Fantastic Hosts: The Light Fantastic

Spring is calling me out of my winter cave. I have not been to a big social event for many months... however, I felt called to attend the The Light Fantastic event offered by The Fantastic Hosts. 

The party was a “dress in white” event. I was able to put something together that supported this theme and also challenge my own Solar Chakra embodiment. My outfit exposed my abdomen area - not a common look for me. I noticed some self-criticism about my body as I assembled my outfit, however, I also noticed how quickly it passed. This is me; my now, my youth, my light. I may not have the shape of bodies presented in fashion magazines, but I am me and this is all I got, so go for it Raven Shree!

I found a great parking spot at the EXDO Event Center and did my prep car ritual of attuning to the energies of the neighborhood, pulling some tarot cards for guidance, and getting my core aligned and activated for the upcoming adventure. 

When I entered the event and saw all the props, lights and people I was both excited and a bit overwhelmed. I’ve been in my Shamans Cave all winter, and this was a bit of sensory overload for me. I walked the perimeter of the facility to get a layout of the land and noticed myself looking to see if there was anyone I knew. I found this "searching energy" pulling me out of my center, as if I was looking externally for acceptance on some level. Not the practice I wanted to engage in...time for another Raven Shree ritual...

I went to the bathroom, found a stall, and created a grounding and activating ritual for myself. As the bass of the music rocked the stall walls, I called in the directions of the Medicine Wheel. This invocation helped me tremendously, supporting me in attuning to the vibration of the place and people, and also strengthening my authentic core and intention for presence in my practice. 

After my bathroom ritual (which was about 20 min), I deepened my invocation of the Medicine Wheel on the dance floor. I faced East and called in the energy of Innocence and Joy. In this invocation, I noticed cloud props in one of the lounge stations (air is the element of east so clouds were perfect). My East Medicine Wheel landmark was birthed!

I faced South and danced this direction into being. As I looked for an altar anchor in this direction, I noticed the laser light installment in the ceiling. I danced with the light and was reminded to orient myself to the light, both around me and within me. Feeling powerful and alive, I recommitted to my practice of being authentic in my practice - no matter where I am. 

I faced West and danced in the theme of digestion and integration. I was reminded to continually absorb the experience of now, taking in the nutrients of the moment and allowing myself to release what is not needed. Taste the moment Raven Shree, dance the Now into fullness. Honoring this message, I faced North, curious to see what landmark would bring in Elder Medicine.  

Facing north, dancing to my ancestors and honoring the Full Moon of the evening, I noticed a black orb projected on the wall from the light installment. This black orb reminded me of the cosmos and elder wisdom available to me always. I called my ancestors into the dance, and felt so much more held and present now that my directional altars were in place.

.....then I danced.... in the center....hard core...honoring all the directions as they merged in and through me...yes....I had a great time! Thank you Fantastic Hosts for putting on an amazing event, and for having so many props available to inspire my Medicine Wheel invocations. They may not have been intentional in this way, however, our energies aligned and a fun time was had by many. 

It was a magical night for me. It felt great to find the courage to go the event solo. I met some wonderful people and know that I spread some awesome light for others to glow in as well. It was great to see how committed I am to my shamanic practice and how deeply nurturing the Medicine Wheel has become in my daily life. It was also comforting to see that although my spiritual practice is a core part of me, it does not detract me from having fun and being part of community.

• How do you get aligned in your authentic core prior to interacting in social events? 
• How do you recommit to your practice on an on-going basis in social situations? 
• Authenticity vs. Acceptance - how are these solar chakra themes present for you, especially in social situations? 
• What container makes you feel nurtured in social settings?

Since I am in Solar Chakra consciousness this month, governed by the element of fire, here's a video of one of the fire dancers at the event. I so enjoyed this performance. I connected with fire radiating out of my hands and fingers and danced my flames out into the cosmos. 

Want to learn more about the Solar Chakra, check out the tele-session download available form Raven Shree and E3 Alchemy. Click Here. 

Back Road to Taos, NM

My Car Altar 

Living in Denver makes visiting New Mexico easy, even for weekend adventures. In Winter, when it’s cold and snowy in Colorado, southern New Mexico can offer a respite from the snow, which is what this native Southern California girl needs! 

I decided to go to Truth or Consequences, NM for my Winter Initiation Vision Quest. It seemed like a fitting name, and there are hot springs in the area (which aids the cause immensely). I’m a back roads kind of gal, so to get to get to TorC, I drove through Taos, NM, by way of Country Road 64 through Cimarron Canyon State Park and the northern area of Santa Fe National Forest. 

The first set of roads on this route were long and straight, with glitterings of ice crystals floating in the wind. Part of me enjoyed being solo on the road, however the deeper I traveled, another part emerged. A part that yearned for other vehicles to pass by every now and then, to enforce the idea that if something happened, someone would find me. 

When I got to the base of the mountain pass, it was snowing heavily and there was lots of snow on the ground. I put my car in 4 wheel drive and continued forward. There were 4 trucks in front of me. It felt safer doing this journey with others and I was grateful for them. If we got snowed in, we could come together as a group to make it through the evening until rescue came in the morning.

Me...moving through the snowy portal

Together we moved up the side of the dark, snowy mountain, slowly, but together. I was in the rear, holding space for the caravan, like a little caboose. Even though I had a sense of safety being in a group, I was in the rear.  If something happened to me, they may not notice. I thought about how I could flash my brights quickly as I went off the ledge, to get their attention before the snow swallowed me. 

....then someone came up behind me. 

It felt so good to have someone have my back. A huge sigh of emotion moved though me.  This is a feeling I do not often have...the feeling someone has my back. Tears welled in my eyes. Frozen emotions started to thaw, and deep longings started to emerge. I knew this was not the time to process emotions coming up. I could barely see through the snow, let alone through tears. I sent a prayer to the people behind me and felt deep peace at having someones back... and someone having mine. 

Eventually, the caravan worked its way down to 2 vehicles, me and the truck in front of me. We stayed together for a couple hours, snaking our way through the dark, snowy, twisty/turny road. What a powerful connection to have with another. Deeply bonded and aware.  

Eventually we made it to Taos and went our separate ways. As soon as I got into my hotel room I passed out. I was exhausted after that driving experience!!! Although intense, I'm so grateful. Not only did I get an opportunity to practice my winter driving skills, I connected into deep emotions and longings.

Elk herd our caravan drove by as we moved 

up and through the mountains. 

Road trips into the unknown and solo time in nature are powerful opportunities for learning. Here are some Soulful Ponderings to inspire your next wild outing.  

• What lessons does the open road offer you? 
• What insights are available to you from adventuring through mystery? 
• How can you honor your wild independence and also honor your need for community? 
• Who has your back? 
• What fears emerge in you as solo out into the wild? 

Here's one of my SoulCollage creations. Made to honor the magic & medicine 
of setting off into the mountains for my Winter Quest.