Purity and the Elements 2017
Winter is typically a time to go within and to rest, reflecting the Earth and how it gets covered by a blanket of snow. As we enter into the spring in the Northern Hemisphere, there is a tendency to emphasize a theme that leans toward planting seeds and beginning to emerge from the slumber that is winter. As we unfold and begin to awaken, the Journey group shall reflect upon basic foundational understandings and go back to the simplicity that is the elements. We did this in 2016, and you read the summary post from last year here.
What are the elements? How do we relate to them? Can we harness the wisdom inherent in them to find deeper meaning within ourselves and others?
There are many cosmologies out there that deal with the foundations of the elemental systems. They span anywhere from a three element system, to a seven element system (sometimes even more). They are akin to an operating system on a computer, and each works better for different individuals and for different purposes. There’s nothing wrong with preferring a Mac over a PC, or vice versa. The problem that we encounter most, is that a lot of people are running on autopilot, not aware of how they operate on a foundational level. All of these systems are correct in their own way, and the purpose of these journey groups is to find out what your personal foundation is, and to create/maintain an operating system that is right for you.
I will be introducing these concepts from a four element perspective because that is what I am most comfortable with. I do not want the individuals attending to limit themselves to condensing to my viewpoint of how I see things. For the pace of this Journey Group, it would be helpful if you did minimal research on how to journey so you can join along in conversation so we don’t have to back track on what exactly journeying is. If you follow one of the other numbered element systems, feel free to read through these blog posts and take what you need. Come to the groups and share your knowledge. Find the hidden gems to deepen your own practice. All paths are welcome, and I encourage others with different viewpoints to come. It brings diversity and a clarity of shared vision to the whole.
If we go back to the elements, we go back to the simple nature of the way things used to be before humans even arrived. Human beings have this tendency to add layers of complexity. We can find a lot of deep and meaningful teachings in nature, because Nature is one of the first teachers that we, as human beings, learned from. The elements are the core basics of everything that exists on this planet, and every material has reflections of these elements. Sandra Ingerman always says that the Microcosm of our Universe (within us) reflects the Macrocosm of the Universe (outside us), and vice versa.
So how do we take these elements and apply them to our lives? It’s not going to be in the literal sense that we find these answers, but the metaphoric. Surely we are in human bodies, so how can we find earth or fire in us? When we journey to our helping spirits, they will speak with us in metaphor. It’s rare that they’ll speak directly in English or our native tongue. Most of the time they give us thoughts, feelings, or images. It’s when we work with them that we begin to develop this symbology of how they speak with us.
How are we able to assess our stability, the ground we walk on, and do we have enough to feed and nourish ourselves? This is our sense of earth, and asking the element of earth is akin to asking our physical body (because our body is manifest) what exactly it needs. Earth helps us answer our basic needs, self care, as well as our stand in the world. This is how we define who we are, what we stand for, and why we stand for it. If our ground is unstable, and cracked – that can represent that we don’t feel secure with ourselves or feel like we’re living two different lives. Our mind might say one thing, but our heart says another, and in that, we can create shifting sand or something that may seem stable at first, but as soon as you put any pressure, you start sinking down and find that it’s mud.
When we take a look at our mental capacity and sometimes find that our thought swirl too fast in our head, we feel stuck in being able to see what is coming, can’t come up with new ideas or even having too many ideas which can lead to planning our next day instead of sleeping – this could be an out of balance relationship with air. Air represents our mental body, the strength of relationship we have with our minds. Lots of people in this society tend to be overactive and over-stress our mental bodies. This can lead to actions without a lot of thought, as well as doing things on “autopilot” because we’re constantly thinking of the next step instead of enjoying what’s in front of us. Sometimes it could feel like we are suffocating, or it feels like the air isn’t moving terribly well. If we get to our inner world and we find that there’s a metallic taste to the air, or there’s smog that makes us cough – it’s a metaphor that our minds/mental body is not as clear as it could be. We could be feeling “foggy” or we might not be thinking as clearly.
When sometimes it feels like our motivation is waning, we don’t feel like getting ourselves out of bed, or it’s the opposite and we are too emotional, too creative, too expressive, over share, and get really enthusiastic about a project but then fizzle halfway through – this could be an out of balance relationship with fire. Fire tends to be our energy production/level, as well as our connection to Spirit. When it’s out of balance, it can burn out of control, or feel like we’ve got nothing left to give. A fire that burns very hot takes a lot of energy and resources to keep going. If you enter into journey space and you see that there’s a fire that’s burning so fiercely it’s consuming things without control, then are you the type of person that tends to go off of whim and whatever good feeling you have? When you crash, do you find yourself feeding yourself caffeine or sugar in order to help cope? A fire that is forced is generally not going to be using all of the resources it has to it’s fullest potential. Do you see a path that the fire has burned, or does it have a stable place to burn and you are wise about what you feed it? If a fire is generally low, then that could mean we need to think about self care and how we are feeding ourselves spiritually. Are you giving too much to your relationships and not to yourself? These are all questions when we go to the fire.
Water represents our emotional body. It is our relationship with our emotions and the expressions of them. Emotions are not meant to rule us, they are meant to be flags for knowing if we are on the right track, or if we have a boundary violation. Western contemporary culture tends to flip flop on two extremes – either emotional indulgence or a shutting down of emotions. With a tendency for shutting down, we might be playing in the “shallow end” of the pool, or hanging out near the beach where if we fall down, we don’t have far to fall. We don’t have to swim. We can still get back up. In this, we don’t have to risk getting hurt by drowning, or have the fear of getting caught out in the rip tide. If we are too emotionally indulgent, do we happen to be swimming constantly? Diving in, even when we know we are not the best swimmer? The point of our emotions is not to get lost in them and have them control/power our actions – we are supposed to use them to float on top and to carry us to our deeper meaning experiences. To be present in the moment, and figure out how we feel in the moment. How deep of a person are you? Do you ride the wave, or do you allow the wave to ride you?
