Vision Quest & Community Purification Lodge

We live in exciting times. Many of us are like the jumper in the picture above…. taking a risk from the known into the unknown, taking a leap of faith, that greener pastures await on the other side. Recently, a SCL guest asked me about fear and why it causes so much angst when in reality there is usually not a valid reason for it. Unless it is actually a physical danger that could threaten our life, our other fears are all about the unknown and making decisions in which our future is unpredictable once we make a choice. We spend an exorbitant amount of time trying to calculate the best choice. Our life can be like a chess game…if I do this then this happens…. However, we most often base those calculations on our past experiences…what worked out…what didn’t. What can help in those moments is to remember we are not the same person now that we were then. We have developed maturity from our life experiences and we have greater accountability for our own happiness. It’s not the end of the world if we make a mistake or a decision didn’t turn out the way we had hoped. The antidote to fear is courage, and the only way to get past our fears is to engage them. When we don’t, or we procrastinate doing something we know is good for us, we actually loose energy. There is nothing for us in the status quo but what we already know. This is our comfort zone. We know the mac & cheese is gonna be good…we’ve had it before and know our expectations will be met. I suggest getting comfortable with the discomfort of making changes that will bring greater happiness and abundance. The more you do it the easier it gets to engage with the unknown. Make the unknown known by jumping into a new experience. Once you do you’ll have more energy to put towards your future! Have I got a ceremony for you if your ready to jump…Vision Quest starts Friday evening and our Community Purification Lodge is on Sunday. RSVP

Heads up, SCL events! more info below

• April 26-28 Vision Quest weekend

• April 28 Community Purification Lodge celebrate Earth day all month!

• May 17-19 Eagle Dance! align with Grandfather Sun

• June 1st Garden Gala Fundraiser! celebrate our new galactic greenhouse and forest medicinal gardens with music, dance, auctions!

April 26-28 Vision Quest A full day of ceremony and overnight vision quest to identify and confront your fears in each of the 8 directions, to accept change as your greatest teacher, to know that you have nothing to fear except fear itself, and to align with your natural self and experience your oneness with the Everything. This first gateway ceremony is an intensive day and you will be taken to the edge of what you “think” you can hold. It is part of the process. You will be fasting for 24 hours, drinking only water. Know that you will survive and what an accomplishment it will be! Cost 175$ RSVP

April 28 @ 1PM Community Purification Lodge This sacred ceremony is open to all men and women that desire to connect with the elements, the worlds of Grandmother Earth, to pray (for self, life and others), to purify (emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually), and who choose to grow and evolve as humans.  The alchemy of this ceremony creates a safe space for us to let go of what no longer serves us and connect with Spirit to receive guidance and healing.  Come join us in a circle of reflections that we can make a jump in our evolution on a personal and collective level.  There will be a potluck after the ceremony.  There is no charge for the ceremony. Donations or an energy exchange for lodge maintenance are appreciated. RSVP

May17-19 Our 3rd Annual Eagle Dance!  Our personal and collective prayers are danced to the center tree.  The “tree of life” acts as an antenna to spirit as we pray for guidance from the Universe in the coming year.  Drummer singers maintain the heartbeat on a pow-wow drum during the entire dance and maintain the energy for us as we dance back and forth to the center tree.  The drum does not stop until we are complete! We will be fasting, and drinking water is optional and recommended.  The dance is a meditative/trance experience.  Dancing keeps us in our bodies and out of our head so we can receive “with care and with clarity” messages from spirit. The Dance allows prayers for manifesting a specific intent for self, the Collective, and others. We have chosen to be alive in this special time and humanity is calling us to participate as we bridge the old world into the new one currently emerging.

Eagle Dance is an irreplaceable experience and well worth your careful preparation.  Cost 100$ early registration by May 3rd. For more information or to register contact Kelly

SCL EVENT OF THE YEAR! June 1st Garden Gala! Thank you Jenny Jean for this fantastic flyer!

Post Solar Eclipse/New Moon

A New Moon & Total Solar Eclipse occurred on April 8th, 2024. I got to see it while visiting my mom in Oklahoma. We took the camper to the very most SE corner of Oklahoma, Broken Bow, near the Texas and Arkansas borders. The forecast was for clouds all day and we were resigned to just “feel” the eclipse at a campfire rather than see it. Early in the day I conjured up a hopeful prayer that the cloud people would open up for us to see the astrological spectacle…. and let it go. I was spending time with my mom and aunt and that was the most important thing. We carried on through the day and just after 1pm I looked out the window and there was sunshine! Yikes! I ran outside with my solar glasses to check the progress. The sun was already covered by a third of the moon’s shadow. Totality was 40 minutes away and it would take 15 minutes to get my mom and the wheelchair outside! Three old ladies pulled the oldest one down the RV steps on her butt, into the wheel chair, over unforgiving gravel, and into a patch of sunlight. There we donned our solar glasses and assumed a neck position that did not cause too much pain…and looked up. When the moon shadow totally eclipsed the sun we lowered our glasses… The moment was truly magickal. The shadow of the moon fell over us, and in this momentary night there was a an unearthly pause, difficult to describe, but here goes... An interconnected…. mesmerizing meditation of spirit and universe filled with… potential. We are amazing creatures in a wondrous and mysterious universe. A rare moment like this is proof that nothing is out of reach. The mystery of life felt comforting and validated a hidden memory in my unconscious. Kind of like I knew everything… but understood nothing…and it felt great! This feeling lasted 4 minutes and then suddenly a single solar ray of white hot light shot out from the dark edge of the corona and every single person present cheered with delight! The sun had returned. Life was renewed. An amazing reminder that light means life. Take the energy of April’s new moon squared with the solar eclipse and go where you have never gone before! Let’s light some s#*% up!

