Articles liés à Shaman Within: Reclaiming our Rites of Passage

Shaman Within: Reclaiming our Rites of Passage - Couverture souple

MeiklejohnFree, Barbara

 
9781782793052: Shaman Within: Reclaiming our Rites of Passage
Couverture souple
ISBN 10 : 1782793054 ISBN 13 : 9781782793052
Editeur : Moon Books, 2013

Synopsis

The Shaman Within explains how our ancient wisdoms can now be employed to tackle the big issues that trouble our minds, ravage our bodies and quash our spirits. Through a very personal journey; the travels, experiences, rituals, highs and lows of the protagonist, an amazing tapestry of insights and answers is woven before our very eyes. And the threads of this tapestry consist of the incredible healing and empowerment that our long-forgotten rites of passage afford us. The lessons within enable us to feel more complete, at one with ourselves, our environment and the universe that created us. This book speaks to all who seek true fulfilment and imparts the tools to achieve it.

Les informations fournies dans la section « Synopsis » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.

À propos de l'auteur

Known widely as The Highland Seer, Barbara Meiklejohn-Free was born and brought up in the Highlands of Scotland, where the ancient tradition still survives. She has worked with many of the indigenous cultures from around the world. She lives in Buxton, UK.

Extrait. © Reproduit sur autorisation. Tous droits réservés.

The Shaman Within

Reclaiming our Rites of Passage

By Barbara Meiklejohn-Free

John Hunt Publishing Ltd.

Copyright © 2013 Barbara Meiklejohn-Free
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-78279-305-2

Contents

Dedications................................................................ix
Foreword: By Ed 'Eagle Man' McGaa..........................................1
Introduction...............................................................4
Chapter 1: The Calling – Yule & Vision Quest...............................8
Chapter 2: The Awakening – Imbolc & Naming.................................36
Chapter 3: The Transition – Spring Equinox & Inner Child...................57
Chapter 4: The Knowing – Beltane & Split-Apart.............................97
Chapter 5: The Experience – Summer Solstice & Four Losses..................130
Chapter 6: The Gifting – Lammas & Giveaway.................................166
Chapter 7: The Initiation – Autumn Equinox & Elderhood.....................195
Chapter 8: The Totality – Samhain & Death and Rebirth......................226
Poems......................................................................262
Acknowledgments............................................................263
About the Author...........................................................264


CHAPTER 1

The CallingYule & Vision Quest


Our world is incomplete until each one of us discovers what movesus – our passion. No other person can hear our calling. We mustlisten and act on it for ourselves.

Richard J. Leider

'I've got to go, they are calling me!' I said aloud without thinking.Shaun looked at me and smiled, 'Who's calling you? Where doyou have to go?' I explained about the visions I was having, thatI was being shown to go to Albuquerque in the USA.

'What will you do when you get there?' he asked.

'I will follow my heart and trust what I am being shown.' Iwas so excited; Spirit had gifted me yet another revelation.Nothing was going to stop me from following my calling. Ineeded to know more about Rites of Passage. I had gone throughmany different rituals and ceremonies in my life but when I hadasked questions I was always told 'all in good time, be patient.'

My mentor, Swein McDonald, explained once, 'There willcome a time when you will be able to share your stories, but untilthen act as if you know nothing. Go to the rituals and ceremoniesas if for the first time. Learn, even though you may already know,and then watch and observe others whilst keeping humility inyour focus.'

I knew that rites of passage marked a person's progress, ajourney from one stage of life to another. By working throughand integrating our initiation ceremonies (our rites of passage),we become whole and complete. In traditional cultures, rites ofpassage were there to serve and support individuals in recognisingtheir unique gifts and potential for the benefit of not onlythemselves but also for the whole community. Today we havebecome disjointed and fragmented, separated from our tribe, ourpeople, not knowing how to facilitate our transition from self tosoul, girl to womanhood, boy to manhood.

I was ready, booked my ticket, my calling had begun. I landedat Albuquerque airport, New Mexico, in America and the Sunwas shining. I felt good and, as arranged, Mary was waiting forme. I had told her about my vision in the dreamtime over thephone a few days before I arrived and she offered to drive mearound the area. I checked into a local motel and as soon as I laydown on the bed I fell fast asleep and drifted into another timeand place. I found myself standing on a mountain top facingeast, watching the sunrise. A new chapter in my life wasbeginning heralding endless possibilities. From the very depthsof my being my spirit connected once again to the ancestors ofthe ancient land of 'Turtle Island'. I felt Creator, Great Spirit,surround and embrace me – like a long lost child returninghome. I was on the land of my ancestors once again. This was theheartlands, the land was alive and the birds were singing in thedawn of a new day.

