Russia 2005
Dear friends - this summer I traveled to the Urals in Russia for my fourth summer camp It was very different this time as sadly at the end of my stay I got quite ill but despite this it was a great experience and had some very positive outcomes.
I went to Russia this time with three other Canadians who assisted with the daily workshops. The Canadians had been a small group who had helped me raise money for the bringing over last February of three Russian women to Vancouver for a brief stay. This project of cultural exchange was completed with our return to Russia this summer.
We began our travels with an excursion to the Chirdon district -- appox 200 hundred miles north of Perm. There we were taken to some very ancient caves and petroglyphs. To get to this special area we had to use a huge military truck ( we could not use boats as the water was too low for a part of the way. ) and we were taken down the river bed via truck -- the locals dubbed it Extreme Russian Reality. When you combined the mosquito and black fly population I rather think I would call it a living nightmare but the area was beautiful and had a distinct ancient feel about it.
This is an area of very old roots of the Mansi tribe and we were able to visit two old women who were of this tribe and also a mixture of Old Believer faith. They were very shy but a great delight and they were finally persuaded to sing for us - all of their traditions being oral.
We then made our way back to the location of camp Camp that was quite near Chirdon. Facilities were great, including daily banya ( Russian steam bath) and it overlooked a beautiful valley and winding river below.
The Russian women and myself had dubbed this years camp -- Creating a New Story - with the focus on learning to collaborate with spirit. This was enhanced by the setting up of a world religion alter where we honored all faiths and traditions. We met each morning to bring in the Shamanic 4 directions and smudge but to also bring in various prayers and Mantras. The two young psychologists for example, that were working with the children follow the Krishna traditions so offered many beautiful mantras each morning.
Someone brought in the prayer the Russians called the Great Calling - westerners know it as the Great Invocation. I found this very powerful hearing it in Russian.
Along with the workshops the other Canadian women provided in Therapeutic Touch, Healing Sound and initiation to Reike I did daily workshops all designed to help them create what I call the star shield initiation. This is the making of a shield that honors their particular guidance and helps enhance a stronger connection with spirit.
Since the camp, which was close to 100 people consisted mostly of women - it was decided we would also have some women's workshops. The energy for these events was phenomenal. First we held a wild woman's workshop -- complete with face paint, costumes and lots of fun and laughter. I have often held this type of workshop to encourage the empowerment of women but this one had a slight difference. I began the workshop reading the prophecies of Helena Roerich . Her writings emphasis the importance of the feminine principle and how vital it is for women of all nations to step into leadership -- how important it is to bring in a softer energy from integrity and heart. The evening ended with tea, cake and Russian singing and dancing. One dance called the snake dance taught to us by the Russians - where we basically had to catch the tail of the snake was especially delightful!.
Our second women's event was the "croning" of seven grandmothers. In the past camps I had held ceremonies for maids and mother so for this fourth and final camp it was appropriate to honor the Grandmother. We were honoring anyone who was 50 or over - the eldest being 66.
I began this evening with a song I had written some years back when Lady Dianna died - I have used this somg in some way in all of the camps It is called "Sisters of the Earth" and a tribute to sisterhood.
The main part of this ceremony is to form a birth canal for the transition from Mother to Crone or wise woman. Each Grandmother had been made a flower crown so they looked very beautiful and with such a large number of women participating the birth canal was especially powerful.
The final event that sticks out in my memory was the blessing of the star shields. I had brought some Hymalayan rose water for this purpose and it was indeed poignant and for me somewhat sad knowing that this was the last camp in this form.
I have not mentioned the children and this is an oversight as two young boys had been to all four camps and are simply amazing they are so filled with light. We were also blessed with our "miracle baby"- my namesake Marguerite. In 2003 her mother had come to camp feeling really sad that she had been told she could not bear children. Shortly after camp Kate became pregnant and gave birth to a little girl with flaming red hair. This year little Marguerite became our youngest little "wildwoman".
The children spent the week building a magical village, working with each of the elements. They provided each visitor ribbons that could then be tied on their magic tree which would help bring forth all wishes and dreams.
After camp two Canadians returned to Canada and Patt and I were to go with Sveta on an excursion . Sadly I had only traveled a short distance when I got terribly ill and had to come back to Perm.
I think spirit had a plan however because being back with the camp organizers I was able to help them process camp and see how it was that they wanted to proceed. They wanted to do something to help them continue the momentum created by camp energy.
What evolved was a plan for me to work with a small group through long distance education in Shamanic Studies. The Russians will then summarize the topics raised in the study program and this will be listed on a web site for the other participants from camp to stay connected. They have very kindly called the web site Dakini and it is already registered.
What I found so positive this time was our increased trust level - a direct result I think of the Russian women having come to Canada. I also found a great shift towards being proactive - especially the young women who were the interpreters. Anna and Rosa for example are working on producing "Angel cards" in Russia. Lena is hoping to start Women's circles and her ultimate dream is to hold an international camp for Grandmothers. I am so happy for them because now instead of feeling very trapped in just working to survive they now feel excited and hopeful
Although at one point the feminine energy was mightily challenged it was not stopped and I am so happy to have been a part of something so full of beauty, grace and love. One day, shortly before the end of my stay - I was taken to a small church. and while there, I asked if they had any icons of Mary Magdalene. At first the lady said no and then showed me an icon that I had never seen before. It was an icon of all the Mary's that she explained they paid tribute to in Russia each year right after Easter. A Fitting symbol of sisterhood.
Sisters of the earth are calling to you
Sisters of the earth are crying for you
Sisters of the earth are claming for you
This Mother we call home
I am full,Ho1- your sister Margaret.
I am full , HO!