The Beginning or the End? One Never Knows...

You may have noticed that last week I did not publish a post at all, and this week I am later than my usual 12 pm Wednesday time slot. I am going through some personal transitions and do not feel that I have the ability to keep up with my previous schedule.

I would like to sincerely thank all of the people who have supported my blog thus far, and hope that if I am able to return to regular posting you will return with me.

Until then...

With Love and Gratitute I thank you for support and hope that in some small way I have inspired you to do the best you can to stay positive, support your own healing, and be kind and compassionate to yourself and others.

I will continue to update my Twitter account at www.twitter.com/emilyadrianna if you would like to follow me there.
~Emily

The importance of textiles

The Q'ero place a great important on textiles because they believe that you can literally weave the energy of your future with colors, shapes and patterns.

Textiles are used in ceremony and in everyday life. They are created to celebrate marriages, welcome new babies into the world, as a mestana cloth when used to wrap a Shaman's mesa, and to help with everyday chores like carrying food, goods and children.

The symbols and colors that appear in the cloth hold a special significance for the owner since they hold the energy that has being sourced for that person. Don Francisco's poncho for instance, which was woven by his wife Juanita, sources the energy of the sun with its diamond pattern and bright reds and pinks. By wearing the poncho, Don Francisco is even more powerfully connected to the energy of the sun.

I was drawn to a new mestana in Peru this year because for me it sourced the energy of balanced chakras. Not only did it include the colors of the chakras, there was a consistency in the pattern that spoke to me. I also really love the repeating strands of swirls which for me illustrated the dance between light and dark (black and white pattern) and earth and spirit (red and white pattern).

My first mestana was very brightly colored as well. After selecting this cloth, I found out that this type of cloth is traditionally worn by young women as a signal to suitors that she is ready to marry. It is hand embroidered and includes the energy of water (the brightly colored stripe of diamonds on either edge), the mountains (the brown triangles in the center) and the rainbow bridge to Spirit (the rainbow stripes intersecting the mountains).    

Other more traditional cloths often contain a symbol called a chuncho. The chuncho figure, comprised of a v-shaped head (sometimes with eyes) connected to a x-shaped body, represents the "wild spirit." Including this pattern in a textile is a way to honor the "wild spirit" that lives in each of us. An interesting modern day link to the chuncho can be found in the logo for Burning Man, a week long arts festival in the Nevada desert which aims to embody the "wild spirit" concept.

This July when I visited the Chinchero Weaver's Community I saw first hand how this tradition of weaving has been handed down from generation to generation and how it still plays a vital role in the lives of the women at the cooperative. 

Chichen Itza

 
Chichen Itza, which means "at the mouth of the well of the wizards of water," was a completely different experience from Machu Picchu. One of the most surprising things was that along every path there was street vendors which really detracted from the sacred energy of the site. Also, because someone defaced the site with graffiti, visitors are no longer allowed to climb the structures which was very sad. But none the less and I am glad to have gotten to see the Mayan site. Photos of my entire trip are posted on my Flickr account.

Guess who is in Mexico right now...

Why hello there readers...

I have been very blessed this year. In addition to my pilgrimmage to Peru, I was also able to take a vacation to Cancun with David for our 7 year anniversary, which is where I am now.

Unfortunately, I didnt have time to write a more thoughtful blog before I left but we plan to visit some of the Mayan ruins and I hope to be able to bring you some wonderful photos next week.

Have a great week!

Clearing Your Chakras in the Shower

We all have energetic centers in our body, called chakras. Shamans believe that these chakras, which each rule specific body functions and emotions, can become blocked.

A Shamanic practitioner can perform an illumination for a client in order to clear the blockage and heal the root cause.  However, for those of you who do not have access to a Shamanic practitioner, there is a simple exercise you can perform in the shower to help keep your chakras clear.

