Here are the links from tonight's Death Cafe.
*Reminder that we're just pulling these links without knowing much about them. Death Cafes do not promote any services or products.
New Moon (and Eclipse!) in Sagittarius - December 2021
A New Moon AND an Eclipse!? Better put in a call to Andi (Oakland store manager and our resident Astrologer) to see what we can expect with that energy combination! This is what he has to tell us:
Read moreInterview with Miss Remy
This Last week I had the privilege of interviewing Miss Remy an employee at our Portland location about her practice, background and her two upcoming classes. The first will be a Psychic Self-Defense Workshop happening December 7th from 6:30-8pm and the other is a Chakra Class coming up in 2022.
Read moreFull Moon in Taurus
With today's combination of a Full Moon with an eclipse, it seems like the perfect time to get our resident astrologer Andi to give us a little insight into the energies we are going to be dealing with! Here is what he has for us:
Read moreResources from the November Death Cafe
Here are the links from tonight's Death Cafe.
*Reminder that we're just pulling these links without knowing much about them. Death Cafes do not promote any services or products.
Books
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_American_Way_of_Death
https://openlibrary.org/works/OL15860317W/The_American_way_of_death_revisited
Videos
A favorite death video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6fcK_fRYaI
https://www.hulu.com/series/what-we-do-in-the-shadows-0b10c46a-12f0-4357-8a00-547057b49bac
https://www.ted.com/talks/jae_rhim_lee_my_mushroom_burial_suit
Ask a Mortician just did a video about human composting
https://youtu.be/_LJSEZ_pl3Y
Articles
https://www.greenmatters.com/p/tree-pod-burials
https://www.cremationassociation.org/page/alkalinehydrolysis
https://www.usurnsonline.com/cremation/things-to-do-with-ashes/
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/feb/16/human-composting-could-be-the-future-of-deathcare
New movie coming out about what was happening inside the hospitals during the first wave of the pandemic
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/18/movies/the-first-wave-review.html
https://www.orderofthegooddeath.com/article/ask-a-mortician/
Miscellaneous Death Resources and Lore
https://www.introducingedinburgh.com/greyfriars-bobby
https://gourmetwitch.org/food/the-dumb-supper/
https://www.etsy.com/market/funeral_face_mask
Mortuary “Last Responder” face mask
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1025357495/mortician-face-mask-funeral-face-mask?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=funeral+face+mask&ref=sr_gallery-2-7
New Moon in Scorpio - November 2021
Our in-house astrologer Andi has some words to share about the Scorpio New Moon coming up tomorrow so we can all know what to expect in the days to come.
The Scorpio new moon arrives at 2:15pm Thursday and it is exactly opposite Uranus in Taurus. Whenever Uranus is involved, you can expect the unexpected. And with Saturn and Mars squaring each other, this new moon has no chill. If you choose to do any kind of ritual or magic at this time, I recommend detaching from any idea of what the result might look like and how long it will take (that's always a good idea but especially now!).
November in general is full of many tense moments as Saturn and Uranus prepare to square off again next month and Mars adds fuel to the fire from its home sign of Scorpio. This new moon also marks the beginning of eclipse season as the full moon on the 19th will be a partial lunar eclipse.
While Scorpio is a fixed water sign and may have a tendency to hold on or obsess, the astrology right now is all about letting go. Use the investigative, penetrating Scorpio energy of this new moon to get curious about why you hold on and what fears keep you from letting go. You will might be surprised by what you find!
Interview with J. Allen Cross Author of American Brujeria
This last week I had the honor of interviewing J. Allen Cross author of American Brujeria about his book, ancestor worship and his work as a paranormal investigator. It was a timely and important conversation to have during this spooky time of year.
Annie: How long have you been practicing witchcraft? Do you have any suggestions for those beginning their studies?
J. Allen Cross: I’ve been formally practicing witchcraft since about the age of twelve. However, I was actively and intentionally doing spell work before then.
I always suggest that new folks stay away from witchy or witchcraft based social media until they’ve been practicing for a while. A great deal of witchy social media is rife with misinformation and often hinders the learning process more than it helps. It will save you from having to do a lot of unlearning later. Similarly, developing discernment and critical thinking skills is key to this work, lest you find yourself victim to more internet misinformation or predatory spiritual mentors.
What inspired you to write American Brujeria?
My community! Mexican Americans often get swept under the rug or lumped into different categories by everyone around us in order to try and make us disappear. We have to be more Mexican than the Mexicans and more American than the Americans in order to prove that we belong. Being of mixed race can often be very isolating, and we can feel very lonely and without support. But the truth is that there are a ton of us who are both Mexican and American (or similarly multicultural) and we are not alone. A bunch of folks live in this space between. This space is something I’ve come to think of as a liminal space, or a powerful spiritual crossroads that we stand in every day. This isn’t something to be embarrassed of, it’s a powerful gift to have a foot in each world. I wanted to not only spotlight my community but empower them as well and wake them up to their own magic.
This time of year many of us want to contact or work with our ancestors. What do you want those who are beginning their studies in witchcraft to know about building an altar to their ancestors?
