There are many times we might feel called to pick up a stone, feather, shell, or stick while walking in nature. These little friends might catch our eye or even seem to "call out" to us. We might feel a pull or even seem to audibly hear them. This is especially the case during meditation walks when seeking items for certain ceremonial working such as creating a spirit arrow or staff, when in need of a particular energetic or elemental medicine, gathering for a devotional offering practice, re-stocking Burlá Ghuí/Despacho kits, when creating medicine pouches, or simply wildcrafting herbal medicines, but we may also feel this urge spontaneously. Some of us may even develop a habit of collecting a particular item, heart shaped rocks or feathers are a common favourite.

There are a few important aspects to consider when gathering from Nature to ensure that we are doing so in a good way. 

• Do we need it? 
  When we have a long standing practice of working with a particular element or natural item it is easy to simply fall into the habit of collecting whenever we see one. They seem to always catch our awareness and our affinity for them finds us often happily tucking one... or five ... into our pocket. Sometimes this isn't really a call to gather More at all, but rather an invitation to work more closely with what we already have. Those heart rocks mentioned above are a great example. How well do you know the ones already on your window sill or piled in your garden? Do you know Why you are attracted to them? In what way are you actively working with them? I mean actively working with, not just lining a path or stock piling them because they look nice. Meditating on, dreaming with, or Journeying to the spirit of a stone may reveal some profound medicine ways to deepen your relationship. Stream of conscious journaling, even direct contemplation are also helpful avenues of discovery.
• Eco-friendly Harvesting
  We want to be certain that our collecting is not altering or harming the eco-system. The shell on the beach may have small, living barnacles on the back for instance. When harvesting plants, mushrooms, roots, lichen etc., do so sparingly and collect small amounts from multiple sources rather than all from one spot. Ideally, research the most harmless method as well. Take only what is needed and aim to avoid any waste or spoilage.
• Permission
  Often in spiritually minded communities we are guided to "ask permission" from the plant, stone, or feather etc. but not everyone knows what that means or how to ask. The intention is to bring ourselves to stillness and inner quiet while holding the question very present in both heart and mind. We might choose wording such as, "Do you agree to come with me for sacred use?" or, "May I have your permission to harvest some of your leaves?" and we must wait for any sense of yes or no. This may be a subtle feeling or come through very strongly. If clearer answers are needed, we might employ methods such as muscle testing or pendulum use. A coin flip would work in a real pinch. It may also help to be touching what we are hoping to gather while asking. The important thing is to be very honest with ourselves about if we have a clear Yes or not. Be prepared and accept non consent. Even if we reallllly want it.
• Reciprocal Exchange
  ​Another common protocol is to leave something we value or hold in high regard behind. This helps ensure that we don't inadvertently adopt an attitude of only take take take. We want to cultivate a reciprocal relationship with our helping allies, just as we would any friend. We don't only call up our friends when we need something, we show them we care for and respect them. Only instead of buying our friend a coffee or bringing them care packages when sick, we place sacred herbs down, channel reiki, radiate our love, sing a song, or one of my favourites - leave a few strands of hair behind. I have an affinity for the latter, particularly when gathering plant medicines, as it is an avenue for our ally to also know Us in an intimate way. Our physical self is being shared just as their physical self is. Be sure your choice of gift in return will not accidentally seed foreign plants, poison sensitive environments, or even start a fire such as is possible with clear quartz crystals left in the summer sun.
• Legalities
  It seems obvious to ensure that we are not on private property, in a preserve or estuary, or are harvesting rare or sensitive species, and yet it is still strangely a common occurrence. Please hold the upmost integrity here and keep feelings of entitlement in check. Do some research and double check information sources well. Many people are surprised to learn there are possession laws around seemingly innocuous items, removal restrictions or harvesting limits from popular destinations, or how once traditional culinary choices may now be endangered. For example, there are limits to seaweed gathering both seasonal and by weight. Picking a few Ghost Pipe stems from the same patch or even plucking just one fairy slipper flower will kill the entire plant.

Keeping all of this in mind, working closely and respectfully with plants, stones, the elements, trees, fungi, wood, and other such items, is deeply rooted in our history. Returning to these ways of being and bringing them into our spiritual practice and daily lives helps us re-connect with the natural world and reanimate forgotten traditions. If an aspect feels particularly resonant, perhaps seek out an elder or teacher to guide and deepen your relationship with these allies.