I started to cry with joy. As my tears fell to the earth theycreated a river that flowed into the oceans of immortality. It wasthen that I saw him for the very first time. He was sitting on themountain top in front of me watching the same sunrise. I felt thepresence of a very old and wise medicine man. He turnedaround and looked at me and said, 'Look to the gatekeeper.'

I asked, 'Where will I find this gatekeeper?'

'Look to the gatekeeper,' he repeated and with that themedicine man disappeared and I woke up. I lay in my motel bedseeking answers from Spirit about my dream. I did not get areply. It was now four o'clock in the morning and my body wasstill on UK time. I switched on the television. The local news washighlighting the 'Annual Native American Powwow' takingplace in Albuquerque that weekend. That's it! I thought, that iswhere I have to go. I believed my answers were there, but littledid I know what was to come ...

The next morning, I sensed that something wonderful wasgoing to happen. I was ready for Mary when she picked me up atten o'clock and as we set off in her car, I asked her if she knewwhere the powwow was being held. She didn't, but suggested wedrive around until we find it. After half an hour's fruitlessscouting, we began to head back towards the motel when wenoticed several marquees near a very large sports arena called'The Pit'. Many Native Americans were heading through a gatedarea, so we drove right up. Sitting there, guarding the gate, wasa man. I opened the car window and asked if he knew where thepowwow was taking place. As he stood up I felt a cold shiver rundown my back. This Native American's presence was all-encompassingHe was very tall, had long plaited hair and woredungarees. He bent down and as our eyes locked he said, 'I knewyou were coming. I have travelled a long way to meet you.'

I was overwhelmed and began to cry. Mary asked him aboutthe powwow and he told her that the arena was the very place,although the event was to start the next day for the public, whichwas Friday, and today was for vendor set-up and pre-selectivedance competitions. When I finally composed myself longenough to speak, I asked him why he was at the gate.

He said, 'I am a police officer for the native people. I amguarding this gate today to ensure that only authorised peopleare able to get in.'

I burst into tears again for here was the 'gatekeeper' foretoldto me by Spirit in the dreamtime. Once I calmed down I startedto explain why I was crying.

'No need to explain,' he said, 'I already know. My name is TwoEagles and I am from Hickman, near Memphis. Come backtomorrow, we will spend some time together.' He wished us agood day and went back to guarding the gate.

Mary and I were ecstatic as we drove away. 'Amazing!' Iexclaimed. For the rest of the day we explored the local area andat the end I returned to my third-floor motel room where, Idiscovered when I looked out the window, the powwow arenawas in clear view. It was only a ten-minute walk away! What Icame to find was right on my doorstep! That night I slept well,dreaming of my power animals coming to me who sang sacredsongs of their ancient ways. It was an incredible experience,which continued on from my dreamtime into my wakingconsciousness, singing the songs alive which echoed in my heart.

Early morning I was up, dancing and singing. I could not waitto go to the powwow, so I phoned Mary to tell her I was walkingover to it myself. As she had to drive from Santa Fe we agreed tomeet up on Sunday, rather than her meeting me that day. I wasfirst in the queue to buy my ticket and once inside I looked forthe gated area where I had seen Two Eagles the day before. Hewas there again! I felt like an excited child who just discoveredthat fairies do exist. This was all my dreams coming true. TwoEagles got up and greeted me like a long lost friend. I had themost wonderful feeling about him, as if I had known him all mylife.

He told me that he knew he was going to meet and teach methe sacred ways in order to help me remember who I was. Istarted to tell him about my dreams and visions and he justsmiled knowingly, as he listened to me joyfully rambling on. Thenext three days spent with Two Eagles, at the 'Gathering ofNations', were among the most inspiring times I experienced.Two Eagles explained many things that I had been questioning.On the third day, both Mary and I walked around the powwowwith Two Eagles. We caught up with people we had met throughother trade shows; like reuniting with members of an extendedfamily.

Two Eagles told me it was time for him to give me my Spiritname. I knew that to receive one's Spirit name you offered a giftas a sign of deep respect for what was about to take place. I wentoff and bought Two Eagles a beautiful eagle bone necklace andreturned to him with the gift.

After Two Eagles accepted my gift, he looked at me and said,'Your name is Hawk Woman. This is a sacred name and is part ofyour medicine way.'

