Available, one of a kind - my own design... Custom orders welcome
12 x 12 inch Square Ocean Drum, Vegan  (2-sided)
- $440 + shipping/handling extra... SOLD
Birthed, painted + signed by weaver on Gabriola Island, BC - with original abstract acrylic paintings on both sides...  This unique ocean drum looks and sounds wonderful (see video below) + no animal hides were used... This drum is great for ocean meditation, shamanic journeying - including healing and clearing... Numerology regarding this drum is 12 x 12 = 144 = 9, which is a completion number... For more info about the significance of the number 9, click here >>
- Contact weaver to purchase this drum by interac e-transfer or money order...
- Custom orders are welcome, each painting side will vary where each drum is unique...
- Please expect 3-4 weeks to ship for custom orders...
- Click on images below to enlarge to view detail...

Click video above to play... so you can hear this ocean drum...
​note... you'll also hear bird sounds (the flicker, drummer) in the background as we shot this video outside on our deck...  :o)

One of a kind... This unique ceremonial Reiki 'love' drum was birthed, painted + signed by weaver on Gabriola Island, BC...
- 16 x 16 inches in diameter and height - with handle for holding or hanging...
- Materials... recycled wood, deer + goat rawhide, salmon skin on mallet, upholstery tacks, basalt stone pebbles from Sandwell Beach, stick from Drumbeg Beach and acrylics...
- Being a two-sided drum, when one plays one hide-side, the sound reflects off the 2nd side-hide thus, creating a third sound = a true shamanic drum...
- Below, is a video so you can have a listen to this wonderful healing drum...
- Please click the thumbnail photos below to enlarge, showing more detail...

This special drum hung in the gallery at The Hive Emporium on Gabriola Island for their recent art show called, "Love is the Seventh Wave"...

​It's been fun to offer this sacred drum as an interactive piece to invite folk to 'drum up their love' in the moment... This is a powerful 'Intention + Dreaming' drum...

My artist statement...

In our sorted history, the drum was often used as an instrument of war... not no more... Let's Drum Up Some Love!
 
With all the heated global and political events of late, we're all feeling deeply that the world and everyone could use a lot more love right NOW...
 
The drum represents the voice of our Mother's Earth's loving, resonant heart – we wouldn't be here without her.  One of the best ways to connect to her heart and our own heart is through the sacred healing heart-beat of the drum.
 
To see more love in world, love begins from within ourselves... so, let’s drum up some love... i invite you to get still within your own present moment... connect with your own heart-love-feeling and choose to gently drum your love-vibration out into the world - to allow your love to go wherever it needs to go... and love will return 10-fold and more.... x (((o)))
 
other meanings of materials + symbols chosen...

• rawhides... deer helps us to connect to our hearts with gentleness, kindness + compassion... goat helps us stand our ground in balance, steadiness and trust.
• symbol on goat side... 2nd degree Reiki symbol called the Choku Rei - is used as a healing symbol which means, "Place the Power of the Universe Here."
• symbol on deer side... an ancient Celtic Triskel (the 3), representing movement, action + revolution from the center (heart) out...
• basalt stone pebbles on the mallet wood handle, which help ease chaos + ground us in the earth... salmon skin on mallet handle, determination, strength and wisdom.... 

Click on the short video below to have a listen, as my friend Mark plays this drum 'hand-style'... this drum can also be played with a mallet... As Mark plays, the drum is hanging though, it can also be played sitting down on one's lap or on a stand, etc... enjoy!

How to offer and prepare a sacred fire ceremony for letting go and deep healing...
​by weaver...

In almost all cultures all over the world, the offering of fire ceremony or ritual is one of, if not, the oldest traditions known.  

The element of fire was most important  for ancient peoples, literally for survival.  Fire helped keep them warm from the harsh elements, it cooked their food and protected them from predators.  Also, the fire, the hearth was a central hub for the community or the family - meetings and councils were held including time to gather in traditional ceremony, rites of passage and respite.
 
Ceremonially, while we engage with sacred fire, we choose to connect "as one" with fire with all our senses - allowing the spirit of fire to inform and transform us.  

In our work walking the shamanic path, we have also been taught to engage with four specific levels of engagement:  

• Serpent, at the physical level - we know that we need to sit by the fire...
• Jaguar, at the emotional level - we realize that we must bring with us our love and curiosity...
• Hummingbird, at the mythic level - we offer our contribution without comprehending how it fits into the collective dream...
• Eagle, at the level of Spirit - we see the larger picture before us and know and understand the totality of the dream without being able to express it or define it. We choose to feel immersed in love and connected to all - as everything is connected...

​During ceremony, we no longer experience the “I”... we engage mindfully along and with the power and wonder of spirit.   Choosing to connect, "we" become the fire, the sparks, the light, the smoke, the sound of the wood crackling, the moon and the stars, each other and ourselves, no one and everyone.
 
The transformational fire ceremony is done on the full or new moon of each month - in the window of 1-2 days before or after.  It is a time for us to come together as ayllu (community) to support each other in sacred circle - to create a safe, sacred container - to ask the sacred fire to help us let go "our stuff" -  to let go of the heavy, dark energies (hucha or hoocha) - those energetic issues that no longer serve us.

