A joint-venture newsletter by Jaki Daniels and Marilyn Geddes

Hearthlight Publishing Fall/Winter 2010

byDeborahBurke

Editors Corner

Jaki Daniels
When I finally get home, I open my email to find Jakis first draft of her Leaf article for the fall newsletter. As I read, the sadness I felt in the forest completely fades away, and in its place I feel the wonder of each leaf as it moves anddanceswiththewind.Myinnereyeopens and once again I see the circle of life and I am filled with fascination and joy. I invite each of you to change the way you view this season. Open your inner sense of wonder as you read Leafs autumn message for us. Fall deeply into Bearswisdomteachingsthatheoffersfromhis winter hibernation. Thank you to Jaki and Marilyn for the gifts you give us by sharing these beautiful wordsand special thanks to Leaf and Bear for making our world so much richer.
Our Editor, Deborah Burke, is an intuitive heal ing practitioner, dreamreader, and apprentice toOneWhoWalksWithEagleMountain. Email:gentlehealing@shaw.ca Website:www.redfeatherhealth.com

Iwalkquietlyupthetrail,deepinthought.The rocks and dry leaves crunchbeneath my feet. I am feeling sad and I am hiking to the Ridge to sitwiththetreesinsilence.Iamdreadingpart ing from them this year more than ever, and have come to spend a last few hours in their presence. The sun beats down on my face and hands, and I watch the leaves swirling across the meadow in front of me. I notice there are no more traces of the beautiful Shooting Stars that were so plentiful in this meadow earlier in the year. Only a few remaining Yarrow plants can be easily identified as they push towards the sun, using every last bit of their strength to flower and seed before the first snow. Whis key jacks flit from tree to tree, curious about my presence but too shy to come close. The sun moves across the horizon, and it is time to go. A short while later, as I drive home, I see a beautiful Vformation in the skygeese flying out to the field to eat their evening meal. Somehow I am comforted bythe beauty of this wildcommunity.

ing the Call: A Personal Journey to the Sacred is

is a practitioner, author, and teacher of the ancient art of shamanism.Herbook,Heed-

available at Independent bookstores across Canada, distributed by Dempsey Dis tributors. For more informa tion about Jaki and the courses she offers, please go to:www.earthandskyhealing.com

Marilyn Geddes

is a shamanic practitioner and author. To contact her or to purchase her book, Ask the

Very Beasts: Words of Wisdom and Comfort from Unexpected Sources, pleaseemailherat:
marilyngeddes@gmail.com

~~Showy Aster~~
Asterlaevis Evenafterthearrivaloftheautumnequinox, theshowyasterstillbrightenstheforestfloor withitsdaisylikeblooms.

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dead, it is just not alive in the same way. Its tasks are more subtle. Yet there is such freedom in float ing to the ground. Leaves can fly on the wind, free at last. To let go, to know that your job is done and to have with drawn your grip so much that the slightest breeze can carry you away. This is the bliss of a life wellserved.

Jakis Corner: Autumns Release

The wind in the trees makes a different sound as the leaves offer less resistance. This is not their season to work, to be active, to contribute to the health and well being of the organism (Tree). That time is done. The tree no longer needs them. To the leaf, their transformation from vibrant and productive green, to yellows, reds and gold, is not about a final burst of drawing attention to itself, its importance, its beauty, but a foreshadowing to us of the release of the life force within its cells. Its pur poseisnottoteachus,butyetwecanlearnsomuch. First, the structural integrity starts to wane, the leaf be comes less robust and strong. Knowing that it has been a lifegiving companion to the tree, it releases its need for nutrients.Thetreeneedsthemnow,theleavesnolonger. With complete poise, the green colour recedes, the veins become prominent, the moisture evaporates. The leaf begins to darken and shrivel. But wait, its job is not yet done. The cycle must continue. The leaf is not to disap pear,toceasetoexist,iteventuallyfallsandentersanew phaseofcontribution.Itsverybody,itsverymatter,feeds theearth,nourishestheground,coveringit,protectingit, breaking down into wholesome goodness that will sup port future life, that will support even this tree. It is not

