​Many of us feel deeply moved by compassion and are driven toward righting injustices and systematic mistreatments toward our fellow humankind, the animal and plant kingdoms, and our planet on both micro and macro scales. Being aware of and keeping informed on atrocities, can at times become incapacitating. They may pull our heart strings into uncontrollable anger, cloak us in depression, occupy our mind until we think only of hardship, or become a self imposed tool of measure that invalidates our personal hardships and devalues our joys. Sometimes these knowings leave us feeling as if two distinct realities are at play among us; “those who know and care” and “those who don’t”, and it is very common to experience helplessness, hopelessness, frustration, isolation, and become completely exhausted. How then do we continue our endeavours to live as agents of harmony and activate the righting of wrongs?

I offer up four in-the-moment inquiries and personal agreements to support navigating living in an over burdened world. They are suitable for empathic sensitives, peace creators, activists, change makers and informed dreamers alike and are intended to ensure our energy and focus stays efficiently placed. When overwhelmed with emotion and choosing how to proceed when facing a travesty or injustice, be it smaller scale within a personal or family dynamic, right on up through to larger scales of country, entire peoples, or earth as a whole, these reflections and commitments are designed to be a dependable support.

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 in the community that you identify with 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 continues to “work 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 individual energetic imprint.
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 who are 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 glowing with their own divinity, in their "highest healed state", or full of vibrancy and joy. We want to invoke wellness and not focus on any ailments or troubles that 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 from them. 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 for another no matter how one might 'justify' it or how strong it tugs on our heart strings.
• Draw on your interests or ways of working that you are excited about bringing into your practice. Crystals, herbs, plants, bones, images, stones, your own art, 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 essence of 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. It has simply become a normal, devotional act of compassion in our household.
• 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 it to the "Good Neighbours", and include a central rose quartz sphere representing your love and appreciation for house sprites. Perhaps a fairy quartz in included with the points radiating outward and interlaced with small images of Fairies that are particularly attractive to you. You might decide to work with the creative, impish energy of this space by reciting a daily invocation stating your desire to connect with the Fae, Brownies, House Elves etc on a more reciprocal level. This could be helpful in homes where items regularly, and inexplicably, go missing or when it feels like your house is "playing tricks" with you. Visitors to your home who would like the same intention could be welcomed to leave shiny coins, milk, oats, or chocolate as gifts on the altar when they come for tea with you.

Another example might be an altar for our Grandmothers, perhaps created on a piece of lace at a Samhain gathering. Adorned with an inherited favourite tea cup, some black and white photos, and a brooch your Great Great Grandmother wore. These would establish 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 placed with the intention of 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. It's 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 Return to Reverence immersion program and continue to work with throughout.
​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!