Native Americans Shamans Visit

Native American Healers from Piwwaltha Rainbow Clan came to do a crystal medicine circle with phenacite crystals with healing for all our favorite animals and ourselves.

They taught us how to work with crystals for prayers and healing and intentions, and how to lock in energy to medicine circles.

Balance Toe told a story of the human princess and the rock prince who fell in love, but they thought they needed to change to be together. The moral of the story, of course, is to accept ourselves as we are, and to accept the people we love for exactly who they are and not to try to change them.

They were wonderful, and held a strong presence for us all.

Over Familiarity vs. Honor

We passed around the talking rock, and took turns sharing about the meaning of "over familiarity" and how this can happen with siblings, or classmates.

Then we talked about the opposite which was to honor and respect one another.

Homework:  Really watch yourself carefully, and see what comes out of your mouth at times. Be mindful, and try to bring more awareness into our words and energy.

This is something we will come back to again and again. Good for all of us to remember.

Giving Food to Local Families

We went to the grocery store and all the girls picked out about $50 worth of groceries. They thought that was really fun alone!

Then we drove the a local Family Resource Center, and a woman named Diane looked at all the food carefully, with much appreciation.  She showed the girls the pantry where they collected all the food, and shared how much this helps local families in need.

Everyone seemed to really enjoy this experience, and we hope to do it more.

New Year's Ritual

New Year's Ritual:

We sat in a circle holding rocks, thinking about something we'd like to let go of, and offered our rock in a bowl in the middle.

Then we thought about what we'd like to bring in, and they took a small crystal from a bowl, and held it to their heart. (They get to keep the crystals.)

And then with this quality we made necklaces spelling this word to remind us throughout the year.

"I Am Eleven"

Went on a field trip to Nevada Theatre in Nevada City, and watched the documentary, "I Am Eleven". That was fun, and now I'm hoping to create our own short documentary about Spirit Warriors.

Here's the link to the trailer of "I Am Eleven":   http://vimeo.com/45231682

Honoring Self Art Collage

The girls painted a fun background with layers of paint and paper, and then added a positive quote of their choice, and a photo of self at any age, and three positive qualities they like.

Dear Self, Please remember ...

We sat in a circle quietly, and I guided the girls in a visualization where they were to watch themselves with compassion throughout their day, and notice where we may have needed help or support.

Then the girls got out their journals and wrote a letter to self, from their higher self, beginning with "Dear Self, Please remember..."

Examples include:
"Please remember to stay calm when life seems hard."
"Please remember to smile more often as you are safe."
"Please remember to relaxed and happy because I love you."

Medicine Pouch

The girls made their own medicine pouch which they could wear as a necklace. Laura and I created a nature treasure hunt where the treasure was crystals, one for each of them.

Rites of Passage

Rite of Passage for 11 Year Olds

June, 2014

Isabel, Anathe, Emma and Saia after the final rites of passage ceremony

Laura and Carianne after the ceremony

The whole process of the rites of passage was surprisingly powerful for the girls. 

We cannot share the details, of course, as the other girls will be receiving the same rite of passage in the Spring of this year.

Homemade Skin Cream

Rachel Berry from Sierra Botanica came over and first showed us edible weeds and herbs in the yard.  She helped us tune into the sensitivity of the plants and how to pick them with love and respect.

We then went inside and learned how to make skin cream with olive oil, herbal infusion and beeswax. Everyone participated. Very fun.  I was impressed with how she worked with the girls.

We all left with our own home made cream which I've been using every day. My skin is loving it.

Silly Day

We had plans of a certain art project, but when I met up with the girls, it was clear that we had to follow a different plan to lighten the energy  We began with free dancing and spinning and allowing space for letting go.

Even at this age, kids feel a lot of pressures and stress. It was raining, but why not walk in the rain?  So as they were walking out the door, I handed each a cookie, and they were asked to make up a nonsense sentence before they headed out.  Example: "I'm so glad it's raining beause the purple dog wanted to fly while driving his car."

And there it began.  We all talked completely silly for the entire rainy walk. By the end, the energy was light and giggly and full of nonsensical ideas.

Sometimes getting nothing "done" is the most efficient way to happiness.

Rock River Ritual

On our last gathering before Spring break, we went the Yuba river and found a glorious spot with huge rocks, a cave and a sandy beach.  Because one girl was having a particularly hard day, I was inspired to do a short ritual with everyone.  Mainly, everyone needed to play and explore, so I made it short.