While Shamanic tradition maintains that there are 8 chakras, this exercise focuses on the 7 chakras that exist within our bodies. Each of our chakras is a spinning wheel of energy and when balanced flow in a clockwise direction. When our energy becomes blocked, our chakras may flow in a counterclockwise direction or completely stop moving.

You can restore the energetic balance to your chakras by following these steps:

1. Starting at your root chakra, place your hand over your chakra and using your fingers wind the chakra in a counterclockwise direction. This will release the blocked energy.
2. Continue unwinding your chakra until you feel that all of the blockages have been cleared.
3. Rinse your fingers, and spin your chakras clockwise to restore the energetic balance.  
4. Repeat these steps until you have cleared your 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, 6^th and 7^th chakras.

The Profound Journey of Self and Spirit

When I set out on my journey to Peru, I knew I was not simply traveling to another country, I was embarking on a profound and spiritual journey of self. What has been surprising however is that the real work for this journey actually began when I returned home, when I was presented with the challenge of integrating the wisdom I received in Peru into my every day life.

Since my return I have had two marvelous astrological readings. One from Ken Johnson who does Mayan Astrology readings and this first part of a reading from Maridel Bowes who does what she calls evolutionary readings. Both have held extraordinary insights about my nature of my  soul's purpose, something I have been very focused on since my return.

In addition to these readings, and as I noted in my last blog, I have reconnected with my childhood friend Leigh who has inspired me to explore my relationship with Christianity further. One of the key insights I received immediately after returning from Peru is that I am a person who needs a consistent spiritual community. The wonderful thing about Shamanism is it does not exclude me from pursuing God through a specific religious context. Shamanism is very much in line with the belief that there can be many paths to Spirit.

Knowing now that I need a spiritual community and that I have been drawn to Christianity, I must be committed enough to myself to explore what that means (no matter how strange it may seem to my Jewish family) and I am excited to embark on this new relationship with God.

I have also come to realize that I am a person who needs to be completely connected to my soul's purpose in order to be truly fulfilled. I believe that as my journey of self progresses I will discover my soul's true purpose and have the courage and conviction to accept the challenge Spirit laid out for me when I was born. And I challenge all of you who may regularly read my blog, and even those who may have accidentally stumbled upon it (there are no accidents), to accept MY challenge.

I challenge you to seek out your highest truth and explore the reason you are on this beautiful planet. Spend the next week contemplating "How does Spirit express itself through ME?" (or if you prefer alternate wording "How does God express Himself through ME?")

I'd love to hear what you discover.

The Power of Forgiveness and Prayer

Last week I tweeted “forgiveness starts with forgiving yourself for whatever real or perceived mistakes you have made.” I didn’t realize it at the time, but in sending this tweet I was a subconsciously forgiving myself for a mistake I made 6 years ago when I pushed away my childhood best friend, Leigh. Later that day, after I had forgotten about my tweet, I wrote her a letter of apology asking for her forgiveness.

Leigh and I on our Senior Skip Day trip to Capitola circa 1998.

To my surprise, she forgave me right away, and allayed my guilt for our estrangement saying that she knew this was the way it had to be for us both to grow. In the past week we have been emailing regularly and I have come to discover that while we have spent the last few years apart, we have both been working on our Spiritual lives in similar ways. 

What has been especially touching for me is that she has shared with me a prayer that helped her to know her true purpose, something I have been questioning since my return from Peru.

This is the prayer:

"I know I was created to do something great. I know I have been given everything I need to achieve this purpose. I am excited to get started - Please reveal it to me."   

I know now that Spirit guided me to reconnect with Leigh and to receive this prayer. What’s more is that Leigh has also been praying with me so that I may be shown my purpose and the messages God has given her to share with me have been equally powerful. 

This past week has shown me the true power of forgiveness – starting with forgiveness of self.

Spirit has given me a truly special gift.