Now that we have briefly explored the elements, the next layer is how we view their relationships with each other. If there is too much water, then our fire cannot burn bright. If we have too much air (ideas and inspiration), our fire can burn out of control. If there is too much water (emotions) in our earth, then our stability gets muddy, and we begin to sink when we stand up for ourselves and our beliefs. This concept is known as complimentary dualism. In a lot of Eastern Traditions, it’s best explained as yin and yang. Yin is a word used to describe the inner aspect, while yang represents the outer. Everything has a yin and yang aspect. When there is too much yin energy present, that leads to a stagnation. If there is too much yang energy, that leads to a depletion. When looking at the elements in this four element system we will be exploring, the elements that represent more of a yin quality are water and earth. These are the elements that are restorative, that which we lean into when we feel tired or exhausted. They are replenishing, refreshing, and rejuvenating. The yang elements are represented by the fire and air. We typically go to these elements to carry out certain actions, or to be viewed by other people in a larger setting. They are how we interact with each other (one of the main archetypes that air typically brings is communication). Fire is interesting because it’s an element that requires the other elements to even be initiated. The environment has to be right, and the right potential for combustion needs to be present. Fire needs to constantly be fed, and all of the other elements need to be in balance for a fire to be more properly utilized – otherwise it burns out of control and causes chaos, or it is suffocated and cannot burn.
Having a more shamanic view of life is also about relationship, and if we view these relationships with our elements and assess the quality of them – it can provide a tremendous amount of introspection that can be transforming. Sometimes, being able to work with a metaphor can help us figure out what we need to do, in order to clear the pollution we find in them. Once we see the state that something is in, we can ask our guide what the next step is to create a healthier relationship with that aspect of ourselves. This is the gift of journeying – to be a powerful tool to help us see the imbalances and apply them in our life so we can learn to be in good relationship with the world around us. It all starts with our relationship with our self, and being honest with our self.
For a deeper look and practical application on how we can begin to work with these concepts, let’s explore each element individually:
Air – Mental Body
Fire – Spiritual Body
Water – Emotional Body (coming soon)
For those that tend to be auditory learners, the inspiration behind this series of posts are a grouping of podcasts from Why Shamanism Now. Feel free to listen to the originals listed here: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Each podcast is about 45-50 minutes long.
Earth Journey Group Outline – 2017
The beginning of February is the middle point between the middle of winter and the middle of spring. It is generally the beginning of spring, as well as a metaphoric time to begin thinking of what we will be planting in the months to come. It can be a rich time as we begin to come out of our hibernation of winter. In winter, a lot of people tend to go inward, reflect upon their year, and take more breaks then normal. It is our time to rest, relax, and recharge to prepare for the coming year.
The Fairfax Shamanic Journey Group tends to look at themes that arise in nature and questions how we can apply the teachings of nature into our very own lives. For the next two months, we will be pulling wisdom from the earth and seeing how the archetype of earth can be applied into our every day lives. If you have not journeyed before, it is helpful to at least read up on it briefly before attending. It’s completely okay if you are new to it and want to give it a try. There is a mixed group of practitioners that come, some that have no experience with journeying, and some that have quite the experience. The more advanced journeyers help hold the space for the beginning journeyers, and we find an interesting array of experiences as we open the forum of discussion to the whole group. Please do not feel pressured to share your journeys – just share if you feel called too.
If you would like to keep up to date, we have a discussion forum on Facebook (which right now I look pretty egotistical and just posting journey group topics in there) that I would love for participants to start commenting on or to sharing their experiences about journeys experienced at home. It’s meant to be a safe space for people to explore their journeys without fear of judgement. It can also be a place for people to share helpful links that they shared during the group. You can feel free to read our newsletter for this month for some of the other events, as well as events from others in the area.
Now – down to the nitty gritty! Journey dates as follows! (Date also links directly to the meetup event so you can RSVP to the event if you wish)
Feb 9th – This particular session will be about the four elements, what they mean, and the interconnectedness between all of the elements. This is where we discuss the concept of complimentary dualism and how that can affect our lives. This is the introductory topic, and explores the four-element-system as a whole.
Feb 23rd – What is the earth element? How does it correspond metaphorically and apply in our lives? Here is where we look at our groundedness, our ability to stay in the present moment, and explore some metaphors surrounding our boundaries. What beliefs do we hold very concretely that are the foundations of what we stand on?
March 9th – How do we create presence and autonomy in our lives? In a world where isolation and loneliness fuel depression, there is big medicine to be found in the ability to work with the earth to create a sense of belonging, connection within, and interconnection with the larger reality.
March 23rd – Where there is light, there is always the shadow that is cast. The shadow is not a bad thing, it is the unspoken aspects of ourselves and of larger archetypes. The earth itself has a shadow, and it is the earthquake. The earthquake is what happens when we hold onto our beliefs too tight, our foundation becomes rigid, and things have become so stagnant that the only choice left is to shake things up. What happens when our world seemingly “falls apart”, and what wisdom can come of it?
So exciting to be doing this with a new community of people! If you guys have any questions or concerns, please feel free to text/call 571.306.3197, or email info@eagletherapies.com
Fly high these next two months!
Ancestral Healing Circles
There are three different groups that Eagle Therapies runs/moderates. The Ancestral Healing Circle was founded on Samhain of 2016. The purpose of this group is to come together to honor the lives of the people who have lived and died before us. Our Ancestors helped shape this world by the way they lived, and in a Shamanic way, we can journey to them to ask them their advice on real challenges presented to us at this time. Keep an eye out on our Ancestral Healing Circle Facebook group, Eagle Therapies Facebook page, Meetup group, or sign up for our Newsletter to stay connected with events.
