Spirit Quests
Sacred Groves Spirit Quests
Late Summer 2008
Phase 1 (at the Groves): Friday evening Aug 29th (evening) to Monday noon Sept 1st
Phase 2 (out on the Olympic Coast): Starts Monday morning (Sept 1st) at the Groves and then we drive out to the Olympic Coast. Ends late afternoon Thursday Sept 4th
Spirit Quests are an opportunity to focus on significant prayers and intentions, to help one through a transition of some sort, to release the past and/or to step into the future in a new and positive way. Quests create a space apart from one’s usual routines to focus on one’s spiritual path and life direction. Quests also provide an opportunity to deepen a relationship with Mother Earth, and to tap into the profound beauty of silence and solitude.
In traditional Native American culture, Vision Quest includes setting up a sacred circle in the wilderness and spending a number of days in solitude and prayer in that sacred circle, fasting from food and water, opening to guidance from spirit, with only a blanket for protection. People in a ‘base camp’ prayerfully anchor the person and hold a supportive energetic container. The Spirit Quests that Therese offers at Sacred Groves are designed for those who would like a gentle, nurturing type of vision quest experience. Fasting is optional. People bring tent and sleeping bag, can have ample water and as much nibble-food as each person chooses to bring. For those who are unfamiliar with camping and would like a shorter experience in a more protected environment, the quest happens in the woods of Sacred Groves. For those who would like to experience a quest in a wilderness setting, willing to carry a back-pack a few miles, we will be traveling to Lake Ozette near the Olympic Coast.
Participants are welcome to join either Phase 1 or Phase 2 of this Quest or to commit to both phases, spending a full week in quest-land, moving from a quest site in the woods at Sacred Groves to a quest site on the wilderness coast of the Olympic Peninsula.
Intentions
By the end of this experience, it is hoped each person involved will have an opportunity to:
· Develop a sense of being “home” in the outdoors
· Experience the profound quality of silence and solitude.
· Deepen a sense of spiritual connection with Mother Earth.
· Focus on prayers, intentions, and affirmations for your life
· Open to GREAT SPIRIT, receiving messages and guidance from inner wisdom, from spirit-guides, ancestors, and from the natural world.
Format for Quest at the Groves:
On Friday evening, we gather for an informal potluck dinner so Questers can get to know each other. There will also be time to identify and set up your quest site in the woods at Sacred Groves where you will sleep. We will gather together again in the meadow on Saturday morning and officially begin our ceremony when we will lay a ceremonial fire for our purification sweatlodge. After the sweatlodge, we will share a light meal together in silence, then each quester will move into the solitude of his/her sacred circle for two night, until Monday morning. Therese and Tere will hold the container in ‘base camp.’ On Monday morning, the Quest will end with another sweatlodge, food, and debriefing with other questers and those who will be joining us for phase 2.
Format for Quest out on the Olympic Coast:
Monday morning (Labor Day), questers for this phase will join Therese and Tere at Sacred Groves, laying the sweatlodge fire in sacred space, joining the sweatlodge with the questers who are completing their quest in the Groves. By early afternoon we will be packing up the cars to drive west to the Coast. Depending on how late it is when we arrive at our wilderness destination, we may hike-in that night. More likely that we will car-camp Monday night and hike in the next day, beginning your quests on south Sand Point beach. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning, Therese and Tere will hold a base-camp for those in solo quest sites. The quests will end mid-day on Thursday (Sept 4th) after we hike out and have our closing ceremony.
Money Business
Suggested donation for each phase separately is $200. For the week-long 2-quest experience: $300 plus gas money for the drive out to Ozette. If this amount is a hardship, offer what you can afford. The Quest includes a sweatlodge, meals before and after the Quest, cornbread and water during the Quest, emotional and spiritual support during the quest itself. Therese will also provide advice about equipment needed and other preparation for the Quest beforehand.
To commit yourself to this Quest: If you are serious about making this commitment, please notify me as soon as possible. It would be best if we could talk on the phone, so try to call me at 206 842 7141 and/or send an e-mail and let me know when you are available to talk. Please send a financial contribution (preferably $100) as a way of confirming your commitment. Mail to 9333 Holly Farm Lane, Bainbridge Is 98110. Once I hear that you are committed, I will send you information about how to prepare. Because doing a quest requires preparation, it is good to make a commitment as soon as possible.
Your Facilitators: Therese and Tere both have been hiking, camping and backpacking for many decades, starting as children. Therese began hiking and camping alone in her 20’s, drawn to the wonderful sense of connection with Earth Mother and the quieter, slower, more alert mind-space experienced when surrounded by the natural world rather than people. Inspired by Jamie Sam’s book The Thirteen Original Clan Mothers, Therese began a spiritual practice of taking three days per month of silence and solitude in the woods of Sacred Groves or nearby wilderness areas seven years ago. These experiences have been a rich source of inspiration and nurturing from Mother Earth and have grounded her in a slower, quieter reality than our busy modern world. Both she and Tere hope to awaken others to this sweet, simple yet profound practice of regularly connecting to the many worlds within worlds that are part of Mother Earth’s bounty and Great Spirits blessing.