Lessons from Huayna Picchu

Li'fen, Tom, Sara, Laura, Lynn and Unmani

I think the moment that “cracked me open” on my recent trip to Peru was hiking Huayna Picchu. It took me right out to the edge (literally and figuratively) of what I thought I was capable of and forced me to dig deep within myself to find the courage and strength to keep going despite my extreme fear of heights.

While I am extremely grateful to all of the people who climbed Huayna Picchu with me and encouraged me, this was still an intensely personal struggle. There were points where I was so scared I cried (more accurately – sobbed), other points where I crawled on hands and knees, and the point at which I knew I couldn’t go any further – after the first plateau just before the final steps to the top.

As I sat on the plateau, I thought about why I decided to climb Huayna Picchu in the first place.

It turns out that this hike wasn’t about conquering my fear of heights. It was about facing my fear and saying “here I am.” Sometimes working through your fear can be more powerful than beating it.

The hike wasn’t about pushing myself to go all the way to the top with the rest of the crowd either.  It was about learning to accept my personal best, not comparing myself to others, and being ok with myself wherever I am.  (An extremely difficult lesson, but one I am slowly integrating into my everyday life.)

And once I realized these things, I heard the mountain say to me “It’s ok to hike down now. You’ve done your best today.” So I did, but now I was hiking the same narrow, slippery steps alone – everyone I had hiked with was still at the top – and I suddenly felt safe. I felt a strong connection to Huayna Picchu, and then I heard the mountain again.   

“Trust your place in this world... You are stronger than you think you are...”

This one is for you, James

As I was thinking about what to write about for my first real reflection about my trip to Peru, I decided to cash in on mini-joke between me and James, the first person I met in Peru. At the end of the trip, while we were waiting for my taxi to the airport, he asked me what I was going to write about when I got home. I looked him square in the eyes and said “YOU.” We both laughed but little did he know I would deliver.

I met James on my first morning in Peru, when he sat down at the breakfast table with Kinlen, Wake and me. Kinlen had just told me that the fireworks that were still being set off that morning had been from the Friendship Festival the night before. Fortuitous? I think not.

Another joke

There is something easy about being friends with James…like, we’ve always been friends, and this wasn’t the first time I had met him, only the most recent time I had seen him again. We shared a sort of inside joke in that way.

All jokes aside, the more I learned about James and his life, the more I saw myself. Without violating his trust, I will just say that we both understand the terrible meaning of “extreme grief.”

Reflecting on my own experiences with grief, I know that the relationship we create with ourselves when we heal our deepest and most powerful pain is the most powerful thing we have to hold on to when sadness visits us again.

However, the experience of being present as someone energetically worked through their grief reminded me of what I bring to this world. I bring the ability to know darkness, while bringing light. I bring the reminder that laughing is as powerful as crying. I am living proof that extreme grief can be transformed into extreme joy.

Photos from Peru...

In the streets of Cusco

I'm still gathering my thoughts on everything that has happened in the last few weeks. There were some magical and transformative moments I want to share with you.

While I'm working on writing those posts, I thought you would enjoy seeing photos from the trip.

Check out my Flickr Photostream.

Still in Peru...

I'll be returning soon and will have many wonderful blog posts to share with you!

While I'm in Peru...

Hello Blogger Readers! My spiritual wish has come true - I am in Peru at this very moment! If its possible for me to update this blog while I'm gone I will. However, when I return I hope to update you with many, MANY photos and magical stories. But for now you will just have to enjoy this picture of my cat. The internet loves cats, right? tee hee hee. You can also follow my whereabouts on Twitter using #EmilyinPeru.

Daisy lays around in my Mesa, enjoying the energy.

Opening Sacred Shamanic Space

Shamans generally open sacred space, or call to the directions, before ceremonies and Shamanic work. I thought I would share with you the method by which this is done. To call the directions, start facing the South. You may use your rattle or bells and many Shamans spray a Shamanic tincture to bless each direction. Face each direction as you call to it, for Mother Earth touch the ground, and for Father Sun look to the skies.