Heads up, SCL events! more info below

• April 21st Violet Infusion workshop date change!

• April 26-28 Vision Quest weekend

• April 28 Community Purification Lodge

• May 17-19 Eagle Dance! align with Grandfather Sun

• June 1st Garden Gala Fundraiser! celebrate our new galactic greenhouse and forest medicinal gardens with music, dance, auctions!

April 21 @ Noon-6pm Aranyani Notestine teaches how to make wild-harvested herbal infusions. Spring is the time for violets, and a great time to harvest sassafras roots to create long-lasting tinctures with multiple health benefits. We will discuss the gifts of these plants during our day together.

During this workshop we will gather together to roam the property, gathering violet flowers and harvesting sassafras roots from the trees growing on the mountainside. Aranyani will teach you how to create your own herbal tincture that can be used in craft cocktails or taken as medicine whenever needed. We may find other wild herbs and perhaps morel mushrooms peaking out too! Enjoy sassafras tea while we craft our tinctures in the greenhouse.  Please bring your own bottle of 80 proof vodka, a gathering basket or bowl, and glass jars with lids. We will provide the instructions, labels, and other essential items so that you can walk away with your very own wild-harvested medicine that will last up to two years. Cost $30 RSVP

April 26-28 Vision Quest A full day of ceremony and overnight vision quest to identify and confront your fears in each of the 8 directions, to accept change as your greatest teacher, to know that you have nothing to fear except fear itself, and to align with your natural self and experience your oneness with the Everything. This first gateway ceremony is an intensive day and you will be taken to the edge of what you “think” you can hold. It is part of the process. You will be fasting for 24 hours, drinking only water. Know that you will survive and what an accomplishment it will be! Cost 175$ RSVP

April 28 @ 1PM Community Purification Lodge This sacred ceremony is open to all men and women that desire to connect with the elements, the worlds of Grandmother Earth, to pray (for self, life and others), to purify (emotionally, physically, mentally, and spiritually), and who choose to grow and evolve as humans.  The alchemy of this ceremony creates a safe space for us to let go of what no longer serves us and connect with Spirit to receive guidance and healing.  Come join us in a circle of reflections that we can make a jump in our evolution on a personal and collective level.  There will be a potluck after the ceremony.  There is no charge for the ceremony. Donations or an energy exchange for lodge maintenance are appreciated. RSVP

May17-19 Our 3rd Annual Eagle Dance!  Our personal and collective prayers are danced to the center tree.  The “tree of life” acts as an antenna to spirit as we pray for guidance from the Universe in the coming year.  Drummer singers maintain the heartbeat on a pow-wow drum during the entire dance and maintain the energy for us as we dance back and forth to the center tree.  The drum does not stop until we are complete! We will be fasting, and drinking water is optional and recommended.  The dance is a meditative/trance experience.  Dancing keeps us in our bodies and out of our head so we can receive “with care and with clarity” messages from spirit. The Dance allows prayers for manifesting a specific intent for self, the Collective, and others. We have chosen to be alive in this special time and humanity is calling us to participate as we bridge the old world into the new one currently emerging.

Eagle Dance is an irreplaceable experience and well worth your careful preparation.  Cost 100$ early registration by May 3rd. For more information or to register contact Kelly

SCL EVENT OF THE YEAR! June 1st Garden Gala! Thank you Jenny Jean for this fantastic flyer!

Animal Totem Workshop March 15-17

Animal Totem Workshop March 15-17,2024 This is a weekend to learn about your Sacred Animal Totems, the keepers of balance, harmony, and naturalness! Many of us have had pivotal moments in our life when an animal showed itself to us and became an ally or totem to assist us in our human journey. Kelly Jumping Mouse and Michael Star Dreamer will guide participants during this special weekend.

• This workshop presents teachings from the Sweet Medicine SunDance Path and will connect you with your birth animal totems according to Sun Bear’s “Earth Astrology”. 

• Friday evening we gather together with our intent as humans learning about the animal world and the gifts they offer.

• Saturday you will experience a “drumming down” ceremony to meet your circle of animal totems and search for your center power animal. These animals become lifelong allies.

• Saturday evening is craft time! You learn how to create a medicine shield that portrays your personal circle of animals, and/or make a personal bundle. These items are needed for the Eagle dance we hold in May, if you plan to participate.

• Sunday you have time for a nature walk and participate in a purification lodge to deepen your connection with your animal allies and celebrate the Spring Equinox with our greater community.