That the term “ancestor” should be approached very loosely. Even if they aren’t blood, people can still be our family. The Queer community understands this more than most. Any of your dearly departed loved ones can be ancestors, even if you didn’t know them, but their existence impacted you in some way like famous musicians or writers or what have you.
Are there other ways that you would suggest honoring our ancestors if there isn’t space to build an altar?
Yes! I find folks underestimate the power of carrying on tradition. Sure, the altars and candles and stuff all look great on Instagram, but what if instead you learned to quilt like your grandma? Or how to play the guitar like your grandfather? These are not only things that we may enjoy but when you do these tasks, you’ll often find yourself telling stories of them and that way they can live on.
What sort of safety precautions would you suggest using while venerating ancestors?
Anytime we do spirit work whether it’s ancestors or deities we will draw the attention of the spirits as a whole. So always make sure to keep the altar physically and energetically clean, and make sure to be specific when you address them. Folks sit at the altar and say really broad things like “spirits from the other side, hear me!” and that’s a wide net to cast and a big invitation to anything that falls into the category of “spirits”. Call forth your “holy ancestors who have chosen to guide and protect you in this life”, this greatly decreases your chances of inviting in something unfriendly.
As someone who comes from an Anglo-Saxon/Celtic tradition are there ways that I can celebrate Dia de los Muertos without engaging in cultural appropriation?
I think the most important part of any sort of ancestor work or veneration is to put the ancestors first. Ask yourself what they would want. A lot of folks watch Coco and then decide this year they need to do Dia De Los Muertos but if their ancestors have no connection to the holiday, it can be awkward. The thing we need to remember is that this time of year is known to be a bridge to the ancestors all over the world and not just in Mexico. Every culture has ways of honoring the dead and you can absolutely honor your ancestors in the way they are accustomed during this time of year no matter what culture you are from. I highly recommend it.
Since it’s the spooky time of year I feel I would be remiss in not inquiring about your work as a paranormal investigator. How long have you been working as a paranormal investigator?
I began doing this work solo when I was in high school (about 16 years old) and did my first house clearing. Since then, I spent many years solo then joined a group that I love dearly in the Portland area about 9 years ago. So, I’ve been doing this work for about 14 years.
Do you see an uptick in paranormal activity this time of year?
As far as hauntings go, not really. Hauntings don’t follow a yearly cycle and are a constant factor no matter the season.
What is the most common reason a house might be haunted?
I’ve noticed that there some common threads, or reasons why folks find them common. But I’ll narrow those down to the top three for brevity. First, they usually did something to cause it such as a misguided Ouija board session, or even haphazardly practicing the craft can all draw unfriendly spirits into your home. Honestly, I see more folks haunted after trying to “manifest abundance” than I do with people actively trying to do satanic rites. Second, a surprising amount of folks think they are haunted, or cursed, but they are actually psychic. If most of the houses you’ve lived in have been haunted, or you’ve experienced paranormal phenomenon your whole life there’s a good chance you are a medium and you’re not realizing it. Earthbound spirits are often drawn to those who can perceive them and will bother them over the course of their life trying to get their attention. Third is location, some places are stained or rotten or at an energetic crossroads which creates all kinds of activity. Even things like underground water running underneath the house will increase your odds of activity.
Do you have any suggestions for simple ways to cleanse a house that isn’t haunted or a way to keep our houses safe from unwanted spirits?
To cleanse a home that isn’t haunted I recommend lighting your favorite incense and walking around each room counterclockwise and visualize the energy “unlocking” as you complete the circuit. Sprinkling salt across doorways and windowsills is quite effective at keeping unwanted spirits out of your home.
Do you have a memorable haunting that you would be willing to share?
The very first time I helped a spirit cross over was the case that I now refer to as “the spider girl case.” The basement of a local home had the ghost of a young girl haunting it with sadness and fear. Through our investigation and interactions with the spirit we learned that her spirit was trapped there because the basement had been her prison in life. We gathered that her father was abusive and would lock her down there for hours if not days at a time. During her time down there as a ghost, she had a lot of time to spend with the local fauna, mainly enormous wolf spiders that the home was infested with. They were her friends, her protectors, and her allies. It was very strange, the corner of the basement where she would spend most of her time had a thick web wrapping around it like they had spun it in an attempt to either protect her or give her, her own room. In order to get her spirit to finally come out of the basement and step into the light, we had to capture one of the spiders in a jar, take it upstairs and out into the gorgeous summer afternoon so it could see that it was safe, and then re-release it back into the basement so it could tell her what it saw. After that, she was able to leave and therefore move on.
For more information on J. Allen Cross be sure to check out all of the links below and buy his book American Brujeria.
Full Moon in Aries - October 2021
The Full Moon is upon us, so it's time to ask Andi about what we should expect as we move into a new set of energies. Here is what he has to share with us:
Tomorrow morning at 7:59am PST, the Aries Moon will oppose the Sun in Libra both at 27 degrees. While an Aries full moon usually doesn't have much chill, this one is especially volatile. The Sun is still very close to Mars and Mercury is slowly emerging from its retrograde cycle.
Given the time of day this full moon peaks, please be careful on your morning commutes y'all! That includes watching your own tendencies to be impatient or passive aggressive on the road. Reschedule those early meetings if you can, the moon moves into Taurus at 1pm that day relieving some of the pressure.
