“We ask you to cast, anchor, and hold the Net of Light (Crystalline Grid) steady for the Gulf of Mexico,” the Grandmothers said. “This crisis is affecting the entire world, and humanity is asleep. Wake up!” they cried. “Animals are dying, plants are dying, and your Mother is writhing in agony. If you hold the Net of Light steady at this time you will help stave off further catastrophe.

“You have been lulled into a false sleep,” they said, “told that others (B.P.) will take care of this problem. This is not so,” they said. “And this is not the time for you to fall into oblivion. Determine now to stay awake, and once you have made that commitment, think of, cast, and hold the Net of Light. Hold it deep and hold it wide. Amplify its reach to penetrate the waters of the Gulf and dive deep beneath the crust of Mother Earth. Anchor it at the earth’s core and as you hold it there, ask it to unify with the mineral kingdom of this planet. It will do this and will harmonize with all the solid and liquid mineral states on earth-including oil and gas. The Net of Light will call these minerals back into harmony.

“Whatever human beings have damaged, human beings must correct,” the Grandmothers said. “This is the law. We repeat: This is the law. You cannot sit back and ask God to fix the mess humanity has created. Each of you must throw your shoulders to the wheel and work. We are asking for your help. Several years ago we gave you the Net of Light so you would be able to help the earth at times like this. Step forward now. This is the Net of Light that will hold the earth during the times of change that are upon you,” they said.
“First move into your heart and call on us. We will meet you there. The Net of Light is lit by the jewel of your heart,” they said, “so move into this lighted place within you and open to the Net of which you are a part. Bask in its calming presence. It holds you at the same time that you hold it.

“Now think of magnifying your union with us. We, the Great Council of the Grandmothers, are with you now, and all those who work with the Net of Light are also with you. There are thousands, even millions now connected in light,” they said. “Along with this union, call forth the power of the sacred places on earth. These will amplify the potency of our joint effort. Then call on the sacred beings that have come to prevent the catastrophe that threatens to overwhelm your planet. We will work together,” they said, nodding slowly.

“Think of, cast and magnify the presence of the Net of Light in the Gulf of Mexico. See, imagine or think of it holding the waters, holding the land, the plants, the sea life, and the people. Holding them all!” they said. “The Net of Light is holding them steady; it is returning them to balance. Let the love within your lighted heart keep pouring into the Net of Light and hold, hold, hold. Calmly and reverently watch as the light from your heart flows along the strands of the Net. It will follow your command and continuously move forth. As soon as you think of it, it will happen. We ask you to practice this for only a few minutes at a time, but to repeat it throughout the day and night.

“We promise that this work with the Net of Light will do untold good,” the Grandmothers said. “We are calling you to service now. You are needed. Do not miss this opportunity. We thank you and bless you.”

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I heard a call from the ancestors to come to Germany. I was being asked to be a bridge builder connecting with our sisters and brothers across the ocean. I decided to heed the call to find and rediscover the place we call ‘Germany’ that lives within me.

I had a plan for the beginning and end of my journey, but had no idea of what would happen in between. I trusted the Spirits would guide me as I followed the footsteps of the ancestors.

This is part of the unfolding story of losing myself in Germany only to find myself again while holding the question ‘What will I do with my one wild and precious life’?

She hid far away her pain and sorrows deep under a thick dark cloak so no light would shine through, for fear of this light being stolen again.
Slowly she began to remove the cloak and the many layers of cloaks of protection
to reveal the divine light within.

I decided to go on this journey alone to find the depths of who I am, without my usual companion and guardian. I would go it alone to see if I could find my way back home to myself.
Without the removal of these cloaks or layers, there could not be healing, for the healing comes in sharing this light in the world. Sometimes even though many layers have been removed the light begins to dull again.

It has been a long and arduous journey and many angels come to support me along the way. They take my hand in times of loneliness, when I am confused about which way to go, and when I feel lost. There is always an angel providing me with a roof over my head and a place to rest and eat. I am welcomed warmly and embraced by loving and generous hearts.

A plateau is reached and when we reach this plateau it is the time for new growth, expansion and renewal. It is a never ending story, but each time I come to a newer understanding.

What am I to do with my one wild and precious life?

