Snohomish Thursday Farmers Market
Full Moon Fires
Soles for the Soul Moccasin Crafting Workshops
Adults ~ Babies
Drum Birthing Workshop
Rattle Crafting Workshop
Wing Medicine Workshop
Medicine Bag Workshop
Talking Stick Workshop
Private – Group – Experiential Workshops
Oh! This set me back on my heels. I trust. But, do I trust absolutely? In all moments? Within days I was given an opportunity, a test of my absolute trust.
These last many months, it feels as though I am, we are, constantly being tested. Absolute trust is required to stay sane, balanced, and right-sided. And action. Many actions. All our attention is needed in every direction. There is no being on the fence.
I write this as a small boat, with duel American flags, slowly motors by on the river below where I sit. What trust is required to be an American, to be a citizen of the world? How does one go on aware that there was not one Treaty ever honored with our Indigenous Relatives, on stolen land where immigrates are unwelcome, while their government systematically destroys people, sacred places, civil rights, and has it’s dirty warmongering hands in the destruction of foreign people and lands globally? To trust that this is all in divine order requires great strength, total surrender, and a willingness to face the terrible facts head-on – it hurts, yet the suffering of other living beings the world over is unimaginable. Rising in compassion and empathy, it is only absolute trust that carries me. I hearing the birthing cries above the commotions and distractions, above the motor of the boat drifting by. #RiseUp #Vote #Divest
One Human Family – Sending Up A Prayer
To you, your families, and your communities… Love…
All My Relations
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~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I am created by Divine Light
I am sustained by Divine Light I am protected by Divine Light I am surrounded by Divine Light I am ever growing into Divine Light Swami Radha was my first spiritual teacher some 25 years ago. Her teachings woke me up to myself through the many practices of yoga. I was surprised to discover I wasn’t studying yoga. This powerful path was self discovery – body, mind, and spirit. Until then, I’d been a sleep-walker, in survival mode. I really worked it hard, this union of self/Self. I’m awake. Even with this, it was a medicine way path that brought me fully into my heart. The Bear Nation showed me a way home to myself by way of the heart. A four chambered heart – open, full, clear, and strong – a unified, whole, integrated self. “The mountains have always been here, and in them, the bears.”
~ Rick BassIn the Light |
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FIRST DANCE
Gratefully, I was commissioned to craft moccasin for a Dancer, she hadn’t worn moccasin before to make her prayer. Prayers of health, help, and happiness, as well as her own prayers were held with every stitch. They came together so beautifully, red buffalo medicine. A brief and sweet exchange over tea, we wished one another off to our respective ceremonies. I returned home to find this photograph and an email in my inbox:
“I hope you’re not horrified,
these moccasin went to the depths and back with me. They were strong traveling shoes and I’m so glad for them.” ~ CE Horrified? Quite the contrary. The sight of the good Red Earth and her words brought me to tears of joy and gratitude. Worn only once, their first dance, four days, sacred shoes, sacred feet, dancing a prayer. So filled with Spirit, they are even more beautiful. It humbles me. It is an honor to be united in this way of making prayers. “What if we All came together
to pray for peace, unity, and justice for ten seconds? Just ten seconds. Imagine how powerful our prayer could be in this sacred place.” ~ BRWhat if? It’s all sacred.Join me, from wherever, however. 10am PST ~ Daily 10 SecondsAll My Relations |
Surely you’ve got your tried and true tools for your shamanic journeys, your private, public practices. I do. And I am asking again, to deepen, who am I now? What can I honor about myself on my path and quest to be my best self? Where do I lack integrity? How can I grow, mature into the life that I’ve been born into?
Are you sitting with big questions too?
While I have trusted allies that are constant in my life, there are always new discoveries to make. Medicine is so vast. Perhaps there is something right in front of my nose that I am missing or so well hidden, it’s never been touched to heal. What medicine can I draw upon? Who will be the crossing guard to usher my next steps?