And on top of all that, The Moon, Sun and Mars are all squaring Pluto in Capricorn. Whenever Pluto is involved, you can expect themes of power, obsession, and things coming to light that we prefer remain hidden.
Amidst all this intensity, there is the potential for some kind of release. Mercury is opposite Chiron, the Wounded Healer, so the revelations that come may be painful in the moment. If you can sit with the discomfort, there is an old skin being shed and a new you ready to emerge. It takes courage to leave behind the old stories / ways of being and this Mars ruled Aries moon has lots of courage so lean into it!
New Moon in Libra - October 2021
Our in-house astrologer Andi has some words to share about the New Moon coming up tomorrow in advance of the first session of the new Cosmic Consciousness: Astro-Wellness Salon!
Tomorrow at 4:04am we have a new moon in Libra at 13 degrees and it is going to be a feisty one! Mars, the planet of action and desire, is also in Libra, not quite a full degree away from the Sun and Moon.
Libra is not a comfortable sign for Mars since it cannot act as directly and swiftly as it wants because it has to take into account all of the social ramifications of its actions. So this leads to using indirect means or sometimes even passive aggressiveness. Also, when Mars is this close to the Sun, it is no longer visible in the sky and weakened in its ability to achieve.
Have you noticed over the past week that people seem to be a bit more on edge? This is a good new moon to pick a fight with someone but it probably won't be that satisfying. Try to find other Libran outlets for that Martian energy - make some aggro art, dance it out to your fave angsty music from your teens, rearrange your furniture, have a dialogue with your anger and ask it what it wants.
Mercury Retrograde! - September 2021
Oh No! Mercury Retrograde! Time to ask Andi (Oakland store manager and in-house astrologer) what to expect this time! This is what he has to say:
On Sunday 9/26 Mercury begins its retrograde journey through the sign of Libra, retracing its steps from 25 degrees to 10 degrees when it stations direct on 10/18. When planets begin or end a retrograde cycle, they are moving so slowly that transits that may usually last a day or two can stretch out for sometimes several weeks. As Mercury goes retrograde, it is trining Jupiter, squaring Pluto and opposing Eris (a dwarf planet beyond Pluto named after the Goddess of Chaos).
Have you been holding on to some news or information that you know will upset others or rock the boat? This week may push you to blurt it out and/or obsess about the details of it. Whatever you communicate or decide at this time may not last and will likely need to be revisited during the retrograde, probably around 10/9 when Mercury meets up with the Sun. When Mercury stations direct on 10/18 it will oppose Chiron, indicating that there will be some delayed emotional blowback. When we cause waves, our own boats can get rocked too. Something painful may be revealed, try to lean into that Libran superpower of seeing the situation from another perspective.
Full Moon in Pisces - September 2021
The Full Moon is coming up on Monday, so what better time to ask Andi, our Oakland store manager and an amazing astrologer, what energy shift we should be working with. Here is what he has to say:
This Monday at 4:55pm PST there will be a Full Moon at 28 degrees Pisces with the Sun at 28 degrees Virgo. The Sabian symbols for this full moon are quite revealing, literally: "Light breaking into many colors as it passes through a prism" (Moon) and "A person gaining secret knowledge from an ancient scroll they are reading" (Sun). What insights can you glean from this last month of Virgo season spent analyzing the details and cleaning out neglected spaces? This Full Moon is likely to illuminate and bring psychic clarity to an issue that has been perplexing you, such that you can now see it clearly for each of its parts.
Also during this Full Moon chart Mercury (ruler of the Sun) is both squaring Pluto and trining Jupiter (ruler of the Moon). You may be super jazzed to share this new information but be mindful about how you choose to communicate these insights with those around you. We are also officially in the Mercury retrograde shadow (starts 9/29) so may even change your own mind in the coming weeks. Be patient, the truth will endure if it is indeed true.
New Moon in Virgo - September 2021
With the New Moon coming up on Monday, it’s time to ask Andi, our Oakland store manager and an amazing astrologer, what we can be ready for in this energy shift. Here is what he has to say:
Monday's Virgo new moon arrives at 5:50pm PST at 14 degrees, making an exact trine to Uranus in Taurus, the planet of sudden change and revolution. While Virgo energy is often associated with being critical and clean, at its essence Virgo is about discerning the right time to take action and being of service to others. With so much climate catastrophe unfolding all around us, what can you do from where you are? There are mutual aid projects in Louisiana and New York that are helping folks on the ground, what do you have to offer?
On a personal level, this could be an excellent time to start a new habit for your health or shake up your routine. We can't help others if we aren't taking care of ourselves too. There may be some blowback from the changes you make because Mercury opposes Chiron and Venus squares Pluto. If there is anyone in your life who is invested in and attached to you not being well, this will come to the surface as you start to move in a different direction. Let them go with love, Virgo knows there's much work to do and little time to do it.
Full Moon in Aquarius - August 2021
Our Oakland store manager Andi is an amazing astrologer! We asked him to give us a look at tomorrow's Full Moon so we can be ready for the energy shift. Here is what he has to say:
Leo season comes to a close the same way it started, with an Aquarius full moon!