Each girl found a rock to hold. I asked everyone to feel their feet on the sand, and tune into what they felt inside their bodies and where.  And then to breath space into that place allowing it to be explaining that it's okay to have sadness, anger, fear etc. And from here asking them to ask for help to let go of that sadness, anger etc., from Spirit, their guide, the sun or whatever form feels right to them.

And then we all threw our rocks in the river.

The whole ritual took less then 5 minutes.

The energy shifted, and the girl who was having a hard day was light  happy about an hour later.  Maybe the ritual helped.  : )

Random Acts of Valentine Cards

The girls made simple Valentines on red paper writing things like, "You are appreciated", "You are loved", "Thank you for all you do", "Happy Valentines' Day" etc.  They decorated them with fun stamps, and then we drove around to a local store, gas station, cafe and a business, and randomly handed them out!  People were so touched and the girls loved it!  Several people said it "made their day". After we were done, one girl said, "I love making other people happy!"

Friendship Bracelets

My fifteen year old daughter came in and taught the girls how to make friendship bracelets.  She knows several techniques. The girls naturally got into, "Oh, I know who I'm giving mine to"  etc.  When we were done, my daughter had them stand in a circle and pass the bracelets in a circle to music and when the music stopped, they stopped passing and began again when the music started up.  At the end, each girl had a friendship bracelet and it became a group friendship rather than one friendship.  They also made extras for other girls in their classes at school so no one would feel left out.

Winter Play

So a few examples of what we've done in recent weeks include  Sharing Nature games from Joseph Cornell's book, Sharing Nature With Children, a visualization into the wilderness to connect with one's guardian angel, listening games, making friendship bracelets, dancing, picking fairy cards, singing, sharing how we need support, and making a gratitude collage.

I've been bringing awareness into how we listen to each other, and encouraging the girls to be patient with themselves as it's a wonderful skill, but not always easy. For everyone who finished their collage, they are asked to put it on their altar.  If they don't have an altar yet, they are asked to create one at home.

In the Meadow

Girls playing the game "Doctor Doctor" where they tangle themselves up and have to untangle themselves without letting go of each others' hands.

A trust game where each girl gets in the middle of the circle and allows herself to fall into our arms.

Healing Prayers

Towards the end of last week, we talked about the recent typhoon in the Philippines. I shared how we could help with healing energy. They were open and willing so I showed them Yogananda’s healing technique by energizing the arms and hands and then chanting “Om” three times, seeing light flowing through our hands.  We did this for the world and for the Philippines.  They said they could feel the energy in their hands.  

Pine Needle Tea

The girls are very interested in learning about herbs and local plants. So last week, Punya and I had them pick pine needles from a local tree, lemon balm from my yard, and manzanita berries from Manzanita trees.  We went to my home and made pine needle tea, lemon balm tea and manzanita sugar.  They enjoyed the whole experience. Pine needle tea was not liked by all, but one girl said, “It tastes like Christmas.”

Secret Service

One afternoon, we gathered together in a circle and shared snack.  While we ate I brought up the idea of 'secret service' - helping another without them knowing who had helped them.  This is a really important concept as we often, unconsciously, seek to be rewarded for our actions.  Of course, there is nothing inherently wrong in being praised and recognized for our actions, but when seeking praise becomes the motivating factor, we lose some of the joy that is available to us when we serve because we truly want to help another.  So, with this in mind, I suggested that we find ways to help in the surrounding community without anyone knowing who had helped.  This also has such a huge element of fun, and it is hugely uplifting and exciting to participate in a secret... especially one that brings joy to others!

The girls all decided that they would like to offer their service to the school they attend.  It was a five minute walk away so off we went, with the girls talking excitedly about what they would like to do.  We arrived at the school, and noticed that the cubby area was looking somewhat worse for wear, so some of us started there, sweeping and picking up trash, coats, shoes etc.  Others worked on picking up the bikes and roller blades, and cleaning the bathrooms.  When we had finished, we left a flower outside each classroom door, and beautiful anonymous messages on the noticeboards.

We got together in a circle afterwards and shared with each other what we enjoyed about the experience of serving in secret.  The girls were all feeling really happy with themselves, feeling bubbly and uplifted with the joy of service.  They had shared in a special secret gift-giving ceremony together, and the experience of that sharing and joy was all the reward they needed.