Hopi Harvest Festival

Last Saturday we went to the Hopi Harvest Festival.  It was amazing!  There were dancers from a number of the South West Nations (tribes).  Take a deep breath and imagine for a moment, that it is the 1500’s, about 500 years ago.  People in this part of the world travel mostly by foot, meaning they walked to where ever they were going.  They live in adobe villages with the rest of their tribe and it is a simple life.  You have your farmers, your weavers, your hunters…  Everybody has their job and you run your life based on the season.  The Harvest Festival occurs on the Fall Equinox and it is time to gather with your relatives to celebrate the abundant harvest.  Relatives have traveled for days in order to be here for this occasion. (everyone is your relative, including the animals)They bring their dancers and crops to share or trade.  You are a peaceful people who have inhabited this land for 500 years.  

The Hopi have now been on the same land for 1000 years.  Yet, today many continue to live a very simple life, and their entire way of being is based on the 4 seasons, their traditional ways.  They have ceremonial dances from February through August, asking the Great Spirit for rain through dancing and they thank Great Spirit for all that they have received through dance, and they dance for many more reasons.  

Fast forward to today.  The Hopi culture remains very rich in tradition and ceremony, although dates of the ceremonies have been moved to weekends to accommodate the city dwellers.  This Harvest Festival was held on 1^st Mesa of the Hopi Land.  We witnessed dancers from the Zuni Nation in New Mexico, the Apache Nation from Southern Arizona and the Hualapai Nation in North Western Arizona. (and more dancers)  It took us back in time.  As I sat there listening to the beat of the drum, watching the dancers moving to the rhythm, it was easy to imagine it was 500 years ago.  To feel I was a part of something bigger than me, part of a community, tribe, family…  I am a relative of the Hopi, just not in the sense of my American way of life.  Going to Hopi Land is like being transported in time.  Sure many of them have the modern conveniences, but some of them are traditionalist and still live the old way.  Their Spiritual belief is strong and it shows in their way of being and of course in their ceremony.  They have prophecy similar to the Maya, Inca and Tibetans, but that’s a whole other story which I am not qualified to write.  If you ever have the opportunity to visit indigenous people, DO IT.  Be open and prepared to look at the world in a different light, to try and see the way the indigenous people see, to accept that we are all human, and we are all related. 

In Hopi Land you are not allowed to take pictures during ceremonies, or of their villages.   During the Harvest Festival they change the rules.  For the first time on a visit to Hopi I was able to take pictures of the dancers, not the village.  In closing, enjoy the pictures of the dancers below and when spirit leads you do something different, give it a chance, be open to new experiences.

In Gratitude,                                                                                  

Linda G

A group of young dancers.

Buffalo Dancers entering the plaza

The Crowd

 

Moving beyond the comfort zone!

A few girlfriends and I went out to the desert yesterday.  We arrived 4ish and it was still pretty hot so R asked if we wanted to trek down to the river, we could go for a swim and hike back up for sunset.  She showed us what she said was a trail, a wash (where the water goes down to the river) only it was not clearly visible to me and it was quite steep.  I took a deep breath and said yes we can try.  They ensured me that we could turn around and come back at any time.  

I did not have the proper foot wear, but the Teva’s were okay.  R & L were very good and supportive, lending a hand when necessary providing for stability in stepping down or up.  We went around Cacti, trees and bushes climbing down a rocky slope, with the occasional sliding rock.  It was very intense for me and when we got to a more level plain I broke down in tears.  I told myself, breathe into it and feel it.  It was difficult to identify the feeling.  There was fear, but I was safe now, why fear?  I had to climb back up!  (I do not have pictures of that part as I did not have a camera and did not ask L to take pictures until later.)  

Me and R looking at the dogs up on the Basalt Rock we are about to climb!

The next climb down was a bit different.  We were on the largest  piece of basalt rock that I have ever seen and there were large chunks broken off that created a make shift stair way.  I am talking 1000’s of years of wear over this rock with small trees beginning to grow out of the cracks.  Anyhow, it was a bit daunting but do able I thought.    (picture taken of that rock on the climb out)

The final stretch was simply walking through sand and around big boulders that had fallen ages ago.  Once at the river we put our feet in the water to cool off and eventually we soaked ourselves entirely.  It was a beautiful spot to hang out with the girls.  Here is a picture L took at the river.