Around 5am PST on Sunday, just after meeting up with Jupiter in Aquarius, the moon will oppose the Sun at 29 degrees. At the same time, Venus and Saturn make a positive aspect to each other in their home signs of Libra and Aquarius.
The word that keeps coming to mind for this full moon is: DIGNITY. What has Leo season taught you about self-love and respect? What areas of your life do you feel sovereignty? All of this will come to light and get magnified by Jupiter's presence. Where do you need to take up more space and are there places where you actually need to step back? Jupiter can lend itself to self-aggrandizing gestures, so watch out for any tendencies to get up on the soapbox and proclaim your opinions as Truth.
If you would like to get a more in-depth astrological reading for yourself, book a reading with Andi. He offers several types to choose from: Natal, Transit, Solar Return, and Vocational readings to help you really know what is going on in your life.
Resources from the August Death Cafe
Here are the links from tonight's Death Cafe.
*Reminder that we're just pulling these links without knowing much about them. Death Cafes do not promote any services or products.
Books
Finding Meaning, the Sixth Stage of Grief by David Kessler
Green Burial Handbook
Articles
https://www.orderofthegooddeath.com/articles/
Videos
The Life of Death
https://youtu.be/ofnCdC8P70g
The Egg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h6fcK_fRYaI&t=1s
@dying2livepod - podcast
@kelly.m.guyon - for general death talk
New Moon in Leo - August 2021
Andi, our store manager in the Oakland location, is an amazing astrologer! We have a New Moon coming up tomorrow morning, so we asked about what energy shift can we look forward to. Here is what he has to say:
RAWWWR!! Can you hear the Lion's roar?
This Sunday 8/8 at 6:45am PST we have a new moon at 16 degrees Leo. This new moon is an excellent time to call in more bravery, creativity, generosity and self-confidence. However, we can't ignore that this new moon is creating a T-square with Saturn in Aquarius and Uranus in Taurus, which are in a tense aspect for the rest of 2021 and into 2022. We have been living with this tension between freedom and restriction, revolution and tradition, all year long.
The regal Leo new moon invites us to respond to the external uncertainty by taking action where we do have control: our selves.
Here's a new moon ritual you can do:
Write a letter to your future self about everything you love about yourself in the present and everything you imagine you will love about this future self too. You can burn a gold or orange candle on top of the letter and dance in celebration of the you that you are becoming! Read this letter in 6 months on 2/16 on the Leo Full moon and see how much you have grown.
Full Moon in Aquarius
Did you know that Andi, our store manager in the Oakland location, is an amazing astrologer? With the Full Moon coming up today, it felt like the right time to see what information he could share with us, and what energies we might be dealing with - here is what he wants us to know:
This Friday at 7:37pm PST there will be a full moon at 1 degree Aquarius. Yesterday the Sun moved into its home sign, leaving behind the salty, sentimental waters of Cancer for the radiant, joyous glow of Leo. True to form, Leo season is super Extra right from the start with this first of two Aquarius full moons (the next one will be 8/22). What was lurking beneath the surface is now in the spotlight and it may feel vulnerable to have your feelings on display. But there is a freedom that comes from airing it all out.
The Sabian Symbols for this full moon are: Sun 1 degree Leo - "An epidemic of mumps" and Moon 1 degree Aquarius - "An unexpected thunderstorm" Wow, I swear you can't make this stuff up! This pair of images reveals a lesson that we all have learned in the last year - change can be sudden, widespread and unpredictable. The Leo-Aquarius polarity highlights the pull and balance between being an individual and part of a group. We are not insignificant and our choices do impact others. We also need each other to get through this! Watch for sudden insights about what role you play in your communities and get curious about the mutual impact of your actions on others.
Ask a Witch: How To Dress a Candle
Dressing a candle is a popular method of adding extra intention to any spell.
Here at the Raven's Wing, you'll find our witches spicing up spell candles and devotional deity candles with a dash of this and a few drops of that, pretty much everyday. The process of dressing a candle can be such a beautiful experience that gives the person dressing it the opportunity to fully engage and participate in building the most specific and most effective spells for the dresser's intention. Additionally, it gives you the opportunity to work with and develop experience as well as knowledge of the vast variety of herbs, oils, crystals and many other possible additions you may decide to employ in your magical workings.
When finding the candle best suited to your needs, there are so many to choose from, from 14 or 7 day jar candles to smaller chime candles that are great to work with when you're witching things up on the fly.
So, now that we've discussed the benefits and fun of candle dressing, let's discuss the how.
To dress a candle:
With a crystal, toothpick, nail, or other pointed object, write your intentions into the wax. This can be an affirmation, a prayer, or a statement of gratitude. One word or many. If it feels right, include your name, magical name, or other identifying info. Don't worry about your handwriting.
Apply a magical oil with your fingers (it's okay to use a paper towel or cloth to protect your skin, if you like). If you are calling energy and blessings toward you, start at the ends of the candle and work your way to the middle. If you are banishing negativity, start in the middle and work your way out. In a jar candle, pour or drop a few drops of oil on the top.
Add a small amount of herbs. Since they are flammable, add only a pinch at a time. Sprinkle across the oiled wax, and distribute across the surface to add the power of the earth to your spell.