In release, exha lation takes priority over inhalation. The leaves expire slowly shifting the balance until the last breath. There is no sadness, a part of their awareness does not linger in memory and what ifs. They have been Leaf, they have been a part of, and have served, Tree. Tree will continue, for many years, withdrawing its life force deep into the core, protecting itself from the harshness of winter. Leaf has no such role, it is born anew in the spring, bursting forth with the vitality of youth, luxuriating in the abun dance of heat and light during the summer, until the sun changes its course, itself retreating from the cycle of ac tivegrowth. There is the harvest laid before us, for which we can be most grateful, we can celebrate, and we can tuck our selves into bed for the long dark night. Ahhhh, how good it feels to rest after being so active, how good it feels to withdraw oursenses from the outer worldwhen we have been so engaged. The exquisiteness of rest when the body is tired, and the final act, closing our eyes. We are no longer aware, we are no longer contributing. Well de served rest. In fact, if rest is delayed, we long for it, we ache for it. We need it because we need to let go. And the more completely we let go, and enter the dream time, the more fully we will be able to bring ourselves to the next cycle, when the buds start informing us of what ourdutiesaretobe,ofwhywearehere.

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Continuedfrompage3

Marilyns Corner: A Visit with Bear

PhotoCourtesyofWeForAnimals Whenthechesty,fiercefurredbearbecomessickhetrav elsthemountainsidesandthefields,searchingforcertain grasses,flowers,leavesandherbs,thatholdwithinthem selvesthepowerofhealing.Heeats,hegrowsstronger. Couldyou,ohcleverone,dothis?Doyouknowanything aboutwhereyoulive,whatitoffers?Haveyoueversaid, SirBear,teachme.Iamacustomerofdeathcoming, andwouldgiveyouapotofhoneyandmyhouseonthe westernhillstoknowwhatyouknow? MaryOliver driven by curiosity, a sense of adventure, and delight in being on horseback, free to explore the vast open offer ings available to us. Always, there were bears, but we were not afraid. If we sighted one, we beat a quick re treat, recognizing that we were the guests in their terri tory.

So last fall, even though Clint had left for his job in the north,Iwasnotworriedaboutbears.Afterall,itwasfall, and bears go to sleep in the fall, dont they? Just in case, though, I took precautions. I didnt start a compost pile, kept the garbage in the garage until I went to the dump, One year ago, September 2009, we moved. We ex put away the bird feeders until later in the season, and changed a cozy suburban house for a country cabin situ stored the birdseed outside in two tough plastic garbage ated on 10 acres of foothills woodland about10 km. west canswithtightlids. of the hamlet of Millarville. Maybe its a crazy thing to have done, but I love it, as does my husband, Clint, and One night as I lay in bed, I heard a loud, rhythmic thump ourgrownchildren.Ilovehowdarkitisatnight,andhow ing outside the bedroom window. Must be something my neck strains from gazing upward, upward, stunned at banging in the wind, I thought, as I rolled over and went the profusion and brilliance of the stars, the Milky Way. to sleep. The next morning, when the dog and I set out And then theres the silence, particularly at night. If I for our walk, I saw that the two seedfilled garbage cans stand still in the cold, and breathe very lightly, there is a were overturned. One looked like a giant had stomped sound within the silence, an undulating hum. Sometimes on its side. It was pancaked and lidless. The 40pound thesilenceispunctuatedbythecracklingofbranchesand bag of seed lay meters away, completely empty. What scufflingthatcomesfromthewoods.Itshardtosaywho the heck??? The second garbage can was intact, un reachesthedoorofthehousefirstthedog,orme.After opened. But, when I stood it up, I saw eleven large, all, the neighbours have sighted cougars; six coyotes round punctures that pierced right through the tough crossing the lawn made their presence known; and of plastic! Teeth or clawsI couldnt tell, but I got the mes sage. The garbage cans quickly moved into the garage. course,therearethebears. Thatverynight,whenIsteppedoutonthedecktolookat I know this land. In 1968, my family purchased the entire the stars, I saw a dark, hunched shape lumbering away quarter section of which our current place was a part. from the trees that had housed the feeders. I was pretty We rode the countryside, full of youthful confidence, sureitwasabear.

