Soar like the Eagle

I spent a few days at the Grand Canyon last week and had an amazing time.  Hunny was attending, the GC Field Institute and I had the days to myself to wander along the rim or sit quietly in our cabin. (It was my winter get away, with a little more winter then I had gotten so far.  I loved it.) 

 

On one of those days I decided to take a drive down to Hermit’s Rest.  I found a spot on the rim where I could hang out undisturbed.  There was picnic table between two of the overlooks, with room to pull off the road and park the car.  I examined the area, went back to the car and brought out a blanket, gem stones and a rattle. (They had all asked to come on this journey when I was packing.)  I laid them out on the blanket.  I used the rattle to create sacred space, and meditated.  It was so wonderful to be in such an awesome place.  I just wanted to be quiet and melt into the beauty of the Canyon, so I did. (The only question that had crossed my mind before going into meditation was, Am I on the right path?)

When I was done with my time on the rim, I gathered all of my items and headed toward the car.  When I reached the picnic table I stopped.  I had a feeling I needed to follow that path to the west.  I put my items on the table and walked.  The path led to an open spot on the rim with a bench only two feet from the edge.  I took a deep breath and went to sit on the bench.  As I was looking out I saw a bird way off in the distance and it was coming toward me.  I got up from the bench and moved farther away from the edge so I could look up without fear of falling off.  Was it a Condor, I've never seen one?  As it got closer, I realized the head was white.  Then, I could see clearly, it was a Bald Eagle. 

     My hand grabbed for the camera in my pocket, but I felt no, just enjoy the beauty of this bird.  It is here for you.  I watched this beautiful creature fly over me and continue on.  There were no other birds and no other people, it was just the two of us.  I knew, there was a message for me. 

     Today, in meditation, the Eagle reappeared.  It was indeed confirmation that I am on the right path, however, it was much more than that.  I saw the pictures (in my minds eye) of where I was the first time the Eagle’s communicated with me.  It was so many years ago, yet I saw it all so clearly.

     I was on the top of a chimney rock in North East Iowa.  I was on medical leave and had not worked in months.  I was waiting for my employer to settle my case, and then I knew I would be traveling.  I’d had three dreams telling me to travel to Arizona and New Mexico.  However, in that moment, I was distraught.  I felt beat up, sad, and so many other things, but mostly, I felt I could not go on living this way anymore.  So I was crying and probably even screaming at “God” because I was scared and angry.  I didn’t understand why I needed to go on this journey.  I just wanted everything to be okay, the depression and craziness to be over.  After many tears, I finally caught a breath and looked up. 

     When I looked up I saw a few Bald Eagles flying above me.  They were circling the rock where I lay below the trees.  I took another breath and as I watched them I calmed down, I became quiet, still.  It was then that I heard/felt a message, kind of a voice in my head.  Telling me not to worry, to keep breathing and know everything would be okay.  I trusted that my case would be settled soon and that I could than plan for my journey. 

     A few weeks later, still distraught, I took myself camping along the mighty Mississippi River.  I was in South Eastern Minnesota.  While camping I learned that there was a big rock with a window in it that the Native Americans went to on vision quest to get their spirit name.  I hiked to this rock b/4 I knew of this tale, I immediately said, Eagle Woman, out loud when I was hearing the story for the first time.  The women who were telling me the story, immediately said yes that must be right, I’ve got goose bumps and felt a chill when you said it.

     That was in October 2000, my case with my employer was settled before the end of that year.  January 2001 I left Minnesota, to travel to Arizona and New Mexico and for a while I called myself Eagle Woman.  It was something I needed at the time to gather the strength and the ability to travel across country alone without fear. I set out on my Epic Journey to find out who I was and to begin my life a new. 

 

     The Eagle is a very important bird to the Indigenous people of our country.  It is a sacred bird that flies closest to the Great Spirit and can carry our prayers in their feathers.  Although I have other animal guides, Eagle is my Spirit guide.  Not only does the Eagle carry my prayers to Great Spirit but it also brings messages from Great Spirit to me. I have flown with the Eagle many times, but none recently.  She is reminding me to Soar like her, to keep my feet grounded on the earth and allow my spirit to fly.  Eagle reminds me I am a spirit being and when I soar I have access to the Universe and all of the dimensions. 

     I am soaring now and following where spirit leads.  I have my first group Shamanic Healing Retreat scheduled for MARCH 21st through the 23rd.  Check out my website at www.letspritleadtheway.com and sign up to begin your Epic Journey.  

In Gratitude,

Linda G

    

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