Sacred Journeys

Travelling with like-minded seekers to sacred places is one of the things that keeps me nourished and inspired.  I like to have an adventure on the horizons at all times.  Not your typical vacations of indulgence, sacred journeys indulge the soul’s thirst for beauty, nature and adventures off the beaten path.  Here are a few of the highlights from my travels:

Sacred Spiral of Phenomenal Women, Morro Bay, CA, 2014

My Tarot Cards for the workshop

Weekend women’s gatherings are a beautiful way to recharge and refuel. We gathered in Morro Bay Teressena Bakens, the co-author and illustrator of The Fifth Tarot which is one of my favourite Tarot decks. I often combine family time with sacred study and was lucky spend time with my sister, niece and mother during this short journey. Visiting the elephant seals was a highlight of our time together.

Elephant Seals resting

Soul Manna: spiritual Journey with Elder Mandaza (Augustine) Kandemwa

Africa has always called to me in movies and books so when the opportunity came to travel with a small group to Mandaza’s village in Zimbabwe, I answered the call with excitement. When we arrived at Mandaza’s home in Bulawayo, we were greeted with the words, “Welcome Home Sister”.  Such a warm and telling greeting – not to my or our home – welcome home.  What a beautiful experience of family ties that extend way beyond biological family.  A living example of a community raising the children. 

Closing Prayer Circle at the Ruins

Spontaneous Dancing at the Market

Mandaza Teaching at Victoria Falls

Sacred Earth Journey, Newfoundland with Alison Normore, PhD, Wings of Light

Don Martin Playing his Flute in the Water

Dona Berna Singing to the Waters

Alison Blessing her Mesa Stones in the Water

When my friend and colleague Alison Normore organized a sacred journey to explore the sacred sites of her cherished homeland she affectionately calls “The Rock”, I knew I had to attend even though the timing conflicted with our family’s move to Innisfil. Three days after we unpacked the moving truck, I flew to Newfoundland to join a small group of eager students.  Alison was hosting 3 Peruvian medicine people and we were all keen to learn more from these wisdom keepers. Dona Berna, Don Martin and don Marco offered some formal teaching circles and accompanied us on all our journeys including the milestone event of climbing Mount Gros Morne on the Fall Equinox. 

Women’s Yukon Canoe Trip, 2009

Sunrise over our Tent after a few hours of dusk in the Land of the Midnight Sun

Mom in Dawson City, happy to be Celebrating our Trip

Inspired by my travel partner Dolores, I answered the call of the Yukon a third time in 2009.  As fate would have it, a family emergency kept Dolores from joining me and my mother stepped in at the last minute. What an amazing and memorable experience to paddle from Pelee Crossing to Dawson City with 14 phenomenal women from all walks of life.  Lugging our gear which included daily happy hour supplies and a makeshift “throne” for life’s necessities, we were remarkably efficient, indulged and even graceful in our own way.  Led by our fearless and impeccable leader Lin, we made camp in new locations when ones that had been there for years were suddenly washed away.  Racing against an incoming storm we relayed barrels and canoes up a steep incline without any drama or even complaints. 

Magical Journey to Peru & Bolivia with Jill Segal, Wilka Tika Retreat Center, Sacred Valley, Peru, 2001

Dream Weaver, Water Colour on paper, Painted at Wilka Tika, Peru, 2001

Looking back, I believe the seeds of my medicine path were sewn on this amazing journey where I was introduced to Peruvian Shamans and placed under the spell of the sacred mountains.  Although I didn’t know it at the time, my life was altered forever and a most beautiful and nourishing way.

Exploring Machu Pichu

Yukon Art Expedition, True North Adventures, 1999

Painting on the Mountain Top over Lake Kluane

Painting on a Mountain top overlooking Lake Kluane

Cloud Dancer, Collage inspired by painting in the Yukon

Having fallen under the spell of the Yukon during a Canada World Youth Exchange to White Horse the year after high school, I was excited to get back to this magical and magnetic landscape.  As a brand new painter it was particularly exciting to see everything with the eyes of an emerging painter and a privilege to share the experience with more seasoned artists.