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~4~ A Visit with Bear... Continued from Page 3

Howdowemakepeacewithabearthathascometovisit, ItravelwithDiamondbackthroughtheforestoftheLower innocently seeking sustenance in preparation for a long World. Uncharacteristically, he slithers before me quickly, winters sleep? I had gone to the Kananaskis with Jaki and leadingthe way to some spot known to him. We arriveat our friend Scott in the spring to perform an annual cere an area of rocky boulder protuberances set well into the mony to honour Bear and to request safe passage through ground. There is a cavelike opening, barely discernible, its habitat when we ventured there. I reminded my bear and into this we move. We are in a rough short tunnel of this, and apologized for the temptation I had placed in sloping downward; when we emerge, we are in the World its way. I purchased a thick doormat with a picture of a Below the Lower World. It is almost dark, dusky. I can walking brown bear on it, and placed it at the doorway discern figures, but as rough shapes only. They are the closest to where I had last seen the bear. This June, shapes of animal beings, mostly large and powerful. I Scott and I performed the same bear ceremony, here in stand as an observer; it seems I can see them, but there is our woods under a giant spruce tree, again honouring no notice paid of me. Diamondback suggests that I step bearsgifts,habitat,andourrelationshipwithit. into the dark, and call Bear to me. I am a little hesitant, but move fully into this realm. I call out to Bear. Nothing. Late in August, I saw a glossy, beautiful black bear on a I call out again, asking to meet with the Spirit of Bear. A neighbours driveway. Later, another neighbour sent an large form rises up on its hind legs before me, and he email notice that she had spot roars. I wonder if it is a grizzly butitisamaleblackbear,heavy ted what was probably the with musky scent and humidity. same bear crossing a field near What are you doing here? he their house. Both sightings re asks, in this place where we minded us that bear appears at come to separate ourselves from this time of year, seeking out your worldand your kind for this berries and other foods to pre coldandrestfulseason?Iintro pare for the long winter rest; duce myself and explain that I there would likely be no prob lem as long as we remained have come to learn from Bear so that I can take his teachings alert and respectful by remov back to my people, in the hope ing or safeguarding anything of enriching our knowledge of that might offer bear tempta him and our understanding of tion. his place in the great web of all creation. At this, he comes I am sad to report that yet an down onto all fours, and walks other neighhbour shot and around me, sniffing loudly. I killed the black bear recently. I stand and breathe, imagining am told he imports pheasants the calm scent of sandalwood. and wild turkeys that are later releasedtobehuntedandshot; The bear sits back on his apparently, the bear had been haunches, heaves a bear sigh, botheringhisbirds.Ithadtogo. andspeaks: Grief stricken at the loss of this beautiful beast, I journeyed to This is the time of sleep, of con the Spirit of Bear, with this in servation, of slowing the bodys tention: At this time, what respiration, heartbeat, circula messages do you havethatwill tion, digestion, and all processes enrich our understanding of associatedwiththeanimationof the physical body in the world you and your place within the we share with you and so many greatweb? otherforms.Fromyourperspec tive, we are in a state of hiber Hereiswhatwasofferedtome: nation,theclosestonecanbeto PhotoCourtesyofWeForAnimals

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A Visit with Bear... Continued from Page 4

death without actually having arrived there. So in your minds, we are safely stowed away throughout the period of the cold. We are resting, surviving, gestating our young, all with minimal demands upon our physical sys tems so that we can endure throughout the season of the night and the snow and the cold to emerge hungry yet alive when the days lengthen and the Mother is stirring withallformsoflifeandhopeonceagain.Andyouwould be correct in your observations, as long as you recognize these apply only to our physical bodies. For you see here, in this most hidden and dimmed place, that there is no lack of life, movement, regeneration, and energy. In fact, it is the very stilling and slowing of our bodies that allows and encourages the freedom and exhilaration of our spirit selves in this place. What, you might ask, are we doing here?Wewilltrytoexplain. You recall that when you first gazed upon us you were aware moreof hulking shapes than anydistinction. If you were to look more closely,you wouldnotethatthe spirits, although distinct, are not fixed in form. Rather, as they pass and brush by one another, it is as if the intersecting forms both offer to and receive from each other. There is an exchange of energetic information. This is not exactly as it is, but these are the closest words we can find. The energy exchange is part of the ongoing education that we in the animal kingdom offer to each other at this dark time of the year. Those whom you meet here are the hi bernators, so there are many of my kind. What we share instantly with our passing by and through each other is information. When I pass the spirit of my mate, I know instantly the state of her being, how many small ones are formed within, whether they are thriving from nourish ment or failing for lack of it. I can feel too the hunger in her belly, the thickness of fat around her middle, the rate of herbreathing, and the rhythm ofher heart; all this pre sents instant knowing of how this time has been for her and the young ones to come. Although I may not see her when we awaken, I maydepending upon the degree of mywellbeingwhenweemergeinyourworldposeadan gerous threat to the young ones. At this point of connec tion and passing, I am simply aware of the state of all things concerning her. Similarly, she absorbs all that can be known of me at this time. Once the physical is laid to rest for a time, there is no thought of good, bad, safety, danger,lack,abundance.Thereissimplyinformationto

