Mt Shasta Quest Aug.19-26, 2012

Mt Shasta Quest Aug.19-26, 2012 http://www.shastacamp.org/
Prices: Questers $950-$1150 10 limited we already have 2 confirmed
Supporters: $700 10 limit (nonrefundable upon registration $250)

Make your commitment to this Golden Era by Questing in one of the most Sacred Areas! Theme for beginning 2012 as preparation for this special time, intention, understanding the unique initiation that Quest offers being out in nature to help in our evolution of why are we here NOW or to heal past traumas. I can never predict what will come up once you commit starts a very personal process. What are your unique gifts to this Era of Now?
Linda M Held has been doing Quests since 1991 at various areas in Mt Shasta, Marble Mountains, Blue Ridge Mountains. http://www.mtshastaherbandhealth.com/
Require to be focused with intention meeting either in person or conference calls or skype, prayer ties for each of the 7 directions, preparation for fasting, collecting willows for your space you will be in for 4days and 3 nights. Methodist Camp is the location for the sixth year. The ancestors, spirits know our presence and welcome our group each year.
A unique experience of collecting willows, building sweat lodge, preparing for the ceremony, attending various teachers running lodge, then going out on the land for 3 nights and 4 days. Coming in Saturday morning for lodge, after being out with yourself, continued ceremony with sacred food of buffalo, berries, and corn as your first food after you have offered your prayers to Mother Earth. Then once the ceremony is complete we then break down camp putting this area back to the way we found it. Clearing any debris thanking the land. It is a gift to see this complete.
Supporters experience deep teaching while supporting our Questers plus being in camp for teachings around the fire and lodge, understanding the work it takes to do such ceremony of this intensity. Individual lessons, plus understanding skills of working this closely with a community needing to work as a team with all these challenges. We provide food for those days, camping in a beautiful area. Supporters have the opportunity to their own individual process while in camp and being part of the Quest each day.

What Next?

Here we are in the beginning of this 2012 wondering what is that is all about? The excitement over the New Year then a radical change into a deeper experience of what or how do I want to participate? Is my roll a quiet inner journey or am I suppose to be more visible? I know various teachers have been asked the question of depression when actually it is that drive of what is our destiny feeling we should have the answer. We have so blessed with so many teachers that are out there giving us the encouragement to keep keeping on even when we don't know our answers. I also see our examination of our past like Patrica Robles talks about the last 25 yrs now coming out into a more blessed time, healing all those past issues or attempting to understand the journey of suffering. I know there are great teacher saying let it go and figure our what is it? I really really want to do______ this is what "Eat Pray Love" author said on Oprah's show. I have asked my clients that same question for them to have the freedom of thinking out side the box is definitely a push for all of us during this economy however I understand the importance of the freedom it is. Then we have Dr. Phil & Dr. Drew addressing these human issues with the education of the particular dysfunction in order to heal and let go. We have divine souls that are doing work so necessary for those blessing to manifest. We as humans are challenged in our own understanding of all of this. Clients have said to me, " It isn't that simple." But the possibly to stop fear or anger is well worth it. Seeing Tony Robbins with Oprah gave examples of it with the enthusiasm of exercise that importance of changing that energy. Then adding prayer, meditation, journaling, makes this all possible plus having a good team who believe you can do it!