"Hucha" is a Quechua word that means, "heavy and dark energy" - it holds no judgement, is not negative or positive - it's just heavy and dark, simple as that - no drama.   Heavy or dense energy generated by resistance to life in the form of stress-related attachments.  Resistance is typically fear-based - Its energy constricts.  Fear hinders the natural flow of energy through the luminous body.  When this occurs, hucha accumulates.

Accumulated hucha gets stuck in our luminous field - which can keep us bound in many ways.  Hucha is only created between humans and we pick it up through our relations when we are out of "Ayni"  of reciprocity, balance, harmony - right relationship; sacred interchange.

So, it's good to let go of our hoocha - like taking a bath (in water) for our physical body - we are cleansing our light-body, our luminous self with fire.

The sacred fire is a transformational gift of healing freely given to us.  When we release hucha at the sacred fire, it becomes food for mother earth who then composts it and turns it into food that sustains life.  Hucha is thus important to humanity.  The act of releasing or letting go "our stuff' to mother earth is a sacred act of giving and receiving.  I love knowing that I don't have to fear giving away my hoocha to her because it feeds her and she feeds me.  I thank you great mother for this gift and for teaching me this.

Below are instructions on how to prepare and offer an outside sacred fire ceremony.  This can be a community or solo/small ceremony.  Have a sacred intention for the fire so those who are attending know why they are gathering.  

In the Andean Shamanic Path, we are given ceremonial rites of passage in the (first) South Direction of the Inca Medicine Wheel - One of those rites is the seeding of the Ayni Karpays - where, an archetype is blown into each of our seven chakras.

​Part of our homework/stepping into the path as shaman-healer, is to feed and grow these seeds/karypays with sacred fire. We are asked to offer seven individual fires for each archetype before coming to the next session of the West direction...  

Preparation.
Before coming to  fire ceremony, find a small stick in nature - perhaps one that calls you.  With this stick you will create an offering to give away to the sacred fire to be burnt.   We sometimes call this stick a "spirit arrow" or "death arrow" representing an issue or something you want to let go of.

To begin the process of letting go - that which no longer serves you, with the spirt of your breath (as your intention), blow your issue three times into stick - giving it away fully.  We do not re-engage with the issue, we simply give it away.   Doing this serves to focus your attention in an active meditation to prepare for fire ceremony.  You can also write your issues down on small bits of paper and wrap them around the stick or decorate if you wish, though, not necessary - the intention blown-in is good.  If you are adding to the stick, just make sure that you are using combustibles that will burn easily and safe for the environment.  No plastics, etc.
 
Prepare a Pachamama Stick.  Have someone choose and bring a "Pachamama stick" to circulate during the fire ceremony for prayers and intentions for Pachamama - to hold/intend/pray with mother earth's present healed state.

Set the fire prior to the ceremony.   Someone will be the fire-keeper.  Someone will be the space holder.  Begin by placing the kindling in the form of a Southern Cross and then build a teepee of wood – starting to build from the east with 4 separate sticks. This process is a prayer – be mindful of what you are doing – creating ceremony, right action, right loving, right mind - give thanks to the tree people for offering their body for the fire.

The space holder will begin the ceremony with those gathered/ready around the fire-pit.  For any ceremony always open sacred space – call in the sacred directions, south, west, north, east, mother earth, father sky. 

The fire-keeper will light the fire from the east direction.  Begin a chant and drumming/ rattling to honour and encourage the fire.
 
As the fire begins to burn,  the space holder will feed the fire with olive oil three times:  offered first to the four directions, then heaven and earth, and, last connecting the circle with the fire by honouring “all” those present, while holding the oil, one-by-one, acknowledging each person eye-to-eye, heart-to-heart - connect with them so they connect with you -  for all to come to presence.
 
Test the fire for friendliness. The moment the fire becomes friendly it changes colour and burns in a different manner, settling down some.  This change will be learned from direct observation and experience with the fire; it will be discovered by the student/space holder and those present.
 
When the fire is friendly, the space holder opens the ceremony of offerings by making their
offering first to the fire (with someone at their back - holding space for them).
 
All others then make their offerings to the fire coming in from the four directions.  One person holds space behind each of them. Each person approaches the fire and silently puts their offering into the fire (with someone at their back) – letting go.   Take a moment once you place your stick mindfully in the fire, be aware of what you are doing - connect with the fire as it begins to consume "your stuff".  Be aware of the transformation occurring in this moment... your "hucha" is being transformed into light as it feeds the fire.

Let go by unwinding, with your hand (counter clockwise) from your three centers, one at time.. from belly, heart, forehead/3rd eye and give away any hucha/heavy energy to the fire.  Fully let it all go - know it.

Then, after a moment, put your hands briefly through the fire (three times) drawing clockwise filling the energy of the fire and transformed healing light into your belly area (of right action), then into your heart (of right loving), and then the forehead/third eye (of right thinking/mind) – you are filling back up with that light (transformed).  Feel this with all your senses - be present with this transformation of healing the fire is offering you.  Give thanks for the gift of letting go, emptying and filling yourself back up with light and healing.

The only protection when touching the fire is to come before it with a pure heart.  You can touch it lightly or go deeply into the flame.  It is not meant to be sensational or dramatic, though rather a way to focus attention and energy upon one’s transformation.
 
Meanwhile, the Pachamama stick is being passed around the circle for all to place their blessing and prayers for mother earth... by blowing their sprit-breath into the stick... to hold her healed state in the present moment - we are the "ones we've been waiting for" choosing to hold and dream our world into being as we wish to dream it.  Again, use all your senses during this process - as if the healing has already happened in the present moment.  It is our resonance of who we truly are which will fuel our dreamings.  
 
