Medicine Wheel

Its been one day since I have returned from our annual Sisters of the Craft yearly trip/get together.  This year we chose to venture out West and visit a few Sacred and National Treasures.

The main highlight and what I wanted to do most was to visit the Medicine Wheel in Big Horn National Forest.  It's always been a dream of mine to visit this special and sacred place.  When I first started out on my path I was most drawn to spiritual concepts I found in Native American History.  Though I am a devout daughter of Herne (still to this day even with not being able to eat alot of the hunt because of my medical issues) the respect for the cycle of life remains intact.

Last year when I was diagnosed with Kidney disease my first diagnose was not the greatest.  My doc originally thought that I would be on dialysis sooner than expected.  Here we are a year later!  I currently do not need dialysis and do not see the need for it in the immediate future (ok so the 2 years has turned to 5 years).  If we are able to control both my Lupus (recently diagnosed earlier this year and the current thought of the cause) and stop the regression of my Kidney Disease I can live a long, healthy and normal life span as most people not sick at all.  At least that is my ultimate goal.

When I was in the hospital last year, both myself and a few of my Covenmates were going through some really hard medical times.  We decided together that if we got thru this past year we would reward ourselves with a Sacred Journey.  As we discussed the many options, Wyoming kept coming up.  One of us had family there that could offer an offset of financial obligations such as extra hotel rooms.  We agreed that this would be our next sacred journey together.

So last week we packed my car and headed out West.  Here are a few photos.

The Medicine Wheel

Various Prayer Bundles and Ribbons tied to the Wheel's safety barrier.

The first challenge of the journey is making it up the mountain because you have to walk the 1+ miles up and down the mountain's path just to get to the wheel.  It included up the mountain, down the mountain, up the mountain once again, plus a final very steep incline to reach the top where the wheel is located.  Thankfully there were a few benches we could stop, rest, and take in the spectacular view.

Even with some snow present in places the climb up left me very hot to where I took off my jacket to make it up the mountain and give my back a chance to breathe.  It was very cloudy and also hazey that day from the many Forest Wildfires in the area and the surrounding states that caused the sky to be covered.

As I was walking around the Wheel (counterclockwise which is a sign of respect for those visiting the wheel as the current tribes still using the wheel request) I received many messages and thoughts of things I needed to take of in my life.  Most of them involved with Healing, Cleansing and Swifting.  I also aquired a new energy that was not present before and also made it down the mountain with only one stop on the way down.  The Ranger at the bottom of the mountain who was switching shifts (she was coming down from being at the top of the mountain once we got there) was able to time me on the way down.  She said that for me being a big girl I made it in great time.  It takes her 45 minutes a day one way to make it either up or down the mountain.  I know it took us alot longer getting up the mountain because of the amount of inclines but on my final way down it took me one hour to get down the mountain.  I am very proud of myself physically being able to do this much less be only 15 minutes behind the ranger that walks it several times during the day (therefore being much fitter than I am).


I felt that visiting this Sacred Place was very important to my well being both medically and spiritually.  I do tend on blogging more about this place and trip later on when I have recovered from the journey.  We had many "little sleep" nights as we tried jam packing as much opportunities into our daily schedule that involved waking up very very early to going to bed very very late. (Roughly we were sleeping from midnight to 5am if we were lucky, LOL). 

If you are able to make a spiritual journey or are looking to visit a Sacred Place, please consider visiting the Medicine Wheel.  You won't be disappointed! 

Blessed Be,

Crystal T.

Camping Menu

This weekend, I will be attending the Sisters of the Craft Gathering hosted by KOTH, SBS, and WOW.  (Those would be Keepers of the Hearth, Sacred Birch Society, and Women of the Willow in which I am a member of all three.)

I am so excited, Jenn will be receiving her ordination from SBS!  Looking forward to camping out the entire weekend with a wonderful group of women as well.  Sorry guys, you are only allowed during the public ritual timeframe for SBS's Mabon Celebration....then we are kicking you out shortly after 9pm to resume our Wild Women Weekend! LOL

With all my dietary restrictions it seems now a days, I have no clue what to pack to eat.  Guess this weekend would be a wonderful time to come up with a Raw or close to Raw menu!  But alas, there will be some cooking involved, there is no way I am passing up a campfire and not having a smores or two or three, or four.....