Focus your energies:
You may choose to sing, chant, or pray, aloud or to yourself. You may choose to array crystals or charms around the candle, to address your spirits or deities or ancestors, to give offerings.
Light your candle and allow your intentions to come to life by the light of your enchanted flame. Blessed Be.
Want some guidance for your magic?
This article is written by both Iris and Willow. If you are looking for some guidance on your path, Willow is available for Tarot readings. Click the button to learn more about Willow and book a reading!
Check out some of our most popular spell candles!
Decolonizing Spirituality
(Image Credit: Pixabay)
Many within the Pagan movement are having discussions on how we can decolonize spirituality. We recoiled in horror when faced with the “Qanon Shaman”; a young man part of the January 6th insurrection at the US Capitol, dressed in attire that could easily be spotted at any number of Pagan festivals.
“You don’t represent us!” we cried indignantly. “This is not who we are!” And yet, this strange amalgamation of mockeries is entirely too close for comfort, or we would not have had such a strong reaction. If we would like to ensure this is not who we are, and instead build traditions that promote well-being for the planet and all its inhabitants, we need to evaluate ways in which we cause harm, and how we can do better. Participating in decolonization efforts is one way we can do this.
And who better to learn from than the original, indigenous people of this land?
We are fortunate to have two Indigenous voices here in this writing. Both live in the St. Louis, MO area. One, a Two-Spirit biracial Cherokee (Tsalagi) with Pagan leanings, has chosen to speak with us under the pseudonym Marsha, in keeping with her commitment to anonymity in her activist work. The other, a Black Cherokee woman going by Kamama, comes highly recommended by Marsha for an Indigenous perspective without Neopagan influence. We are grateful for their generosity in sharing their views here!
We have explored three topics to focus the conversation. This is what they have to share with us.
1) How do Indigenous people think about the practice of decolonization in general? What are the most important elements that should be embraced first? How can non-Native people contribute to this work in meaningful ways?
Kamama: Know who’s land you’re on! Land acknowledgements feel wonderful, because Indigenous people have felt invisible for so long. We are not past tense! We have been here all along, so to be seen and acknowledged is crucial.
In the prayer group I am a part of, one of our members does the land acknowledgement ceremonies. This is her ancestral territory. We don’t want to take her voice. But what if she isn’t available? So the next choice would be a Native person. Ideally someone who speaks the language of the place. After that, then we’d ask a white person. Our prayer group is inclusive. You can still acknowledge even if you are European.
Marsha: Land acknowledgements can sometimes feel performative when done by a non-Native person. If you are a non-Native, consider your motivations for doing them. Is it possible to invite an Indigenous person native to that area to do one as part of your event?
(Note: It is respectful to gift an honorarium for their community).
Kamama: Most people think of Dee Brown’s best-selling book Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee when they think of Native American History. But that book leads up to the massacre at Wounded Knee and then just stops. “Oh, they all went west of the Mississippi and died”.
We’re still here!
David Treuer, an anthropologist and Anishinaabe Ojibwe man, picks up where Dee Brown left off, in a book called The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee, where he presents a counter-narrative of unprecedented resourcefulness and reinvention.
Land acknowledgments are a start. But then that leads to “What are the reparations? What are you going to do about it?”
Kamama continues: How to help? Support the Landback Movement, a movement to get Indigenous lands back into Indigenous hands. It is a reclamation of everything that was stolen from the original peoples. Farmers are gifting back land to tribes through this movement! There is a Pawnee Seed Preservation group I know of. The Pawnees had been moved to Oklahoma from their original land in Nebraska, and these older seed strains wouldn’t grow in Oklahoma. But when the Pawnee were given land in Nebraska, these older seed strains grew, they remembered! So now there are Pawnee beans again, and older strains of corn.
Interviewer: We have the Sogorea Te’ Land Trust here in the Ohlone territories (East San Francisco Bay Area) doing a similar thing. Sogorea Te’ is an urban Indigenous women-led land trust that facilitates the return of Indigenous land to Indigenous people. You can help by paying a voluntary land tax (called “ paying Shuumi”) if you live in the area, calculated based on your mortgage or rent. (Resources are listed at the bottom of this article).
Marsha: Let me tell you about the herb Broad-Leaf Plantain, also called “White Man’s Footprint”. It is not native to this continent, but it is also not invasive. It tries to be useful, it works with its surroundings. It knows it is part of an interconnected whole. As a transplant, we can look for ways to be part of the network, rather than be the center of attention.
You ask “How can non-Native people contribute to the work of decolonization in meaningful ways”. Well, how do we end white supremacy?
2) Obviously non-Native people (and particularly Europeans) adopting a romanticized practice of what they think of as “Native American spirituality” has been hurtful to Indigenous people. Those of us wanting to contribute to the conversation on decolonizing spirituality hope to steer folks away from these behaviors, and suggest replacement practices for them to do instead. Are there ways for non-Natives to participate in land-based spiritual practices, that honor the connection to the land on which they live, which are also honoring and respectful to Indigenous people? That lifts you up, instead of takes from you? (Or at the very least, do not actively cause harm?)
What things are most important to avoid? What things are most important to include?
Marsha and Kamama: Don’t take!
