Serpentbird YOGA & LIGHTWORK ACADEMY

Star People

6/12/2019

On June 20th at the base of Lookout Mountain in Golden Colorado, a group of modern medicine women will be gathering for a Priestess Initiation.
Lori Serpentbird, has been working with the land and energy of the Summer Solstice to formulate a special healing for the divine feminine rising on Earth! The Star People and spirits of the land have been relaying information on the best crystals and geometric grid formation, to assist our Sis-STARS in this ascention portal.
All the crystals that have gathered for our grid are mainly blue in color and centered around heightening intuition.
We will be cultivating a joy and love vibration to amplify our determination along our paths of healing.
Skye Rae Dawning of Etheric Touch LLC will be co-facilitating with her music, prayers and clearings!
Please wear white tops or skirts. The event will happen rain or shine.
Donations are accepted. Please see the event link below to Facebook for more details.
https://www.facebook.com/events/457762438125115/

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The Energy Portals, Santa Fe NM. (Yesthishappenstome)

12/24/2018

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While job hunting in Santa Fe, Serpentbird hit her face on the pavement so many times. In order to bring soul restoration, she went to Hyde Park many times. On this day, I sat about a quarter of the way up the hill on the right side. After breathing in some clean mountain air, I felt like marching on up a ways more to the peak. It became evident that a spirit was grabbing ahold of my right arm strongly.
I already knew that there was a force that was messing with me on my right arm for the last few months. However now, there was a different male spirit-force who had me held. As I climbed I then heard a team of beings tell me to go to a power spot. I thought,,, silently, yet telepathically, ummm the power spot?
But when i saw this beautiful clearing that made a perfect circle, I knew this is where they wanted me.
Mind you ,,, this day was sunny and clear and lovely. There was a bit of snow still on the ground but not too cold.
At this point i was convinced by the team to dance a dance that I had not in this current body life. However my cells remembered. I felt the rebel anxt that i needed from all the rejection I had experienced in town. So, my feelings were charged and ready for a dance or die kind of release.
I spun one way and double tapped my feet, and then spun the oposite way and double tapped. I thought hhmmm well am i doing this right, but at the same time I let go of the idea of what i was creating and let my Spirit Team dance through me. They told me telepathically that they were Tesuque ancestors. I could feel their joy in this collaboration.
After making a few circles around and flailing my arms in the air, They led me to a spot where I would enact a full on annihillation of a ghost spirit through its heart. The man who was originally bound to me had been with me in 2 lifetimes, and we had met in a Sundance. I don't know why the spirit was attatched but this Spirit Team new exactly what was happening. After killing the energy and separating from it , they had me step up onto a small volcanic rock away from the scene. At this time they took a bit of time,,, about 2 minutes until they escorted the being to another dimension or place far away from my auric field.
I was relieved that the heinous energy-crime was over, and wondered more about how a spirit could have been connected to me for two lifetimes. I have not found out.
The experience with this team was not finished. Now that I was free of the spirit, I was asked to now climb the second peak. Feeling invigorated with awakened new warrior vibe. I could still feel the main male guide pulling my right wrist and arm strongly. I was asked to climb straight up the mountain. I was thinking ..."WHAT?". The long winding trail was obviously not a part of this quest. So bushwacking it IS! I stepped up and up the side of the mountain around the shale and cacti, breathing hard at times along the way. At the top i searched for a place to ground my feet and saw a lot of trees where I could stop and sit for a while. I kept going, and another tree and kept going, and another tree and kept going until my foot stumbled on a rock. I looked down to see that I had stumbled right into a sacred medicine wheel.
This was hilarious. I spent at least 3 hours up there asking what my next steps should be. During this time, the Hopi spirits came. Maybe 3 or 4. I knew they arrived because they had announced themselves as Ho Pi with an emphasis on a different sound syllable then i would say normally. I was told more about my upcoming meeting with a soul mate. Then I kept asking what is next. This is where the Pleidians chimed in with go on TV! I told them mentally that it's usually to hard to do that and said what else? They said Radio then, "Start the Starseed Radio Network!"
I looked up on Google soon after, that there is already a Starseed Radio and several other similar projects with the name.

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Shamanic Mishmash

8/21/2014

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This will be a catch up article. Last February I visited an Earthship called Earthship Arizona. It literally flipped my mind upside down and then right side up again. I felt complete soul fullfillment just as my Tarot cards had predicted. I felt in touch with the land, the people and my mission. I met a guy named Jordan Cameron, who is going to be a leader in the Earthship movement.