I keep racking my brain on what to pack, so that way I am not spending alot of time prepping my veggies or food while I am there.  So I basically have two days to figure out what the heck I am going to eat and go grocery shopping tomorrow as well. 

Here is what I am thinking:  Just don't know if I want to spend alot of time in the kitchen on Thursday...

Breakfasts:
Though I have a problem with protein, I also have a problem with low blood sugar and Hypoglycemia.  So I still have to eat some protein.  I am going to narrow it down to Yogurt with Granola and or a hard boiled egg for emergencies (I will be bringing two.)  Fresh fruit of some sorts (most likely apple or orange since I have those well in stock will be the lucky fruits).

Lunch:
I really only need lunch for Saturday, so I am thinking of making a few jars of Gazpacho soup that I can keep cold in the cooler and grab a jar whenever the hunger strikes.  If I make it smooth enough I could even drink it instead of eating it like a soup. 
Bruschetta.  Yeah I eat alot of tomatoes....this could be another option and throw it on top of some kelp noodles if I can score a bag prior to leaving...I have already demolished my supply...need to order a case of them.
Tabouleh is another option...well I do plan on bringing at least a small container with me, cause I eat it every single day...its my snack.

I am making two chili's for the potluck...one meat one and one veggie one, so dinner will at least be covered as well for me.  I just hope the veggie recipe is a good one, its the first time I will be making it and I am always worried about not trying a recipe prior to brining it to a potluck. 

I now its not exciting, but if I can make it to Trader Joe's then maybe I can pick up some of their dried fruit mixes.  But then if I go to Whole Foods, I can look at their stuff too.

Oh the stress of packing!  It will be alot of fun....I just hope my poor little car can hold everything!

Crystal

Recouperating

Well the surgery is well over and I am into my second week of recovery.  Doc initally said that it would take 2-6 weeks of recovery based on what I had done and what he had to do to make me better. 

I have my good days and mostly been having some really bad days.  Hopefully the healing will be swifter than what it was the past two weeks!  Tomorrow is my two week check up.  Here is to a road to health.  I am tired of being sick and feeling blah, never having energy and down right feeling like shit.  Even though I am experiencing some painful days, my energy level is actually twice of what its been on the daily basis for the past four to six months!  So that overall is a plus!   I am looking on improving that once I get the ok to start exercising again because right now I can barely walk and barely sit.  I lay on my left side alot or stand now a days.  Tomorrow will also be the first time I drive in since the surgery as well.  So I am a bit nervous about hitting a bump in the road (literally) and experiencing some pain shortly after.  I am sure I will be fine, I know where most of the bumps are between my home and the docs office.

I am making myself a "honey do" list to get the things I need done completed!  I have been making changes and updates to the KOTH website so hopefully those will be done soon.  We will be opening up an online store soon, we have tried a few times in the past, but just never got around to doing it.  I plan on making some ritual kits, pagan prayer beads, Mooncycle Menstration necklaces plus a few other goodies.  So please be on the lookout for them.  Also if you have anything you would like to donate to the KOTH Temple that we can sell for raising money, we could use that help as well! 

Sisters of the Gathering is now open for registration, so hopefully we will have a nice turn out for it as well!  I mailed in my registration last week and Rev. Etain has recieved my paperwork and check so I am definitely going now. LOL  I can't wait to spend a weekend with my sisters of the craft and watch my friend Jenn recieve her ordination with SBS (if she finishes all of her requirements, so get your bootie in gear girl!) LOL

I am also writing on a few different magazine articles hopefully that will be considered for publication.  So keeping my fingers crossed for that as well.

My newest guilty pleasure is listening to "The Witches View" Podcast by the Circle of the Silver Moon.  Those ladies are a hoot and remind me of my gal pals back home.  If you haven't heard them, you should really check them out.  If by chance, one of the ladies is reading this, keep up the great work ladies, I really enjoy the show!