To the winds of South, land of the Serpent

Wrap your coils of light around us,

Teach us to shed our pasts, as you naturally shed your skin,

Teach us to watch upon the Earth softly, as softly as your belly touches the soil,

Teach us to walk the Beauty Way.

To the winds of the West, realm of the Jaguar,

Oh Mother Jaguar, luminous one,

We ask that you protect our medicine space,
We ask that you mulch any heavy energy and protect us as we walk in Shadow,

Teach us the way of Peace, show us the way beyond death.

To the winds of the North, space of the Hummingbird,

We call to you Hummingbird

We call to you grandmothers, grandfathers,

We call to you Ancient Ones,

Whisper to us in the wind,

Send your secret messages to our hearts,

We honor you who have come before us and you who will come after.

To the winds of the East, sky of the Eagle

Oh great Eagle,

Come to us from the place of the rising Sun,
Keep us safe under your great wing,
Show us the way to soar to our destiny high above the mountains where you live
Teach us to fly wing to wing with the Great Spirit.

Mother Earth
We've gathered here for the healing of all of your people
The plant people, the stone people,
The fur-legged, the two-legged, the creepy crawlers,
The finned, the furred, and the winged one,
We've gathered here for the healing of all of our relations.

Father Sun
Father Sun, Grandmother Moon, People of the Star Nations,
Great Spirit,
You who are known by many names,
You who are the unnameable one,
Thank you for bring us together and allowing us to do this work.

Shamanic space can be opened for meditation, for personal work, and to invite Spirit into what you are working on. However, you should remember to close sacred space after three days. To close Sacred Space, you may repeat the opening ceremony or turn to each direction (including Mother Earth, and Father Sun) and thank each one for their protections and help.

Pachakuti: Transformer of the World

In this final post in my series about the seven Shamanic archetypes, I will discuss Pachakuti: Transformer of the World.

In life Pachakuti was the great Inca emperor said to have commissioned Machu Picchu's construction. As an archetype he represents the superconscious world and teaches us how to step outside of time. He is connected to the Spirit world where all possibilities are kept and facilitates great change and spiritual awakening, and sometimes great upheaval. Because Pachakuti lives in the Spirit world he is not bound by time and he can help you heal your past and your future at the same time. He is the ultimate co-creator.

When I started this post I was having a hard time describing Pachakuti's nature despite my relationship with him - after all Shamanism is really about the experience of the mythic and not the ability to describe it in plain words. So, I decided I would journey with Pachakuti in order to help me find the words for this blog.  However, as I picked up my rattle I broke it and thus experienced the perfect mythic expression of Pachakuti's nature.

I was, of course, very upset having broken one of my most sacred objects and something I believe to hold deep magic. However when I broke my rattle, Pachakuti reminded me it is impossible to destroy the Magic of Spirit - you can only transform it.

If you would like to create a relationship with Pachakuti, set the intention to create a pure relationship with him, place your hands over your 7th chakra and speak directly to him. Ask him to help you find the magic that lives in your life.  Be conscientious and ask that this discovery be gentle, as Pachakuti has a way to transforming every part of your world.

Quetzalcoatl: The Conscious Creator

As I have been discussing, there are seven Shamanic archetypes that are "given" to the Shaman through a special ceremony called the Harmony Rite. This week I will discuss Quetzalcoatl: The Conscious Creator.

Quetzalcoatl is an Aztec god and Shamanic archetype. There are many Shamanic traditions around the world and Quetzalcoatl's mythic nature is experienced in Inca culture as well.

He represents the conscious world and teaches us how to create anyi (right relationship) in our every day life. Quetzalcoatl is deeply connected to the Earth, tending its plants and stones, and is said to be responsible for music, dance, flutes and drums.

He is also a creation of his own right - part bird, part serpent, capable of flight.