Since I met him he has now gone on to build a huge Earthship in Prince Edward Island in Canada.

https://www.facebook.com/EarthshipPEI

Also he has been helping another group on the island which is building the very first First Nations' Earthship. If you want to get involved find Eliza Knockwood on my facebook page. My facebook page is Lori Serpentbird Tribemaker.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/621392151308267/

Watch their video if you can not make it but want to donate!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1550661643/mother-earthship-project-epekwitk-first-nation

I have finished massage school at Sedona School of Massage, and am now currently on staff at Body Bliss Aromatherapy Healing Center. On Tuesday I had my first two clients of my practice there. It is really a dream come true. I am working with amazing products that smell good and are healing for me and those i am working with in sessions.

Now its back to blogging and innovating www.serpentbird.com
I am planning a trip to Taos, NM for either late Sept or Oct which will blow open a new portal for www.serpentbird.com

A week ago I went to a cuddle party which was a mild version of Tantra class or whatever. I thought i was going to run for the door after the meditation and mini lesson about boundaries and rules. However I ended up by the end of it in a massive puddle of massaging cuddlers... and then helping a woman process a full blown Kundalini healing crisis. This is a normal day in Sedona. You tell me if that made you laugh.

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Hopi-land Winter Tour - Hopi Grandma Roanna & Puma!

1/16/2014

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I had the opportunity to travel with a young medicine man now named "Puma". We planned to go to the Hopi reservation on January 10th and 11th 2014. We headed out in the morning of the 10th and Puma told me that this trip would coincide with a dance on the reservation. Well, not only did I just "happen" to have a weekend off from my work which is "weird", but also lined up with the dance which I said to him usually only happens 4 times a year! Plus the trip coincided with a local group that would be coming in called Crossing Worlds which is a non-profit that donates clothes and food to elderly.

As we drove out of Sedona, Arizona I watched the early morning light around 8:30 am reflect off the rocks and back to me as deep orange and blue hues. We stayed on RT. 89 and stopped off at the natural springs that are on the way to Flagstaff. Puma said prayers over the waters. We were both excited to be out on the road. I felt more prepared for this journey than many others I had taken since I had both lodging, food, gift offerings, and my camera all set to go. We spent most of the drive sharing stories about our spiritual journeys, and the road trip that was 3 hours passed quickly. All of a sudden it seemed we needed directions to our first destination, but we hadn't decided if we were going to the Hotel or Grandmother Roanna's first. Just when we were in the midst of a decision, I realized that we were already in Polacca, where Roanna lives, and Puma had to literally swerve off onto the road i pointed at to make the turn off toward a visitors center.

What was to happen next was extremely questionable since Polacca seemed to keep a watchful eye on outsiders. Towering 300 feet above the Visitors center sat an ancient town, called Walpi that dates back to 900 A.D. I was definitely in awe with its majesty from below. The day was bright and clear with no clouds and barely any wind, which is rare out in Hopiland.

We parked the car and decided on our script that we would follow as we would ask a stranger inside this official building for directions to Roanna's house. The woman working inside asked us if we wanted to take a $20 tour of the village. I said well "We are a bit lost, and want to find a grandmother who lives in the town." I showed the woman with modern polished nails Roanna's business card which I was safekeeping inside a small zip-lock bag which contained a handfull of Hopi Blue Corn. ( I felt official and confident with this ) ( in tow - Puma and I must have looked like the Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo from the movie Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas )

Once she saw my little fetishes she said, "Well Roanna used to give tours here, but she doesn't work for us any longer". But, then strangely enough she told us exactly how to find her house, told us what color it was, and then proceeded to draw us a map in Hopi-land fashion with Trees on it even though it was basically across the street from where we were. Then I felt something really come over me,,,, and thought "Damn, I guess that God is actually watching over us and this journey."

I just took a deep breath, a sigh of relief and said "Thank You" that's AWESOME!" As I watched her pointy long fingernails glide along with her pen and meticulously finished the map of highway 244, some homes, and the Tree!

Next we asked to use the restroom and got access in what seemed to be a building that could easily double as a guardwatch station. As I left the restroom I saw Puma ahead of me in his fringe moccassins, leap around the jagged hallways and saw his beaver tail pelt swing from his waist from wall to wall. He was playing with anticipation for the next stage.

