Our First Labor Day Retreat - 2007
The retreat began by being greeted by a big old Bull Frog which was a delight for all of us who are still young at heart. As the day progressed the land began to fill with excitement as people arrived. Needless to say there was and always will be lots of good food, from there we moseyed on over to our new fire circle area formally known as the corral where we drummed under the stars. What a delight to look up and be greeted by so many twinkling stars and because the Fire Dance Circle group was so kind to clean the area of rocks when they were there last, we were able to dance around the fire barefooted without any worries. Monday morning if you were able to get up early enough you were greeted by a great cup of coffee and morning laughter as we sat on the deck visiting. All in all, it was a wonderful Labor Day Retreat, one we will be sure to be doing for many years to come.
Yeah! I finally made it to your blog!!!
I am so grateful for the opportunity to know all of you and be able to participate with you in celebration!
PMG is definitely a Sacred Place of Love & Healing as shown by the most recent fires here in So.Cal.
Despite terrible damage all around the land was kissed by fire and cleared to make expansion a little easier!
I was amazed when I drove up the hill past acres of blackened tress & brush to see our bright yellow banner waving boldly amongst the smoldering trees & ash covered hills!
To find the sweat lodge unscathed was a deep confirmation of how wonderfully spirit works to guide & protect us!
Blessings in Service & in Love!
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I concur! It was a great event! Good friends, good food & good coffee - oh yeah...and the view!!!
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Darling girls--sisters,
THAnK YOU! THAnK YOU ! THanK YOU! for the experience of a LIFETIME!
EVERYONE must have the chance to experience this incredible transforming Native American healing tradition "THE SWEAT LODGE"...this week-end was amazing --like a mini movie ...full of life , color , transformation. It was beautiful in all ways...... Humanly,Spiritually,Physically....
the land is so beautiful and pure, it literally sang to us!
A brave and curious group of 16 women:
Lisa
Robin
Tasha
Vanessa
Colleen McCabe
Peggy
Cynthia
Tamara
Aria
Susie
Vicki
Tracey
Kara
Kailey
Michelle
and myself (Leah)....
came together wanting to live life to it's fullest,and to experience all things natural, healing, and growth oriented.
Although I missed Friday night, Saturday's arrival was an adventure. Driving up the steep mountain road all muddy and slippery was thrilling and got the adrenaline juiced up...Susie and Peggy came to my rescue (me temporarily lost)...arriving safely to PACHA MAMA'S GROVE felt like a triumph already !---14 other women were buzzing quietly through the house, gracefully tending to each other , or preparing for the sweat lodge, or helping in the kitchen ,,,( felt the
love immediately )
The land is incredibly beautiful, each tree a lacey gift of nature...well kept with much love from Susie, Vicki, Elisa , and many volunteers and helpers.
The day was ALL weathers------------
RaiN,,,SleeT,,,HaiL,,,and SnoW !!! all within a 3 hour period...( the house was comfy and cozy). While many of us listened and learned the ancient Native beliefs and traditions from Darla, our Native American spiritual guide and healer, Lisa (the firekeeper) patiently prepared the fire despite the wet weather as per very specific native guidlines,( YOU GO GIRL!)...meanwhile the inside of the lodge was getting soggy. While we waited for the fire to heat the large rocks used in the sweat lodge, many of us drummed and danced, with Cynthia guiding everyone in cha-cha lessons! The drumming was spontanious and fun-always an incredible energy boost
We prepared sacred foods for the lodge and quickly changed into comfy yoga clothes for the ceremony-
Darla (our guide) had been in prayer for the previous 7 days to prepare herself spiritually to be in the right place for the giving and receiving of intense energies and healing that she might need to share in the lodge.
Next we were smudged as we went into the lodge and sat on the floor in a circle around the firepit in the center.The lodge is a low tentlike structure in the shape of a dome. Next, 7 HOT rocks were added to the pit and Darla started the ceremony which consisted of chanting,prayer and compassionate teachings......
TO BE CONTINUED >>>>>>>>
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EVERYONE in the lodge experienced the effects of the intense heat and prayer in their own way --- some cried, some laughed , some came to a beautiful understanding, some prayed for more guidance, or healing--- me? i prayed that all of the strong , beautiful women in that lodge recognize their own special gifts, have enough faith in themselves and our sisterhood to know how rich we are in ALL ways, to look at the BiG picture and to humbly know that it is our duty to help each other and those less fortunate ,,,and especially to remember to be positive and happy about our priviliges and place in this world.
The lodge is an experience not to be missed and should be repeated ,as each lodge is unique to the women who participate and this week-end was an EXCEPTIONALLY COOL GROUP OF WOMEN !!
soooooooo BRaVO to you ALL and THank You again !!! I LoVE Pacha MAMa's GrOve
( porta- potties and all!)
Oh yes...I did feel a specific affect the night of the sweat....my pre-dream dreams were utterly fantastic and colorful -like claymation,small animated films moving and coming together to create a beautiful finished image and then the immediate start of another moving image, ( maybe 20 in all)
I wish I could remember them all...comment back if you had any specific experiences following the sweat lodge.
sooooooooooo thank you............
thank you Vicki,for the beautiful, joyfull greeting on the patio when I arrived!
thanks Colleen for the adventure of saving the tent in the tree.
thanks Peggy for the delicious food prepared with love and for cleaning the stove for the 10th time and for escorting me down the mountain !!!
thanks Susie and Tracey for the great humor around the firepit and sharing the incredible magic of the night sky.
thanks Cynthia for always sharing the music-you are an angel
thanks Kaily, for spending time drawing and flying the gecko kite with me-so much fun !!
thank you Vanessa for the brilliant, constant,educational facts and for enlightening us to the traditional Native ways all the way through the day and reminding us of the importance of our intentions and meanings of our ceremonial tasks.
thanks Lisa for teaching the craft of pouch making and for building and maintaining a worthy fire for the lodge
thanks to Robin for sharing her "3 boys" stories....
thank you to the Wise One Darla who with her mere presence, her energy flow and calm knowing vibe set the tone of respect and reverance for all..we were humbled and felt love
THANKS EVERYONE for drumming and dancing !!!!! We RoCKeD the HouSE and it was a BLaST....
thanks to all of the women whose unselfish and beautiful spirits will be with me forever...it was an honor to share this weekend with you all
Sincerely,
Leah
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