PhotoCourtesyofForestWonderNaturePhotography

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~6~ A Visit with Bear... Continued from Page 5

beshared.Inthisway,Icanmeetone who might be my enemy in your world, another male bear who might compete with me for territory, food, safe havens and mates. But here, the physical is not at issue, so no threats exist. Instead, there is only informa tion. And the information we collect onefromtheotheriscumulative;with eachencounter,weexchangenotonly of ourselves, but of all whom we have encountered in this place. And so it goes, a sharing, a communing, a log ging of all that is relevant to our kind. From your perspective, we can sense you are asking, What for? How will you use this? Do you need it for sur vival?Willyourememberitwhenyou return fully into your physical form? Wecanonlysaythatitisthewayitis, necessary in renewing, updating and reestablishingthecodeofthecollec tive energetic signature of Bear. No less, no more. We are renewed in spirit, ready to fully reanimate our formsinpreparationforanotherturn ingofthewheel.Althoughourbodies may be stiff from immobility, raven ous from lack of food, sluggish as we stumble to shake off slumber, our spirits are energized, informed, clear and strong, prepped for reading the subtletiesandchangesoftheenviron ment we are reentering. In a way, then,wearehoned,morefinelytuned to assess conditions and respond in ways that feed and nourish us. It is the contact and communion with our brothers and sisters that has brought ustothisstate. Andso,youask,ofunderstanding ourplacewithintheweb.Knowwith outdoubtthatwehaveaplace,that ourofferingisnogreaternornoless thanthatofanyotherbeing,includ ingyourselves.Wearegratifiedthat somanyofyourkindareturningto thosewhohavelongheldcommunion withandunderstandingofus.Such oneshonourtheguidingprinciplesof cohabitationandmutualrespect, andrecognizethatyourkind,withits numbersandwidearrayoftoolsof destruction,mustassumethegreater responsibility.Indoingso,youhon ourthegreatSpiritofBear,allowing thattheAnimatingForcemovesfreely andgenerouslythroughusall,con nectingonetotheother.Nodistinc tionismadeoflesserorgreater.Of thiswecanassureyou. Atthispoint,Ibelievewearedone.I askifthereareanylastwords.He turnshislargeheadinmydirection, anditisasifhiseyesboreright throughme.Hehuffsandsays, Alwaysputawayyourbirdseed. Ithankhimforthereminder,andwe eachreturntoourrespectivedwelling places.Thejourneyiscomplete.

Winter Brews: Herbal Infusions

byJakiDaniels

Forme,thearrivalofautumnisasignthattheherbsandfloweringplantsarecomingtotheendoftheirseason.Yetthe weather outside is often warm, sunny, and beautiful. Marilyn and I have been honoring both the cycle of the year and our rooted allies by gathering plant medicines to sustain and support us during the winter. Did you know that some of ourlocalweedssuchasnettleandhorsetailaregoodsourcesofcalcium?Toreceivethemostnutritiontheplantscan offer, brew your infusion in a vessel with a tight fitting lid and let it sit overnight. I like to make mine in a thermos, and have the tea hot as my morning drink. The following recipe for a calciumrich brew is excerpted from Susan S. Weeds book.MenopausalYears:TheWiseWomanWay.

Bony Brew
Nettle(Urticadioica), 1ounce/30gramsdry Horsetail(Equisetumarvense), 1tablespoon/2gramsdry Sage(Salviaofficinalis), 1tablespoon/2gramsdry Crush sage between palms and drop into aquart(litre)container withthe other twoherbs. Fill a jar with water justoff the boil,cap tightly, and sit in a cozycorner to brew for at least fourhours (overnightis fine). Strain,drink as is or heat and add honey. Also nice iced. You can substitute red clover blossoms, oat straw or raspberry leaves for the nettles. Eachcupcontributesasmuchcalciumasacupofmilk.