Are all your needs being met? Is it time to refresh, reboot, reenergize? I’d be honored to hold a sacred container for you to recharge within. A new rattle’s voice, reaching in… a gentler or more robust drumbeat resonating with your current heart… medicine for your daily bag… Gift yourself (or another) a personal day for whatever your needs, make new relations, jump into the river of surprise, manifest your next steps. Medicine is a revealer and a healer.
I’m strengthening in service to the medicine that comes forward for me as well as learning. Reciprocity is vital. A beautiful Circle. I love the exploration, engaging and working with, and honoring the medicine with my presence. I give little gifts of flowers to Grandmother Buffalo, tobacco offerings and good smudges, black coffee sweet for my Constant Companion. I tell the Earth I love her all the time. I’m thankful.
It’s a good day to be alive. Many blessings to you and yours.
All My Relations
“Good Morning! Glory!”! It is a sweet memory to recall my mom’s singsong voice, waking me to each new day. “Good Morning! Glory!”
Good Morning Everyone ~
Snohomish is wild and wonderfully overgrown with white Morning Glory. It’s everywhere. It seems that not even the tamed and tended gardens are free of it. Morning Glory is a messenger encouraging me to break free of old habits, to be more creative, dare to live spontaneously, and to keep blooming anew day after day. Morning Glory wakes with the dawn, then exhausted it languishes as the sun disappears on western horizon – a full circle, a ceremony in each day. Pure white and funnel shaped, the flower is symbolic of both drawing energies in and sending energies out – how will I be in community now? What will I learn of myself? What can I offer? Can I receive? The heart-shaped leaves ask me if am I grounded in my body? In my body, the heart is allowed to lead, the mind can follow. The stretch of the many vining tendrils remind me to embrace what life has to offer, to express myself fully. Am I? Morning Glory connects me to the wealth of my inner reservoir where I acknowledge myself and honor Source.
“My life is my message.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi
By experiencing the natural world as our messengers, we can see from a fresh perspective – with medicine eyes and a medicine heart. An old yet new way of being human, in alignment with creation.
Offering workshops, circles, and mentorship throughout the summer season. I look forward to sharing time with you. Until then, I bid you all a glorious morning, noon, and night, and beautiful strides in the South.
All My Relations
“She’s goin’ shoppin’, shoppin’ for shoes…” ~ Mark Knopfler
I am loathed to say that I used to joke, Imelda Marcos had nothing on me. It feels a bit shameful now to think I related, even in a joking way, with someone such as Imelda – so many shoes and such grotesque greed at the expense of the people of the Philippians. My own abundance of shoes isn’t a fraction of her amassed collection, perhaps 7500 pairs.
Such a turn of events. It is a dazzling personal reflection to follow the course of events that brought me from being what I considered ridiculous and gross in my consumption of all things shoes, along with my observations on greed, materialism, consumerism, and lust, to where I am today. Crafting footwear that is both sacred and everyday wear. Holding space and teaching the crafting of these shoes is a great joy. The moccasin crafting workshops are two-day affairs which allows for sweet sharing and a more intimate experience in a marvelous container where we honor ourselves – our souls and the soles we’re creating.
February 27 & 28 Moccasin Crafting Workshop
March 5 & 12 at the Bodhi Center on Bainbridge Island Workshop
March 26 & 27 Sandal Crafting Workshop
While I admit to being a bit uncomfortable about being “in” this video, I’m excited to share this it publicly. A dear friend and very smart videographer, Amy St. Onge ~ Voice & Vision, created this video. It’s worked out so well that I now have anopportunity to craft a commissioned pair of moccasin for a client in the UK!! I’m thrilled and so grateful to be custom crafting for people who choose to be in right relationship with shoes.