Yeah, I climbed that with help from my friends!

When it was time to return we worked our way back up to the Basalt Rock where the girls again supported me in climbing these huge steps almost too big for me to reach my foot from one to the other.  But we did it.  (to the left is another picture of that rock)

Then walking towards the desert part of the trail and noticing the big steps I would need to take and the maneuvering around prickly things I took a deep breath and asked if we could go slowly. We proceeded on.  We arrived at the top just on time to watch the sunset.

 

Our arrival on top, as the sun was going behind the mountain.

It was an amazing and beautiful experience.  I must admit when I first looked at what she said was a trail I wanted to say no.  I was scared, a bit terrified even, but I did not want to let my friends down.  I also knew that I could trust these two, I have known them both for many years and I have hiked with both of them before.  In addition, I know that we feel the most alive when we push ourselves beyond our comfort zone.  As my Hunny says, “There is a fine line between excitement and fear.  Breathe into it and feel it.  Breathe again and feel the next feeling…”  I faced this fear of doing more than I thought my physical body could handle.  If I had thought about it I could have done the “Rocky Dance” when I made it to the top.  I felt that good that I had climbed down to the river and made it back up.

We also got to see the moon rise and howl like a wolf!

 Spirit provides us with opportunities to stretch ourselves, to move beyond what we think our limits are.  It’s up to us to take advantage of those opportunities to move out of our comfort zone and experience life in a new/different way.  Sometimes it takes a leap of faith to move in a new direction.  Stop and look for support people. I bet they’re all around you.  I could not have done that journey on my own.  With two friends helping me along the way I was successful and I look forward to the next opportunity to move beyond my boundaries.       

Let Spirit Lead you to your next adventure!

In Gratitude,

Linda G

            

Paying Attention

From my old website in 2002, it still seems applicable today.

It is amazing to me how fast time flies by.  I know it is an old cliché but one that fits just the same.  It has been over a year since I left Minnesota knowing I would be changing residence.  Whenever I reflect on things past I am surprised at how it can seem like “it was just yesterday” and “a lifetime ago” all in the same moment.  In many ways I feel like a completely different person, yet I know I am the same.  (That in itself can be a scary thought.)  This year I have been trying to pay a bit more attention to the little things and when a friend informed me about a class on paying attention I thought I would check it out.  I have been surprised at how difficult it is to pay attention to only one thing at a time without allowing your mind to wander.  One of the difficulties many of us have is just allowing ourselves to be quiet.  One of the things I do to forget about me and just be part of the universe.  I love to watch the sunsets here. 

I can remember when I lived in Northern Minnesota and my work took me on the road traveling between three different counties.  Most of the traveling was between 3:00 pm and 10:00 pm, I thought they were the most beautiful sunsets.  I think what mattered is that I actually saw them and paid attention to them.  I have noticed much more about sunsets since I’ve been in Sedona.  First of all, when I watch a sunset here, I am not driving to or from someplace.  I am sitting on a big stone or a hay bale, in an open field attempting to look at it from all angles.  Quite often I may head out alone and more often then not I will find someone there or someone will come and join me.  If I’m not alone we seldom talk.  It is a quiet time with an occasional ohh or ahh look at that!  On a few occasions people have brought over drums and played throughout the sunset.  I usually find myself on a large boulder dancing during those occasions.  It is one of the most beautiful times of the day, especially right now during Monsoon season.   

Until last year (that would have been 2001) I had never realized the beauty clouds add to a sunset.  They make it special as they are the canvas used to display all of the colors.  I have never seen so many colors as in the sunsets here.  The purples, pinks, oranges and grays are exuberant, then add in some greens and yellows and you have a spectacular painting/sunset.  

Another thing I pay attention to more often is the moon.  I seldom look at the full moon anymore without wanting to howl.  It is an awesome feeling to just let out a great big howl when you see the moon come up over the mountain.  It is a wonderful release of energy and thankfully I am in a place where others will join in or simply accept that I enjoy doing it.  Of course I am not the only one who will begin the howling.  We have a little girl that lives in the park, I think she is two-years old.  Whenever she sees a big moon she will let out a little howl.  It is so much fun to live so close to nature.  I notice things I seldom took the time to notice before.  