This is for both the beginner and advanced ceremonialist. The beauty of working in a group is to be able to lean on other people’s experiences so we can figure out things together. We are all apart of the same human race, and the best thing that our culture creates is diversity. Let’s work together in ceremony so we can get down to the root of our fears, be in gratitude, and connect with the land in a healthy way. These events are consciously held around the New Moon. New moons are wonderful for seeing in the dark. We can examine what the underlying themes going on are, so that we can fly in the night.
If you are unable to attend in person, you can join us at a distance. 
The topics of the Ancestral Healing Ceremony will be presented on the Facebook group, as well as in the event listing itself. These events are now associated with the Shamanism Without Borders program, and there will soon be a blog post that explains what exactly that means. We abide by the ethics and code of the Society of Shamanic Practice, and we will only perform healings/prayers/blessings for people/animals/land that we have the consent of. This is one of the reasons why we do the diagnostic journey in the beginning of the ceremony.
Shamanic Journeying is a helpful pre-requisite. There are monthly journeying classes held at the Intuitive Wellness Center as well as several courses offered through Sounds True, the Shift Network and the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. The monthly classes are listed in the monthly Newsletters. As well as on the Facebook or Meetup pages. For a link to the old archives of Newsletters, click here.
There is Shamanic Healing that happens, but please do not be alarmed if you have never done it before. Sometimes just singing or holding space is healing in and of itself, so please trust the process and participate with your whole heart, not halfheartedly because you don’t trust yourself (or are scared/nervous). Just trust that you are in the right place at the right time. Please arrive on time, after ceremony begins, no entrance is permitted into the space. Here’s how the structure will go:
6:00 – We gather, set up the ancestral altar together, and mingle. It’s good to know who we are doing ceremony with, so please open up and get to know each other.
6:30 – Ceremony begins and the circle is cast. No late admittance after this point. This is where we honor the spirit of the circle, as well as the ancestors themselves. Let it be known that we drum loud, sing hard, and sometimes dance the dance of bones.
6:45 – Discussion begins. Why are we here? Why are we interested in this? Here is where we discuss some of the major themes that we are seeing, and talk about how they impact us.
7:00 – Diagnostic journey: This is a quick journey which gives us insight from Spirit about what is really “going on” with the topic at hand, and how we are personally affected by this. The beautiful thing about working with a group is that when we all journey on the same topic, we bring our own unique perspectives to the table. Sometimes it works like puzzle pieces and each one will have a vision that completes what the other had. This is where we discuss and put everything together
7:15 – Plan. Well, not as much planning as coordinating. Some people will feel really called to help hold the space, while others will feel called to do healing work. Some will focus on personal connection with ancestors and healing aspects within themselves, others will feel called to help with working with archetypes and larger modules. Whatever is meant to happen will happen, all that is required is to be open to what is in the moment and be present.
7:30 – Then we sing, dance, call up our power and get to working!! It will last however long it lasts (usually 30 mins) and then we will talk about it after.
When all is said and done, and everyone feels the work is complete, we open circle. Sometimes we don’t always “end” at 7:00pm, so please keep that in mind when planning. Sometimes it’s not up to us what time this ends, but we will definitely be done by 7:30pm.
This work will seem very uncanny, like a lot of things will happen in a flow. This is how true healing works 🙂 if there are any questions, feel free to post them here, on the Facebook group, or message me privately. We will have the right amount of people come, and everyone who can make it will be exactly the people meant to show up. If interested, there is a Facebook Group that you can join so we can discuss these things and future topics.
THINGS TO BRING:
-Journal and something to write with
-(optional) rattle, drum, or musical instruments for when we drum up our power
-Something to put on the communal altar (helps to add personal energy to the circle)
-A lite snack or some food to help with grounding after the ceremony. There are people with dietary restrictions in the group, please bring an ingredient list.
-Your true self and sense of fun/adventure 🙂
-Suggested donation of $20-$40. This flows with the concept of Ayni, and sacred reciprocity. This work will be intense, and to hold the space takes a lot of time/energy. Give back to the circle and the community where you can.
Move forward in a good way, and hopefully will see you at an event!
Directory of Posts
This page is meant to be a directory to all of the main things on this website (since people have told me they get lost since there’s so much information here now).
If you’re interested in keeping up to date on the latest information, please sign up for our newsletter, follow us on Facebook or join the Journey Group Facebook Group or the Heart Centered Sound Circle Facebook Group.
The amount of posts that are on this website have been growing slowly over time. Mostly things get buried because I post the journey group outlines once monthly, so some of the posts get lost beneath them. Since people have been asking about some of the main posts and I often refer clients or new people in general to some of the “main” blog posts, I thought it might be helpful to have them all posted in one spot and update this “Master List” as time goes on.
Journey Track Outlines
Brief summary: The most popular thing that I teach is Shamanic Journeying. I often hold a once monthly Shamanic Journeying course, and many people have voiced that they would like to begin journeying on their own at home. Well now you can! With this outline! It walks you through the first steps of learning how to Journey, and then goes through all the next parts that will help expand your own inner world.
Words: 2,500 words (but if you’re a beginner, just start with the first 500 words)
Average read time: 9 minutes (for the whole article)
Transformative and useful articles recommended to anyone browsing this site:
What is Energetic Health
Brief summary: For those interested in starting to learn about maintaining and cultivating their energy body hygiene. We take showers for our physical body, what type of support do we offer our mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies?
Words: 1,700 words
Average read time: 6 minutes
Energy Bucket Meditations
Brief Summary: Follow up to Energy Body Hygiene. In case people want to apply the knowledge of the energetic health to their every day practice.
Words: 250 words
Average Read: 1 minute
Change and Transformation
Brief Summary: Many people don’t grasp the fundamental difference between change and transformation. A lot of people seek transformation, but when they don’t see the immediate gratification of their choices, they resort back to the way they used to be. With change, you can always change back. Transform, and you can’t fathom being the same person again. This is the basis of getting started on our path in terms of healing our self.