Related Resources:
How to cultivate a relationship with plant, stone, or crystal medicine - article full of easy methods
Stone Spirit Medicine - online course for those drawn to stones in personal healing and spiritual practice

7 Steps to building a Community Altar practice:

1.) Consider where your Altar will be and the length of time it will remain active. Helpful questions might be; Will your Altar be indoors or outside? Are you ready for a permanent feature in your home or will it be created only for a short gathering? An Altar is created with careful energetic intention on a designated surface - so choose a location that is easy to access and encouraging for you to tend to. Perhaps more than one person will actively tend to the Altar on behalf of the community - you get to cultivate this practice to suit your needs as well as those seeking to be included!
2.) Ponder the essential quality the Altar will be designed to represent and radiate. One might choose to support people’s hearts, invoke the sense of being held in the hands of divinity, promote their safety, clear ancestral wounds, encourage physical health, or tend to a need the community that you identify and relate to from  your lived experience. 
3.) Every item that makes up the Altar will be carefully selected and geared to contribute to the chosen energy and purpose. Consider them as energetic or spiritual ‘power houses’ such as specific crystals, images of deities or photos of deceased relatives, stones from significant and relevant places, plant medicines or dried herbs, all of which carry or support the chosen intention. An Altar brings together the individual energies of the objects with your aim to create a unified energy source that “works for you” once set.
4.) Decide how you will represent people who want to be included. You might light a candle on their behalf and speak their name for long distance support or if they will be physically present you might ask them to bring a stone, photo, or personal item that resonates with their personal energy.
5.) When you have spent some time becoming familiar with the energy of the Altar, are clear on its intention and comfortable with tending to it; extend the invitation to your community to be included. One might offer to individuals already asking for support, post a general invitation on social media, or verbally encourage participants at a gathering you are offering.
6.) Be sure to hold the work your Altar is doing with utmost respect. Do not allow others to put random objects on it, keep it clean and organized, spend time in quiet reverence there, and perhaps move things around or change up the items to keep the energy fresh. You might sing devotional songs, make offerings, or speak invocations and prayers while tending.
7.) It is important to remember that as a working energy source, there are also times of rest needed. We can provide this rest by periodically laying a cloth over it and by dismantling it when no longer active. Blessing and cleansing the items with sacred smoke is also something to be mindful to do when the energy begins to feel “stale”. If out-of-doors in a public area, be sure to thank and close the Altar by removing personal items after each time of tending.

Tips to remember:

• Do what works for you. This practice is an act of service yet it is vital to not let it draw too much energy from you and become a burden. Make this as easy and enjoyable as you can.
• When I include community members, I envision them in their highest healed state full of vibrancy and joy. We want to invoke wellness and not focus on any ailments or troubles they may have shared with you.
• Be certain to only include people you have direct expressed permission to include. Generally parents of small children can speak for on their behalf as kids tend to ask their parents for help in any matter, however, we must be diligent to not assume for others. If someone is nominating a sick friend, or loved one going through a challenge - be sure they have specifically asked and received direct consent. It is unethical to infringe on another’s free will, even when we think we are helping. We cannot assume a best course of action.
• Draw on your interests or ways of working that you are excited about bringing into your practice. Crystals, herbs, plants, bones, images, stones, can all be brought into your Altar creation. Use your intuition, or tune in to the energies when choosing items. This is an aspect to cultivate and explore!
• If you have children with you, don’t be shy to include them. My children automatically know when candles are lit on the Altar set to the Divine Mother, that there are people asking for support. Sometimes they ask to light their own candles or whisper words of encouragement for those represented.
• Remember you need not go out and buy anything fancy. A simple cloth on a shelf with a few items that you already have or find in nature is all it takes.

An example of a simple yet powerful Altar as an inspiration for your own might be to dedicate to the Fairies, and include a central rose quartz sphere representing your love for them. Perhaps with a few “fairy quartz” points radiating outward and interlaced with small images of Fairies that are particularly attractive to you. You might decide to work with this creative energy space by reciting a daily invocation stating your desire to connect with the Fae on a deeper level. Visitors to your home who would like the same could be welcome to leave shiny coins or chocolate as gifts.

Another example is an altar for our Grandmothers created on a piece of lace at a Samhain gathering. Adorning with an inherited favourite tea cup, some black and white photos, and a broach your Great Great Grandmother wore establishes the connection to matriarchal lines and brings in their energy. If the intention is to heal a history of abuse for our Ancestors, including crystals that transmute dense energy, repair heartache, and impart strength safely surrounding the Grandmothers creates a powerful healing purpose. Guests could then bring their own photos, heirlooms, and written prayers for healing their lineages.

