I’ve discovered the way to feed my soul right now is going out into nature. Not just for an afternoon. Not just for a hike. Not just for a sip. But what I am needing is a long deep drink. To go out and sleep on the earth. Feel the pulse. Be on the land, physically, psychically, spiritually. So I’ve just returned from my 2nd solo camping trip.
My first camping trip was 2 years ago (see related links below), when I sought refuge from unemployment. Now, I’m mending my deepest sinews with nights under the stars, listening. Dancing, writing, playing dulcimer, visiting the golden fields, wildflowers, streams, canyons. Letting my nerve endings unfray, and my heart muscle find the pulse of the muscular earth. I stopped for the night on my way to see my daughter, Emily, in the San Francisco Bay Area, and witness her progression in the Waldorf Teacher Training program – but that’s another story altogether!
This is the next chapter of a series of posts about my Vision Quest communing with the earth, the soil of being, starting with my overnight at San Luis Reservoir on May 15, 2015. This is a remote camp site at one of the largest reservoirs in the state, complete with herds of elk and lots of owls.
It brings to mind my favorite musician Kate Wolf‘s song about the local Pacheco Pass. Here’s a video showing her genius at telling a story of these “Golden Rollin’ Hills of California.”
Let me know what you think of my meanderings by commenting below. My next post will be on my Sequoia trip, and I’m on my way back out for my third solo to celebrate my birthday, June 11. I want to wake up in the trees.
Assembling the Divine Mother altar at the playshop.
Dew filled rose found on my morning walk before the playshop lends its loveliness to the day.
SPECIAL EVENT COMING: Sunday, May 31 I will be doing readings at a Wellness Faire at Follow Your Heart Sacred Space from 12-4 pm at 21835 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, CA 91303.
This monthI was inspired to debut my first gathering in Southern California — a ‘playshop’ in honor of the Divine Mother for Mother’s Day.
I wanted to share the joy of movement, meditation, making art, tarot reading and being in community with other women. I asked two professionals, Maureen Cox (Chef Mo) and Lynda lee Abdo (FengShui2Bliss.com) to collaborate. Calling us the three muses, I invited women to join us for three hours for $33.00. We attracted a sweet group of beautiful souls to share a magical afternoon at the Be Energy Center on May 9. I intend this to be the first of many of these sacred assemblies.
Here’s a Divine Mother event flyer you can download to schedule future events. We can come to your gathering or you can join ours. Get in touch if you are interested in playing in the next one!
Here is an excerpt from my invocation:
“We are here to experience, celebrate, embody the Divine Mother – that energy that thrusts life out into the world. Goddess Kali exemplifies that unstoppable force, the impulse of life that forces us through the impossible pain of initiation into the miracle of aliveness.
As women, we are the containers, the cauldron of life itself. When we birth – we say ‘give birth’ but truly, we surrender to a force that takes us over – a love that grips us and opens us – we don’t will ourselves into labor, the impulse of life takes us through – beyond our willingness, beyond what is IMPOSSIBLE – We MUST surrender – not passively, but gracefully.
So here today we celebrate our ability to STAY present to what arises – not to fix, or heal, or change – but to be with – to be a container for – OURSELVES – to embody that unconditional love that does NOT ABANDON LIFE.
Today we begin a NEW story of empowerment… we break the spell of the past, of the voices of fear, doubt, unworthiness. Like the fierce blessing of Scherazade, the storyteller of 1000 nights – she uses sound, words, and her BODY to unlock the past, to carry the story forward, saving herself, and overcoming the tyranny of the world.
Hummingbird nest found the morning of the playshop.
Here we celebrate our diffuse consciousness, our bodies as compassionate containers – we move toward any knot, any pain – it draws our love, our nurturing, our embrace of ourselves – we channel our energy back into our own feminine bodies – knowing that our vitality is a gift to ourselves and to others. Power rushes into us through our wounds, through our vulnerability, through our openness – we reframe our story into one of fullness, abundance, compassion, joy and vibrant life force.
We MAGNETIZE through the Goddess Venus
We Animate though the Goddess Saraswati
We Nourish through the Goddess Lakshmi
We play with our Divine Mother
We welcome the impulse of life to thrust us into initiation.
M is for mother, Movement, Music, Meditation (and tarot reading), Magic, Making art and Munching food
Cultivate your Divine Feminine nature
Learn secrets of feminine power to increase attractiveness and nourish your Sacral Chakra
Experience ancient belly dance moves to open your sensual centers
Reach inner depths with guided meditation
Enjoy Chef Mo’s exotic elixirs, aphrodisiacs and nectarian treats that enhance your feminine powers
Explore the womanly art of Tarot for personal insight and receive a Goddess Tarot reading from Madame Chandrala
Create your own Inner Vision Soul Collage card to embody your Diamond Self
Finished Diamond Self Inner Vision Cards – so inspiring!
“I enjoyed the nourishing energy of the Three Muses event. It is so easy to become depleted in our fast-paced, competition-driven society – it was lovely to rest and recharge with other women and tap back into my creative flow.”
Inner Vision Card “Holding Myself Precious” by Susan
Inside me…. by Susan
The Muses
Maureen Cox, known professionally as Chef Mo, is dedicated to living and sharing a healthy life style through conscious cooking. One of the elements that inform her food preparation is her commitment to meditation. A practicing artist, dancer and Reiki Tummo Practitioner Maureen is committed to the melding of mind, body and spirit for optimal health and wellness. Maureen@rubberpi.com 818-486-4672
Linda Hubbard Lalande, AKA Madame Chandrala, has been reading Tarot since 1979. She was trained in Jungian Tarot for therapists by Dr. Hilary Anderson at California Institute of Integral Studies. With an interdisciplinary MFA in Studio Arts/Religious Studies/Sacred Dance from the University of Montana, Linda is a practicing visual artist, dancer and professional writer. She now takes private Tarot clients and art students at her home studio in Woodland Hills. 818-730-2943 chandralatarot@gmail.com.
Owl feather found just after the playshop ended. Symbol of certainty, this was a sign to continue my path to the Owl Tree at San Luis Reservoir in the Central Valley … more to come!
The Be Energy Center where this event was held is a jewel in Woodland Hills that has become a gathering place for Great Souls. The Center specializes in QiGong and Tai Chi classes, but hosts a variety of other intriguing gatherings such as Medicine Drum Circles, Om Peace Circle Meditations, Tibetan Sound Baths, Chakra Dance, Channeling sessions and more. Contact Steve Barker at steve@blueskyblue.com or (818)-888-8664 to join their mail list for upcoming events or space rental details.
"Here is my secret. It is very simple: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.."- Antoine de Saint Exupéry