Marsha: We need to understand that colonialism is not something that happened ‘a long time ago’. This is still a very fresh wound. Do not take anything from Indigenous land without asking. And learn to Respect the ‘No’.
Kamama: You cannot take our teachings, our songs, just because you are around when they are used. You need to know the proper way to do that. Under whose authority are you sharing this teaching, this song? And even if it’s under Native authority, are you being a help?
There was that man in Sedona several years back, who was in the news because he piled 70 people into a sweat lodge made out of plastic cloth, and gave folks very little time to get in and out; he wasn’t allowing people to leave, and 8 people died, their organs shut down. And he was charging money for this experience! If it had been a Native person who did that? The ramifications would have been much greater.
The man running the sweat lodge used as his defense, “But I have this certificate from a Native American!” He supposedly had “permission” from some Native person, who probably needed to feed his family. But…he didn’t have permission. Not really. Buying a certificate from someone in a desperate situation is not getting permission.
Are you really learning to be respectful of Indigenous ways, and investing yourself in that community? Is it someone you know well and have a relationship with who is giving you the authority to pour water or use a song or wear regalia?
Don’t think you can pour water because you’ve been to a sweat lodge. Who has said you can do that? Under what conditions have they granted that authority?
A lot of Europeans see what we have and they want that. They want that peace. They want that tie with the Earth and the Moon. So they are taking pieces of our things, but they are not asking and they are not reciprocating.
Take herbalists - herbalists are so wonderful! But they aren’t sitting for a decade with a pine tree, learning what the medicines are from that pine tree. Our herbalists have a different view. We don’t go to a local herb shop. We are out collecting the herbs, and putting down tobacco and prayer with those plants. Some people say those medicines don’t always work well for settlers because you didn’t ask the plants! You are appropriating those too, like you are appropriating our practices and our songs.
Native folks do not like it when settlers learn their traditions and then sell them in $800 weekend workshops. That is not how they do things.
Marsha adds: There is a saying, “The illness of white people is that they’ve forsaken their ancestors for money”.
Interviewer: how can we improve upon this?
Reciprocity is a key concept that both Marsha and Kamama spoke of, and which is mentioned frequently in a book Kamama highly recommends, Braiding Sweetgrass, by Robin Wall Kimmerer, a Potowatomi woman and botanist. In the book, she shares the wisdom of plants from both an Indigenous and a scientific perspective, with a central message that reciprocity with the living world is essential in entering into the ecological awakening we say we want. We can learn much about reciprocity from the natural world and Indigenous people alike.
Marsha: Introduce yourself to the land. Make friends with the guardian or guardians of the land. This is often a specific tree or stand of trees. If you aren’t sure who the guardian is, you can say, "Hello Guardian/s of this land, my name is (first/last name) from (wherever your people come from, including local and travelled far-flung).
It is also OK to say, "My name is (first/last) and I don't know where my people come from. I live in that house over there right now.”
You can leave food offerings for the Guardians. Just be sure that it is not toxic for the plant/animal life around (ie: don’t leave chocolate).
If you are near Tribal Trust land, see if their Tribal headquarters has a visitors center. If they do, you can introduce yourself, and bring a gift, or ask what would be helpful to them.
Find out ahead of time if they welcome visitors by looking them up online and emailing them through their public facing contact-us page and say “Hey I'm here on stolen land and I'd like to offer a gift, and was wondering if you had any direction you could point me?”
Going up to a tribal headquarter that does not have a clearly marked visitor's center is NOT recommended.
Kamama affirms: including your lineage in your introductions to Indigenous people is a helpful approach. You could say “I’m from (my people, Scottish clan or whatnot) and I’d like to spend some time on your land”. Indigenous people relate to tribal people so if you understand yourself as a tribal person, even from a European tribe, Native people feel a little more comfortable with you.
Marsha: bringing housewarming gifts is appreciated, when visiting Indigenous people’s homes, such as an offering of food, or something handmade, like a potholder. Something from the heart, not just some store bought thing. Tobacco is also a good gift. Clean tobacco without chemicals, like American Spirit or Tip Top. Sweet flavored tobacco is enjoyed.
Interviewer: Consider what we have to give, rather than what we want. What value are we bringing to the relationship?
Marsha continues: If you are feeling scolded, getting caught up in “the rules”, you aren’t getting it. The connection isn’t there yet. You aren’t thinking about it the right way. If you get frustrated because finding a path to do the work is hard, dedicate your efforts to the land. Let the land know ‘Hey I'm trying, it's just not worked out yet, and here's some more food’. Relationship is key as you can see from my POV!”
Marsha adds: If you want to be respected by Indigenous people as someone who practices land-based spirituality, don’t just do ceremony. Pick up litter! Actually help take care of the land!
3) It’s been said that even the Environmentalist/conservation movement, which tries in great earnestness to take better care of the earth, has sometimes been as damaging to Indigenous communities as extractive industries! Could you speak to this a bit, and how we might be able to do better here?
(From this article, written by a Potawatomi environmental justice advocate:
Kamama: It’s because we are not at the table. And when you are not at the table you are on the table.
If Indigenous folks aren’t at the table, how can our perspectives be taken into account?
