All About Town…
Earth-Honored Healing Spring Equinox Chicago, IL April 21st, 2015 by Theresa Puskar “May the positive energy of Nature flow thru you allowing you to calm your thoughts and energize your spirit. Breathe in the Magic of Nature.” – WhiteMagickAlchemy.com To rouse myself from beneath winter’s placid blanket of snow, in an attempt to awaken to the budding newness of the season, I attended a Spring Equinox healing ceremony. While I have participated in these remarkable events in the past, this one felt particularly potent. A couple of days prior, my friend, fellow India journeyman and astrologer, Peter Hopkins, gifted me with a reading for my recent birthday. His astrological readings are always extremely insightful, accurate, and practical. In this particular communiqué, he mentioned that any actions I took on this year’s Spring Equinox would be of great significance. Thus where I was once casually considering attending, I felt a strong call to participate.
“I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.” - George Washington Carver
Theresa Puskar & Peter Hopkins
“Awaken your inner Shaman. She is your ancient self; the one who harmonizes Spirit and Earth, the part of you so deeply entrenched in nature that authenticity, intuition and love surround you. Awaken her from her dream and synchronize with the power to heal, step into purpose, and live as your sacred self.” – Melinda Rodriguez These ceremonies are always mesmerizing, magical and mysterious, and this one was no exception. The air of ancient mystery, juxtaposed with the hustle and bustle of downtown Chicago added intrigue to this spiritual stew. While surrounded by massive brick buildings, modern billboards, and the city sounds of sirens, we were immersed in a delectable soup of 21st century urban life, commingled with ancient wisdom and deeply rooted spiritual tradition. This experience reminded me of a conversation I had years ago, while working with Native Medicine woman, Wolf Moondance. She was struck by how 8 Conscious Community - May 2015
much natural divine energy the city of Chicago held. Being such a large metropolis, she didn’t expect it. This ceremony was further evidence of the harmonious melding of the two worlds – modern living and ancient ritual.
This ceremony is rooted in the Andean shamanic tradition. Sacred space is created in the earth-honoring tradition, and calls in the transformative powers of the feminine divine. Three beautifully placed beds, adorned with flowers and greenery are carefully placed at the center of the sacred circle. Two attendees were chosen to receive a healing; one bed remained empty and in waiting. These resting places are holy, and whisper gentle, nurturing invitations to rest and allow the healing presence to serve.
Participants are cautioned that they may be called upon for healing. We are told that we should not resist if we feel faint or light-headed. We are assured that we will be supported as we drop to the floor. Within a minute of the ritual starting, I felt faint.
Photo by Karen Lloyd