• The weekend includes teachings, ceremony, and 2 nights of lodging! Cost: $175 RSVP to Kelly & Register here

March 30th Mushroom Inoculation Workshop - We have room for 5 more particpants! Come learn how to cultivate your own healthy, delicious shiitake and oyster mushrooms outdoors on logs.

• We will cover tree selection and harvesting.

• Spawn selection and how to inoculate logs.

• Log placement and care for longevity and successful fruiting, harvesting and preserving mushrooms and much more.

• This is a hands-on workshop. You’ll get to inoculate (drill, fill and wax) a log and take it home with you. You’ll gain all the knowledge and skills needed to make more logs.

Workshop led by Christina Morrison and Virgil Ryan. They have a gourmet and medicinal mushroom farm in Yancey County and have provided their region with shiitake, oyster, and foraged mushrooms since 2013. They have experience growing many varieties of shiitake for fruiting in all four seasons and different climates.

Registration - $75 RSVP to Christina Morrison

April 13th @ Noon-6pm - Violet & Sassafras Infusion Workshop Join Aranyani Notestine at Spirit Canoe Lodge as she teaches how to make wild-harvested herbal infusions. Aranyani is a self taught herbalist of five years, and an experienced forager and medicine maker. Spring is the time for violets, and a great time to harvest sassafras roots to create long-lasting tinctures with multiple health benefits. We will discuss the gifts of these plants during our day together.

• During this workshop we will gather together to roam the property, gathering violet flowers and harvesting sassafras roots from the trees growing on the mountainside. We may find other wild herbs peaking out too! We will keep our eyes peeled for morels also!

• Aranyani will teach you how to create your own herbal tincture that can be used in craft cocktails or taken as medicine whenever needed.

• We will also enjoy brewing up some sassafras tea while we craft our tinctures in the greenhouse. 

Please bring your own bottle of 80 proof vodka, a gathering basket or bowl, and glass jars with lids. We will provide the instructions, labels, and other essential items so that you can walk away with your very own wild-harvested medicine that will last up to two years. 

Cost is $30 RSVP or register here

Medicine making Craft Day, April 15th 12-5pm Eagle Dance preparations can often feel mysterious and overwhelming, so we are gathering to support Eagle Dancers in crafting their ceremonial items for Eagle Dance. It is recommended that one start preparations 2-4 weeks in advance of the ceremony.

Here is what we will be doing: 

• Learn to make your own Shamanic Shield. You will learn your circle of birth sitting place animals to create your first shield.

• What is a Forked Pole and how to make one.

• Guidelines for making Turkey Whistles and Plumes honoring the give away of the birds. Order kits through the links.

• Hokkshideh (protection) Bundles. These align you with the worlds and powers of Grandmother Earth and protect your own essence when wearing.

• What is Regalia and how do you create your own ceremonial clothing.

Cost: Hokkshideh Bundle materials & blessing ceremony 20$ Donations

Bring your own materials for Fan making, Shield making or any other craft project you would like to work on that day! You may cut saplings from the land to create a hoop for the Shield. We do have a leather punch, glue, and other simple supplies to share.

I’ll send more info when you RSVP.  Kelly@spiritcanoelodge.org

Eagle Dance - May 17-19 Our personal and collective prayers are danced to the center tree.  The “tree of life” acts as an antenna to spirit as we pray for guidance from the Universe in the coming year.  Drummer singers maintain the heartbeat on a pow-wow drum that keeps our feet and spirit dancing…for up to 10 hours! If you are new to the dance there is much preparation so contact Kelly for details about joining our 3rd annual Eagle Dance!

February 10th Chinese NY Feast @ SCL

Chinese New Year Feast 2024 & Spirit Canoe Lodge

Gather with the Spirit Canoe Lodge Community for an afternoon of fun and good fortune as we celebrate Chinese New Year-The Year of the Wood Dragon. As the luckiest and most auspicious of the 12 animals, the dragon is thought to signify unprecedented opportunities. In a dragon year, people are said to be able to harness the creature’s intelligence, leadership and abilities to pursue their dreams with creativity, passion, courage and confidence.

Date: Saturday, February 10

• Time: 2-7pm

• 2pm-Gather for celebratory cocktails and mocktails.  BYOB

• 3pm-Our feast begins. Bring your favorite Asian dish to share that has been prepared ahead of time. The stove is available for reheating. 

• Dress for good luck: In the year of the dragon wear Red or Emerald Green (dragon scale colors) clothing to bring good luck all year long.

• Fortunes-Kelly will be offering her basket of auspicious fortunes! 

• Games and Crafts and community shaking off the winter doldrums..

• Prayer Bundle Making-Set your intentions for new beginnings.

*If the weather is challenging or you just want to spend time at the lodge, you may book a bed or a room overnight. Contact Kelly prior.