A lot of European settler environmentalists don’t realize, we have figured things out years before. Trees talk to each other? Yeah, we know. How to prevent forest fires? Yeah, we know! The stars have shifted, yeah we know!
We know this land. Include us in discussions on how to take care of it.
Long before people were marching for climate change, Inuit Elders and people in the bayou and down at the delta have been saying “Something is wrong, the water levels are rising” and then science catches up with what we already know.
Indigenous women are caretakers of the water in many tribes. Grandmother Josephine Mandamin (an Anishanaabe elder and founding member of the water protectors movement) and many of the other grandmothers have been walking around the Great Lakes saying “Something’s wrong, this water is alive, it has memory, it has spirit”.
Then all of a sudden this Japanese doctor, Dr. Masaru Emoto is saying “Water has memory”. Yeah.
Dr. Emoto visited some of our water walkers, and what he found was that the songs our women sing, Indigenous songs, are pleasing to the water. Its added tone is healing to the water. Yeah. We know, that’s why we’ve done it for thousands of years.
On Sundays mornings we Native people and others gather along the rivers. We sing songs, we pray, we sing to thank and heal the water. We use a vessel to collect the water, and we return it into the rivers like the Mississippi, and it meets that dead zone a few weeks later. But if you look at metaphysics, which you all are just catching up on, those prayers are instantly put in, because time is not linear, it is circular.
Lake Atasca at the beginning of the Mississippi, Grand Rapids and Hidden Falls in MN, St. Louis area in MO. There are Native people there every single week, whether ten below zero, frozen, no matter what, they are out there praying for the water. “Water we love you, water we thank you, water we respect you” “Water is life”. If people screw up the water we all die. Doesn’t matter who is in office! Native people have always been the stewards of this land, and we’ve never stopped being the stewards of this land.
Some of these environmental groups come in and they think they know what they’re doing and then they realize “Oops, that wasn’t it, it’s this” and we go, “Yeah. We know”. You’ve been burning down these forest and you wonder why these trees won’t grow. Or there are these fires. Hmm. You haven’t been taking care of it the right way. We know how, and you haven’t been listening.
Native folks have been boots on the ground at Line 3 in Minnesota. People have been up in the trees, blocking roads, and slowing the progress, or these pipelines would already be in. These pipelines were being run through treatied Ojibwe lands, and they do not have permission from the tribe to be there!
Tuscarora singer-songwriter Pura Fe sings, “We didn’t cross the borders. The borders crossed us”. Those children at the borders are native children. Not Mexican. They are indigenous people. The genocide continues. In Canada last year, they were taking babies from their mothers. In one case, a Native woman had just had a C section. They took her baby and used the excuse, “She isn’t doing well”. And then said she’s irrational because she’s upset about it! Of course she’s upset about it! They also “fixed” some of the women. As horrible as the boarding school era was, it is still going on, in the US and in Canada.
A quote, from the article which prompted the question:
“No-one can claim to be an ally if their agenda is to prevent their own future dystopias through actions that also preserve today’s Indigenous dystopias”.
As Kamama has said: When we are not at the table, we are on the table.
As Marsha has said: How do we solve these problems? Well, how do we end white supremacy?
Marsha reminds us that we can learn from the Broad Leaf Plantain (and it’s somewhat ironic nickname, “White Man’s Footprint”). We can learn to become part of an interconnected whole, rather than an invasive species. As transplants, we can look for ways to be part of the network.
Marsha adds: You did not choose to come here. Neither did the Broad Leaf Plantain. Both are here now because of what their ancestors did. However, you do have choices about how you exist here. That is the task of decolonizing right here and now.
Our deepest gratitude to Marsha and Kamama for speaking with us! Here are some resources for becoming part of the network:
Return of the Light Tea
We’ve tipped over that point of maximum darkness and now, though the days are still short and the night still comes awfully early, I can feel the light returning. I feel it like a tingle in my fingertips and a warm feeling in my solar plexus. I feel hope returning and I see positive signs, both mundane and magical.
I was working in the shop on the evening of this most recent full moon in Cancer, and I stepped outside into the cool night to take a break. As I was standing in the backyard, a small bird suddenly flew onto the fence. I was surprised because the timing was unusual, it being night and all. As I peered into the shadows to confirm what I thought I saw, the little bird peered back at me and for some reason I wondered, “Is this bird going to fly over to me?” It’s not something birds generally do, but I wondered it all the same. And then it DID fly over to me and landed on my shoulder! I could hardly believe it! It spent several minutes walking around on my shoulders, seemingly uninterested in leaving.
I was dying to tell my colleagues in the store but I didn’t want to shout or call out because I thought it would probably break the spell and scare the bird away, so I carefully went back inside with the bird on my shoulder and called softly to my coworkers to witness this delightful magic. It flew off my shoulder at that point (of course) and settled on top of the kitchen cabinets for a few minutes until I could retrieve it and put it back outside. We couldn’t get a decent picture of it, but I got a good look while it was on my shoulder and then I figured out what it was afterward: a kind of finch called a Pine Siskin.
The whole experience was enchanting and felt like a beacon of hope!
In honor of the returning light and the hope that rises with every dawn, I offer you this sunshiny tea.