One day I was down at my friend’s pool, he was working, and after a nice cooling swim I simply sat and listened.  I counted seven different birds chirping within a matter of a minute or two.  Watching ants can be pretty awesome as well.  In front of the office during quiet times I may sit and watch ants carrying these huge pieces of food.  Watching them carry something as large as they are over what appear to be huge boulders (to them) and how they just keep on going is pretty inspiring.  These weird little creatures that can be so annoying to us, have so much strength I am sure we can learn from them.  (In Animal Medicine, I have since learned Ants represent patience, group thought and endurance.) There are so many awesome looking bugs in the desert.  The scary part is that some of them are poisonous.  I have noticed numerous bugs I had never seen before, everything from a Rhinoceros Beetle to a spider with a red furry back.  No one knows what that one is.  A friend of mine says the more brilliant their coloring the more dangerous they are.  I don’t know where he learned that, but who am I to argue. (I've been in Sedona AZ 12 years now, and the bugs, spiders and snakes are not nearly as scary as I once thought.)

So for the sake of your mental health and the pleasure you can receive, take the time to pay attention, and notice all of the simple wonders around you every single day.  Enjoy a sunset, a bird chirping, the wind blowing or the laughter of a child.

In Gratitude,

Linda G

"Every tree has a story."

Dancing Sycamore, by Linda G

"Every tree has a story."  A quote from Heartlands, an English Movie I watched.  I’ve thought about that statement a lot.  I have had a connection to trees my entire life.  As a young child I remember climbing up into a tree (in the woods across the street) and just watching over everything occurring below me.  Trees have always felt like safe havens to me.  They’re sturdiness being grounded so deeply into the Earth and yet their height, depending on what kind of tree, towering over us like giants and being closer to the Sky, the Universe.

   In 2000, I was preparing to leave everything I knew behind.  I had resigned my position, sold my house and was waiting for everything to be cleared up so I could leave.  All I knew was that my destination was New Mexico or Arizona, coming from Minnesota.

Being at my wits end, wanting to begin my journey, I took a three day camping trip on the Mississippi River.  One day on a hike up the hill overlooking the river I became overwhelmed with racing thoughts.  So I stopped by a large tree to calm myself down.  As I took a few deep breaths and calmed down leaning against the tree, I found I was overlooking the mighty Mississippi.  Deep breath, taking in this tremendous view.  Once calm, I thanked the tree from the depth of my heart for being there for me to lean on when I was so distraught.  I had needed to stop.

     To my surprise I heard what seemed to be a voice that said, “You Speak!”   I looked around and nobody else was there. Remaining quiet, I clearly understood it was the tree, and it was playing with me.  It told me without words how it has supported many people on their life path and was happy to be there for me as well.  In addition with words the tree said, “On your journey, remember my brothers and sisters, my cousin trees they will all be there for you whenever you need.  You are never alone we are always there for you to lean on, to talk to.”

     I have met many trees since then and I see them all differently.   I know they are living beings.  I think of a tree as being grounded in Mother Earth and reaching for the stars.  I too strive to be grounded in Mother Earth, Reaching for the Stars, to live my life in this world and be able to fly through the stars into the next.

     I am reminded every day of the importance of the Trees, Earth, Environment, and our Humanity.  Some days it seems as if all living things on this planet are stressed.  Find ways to "de-stress" your self and you may be amazed at the difference it will make in your life on all levels.  Go out sit under a tree, climb a tree, find a way to just be with a tree for a while.  Talk to it, look at it, touch it, get to know that tree, learn it's story.  I cannot promise that the tree will talk to you.  But I bet if you go often enough and can become quiet, totally quiet you too may hear the Spirit of the Tree.  

In Gratitude, 

Linda G  

Magic and Following Your Intuition

Magic can occur when we listen to our gut(solar plexus) and follow our intuition.  When we let our, "Spirit Lead The Way."

Hunny and I planned a long weekend in nature, camping under the stars listening to the water lap onto the beach.  We had it all set in our minds, we were going to rent a boat and find a private beach, set up our tent and hang for a few days.  Hunny can fish, I can drive the boat, read or swim.  We had toyed with going to a creek as we love the water sounds, but after much deliberation and believing that the creeks we know would be to cold yet, we decided to go to the lake we had been to before.  We knew it, we were comfortable with it, and it’s warmer there so I can go swimming.  We imagined it, we saw it and we were excited to go.