February 11th we will be repairing the Lodge from snow damage, for those of you staying over we could use your help. RSVP for directions to the lodge. kelly@spiritcanoelodge.org

March 15-17th, Animal Totem Workshop - This is the weekend to learn about your Sacred Animal Totems, the keepers of balance, harmony, and naturalness! They hold a special place in our subconscious of the many ways we have honored and feared them. Many of us have had pivotal moments in our life when an animal showed itself to us and became an ally or totem to assist us in our human journey. This workshop will connect you with your birth animal totems according to Sun Bear’s “Earth Astrology”.  You will experience a “drumming down” ceremony to meet your circle of animal totems and search for your center power animal. This weekend includes teachings, ceremony, and 2 nights of lodging! Register here

Welcome SCL New Caretakers! Yani and David have moved into the new property just down the road to help me care for SCL!! Please give them a big welcome next time you are here and get the chance to meet them. I’m very grateful to have this help! They have their own business offering herbal products and wellness coaching. Right now they are offering 25$ Reki sessions in February. Contact them here:

https://www.adaracollective.com/

March 17th, Community Spring Equinox Lodge - See the details here

March 30th Mushroom Inoculation Workshop - The above photo is the fruit of our labor from last year’s workshop! Oyster mushrooms…. the shitake logs have barely begun to fruit. RSVP to Christina Morrison who is leading the workshop.

Eagle Dance - May 17-19 Our personal and collective prayers are danced to the center tree.  The “tree of life” acts as an antenna to spirit as we pray for guidance from the Universe in the coming year.  Drummer singers maintain the heartbeat on a pow-wow drum that keeps our feet and spirit dancing…for up to 10 hours! If you are new to the dance there is much preparation so contact Kelly for details about joining our 3rd annual Eagle Dance!

2024 Greetings & Beginning teachings start soon!

Snow…and more snow! Here at the Lodge we had a couple of snows amounting to about a foot…it’s been a few years since we had this much. The land is in deep reception of this gift. Did you know that snow has a purifying energy? Snowflakes are crystals, individual and unique imprints from water. Crystals increase our ability to communicate, receive, listen, and come into greater balance by clearing out pollution of all kinds. If you’ve been outside when snow is falling you can hear the crystals falling, landing, and layering the forest with cleansing white crystals. Often you can smell a hint of clean crisp ozone. The sound is like no other…shhhhz, a whisper...that tells you it’s time to tuck yourself in and be nurtured with silence and warmth. It’s time to not do a thing but be still. Find a sanctuary and shut down the outside world. Turn off your “notifications” and reset.

Beginning Medicine Teachings: There is still time to join us! Teachings begin on Tuesday. I'm happy to be sharing the foundational knowledge of the Sweet Medicine SunDance Path.  If you attended the series last year you are welcome to attend for a refresher @ N/C! These simple wheels create the foundation upon which many...maybe even ...hundreds of subsequent wheels can be overlaid upon.  After many years of study I come back time and again to this basic knowledge.  It has changed my life and is always there when I need help to shift my perspective and find alignment with a particular element or power. There is a workbook that goes with these teachings but you can get started the first month and get the booklet the following month, or just take your own notes.

This is a Series of 4 Sessions once a month.  January 30, February 27, March 26, April 30. Register on the SCL Shoppe page or make arrangements with Kelly.

February 10, 2-7pm - Chinese New Year Feast! Bring your best Asian dish to share! We are celebrating the Chinese New Year of the Wood Dragon. Gather with community for an afternoon of fun and good fortune! Kelly will be offering her basket of silly fortunes! Come celebrate new beginnings! If the weather is challenging, you may book a bed or a room in the lodge and stay overnight. BYOB. RSVP for directions to the lodge.

March 15-17th, Animal Totem Workshop - For more info see our calendar here

March 17th, Community Spring Equinox Lodge - See the details here

March 30th Mushroom Inoculation Workshop - The above photo is the fruit of our labor from last year’s workshop! Oyster mushrooms…. the shitake logs have barely begun to fruit. RSVP to Christina Morrison who is leading the workshop.

Eagle Dance - May 17-19 Our personal and collective prayers are danced to the center tree.  The “tree of life” acts as an antenna to spirit as we pray for guidance from the Universe in the coming year.  Drummer singers maintain the heartbeat on a pow-wow drum that keeps our feet and spirit dancing…for up to 10 hours! If you are new to the dance there is much preparation so contact Kelly for details about joining our 3rd annual Eagle Dance!

Winter Solstice Greetings & Integrating 2023

Winter Solstice is quickly approaching. The shortest day and the longest night of our calendar year is a time of soul searching and looking within…a perfect time to reflect on the past year of experiences. 2023 has not been an easy ride for many of us. There is a constant demand to meet new challenges and move through them in order to upgrade, or meet the energy, and roll with the changes. Many of our friends and family have departed. Our personal paths have diverged from those we were once close with…and unexpectedly converged with others we now feel kinship with. There is much grief in our world right now. Why must the lessons of humanity be so painful? Does the inner war we wage against ourselves manifest in the outer war we wage against others? Now is the season to have peace within, to anchor in the knowing that the good within each of us has value and with practice that good will transform the world. How to do this is always the question. If it was easy we would all be enlightened and the world would be a safe and peaceful planet. Over the years of “self help” study, I remember reading a quote addressing this paradox: “LIVE THE QUESTION.” Think about what this means to YOU. What in your life causes struggle or pain? To live without the answer or the cure? And yet to live each day with reverence knowing your thoughts, feelings, and actions are part of the answer. Live with peace in your heart, mind, and spirit…. to the best of your ability. Train yourself to catch those “less than” thoughts and turn them around. Think about what you are excited about creating in these wild times of change…. and then do them! Make happiness a priority in 2024! It’s easier than we think…

