Being Led to Cherokee

With all the emotional turmoil in my life right now, I'm trying to focus on the good things I want. One of those would be a trip to Cherokee, NC. I just love this beautiful pic of a Cherokee dancer. And it seems I'm being led there by some mysterious unseen force!

Turns out there is a spiritual retreat of sorts coming up in September that lets you study Native American/Cherokee traditions. It's explained as "finding the right way of relationship with the Earth"--and I certainly want to study this more deeply. A few of the people from my shaman mystery school may travel there. It's not too far from home, and they say it's a great experience.

I start thinking about going, and then a friend gives me a necklace made from a bear claw that she bought! I should take a photo--it's beautiful, and it was quite unexpected. Where did she get it? Near Cherokee!

Next, a friend who runs a travel web site posts some recent photos of a festival held in--Cherokee!

Then just the other day, I'm browsing on the Huffington Post when up pops an ad for a sweepstakes to visit--Cherokee! Of course I entered right away!

Ok, I don't need a brick to hit me over the head (well, sometimes...)! I've been doing some research and there are all kinds of cool things in Cherokee--an outdoor drama about the Trail of Tears, a recreated Cherokee village, museums and crafts. And the town is located right at the National Forest, so I'm sure there's great hiking, too. I'll keep you posted!

Being Led to Cherokee

With all the emotional turmoil in my life right now, I'm trying to focus on the good things I want. One of those would be a trip to Cherokee, NC. I just love this beautiful pic of a Cherokee dancer. And it seems I'm being led there by some mysterious unseen force!

Turns out there is a spiritual retreat of sorts coming up in September that lets you study Native American/Cherokee traditions. It's explained as "finding the right way of relationship with the Earth"--and I certainly want to study this more deeply. A few of the people from my shaman mystery school may travel there. It's not too far from home, and they say it's a great experience.

I start thinking about going, and then a friend gives me a necklace made from a bear claw that she bought! I should take a photo--it's beautiful, and it was quite unexpected. Where did she get it? Near Cherokee!

Next, a friend who runs a travel web site posts some recent photos of a festival held in--Cherokee!

Then just the other day, I'm browsing on the Huffington Post when up pops an ad for a sweepstakes to visit--Cherokee! Of course I entered right away!

Ok, I don't need a brick to hit me over the head (well, sometimes...)! I've been doing some research and there are all kinds of cool things in Cherokee--an outdoor drama about the Trail of Tears, a recreated Cherokee village, museums and crafts. And the town is located right at the National Forest, so I'm sure there's great hiking, too. I'll keep you posted!

My Shaman Staff and Fine Jewelry

I think I had mentioned that for my interfaith minister ordination and the final workshop of the shamanic mystery school, I made special jewelry to wear and my first shaman staff. Was happy with how everything turned out (I'm a regular at Michael's now!), so here are a few pics.

Since the mystery school was based on the 7 chakras, I wanted to make a necklace that incorporated all the stones representing those chakras. I used mostly crystal chip necklaces that we had been given during the workshops. You can buy similar chakra necklaces but I felt making it myself would be much more personal, especially using those crystals that were given as gifts. The dolphin pendant I did buy, and it represents my life-long connection to water. The 2 bone pieces on either side plus the metallic spacers were all purchased at a local jewelry shop. To the right is a matching anklet--since I wore my sarong, my legs and feet were bare and, hey, I needed some more bling! The oval pieces are moonstone, and the squares are agate.

A Shaman Staff and Symbolism
The next pics are of my shaman staff, what every REAL shaman needs, of course! Actually, no, you don't NEED a staff to be a shaman, but they are cool. Practically, a staff provides support (duh!) and it helps break me out of my mundane mindset; you could say it magnifies creativity and helps facilitate my connection with nature, spirits and energy (if you believe in that kind of thing *wink*). Mythically, a staff symbolizes higher forms of communication, the axis between heaven and earth, the universal tree of life, and is an antenna to receive, direct and channel energy; essentially, a staff is an extension of your own personal energy and purpose.


See--don't you want a shaman staff now? I haven't yet used it to get water out of a rock a la Moses in the Bible, but maybe soon!

I found the branch in my own yard, and as soon as I picked up it (preparing to toss it on the trash heap)--I felt a little jolt, if you will, and knew it was to be my staff. The wood is maple, which often symbolizes connections to people and nature, bringing things together and attracting positive spirits. All that seemed appropriate for my ordination and my new path.

So I sanded it down and layered on some coats of varnish. At each end, I wrapped copper wire for attracting energy. In the top, I drilled a hole and used a glue gun to attach a quartz crystal--stand back!

A Staff Should Tell Your Spiritual Story
I read somewhere that ritual tools are particularly effective on a subconscious level if they tell a personal story, something spiritual. At the top and bottom of the staff are strands of wooden beads (see 2nd pic close-up). Going from bottom to top, the bead colors symbolize steps along my spiritual path to date. Brown and black represent nature and space, interests that inspired wonder in me as a child; the beige represents clouds/confusion/fogginess and how I wandered from this path; the red symbolizes the blood of Christ and my time as a Christian; the white shows me coming into the light and clear sight, which is where I am now; last, the blue beads represent my birth stone (sapphire) and getting back to what is authentically me.

Baubles, Bangles and More Beads
You can't really see them here, but I used blue ribbon and silvery wire pendants to represent my connection to water. I also attached a bell or two (for the drama!) and a golden leaf pendant, representing nature and the earth.