Two days before our departure as I was thinking about our trip I got this sick heavy feeling in my gut.  I asked what is this about?  No answer.  So I sat with the feeling for a moment and remembered what I was thinking about before I got the feeling and it seemed clear that it was about going to that lake.  I asked the question, should we cancel the trip to the lake?  It was hard to listen clearly, as I was quite excited to get away.  Then I saw a vision of the damn (that is creating the lake) break and the water come rushing down. I took a deep breath and said “Okay, we won’t go to the lake.”  As soon as I agreed we could cancel the lake outing the feeling in my gut went away.  I knew clearly at that moment we were not to go to the lake.  Somehow, I also knew that the damn was not going to burst.  The image was just a message that this was not the place for us to go right now.  How am I going to tell Hunny?

Hunny did not question or second guess my “gut feeling?”  He agreed that although we may not understand it, it is important to listen to it.  All we knew is that we wanted to be by water.  The day before our departure as I was visiting with a friend, she mentioned a creek we had considered but thought would be too crazy busy and we were not sure there was still camping.  She informed me there was camping and being we were leaving on a Thursday we would avoid the craziness of the weekends.  She said we had to go, it is so beautiful.  Here is one picture of the creek, it really was an amazing place. (more pictures and stories have been posted on my Wonder Filled Moments Blog.)

Fossil Creek by our campsite

We don’t like to be in crowds of people.  We like to be quiet and listen to the birds, the breeze, the waves or babbling brook, or the crackling of a fire.  We actually prefer creeks and streams over lakes because their sounds relax and rejuvenate us.  When we arrived at our destination, Fossil Creek, we found only one campsite occupied.  We walked around the creek and examined all of the sites before deciding where to place our tent.  Satisfied that we had the perfect spot, we unloaded our vehicle and created our home away from home.  100 feet away from the creek, we could hear the sounds of the water clearly.  For two days and nights we enjoyed the entire creek area, we had it all to ourselves.  The people in the occupied site did not return until the next morning, only to take down their tent and leave.   

Home away from home

 I almost forgot to mention this.  Our first night at this camp site we were relaxing in front of our tent with candle light, listening to the sounds of the creek.  Taking in deep breaths and relaxing into our space I was amazed at the sounds.  The creek, 100 feet from us, a large hill on the other side of the creek leading up the mountain and a sky full of stars.  While relaxing, I swore I could hear a full symphony coming from the other side of the creek through the trees and desert.  At times it quieted to a string quartet.  I think I was experiencing a bit of Heaven. Talk about Magic!  

This location did not allow camp fires or fishing so we decided to move on the third day.  As we were saying Good Bye to our site and thanking it for being our home for a few days two Arizona Black Hawks circled us and the site, before flying away.  It was amazing, as if they were acknowledging our gratitude and thanking us as well.   Leaving the creek that Saturday at noon, we passed 20 - 25 vehicles on their way in.  It is a 15 mile winding, narrow, dirt road.  We know how blessed we had been to enjoy the quiet sounds of nature with no interruptions. 

15 mile single lane dirt road

While traveling to our destination for our 3^rd night in nature, I kept imagining a campsite open for us, with some kindling next to the fire pit.  When we arrived one out of the six sites available remained.  Not only was there kindling, but a beautiful fire place built out of the river rocks.  It was a bit warmer at this site so we left the cover off of the tent, to sleep under the stars, after warming up by our beautiful fire with water sounds in the distance.

3rd nights camp site, fire place with creek sounds

We enjoyed a magical weekend getaway in nature with very little interaction with others.  GUS (God Universe Spirit) knew where we could best relax and insured I got the message not to go to the lake. Because I listened to my gut (solar plexus)intuition not knowing the outcome we were free to explore and enjoy two of the most beautiful oasis’ in the Arizona Desert.  

Trust you gut instinct, we were all born with one and can learn how to hear it through quiet practice.  I have found the more I listen to it the more magic is brought into my life.   

May you find your magic, your bliss.

In Gratitude,
Linda G