I have to tell you that your moccasins are more than something to wear on my feet. I LOVE wearing them, as they hug my feet, giving a sense of security, tenderness and love. I slow down my steps when wearing them…mindfulness? reverence for a feeling I don’t fully understand? I’ve already had the feeling that I NEED to put them on. ~ Marge
I’ve still got boxes with beautiful shoes in the closet. I don’t begrudge anyone their collections – shoes, teapots, cats, whatever. I do hope for balance though, that excess for one no longer leads to lack for another. The shoes in my closet are for special occasions and nights out, and boots for winter time. And, it’s moccasin that I wear daily, rain or shine, while pushing a vacuum cleaner or attending a Sun Dance.
Madame’s taste is truly exquisite… I wonder if Imelda’s tastes are fine enough to appreciate Buffalo moccasin?
Mitakuye Oyasin ~ All My Relations
https://vimeo.com/home/myvideos
Open ~ Medicine Gift Crafting: Create whatever you wish! How can I support you? Announce your intention to attend, thank you. ♥ Offering ♥ Gratitude
Wing Medicine: Craft a feather fan to cleanse and clear in your personal life and for professional practices.
Drum Birthing: Send up a call, let the beat of your drum harmonize with the heartbeat of our Mother Earth.
Rattle Crafting: Move the energies, call your guides, meditate and journey with these powerful tools.
L♥VE Offering ~ Fund Raiser for Cocoon House
Soles for the Soul: Moccasin are for everyday wear, for ceremonies, moccasin for life!
Medicine Bags: Personal, protective and private – honor the medicine that comes forward for you in a good way for the new year.
Talking Sticks: Are you one who has been called to form a talking circle? Many have in these times and it is good. The talking stick is a respectful way to share and listen to what is on one another’s hearts.
Leather Crafts: Come sew, stitch your best intentions into the leather, create what you have a need for. There will be cake.
Children’s Circle: In a sacred way, each circle date is a unique exploration into the natural world.
Feeding the Fire Ceremony: Celebrate the feminine by feeding the fire with Grandmother Moon.
Looking forward to spending time together working in a sacred way. With gratitude.
Mitakuye Oyasin ~ All My Relations
Commissioned work: hand-stitched, custom fit moccasin.
I’ve been asked to sew a pair of shoes for a woman who is healing herself with nature. In her infinite internal wisdom, she’s self prescribed being outdoors – a lot. While hiking, she realized how important it is for her to actually have her feet on the earth, unencumbered by artificial material. I prefer to use Buffalo hide for moccasins for its strength , stability, comfort and ease. Buffalo gives what is needed.
Fresh ginger tea sweetened with local honey and lemon (yum!) warmed us during our time together talking, tracing, measuring. That she shared what was on her heart, why she felt drawn to walking the earth in moccasin was a generous gift of authenticity and vulnerability. Delighted and naturally drawn to buffalo without knowing why, she had done a little reading – there are plenty of intellectual sources extolling wisdom about the medicine for which I am grateful. When she asked, “what is the medicine of the buffalo?”. I paused to reflect.
Medicine is far more meaningful through experiential work and practice. I have been working with and worked by Buffalo in really good ways – I shared a bit knowing that we are all worked individually as needed – the books and websites cannot begin to know how Buffalo works its magic. Just this morning in my prayers of gratitude for Grandmother Buffy Pté (who lives with me) and in preparation for these moccasin, I found myself offering up prayers for the Buffalo Nation – that they have room to roam, they way they deserve to. This lead to prayers for peace with the Ranchers who are resistant to the Buffalo so their cattle have the landscape to graze. And I then realize these Ranchers are the good guys in spite of the deeds done to the populations of buffalo – their animals are not pinned into feed lots on factory farms. Again the prayer within me is moved by the good medicine of Buffalo. Now I’m offering up prayers for these practices to stop – no more poisoning the earth and the residents nearby, no more inhumane treatment of these animals (cattle. hogs, chickens, any others raised in these ways), for the greed to be at an end. Then prayers too for those who are driven by their greed. And on and on it goes with the Buffalo. Their medicine opens my heart wider and in surprising ways.
The Buffalo is guardian medicine, constant in generosity, offering themselves and their powers unceasingly.
May their needs also be met.