Next, after all the offerings are made, the oldest person or youngest person places the Pachamama stick in the fire.  Sing and rattle the Pachamama Song as the stick burns.... singing three times is good.

As the fire burns down - this is an opportunity to offer prayers for the community, those who are close to us, globally.  This is also a time to name those who have recently passed over - to lovingly let them know it's okay for them to go home to who they truly are.  When everyone feels complete...
 
Close sacred space - giving thanks to the sacred directions and those spirit-helpers seen and un-seen who were present.
 
At least two people, ideally one male and one female, or who is called, stay with the fire until it is burned down to embers – let the fire naturally burn right out - please, no water on the fire.  If necessary - in the case of an emergency, dirt can be used to smother the fire - use your common sense - if the fire needs to be put out in because of emergency, put it out as quickly as possible.

Sometimes, for whatever reason, it can difficult to hold or attend an outdoor fire ceremony - especially if we live in areas where outdoor fires are banned.  

Walking a shamanic path is about engagement of beauty and intention - we can choose to engage with the transformation of fire in the presence of a simple candle indoors or out.
​
Preparation.  Again, before any ceremony, or a shamanic candle ceremony, always create and open sacred space by calling in the energies and powers of all the directions... this is essential.
 
Light a beautiful candle and sit before it.  If you are outside and it is safe and permissible, light your fire.   Be aware of fire bans where you are (never leave unattended) making sure it is completely out before you leave.
 
Next, open your personal space around the flame as you light it.  Open your wiracoacha (personal sacred space around you) Allow a few moments in meditation, honour the directions and anyone else including the spirits present.  Then, offer to the flame all that has come up since the last fire ceremony, for purification and clearing – let go by unwinding with your hand (counter clockwise) from your 3 centers, one at time.. from belly, heart, 3rd eye and give away any hucha/heavy energy to the fire/candle light...
 
Growing the seed of your archetype/karpay... or, filling back up with light...
Connect with the archetype/karpay you wish to grow the seeds for. Connect with its qualities and its gifts you may wish to visualize the entire initiation process of the archetype/karpay.
           
Now, take from the flame the light and warmth into your hands as if you were holding a golden orb.  Place this orb of light into your chakra (the one relevant to that archetype/karpay you are working with), begin to grow the seed in that chakra.  Feel the power of the light and the warmth accepted and embraced by the seed of the archetype/karpay...  use all your senses as you do this... feel it... know it... embrace it...
 
Allow the power of the archetype/karpay (or light)  to expand and grow within you.
Finally, when feeling complete, rewind clockwise each center, belly, heart, 3rd eye....
           
Know that through the light and warmth offered at the fire ceremony, the seed is grown and strengthened within you until you fully claim and live the power of the archetype/karpay.
 
Finally, once you have finished the Fire Ceremony for the archetype/karpay you are working with, it is essential that you close your personal sacred space... Close sacred medicine space... if outside, make sure candle/fire is completely out and leave space as you found it – with no trace, giving thanks to the helpers + spirits who have come to guide you...
 
Continue to connect with each archetype/karpay in between fires... get to know them...

• 1st chakra Root: Great Serpent
• 2nd chakra: Jaguar
• 3rd chakra... Hummingbird
• 4th chakra:  Eagle/Condor.
• 5th chakra: Huascar
• 6th chakra: Quetzalcoatl
• 7th chakra Crown: Pachakuti

By carol weaver - www.carolweaver.com
copyright © 2016 - all rights reserved

Resources from www.incaglossary.org  and Alberto Villoldo, PhD - thank you!

Below, the chant, Karpay Rites - Welcome Song to the Archetypes - written + performed by weaver...

I share what i have learned with the heart of munay... if you have found value + wish to support my  work... perhaps consider buying me a coffee, thank you!

Good News!  I've been celebrating - a lot of late!... because dear laughing wolf has found her new voice!

As some of you may know, it was about three years ago or so that this amazing sweet drum accidently fell and her beautiful voice/hide was torn and cracked wide open... i wrote about it in a blog post and again when deeper teaching came for me later on another post...

Part of why it took so long for her to sing again was, it was a bit of a challenge to find a new hide that was actually big enough and thin enough to fit her amazing 27-inch red oak steam-bent hoop...

When i asked the guys at the drum-supplier i work with, if they had any goat hides larger than 33 inches in diameter, they laughed replying that goats here just don't grow that big.... Though, they would let me know if something that large may come in.   They never let me know... so, i thought to myself that perhaps i may not find a hide that would be similiar to what she had before or big enough.   So, dear laughing wolf sat has remained open with no voice for the last three years.  I sure have missed her!

I considered using another type of hide though, it never seemed right... so, i continued to call and ask spirit for her new voice to come - trusting that perhaps one day, it would come.

A few weeks ago, i was back at the supplier picking up stuff for two drum-birthing workshops i had coming up for Vancouver and Gabriola.  After finishing going over the orders, i took a chance and was moved to ask the guys once again, if maybe they might have any large goat rawhides in stock - maybe one?... 

Lo and behold, Francis said he thought they might... and off he went out to their other room to check and.... brought back a large goat hide.  Together, we measured it up... it was real close to the size needed and so, i decided to take it home.

