Medicine
6 Shooting Stars
When I was in Peru, in the Andes—ten thousand feet above sea level—I went outside at night and looked up at the stars. It was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen. I lay on my back on the ground looking up and I decided I would stay there until I saw six…
Read Moredelicate balance
Some thoughts I had while sitting still. It’s useful to see all the choices available to me in any given moment. Also, I don’t want to spend so much time weighing each choice that I miss out on my life. Finding the flow feels like a good way to navigate. Feeling into the stuck, tense…
Read Moreintentions for my ceremony
What I Hope to Explore I hope to explore who I am when I’m untethered from who I think I’m supposed to be — from the versions of me I’ve shaped for respect, validation, or belonging.Who am I when I stop waiting for the “right time” to be myself? I want to experience more peace,…
Read Morehuachuma wisdom
Some wisdom from the Huachumas: Stand firm and tall, and be gently moved by the wind as it comes. Stand your ground. Root down. Grow up. Draw in your sustenance and nutrients from the earth, the air, the sun, the moon. All are in support of your life, your growth, your legacy. Your self-protection is…
Read MoreListening to the Medicine: When Peyote Says “This Is Not for You”
Listening for Truth Who am I? I am a powerful woman. I am unique. I have a quiet, spidery way. I seek and speak the truth. I am an agent of huachuma, of San Pedro medicine. Why I Am Here I’m here to listen — to plants, to trees, to water, to people, to my…
Read MoreThe Way of Ceremony
A Prayer for How We Gather We take this time to talk about the ceremony each time. These things are often hard to remember, but try— they are part of the container for your healing. And your healing is our healing. My prayer is to communicate what I can from what I’ve learned, in a…
Read Morecold plunge
I went in the ocean at China Beach around 8:30am today. A friend was celebrating her birthday with a cold plunge in the Pacific! The bay by my house was glassy. As I drove past, I glimpsed the sun dancing across the surface. It reminded me of Fallen Leaf Lake near Lake Tahoe. For years,…
Read Morelove
Someone spelled LOVE on the sidewalk. I almost accidentally stepped on it, but didn’t. I stopped in my tracks and tears came to my eyes. I breathed in deeply and walked on feeling the ache in my heart. My restorative yoga teacher read a quote in class last night, “If you want to let go.…
Read Morei am with you
My collaged vision for leading myself through my life. Title: I Am With You ~ Inspired by a recent online class with Carol Harada, Cutting Edge Collage: Invoking the Leader in You. ~ Thank you, Adriana Marchione and Carol Harada. I find, observe, cultivate and embody confidence in knowing myself well and in listening, observing,…
Read MoreUncle George
I wrote these words to share on Sunday, October 20, 2024 at the Memorial Service for George Grey Eagle Bertelstein held in El Cerrito, CA. “George called me Niecie. I called him Uncle. My prayer in this moment is to let something greater take over and, for the grace of it, share some words about…
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