We got in the car and drove across 244 and turned off onto a sand and dirt road that had massive pits and rills. We stopped by the pink house, but that wasn't Grandmothers'. So we tried the Grey house, and as I we both got out of the car, Grandmother runs outside at full speed saying "Hey are you looking for me?" I wasn't even sure if that was her since the last time I saw her she was wearing a white dress, red belt and glasses. Who I saw in my minds eye was the shortest, spunkiest, old woman with long hair, with some braids pulled back, and a Nike sweatshirt in a blur... , but then I realized ,,, Well, who else could it be. Then I responded "Well yes! I am looking for YOU Roanna!" Wow! Her exuberance was contagious.

She said "Come in! Come in!" so we spent a few minutes in the house. It was heated so warmly with an old stove that I was too warm to wear my jacket. Her son Phillip was sitting and painting a wooden box in the corner. We talked for a bit, and then she excitedly took us around to the back of the house, and showed us her outdoor kiln set-up which consisted of a pile of rocks and a roaring fire. She said she was firing her clay pots and then pointed to a bucket filled with sheep dung. In a blatent and honest manner she said that even though they are made of sheeps' dung that they "make money!". I picked up the sheeps' dung as she too was holding one and showed it to us. Me and Puma looked at each other as though perhaps it would make us feel dirty or something, but I picked it up anyway. It just looked like a solid chunk of ashes. I just stood in awe of the scene I was inhabiting which was a mystical grove of desert, that was Grandmothers'. She seemed to hold a dear secret here in a corral of sand, dirt, some pallets, and a roaring fire with rocks and some holy sheeps dung pottery. The next thing that happened was she said "Well we have a lot to do today as it was about 12:30pm! We went back inside, and she said "Give me just a minute while I change my clothes." She came out in with a big backpack almost the size of her body. We jumped back into the car and she said we'd go out and look at the rock art. Off we went about 30 minutes away. On the way she pointed out an old water well-spring that the Hopi still use to harvest water. She said it is really a spiral of stones that you follow down into it. Then later down the road she pointed out the Hopi Cultural Center where we would be staying later in the evening. Also as Puma drove she took out a little sandwich bag full of Osha Roots and talked about it being good to use for protection, that you can rub it on your body and also just chew on little pieces of it for medicine. She handed us both a little twig of it. She also gave us little sandwich bags full of corn pollen to pray with.

We drove down the main highways and then off down a dirt road for about 20 minutes. As we drove along the dirt road and watched a few miles of rock towering around us and clear blue sky, I just watched the rocks and tried to see what Grandmother sees in her perception. As we passed the rock cliffs she talked about how the cliffs make altars. When we got to the cave paintings she showed us how far along they stretch, and pointed to male and female symbology groupings. She spoke of the area and then told us that we could go to the drawings or rocks that call to us. She said "the rocks are already calling you!" I went off in a direction where I could have some isolation and sat in some sand. Then as I sat quietly, bees came and buzzed around me. I figured that I was supposed to interpret this as a sign to stay focused on my creativity. I didn't feel like meditating because i felt a lot of fatigue from my busy lifestyle. After about 10 minutes, i came out of my secluded spot and met up with Puma. He said he was going to "do ceremony". So I grabbed my camera and we headed up into the space between the rocks that went up behind the area that was supposed to represent the masculine energy. He began to pray and set up a little altar with a shell, sage, tobacco and his flute. He prayed to God and the four directions. I quietly observed and took photos. After he said some prayers he played flute and it was beautiful!

When we came down from the rocks, ( Rowanna had been sitting on the rocks below us) she got up and said "So you had some meditations? Puma said "yeah". Then Puma, gave her a her very own pouch of tobacco. He was so respectful and presented it to her with a very beautiful bow placed the pouch in her hands slowly and with intent. Next, I remembered to get my gift for Rowanna out of the car. It was 3 small bundles of sage that i had sewn up myself. She was very happy with it. She couldn't wait to break the plastic container apart that i gave her. Then when she got it open she said, "Do you want a pinch?" I said "Yes!" She and I prayed into the sun. As I prayed with little pieces of sage in my fist, up at the sun, mainly giving thanks for the day and all for the journey, I let the sage go into the wind with a shake. As the sage blew off into the sun and equally strong gust of wind took the sage up and a spirit wind blew around my ankles and then swirled with one of the purest holy winds i have ever felt. It was a sweeping wind, that knew just how to swirl up and clean my aura from my feet up to my head!