Words: 2,400 words
Average read time: 9 minutes
Creating a Container for Transformation
Brief Summary: After one takes the step of acknowledging the difference between change and transformation, one often ponders, “Well how do I transform? And what are the steps to do that?” In this blog post we explore the ingredients to making a transformation happen, as well as the spontenaiety it needs in order to be successful.
Words: 2,600 words
Average read time: 10 minutes
The Open Heart Path
Brief Summary: Because I often teach at conferences or public health events, for those interested in understanding my cosmology and how I frame my understanding of the world – a lot of it is based off of the Courageous Heart Medicine by Christina Pratt and the Four Fold Way by Angeles Arien. This is an introductory post to the huge/vast concept.
Words: 2,100 words
Average read time: 8 minutes
Walk With Buffalo
Brief Summary: I had a near death experience in February of 2017. This is a detailed account as well as some insights from being so close to the veil. It’s about the reasons why I chose to stay, because I was given a choice if I wanted to stay here in this world, or to continue to pass on.
Words: 2,400 words
Average read time: 9 minutes
Purity and the Elements 2016
Brief Summary: A brief look at a cosmology based around elements and how they can metaphorically echo our lives.
Words: 1,600 words
Average read time: 6 minutes
Purity and the Elements 2017
Brief Summary: Updated version of the topics we will be exploring for the first half of 2017.
Words: 1,900 words
Average read time: 7 minutes
Earth as a Teacher
Brief Summary: Expansion on Purity and the Elements. Goes into what the earth element represents as well as how it can be a useful introspective tool which helps us clarify our boundaries, stability, and ability to flourish
Words: 2,100 words
Average read time: 8 minutes
Inspiration and Air
Brief Summary: Expansion on Purity and the Elements. Many people are in excess of this element, and dive too much into their mental wisdom body. This leaves people prone to anxiety, headaches, and even migraines. Learn how to come into good relationship with this element.
Words: 1,800 words
Average read time: 7 minutes
Fire and Passion
Brief Summary: Expansion on Purity and the Elements. Explains the inter-connectedness of all of the elements, and why paying attention to all four wisdom bodies makes a difference.
Words: 2,100 words
Average read time: 8 minutes
Labyrinth Walking
Brief Summary: Ever wonder why walking a labyrinth can be very therapeutic? Here I share my insight on why I find labyrinth walking helpful, and how it differs from other meditations.
Words: 950 words
Average read time: 5 minutes
Standing Rock
Brief Summary: The Standing Rock movement has been very near and dear to my heart. I have attended the protests in DC, and many people ask me why I stand with Standing Rock. This blog post is the reason why, among many other personal reasons.
Words: 2,500 words
Average read time: 14 minutes
Travel to Standing Rock
Brief Summary: These list the reasons why I went to Standing Rock, as well as a brief update on what is going on over there, as well as an asking for donations.
Words: 1,200 words
Average read time: 4 minutes
Synopsis of Standing Rock
Brief Summary: This is actually written by my teacher, but I also put in my two cents here and there of what happened.
Words: 2,200 words
Average read time: 8 minutes
These are articles that I have written that are from a personal standpoint in regards to my own life and how I apply these principles directly to how I live.
Little Bear Chronicles
The Little Bear Chronicles are a series of blog posts that I have written because people were interested in how I raise my son. His first power animal that came to him was a Bear, and since then he has been named my Little Bear, even though (as with all children) their power animals change/grow over time with them. This is the link to the directory of those posts and my experience with raising a child with a more Shamanic upbringing/way of looking at life.
Washing the Dishes
Brief Summary: A basic look at energy work and how it can be integrated into every day life.
Words: 800 words
Average read time: 4 minutes
Of course there will be more to come! If you are interested in listening to some of the meditations I have released or recordings of the Heart Centered Sound Circles, there is our Soundcloud 🙂
Happy trails! And as always, feel free to email info@eagletherapies.com or text/call 571.306.3197
Winter Dreaming Ceremony
Winter has its own magic. It’s a time when nature turns in, and everything slows down. Plants go deep inside their roots, animals hibernate. Life takes on a different form- it turns within to dream. The winter moons (starting November 21 and completing March 21) provide us with an opportunity to become quiet, slow down, and turn our awareness inwards. This winter dreaming ceremony will connect you with the natural cycle of the turning in of winter.
This ceremony weekend will provide you with the opportunity to acknowledge your past year, and all the opportunities, events, and people that have influenced your growth. Winter Ceremony is a way of emptying yourself and preparing for the New Year, shedding your leaves for the winter so in the spring you may begin anew.
Join us January 28th (6pm) – Sunday, Jan 29 (9am), if you are interested in attending an all-night ceremony of reflection, emptying, and dreaming.
Four unique ceremony guides unite to hold space for a powerful Winter Dreaming Ceremony that will connect you to the natural cycle and rhythm of winter, empowering you to harvest the lessons of the previous year and dream yourself anew in 2017.
Receive a special 15% discount, exclusively for the Eagle Therapies LLC community members, by entering the PROMOCODE: EAGLE at checkout.
Check out the Facebook event to see who else you might know will be joining us! Or are interested in the event!
CEREMONIAL ACTIVITIES
The evening will consist of 4 ceremonial spaces:
- Guides will burn a Sacred Fire all night so that you can converse with Great Spirit/God, life, all that is and reflect on your past year.
- A Cacao ceremony will be offered to ignite the journey — this is an ancient Mayan ritual to stimulate divination and lucid dreaming. Various teas and crystal bowl sound healings will continue to be offered in this space throughout the night.