This last pic shows a strand that includes feathers (my vulture totem plus the concept of spiritual flight), a wooden cross (Christianity), a blue capiz shell piece (water, again) and moonstone (often associated with wolves, my other totem, of course!).

That's more than you probably ever wanted to know, but thanks for indulging me. These were all quite fun to create, and I can't wait to see what my next craft/ritual tool is going to be!

My Shaman Staff and Fine Jewelry

I think I had mentioned that for my interfaith minister ordination and the final workshop of the shamanic mystery school, I made special jewelry to wear and my first shaman staff. Was happy with how everything turned out (I'm a regular at Michael's now!), so here are a few pics.

Since the mystery school was based on the 7 chakras, I wanted to make a necklace that incorporated all the stones representing those chakras. I used mostly crystal chip necklaces that we had been given during the workshops. You can buy similar chakra necklaces but I felt making it myself would be much more personal, especially using those crystals that were given as gifts. The dolphin pendant I did buy, and it represents my life-long connection to water. The 2 bone pieces on either side plus the metallic spacers were all purchased at a local jewelry shop. To the right is a matching anklet--since I wore my sarong, my legs and feet were bare and, hey, I needed some more bling! The oval pieces are moonstone, and the squares are agate.

A Shaman Staff and Symbolism
The next pics are of my shaman staff, what every REAL shaman needs, of course! Actually, no, you don't NEED a staff to be a shaman, but they are cool. Practically, a staff provides support (duh!) and it helps break me out of my mundane mindset; you could say it magnifies creativity and helps facilitate my connection with nature, spirits and energy (if you believe in that kind of thing *wink*). Mythically, a staff symbolizes higher forms of communication, the axis between heaven and earth, the universal tree of life, and is an antenna to receive, direct and channel energy; essentially, a staff is an extension of your own personal energy and purpose.


See--don't you want a shaman staff now? I haven't yet used it to get water out of a rock a la Moses in the Bible, but maybe soon!

I found the branch in my own yard, and as soon as I picked up it (preparing to toss it on the trash heap)--I felt a little jolt, if you will, and knew it was to be my staff. The wood is maple, which often symbolizes connections to people and nature, bringing things together and attracting positive spirits. All that seemed appropriate for my ordination and my new path.

So I sanded it down and layered on some coats of varnish. At each end, I wrapped copper wire for attracting energy. In the top, I drilled a hole and used a glue gun to attach a quartz crystal--stand back!

A Staff Should Tell Your Spiritual Story
I read somewhere that ritual tools are particularly effective on a subconscious level if they tell a personal story, something spiritual. At the top and bottom of the staff are strands of wooden beads (see 2nd pic close-up). Going from bottom to top, the bead colors symbolize steps along my spiritual path to date. Brown and black represent nature and space, interests that inspired wonder in me as a child; the beige represents clouds/confusion/fogginess and how I wandered from this path; the red symbolizes the blood of Christ and my time as a Christian; the white shows me coming into the light and clear sight, which is where I am now; last, the blue beads represent my birth stone (sapphire) and getting back to what is authentically me.

Baubles, Bangles and More Beads
You can't really see them here, but I used blue ribbon and silvery wire pendants to represent my connection to water. I also attached a bell or two (for the drama!) and a golden leaf pendant, representing nature and the earth.

This last pic shows a strand that includes feathers (my vulture totem plus the concept of spiritual flight), a wooden cross (Christianity), a blue capiz shell piece (water, again) and moonstone (often associated with wolves, my other totem, of course!).

That's more than you probably ever wanted to know, but thanks for indulging me. These were all quite fun to create, and I can't wait to see what my next craft/ritual tool is going to be!

Groovy Galactic Glass and Some Handmade Jewelry

Bought this glass pendant the other week and had to share. The local pagan gift shop was having a trunk show, and the vendor bought lots of offerings from Galactic Glass. These are all designed by glass artist Andy Ray from Arizona.

There were so many stunning styles to choose from! I picked this one because it resembles a spiral galaxy, and I wore it to help me meditate in preparation for my latest shamanic workshop, where we focused on galactic and universal energies and service. (More to come, I promise!) The pendant is especially glittery and mesmerizing in the sunlight!

And I finally had a chance to personalize my "Riverwolf" necklace (above). I've had the wolf pendant for a while--and you've probably seen similar porcelain jewelry in your local pagan gift shop--but the plain black cord it came with just wasn't how I roll. So some friends let me rummage through their unused bead stash, and I created this new necklace! The various blue and green beads symbolize water ("river") and makes it much more personal--and powerful! I'm gettin' so crafty in my old age.

Groovy Galactic Glass and Some Handmade Jewelry

Bought this glass pendant the other week and had to share. The local pagan gift shop was having a trunk show, and the vendor bought lots of offerings from Galactic Glass. These are all designed by glass artist Andy Ray from Arizona.

There were so many stunning styles to choose from! I picked this one because it resembles a spiral galaxy, and I wore it to help me meditate in preparation for my latest shamanic workshop, where we focused on galactic and universal energies and service. (More to come, I promise!) The pendant is especially glittery and mesmerizing in the sunlight!

And I finally had a chance to personalize my "Riverwolf" necklace (above). I've had the wolf pendant for a while--and you've probably seen similar porcelain jewelry in your local pagan gift shop--but the plain black cord it came with just wasn't how I roll. So some friends let me rummage through their unused bead stash, and I created this new necklace! The various blue and green beads symbolize water ("river") and makes it much more personal--and powerful! I'm gettin' so crafty in my old age.