Community is about coming together to support and be supported. At SCL something is changing…. I’m not totally sure what it is yet, but I feel that people want and need to have more connection. To contribute to something that matters can make all the difference in a person’s life. The Lodge always has projects going on: Green burial project, completion of the greenhouse, the forest medicinal garden, land planning, ceremonial space… Let us know what you are hungry for! Nurture your spirit’s desire of community. Take a respite at the Lodge and donate time  to one of our projects that inspires you. Hang out with others who want to make a difference. You will nurture each other and more… The land at Spirit Canoe Lodge always fills our cups. We want to support your dreams as you support ours. 

Winter Solstice Purification Lodge & Gift Exchange - December 17th @ 1PM We look forward to being together to complete 2023… and we have a full house already! If you’d like to be on the wait list please check in with Kelly to see if there have been any cancellations. New folks please arrive by 12:00 noon for orientation. A short teaching on Gift giving and Tithing begins at 1pm. Gift exchange and Potluck follows the lodge. No charge for ceremony. Gifts and donations for Kelly and the fire crew are requested.

Wise Women’s Winter Gathering - January 12-14 (11th for Crones and Monday the 15th optional for all) : This year we are exploring the Maiden-Matriarch-Crone wisdom! Crones ( 54 +) arrive on Thursday January 11th for craftyness and top secret stuff. Women 18+ are welcome Friday evening! A purification Lodge is optional at no additional cost. Gifts requested for Kelly & the fire crew. RSVP Cost $150/includes 2 nights lodging, add 25$/extra per night stay.

Beginning Medicine Teachings: I'm happy to be sharing the foundational knowledge of the Sweet Medicine SunDance Path.  These simple wheels create the foundation upon which many...maybe even ...hundreds of subsequent wheels can be overlaid upon.  The beauty of how these overlays work together becomes apparent the deeper you dive into these teachings.  After many years of study I come back time and again to this basic knowledge.  It has changed my life and is always there when I need help to shift my perspective and find alignment with a particular element or power.

This is a Series of 4 Sessions once a month.  January 30, February 27, March 26, April 30. Register on the SCL Shoppe page or make arrangements with Kelly.

Place your order for your $15 workbook by the January 15th here. 

March 15-17th, Animal Totem Workshop - For more info see our calendar here

March 17th, Community Spring Equinox Lodge - See the details here

March 30th Mushroom Inoculation Workshop - The above photo is the fruit of our labor from last year’s workshop! Oyster mushrooms…. the shitake logs have barely begun to fruit. RSVP to Christina Morrison who is leading the workshop.

November 11-12 Forest Medicinal Work Weekend

Forest Medicinal Work Weekend, November 11-12, 10-4pm The above photo is from last years work weekend. Join us this coming weekend in putting the native medicinal gardens to sleep for winter. We will be preparing new beds on the forest hillside and planting seeds, native rootlets, and much more for spring sprouting! Contribute a few hours or come for the weekend. Let me know if you would like to lend a hand. Susan, our Sanctuary director will be leading our work and sharing her knowledge of forest natives. RSVP

Kassie, a dear friend and the lodge web designer, has been visiting and helping me with so many things around here! I’m so grateful for all her assistance. Here are a few of the slate tiles she has painted for the Lodge and display garden. Beautiful…can’t wait to put them in place!

Spirit Ghost Dance! What an amazing time we had dancing under the late October full moon! Many thanks to Matt Wasson for his DJ skills, the dog soldiers that cared for the fire and the space, Maria and Micki for working in the healing arbor, and the ladies that sang and drummed their beauty into the heart space of the arbor. We sent a ripple for balance and change into the collective. I already know it has made a difference. We will do it again!

Spirit Ghost Dancers 2023

Winter Solstice Purification Lodge & Gift Exchange - December 17th @ 1PM Join us for the last gathering of 2023 at Spirit Canoe Lodge! Newcomers must arrive by 12:00 noon for orientation. A short teaching on Gift giving and Tithing begins at 1pm. Gift exchange and Potluck follows the lodge. No charge for ceremony. Gifts and donations for Kelly and the fire crew are requested. Details sent when you RSVP

The Galactic Greenhouse is online! Check out our newest addition on the website!

Greenhouse project

Brook is hard at work on a beautiful fall day. She really rocks that tool belt! The use of sacred geometry in the design of the greenhouse was recommended by Brook and Lisa when we began planning the greenhouse and it really is becoming a beautiful place to be for plants and humans alike…come visit and get a Cosmic boost soon!