After we prayed at the "Rock Art" area I was so exhausted from my life and journeys and the power of that healing center that I passed out in the back seat and went into a heavy dream state. At some point when I woke back up, I felt as though I processed through a lot of energy and then felt a good enough mental recharge to keep up with Roanna's pace! She gave us the option to visit her old village or stop over at Prophecy rock or Old Oraibi. (As Grandmother says, It is pronounced Oray Bee) We chose both. So next up we went to Old Oraibi which is the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in the USA. As soon as we got out of the car we were followed by a beautiful brown husky dog with brown eyes. I was amazed at how rich the souls of the dogs on the reservation are. The dogs up here seem like they are enjoying a special kind of freedom, where they are communal with other dogs. Grandmother took us in a circle around the village which she said has no electricity. A man quickly came out and offered for us to come to his home and check out his hand-painted rattles. We went to the home and saw his work as well as the carvings that his mother makes.

Next stop was Prophecy Rock on 3rd Mesa. Prophecy Rock as Grandmother said was discovered by the Hopi in their meditations. It is a large stone with a big flat front side with a drawing carved into it. When we arrived Roanna said a prayer in front of the rock. On the rock there is a basic story that can get easily misinterpreted, however the way i understand it is that there are two basic paths that humanity can follow. One line depicts a lower nature for humanity which is a false path and leads you to destruction. The other line that continues around the face front of the rock and around the side lines up with the sunrise, represents the path of the guided, which based in a relationship with the Creator. There is a great link here to a site, where I think the interpretation is the best.

http://www.maitreya.org/english/PNative%20Americans/Prophecy-Rock.htm

After we saw Prophecy Rock and Grandmother carefully pointed her finger around the side of the rock showing where the right path lines up with the Sun, we went to another carving that depicts their symbol for the cloud people. She said she would sing to us the song of the Eagle. After she sang for us I felt an opening in the back of my heart chakra, and felt that her song had healed me in some way.

Again we piled into the car and headed back to Roanna's. After we dropped her off we stayed for a little while in her warm home. Then we went off to the Hopi Cultural Center which is a Hotel and Restaurant. We got our key and as it had said in my e-mail, we "happened" to get room 108 which is a number I work with as I chant Tara mantra's on my mala, which has 108 beads. We checked in and had dinner, and I continued to give Puma all the downloads on how to do medicine wheel ceremonies. I often think how is it that I am so freely giving out this information, but I feel that it is better to give it out than not, because in my experience with the wheels it is only Spirit that is truly the driving force of all things. If someone's intent or action is not true to its plan it won't happen anyway. If you are aligned with its plan, which is the highest Truth, then it will meet you at every step of your intent for co-creation. Puma is training to be a "ceremonialist" with many spiritual leaders including Uqualla at this time. I felt that he very well could bring strong medicine through the medicine wheel practice, which then will be a great healing tool for others and the Earth.

The next morning I couldn't resist going back to the restaurant for something with eggs and toast! So we had omelettes and toast. At 8:45 we made it back to Roanna's and had some coffee with her before heading up into Walpi to watch the Buffalo dances. She warned us of all the people we may meet that would be selling their art and might try to persuade us to go to their homes.

We watched many of the dances in the morning until the sun got so hot I had to take off all my jackets and scarves. The Buffalo dance is done to call in the Snow so that they will have enough rains to plant their crops in the Spring. We went into the plaza and stood along a wall where there were benches built into them. Obviously they homes were built with ceremony in mind. The Drums sounded in unison with a deep roaring bass and the Men marched as a group out from the area where the Kiva was. The dancers came up the ladders out of the Kivas. All of the women were in a group behind them. There were 2 male dancers in each group throughout the day who wear huge Buffalo pelts on their heads, and are wearing large heavy necklaces of solid Turquoise. There were 3 women in each group who were in beautiful colored quilted dresses and moccasin boots. All the dancers wore ceremonial make-up on their faces and the Buffalo dancers had white make-up on their arms and legs which included a white polka doted motif on a sienna brown wash. The group of men drumming and singing was at least 30 people deep. The dancers danced with their feet coming high up to a 90 degree angle and landing on each pounding beat. We sat their stone-like as visitors, playing our part out of respect, yet the modern world kept pulling me out. Many of the Hopi were holding up cameras, phones, and I-pads to capture the moments. All the dancers were twirling around and holding large cedar branches, Grandmothers came up and shoved handfuls of cash into the young girls hands. Gallon plastic tupperware bins were brought out as gifts to the girls as well. The items were danced over by the participants and then they were carried off by many mothers.

After we tired of the ceremonies and Puma spotted a large Red-Tailed Hawk flying gracefully through the clear blue sky, we headed out for some quiet time again. We walked to the car and sat back to back on the stone cliff overlooking the entire universe. After drinking some water and eating apples, we headed back out to the Sacred Rock Art where we were yesterday with Roanna. When we arrived I got very anxious, because yet again , I was extremely exhausted and It was time for "my" photo session. I felt my emotions flooding my consciousness, but we did the shoot anyway.