One of the first things i did when i got back was, to lay laughing wolf's beautiful hoop on top of the new hide to see if it was going to fit!  I was elated - it did!

About a week later, with the assistance of dear Joanie, we re-birthed laughing wolf... and, it was a beautiful thing to do together... and i have to say, she sure turned out beautiful... being a part of her new birth was a moving and deep experience for both of us... it was definitely a birthing, that's for sure... 'cause she's one big drum!  It was a big labour of love andi couldn't wait to 'hear' how she came through........

So, on a Sunday evening, the night before the full moon, on November 13th... i was thrilled to re-awaken laughing wolf along in sacred circle with wonderful dear souls here on Gabriola.... i can't tell you the joy we all felt to be witness to her sacred sounding and enlivening in that new-birth moment... it made me realize just how much we have missed each other and to again, begin building a whole new relationship - getting to know one another yet again...  Thank you Colleen for holding the space for us to do that... with much appreciation and joy....

Many years ago, laughing wolf, a beautiful qilaut frame drum was birthed for me - by master drum maker, John Millen of Thunderheart Drums in Baltimore... John is retired now... and three years ago, he was kind enough to share with me how he birthed a drum like laughing wolf... i wish to thank you so much John for your wonderful sharings and for birthing this beautiful sacred drum for me all those years ago...  

with much love to you with hoards of light... weaver x (((o)))
​

Below is a short video to hear her new voice............ x (((o)))

all above photos taken by carol weaver © 2016 copyright - all rights reserved

​"This stone i place here to mark 
​this Singing Moon-Time of Abundance + Passing Within with the Wisdom of Grandmother Wolf... 

May her sacred teachings help me to become more deeply human..."

It's been an interesting time here on Gabriola these last few days as the month of September rolled in...

The crisp scents of Fall are definitely in the air as we move into this next cycle around the wheel... reminding us to think about getting prepared for the coming winter... The Farmer's Almanac is predicting a cold one this year...  One task we managed so far is, to get a couple of cords of wood delivered, stacked and ready  - quite the job to say the least... an opportunity to use those muscles i haven't used in quite some time = holy whoa!

I give many thanks to those Standing Ones, those trees who gave their lives so our home can be warm this coming winter...

This last week showed me some teaching about letting go - when you least expect it... especially with what i had planned for this recent past New Moon... i had journeying circles planned both for September 1st here on Gabriola and another for Vancouver this week - when i travel over for the Luminous Path which is beginning a new round...

And so what came into being was, both circles were not meant to happen... i won't go into the reasons why, other than to say, that each one had it's own releasings for not happening...  

I have to admit i was surprised that both ended up being cancelled... even after some of my own questionings, resistence and attempts to TRY and make them happen, i came to the realization that it was indeed all okay to let both circles go this time... perhaps good ol' Mercury Retrograde had a hand - who knows?

I also had to get over worrying about disappointing those who had planned to come... 

​When i was preparing for these next circles - Grandmother Wolf offered her guidance....She who teaches us about moving from the West to the North... the Teacher with sharp instinct and intelligence... sacred wisdom, the Sage and Elder... reminding us of our dear Ancestors who paved the way for us... gifting us with stamina... resilience... always reminding us of our own knowingness... 

It was the Cedar trees who spoke to me, asking if we could connect together - especially those here on Gabriola, who have been dying since our summer's long dry drought...  

Some folk we have met, who have lived on Gabriola a long time, mentioned that, over the years, the water table on the island has been shifting in response to climate change... confirming the beautiful cedars are feeling it the most...   in the last number of weeks, we have been saddened to witness that a lot of the cedar trees are dying rapidly all over the island...  The fire department was also announcing that they're concerned they are now becoming a fire hazard.

We give thanks for the recent rains that have come... helping to nourish our dry island home, the blessed trees and all her kin...

The English word, 'Cedar' comes from the Hebrew 'Qatar', meaning to smudge... indicating cedar wood was used in purification rituals and cleansing... The smoke of the cedar leaves are very cleansing and clearing of the energy/luminous body and spaces... First Nation peoples have and continue to use the sacred cedar to purify and cleanse in all aspects of life using all parts of the tree for housing, art, clothing, cleansing and ceremony ... The sacred Cedar was also known in many world cultures as the Tree of Life... the 'God/ess' tree... With blessed cedar, draw Earth energy and ground yourself, place the palms of your hands against the ends of the leaves...

So, if our New Moon journeying circle did happen, i was going to invite us to journey with Grandmother Wolf to the sacred Cedars, to simply connect with them and check-in... and so, because we're not meeting physically.... 

Suggested Journey...
​or, create your own...

This is the time of Passing Within... the cycle of Lammas and the element of water... This is the path of the mature adult who seeks to live responsibly and to bring healing... to find enlightenment to become more deeply human...

I invite you to explore this pathway when you wish to understand how best to act when the 'stuff' of life becomes overwhelming... when you seek peace in all ways......

I invite you to face the sacred directon of the West and... with all your senses embrace the colours, the sounds, smells and taste of Fall... connect with the Sacred Waters of Mother Ocean... her life-blood streams... her rivers and lakes... re-membering that 'water-knows-all-water indeed informs all water...

Find a beautiful place in nature you love or imagine where the grand Cedars reside near where you live... with Grandmother Wolf as your guide... She invites you to listen to the birds singing high in the Cedars... 