I thanked him as I remembered the presence of hawkssurrounding me since I was a little girl, walking in the wilds,talking to the animals, the ravens would chase the hawks away.My pagan name of Raven, gifted to me so many years beforehandby Swein McDonald, the Highland Seer, now sat side-by-sidewith my Native American name of 'Hawk Woman', gifted to meby Two Eagles.

As Two Eagles and I walked back to meet with Mary, heturned around and said, 'I am leaving now.'

I looked up at him, 'But the powwow is not over yet.'

He smiled. 'My work here is done. Time for me to go.' Hehanded me a powwow programme with his address and phonenumber written on it and told me that I was welcome to contacthim whenever I needed him, adding that I should go to Santa Fewhere more would be revealed.

As we reached the main arena, where the grand entry of thedancers was about to take place, Two Eagles turned around andsaid, 'When you turn around next time I will be gone.' Sureenough, one minute he was right behind me and the next minutethere was no sign of him. I found Mary and told her that TwoEagles had gone. She did not seem bothered by this news becauseshe was focussed on getting a seat in the arena for the grandentrance. So I decided to look for him myself.

Despite all the people making their way into the arena, I knewit would be easy to spot Two Eagles because he stood well abovenearly everyone there. After searching inside, I went out to theparking lot where I knew he kept his camper van. I could not findit either. I went to the gate where I had originally met him andasked the guards if they knew where Two Eagles might be. Theylooked at me and asked, 'Who?'

'The native man, he was six foot four inches tall. He's been atthe gate for the last three days.' I attempted to jog theirmemories. They looked confused and said they had no idea whoI was talking about. This was weird.

I looked at them and said, 'You know me, right?'

They all agreed.

'Well, how can you not know Two Eagles? He's been thegatekeeper here for the last four days,' I insisted.

They just shook their heads. 'Sorry, we still have no idea whoyou mean.' I made my way back into the main arena stunned andperplexed, questioning everything that had just happened.

Confused I went to the trade stand of my friends Tom andMary. They smiled and said, 'Angels come in many disguises.Don't worry. All will be revealed in due course.'

I walked around in a dream state, going over all the eventsthat had unfolded over the past four days. What next? The onlyclue I had was Two Eagles' message to go to Santa Fe and so I leftAlbuquerque with Mary on Sunday night to go there. Once inSanta Fe I hired a car and drove to a local motel. After a ratherrestless night's sleep, I went across the street to a diner forbreakfast. Whilst eating, I nearly jumped out of my seat when Iglimpsed a man entering the diner who looked just like TwoEagles. He was the same height and had the same braided hair,yet he was a white man!

He sat down at a nearby booth and struck up a conversationwith me. He told me his name was Joseph and after a fewminutes of telling him of my recent days at the powwow, heinvited me to join his drumming circle on Thursday night.

'But I don't have a drum,' I sheepishly replied.

'Go to Red Bird at the Cochiti Pueblo and I'll see you onThursday,' was all he said before paying his bill and casuallyheading out the door to begin his working day. I checked out ofthe motel and drove half an hour or so to the reservation. Onceinside the reservation, Spirit led me straight to a small house. Igot out of the car and walked round to the back yard. A nativeman had his back to me as he sat carving a two-headed skinneddrum. I walked over and said 'Excuse me. Are you Red Bird?'Without turning around or looking up, he said, 'The Elders toldme you were coming. I must teach you the native drum becauseyou will be sharing this wisdom with many.'

We talked for a while about why I was here in New Mexico,both the vision that led me to the powwow as well as the practicalside of my trip. Because the business Shaun and I ran involvedme sourcing original merchandise from around the world, I hadpromised Shaun that I would take the opportunity, while in NewMexico, to go to Gallup, the central trading town of NativeAmerican jewellery and crafts. Red Bird suggested that heaccompany me on the four-hour trip to Gallup because he couldthen use the opportunity for some drum business there.Surprisingly, without hesitating, I agreed. While Red Bird wentinside his house to pack, it dawned on me exactly what myfamily and friends would say if they knew I, a 30-something lonewoman, was driving off with a man I had only just met!

