Seeking our own immensity
One weekend in Santa Barbara California I was hosting Angaangaq Angakkorsuaq, Kalaallit Eskimo Shaman of Greenland and I remember telling a friend how incredibly moved I was by his loving power and healing abilities and then, with tears in my eyes, saying, "I just wish I had something to bring to the table". My friend looked at me with amazement and said, "You made all this possible by organizing this whole event Pati". There was no part of my heart and soul that felt this was of much importance in the situation. And yet I have come to realize that we all have something to bring to the table. Now after so many years in which many have learned from our indigenous brothers and sisters, sharing in initiations, ceremony, sweat lodges and vision quests, I have reached the conclusion, as others have that "I am enough" This was the opening of my spirit and the beginning of a 6 month program of initiations offered to women. This, in addition to the sweat lodges, events with elders and counsel circles which we had offered for years. My first group of women was composed of seven incredible, strong and spiritual beings. On the 5th of May 2012, it was a time of a powerful full moon. My initiates and myself had planned to welcome Grandmother Moon as she rose into the sky. We walked out onto my deck and the sky was so socked in with clouds that it seemed impossible to hope to have any view of her moonrise. Together with my beautiful sisters we began to sing to her and to pray that we might welcome her rise. In one of those magical moments when you clearly recognize a collective power, the dark clouds moved away and there was Grandmother Moon in all her splendor embracing our glorious circle. Into our gathering she came bestowing her holy gifts to each of us. Her mission complete she retired and closed her mystical opening to us. What an incredible way to see the doubt created by western culture just dissipate like melting ice. I looked at all the women and said, "Keep and treasure this moment, Believe in your own immensity and in our connections to each other and to all that is." When we believe we can, when we believe we are heard, we are! If we believe we are not heard, we are not. No longer do I doubt that "I am enough" to offer the wisdom that has been passed on to me. This path has been the most joyful of my life and initiations are my calling.
Contact the author: pati@sacredearthfound.org