gatekeepers of the four directions
Honoring the Autumn Equinox
September 21st
Sunday ~ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
The Land
The land surrounding the Rifle Arch has been close to my heart for many years. Over these years as I came to know the land, I began to sense, see and feel the spirit of the land. This is where I first became aware of the Native American spirit allies that we're with me... I felt their presence while sitting below the arch, three native allies appeared behind me conveying a message of love, support and protection. It was also on this land that my power was revealed to me as the lion who walked beside me, she was not to be feared but instead to be embodied. I believe that any land can be experienced in a sacred way, this land in particular has witnessed and supported my self inquiry and growth through pain and joy and all the in-betweens. I believe that she will support you as well.
The Arch Spiral is a project that I began last summer. It was revealed to me after a powerful drum journey in the cedars where I met with my circle of allies and was instructed to be a guardian of the land. It was after that journey as I was walking back through the cedars that I could sense and see where ceremony had taken place in previous times. This is when I came upon the place where the spiral now sits. As I began arranging stones I could feel an intention building, to create a sacred place in nature where we can bring our offerings, intentions, prayers, and plant our grief seeds as well as our gratitude. In the heart of the spiral I hold space to honor the Native people of this land. May they be remembered, may they live in peace, and may we humbly ask for their strength, courage, and wisdom to lead us back to earth.
The practice
When indigenous people prayed or did anything sacred they saw the world as having four directions or winds. The "four winds" or "four directions" represent the same concept: North, East, South, and West symbolize the entirety of the world and all aspects of life, such as the stages of human existence, the season, and the elements. This appears across cultures, from Native American traditions to Christian prophesy in the Bible.
Our gathering
We will begin by collectively opening to four directions, honoring all aspects of life. After this we allow Spirit to guide us in our intention to meet with our personal Gatekeepers of the 4 directions. I will guide you in 4 separate journeys, each journey is an exploration into one of the 4 directions: East, South, West, North. Each direction holds a gatekeeper(s) for you.
This is an opportunity to access the unseen through sound, communing with nature, self inquiry, movement, and heart opening practices.
What to bring
~ An offering for each direction that can be placed on the alter. This can be stones, feathers, fruit, etc. (must be biodegradable if you intend on leaving it)
~ Plenty of drinking water
~ Appropriate clothing for the weather including proper shoes that will protect you from cactus
~ Something to sit on if you'd rather not sit on the ground
~ Snacks and anything else you would normally bring on a hike
Hiking logistics
Rifle Arch Trail is a gentle 1.5 mi. (3 mi. round trip) hike up to the Arch.
The Arch trailhead is approx. 7 miles north of Rifle on Hwy. 13, you can't miss a large parking area off of the right side of the hwy.
The spiral is approximately 2/3rds of the way up the Arch hiking trail.
Please plan on meeting at the spiral at 11:45 so we can begin our ceremony at noon.
If you are a medium - fast hiker I recommend that you arrive at the Arch trailhead around 10:45 am to begin your hike no later than 11 am. If you are a slow hiker you may want to begin earlier.
Take the hiking trail that goes up to the Arch, this is the main trail (it's wider than the others) that heads strait once you've entered the gate. Stay on the main trail, the mnt. bike trails are marked with signs. Once you have climbed two steep hills you will enter a more dense cedar forest, keep on the trail for awhile longer and look for a rock cairn off to the right side of the trail, this is the entrance to the spiral. If you've reached the bench at the base of the Arch you have gone too far.
We will gather outside of the spiral so that we can enter one at a time to place our offerings.
Exchange:
This gathering is donation based ~ Suggested donation $30 - $60
Please RSVP - [email protected]
Our time together is sacred and so is the space we create.
Nature holds space for your self inquiry.
We honor and respect all of life through our authentic speech and action.
We come with intention.
***
I can embody what I find in the unseen world.
I will leap.
I must open.