I call upon Quetzalcoatl when I am feel unbalanced. He is a stabilizing force and is willing to share his deep wisdom. When I am overwhelmed or exhausted from too many tasks, I imagine myself dancing with Quetzalcoatl as an expression of anyi. Gently gliding across the dance floor, gracefully and effortlessly moving our bodies, he doing his part of the dance, me doing mine.

I  believe that anyone can create relationships with their archetypes regardless of whether they have received the Harmony Rite. However, the intention to create a pure relationship with your archetype is required. If you would like to connect with Quetzalcoatl, try placing you hands over your sixth chakra and speak to him directly. Ask him "Which of my relationships needs balance?"

Read next week for my blog post about the seventh archetype: Pachakuti.

Huascar: The Shadow Warrior

For the last four weeks, I have been discussing the seven Shamanic archetypes. This week, I will discuss the first human archetype, Huascar: The Shadow Warrior.

Huascar was ruler of the Inca Empire around the time of the Spanish invasion but was killed by his brother who had gained power during a civil war.

In life Huascar was the keeper of the medicine teachings. In death he has become the archetype of the Underworld.

Huascar brings balance to the dark places within each of us where shadow lives. He connects us to the renewing forces of death, contrasting the light in our lives with shadow.

During Shamanic Journeys, experienced Shaman can visit Huascar in the Underworld to retrieve lost soul pieces and become whole and balanced in this life. Huascar allows us to bring all aspects of our self into harmony, teaching us to search our subconscious worlds, explore our own shadows, and bring back lost medicine.

I recommend that anyone who is interested in connecting with this archetype do so under the guidance of an experienced Shaman.

Read next week for my blog post about the sixth archetype: Quetzalcoatl.

Eagle: The Soaring Sage

In this series, I have been discussing the seven Shamanic archetypes that are "given" to the Shaman through a special ceremony called the Harmony Rite. This week I will discuss Eagle: The Soaring Sage.

Eagle represents vision, clarity, and insight. On the Medicine Wheel he lives in the East and is connected to the Sun and the Mountains. Eagle teaches us to fly wing to wing with the Great Spirit and to dream our world into being.

When we are connected to Eagle we see from our hearts with great perspective. We see all the pieces in one picture and we can create new pieces if we choose. We can soar all the way to the Sun in order to reach our dreams.

In Eagle meditations, I allow myself to feel the powerful wings of Eagle as if they were my own.  I feel the wind lift me higher and higher until I am able to receive mythic messages very clearly; as if Spirit itself has whispered directly in my ear.

It is very peaceful to see the world from the mountain tops, to embody Eagle. Being deeply connected to Spirit in this way allows me to be closest to my purest energetic self . I can cast aside all ego and allow myself to simply exist.

If you would like to connect to your own Eagle, set the intention to create a pure relationship with the archetype. Place your hands over your fourth chakra and speak directly to him. Allow Eagle to expand your heart's energy until it radiates with the power of the Sun. Reach out your arms, the same way Eagle spreads its wings, and soar above yourself until you see the beauty of your true being as Spirit sees you.

Read next week for my blog post about the fifth powerful archetype: Huascar.

Sweet Hummingbird: The Joy of Possibility

In the tradition of Shamanism I was taught there are seven archetypes. These archetypes are "given" to the Shaman through a special ceremony called the Harmony Rite, after which the Shaman can begin to develop a personal relationship with them. This week I will discuss Sweet Hummingbird.

Hummingbird represents spiritual healing and teaches us to drink from the sweet nectar of life. On the Medicine Wheel she lives in the North and is directly connected to our ancestors and to the Creators. She reminds us of our own ability to create and shows us the many unimagined possibilities in our life. 

Whenever I see a Hummingbird I am inspired and encouraged. She reminds me of all the joy that exists in the world. Being able to feel this joy always energizes me.

When you experience joy it creates ripples which extend into the world and manifest wonderful things. Joy is a very powerful energy and Hummingbird taps directly into this power just as effortlessly as she dips her beak into a flower for a drink of sweet nectar.