The patterns made and fitted properly, and are now taken apart and laid up on the hide. I have prayed for and with the spirit of this Buffalo – listened and received messages for the woman who waits for her new shoes. She’s given me her prayers and intentions to hold while I sew for her. The moccasin will be sewn with my love and gratitude for the Buffalo Nation and the way our Mother Earth will heal this woman and she will heal herself – it is all a mystery to me and I trust fully these medicine ways, the prayers, the process.
Soul Proprietor is always available for commissioned works of all sort. Any object for ritual – personal, sacred and ceremonial, tools for healing practitioners. A full schedule of workshops for DIY crafting is also always available. The next moccasin crafting workshop is November 21-22 – it is richly rewarding and fulfilling to sew with the Buffalo. Consider a pair of new medicine shoes for yourself or perhaps as gifting, the holiday season is quickly upon us. These moccasin are a worthy and unique gift that will surely carry anyone wearing them a long way on our Mother Earth – leaving prayers with each step and every footprint on her back.
Mitakuye Oyasin ~ All My Relations
Well, I depend upon no one’s heart (or courage) but my own, so thinking this, I look for horses. ~ Song of Self-Reliance sung by Old Buffalo
A few weeks back, the Fire Circle was coming to birth drums. I journeyed to seek out the medicine that wished to come forward for them as we had not discussed anything in specific. I am no longer surprised yet I am always amazed at how directly aligned the wisdom comes through – it is always exactly in keeping with the path of the seeker. Black Horse, unambiguous definitively black, appeared. While familiar with the medicine of Horse, having read several old stories, I went in search of more. I wanted some details that might help me understand what this medicine in particular was bringing forward.
“I am from the Void where Answer lives. Ride on my back and know the power of entering the Darkness and finding the Light.” ~ Dreamwalker
When the Fire Circle gathered, we took time to ground in with one another sharing where we were at and what were we needing at this time. Up to this point, their medicine waited quietly. While I listened to their shares, I well with emotions – Black Horse was precisely what is needed. When they were complete, it was my turn to share, a dark horse* previously unknown is now prominently in the room. Overwhelming, overflowing agreement that this day will be the beginning of what is sure be a powerful journey. Black Horse had come to offer the Mystery in magical ways.
And indeed, four black horse drums were birthed and are making magic known in the lives of their caretakers.
Not usual, after the drum heads and laces have been cut unused hide is so inviting . Every scrap speaks. Black Horse has come calling, work with me for your highest good. From some of what remains, I have sewed rattles, taking this opportunity to ride into the Void, into my dark places and bringing back the Light.
I have been on a spiritual path for some time now and naturally life and questing have guided into some dark places. Last summer’s Sun Dance, I was gifted/guided to explore deeper, to make a concerted effort to attend to my shadow work. Surprisingly, my shadow work isn’t what I thought it might be. It has been far more gentle than I was anticipating. It’s the Medicine and Light, the Ceremonies – they support my personal path and healing process in incredible unimaginable ways. And self-love.
“Self-Love is Always the Answer.” ~ Northside Dream Circle
Sewing with this Black Horse – the hide is soft like butter, easily pierced by a sharp needle, no resistance when pulling the stitches tight. This feels so symbolic, like grace accompanying every prayer and stitch, tightly woven into the process of healing the shadows with Light. This Black Horse teaching me not to fear those places within with steadfastness, gently lifting me up to the light of day. Spaciousness occurs. The gravitational pull towards Light, riding this swift horse, I am delivered unto myself in a good way. There is still working to complete these rattles – as of yet no voices – what will I hear? Their handles incomplete – when sanding and polishing, finding the “fit” in my hand, what can be garnered? Already I’ve been gifted with freedom, bravery and generosity.
Mitakuye Oyasin ~ All My Relations
Consider the workshop calendar. Let us make a time together, to sew rattles, birth drums from any number of medicines, Black Horse among them to carry you deeper from the shadows into Light. The Medicine of All Nations supports our walk at this time. Blessings…
*The idiom dark horse refers to hidden talents, potential, victory and gains in power.