Ahhh when it was over, Puma presented me with a Hawk feather ... thank God... keep bringing me my messages!

Hey all, I have a new website called www.shamankaphoto.com where new photos of this journey will be posted soon. Thanks for reading... this post was incredibly difficult to capture, so thanks~ Serpentbird Tribemaker.

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Interview with Brian Lottman "Spiritual Wanderer"!

11/20/2013

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Brian has a website called www.wanderfortruth.com
I met Brian at the Chocola Tree in West Sedona while he was doing Kirtan for everyone in the restaurant. He is a gentle and kind spirit. We had time to share more about our spiritual paths this morning at The Field. After we had a chance to share stories we decided to create this video for you! Please check it out!!!

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Int. w/Joshua Townsend www.clearfearforever.com

11/4/2013

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Joshua saved my bootie a few months ago before I moved to Sedona, by doing some healing work with me. He is a gifted clairvoyant, with a heck of an "Owl" totem! He does healing sessions online and in person in Toronto, ON. I recommend ordering a session with him because, I know first hand that they work. Here is a video with my testimonial as well as a series of questions for Joshua.
At the end of the video we lighten up even more and he tells us about many of his other talents and websites that he has created. Joshua is amazing!!!

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New Vestures Fashion Makerspace

11/1/2013

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I had an amazing opportunity make this video with Diana Coluntino, Founder and Director of New Vestures, a fashion makerspace. It is located in Lowell, MA.
Diana is has leaped into the world of upcycling and teaching in her brand new space at 144 Merrimack street. She teaches students sewing and many other techniques. I enjoyed working with her because she is a true visionary in terms of the new paradigm, where "fast" fashion and disposable culture will no longer satisfy. She has a bright and vivid spirit that is full of exuberance which she shares with everyone in the studio. I am so grateful to have had time with her being creative!

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Hopi Grandmother Roanna

10/28/2013

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October 27th was an extremely powerful day. First though, I need to begin with the eve of the 26th. My housemate and friend Rita White, fashion designer and inventor, was describing new layers and levels to her current manifestation rituals. She asked me to help her with a candle ritual to manifest money. I told her to purchase a "green" candle. Within a few hours of sharing past manifestation stories and results,,, we had come up with a power Feng Shui corner (actually dedicated for her handwritten prayer to manifest) that was pretty rockin'. Soooo I had suggested the green candle as well as help her design the power symbol,"infinity" into the corner table display by looping her handmade scarf into the shape of an "eight".

My only intention for the 27th was to finally find a ride to the Red Rock State Park to see Roanna. I had previously asked at least 15 people prior to the 27th. My day went as follows...
Woke up at 5am, got ready for work. Did some gratitude prayers and chanting. Arrive at work. Within the first hour I was getting many approvals from bosses about how I was doing a great job setting the deli case. (new job) Then, twenty minutes after the store opened, I waited on Happy Oasis.
She and her beloved were coming into the store to buy wheatgrass juices and do their promoting for upcoming lectures by renowned doctor Brian Clement. But this was not just a typical run-in with a local changemaker and event promoter. The synchronicities happening in my life were happening in such a sequence that I just felt as if I was actually living in a dream I never could believe would become a reality.
She asked me can "we order a drink here?" AND... there was no delegated juice bar person available,,, so then ummmm it was "me"! Then she is telling me about the benefits of ordering the wheatgrass shot separate from the veggie juice; in this case the Tijuana Iguana. I said "good to know". When we got to the finite details of the order, I had to ask her name. I thought this was Happy but had to ask to be sure. She said Happy and I said "Oh yeah, You are Happy Oasis." YES!
Then she said, and who are you! So just like in my dream, in this case dream/waking life, I say if you look at the back of my name tag you will read my Spirit name. I proceeded to pull out the tag that was hanging around my neck and place it flush against the metallic deli case to display it with pride. She says, Serpentbird Tribemaker. Wow! And I say somewhere in all of this excitement that I had been to the Raw Spirit festival in Sedona in 2008 and now I live here. We yam it up a bit more and then I proclaim in a sort of bitter but soft activist voice... "I was a volunteer". Her eyes rolled back slightly, because, well perhaps she should have known that such a Serpentbird was not only in attendance at her festival; but a part of the backbone, of the operation.
She tells me that they have many events coming up with Brian Clement and such, and then says well, maybe you could volunteer. Her partner chimes in that there is no more availability for volunteers. Later she runs over to another part of the store and scoops up the flyers about the upcoming events she is organising and tells me her number is on them AND to call her. Hmmm my day just beginning and already in paradise.