~ Aho
Introduction to the Medicine Wheel:
The origin of Medicine Wheels in Native American Spirituality is largely unknown and there are a lot of parallels to the stone circles in the UK. Both include evidence of ritual activities, both hold astrological knowledge and are built from stone. However, today the primary significance of the Medicine Wheel is its use as a ceremonial tool. There isn’t just one Medicine Wheel or that each tribe has its own version of it, there are in fact as many Medicine Wheels as there are people on this planet.
Its identification and reputation as we know it today came from a time when most Indian nations were constantly at war with one another. In the latter part of the sixteenth century a dramatic shift in perception occurred and peace was realized. This tranquil period lasted for more than 150 years, initiated by a great Iroquois chief known as Agonawila, who later became Hiawatha. He was a Visionary and channelled the dream on how to use the Medicine Wheel as a tool for inner growth and healing and it became an essential part of this transformation into a more peaceful way of life. Every teepee entrance displayed one, decorated in special symbols, colors, and stones which translated into information describing the teepee’s inhabitants.
The Medicine Wheel was a reflection of an individual’s strengths and weaknesses. It gave people guidelines to follow for personal growth. The symbols and metaphors translated into a story explaining what they needed to learn and what they should teach their fellow man.
Everyone was ordered to work on themselves, or leave the tribe.
After several generations of this work, people had largely lost the concept of blame, anger, and hatred.
This resulted in the longest peacetime in modern history.
~Twobirds Cunningham
As we honor the sacred we are given access into the rhythms and forces of nature. Here we can communicate and invoke the energies of both the seen and unseen worlds. This communication may show up in the shape of form, word, feeling/sensation, thought... it all depends on the individual.
I am excited to explore with you!
Adventure into the spirit world...
Physical world ~ where we learn from nature, communicating with the sun, moon and the spirit that lives in all things present in this physical reality.
Lower world ~ accessed by dropping down into the earth to discover a playground that resides deep within the womb of our Mother. Guided by your spirit animal we explore a landscape of mountains, streams and forests, a fire burning deep within our core where we dance, cleanse and are released from ties that no longer serve us.
Upper world ~ a lighter, more ethereal plane of existence. A Spirit-Talking-Place you might say, where we meet a teacher to help us enter into a crystal city or find supreme rest upon a cloud. A dreaming place where we feel a sense of being whole, of profound love and of knowing and wonderment where the great Spirit can move through us.
The information we receive is intended to bring understanding and support on our journey to heal ourselves and help heal the world around us.
Why now?
Without a doubt, we live in a fast paced world that is constantly bombarding us with un-natural stimulation and artificial intelligence. Some might say that over time we have lost our way. Through our disconnect with the natural world we have forgotten who we are and what it means to be truly authentic.
Do you ever feel a bit lost or confused, as if some part of you is missing or just doesn't feel like it belongs. Do you struggle with physical ailments, chronic pain or emotional imbalance. Whatever you are experiencing, it is real for you.
Consciously or unconsciously I believe that we all have a deep burning desire to be whole. Oftentimes wholeness requires a step out of our comfort zone for a shift to take place.
We have the capacity to heal ourselves when we open new doorways and expand our life experience.
We all have the ability to remember.
Without a doubt, we live in a fast paced world that is constantly bombarding us with un-natural stimulation and artificial intelligence. Some might say that over time we have lost our way. Through our disconnect with the natural world we have forgotten who we are and what it means to be truly authentic.
Do you ever feel a bit lost or confused, as if some part of you is missing or just doesn't feel like it belongs. Do you struggle with physical ailments, chronic pain or emotional imbalance. Whatever you are experiencing, it is real for you.
Consciously or unconsciously I believe that we all have a deep burning desire to be whole. Oftentimes wholeness requires a step out of our comfort zone for a shift to take place.
We have the capacity to heal ourselves when we open new doorways and expand our life experience.
We all have the ability to remember.
