Santa Cruz Shaman

I’m getting so excited I can hardly wait. Less then 48 hours before I leave on my trip. My amazing family and friends have offered support to the following causes. I will pray for them as I walk. I can feel my heart 0pening and my steps lightening already.  Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

The organizations we are supporting include:

American Legion

American Red Cross Disaster Relief

Angels of the Desert – neither the US or Mexican law enforcement help immigrants lost in the desert but this middle-aged former mechanic does.

Bunny Advocates – they place bunnies in loving homes

CASA – “Court Appointed Special Advocates” for children

Disabled Veterans of America

Doctors without Borders

Eckankar Canada – offered in support of families  finding spiritual connections in Penticton, BC.

Edna Adam University Hospital in Somaliland – Works for the eradication of Female Genital Mutilation

Fistula Foundation – An obstetric fistula (most common in developing countries) is a hole between a woman’s birth passage and one or more of her internal organs.

Human Race Walk – a nationwide community fundraising event for many nonprofit organizations

Last Mask Center – creates shamanic community devoted to diversity, spiritual adulthood, and stepping up with an open heart

Menlo Station High School Continuing Education for Young Parents (CEYP) Program

Panzi Foundation USA-supporting the work of a hospital working to help rape victims, especially to provide fibula surgeries in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Raincoast Converation Foundation – a team of conservationists and scientists working to protect the lands, waters and wildlife of coastal British Columbia

Relay for Life (cancer)

Rev. Roger Christie ( THC Ministry) – outsider minister working to legalize the use of plant medicine in religious ceremony

Ronald McDonald House

Saint Francis Catholic Kitchen – feeds Santa Cruz’s homeless population

Saint Jude Children’s Hospital

Salvation Army

Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter

Sisters of the Road – they work to alleviate hunger, isolation, and violence among Portland’s homeless people

Tsogyal Latso Fund – provides financial support and medical care to the 14 Tsogyal Latso nuns and perpetuates a sacred Tibetan divine feminine holy site

Whale and Dolphin Watch – Combats the negative effect on all sea life of Navy and Sound wave testing in the oceans

Dear Friends-

By now you are probably aware I am having a BIG birthday on April 30. I am turning 65. Wow! I haven’t decided what it means but for sure it deserves a party. Well I started to arrange a party and it has now evolved into several events. You are invited to  one, which is a shamanic drumming circle at my house on Saturday, April 27 I will have a pot of vegetarian soup at 5:00 p.m. You can bring snacks to share if you want to. Circle ill start promptly at 7:00 and should be finished by 9:00. You can bring drums or rattles if you have them. I have lots to share. Also, if you want to put something on the altar bring that too.  If you haven’t sat in such a circle, don’t be nervous. You will find it a place of love and unconditional acceptance that doesn’t require anything of you but telling us your name. This is how your ancestors entertined themselves before TV.

Now, the really exciting event!

Immediately following my birthday on April 30, I am leaving for Spain where I am going to walk the Camino de Santiago. This is a sacred pilgrimage I have been thinking about doing for six years now. It seems like a wonderful way to mark this milestone in my life. While I consider this a personal and self-centered event I am hoping to share it with you so I came up with this plan. If you make a contribution in my name to a charity of your choice and send me the name of the charity and your email address, I will send you messages from the road. I will also pray for those charities as I travel. I believe this will give me a lift as I walk. If you haven’t heard, it is a 500 mile walk. I hope you will consider supporting me in this way. I don’t know how often I will be able to write from the road but I will send a final informative email upon my arrival home. That one will contain pictures as well. No, not the “vacation in pictures” but a few well-chosen shots.  Please share this with any of our mutual friends as I know I don’t have email addresses for many I would like to include.

A short adventure next Monday night, November 5. If you are interested contact me asap.

Dear Friends-

you are invited to a shamanic circle at my house on Halloween which falls on Wednesday, October 31.  I will have a pot of vegan vegetable soup ready by 6:00 p.m. and Circle will start promptly at 7:00 p.m.  We will finish by 9:00 as it is a work night for many.  You are welcome to bring food to share but it is not required. This is a free event. You are also welcome to bring a friend who shares an interest in shamanism. Please RSVP the number of persons attending so that I know how much soup to make.

This it is a great time to bring/wear a costume. Here are three possible suggestions.

1. Costume/mask representing a power animal or any animal you feel a connection with.

2. Costume/mask representing a plant you feel a connection with.

3. Costume/mask that represents who you truly are or an aspect of yourself you wish to explore.

Simple costumes are great. A paper plate or half a paper plate can become a mask, or a colored or printed piece of clothing or piece of jewelry can carry the energy of a power animal.  If you don’t have a power animal ask for help finding one while you are here.

A plant can be represented by something as simple as a few leafs in your hair or attached to your clothing.

If you have an elaborate costume you are itching to wear, this is your chance.

If you don’t have any idea about what aspect of yourself to explore here is a good exercise for seeing yourself with fresh eyes.  Sit in the dark in front of a mirror illuminated by only one candle placed to the side of the mirror. Relax and watch your face. It is likely you will see something unexpected.

As always it is appropriate but not necessary to bring a drum/rattle/cushion/item for altar.

I look forward ti sitting in circle with you!