You might be surprised how many people ask to be included and share with you a real, felt sense of being supported. The simple act of someone caring is a profound sentiment let alone the supportive medicines included with, and invoked by, your Altar practice. Its free, takes little time, creates a strong feeling of community, and isn’t impeded by distance. I invite you to begin and have fun!

If you would like more in-depth wisdom to explore about Altars & Shrines, the differences between the two, their purpose, nuances, and best practices, it is a topic we cover during the first month of the year-long Shamanic Living Immersion program.
​Registration opens each June and we begin each October.
Do you have Altars ALL over the house? Here is something to consider that is often overlooked.

I felt it as a student, I see it with colleagues, and I hold it as a teacher - there is a new aspect to the modern teacher/student dynamic that was unheard of in times of yesteryear.
The traditional way of a medicine person, shaman, bean feasa, etc etc was to study with one teacher for a number of years, become an apprentice, endure their and Spirit's sometimes harsh teachings, wait your turn, and integrate the medicines learned over time. Always showing utmost respect, learning as ready to, and mastering one's craft after much diligence.
Today those who seek to dive deeper into their spiritual practice have wave upon wave of seductive workshops, a plethora of fantastic books, online focus groups and videos abound. We live in an excellent time of sharing and availability. It's accessible. Great event coordination can happen. One can pick and choose who we like best, and who to give our precious time to. If we don't like what we hear, well, there is a book at the local occult shop we might like better.

The trouble is this, this sense of urgency. With so much in our western modern world being instant gratification and with great selection, we can easily lose respect for a Teacher and hurry our learning along - because frankly, most of us are starving for something deep, soulful, purposeful and personal. And then we want to share it and "become" useful.

This is how it seems to look...

• Student is LOVING the work, super keen, and wants to know all the details (awesome!) asks their Teacher for more guidance on a subject and receives a, "Not yet". Student gets miffed and goes to Banyan or Indigo for a book on the subject.
• Teacher offers a carefully timed, in-depth, medicine offering. Student is excited and jumps ahead in the program, signs up for workshops or watches videos on those topics.
• Student registers for various similar training at the same time, undergoes different healing modalities, and starts working with multiple teachers, facilitators, instructors. These facilitators may or may not know of all the other work being done simultaneously.

Usually, the student doesn't even realize they are doing it, they are just keen and soaking up as much as they can. Sometimes they do know, and like a child asking the other parent for a treat after being told no, actively seeks out what they feel is being withheld from them.

In traditional settings, an apprentice would never think to go to the next village over and ask a different medicine person if they didn't like their teacher's answer. To do so would end the student/teacher relationship and potentially kibosh any future relationships with other teachers. There was a trust in right timing, that things weren't withheld as a power play but for safety.

As a teacher, there may be many reasons why a question is not directly answered, or skipping ahead would be discouraged.

• A common thought is that once someone is exposed to an aspect, if they aren't fully trained in it, they may encounter significant dangers. That exposure opens them up to intense situations they may not be ready for.
• Other times topics are addressed building on top of one another, setting strong foundations first before moving into advanced levels.
• Often the motivation behind a student's driven yearning is not one of self development and healing but purely for career gains, which in itself may be part of the lesson.
• Then of course there is the issue of conflicting methods, alternate ways of working, and different value systems - which are fantastic but often confusing when one is looking for clear direction.
• Some teachers are distanced from their students and their actions. Some hold them too tightly and micromanage. Many though are mindfully, energetically caring for each student, supporting them in cultivating their own experiential knowings, and are involved with emotional, spiritual and practical support. When unknown work is being done or too much work too fast occurs, breakdowns and overwhelm easily follow. 
• When one has worked for years co-creating a personal medicine way, sometimes the sharing is free and easy, other times it is too deeply personal of a relationship. It might be how to create a specific elixir,  which herbs were being burned during a healing session, or a ceremonial process. Sometimes when we aren't told "how to", it not only protects that person's medicine way, it also frees the inquirer to establish their own deep and personal relationship in a manner that resonates as truer than if they were simply told about it.