January 13, 2012

Soooooooooooo......the beginning of the year has started over New Years everyone was so thrilled now there is a calm inward journey with people attempting to figure out what does that really mean 2012? I know some are on a fast track making huge plans following through in a big way while others are nesting getting ready for that birth of ideas. I feel the angels are here to let us know we are all on the right track. It is a year of responsibility to our destiny we have be willing to do what it takes to get out there either in service or doing our work in a bigger way. This Full Moon being in Cancer as I lay in my bed the moon shining in here in Mt Shasta I almost forgot about it then a friend from Illinois called to ask about what I thought about this moon.....the night before which was Wed. I had dismissed this moon it then poof there it was shining in my side window nudging me, then again last night here she was again. I feel that the importance of taking care of our family(big), home, and social interaction is really much of what this year is about. This economic situation has taken us back to basics that was absolutely necessary for us to do our work. If you are reading this you are already committed to a spiritual practise there is no questioning you are not a novice you are a dedicated person and will be more so this coming time. We have entered that new time with much enthusiasm however for many it is a time of rest and inward journey which is feeling non productive but good for the soul. A friend Peter Mt Shasta was in the store the other day talking and showing me about doing a skype lesson a week, which he encouraged me to start he saids it is something I need to do. So in my own journey I am thinking about how that is birthing. I also have art work from Cheryl Rose labels to put on my flower essences but I don't understand how to do which a friend will help me with that,plus use her art work for the cover of a book. I wanted to do a group to Kona for myself the half marathon in Hilo on March 18 it too is still birthing. I have the feeling that time isn't quite yet but as many of you it feels like many years we have been waiting and here we are once again. I know that this time is very different and necessary for the birthing that is upon us. Next week my gal Amber is coming out we are planning a similar weekend as when another came out, excercise, massage, journey, meditation, cleansing, basic hanging with our energy of this Mountain! I am excited but also feel a depth of gentle queitness. I am hoping the weather is ok so we can do a lodge in my yard for the first of the year to help focuse and clear any unwanted energy so we can proceed in the most dynamic way possible. As always we are not in charge a lesson that is being continuably learned. Stay with the flow listen to directions and follow them.

Also we carry Peter Mt Shasta's book at our store "Adventures of a Western Mystic"
Cheryl Yambrach Rose book, posters, and deck of cards.

Women's Gathering

I am sorry to say we have canceled it, due to such a slow start for 2012 between weather & energy. Happy 2012 more to come!

Women's Gathering Blessings 2012 January

Bringing in 2012
with
Blessing and Vision
Women Gathering together:
to dream a new vision for ourselves and this Earth we love
to celebrate the creative spirit within us
to enjoy each other
to revel in the exquisite beauty of the Earth

In the Shadow of the majestic Mt Shasta, we will snow shoe in for 1/4 mile to a cozy rustic lodge in the middle of the Shasta -Trinity National Forest.
A haven without electricity and cars; just the silent peace of nature with good healthy food, ceremony and good company.

January 20 Friday 6:00pm to Sunday, January 22 at 3:3 0pm
$200 per person

BRING:
YOU WILL NEED SNOW SHOES (you can rent them in town)
Sleeping bags and pillows, Flashlights (headlamps are especially great), toiletries, towel, warm clothes, boots, gators,
Something for the altar representing your prayer for yourself and for the Earth in these times. Drums, Rattles and other sacred objects to bless and be blessed are welcome and not required.

To register or to ask questions: Please register by January 7th.
Linda Held 530-926-0633 lindamheld@aol.com

Cedar Moss 530-828-2221 cedarmoss@gmail.com

Going back to the Beginning of Sweat Lodge to Current!

My first Sweat Lodge in 1887

As I sit in this lodge dark, all I see is a huge Panther Black Cat and a big snake.......I am not sure if I am going to live through this. My ears are on fire, wondering what will it look like when woman dies in Sweat lodge in Turlock California. I was on a journey after seeing the lodge at Stewart Springs for years but not really knowing but feeling drawn to it. Then after a sticky testy divorce I was in a woman's support group I asked another gal if she ever saw one being advertised I would love to go. Then as spirit has it she saw one in Turlock Calif. so we started our journey getting lost for 5 hrs, not realizing that too was part of a shaman's journey. So in the morning we started by building the lodge now I sit here with sweat pouring off this body having the heart closing into my mind feelings thoughts rising deep with in a clear way in an odd reality.

