Winter Salutations! I love this picture of the snow covered arbor. The spontaneity of someone creating a snow heart emoji, and the way the sun suddenly bursts through the clouds to create an upside down shadow image of the people and the center tree. The as above, so below image is a beautiful message from nature. The light of awareness shines with clarity, changing our perception enough to feel the hidden hope within the shadow. So it goes…our human experience.
Our winter deep freeze has been intense. Many of us have had emotions surface so they can be felt and released. Personally it’s been a time of atonement and finding peace with the many parts of my life that are waiting for resolution in a mysterious timing only the Universe knows. Perhaps, you can relate? I was fortunate to stay close to home with others during the deep snow. Sharing meals, playing Rummikub, and finding quiet kinship amidst the turmoil of our external world was the best New Year’s gift ever.
Here are a few upcoming events I’d like to invite you to! February 1st is our second annual Asian feast celebrating the Chinese New Year. February 21-24 is our yearly Winter Women’s Retreat. March 21-23 we will rebuild the purification lodge and celebrate the Spring Equinox. See our full calendar here.
February 1 @ 2pm Celebrate the Chinese New Year and the year of the Snake with us! Bring your best Asian dish to share! Gather with community for an afternoon of fun and good fortune! If you’ve never been to the Lodge this is your chance to visit. Kelly will be offering her basket of silly fortunes! Come celebrate new beginnings! BYOB RSVP for directions to the lodge. If the weather is challenging, or you are traveling from afar, you may book a bed or a room in the lodge and stay overnight.
February 21-23 (24th optional) Winter Women’s Retreat Fully enter into the WOMB of WINTER by giving yourself a “special winter time-out”...This gathering is intended to hold sacred space for each other - to pay attention to the serious inner work we are longing to do but often resist. We are asking that everyone attending join us by Friday evening in time to open the Circle at 7pm - to create the matrix that will hold an atmosphere of intimacy where nothing is held back. There are 4 open beds remaining. Register here.
An optional Sisterhood Purification Lodge will be part of our weekend to release unnecessary resentments and patterns in order to free up our energy and be open to attracting our present desires. Many women have a personal vision they are seeding in coming together...so perhaps this is an intent we each share. Women that come together with focused intent create magic!
Meal teams and food sharing will keep the cost affordable.
March 21-23 Rebuilding our Purification Lodge & Spring Equinox celebration: The Purification Lodge ceremonies have been the foundation of our community here, and attracts those who are seeking healing, growth, and like minded humans. Every 2 years our lodge needs to be rebuilt. It’s a community endeavor to remove the old structure, cut new saplings, dig holes for the lodge poles, re-paint the stepping stones, and prepare the tobacco ties. On Sunday we have a consecration ceremony/sweat for the community that has helped in it’s rebuilding. All those lending a hand over the weekend are welcome to stay over at no cost! RSVP Kelly
Shamanic Purification Lodges are a sacred ceremony that is open to all men and women that desire to connect with the elements, the worlds of Grandmother Earth, to pray (for self, life and others), to purify (emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually), and who choose to grow and evolve as humans. The alchemy of this ceremony creates a safe space for us to let go of what no longer serves us and connect with Spirit to receive guidance and healing.
There is no charge for the ceremony. Donations or an energy exchange for lodge maintenance are appreciated. *If you are new to the Sweet Medicine SunDance path purification lodge, you must RSVP to receive the protocols about how to prepare for this ceremony.