For me as a student this unfolded when I naturally discovered how well channeling Reiki while in a shamanic journey went together for me. Shortly after, I found a book on melding various traditional shamanic healing techniques (that I hadn't been taught and trained in yet and didn't know were coming) with Reiki energy work. When she found out, my teacher at the time strictly did not allow me to blend the two modalities until much later when my apprenticeship was ending and it appeared again, unfolding as a personal medicine way for me. Initially at the time however, I was shocked, dismayed, and confused why I couldn't pursue an aspect I felt really called to and natural about. I had to trust her. Trust that spending the time to deeply get to know my shamanic practice separately held significant value (it did) and trust that I came to study with her to set a solid foundation to expand on through personal experiences over time. It's true. Learning something through doing it "the long way" holds a deeper knowing. When I experienced the intricacies of the shamanic techniques and saw the dangers that could be encountered - I understood. Now the two modalities seamlessly come together within a session, my guides support the energy work when its time for it and spontaneously attuned me to frequencies other than Reiki during an initiation period. Now when energy work is happening within a journey I can differentiate its source and purpose. Sometimes different things can appear very similar.

Yep, I could have asked another teacher what they thought about it and searched for confirmations. I could have trusted the book instead. I could have trusted what my guides were showing me at the time - and likely would have had a rockier road to getting where I am today. This path is not known for its "smooth sailing" after all.

As a teacher, these situations call for delicacy as well as trust. Trust in our work, in the student, trust in right-timing and the ability of both participants. Trust that our ego isn't driving the boat in deciding what should or should not be for another. Trust in the student as a creative, resourceful and whole person. Trust in the balance between holding and guiding a being of free will, or being too controlling or nonchalant about it. And the delicacy to be able to sometimes say No without tearing away at that trust.

A most important cue for both sides - is a sense of urgency. When either participant is acting on feelings of urgency, that is a big cue to step back.

Whether a student or teacher, I wish you blessings on your slow cooked processes.

I was surprised and blessed to be asked by Sibella Publications to write a column for 1 year in their new magazine, Luminous Wisdom: Sophia. Deepen Your Personal Practice is where I share methods to engage and enliven your spiritual practice in interactive ways. Here is the first of the series...

Very often I am asked what do I mean when I ask folks to bring an "eco-friendly offering" to the land or to Spirit when attending my journey circles or medicine gatherings. Making offerings of love & gratitude is an important part of my practice. I make them during every walk in nature, during times of duress, when I feel helpless against the atrocities of the world or when I am full up with appreciation for the blessings of life. Here is a wee time with me at the Squamish River, talking about and making offerings. I hope this can help answer questions and I invite you to join the many of us who are loving up the world.
Enjoy this beautiful day!

Ahhh yes! Working with an altar can become a juicy, tangible way of working in our personal spiritual practice. They bring us a physical place to tend to. It works with the powerful subtlety of symbols directly speaking to our subconscious. On a left-brained, scientific side of things, an altar brings together electromagnetic frequencies of items and the energetics of thought, intention and emotion - to generate a specific vibration - which in turn affects the world around us and our physical, emotional and etheric bodies.
Nice huh!
Let's look at a couple things before we consider how many altars we might want:

• An altar is created with careful energetic intention on a designated area.
• The items used could be thought of as energetic or spiritual ‘power houses’ such as specific crystals, images of deities or photos of deceased relatives, stones from significant and relevant places, plant medicines and dried herbs, all of which carry or support the intention.
• These power houses are placed with deliberate care, in an arrangement of some significance, or harmonious pattern.
• Altars can be created for many reasons, some examples are: 
  ~ self healing & development
  ~ to honour and work with the qualities of a deity, season, totem, power animal etc 
  ~ to facilitate prosperity
  ~ calling in a harmonious relationship
  ~ supporting a desired outcome of a situation
  ~ to help remedy an illness
  ~ change the feel of a living space

An altar brings the individual energies of the objects together with your intention, to create a unified energy source that keeps “working” on its purpose once it has been set. We can think of it like turning on a 100w light bulb with the light emanating and filling the room. Power on! Yet like a bright light, generally we don't want to leave it turned on ALL the time. Times of rest are needed, of peace filled soft light, like turning off that light bulb when not in use; or resting our body after an energetic workout routine. There may come a time where the energy begins to feel “stale” where smudging and cleansing the altar items will bring a freshness to the energy, but if we are carefully tuned in, we can feel when the need for re-charging, refreshing, or simply a break from the constant affect an altar can have on our living space is needed. A rhythm of working and resting is good spiritual and energetic maintenance. Rest times provide us an avenue for integrating the work being done. We can create this rest by periodically laying a cloth over it, or by fully dismantling it when it's no longer actively being tended to and worked with.