With Grandmother beside you, ask her to take you on a journey to the place of the singing Cedars... say hello when you greet them... create a sacred space in a circle including the Standing Ones and yourself...

Offer the Tall Ones an offering of gratitude for who they are and the gifts they freely give us.... for we wouldn't be here without the trees... as we breathe them and they breathe us... thank them for sheltering us... for warming us... for cleansing us... and feeding us in many ways......

Sit down with your back to one Old Tall One and connect deeper... again, use all your senses when you merge with her or him... feel the rough bark on your skin.. smell the musty damp moss in your nose... look up and embrace how s/he embraces you.... and listen deeply for a message s/he may share with you....................... take some time with this............................

 When you feel you have received your message or sense of one... hold the essence of that message-gift sweetly cupped in both hands in front of your heart center... gently blow with the spirit of your breath into your hands three times.... feel it... know it... receive it.... and then mindfully place that essence into your heart... giving thanks....

Now, offer your gratitude and healing for those Cedars who are passing within.... You're invited to hold a vision of their healed state as if it has already happened within this present moment... while holding this vision-dreaming, use all your senses of what that would feel and look like - drive it with your strong emotion resonance and vibration... know this is happening right now... dream it into being....... hold it strong for as long as you are guided....

When your journey feels complete... return back to where you began.... again, give gratitude for this blessed opportunity... close your sacred space and come back into the room or where you are...  close your own physical sacred circle-space and make note of any teachings or guidance you received during your journey...  also know that deeper awareness may still come later...

If you feel called, offer ceremony with a gift or despacho to the Sacred Cedars near you and/or hold them within your own mesa or bundle...

I welcome you to share any insights you may have received in the comment below... so we can share with each other as we do when we gather to journey... to share our wisdom and the knowings from Grandmother Wolf and the Sacred Cedars...
I thank you for connecting in and caring ... for they thank you too...

Wishing you many bright blessings...
with much love + light.. weaver x (((o)))

below... the blessed sacred Cedars of Gabriola....... 
photos by weaver x 

Above post, shamanic journey meditation + photos by weaver © 2016 - all rights reserved...
- the 20-minute journey drumming track, 'riding the wave' with rattle can be purchased + downloaded at cdbaby.com - from the album, 'journey with laughing wolf'
​- thank you for supporting my work... with appreciation, weaver x (((o)))

Recently, i received an unexpected teaching from the bees...

​Since moving to Gabriola in April, we have never felt more welcome - what a community of beautiful people who care about people!  We feel so blessed knowing our move was a good one...

We've also been blown away with how much art, music and theatre there is here on the island - it's been absolutely wonderful.  I am being more and more inspired to get back to my own art and music and can't wait!

We've been attending events by the Gabriola Arts Council (we're now proud members) and other community events.  We now frequent the Hive Emporium at the Village Market on Saturday mornings for coffee to meet and hang with friends.  In addition to great coffee, the Hive is a community hub with a retail store show-casing local art and a multi-purpose performance space and art gallery upstairs.

In mid May, i saw that the Hive sent out a "call to artists" to celebrate their first anniversary with an upcoming show to run June 16 to July 3, 2016, named 'For the Bees'... it read...

"The plight of bees is deservedly making the press, and hopefully not too late!  Gabriolans need no coaching on their importance, but a reminder to all to meditate on these venerable sentient "beeings" - and this call to all artists to explore in any medium!"

​I was intrigued... and wanted to be a part... so, i got to work.

What i was immediately fascinated by, was the shape of the hexagon - which holds a lot of meaning in it's six sides including the number 6.   I connect to the number six as it's a part of my life-path being a 33-6 numerologically... ​

​I spent about a week playing with this shape in many ways... i first built a hexagon out of wood.  

Right away, i really liked the simplicity of the shape - i liked holding it up to the light and looking through.  My first thoughts were, 'hey, i could submit this as it is!" ... though, it all seemed too simple - i really should do something more...?

After many failed attempts of 'trying' to add to my initial wood design... i thought i'd let the whole thing go and forget about it...

Though, i found that i kept coming back to the wooden hexagon shape - there was something about it's simplicity.   I was continually drawn to carrying it around and looking through the open hex shape like a window...  

And, then it hit me... what i was doing was perhaps... 'seeing' from the 'bee's perspective'... and that was it.  

Excitedly, i took the wooden hexagon outside to my backyard, hung it off a couple of trees and took a few photos - and my submission came into 'bee-ing'...  

​After the 'full circle' journey of my creative process, i now know the bees were guiding and nudging me on some level... that they wanted their 'voice' heard in some way - asking 'us' to have a look and see from their perspective, for a change...

So, in the end, i did decide to go with my 'first hit' and submit the simple wood hexagon along with two photos - i was thrilled and honoured to be accepted into and 'bee' a part of the Hive's show!  I give thanks to the sacred bees for helping and guiding me... and, thank you to the Hive for creating this beautiful show - Happy Anniversary to you all!

Along with the two framed photos and the hanging wood hexagram, i added this statement and a couple questions...

Have we considered the bee’s perspective?

Perhaps the bees are feeling that we humans are mining
them for our own advantage – NOT for the bee’s advantage...

“The human species have weakened
our species in our compliance to what THEY want...”

Perhaps, our perspective of a “Colony Collapse Disorder” of
the bees is simply a projection (perspective) of our own human
Colony Collapse Disorder...