- A vision board station will be offered so that you can harvest the gems you have collected from 2016
- A prayer bundle station will give you the opportunity to plant your prayers or dream seeds for the coming new year
On Sunday morning, participants will have an opportunity to nap, join a sound healing session, or wake up with a gentle Asana yoga practice. Breakfast will be served to the group and space for reflection and discussion will be available.
Meet the Ceremonialists leading this retreat:
Natalie Orozco
Natalie Orozco is a spiritual empowerment coach, ceremony guide, blogger, and education researcher. She currently resides in Washington, D.C. She is sanctioned to teach medicine wheels and guide ceremonies by the Keeper of the Delicate Lodge Teachings, a tradition that has its roots in pre-Mayan times. She does this through group or one-on-one ceremonial experiences and coaching programs. She is committed to supporting others in their life journeys towards balance and wholeness and personal growth. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz and an Ed.M. in Human Development and Psychology from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She will be the Ceremony lead.
Stephanie Seger
Ha. Shameless plug time. Stephanie is an eclectic ceremonialist, participating and leading ceremonies in the Virginia/Maryland/DC area for close to 10 years. She helps awaken and transform people to step into their power, helping them realize their own potential. She is the founder of Eagle Therapies, a community that supports alternative therapies, spiritual exploration and empowerment so that people can make their own choices to leading healthier lifestyles. Click here if you would like to visit the “About” section to learn more about Stephanie and her path. She will be the sacred firekeeper for this ceremony.
Atticus Mooney
As a catalyst for the cacao spirit; a practitioner of yoga and shamanic arts; an avid dancer; and a carrier of ancient Mayan wisdom. Atticus strives to connect the many threads of life that weave individual experiences into the collective fabric of this reality. She is the co-founder of Source Cacao, which currently imports Guatemalan ceremonial Cacao exclusively. She is passionate about the spiritual and physical energies of cacao spirit and is called to share its essence through connective activities such as dance, yoga, meditation and arts.
Danielle Waldman
A Personal Development and Empowerment coaching currently residing in Washington, DC., Danielle works with individuals that are in a place of transition, dealing with resistance and defining who they are. She is an avid explorer and traveler. Her true craft in life is to empower those around her to live in a world where it’s okay to be you. Danielle will point beauty and altars for the ceremony.
Learn more about her through her website
Price
The cost is $150.00 per person.
Saturday night Dinner, Cacao, all-night soup and snacks, Sunday breakfast, lodging, and materials are provided.
We have intentionally kept our price low to make this ceremony accessible to any dreamer or soul seeker that feels called to attend. No one will be turned away for lack of funds. If you feel called to discuss an exchange (ceremony helpers needed) or an alternative payment plan, email the Ceremony lead Natalie at info@natalieorozco.com or me at info@eagletherapies.com with your request.
Limited helper and attendee spots available. Registration closes January 20, 2017.
Lodging & Accommodations
The ceremony will take place at RockWood Manor in Potomac Maryland. A bed will be assigned to you when you arrive to the ceremony so that you can have a designated personal space to rest throughout the evening. Linens and towels will be provided for your convenience.
Contact Info
Contact Natalie by emailing info@natalieorozco.com or sending a message through the contact me tab to schedule a time to discuss any questions or accommodations you may need. To reach Stephanie, feel free to call/text 571.306.3197 or email info@eagletherapies.com
Purchase
Thank you for your purchase! Your transaction has been completed, and a receipt for your purchase has been emailed to you. I look forward to working with you shortly. You should expect a phone call, e-mail or text message from me soon (if we have not been doing so already).
Feel free to take a look at some of these blog posts to help get you started:
Guided Meditations to accompany energetic health
Creating a Container for Transformation
Please reach out with any questions or concerns, or if you would like clarification on some of the information provided here on this website.
Email: info@eagletherapies.com
Phone: 571.306.3197
Standing Rock
There has been a great deal of turbulence in the air, and many people have been affected in some way by the issues that are being brought to light. It’s not the fact that more “bad stuff” is happening in the world, it’s just the fact that we are able to see more it than ever. It means that we have to stick together as we peel the rest of this facade off and we get down to really being who we came here to be.
For as many opinions as there are out there, there is a plethora of causes to stand for. With fear running rampant in our main culture, there’s rising amounts of racism, sexism, acts against people of other religions, acts against transgendered or LGBTQ communities/individuals, and more issues of violence and discrimination than we can count. I urge people to pause, breathe, and get out of a reactive state before proceeding forward. We can’t do good in the world if we don’t take care of ourselves first. I know there are many heated emotions flying around, and people are quicker to get reactive because there is so much going on that’s triggering people to be defensive and protect what they “know”. I don’t blame them. But if you’re going to stand up for something, really evaluate your values and morals and see which movements align with them.
The first step after self-care, is to think about things that really make a change in this world. No, putting posts all over social media about how upset you are doesn’t change anything. It might trigger other’s anger and outrage, but engaging constantly in what makes you upset makes more of us upset, and is a trend that has been perpetuated by the masses. Instead, focus on the little things to help make a change or a difference. Here’s a great article from CNN on just this, if you are ready and in a state of mind to take more action that makes a bigger difference in the great scheme of things.
Part of self-care is recognizing what is within our ability to change, and what is beyond the scope of our ability to do. I have two jobs and a kid, so obviously I’m not going to go gung-ho and do everything listed there – it’s meant to be a roadmap for some of what you can do. That goes for joining every protest that’s out there. Be selective, and it’s generally recommended to pick a cause that is close to your heart. It helps because our energy is not scattered, and more focused so that it can effect a greater change.
Now that that’s out of the way – let’s talk about Standing Rock. Why do people care about Standing Rock? What is it? Obviously it’s something that is dear to my heart, but why should we care about it?