Later, my friend William comes into the store. He is flying around the salad bar and quickly selecting his lunch. I notice that he is happier and lighter. I ask him if he has landed his job yet, and he said yes. He goes on to tell me he has a job working for Oolee and will be wrapping up sacred chocolates all day. I said, Maaaaaan THAT is awesome!
Then I said, "Hey do you mind giving me a ride to Red Rock State Park anytime after 1 pm today and he immediately says "Yeah, I can do that." DAMN ... I am thinking... Jesus and Hallelujah.

Next I am looking momentarily at the company community bulletin board, to discover that there is someone who is willing to rent out their van on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis, if you just call the number. I am NOW thinking... that this ritual not only worked, but it made my experience feel as if there was no way that Spirit would let me down in terms of finding a solution to my lack of transportation to see the Hopi grandmother.

1:15pm ... I finally run with my backpack to the timeclock, a bit worried that William had left me. I get to the tables where he said he would be and he was there .... wheeew!
He introduces me to his friend and they're discussing a way for me to get out of the park fee at the loop, by saying I know Tina down by the trailer park at 55.
I'm still thinking ... I am going to get into the park just fine,,, but here is this man trying to organize the universe for me anyway.
So William and I head out to the gas station, and I pay for $6 in gas. Then I buy a package of Bugler tobacco with the quarters in the zipper side of my purse. I get dropped off at the loop where the Ranger guard station was, and we explain that I am going to walk in so I should only have to pay 3.00 to get in after William turns around. The ranger looks half-way convinced but we shoved the three dollar bills at him and he is fine with it. I get out of the red ford pick-up and head not even 200 feet toward the road to the upper parking lot where the teach-in would be, and these ladies, ask me if I want a ride in their spanking new "on-star" equipped mini-van. I said, "yes, THank you!"

Now for the real challenge. I was supposed to have called in and registered my measly $5 bucks to pre-register on the phone, but I didn't even have a ride to get there, so I hadn't called it in. I found up that the 2pm talk was sold out, but "SERPENTBIRD" "WENT" "ANYWAY". I get to the very white-washed credit card/pre-paid room where the lecture would be, and find a nice woman ranger at the "gate".
She said, did you sign up? I said, "YES!" So then I wait for her to scan the list, and there to her surprise and confusion, I was not on the list atop clipboard and black ink. So she said, "Hmm well, Um (in a cheery with anticipation voice) can you look and see if you are on there?" I said, Okay um well I do see one woman's name is on there twice but I am not on there. She bowed her head down as if to avoid a minor capitalist infraction from her superiors, said, "It's alright, just go in."

I went in and sat down in the tiny indoor amphitheater and wrote a letter of gratitude to the Grandmother for coming and sharing her wisdom. I wrapped the tobacco and ten dollars in the paper and put it in the glass donation jar down at the stage area down the stairs. I am in awe at a slideshow playing; of at least 20 stunning still photos of sacred ceremonies that were being shown on a big screen inside the theater. Feathers, body paint, small brick and sand buildings, elders, children, the mesas, the sunsets. There is a table down in the front as well with handmade grass bowls and cornmeal, and other herbs. The Ranger comes in and introduces Grandmother. He says in a very respectful and moved tone, that she had spent a lot of time preparing for the talk and that it is very harsh "up there" on the mesa. I knew exactly what he meant. He was saying that she made a lot of effort to then still come and do the talk at such a low cost and mentioned the donation jar.

Soon Roanna entered and she began thanking us for the first five minutes. {"Thank You" (as another wonderful elder "Firedancer" taught me,) is prayer.} She thanks us in a way as to describe that we are at this lecture to; remember who we are! She says that humanity has forgotten who they are and what they are here to do. She says we all have a job to fulfill and we all have to do our part. Her words were simple but she gave everything power. She says that she knows what her job is and that she is very traditional.