What is your bee perspective?

In the Andean Shamanic Path, (Inca Medicine Wheel) during the South first direction, we are given ceremonial rites of passage. One of those rites is the seeding of Ayni Karpays - where, seven archetypes are blown into each of our chakras.  

Part of our homework/stepping into the path as shaman-healer, is to feed and grow these seeds/karypays with sacred fire ceremony.  We are asked to offer seven individual fires for each archetype before coming to the next session of the West direction.

The great archetypes of the Andean tradition are organizing principles of the Universe.  They are the forces that we call to create sacred space and they are the energy beings that have been planted as seeds in each of your chakras. It is important to remember that you have received them as seeds, they are pure potential - it is your own engagement with them and your relationship with them that will grow them into the powerful forces that inform your chakras in new ways. That is why you do the fire ceremonies, to grow these seeds with fire.
​ 
Take time after each fire ceremony to source yourself from the archetype in each chakra, see your world from that perspective, so that you get your own sense of connection to each archetype.  lnstead of being exclusively informed by our histories and by our cultural prescriptions, these organizing principles of the Universe, begin to organize our energy centres. 

Mother of the Waters:  A giant serpent, the mother (spirit) of waters, mother of rivers, deity of the river.  She is the archetype of the healer though out many cultures.  The one who teaches us to shed our skin in one whole piece... to shed our personal past like she sheds her skin.  The primary life force, the one who dives deep, deep - who knows the way into the deepest places inside of ourselves - the One who walks with beauty on the belly of the Mother- the One who knows the way back to the Garden, the place of innocence. 

Mother-Sister Jaguar:  The one who knows the way across the rainbow bridge to the world of mystery - the one who swallows the dying sun, teaching us to step beyond fear, violence and death.  The archetypal connection to the life force of the jungle, everything that is green; steward of the life force - Luminous Warrior who has no enemies in this world or the next -represents the Life/Death principle and renewal.   Jaguar is a master tracker - chews and mulches hucha, heavy dark energy.

Ancient Ones and Hummingbird: The place of the ancestors, Grandmothers and Grandfathers, ancient memories, ancient wisdom - the Ones who have stepped outside of Time but slip through the veils to help us remember the ancient ways - the way of the Hummingbird, who drinks directly from the nectar of Life -- not built for flight yet undertakes and accomplishes the impossible epic journey.   Hummingbird teaches us about the joy of life in the present moment.

Condor + Eagle:  The great archetype of the East, the place of the rising Sun, the place of our Becoming, of who we truly are - principle of seeing from high perspective, vision of clarity and beauty, the great wings of the condor hold the heart, teaches us to see with the eyes of the heart – the One who pushes us out of the nest to spread our own wings so that we may always fly wing-to-wing with the Great Spirit.   Eagle teaches us about new birth and new beginnings.

Huascar:  Lord of life; Lord of death. Historically, one of two sons of Pachakuti lnka (the lnka who read the prophecy of bearded men with sticks that spoke with fire who would turn the world upside down). Huascar was the keeper of the medicine teachings; he was killed by his brother who then negotiated with the Spanish. 

He became the harmonizing principle of the Lower World - the chaotic dark place of all creative potential. He/she is the renewer of the Earth and our own personal need of renewing our own earth, fields that are fallow, places that need aerating.  The gift of Huascar is to harmonize our relationship with our Shadow. 

Quetzelcoatl:  Lord of the morning/the dawn; the Day Bringer, Morning Star;  Quetzel is a beautiful jungle bird and coatl is serpent, reptile, a feathered, winged serpent that has acquired flight - the organizer of the middle world, brought irrigation, medicine plants and stonework, walked the Americas, brought stability, music, dance, flutes, drums- though it has been lost in our culture, we can call on it individually, an animistic knowledge of the ways of the Earth - organizes your relationship with the Middle World - when you come into relationship with Quetzelcoatl you don't have to micromanage your life.

Pachakuti:  Historically, the lnka king who was given the prophecy that the world was turning over (coming of the Spanish) the keeper of the possibilities, organizing principle of the Upper World; - embodies the concept of circular time, stepping outside of linear time - makes time stand still- brings order, heavenly order- coming into relationship with

​Pachakuti allows us to recognize what can be changed and changing it before it is born. 

The above descriptions come from Dr. Alberto Villoldo.  Come to learn and build your own relationships with the seven archetypes - by engaging with them, getting to know them, building those relationships of power - by feeding them with sacred fire ceremony.

The above artwork, Rainbow Chakana, Great Serpent, Jaguar, Hummingbird and Great Eagle by carol weaver creative © copyright, all rights reserved - Huascar; Inca Glossary, Quetzecoatl; Pinterest, Pachakuti, Wikipedia -- thank you!

​Sing/chant them as well:

I share what i have learned with the heart of munay... if you have found value + wish to support my  work... perhaps consider buying me a coffee, thank you!

If you read my last e-News last month, you'll know that we received unexpected notice to move in January - to be out of our home by April 1st... 

And, needless to say, we didn't have much luck here in the Burnaby/Vancouver area finding anything...  As you probably know, the housing market in the lower mainland has really gone crazy with prices skyrocketing all over the place...  Also, property taxes were raised as well - here in Burnaby, a whopping 17%.