Anytime I find that I have become disconnected, that I have allowed my ego to sour my attitude, I turn to Hummingbird.She reminds me that we are all connected like flowers in a garden, and as I grow my roots reach out and touch the flowers around me. Knowing this immediately inspires me to be my best.

To connect with your own Hummingbird, set the intention to create a loving relationship with her. Then try placing your hand over your third chakra and speak directly to her. Ask her what possibilities exist in your life, and let her guide you to the flower that holds your sweetest possibility. Allow her sunny energy to radiate from you, acting as a beacon for finding joy where ever it exists. Create your own beautiful garden and see what magic blooms.

Read next week for my blog post about the fourth powerful archetype: Eagle.

Mama Jaguar: The Luminous Warrior

As I mentioned last week, there are seven Shamanic archetypes that are "given" to the Shaman through a special ceremony called the Harmony Rite. This week I will discuss Mama Jaguar: the Luminous Warrior.

Jaguar represents deep emotional healing and teaches us to step beyond fear. On the Medicine Wheel she lives in the West and is connected to the moon and shadows. Hers is the way of dramatic transformations, of life and of death. She tears away the pieces of us which no longer serve us so that they may die, and she breathes life in to our core being so that we may truly live.

At first this archetype was a little scary to me, after all she knows my deepest and most hidden unhealed fears. But now that I have come to know her, connecting with Jaguar give me a deep sense of strength.

Before I studied Shamanism, I was terrified of the sleeping in the dark. I imagined all manner of evil lurking in the shadows waiting to get me. I actually used to sleep with the lights on, even as an adult.

Since developing a relationship with Jaguar, I have been able (and now prefer) to sleep in total darkness. Knowing that Jaguar is always with me, helping to dispel negative energies, transform my own negative thoughts and connect me to an inner balance has empowered me.

If you would like to connect with your own Jaguar, set the intention of creating an honest relationship with her and try placing your hands over your second chakra while speaking directly to her. As you may have done with Serpent, imagine what she looks like. Look into her eyes and let her communicate what she is feeling. Let her strip away everything that you fear. Follow her in the jungle until you find the strength you have always possessed.

Read next week for my blog post about the third archetype: Sweet Hummingbird.

Serpent: The Physical Healer

In Shamanism, at least in the tradition I was taught, there are seven archetypes. Seeds for these archetypes are "given" to the Shaman through a special ceremony called the Harmony Rite. In this way, and through many meditations at the fire, the Shaman develops a personal relationship with these archetypes, who become powerful allies.

Serpent represents physical healing and teaches us to shed our past the way she sheds her skin. On the Medicine Wheel, she lives in the South and has a deep connection to Pachamama (the Q'ero word for Mother Earth).

For me, my relationship with Serpent represents a physical connection to Spirit. One in which I can "feel" messages being delivered to me through my senses.

For example, many days I each lunch outside in the rose garden near my office. I sometimes close my eyes while sitting on the bench, and through Serpent feel the world around me. What am I smelling, what's touching my skin, what's under my feet, what's above my head, what's behind me, etc.

I have found this to be very calming and a deep expression of the power of Serpent.

I believe that anyone can create a connection to the archetypes whether they have received the Harmony Rite or not. After all, the key to almost everything in life is the intention you put behind it.

If you would like to connect with this archetype, try gently placing your hands over your first chakra and speaking directly to Serpent. Imagine what she looks like. Is she big or little? What color is she? What texture is her skin? Is SHE really a HE? Everyone's archetypes will be tailored to them, so pay close attention so that you may honor your Serpent as it truly is.

Serpent already knows you on the deepest level possible. She has burrowed deep into your soul's hiding places and sees the wounds which need healing. She can bring your attention to those places and help you shed what no longer serves you. She is a powerful ally, indeed.

Read next week for my blog post about the second powerful archetype: Jaguar.