Spirit-Ghost Dance & Full Moon Ancestor Lodge

Spirit-Ghost Dance- October 27th, 7-11PM  Have you been wondering how to make a difference in the world gone mad?  This is an opportunity to defend the “withered tree of life”.  There is no charge, no excuses, no second thoughts…just say yes!  The time is NOW.  Why do you think you’re alive at this critical time?  If you are a drummer…we need your help!  The October Full Moon will shine upon us and awaken an ancient connection that can bring healing in these modern times.  RSVP   

The original intent of these dances was to maintain respect for the elements, nature, and all living things and restore the place that humanity holds within this web of life.  The people danced when imbalances occurred.  There is no argument that the imbalances that exist today are monumental.  So large are the imbalances that it seems impossible to do anything about them and many I fear have given up entirely.  This is why we must DANCE NOW!  Many of us have lost our way, our power, our voices, and our motivation to make a difference.  We let our fears guide our action or lack of action.  We must stand up and free ourselves from being at the effect of the polarity in the world around us.  Live your own life in balance.  Be an image maker of courage to live your life the way that makes you happy and in good relations with all of our brothers and sisters.  Change your own life for the better and the world around us will change! Here are some of the themes coming into our imagination and we will dance for:

• Mending the lines of communication with nature and to listen more deeply to the teachings they have for us. 

• Reminding future generations to remember how to live in balance.  We are part of the 7 generations to come and support their well being.

• ·Enlisting the ancestors who came before us and the spirit protectors of mankind to send us the support needed to save humanity.

• Ending the disinformation that scatters and separates us from one another.  We pray to have discernment of our own truths and values and to live by them.

• Agree to disagree with respect and without war. To find peaceable solutions.

• Good stewardship of Grandmother Earth 

The origins of the Ghost Dance began in South America thousands of years ago and are traced within the Borgia codices and the Popol Vuh (Mayan Holy Book) by author Michael Stuart Ani in his book “The Ghost Dance”. Notably Ghost Dances were revived in the 17th and 18th century when the Americas were invaded by European settlements in North and South America.  Indigenous cultures danced to save their people and their way of life within nature.  It is time to revive the dances that can bring salvation to humanity. More information and schedule to be sent to those that RSVP

Full Moon Ancestor Lodge - Saturday, October 28th @ 1pm This October Full Moon falls on October 28, near All Souls Day usually around Nov. 2nd also known as the "Day of the Dead" a celebration of our loved ones that have crossed over. This lodge will celebrate the human path and all who have traversed it. The opportunity we have within this ceremony is one of self evolution. Any personal work we do contributes to healing patterns of pain within our blood lineage. We acknowledge that the growth we attain in this lifetime heals and supports the past and future generations and that death is part of the process of life! RSVP

SCL and Lifestyle Habits for the Long Haul

Greetings!

What a busy busy summer!  A priority in life is learning to care for your physical body…you know that thing that houses our spirit! If we put off self care, illness and dis-ease pop up to remind us to pay attention, slow down, re-evaluate, and listen to the messages that are always present… but we so often ignore because….we gotta git stuff done! However, if our body shuts down we can no longer do all that stuff! Right? The universe forces us to pay attention. Care for our bodies is a good investment as we age, it improves our quality of life, mobility, AND longevity to really get that stuff done that we WANT to do before we return to spirit. Not enough money, not enough time? I will work to make this workshop possible for you. If your reading this message and you know it’s for you…. now is the time to claim your spot to work with nutrition goddess Mary Vance at Spirit Canoe Lodge in October! I have worked with Mary and know her program works.

We are extending the early bird fee of $550 until Friday, September 1st!  

Lifestyle Habits & Nutrition for the Long Haul which includes:

• lodging for 4 nights October 12-16, 2023

• 3 meals per day and 2 snacks per day

• daily movement

• daily teachings on nutrition and hydration

• daily rest

• one on one time with Mary to personalize your program

• for details and registration click lifestyle-habits-&-nutrition

Mary’s dedication for living a healthy lifestyle speaks through her practical “way of living”.  In her early late 20’s, as a mother of 3 young children she was over 240 pounds, sick with chronic inflammation, fatigue and overall ill health. She was told by her physician at the time to get her Last Will and Testament in order to ensure her children would be cared for.  Now, at age 46, Mary is over 100 pounds lighter, and has kept it off for over 10 years, and lives a health conscious lifestyle that brings HOPE and INSPIRATION to many! During her healing journey, Mary gathered extensive knowledge of functional medicine as well as traveling to study plant medicine and cleansing/longevity techniques with elders of the following lineages: Lakota, Cheyenne, Yaqui, Cherokee, Apache, Mayan, Incan as well as Traditional Chinese Medicine. Mary is Founder and Owner of Mary Vance Lifestyle, LLC A Massage Therapy, Nutrition, Education and Coaching based Company. Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Sports Nutritionist, Certified Personal Nutritionist, Lifestyle Habit Change Coach & Lifestyle Habit Change Retreat Leader. For more information about embarking on a practical journey towards your greater health consciousness with Mary:  www.maryvancelifestyle.com and maryvancelifestyle@gmail.com

“I have done so many diets throughout the years, and yet Mary showed me new strategies that worked!  I took off 30 pounds in 3 months in preparation for knee surgery!  I am so grateful for Mary’s knowledge and support for my health!”  ~Kassie