She was wearing an all white cotton dress and a predominantly red designed handmade/traditional woven belt. She says that she felt like she got a welcome from us like she was a movie star or something. She says "I am Roanna, and I am from the Sand Clan which represents the land or "our" foundation. There was power in everything she said. Even if the word was simple, it had weight which then drove the depth and meaning. She said a prayer then for a few minutes in her native Hopi language to us all, and of course we were already in awe and silent. She said that the Hopi's pray for ALL of humanity and that their prayers protect ALL of humanity.
Next she described that she had many items on the table to share with us. Her hands kept going into the corn pollen bowl. She says that Corn Pollen is the purification of all presence. She said that the Hopi's are made of corn. The corn is small, "like her". She laughs and says "I am small, and "we" Hopi's are short just like the "short" corn." She holds up a piece of short corn with a stalk at the end in her little hand. She says that the corn pollen is sacred and it is used in ceremony and healing for protection. She said that the pollen is ground up with their hands and that it is so powerful that it can heal your heart. She said, that she knows her job, and that all that come to her, she will pray for them with the pollen and heal their heart. Even though she is small, Little Rowenna is small, she can use the pollen and her faith in her prayer to heal people. Corn Pollen she says is the opening of our prayer; it opens our path. She said they have 4 colors of corn to represent all of humanity. One of the varieties is "spackle" corn which represents all of the races. When it is put in a bowl (which also represents the circle of life) then it is also representative of all of us coming together. They use White and Blue corn in their ceremonies. The White represents feminine and the Blue represents masculine. In ceremony White is representative of their presence here today and Blue is the connection to travel of the deceased. White Corn Powder is a blessing of regression. They put the powder on their faces in the ceremony to receive that blessing of regression. I can imagine it would give you insight into your past incarnations and help you "see" beyond what you know of yourself in this life.

She then introduces the paper thin rolls on the table called Piki Bread, which she pronounces as "pee kee"!. (So cute!) Roanna says it is 1000 year old bread. It is a paper thin bread that is made with nothing but find ground Blue Corn, Hot Stone slabs and a Womans' bare hands. She goes on saying that it is such an important craft in their tradition because it is where they gain so much of their wisdom. I could imagine the bonding that women must find in participating in this sacred act. They are very connected to their food because they grow it themselves without irrigation. To plant a small blue corn seed in the desert is truly creating their own people. They meld that with the act of prayer, to all of the rain spirits and thunderbeings.

She showed us a long grassy implement and says, "We use the broom for cleansing!" The way she held the thin grass "tool" in between her fingers and held it at different angles to with her sharp intent to express its power was amazing. It was just a bundle of grasses! She swept over her arms and face and said that in ceremony you can not touch yourself, so you use this tool to do that. She said, a broom cleans everything! She said they use the boom to comb their hair and then spoke at length about her role raising her sons and daughter. She said that there were some generations of Hopi that were not taught the traditions, and there are many that don't want to learn. She said that is okay... they will reach a "dead end" and come right back. We are always making a circle. She said she asks why her sons want to cut their hair, and said that this is like cutting off their wisdom. The hair connects you to the earth and gives you wisdom. Roanna has beautiful silver hair down to her waist.

Then she went back to describing the corn in another bowl which she said is made of yucca and is a spiral to represent the universe and also a navel which represents the beginning. She described 3 kinds of teas that she had prepared for us to sample after the talk. Juniper, Hoo Hoosie (Hopi Tea), and Osha. Juniper is for medicine and smudge and tea which can be used to cleanse you internally or externally. Hoo Hoosie which is boiled and made into a tea for cleansing, and Osha is a meditation root from under the Universe. It smells good and is used to protect their circles for ceremony. I tried Osha root tea that she had in the carafe and it was sooo tasty!

Next she said that we have to have faith and believe in ourselves and begins to tell us more about how she has "stepped up" more into her purpose. She said that most women elders in her tradition do not travel with Eagle feathers; they travel with corn. In her life though she has been initiated by her clan to carry this medicine. She showed us three Eagle feathers bound with leather. Eagle feathers are the Father of our prayer. Eagle touches the Sun; Wings feathers are representative of masculine and the Tips of the feathers represent the top of the head or feminine principle. The Eagle Staff represents "you" as an individual and you become a warrior. She said that Eagles who land in their reservation are all given special names and are given special ceremonies before they are released. Eagles and Red Tail Hawks protect the land. Then she says that her Spirit name given to her means Red Tail Hawk and that people call her Mother Earth.
She describes that when Hopi go gaming for Elk and Deer that Corn is always involved. Corn is used to recognize all of the elements and that it is the "eye of humaninty". She said that some of the villages in Hopi land are still working with snakes and that snakes are also guardians of the universe.

Roanna says "be strong within yourself". "help yourself in order to help others" We are in a constant blessing every day of our life. She said that she is up every day at 4 am and in bed at 2am, there is no time to rest for the women!

She is a carver of Kachina dolls and a potter. Other words of wisdom; "If you hesitate you won't learn" We are hesitant to one another." "When you come to Hopiland everything is a mirror. You look around and you see yourself."

