Greetings one and all... (or anyone who cares to read),
Well, I am back from one of my journeys yet once more and feel a need to share my experience with kindred spirits and explain a little bit about what is happening to me as a result.
My husband and I attended a most wonderful weekend celebration with kindred spirits and as first time attendees, were welcomed warmly by all with the exception of Friday night getting down to 38 degrees. Brrrrr... it was frigid even with 2 comforters, 2 sleeping bags, 2 blankets on an air mattress in a tent in the woods after a wonderful sweat lodge, drum circle and full moon ritual around a blazing fire. Thank goodness for body heat!
All World Acres is a wonderful retreat from the mundane and sleeping under the full moon and star gazing while listening to the sounds of nature all around really gets one in tune with the world as well as oneself. The sounds of the distant trains melding with the symphony of cows, horses, pigs, and roosters (that needed to have their alarms reset) made for a bit of a restless night the first evening but became a very comforting sound once I got use to it.
Saturday started off with Tai Chi in the meditation garden then into an Aura Workshop that enlightened me as to what others see in me as well as what I exude. No wonder I felt so at home, as there are so many more just like me and it was so very comforting to realize that I am not alone in what I feel and how things and people are attracted to another's energy.
After a lovely lunch at the cafe, I indulged in a healing massage from a Reiki Massage Therapist who is also an empath and feeling the energies being transferred from one to another in a positive feedback had done wonders for my physical well being. I learned some new "tricks" on how to better deal with energy work and shielding that I shall embellish upon in the future.
The day went on and another workshop on Mnemonic Tarot presented a unique approach to using the Tarot and the use of keywords to remember the meanings behind the Major Arcana. This method uses only the Major Arcana so that one learns to "listen" to and convey the messages that the Tarot wishes to impart. Covering topics from the meanings of the Major Arcana cards to watching body language and more, even those familiar with the Tarot may discover a deeper understanding and connection to what the Tarot can truly tell you.
This was followed by Mama Gina's Kaballah Soup ... or ... Tree Climbing 101. She made an excellent presentation as we pursued a basic understanding of the Kaballah and the cosmic filing cabinet that is the Tree of Life. Gina definitely presented a prominent correlation of a ground up approach to the Kabbalistic Tree of Life and the numerical association of tarot cards that made not only the most sense I have ever heard, but put it's practicalities into every day life.
Saturday's Yule Ritual was followed by a lovely Yula Hula with Kat and Kyna that demonstrated not only the traditional Polynesian hula (telling a story with the hands), but Tahitian (style utilizing the hips more than hands) as well. Following their performance were Olav and Gail performing their Tooth and Nail show. A renowned sword swallower and fire performer Olav presented a thrilling and entertaining show with some humor as Gaia threw knives and performed feats on broken glass. What an enjoyable program that warmed us all up before the Bardic and Drum Circles yet again.
One spectacular moment was watching the full moon in all her glory as clouds formed, and with the watchful eyes of those present, we were blessed to see the transformation of a lone feather, huge with a visible quill and wisps of fluff at first as an eagle's feather, then transforming into a hawk feather, under the watchful and blinking eye of the dragon in the brightly moon lit skies. This went on for about 25 minutes, with about 50 people mesmerized and simply watching the clouds telling us their story in wonderment and awe, silent and connected.
Mind you, the full moon does have it's own effects on me and for some reason, I was out of whack yet once again and needed some alone time to ground and be with myself. I could not put my finger on it, but I was going through a bit of a crisis so went back to the tent, lit my incense and candles, saged and listened to my Chakra CD to be able to be amongst all these new and interesting people. Apparently, this was just the first clue as to what was yet to happen.
I made it back out to the fire as the drums died down to find celebrants as well as hubby comfortable and natural as it was warm and toasty. Still feeling blue but better, I made the mistake (or not) of opening up my mouth about us never having our handfasting with witnesses to our love other than a file clerk at city hall when we did our simple "I Do's" to make a legal union. Right then and there, three ordained pagan HP's volunteered to perform an impromptu ritual and with much coercion, was skyclad and surrounded by witnesses and celebrants in a circle of love and light, verifying Eugene and my love, honor and commitment to one another in a most magickal moment I shall never forget. I was bursting from the inside out and glowing as well as floating from all the energy, the outpouring of love and sharing of a sacred moment.
The dawn was starting to take hold, so it was time to bring in a new day back at the tent with my love and I swear, I thought we were going to be asked to leave from the sounds that escaped our union but all was well and good and in the morning we received knowing smiles and big hugs from all - which opened another door of conversation on another level of spiritual and physical ecstasy.
We did get a late start on Sunday and I did miss my Reiki Level I Class, but did participate in Jessica's Crystal Bowl Meditation for a peaceful healing experience. Boy oh boy... I have been to other such experiences but this was a watershed moment for me. As the bowls sang, I experienced the movement of vibrational energy in each chakra as the sounds changed climbing up from root to crown. Talk about an acid trip without the acid!
I was left so shaken, cold and dehydrated that three other empaths/reiki practitioners came to my aid as all I could do was release and cry out so much I never realized I was holding on to.
Always having been a more solitary kind of person, the breakdown of my barriers and shields were basically torn away and I am learning a new way to shield as well as be receptive without going into shut down mode. I am still learning and growing and felt very comfortable with those who were there. There is one thing to obtain knowledge through reading, discussing and such, but tis another to actually experience outside the box just what life, love and others there really is outside the comfort level of the box.
I plan on being more active with this group as they have much to offer from Healing Today as well as:
Brighid's Fire - Feb. 13-15
Beltainia - April 17-20
Also associated with All World Acres is The Temple of Divine Ecstasy - A Universal Order of Sex Magick and Sacred Sexuality:
Body Magick April 23-26, 2009
And Utopia in October
Any interest, I would strongly suggest you checking out what they have to offer. You may be pleasantly surprised! I know I was!
Well, it is good to be back home and my apologies for not being around so much but know you are all in my thoughts and heart. Sending much love and light to every and all as I wish you peace today and every day.
Life is not based upon the destination - it is the journey that counts. Make yours count today, tomorrow and every day. Let the past be but a memory without the burden.
Namaste.