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Song For My Tribe

ByEveBradford
Whenyouseethem tellthemIamonmyway. Theywillbecarryingtools Singingintimewiththeirsteps. Watchingthehorizon. Leavingnotrace. Ifyouseethem Takeasharpstickand scratchmylikenessinthedirt rememberingthesolidcalves, thebreastslikemymothers, theonesbymyside. Helptobuildtheirfire. Helptotendtheiryoung. Whenyouseethem theywillbetheoneswithmapsintheirheadsandwingsintheireyes, festive,alertandkind. Theywillfeedyouandwatchyou askingnotofmyhealthormydeeds butofhowthebirdsflyinthemorning andwhatshapetheymakeonthesky. TellthemIamlearningtostandonmyhead. TellthemIstillsingtheirsongs. Whenyouseethem,thesepeople Remembertheirfaces Remembertomarkonyourmapwheretheyslept. Whenyoufindthem Pleasetellhow Imstillmovingtowardsthem Imgatheringtools Imcarvingaway. Here,lookinmyface sowhenyouseethemyoullknowthem andsingofmyseeking mylongingforhome. Evewelcomesyourcommentsandinterestinherwork.Contactherat: eve@ladyapples.com

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Elder Wisdom
TeachingbyCreeSpiritualElderPaulineJohnson ContributedbyJakiDaniels

Ancestors and Food Offerings

WhenIhearthebirdschirpingoutsidemywindowinthemorning, singing songs to welcome me to the new day, that is my alarm. It is as if thebirds inthe morning are singinga rejoicing song. Thats the way I always look at it. I really get that message when I am in the forest. When you are living in the city and encompassed by cement it is a little bit more difficult to know the meaning of the joyful morning, acknowledging the new breath of life, the new day.ThesuniscomingupandIknowIwillgetafulldaysworkin, or a full day of prayer. So I am always up before my grandkids, makingmytea,puttingtobaccodown,andgivingteatomyances tors. I always tell people, if you have never done a memorial feast to your ancestors, that when you are eating and you sometimesdropfoodorspilltea,thatitisshowingyourancestrallineishungryontheotherside.Mymothertaught me that we need to acknowledge that and put a feast out for them. The next time you make a meal, take some of thefoodandputitonaseparateplate,thenputitoutside.Itdoesntmatterifadogorasquirrellapsitup,thespir itsontheothersidewillreceiveitbecauseyouputtobaccodownonthatplateaswell. Iwasraisedwithteaallmylife,medicineteas,blacktea,andpepperminttea.SoIgivealotoftearatherthancoffee. IwasaskedonetimeaboutcoffeeandIsaidifyourancestorslovedcoffeeIthinkyoushouldputcoffeedown.Oneof the big treats in my life outside of tea is Pepsi and cookies there you go! So we kind of look at what our ancestors liked when we do ceremony, we want to include their lifeline somehow, and we try to project that into the feast. Sometimes I can get duck soup or wild moose meat soup. They always love soup because there is lots of meat and potatoes and they really appreciate thosenatural foods. To give to yourancestors thattype of offering and acknowl edgment is one of the most beautiful things you can do in your life, so they can receive that food. It is so simple, it takessolittletime,andyetitmeanssomuch.

To Our Readers Wewelcomeyourcommentsandquestions.Tocontributeorto beplacedonanemaillisttoautomaticallyreceivefutureeditionsofthisnewsletter, pleasewritetoadmin@earthandskyhealing.com

PlantphotographsbyJakiDaniels. PhotographofPaulineJohnsonbyDenisGobeil,Vancouver CompiledbyKerriBowser.

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Within the pages of this book you are invited into a sacred circle, where the intimate and personal details of the authors journey to a world of ancient healing practices, sha mans, ceremony, and the powerful forces inherent in nature are revealed. Let yourself be carried along as she shares her sixyear quest, catalyzed by a mystical experience in Al bertas Rocky Mountains, followed by travels in the US, Mexico, and Peru, and culminating in accepting herself as a modernday medicine woman, willing and able to offer the healing giftsshehasbeengiven. Step outside the ordinary. Learn how to venture into these otherwise hidden realms and experience for yourself how the shamanic spiritual ways can be a personal doorway to thesacred.

AsktheVeryBeastsisaninspiredcompilationofmagicalconversationswithanimals andalsosomeunexpectedsourcesthatwilltouchtheheartofanyonewhohaseverloved apetor marveledatthesightingofawildcreature. Fromperspectivesthatarenot typically available to us, the unique offerings from these nonhuman teachers speak to our deepest longings and most profound questions with clarity, grace, wisdom and humour. Through their words, we are humbled and uplifted, for we cannot help but recognize that everything in our world has value, intelligence, and a capacity to inform us. This book will change for everyourunderstandingofyourtrueplacewithintheweboflife.

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