I look forward to being with you soon! KellyJumping Mouse

Blueberries & Juice Cleanse @ SCL July 14-16

I’ve just done the first pick of blueberries at the Lodge! The first week of picking is filled with the best of the best. The larger and sweetest variety ripens first. The harvest will be the smallest I’ve seen since moving here due to a late frost. The freezer will not be packed this season with the blue gold that provided winter cobblers or nutritious smoothies into 2024 as in the past. Scarcity makes the heart grow fonder? We will survive the “black squirrel winters” and any thing the universe throws our way…like a pandemic. Spring will come again with it’s assurance of love and beauty that life will thrive…in spite of whatever is happening on the world stage. Our life situations do not define us….it is how we deal with our life situations that can make all the difference. The awareness of how precious the gifts of this holler are continue to fill me with gratitude. The spring water, the amazing wildlife, medicinal native plants, the blueberries, blackberries, stinging nettle, and the privacy of this mountain sanctuary that nurtures myself and others who visit… When you can wake up in the morning and say to yourself “I love my life!” there’s not much that makes it better than being able to share it with others. Hope you can stop by and visit this summer! Hey, and come help me pick the blue gold that there is to pick in the next month!

Kelly Jumping Mouse

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July 14-16 Juice Cleanse Retreat If you would like to give yourself a slower weekend and some well deserved self care…. Why not come, even last minute? There are some blueberries to pick and juice or eat! We are hosting our 3rd annual Juice Fast and Purification Lodge for extra cleansing! This has been very rewarding each year and an opportunity to slow down, clean out physically, mentally, emotionally, and reconnect with self care. Contact Kelly to register!

October 12-16 We are hosting Lifestyle Habits & Nutrition for the Long Haul with Mary Vance. A few of you know I’ve been on a journey of losing that C19 weight and that I’ve had success with this program so that I know how to get back to a baseline more consistently. If you’ve tried every diet in the world with little success….I highly recommend this program and you can learn it over this long weekend. As a group we always achieve more together. Check out the links above for more information and contact me if you are interested! The cost for this retreat includes meals and lodging. Early Bird Special $550 if paid before August 15th.

SCL SUMMER BALANCE & CHOREOGRAPHY DANCE

As I head off to my yearly trip to SunDance land to do ceremony, I invite you to consider what needs to be danced out in your life to have better balance and choreography? Would a physical cleansing help you get more intimately in touch with your body to be your best to do your best? Do you need a tune up in how you give with your emotions with tenderness, and communicate with heart-to-heart communication in your relationships? Are you ready to receive and integrate knowledge that works for physical mastery? We are offering a variety of in-person events to empower you with more purposeful energy and joy!

I look forward to seeing you after SunDance! ~Kelly Jumping Mouse

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Dianne Vetter will be leading a Summer Study Group to further explore the Balanced Choreography Wheel from Basic Medicine Teachings Series from last spring. The first of four sessions is Wednesday, June 28. Click the link for more information.

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July 14-16 We are hosting our 3rd annual Juice FastJuice Fast & Purification Lodge Retreat& Purification Lodge. This has been very rewarding each year and an opportunity to slow down, clean out physically, mentally, emotionally, and reconnect with self care.

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August 17-20, We welcome back Amara Charles & Shyena for the Evolved Lover Retreat. This gathering is for couples and singles. Click on the link to discover more. Amara has been focusing on relationship coaching for the last several years and her workshops are always fun, passionate, and bring attention to what your spirit is hungry for. You can register in my shop or on Amara’s site and contact me if you need lodging.

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October 12-16 We are hosting Lifestyle Habits & Nutrition for the Long Haul with Mary Vance. A few of you know I’ve been on a journey of losing that C19 weight and that I’ve had success with this program so that I know how to get back to a baseline more consistently. If you’ve tried every diet in the world with little success….I highly recommend this program and you can learn it over this long weekend. As a group we always achieve more together. Check out the links above for more information and contact me if you are interested! The cost for this retreat includes meals and lodging. Early Bird Special $550 if paid before August 15th.

SCL Summer Events

Busy Times @ SCL A quick recap of 2023 so far! We hosted a Winter Women’s retreat, Spring Equinox Lodge, Mushroom cultivation class, 4 Beginning Medicine classes, the Lodge Rebuild, our 2nd Eagle Moon Dance, 3 training lodges with Micki, and monthly Crone zooms. We’ve accomplished a lot in the last 6 months! I couldn’t have done it without the help of so many including Ian the last helper at the Lodge. He handled all the heavy lifting and AirBnB housekeeping. He has moved on to a full time job (congratulations!). I am need of a new helper this summer so please let me know if you have any suggestions or can connect me with someone looking for a new situation like this. Check out the links below for more information on events this summer.

Coming up next is our yearly Vision Quest Weekend June 2-4. We have room for a few more if you’d like to get outside of your box and recapitulate your life and shake things up let me know! We will have a Community Purification Lodge on Sunday, June 4th @ noon. RSVP Kelly your place if you’d like to join us. A fire crew is still needed for this lodge to happen contact me if you would like to be of service, thanks!

July 14-16 We are hosting our 3rd annual Juice Fast Retreat. This has been very rewarding each year and an opportunity to slow down, clean out physically, mentally, emotionally, and reconnect with self care.