~ Jenny
(Photo: Myriams-Fotos on Pixabay)
½ c. Lemon Balm
¼ c. Calendula
¼ c. Sweet, or “True” Cinnamon (if using cassia cinnamon, reduce to ⅛ c.)
⅛ c. Chamomile
⅛ c. Angelica Root
*optional: 1 slice fresh or candied ginger in your cup when brewing
Use 1 Tbs of tea per cup; steep covered for at least 10 minutes.
Sweeten to taste.
Here are some details about each of the herbs used:
Angelica (Angelica archangelica):
Valued for its spicy, aromatic flavor, Angelica has been used as a flavoring agent for candy and alcohol for hundreds of years. Medicinally it is strengthening to the body overall; good for the lungs, digestion, immune system, and to reduce inflammation. According to M. Grieve, “Gerard*, among its many virtues that he extols, says 'it cureth the bitings of mad dogs and all other venomous beasts.'
*John Gerard, c. 1545–1612, English Botanist
Calendula (Calendula officinalis):
Used for centuries internally and externally for wound healing, immune and digestive support, and to lift the spirits. High in carotenoids, like flavoxanthin and auroxanthin. Nicholas Culpepper wrote, “The flowers, either green or dried, are much used in possets, broths, and drink, as a comforter of the heart and spirits, and to expel any malignant or pestilential quality which might annoy them.”
NOTE - Do not use while pregnant. Rarely people with a daisy allergy may have a cross-reaction.
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum):
Native to Ceylon, used in Egypt for embalming. Stimulant, can raise energy to a high spiritual vibration as well as . Magically it is said to increase good fortune and is used for love spells. Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, warming. Can lower blood sugar, balance cholesterol levels, and lower blood pressure.
German Chamomile (Matricaria recutita):
Also known as Wild Chamomile, Corn Feverfew, and Scented Mayweed (archaic). A classic remedy for anxiety, insomnia, and nervous disorders of all kinds. Anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic, it’s soothing to the entire body. Eases tense muscles, and menstrual and gastrointestinal cramps, as well as skin inflammation.
NOTE - People with a daisy allergy may have a cross-reaction.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale):
Antiemetic, improves circulation and digestion, eases congestion, antimicrobial, antitussive, analgesic, warming to the extremities, expectorant, antihistaminic. May also protect nerve cells in the brain and provide protection against Alzheimer’s disease; may lower cholesterol and prevent platelet aggregation and arterial plaque build-up. One of the world’s most popular culinary flavorings.
NOTE - Avoid large doses during pregnancy.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis):
Also known as Sweet Melissa. Has been considered something of a cure-all for centuries: used to treat wounds, prevent cold sores, soothe nerves, promote sleep, ease depression, stimulate appetite and digestion, and strengthen memory. Sedative and antispasmodic. Culpeper said it should “be kept in every gentlewomans house...It causeth the Mind and Heart to become merry...and driveth away troublesome cares.”
May this tea bring a golden glow to your heart!
by Jenny
Three of Cups Tea
(Image Credit: Falcon P4 on Pixabay)
Another lovely tea recipe from Jenny!
“We’re all going through a lot. Our hearts are heavy and worn, we are overwhelmed and depleted, and joy is far too thin on the ground.
So my friends, it’s time to refill your cup to overflowing and remind your weary spirit of the beauty that is always present in the world, even when it’s hard to see.
3 of Cups Tea is balm for body and spirit, soothing our lungs from the smoke and winter air, and uplifting our hearts to a softer resting place.
Enjoy! May you be held in the gentle, loving embrace of the earth!
With love, Jenny”
3 of Cups Tea
¼ c. roses
¼ c. damiana
½ c. hawthorn berries
⅛ c marshmallow root
⅛ c. holy basil/tulsi
Use 1 Tbs of tea per cup; steep covered for at least 10 minutes. Sweeten to taste.
Here are some details about the properties of each of these herbs:
Damiana (Turnera diffusa):
Related to mint. Relaxing, aphrodisiac, visionary. Reduces anxiety and dilates blood vessels, increasing circulation; has an ability to enhance pleasure.
Hawthorn Berries (Crataegus monogyna):
Lowers blood pressure, strengthens the heart, eases nervous tension. Has been shown to improve circulation by helping to reduce resistance in peripheral blood vessels. In the rose family, hawthorn "gladdens" the heart. One of Rosemary Gladstar's favorite remedies for sadness, grief and loss, or times when the heart needs a bit of extra protection.
NOTE - May interact with heart medicines.
Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis):
Removes phlegm from lungs and bronchial passages and soothes the digestive system.
Rose (Rosa centifolia):
Gentle nervine and anxiolytic. Helps ease depression, anxiety, irritability, and even grief and broken heartedness. The scent of roses has been shown to lift depressive moods and create a feeling of well being and mild euphoria.
Tulsi (Krishna/red: Ocimum tenuiflorum):
Counters metabolic and psychological stress, calming and soothing. Adaptogen. Sanctum, holy basil's primary species name, reflects the sacred nature of this plant as a great protector in Indian culture. Calms and energizes the heart and nervous system, relieves anxiety and grief, and balances stress hormones.
Enjoy the quiet moments of tea!