You can find them here:  http://circleofthesilvermoon.org/Witches__View_Podcast.html

So that is all in a nutshell right now.  I am just recovering and hanging out at home.  My sister Autumn has come and gone, and I miss her dearly!  It was wonderful to spend so much time with her again (as if we lived with one another like we were children).  Makes me realize how important family is and what they are willing to do for those they love when they are ill. 

Many thanks to my husband "Hunter", my sister Autumn, and my coven sister Katherine.  The three of them were instrumental in my recovery the few days shortly after my surgery and took such wonderful care of me!  I love you all and thank you from the bottom of my heart.  The Goddess truly blessed me by having the three of you in my life! 

Blessed Be,
Crystal

Sisters of the Craft / Sisters of Avalon

I am happy to say that the Sisters of the Craft Gathering is a GO! Registration is now open. There are a limited number of spots that are available. Should you want to come, you will need to know someone within one of the following organizations to gain entry:


Keepers of the Hearth
Sacred Birch Society
Women of the Willow Coven


Only reason is that this is the first year we are doing this and don't want to bite off more than we can chew. So if you know one of us and we know you, please by all means contact a member of one of the above or contact me to obtain the Registration Packet.

This will be primitive camping with a casual atmosphere. Its about connecting with our fellow "Sisters of the Craft" and get to know one another and bond as sisters should do! A few workshops will be presented and are being considered by the board should you want to submit a class for consideration.


We are currently looking for a sister that has extensive drumming experience and access to several drums to lead a drumming workshop. If you fit the bill, please email me at crystallunarouge@yahoo.com . We are unable to compensate for this time so looking for someone that wants to volunteer this gift of the craft with her fellow sisters.

I am so excited, I can't wait for September to come around! That Mabon will be extra special since fellow sister of the craft "J" will be receiving her ordination from the Sacred Birch Society!

So until the next blog, have a blessed and magical day!


Oh and PS, HAPPY BIRTHDAY IBISFIRE YOU MAGICAL AND PHENOMINAL WOMAN YOU!


Sincerely,
Crystal

Sisters of the Craft Gathering - Part Deux!

I am so excited!

I recieved word from Terry this morning, that our first choice for a location to host the gathering is a GO!!!!
They had no problem with us wanting to have it there! 

No on to the other planning stages!  I am so excited! 

The FIRST Annual Sisters of the Craft Gathering will be held on September 16 - 18th, 2011.
It will held during the weekend we will be celebrating Mabon.  We will have alot to be thankful for next year for sure!

Less than a year to plan, we have a lot of very talented ladies on our Planning Committee and I know we can make it happen!

YES!!!!

Sisters of the Craft Gathering

A few friends and I have been talking for some time about hosting a women's only camping weekend. It will take place sometime next Fall in 2011.

It is the first time that any of us take on a task of this size, and frankly don't have much knowledge about throwing such an event.  Most likely our first turnout will be small and intimate and that is ok.  Right now, we pretty much know the "where" we want to have it, its now going to be more of "will they let us" have it.

After we acomplish that goal, then we can try to figure out the other details.

If you live in Michigan (or not but willing to travel) or would just like to be a mentor if you have hosted something like this before and would like to share your knowledge, please join us at our Yahoo Group.  You can either click on the title to this post or go to  http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sistersofthecraftgathering  to sign up. 

My first questions is whether or not we should provide food?  Or should everyone bring their own?  What should we ask for the fee to pay for the land we want to use? What would be a good price to ask for donation to our provider for the land we will be using if we are approved and given the "go ahead"?  What would you pay for a weekend of camping?   Do we have to carry insurance or can we do with people signing a Waiver of responsibility? 

Would you attend an event if all the presenters were "Local" or do you only attend events with "Big Names" ?  We certainly do not have the funds to get any Headliners, but is there a headliner out there that would donate their time to present a workshop?  If so, please PLEASE let me know! 

There are so many more questions, but I am glad that we have a year to plan!


Once again, if you would like to either give advice and input of what kind of event you like, please feel free to join our yahoo group and let us know!
 
Sincerely,
Crystal