Hawl the pain

(it is not yours to own)

to the flowing river

Allow it all

(the lie & story are pain & suffering)

to stream away

Into untime's cave

(where reality exist and always will)

opening long ways

Where the waterfall

(within is the only strength required)

merges with spirits

And fly upon the canoe

(then journey into life in the present)

flowering into cosmos

-j.a. knolls

Golden Chanterelles - The Queen of the Forest

Many of the World's greatest chefs prize the Golden Chanterelle above all other culinary mushrooms, because they are so tasty, no doubt ! Here is what we foraged from the great Pacific NW woodland today...

(Cantharellus cibarius)

The Great Blue Heron

Heron Animal Pearls are said to impart their particular magical virtues to their owner. Heron Pearls are characteristic of its host; they possess all the awesome characteristics that may be seen in the Heron itself; the self-respect and intelligence of this animal is contained within the pearl waiting for its proper owner to bestow its inner magic to that unique and fortunate individual. For century’s shamans, priestesses, spiritualists and practitioners of the occult have used Heron animal pearls to transfer the powerful magical energy of the Heron to themselves and to others in need of this commanding animal magic. Heron pearls are highly sought after by any wishing to absorb Heron like virtues into their lives and develop stronger mental abilities such as those embodied by this magnificent creature. The owner of a Heron pearl will see their lives, spiritual energy and mental clarity imbued with all of the virtues attributed to the “self-reliant” bird of the earth and wind, the Heron; however, will need courage to travel deep into the Old Growth forest where the journey continues, helping one to know what was always waiting to appear.

Alicia Luengas Gates, C.S.C.

Alicia Luengas Gates spent seven years with indigenous populations in Mexico, where she was born. She has studied with the Foundation for Shamanic Studies, especially with Michael Harner, since 1986 and is a Certified Harner Method Shamanic Counselor (C.S.C.) as well as having an active practice in shamanic counseling, consulting, and healing. She has been a faculty member of the Foundation since 1993, teaching the Basic Workshop and advanced programs in the United States, Argentina, and Spain. In addition, she currently teaches the Three-Year Program in Advanced Shamanism and Shamanic Healing and the Two-Week Intensive Course on the West Coast.

In Alicia's own words, "I was a Franciscan nun in Mexico, and then while living with the Yaqui tribe, during the Deer Dance ceremony, my spirit animals came to me, talked to me, and helped me become one of them. I received them with joy and thought, like Francis of Assisi, I was learning to talk to the animals and to the brother sun and sister moon. Still, I did not know how to reach them, for they only appeared to me during the Deer Dance and special tribal celebrations.

"Later on, when I made my first shamanic journey, I found the same spirit animals, but now could talk to them, ask them questions, and understand how they communicated with me. I now could go meet them whenever I wanted to. WHAT A JOY! I knew then that I had found my spiritual path. I immediately started training with the Foundation for Shamanic Studies intending to apply this to my personal growth and problem-solving, without knowing that one day I would be called by my spirit helpers to offer shamanic healing to those who request it. My shamanic practice has flourished ever since with their help.

"Shamanic work is not work for me, it is my life and my passion. I consider myself blessed to have the privilege of doing this work and to share shamanic knowledge teaching for the Foundation."

"A real medicine can only exist when it penetrates into a knowledge which embraces the human being in respect to body, soul and spirit."
–Rudolf Steiner

"This old valley whispers secrets...

About the world that’s turning ‘round
But to hear ‘em you must listen
Until you cannot hear a sound."

-Dana Robinson

Unconditional war can no longer lead to unconditional victory. It can no longer serve to settle disputes. It can no longer be of concern to great powers alone. For a nuclear disaster, spread by winds and waters and fear, could well engulf the great and the small, the rich and the poor, the committed and the uncommitted alike. Mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind.

John F. Kennedy