This has also affected renting in the lower mainland in a huge way... and, during our search we weren't seeing much option that was affordable nor much availability.  This really surprised and shocked us...

We were becoming concerned when still hadn't found a new home into late February... We had put out our intentions, offered ceremony and did our best to remain positive that something was indeed awaiting  us... though, time was ticking by...

One very early morning, under a few weeks ago, i was awakened by a very strong dream... When i have a strong dream like that, i know that spirit is wanting my attention...

In the dream, i am on the deck of an old rickety house in the woods... i wasn't alone as there were a bunch of people gathered about... someone warned me that i needed to be very careful to not let 'that' bear in past the gate... i was aware that a black bear was wandering about outside the gate...

I fumbled with the gate's door handle over and over without being able to keep it closed or locked...  I kept feeling a sense of urgency and frustration... this went on what seemed like, forever...

The scene shifts where i realized the bear was now coming in through the gate and onto the deck with me...  I found myself now huddled down in a far corner to protect myself from bear... i was definitely concerned and upset that i had failed with the gate...  Next, big mama bear was right over me, right up close, leaning on me and sniffing me all over my head, neck and shoulders... it was sooo real... i could really feel her... smell her and sensed her long rough fur on my skin... the weight of her head pressing her wet nose... hearing her snort and sniff....

As she continued to sniff me out, i felt some fear rise from within me... mama bear growled deeply when she sensed my fear... i realized that i had to stop my fear now and did... she wouldn't stop sniffing and sniffing... at first she was a black bear and then morphed to the colour cream and then back to black... she then stopped her intense sniffing and simply laid her head in my lap resting...

Next scene... i'm still crouched down and now two smaller animals like badgers (i think) are now on either side of me and rise up on their hind legs to sniff out my ears as intensely as the bear did!  After that, three black dogs came up onto the deck...  and, then i woke right up!  = holy whoa...

I shared my dream at our journeying circle that next week and my friend Glen offered some insight... of which i found very helpful... here's some symbolism he shared...

• The Bear in some traditions represents personal medicine, spiritual gifting...
• The House can represent the spiritual life or path...
• The Gate in front are the limitations that have been placed on that path...

In the dream the house is old which perhaps has been there for a long while... a path that has been developed over time. There is a gate that blocks limits access to the house.  Sometimes the gate is open, then other times it is closed to keep the “bad” or fearful out.  At this moment I am trying trying to close that gate without success to keep that bear out. Trying to limit the the medicine on my path. (it is not a conscious, effort)...

Despite my best efforts to keep the bear out, the bear gets past the gate and past the limitations that have been placed in its path.

The good news is that the medicine is morphing - changing from a black bear to a Kermode or spirit bear (colour change from black to cream colour)... Still a black bear but looks very different.  The bear lays its head on my lap.  No fear - only love, peace and tranquility even though bears are huge and powerful.

My friend suggested i connect with the spirit of Bear to help me... of which i did... i connected with a lovely photo of a black bear (right)... and went within to say 'hello'...

It's interesting, back in September, a black bear paid me a visit when i was parking my car... i had just got home and was just getting some groceries out of the car when s/he came trotting right out of the forest towards me.... we shared quite 'the hello'... 

It was a brief encounter though a very exciting one... I was sooo taken with her size, beauty and grace and how fast she moved!  I didn't think much of that encounter at the time... though knew inside my heart that i had received a sweet blessing...

After the dream, we were then guided to look further for housing out of Vancouver and over to the Island in and around Nanaimo... We noticed that prices weren't so high and more affordable... perhaps there was some hope here?... The thought of moving away from Vancouver/Burnaby was a concern... as i have lived here most of my life... my family was here and my work was here...

We still weren't finding much there either when, we began to see some rentals on Gabriola Island... we had seen a couple that looked good though, we assumed were gone - as they had been posted back in January.

Something nudged us to contact one of the ads we kept seeing - just to see if maybe, it was still available and, low and behold, it was!   We made contact and arrangements to go over to 'Gabe' to have a look and meet the owner.  On the way over, on the ferry we decided to contact another more recent ad and the owner answered and she interviewed us over the phone... The owner then decided to fly out from Alberta to meet us later that next day.

So, in the end, the second house turned out to be 'the one' - as soon as we walked in the door, we both felt strongly we were 'home'... we made the decision to say yes and make this big move to 'Gabe'...

We weren't expecting this at all...  though i know deeply that spirit has directed this big move in so many ways...and time will reveal more i'm sure...  I believe that mama bear has marked this new 'pacha' for us when she showed up out of the blue last September when she walked out of the forest and completely sniffed me out in my recent dream... She helped us 'sniff' out a new home... to embrace a whole new pacha-shift in our lives.... we've been invited to go even deeper within our own spirit... an opportunity to grow a strength connected much closer to mother earth...

I now stand in complete wonder... amazement... and, some fear beginning again so anew... and some sadness all at the same time... = holy wow...

Even though we are leaving the 'big city'...the Vancouver area to live on Gabriola Island, please know i am not far away - that i will still be back working in Vancouver on a regular basis (and other areas i have been been)... please see my calendar of what's coming up in April and throughout the year... I am open to all that is new in this shifting change...  thanks for taking the time to have a boo... 

with brightest blessing of much love + light...
​weaver x (((o)))

Holy wow... you never know when life will throw a curve ball at you...

At the beginning of January, my partner and i received notice to move from the lovely home we've called home over the last few years.