I’m sure many people have heard of it at this point. It has finally hit mainstream media to some degree, but mostly it’s through social media that this movement has thrived. The Dakota Access Pipeline is a pipeline being built by Energy Transfer that will be used for transporting crude oil over 1,172 miles and through 4 states. Click here to read the fact sheets on Energy Transfer. Sunoco Logistics (whose parent partner is Energy Transfer) will take over transporting the crude oil once the pipeline is complete. The reason for the pipeline? They claim it moves oil faster over longer distances, and it will help boost the economy in certain areas. Prior to the construction of the proposed pipeline, they have been transporting crude oil via trucks and rail. They claim they take the utmost care and security during transportation, however Sunoco has the highest spill rate of all of the companies that transport crude oil. Their public statement says they will do their best to “minimize spills”. They have also not been documenting all of the spills that take place, stating that they didn’t want to “over-report” their spills. The biggest recent spill happened October 20th, 2016 when a Sunoco pipeline burst, leaking 55,000 gallons of oil about 100 miles North of Harrisburg, PA. Because the oil was leaked from that area, it soaked into the water supply and has reached down as far as the Susquehanna river (it first spilled into Loyal Sock Creek which then flows into the left branch of the Susquehanna) about 15 miles south of where the oil spill occurred.
- Read about other fatalities of other oil spills
- Read about oil spills in other areas and their environmental impact
We now begin to understand the severity of the situation on a physical aspect alone, of the environmental impact of transporting crude oil via pipelines. Another layer to add to this, is the fact that the construction process did not even consult with the owners of the property this pipeline will be going through. Many farmers and people that own private property have been pressured into selling their property so this pipeline could be created. Some of the land that this pipeline runs through was promised to the successors of the Great Sioux Nation in the treaties of Fort Laramie in 1851 and 1868. The government itself has broken the property stated by seizing 56,000 acres for the Lake Oahe project (dam and reservoir) by the US Army Corps of Engineers without prior consent from the Sioux tribe. Technically speaking, the property that the Energy Transfer, DAPL is cutting through military property – and they continued construction on the pipeline even without consent from the US Government. When approached with this legally, the CEO of Energy Transfers released a public statement that equated to drilling first, asking forgiveness later. Even with the Army Corps of Engineers, and President Obama getting involved and sending official letters and documentation, Energy Transfers still decided to proceed with the construction of the pipeline, have dug the trenches and have brought equipment for drilling underneath Lake Oahe on both sides.
As if that isn’t enough, we are also able to witness the layers of inappropriate action in regards to the handling of the protesters. They arrested people at the camp and threw them into dog kennels for “protesting” when they were practicing their freedom of speech and religion through praying. They fired rubber bullets and sprayed pepper spray on a crowd of protesters as they tried to protect sacred burial grounds. The basis for their non-violent protests have been a message of peace. When people come to Standing Rock, there are multiple classes a day that try to educate people about their way, and about how their fight is based on prayer. When beginning any protest, their elders lead them through a ceremony with prayer, and make it a point to include everyone there, including any law enforcement officials present. I was there myself during the protest in Washington DC, and I was there as they gave the blessing that “Everyone was to stay safe and continue to be so.” I was in the back of the protest line that was close to half a mile long, and I didn’t hear any arguing, or fighting. Just the chants for freedom, equality, peace, and the sweet smell of tobacco and sage being burned as we marched to the White House.
If you have questions about what exactly this fight is for, the Indigenous Youth Council put out this wonderful video which highlights the fact that this isn’t just about Native Americans fighting for their land. It’s not just about this one pipeline. It’s about the human race fighting for survival against tyranny and corruption. The blessing of this movement is the fact that a Global Community has been formed around Standing Rock, because they see the value in protecting what is Sacred. There are tales of people not understanding what this movement is – so they go to Standing Rock to see what this change is about – and instead it changes them. This is not just about fighting for what it right, it’s a wave of a mental, emotional and spiritual awakening that’s being led by prayer and ceremony. Its changing lives, the way people look at things, and how they interpret what they see.
It’s obvious the acts of disrespect have been seeded by the creation of the pipeline, which was started and continued without consent from the indigenous people, OR the hundreds of private landowners that the Energy Transfers Partners have cleared out/bought out. We need to be more mindful about what we are manifesting in this world. A good majority of this Western Society is founded on profit, and emphasizes sacrificing many things in light of convenience.
A good majority of the humans running things are doing so with power, greed, and without thought for the communities or environment. What would happen hypothetically if the pipeline was created, and everything went through and a major oil spill happened just like what was witnessed on October 20th? Lake Oahe feeds into the Missouri river. Obviously there’s going to be the immediate area that would be affected, but who’s to say what will happen when the other contaminants leak into the surrounding water supply? What happens if all of those chemicals associated with crude oil get into the water supply that feeds into the bread belt of the United States? We already have a large number of people that are allergic to wheat or developing gluten intolerances with the amount of preservatives in our food, and other factors. If the food that we grow is being fed by water that is contaminated, what do you think that is going to do to the food that is grown? It’s a chain effect.
The Standing Rock movement isn’t just about the DAPL. It also is a call to action for all people to wake up and see what is going on around them. What is the environment we live in now like? What pollution is around us that we are contributing to, for the sake of ease and convenience? All of these are big questions, and we turn inward to find the answers. If we are not in a stable place as we ask these questions of ourselves, then how can we be in a position to think about the greater world/community that is stitched together because of this simple thing we all need.
Water.
This movement isn’t JUST about the Oahe Lake and the surrounding water of North Dakota. It’s about all of the water that the Oahe Lake feeds into. It’s about ALL rivers and ALL life. Water is Sacred. #WaterIsLife
If you want more up to date information on Standing Rock, visit the Sacred Stone Camp Facebook page. Find out facts about the Dakota Access Pipeline and the protesting.