Shamanic living is more than a practice. More than something one "does". Definitely more than attending interesting workshops or a periodic ceremony. In this time and place, where our urbanized and generally spiritually neglected lifestyle creates a sense of disconnect, and "nature deficit" has become a condition - the draw to a deeper life is strong - yet sometimes we fall into thinking our spirituality is something "to do" instead of a way of living.   Around the world entire cultures, ways of being and daily life tasks were intrinsically infused with our relationship to Spirit. There was no separation between collecting a hen's eggs and our prayers, no distinction between grinding corn and divination, dreams were important, living by the phases of moon and sun was normal, souls were tended to after trauma, blessings were sewn into clothes and always offerings to ancestors and nature deities were a first thought - not something to "remember to do" but naturally arising from day-to-day activities. Living life as a million little ceremonies and sensitivity to unseen aspects. Here is an article I wrote for elephant journal on 10 ways to turn ordinary moments into sacred ones. Early in one's practice yes, these may be things "to do", but for those of us who feel shamanism & spiritual living is more a remembering of forgotten wisdom or a path of clarity through the distractions of our day - we can come to a place of constant spiritual awareness and dialogue while we move through the mundane. But lets be clear - we aren't at the whim of guides, not half checked out in the land of non-ordinary reality, and certainly not being drawn off into journeys or possession by spirit all willy-nilly. When one is noticing omens, listening for insights, allowing spirit to give us nudges throughout our day, we must also be fiercely present, grounded and firmly in our human plane. This is where discipline and discernment play an integral piece.

It is also where a human teacher can be a wealth of support.  Spirit has sooo much wisdom to share - but spirit also doesn't live as a modern day human. Some of our guides may have lived in times where cursing and warfare were normal parts of community living and advise us accordingly. Spirit also may give us intense lessons without certain sanity saving tips and supports. And to be honest - not all spiritual entities have our best interests at heart. Having an integral human teacher to notice your blindspots, alert you to potential hazards and bring you wisdom on healthy shamanic technique, energetic management while navigating current day-to-day living and importantly - to support healing during challenging times. Its one thing to grow through a spiritual crisis - its a whole other ball game to go through it alone. It is often said we are Spiritual beings living a Human experience. So while some struggle to bring a spiritual side into their lives, others struggle to keep humanity in balance. Does anyone come to mind when you think of someone living more in the ethers than seems to serve them well? Someone who appears to crash through life, burning up friendships or always choosing complicated circumstances saying "Spirit told me to" ? A friend? A 'healer' in town? You?
Shamanic living is both a spiritual practice and ordinary life walking side by side every step of the way. Its living fully, with a rich knowing of self. Diving into the deepest, hardest personal work to better revel in the beauty of the world. Its aligning our hearts with our actions - bringing internal healing out into the mundane world. Consulting spirit during hard decisions and using our intellect to implement a plan. Its going to a job every day and finding ways to be a harmonizing agent in the world - no matter what we are doing. Knowing what is our sh*t is and what has been projected onto us or what we are picking up on from another. Its feeling when things are out of balance between the mundane world and the spiritual realm, and having the wisdom to look within and to our guides before acting. Its buying less packaging not to be "environmental" but because we actually treasure our relationship with mother earth. Its thanking the land for its blessings and allowing safe passage before a road trip. Listening to the nudge to take the next bus but being wise enough to discern if it is a passing whim or actual guidance. It's a strong relationship with spirit while having both feet firmly on the ground. Doing our work, bringing balance and holding the light while we go about our ordinary lives. Walking the walk and knowing our practice is something to live - not do. This is shamanic living. 

If these words tug on your heart strings, if you hear the call but can't see the first step, my suggestion is to find your tribe, connect with a mentor, keep company that raises you up and "speaks your language". You are more than welcome to visit www.ShamanicLiving.ca for inspiration and if you would like to join us, please do. The world needs wise hearts, compassionate intellects, and sensitive warriors as change makers. I truly believe by repairing our relationship to the natural world and tending to our own healing, we are having a huge overall impact. In my opinion, tending to our personal healing is just what needs doing when we feel helpless in the face of atrocities. Plus... it's science! We have all sorts of scientific demonstrations - everything from Russian experiments linking the electric impulses in DNA samples with the owner's emotional states over distance to Dr. Emoto's work with water. From Sandra Ingerman's Transfiguration healing work measured with GVD cameras (I was a lucky participant in some of this!) to the famous Rice Experiment (Here is my home study with photos) I am reminded of Spider wisdom - if you witness a spider building a web, first they put their support lines firmly in place. Then they begin in the center, tending to the small things. The work then grows out from there into something bigger and far reaching. It's balanced and beautiful. Sometimes it shines in the light, and other times hidden from view. We can do the same with our spiritual and ordinary lives. 
Blessings.