I arrived with Lana feeling out of place then realizing we were here to work. We were to collect the willows, rocks, fire wood (by the site) each took prayers and focus. I learned that the rocks were called Grandfathers being here for century's. Building the lodge out of direction from the Karuk stocky Medicine man with a big black hat (turning out to be Charlie Thom the same man who has lodge at Stewart Springs). He was showing us how to bend the willows pray as we go. I thought what if I professional former husband could see me now. The park was beautiful as we looked over a meadow that we would call Angel Meadow a blue heron flew over with her wings spread wide so powerful of a message. It was a completely different reality being here in nature now the fire burning with the blankets on the lodge with tarps covering the lodge. The base of the fire had large logs making a floor for the rocks then putting split wood around brush in the center covering each with a prayer placing our intentions for the coming time in lodge, lighting it. WE now have a fire roaring it is a beautiful place with great smells of the our door and Mother earth. I know I am in for it, as we enter sitting on the ground in a circle of each direction, Red Hawk(Charlie Thom) sitting in the East to the side of the door all adds to the mystic of this. He adds celery root, along with many other herbs. He is known for being an herbalist so he has a direct relationship with many herb which I later find is different then most lodges. The smells are divine the root sparkles on the rocks, he is belting out songs that I attempt to sing along, feeling the depth of all of it. He pours water on the rocks they sizzle making the heat more intense and see those images.

Being in Sweat Lodge has many meanings for many people it is basically a prayer service for many it has such a profound cleansing brings up much emotion, often flash backs, great for recovery, (a friend brought it into the prisons for Native folks)the experience makes me feel alone in the dark often for many it can bring claustrophobic feelings or hyperventilated breathing.

I decided to add this to this blog today this has been written so long ago to even remember. This picture of Micheal & myself are the most recent Vision Quest for 2011 this is the lodge. The times have changed however the ceremony hasn't, it still is a mystery to me. I never really can predict what is going to happen, each is unique to it's self. After that first lodge I didn't sweat for a year, having a profound effect on me. When I did do it again in Turlock I became an apprentice so then I would often do lodge 3-4 times in a weekend plus still working mainstream in our Salon in Burlingame the "Townhouse." Then I started leading Quest's in 1991 which each one just like lodge in unique to itself. I know one thing that ceremony once the medicine is set down to a format the earth, lands ancestors, trees and all the natural surrounding know. When I go on the land in between times putting offering of tobacco and sweets the trees wave their arms in welcome, the area where lodge is has also a welcoming even if the weather isn't great. I love this work and am a constant student as the natural resources teach me how to honor the land and Mother Earth.

Fall Equinox!

Things are not often as the seem to be.......we have to look deeper but sometimes we are choosing to be manipulated for our growth. Until we become honest in our soul work we must learn many lessons. We have to accept that people are not where we want or think should be, it is our drive for being co-dependant to want everyone on the same team. As this season moves into being it is apparent we are learning some big lessons with economy and the necessity to open our heart to love. This picture is the end of my flower essence for this season, vetch, sweet peas, amethyst, and crystals. I am tuning into what this draws to the person using it. I have been asked to make some for a Japanese web site for them to sell to Japan. Yesterday in the store there were 2 women from Japan asking very specific question of which flower essence would work for specific things they were attempting to create in their life. It became clear that on the page I have for each essence I need to be a bit more specific which in the next few days will be a joy to have more clarity. I love having the flowers teach me about themselves. I also use flowers in my Sweat Lodge asking for their help. We are now entering the season where few are in bloom. The next lodge I still have mint and lavender to brush on the rocks, of course some of my beautiful roses for opening the heart. I love the nature of flower power, a energy to not be neglected for their power. That is what I love about living in the mountains the simple ceremonial times, just being in my 2 gardens cleaning out and up......being blessed with Mother earth's appreciation for me being the guardian of this land. I think about it as I achieve each task. Including gathering fire wood deep in the forest feeling the pulse of the mother. As I am sitting here at Mt Shasta Herb & Health writing this there is a blue jay squawking very loud from my garden telling me communication is absolutely essential for those that we are opening our hearts. Now if people aren't there it is not our job to push through we have better things to do. As much as I want my team I also realize that people are at their own speed, it is none of my business to insist that they come along. The music is playing from Amma's Swami's 1000 names of the Divine Mother hearing the blue jay and seeing the bowl touches my heart in great gratitude for all things. If you are reading this I want you to understand how you are a blessing, beautiful gratitude for your life. A HO!