At the tree of life, anaconda greets me by swallowing me whole. The acids quickly burn away my skin and bones as I melt and decompose inside the snake’s belly. The snake begins to shed layers and layers of skin, removing what is no longer needed.

When we are taken down to our vulnerabilities we gain strength. When we go to our weakest spot, the place that seeks healing, the raw point, the place we fear and have shut down, when we go there, we find the pain that has been hidden there for a long, long, long, long, time…perhaps generations.

This is where we feel the deep sadness, pain, sorrow, and rawness of the ancestors. This is where we can also transform the pain.

Emptying and freeing myself of this old pain, I make room for the ancestors to work though me as a vessel. They invite me to travel with the snake around the world, visiting the ‘olds, those who carry seeds of deep wisdom as it is time to share this wisdom with the world.

I hear the ancestors calling and find myself surrounded by the ancestors in the desert. Those of us in the room, become the ancestors dancing a circle dance together. We are gathered under a Babob Tree in Africa and the anaconda snake slithers down the tree and again swallows me whole. The acids dissolve me and I am now anaconda traveling to the river of life.

We enter the river, traveling a long journey to the Mother from which we all came. We enter the body of the great mother Ocean. It is murky and cloudy and with rough churning waves tossing and turning us.

We come to where there others are gathered in a circle. They are whales and we become a whale too. We join in singing with the other whales a beautiful song and as we sing, the dark murky waters become brighter and clearer. There is a column of light that is emitted into the centre of this circle of beings. We are creating a strong web of light together with our songs and our voices. The Great Mother feels our presence and is held in love.

May we all work together now to hold the Net of Light strongly, anchored and steady.

With love and gratitude.
Martha Lucier

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The Summer Day
a poem by Mary Oliver

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don’t know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn’t everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

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Medicine for the Earth April 2010

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Hello!

Shamanism Canada welcomes Martha, Todd, and Lesley back from their spiritual journey in Ecuador (Andes Mountains, and Amazon Jungle). We look forward to the stories they will share, and the development of relationships that the networking triggered. This is a time of change, and we are welcoming our own circle to shift into the Peace Village to come!

Please enjoy the most recent copy of Medicine for the Earth:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/29296607/Medicine-for-the-Earth-April-2010

Amanda

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Long long ago, before humans walked the Earth Whale was given a very important mission. This is the story of how they came to receive the golden key to the universe.

With a thunderous roar the spark of life was created in the vast oceans on this home we call Earth. With each breath of the Creator, life expanded under the pulsating waves in the waters of life. The grandest and largest of them all was Whale.

The size of Whale made it the perfect container for the Creator to place the golden key. Whale was accustomed to traveling deep thus the key would be safe. The key was to be shared only when necessary and only when the waters of life could no longer sustain the beauty of creation within it.

The key resembled a glowing orb of light and was placed within the biggest heart in the Ocean, and indeed on Earth: the Heart of Whale.

Humankind was also given an important gift upon creation. They were given the ability to create or destroy and the ability to choose: the same ability as the Creator.

As time went by Whale began to notice the life waters getting warmer and cloudier. Could it be that the humans had forgotten the key that they carried? It was getting harder to find food to feed the young. The Whale Family signaled to each other that it was time to gather in council and share the wisdom that they had kept safe since the beginning of time.

A Grand Pod of Whales came together from around the world to form a circle. They began to sing from the depths of the ocean creating the most hauntingly beautiful song ever heard on the planet.

As they sang their hearts burst open shedding light together, creating a beautiful white orb that began to grow and pulse in the centre of the circle of Whales. With each pulse waves ascended from deep within the ocean carrying the vibration of wisdom from the very heart of Whale. Those who were truly listening would hear this song.

As the Whale song was heard wisdom was transmitted to Humankind. They were reminded of their own power and the choice they had in creating or destroying.

Those who heard the song were able to capture this wisdom while using it wisely. They called together pods of their own kind and sang the song taught to them by Whale, sending out more signals even further than Whale’s song could reach.

A circle formed around the Earth and as the song grew the Earth and all of life upon the Earth experienced deep, deep love. The hearts of Humankind together contained more love than the planet had ever known. The life Waters began to clear. The air became sweeter and lighter as the light of creation flowed through the veins of the Earth. Life upon the Earth was at peace.

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December 2009 Newsletter

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