Next she sang us a Deer Song with her drum, and yet again explains that most women don't play the drum in her culture but she has had the authority given to her. She said that all the Hopi practice is given through the mother, the learning is given through the Uncle and Fathers stay in "their" mothers' clan.

At the end of the talk she opened up the floor for questions. I asked the question that would press the buttons of course. First I said that the question was a difficult one to formulate. If Corn is the central element in their practice, and our world environment is threatened by what is happening with the worlds food supply of corn, then what "ideas" do the Hopi have in what this mean for "us" Spiritually?
She says that the Hopi's are protecting this cycle (the 5th cycle) and using their prayers for all of humanity. She looked straight at me the whole time with piercing integrity. "WE" are the change ... so the Hopi don't SPEAK of prophecy because if they speak it then IT WILL HAPPEN!

I am so grateful to have met Roanna, because she had so much to share from her heart. She has a lot of exuberance for life and energy too! I am invited to visit her and eat at her place in Hopi land... so for all of you... ....to be continued.

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Hopi Grandmother Roanna

10/28/2013

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Oak Creek Watershed Eco-Weekend

10/21/2013

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Sunday October 20th, I attended day two of the Oak Creek Community Eco-Fair. I was eager to soak up all the knowledge I could about environmental issues around water. I entered the South Softball Field of the School Grounds on Posse Ground Road, ready to provoke answers and find solutions from the experts in Verde Valley, about local water problems. Margaret Anderson and Brian Myers from Sedona-Verde Valley Sierra Club had a lot of essential wisdom about water quality and sustainability in our area. Margaret offered me a water taste test, to discover the differences in taste between water from a plastic bottle versus, local tap water. This taste experience was to give locals a chance to evaluate the pro's and con's of spending money on bottled water as well as educate about the needless strain plastic bottles put on global warming. Sierra Club provided an informative brochure about the facts about the wastefulness of this consumer habit. After signing a pledge card for the "Think Outside The Bottle" campaign, I resolved to locate a drinking vessel such as a glass bottle to carry with me rather than buying bottled water. Brian told me about the Water Sentinels group that collects water samples and makes field observations in order to track impacts to our rivers and advocate for their protection. What I really wanted to know was, "When we run out of water, How do we make more?" Brian then said, that there are people who have reforested the desert in Pakistan and this brought more water back to the area. Brian said, "Trees are a main factor in creating a viable ecosystem." He also informed me that the Verde watershed is our most valuable resource for water and that projections show we only have a hundred years until it is depleted. You can get involved with Sierra Club by visiting them at http://arizona.sierraclub.org

Next, I visited the Northern Arizona Audubon Society's booth which was manned by Zackery Zdinak. This booth had many illustrations about how water from the San Francisco Peaks seeps into the desert. He was very busy describing to many visitors at the booth restorations going on at Page Springs. More information is available at www.northernarizonaaudobon.org Zachery is an amazing illustrator and has a website www.lifedraw.com

I also spoke with Layne Brandt and Gram Slimp-Holland of CREC (Coconino Rural Environment Corps). They demonstrated with their impressive 24 by 24 inch waterproof topographical map-table of the Verde Valley, what happens when thousands of visitors come and use the parks. Layne and Zack say trash and pet waste, if not properly disposed of, creates an increase in the E. Coli in Oak Creek. By pouring water over the map-table they can illustrate to visitors how rain and monsoons carry the trash and pet waste into our rivers. They set up their educational table frequently in the park system in hopes of keeping our parks cleaner and safer. Meanwhile Gram had a special visit from a Praying Mantis.
Ranger L. Luedeker from Arizona Game and Fish Department was also a wellspring of knowledge on animals in the park systems. He described his vocation as a resolver of human and wildlife conflicts. Ranger Luedeker's eco-fair "booth/display table" was a cage large enough to capture a Cougar, Coyote, or Pronghorned Antelope.
Many of the activists from the CREC that were there for the day had other booths set up as well, yet, I was not able to visit all of them. Overall there was a vibrant energy at this eventl because the people of these organisations seem eager to fill our community with fresh energy and determination to problem-solve with us.

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Star People

The Energy Portals, Santa Fe NM. (Yesthishappenstome)

Shamanic Mishmash

Hopi-land Winter Tour - Hopi Grandma Roanna & Puma!

Interview with Brian Lottman "Spiritual Wanderer"!

Int. w/Joshua Townsend www.clearfearforever.com

New Vestures Fashion Makerspace

Hopi Grandmother Roanna

Hopi Grandmother Roanna

Oak Creek Watershed Eco-Weekend

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