This notice came out of nowhere and we certainly weren't expecting it. The owners informed us that their lives had shifted and they needed to move back in the space we've been renting.

Whoa! Now?

Of course when something like this happens, it's never good timing... We were shocked... and i know i went through the many phases of that shock... not knowing where we'll be next is a big part of that...
And so, we are now in the throes of packing up our home and squeezing it all into cardboard boxes... searching for a new place to live while at the same time keeping the balance of work and daily life...

Not long after hearing, we chose to offer a despacho ceremony... to offer our gratitude for the time we have had here in this beautiful space and community... and to offer our intentions of what and where we wish to land in our new home - wherever that will be...

There are many types of despachos offered in the Andean cosmology and daily life...

The 'despacho gift' we chose to create in ceremony was an ayni/gratitude gift for our blessed earth mother, Pachamama.... (see our photo above).

Flowers, leaves and combustible ingredients like grains, aromatic dried plants and sweets are added in layers on top of a piece of wrapping paper.

Every item is 'prayed through' and holds meaning as it is placed mindfully in mandala form.
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When the despacho is complete, it is wrapped up, just like a gift, tied with a ribbon and then offered to a sacred fire for transformation to the light - to be freely given away to the helping spirits and mother earth - to give thanks in right relationship (ayni)...

We lovingly created our despacho andplaced it in our sacred fire  in the hearth to burn.

We turned our backs in respect to allow the spirits to 'consume' our prayer-gift.... as our gift burned, i offered some soft drumming to hold space... to honour our sweet spirit-helpers doing this work on our behalf...

When we knew it had been fully burnt, we turned to sit on the couch together to watch the fire continue to burn... A few minutes later, we both realized that we were hearing soft drums drumming from what seemed a distance away...

At first, we thought perhaps the drummers were outside somewhere...
Though we soon realized that the drums drumming were actually coming right from the fire! ...The flames were actually dancing to the rhythm of the spirit drums drumming...

We sat in complete awe for quite some time listening to the 'fire drummers' drumming for us - knowing on a deep level that our heart-gift had been accepted and acknowledged in such a beautiful way... that, we were receiving such a blessed gift from our helpers who were supporting us...

Our hearts were opened and we felt so blessed in much joy!!!... a moment we shall never forget and hold so dear in our hearts confirming that we are never alone...

We thank you fire drummers for your wonderful support and for the gift of 'hearing' your sacred healing rhythms of love and light... wow!

We still don't know where we're going to land as of yet - though we trust that the best new home is awaiting for us as we prepare to move for April 1st...

With much love + light... in ayni and deep munay... 
weaver x (((o)))

• above photos by carol weaver © copyright 2016 - all rights reserved

How to make your own florida water....

The below florida water recipes are simple to make... this first one was passed on to us during a shamanic medicine wheel training a number of years ago - and so now, i pass on to you so you can make your own.

Florida water can be expensive to buy so, it's great to be able to make your own... 

I will add more to this page on the different uses of using florida/flower waters soon - so, stay tuned.  I also welcome you to share your own recipes if you wish... and i can post here to share with others... if you wish to do that, let me know in the comments below or email me...
brightest, weaver x (((o)))

Florida Water Recipe...
The below is suggested and one tried and true - do feel free to experiment to create your own personal blend with those plant medicines that call you to work with...

• 1/2 cup dried sage
• 1/2 cup dried cedar
• 1/2 cup dried sweetgrass
• 1/2 cup dried lavendar
• 6 cups good quality vodka - like 100-proof smirnoff

Spiritually gather the herbs in a sacred way... combine them with the vodka... place in a glass jar and store at room temperature for 14 days (half a moon cycle) ... consider leaving out to infuse with either a full or new moon...  place a paper towel in a mesh strainer and strain out the liquid from the herbs into a clean container with a lid and store, use...  the above can also be made from herbal/plant essential oils... see below for other ways to make your own florida waters... enjoy!

A great video on how to make your own florida water - a simple and beautiful flower essence water recipe i found on youtube... see below video for the recipe...

2 cups of vodka (100 proof), 2 tbsp rose water, 16 drops of bergamont oil, 12 drops of lavender oil, 6 drops of may chang oil, 3 drops of rosemary oil, 2 drops of jasmine oil, 2 drops of rose attar oil, and a pinch of orris root powder... 

Here is a more in depth look into how to make Florida Water... some of it's history and the different types... Florida is Spanish for 'flower'... and there are many, many recipies for Florida Water...

This video shows how to make florida water or flower water from collecting the flowers + herbs to how to make it... how to use florida water in your shamanic practice including how to use it to cleanse with your spirit breath... 

... my calendar of upcoming sacred circle + related events >>

Various Florida Waters on Amazon...

NOTE:  As you can see above, there are many types of Florida Waters available on the market - with many different scents including air fresheners and soaps for various uses.

​The most known and used water in shamanic healing work is the Peruvian Florida Water from Murray & Lanman.  To be sure you are purchasing the Peru Florida Water, know it says "Peru" on the label, has a white cap and is an amber coloured water - where the other type of Florida Water has a more light-greenish coloured water with a black cap, and is from New York.  The difference from the two is the very distinct scent and essence, used for different purposes.
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I share what i have learned with the heart of munay... if you have found value + wish to support my  work... perhaps consider buying me a coffee, thank you!