On our way I told Red Bird about the drumming circle I wasinvited to. Red Bird knew the two-headed drums he made werenot yet right for me, so he suggested we stop along the way at hisfriend's shop in Albuquerque to look for my first drum. Wewalked in to a shop where many All-One-Tribe shamanic handdrums were on display. One immediately called to me. Picturedon the hexagonal drum was a hawk in the centre surrounded byravens in each of the four directions. I placed it against my heartand cried as I felt the joy of coming home to my long lost friend.I knew this drum could express the feelings that, until then, I wasunable to voice from my head. The voice that needed to speakwas from my heart and not my head. In a few seconds I could feelthe difference between head talk and heart-talk. My first drumhad found me!

We resumed our drive to Gallup and Red Bird continued hisstorytelling all about his family's tradition of making NativeAmerican drums handed down from generation to generation.This was his life's work and passion, and through his deepunderstanding of how the spirit of the drum works. The spirit ofthe drum shows us how to change our ways of both thinking andliving in a natural environment. For the next three days we didour separate business during the day and then met at the motelduring the evenings in order to continue with his storytellingand teachings. His wisdom and knowledge of the drum helpedme to form a deep relationship with my own drum so that Icould listen to what it was teaching me.

The first words the drum spoke to me were, 'Get out of yourhead and into your heart, then you will know where to start. It's not thethinking, it's the feeling, it's the knowing and believing ...' There, myfirst song was gifted from the spirit of the drum. Little was I toknow at that time, that it would lead me to the awakening of myheart-voice and that I would go on to record many CDs of songsand chants.

Very early the next morning, we checked out of our roomsand drove from Gallup to a sacred mountaintop for my SunriseNaming Ceremony, which Red Bird had informed me about thenight before. I did not want to offend Red Bird by telling him Ihad already been gifted a name by Two Eagles, just four daysago, so I chose to say nothing about it. During this ceremony onthe mountain, amidst burning sage and prayers, he lifted up hisarms just as the Sun broke the horizon and spoke loudly in hisnative tongue. Then in the middle of the words which I did notunderstand, I clearly heard 'Morning Star'. He continued to pray,whilst I was asking Spirit what I would do with both nativenames of Hawk Woman and now Morning Star. At that verymoment I heard a piercing cry. I looked up to see a beautiful red-tailedhawk circling above us, and knew my name to be MorningStar Hawk Woman. Both Two Eagles and Red Bird had gifted mewith my Spirit name. When Red Bird had completed the namingceremony, I told him Two Eagles had given me the name of HawkWoman and that when the hawk had flown above us, I had seenthe vision of the two names coming together as one.

Red Bird said, 'Time to become your medicine name, to gain adeeper understanding of its meaning. Only when you are ready,and not before, will you use your sacred name as you call to theSpirit of your ancestors. You have been on a journey, gifting youmany visions, and will now lead you on to discover the rites ofpassage that will heal your life.'

Red Bird gifted me with a deeper insight – it was the understandingthat there is no separation, that we are all connected tothe One. I had spent four days with each of the medicine men,walking the sacred wheel and honouring the four directions. Itwas time to head back to Santa Fe for the evening's drummingcircle with Joseph. As we started back down the mountain Ithanked Red Bird for all his teachings, I felt sorry to leave thissacred place, but knew one day I would return.

I phoned Joseph that night when I reached Santa Fe. I had aquick shower and met him in the motel lobby. We set off with mynew drum firmly clutched in my arms. We arrived at the meetinghouse and I was introduced to the other drummers in the group.I was so excited to play my drum for the first time with otherpeople. Joseph explained that the intention of this evening's circlewas a group journey into the lower worlds to meet our poweranimals. As I sat on the floor I could feel the vibration of mydrum coursing through me. I could hear voices talking in verysoft whispers but as I looked around the room I noticed thatnobody was talking. That's strange, I wondered, who's speaking?Joseph picked up his drum and commenced drumming with avery fast beat. I was aware of all the drums coming together asone voice. It was like a high pitched drone. I tried to recall whereI had heard this sound before, it was so familiar.

The next thing I remembered was spiralling down a tunnelinto the Earth while observing my drum and hands having a lifeof their own. I asked, 'Who is drumming?'


(Continues...)
Excerpted from The Shaman Within by Barbara Meiklejohn-Free. Copyright © 2013 Barbara Meiklejohn-Free. Excerpted by permission of John Hunt Publishing Ltd..
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

Les informations fournies dans la section « A propos du livre » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.

Éditeur
Moon Books
Date d'édition
2013
Langue
anglais
ISBN 10 
1782793054
ISBN 13 
9781782793052
Reliure
Broché
Nombre de pages
275
Coordonnées du fabricant
non disponible
Personne responsable
non disponible