Feel moved by what was said here? Feel inspired to help now that you have a broader understanding of what is going on? Then congratulations, you just took the first step by reading this article and educating yourself more on the situation. This blog post is not meant to be all inclusive, but provides only a small sampling of the information available to you about why people are making such a big fuss about the situation. I encourage people to do their own research and to double check all of the facts provided here. There will be many sides and perspectives, and the side of the story you get will often be filtered through the eyes of the person seeing it. I know that my view point of the world is very different then others, hence why I encourage you to find your own truth.
If you’re so called to help with this particular protest, then here are some things that you can do to support this movement:
The Sacred Stone Camp is the compilation of different camps at Standing Rock. They are on the front lines where they are directly bordering where construction is taking place. They are keeping an eye on the pipeline construction with drones, and are keeping themselves informed on the progress. Many people here are praying, surviving, and doing their job to protect the land. These protectors are being called to stay at Standing Rock, and have either left their jobs or have taken time off work in order to come support the cause. A lot of people that have gone there are living off of donations.
- Here are Frequently asked questions and how to Support the Camps at Standing Rock.
- They are winterizing their camp so the Land Protectors can stay warm during the oncoming Winter. They have an Amazon Wishlist for supplies.
- There are many people who have gotten hurt at the protests, and that have acquired injuries. Click here if you would like to donate to medical funds.
- If the Standing Rock movement is something that moves you, but you would like to support the Non-Profit organization that is helping them legally in this matter, then find out more and donate to Earthjustice.
Don’t have money or supplies to donate? There are other ways that you can help. In order to “starve” the Black Snake (oil pipeline), there are efforts to defund the project.
- Letters to Officials to stop DAPL – email list to stay in contact with the movement
- List of Banks to write to – Banks are much more susceptible to pulling their funding from projects. Especially if large numbers of people write to them asking them to change their minds.
Victories:
- Largest Bank in Norway pulls its assets
- DNB bank threatens to pull their assets
- Latest update as of November 14th – still a chance! Our hope is growing! Obama administration and Army Corps of Engineers have stomped down their foot because of protesting
- (Not immediately connected, but by proxy connected because of the awareness the movement has brought about) Interior Cancels Oil Leases On Sacred Tribal Lands In Montana
- As of November 16th – NADL in Financial Jeapordy (Letters to Banks have been working)
Shadow side of this movement
Obviously with the majority of people following along in the Standing Rock movement and its footsteps, we also have those that have become so moved/touched by this movement that they jump in without really knowing what it’s all about. These extremists do not understand the true meaning of standing with Standing Rock, but that shouldn’t be the whole example that can appear to discount what this movement stands for. With every act of balance, there is always a side of the argument/movement which is done with good intention, but their actions come out as warped and twisted. Read about the Killing of Buffalo “in the name” of Standing Rock. It would be unwise to pull up all the wonderful facts about Standing Rock without understanding the other aspects of what some might be reading about. We must embrace all sides of an argument and understand that they exist and are still apart of us – even if it is misguided.
November 2016 Outline
Oh dear, here we go into holiday season. As we do, please understand that there is no “necessity” to be at any of the journey groups to understand what is going on. All of the topics that we bring up at the journey group are “suggested journey group topics” and can be stand alone. Based on who is there, we break down topics that are relate-able to everyone there, which is why I don’t explain as much online because it’s all customize-able to fit the group that shows up. I know the later half of the month people will most likely be out for holiday – and that’s okay. But the journey group will still stand for the days listed. Yes, we are still at the Cardinal Center for Mondays at 6:00pm.
In case you do want to follow along with the greater “structure” or flow of the month, please visit the Quarterly Outline to see the outlines for the Open Heart Path. This month we will be exploring the relationship we have with our inner teacher. Some people really identify with being a teacher, while for others it makes them uncomfortable and shift in their seat when they have to try and explain things to others. This month is about exploring what makes us uncomfortable, and instead lean into our discomfort to see the bigger picture.
What does a teacher stand for? There will always be times when life calls on us to be a teacher – but are we willing to stand up and take ownership of that power. Some of the questions we ask ourselves when the teacher takes a more prominent role – is not “Why is this happening to me”, but more of a “What can I learn from this situation? Where is my power now in this situation?” Life happens, and most of the time things are out of our control. We lose power when we think we are powerless. It’s not what happens to us that matters, but how we react to it.
With that being said, what will we be discussing this month? Good question! Let’s look at the calendar 🙂
Monday November 7th – NO JOURNEY GROUP (will be in New Orleans for a conference)
Sunday November 13th – Heart Centered Sound Circle, ancestor rendition (No journeying will be done, but it’s an extended version of the ceremony before the journey group).
Monday November 14th – What is a story? Stories are something that we tell ourselves, and these can be very similar to many “screens” open on a computer. If we think of ourselves as an computer, do we have too many screens open at the same time? Do we sometimes have too many applications open at the same time and we get overwhelmed? This is the week where we explore what stories are constantly running in the background. Which stories empower us, and which stories rob us of our power. Some stories we get autoprogrammed from when we are kids and when we “outgrow” these stories, we don’t throw them away. Some examples of stories might be the story of Being a good daughter, Being a good husband, the story that you Shouldn’t speak out of turn because it’s not good – things like that. Let’s break down these stories and really examine them.
Monday November 21st – Trust, Balance, Wholeness, Perspective. What do all of these things mean? How does our perspective color the way we look at the world. Here is where we explore basic foundations of how we interact with the world around us. This journey group is where we examine our inner relationship with trust, balance, and doing things that help us feel whole and apart of something bigger then ourselves. This is the group where we ask ourselves what is out of balance, and what can be done to restore us to a state of balance.
Monday November 28th – There’s always a “Shadow” meeting. If something stands in the light, there is a shadow of it that is either seen or ignored. The shadow aspects of the Teacher include the righteous zealot, the judge, and the controller. This is where we examine where we can be positional/inflexible, where we feel like we’re not in control subconsciously so we try to control everything in our environment so we feel safe, or where we pass criticism on ourselves or others because the result of what we were working so hard to do – turned out nothing like what we thought it would.
That’s going to be it for this month! If you have any questions about the group, how it’s structured, or are following along at home and want to share with us, feel free to email, text, or call.
Brightest of blessings! Everyone enjoy the time with your families over the coming holidays! Prepare and make sure to take care of yourselves.
October 2016 Outline
Hey guys! So I admit, I’m a little behind the 8-ball this month. With that being said, a few announcements for the people that follow me on Facebook and Meet-up. I’m taking a mini-break because this is my graduation month. I’m graduating from a two year shamanic training program, and for those that aren’t familiar with shamanic initiations… well, let’s just say I’m having a “turbulent” time. This makes me smile, because even though it’s hard and it’s chaotic, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m glad and grateful for the challenges being brought my way.
That being said, I’ve decided not to host the satellite spot for the year of ceremony this month as a public event. And also for next month, the Heart Centered Sound Circle is pushed back a week to November 13th since I will be in New Orleans for an event.
There is this really awesome event called the 1000 Goddess Gathering! I will be holding space at the air altar all day for ritual, and I will also be leading some chants on stage for beginning ceremony. Come be with us on the National Mall on October 22nd 🙂
Now that logistics have been taken care of, we move on to the Journey topic of the month! Which is the Warrior energy. We’ve been exploring the archetypes of the Open Heart Path, and all of us have these energies in us. They are the energies of the warrior, healer, teacher, and visionary. These represent archetypes, and the purpose of these journey groups this month is to hold space to explore our relationship with our inner warrior. Prior knowledge about the archetypes is not needed, just come with an open mind. Is this your first time journeying with us? Follow this link for more information about journeying, or follow this link for the structure of our journey group.
October 3rd – No Journey Group
October 10th – What exactly is a warrior and what does it mean? This journey group we explore the energy of the warrior and trace it back through different cultures and histories. How can we bring about the warrior energy in our daily lives and what does our relationship with the warrior look like?
October 17th – Here we explore our relationship with the Warrior energy. This week, we dive into standing up for our boundaries. This week we explore who we are, what we stand for, and why do we stand for it. A lot of these questions we will be asking ourselves, but the true role of the warrior is to be fully present in the moment with just our experiences/training in hand. If we are stuck in the past or thinking about the future, that can sometimes blur what we see in the moment.
October 24th – Every month we always have to talk about the shadow. The shadow is that aspect of us that tries to do good, but it is that part of ourselves that is operating out of fear. Today we explore some shadow patterns of the warrior, and what happens when we try to stand in full warriorship but instead fall short and into these patterns. We explore the rebel, disciple, the victim, and discuss invisibility.
October 31st – No Journey Group – Blessed Samhain!
Have a great month you guys! And see you at some of the wonderful events going on! Newsletter will be coming out this week.
September 2016 Outline
It’s the Month of September and we are heading right into fall! The first day of Fall is Sept 22nd, so make sure you get your last bits of Summer in.
As I’ve outlined in the quarterly planner for the Journey Group, the next four months are going to be diving into what I call the “Open Heart Path” medicine. This has been taught to me by one of my teachers that I will be studying with in person beginning next year (I’m very excited). If you are at a distance and would like to journey at home, you are more then welcome to use these guides to help create structure for yourself to follow at home if you can’t make it to the Shamanic Journey Group. If you’re new to Shamanism and don’t know what journeying is, then no worries – click here to begin on this path.
The Open Heart Path is something I always delve into once a year, and it’s good for old timers to repeat/deepen their practice. I don’t believe in superficiality, there are always more layers to be unfolded, and everything that unfolds always unfolds as it needs to. Trust in what you’re receiving. Funny thing, Trust is something we will be talking about this month 😉
The Open Heart is made up of four chambers, and we will be exploring each chamber in depth every month. For those that are busy and can’t commit to a long term lay out – that’s okay! Every topic is a stand alone and is completely okay with walk ins. For those that choose to see the bigger picture and grasp a greater understanding, this is the full month’s outline so you can follow along in your own practice, whether you choose to do it in person or in spirit with us.
Outline for September! Hyperlinked to the date is the corresponding Meetup or Facebook event
September 4th – Sound Circle in Fairfax, VA. For those that wish to just participate in embodiment and practice being in their heart space instead of in their heads, this event is the event that’s for you.
September 5th – NO JOURNEY GROUP (Labor Day)
September 11th – Sound Circle in Brandywine, MD. For those that wish to come to the earlier circle but either can’t or they’re too far away.
September 11th – Shamanic Journeying Basics: The class that’s the introduction to Shamanic Journeying in case you need a refresher or in case you’re completely new to it.
September 12th – What does the Open Heart Path mean in today’s society? How does working with archetypes factor into how we view the world? How does our perspective color how we interact with the world? What’s stopping us from healing ourselves? Your healing should be an excuse to live your life more fully, your life shouldn’t be an excuse for you not to heal.
September 19th – Roles and vehicles: Many people confuse their life purpose with their job title. No, you’re not “just” a parent, school teacher, engineer, etc. What is a lifes purpose and what does all of this manifestation mumbo jumbo mean? What happens when we identify ourselves as our job title instead of who we really are as people?
September 26th – Shadow aspect of the Healer: The Martyr and the Addict. We will begin exploring the concept of the shadow archetype, what it means in this cosmology, and how to begin working with these concepts in a way that’s applicable for you.
See you guys in circle! Whether digitally, in person, or in spirit ❤ If you are doing this at a distance, I would love to hear from you and how this has impacted you. I secretly love receiving those emails and will respond just as genuinely as you sent them. Please remember that all of the events that Eagle Therapies runs is done by donation and are free to the public or anyone that wishes to try and enjoy.
Fly high, everyone.
Eagle Therapies 