August 17-20, We welcome back Amara Charles & Shyena for the Evolved Lover Retreat. This gathering is for couples and singles. Click on the link to discover more. Amara has been focusing on relationship coaching for the last several years and her workshops are always fun, passionate, and bring attention to what your spirit is hungry for. You can register on Amara’s site and contact me if you need lodging.

October 12-16 We are hosting Lifestyle Habits & Nutrition for the Long Haul with Mary Vance. A few of you know I’ve been on a journey of losing that covid 19 weight and that I’ve had success with this program so that I know how to get back to a baseline more consistently. If you’ve tried every diet in the world with little success….I highly recommend this program and you can learn it over this long weekend. As a group we always achieve more together. Check out the link for more information and contact me if you are interested! The cost for this retreat will be posted soon and we will do our best to keep it affordable.

SCL Rebuild April 21-23

Lodge Rebuild April 21-23 The Lodge has been a part of massive change in the last few years! Most of all Community coming together for personal and collective growth!  What a wonderful way to celebrate Earth Day!  We will also be taking care of general maintenance to see us through the next few years of ceremony....and this is gonna be fun!!  You are invited to come as you can or come for the entire weekend beginning Friday.  You will be welcome to stay over in the house through Monday if you are traveling to help out.  The consecration sweat will follow the completion of the rebuild tentatively Sunday @ noon.  All those that contribute are welcome to sweat. RSVP here

You will learn about some of our unique alchemy in the building of these healing lodges and the ceremonies that go on behind the scene before each and every Lodge.  Saturday Michael Star Dreamer will be leading a training for those of you that have desired to learn more about being on the fire crew and a few of you will be needed for the fire crew on Sunday. 

We took down the old lodge last Sunday! Thanks to all those that helped!

Full Moon Eagle Dance - May 5-7 Our 2nd Annual Eagle Dance will be held 2PM-Midnight to advantage of the Full Moon energies!  Our personal and collective prayers are danced to the center tree.  The “tree of life” acts as an antenna to spirit as we pray for guidance from the Universe in the coming year.  Drummer singers and an amazing sound system maintain the heartbeat on a pow-wow drum non-stop and maintain the energy for us as we dance back and forth to the center tree.  If you’ve never danced before contact Kelly for details or to register. We will also need several dog soldiers to be of service over the weekend if you’d like to volunteer.

To see the full calendar click here! Hope to see you in the holler this spring!

Spring Events @ SCL

Late Winter Greetings! Signs of spring are everywhere…I heard the first peeper today! Daffoldils and crocus are blooming. Bluebells, twin leaf, and larkspur are poking their green tips out of the cold wet earth. The wood frogs are almost finished with their mating rituals on the ponds. Winter has been challenging for so many of us and now it feels as if energy is starting to move again. Nature is waking up and you can feel the potential for new life. The tractor man has arrived at last! He has headed 2 new springs for drinking water in our forest here and is about to start work on a retaining wall in front of the lodge. We intend to build a greenhouse off of this wall. Before he leaves the driveway will be repaired at last and I know that will make many of you very happy. It’s exciting when some of your plans begin to manifest. May everyone’s roadblocks be released this spring! Check out our spring events below and I’ll look forward to seeing y’all soon! FYI there is still room in our mushroom cultivating workshop April 2nd, see announcement below!

Eagle Dance Q&A March 2nd @ 7PM Preparing for a major ceremony can often feel mysterious and overwhelming. Kelly will be answering questions to help you along in your process. It is recommended that one start preparations 2-4 weeks in advance of the ceremony. RSVP for the zoom link. We may add another date as more folks become interested.

Spring Equinox Purification Lodge, March 19th @ Noon The Spring Equinox is a time when the night and day are of equal length, the sun rises due East and sets due West. A moment of balance, stillness, the anticipation of Resurrection, and dominance of light. Spring Rites are all about celebrating fertility becoming receptive to the seeding of life and light as our days become longer. RSVP here

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Men’s Purification Lodge & Potluck @ Thunder Awakener’s Lodge in Chapel Hill, March 25, 4:30 PM Men gathering together to witness, support and challenge each other confers a Blessing. We will share & pray for our hopes, dreams and challenges. Together, we will purify in the tradition of the Sweet Medicine SunDance Path of the Twisted Hairs. RSVP to Michael Star Dreamer

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Mushroom Cultivation Workshop, April 2nd @ 12-4pm Come learn how to cultivate your own healthy, delicious shiitake and oyster mushrooms outdoors on logs. We will cover tree selection and harvesting, spawn selection, how to inoculate logs, log placement and care for longevity and successful fruiting, harvesting and preserving mushrooms and much more.

This is a hands-on workshop. You’ll get to inoculate (drill, fill and wax) a log and take it home with you. You’ll gain all the knowledge and skills needed to make more logs. Sliding scale donation: $55 - 75. Some scholarships available

Workshop led by Christina Morrison and Virgil Ryon. They have a gourmet and medicinal mushroom farm in Yancey County and have provided their region with shiitake, oyster and foraged mushrooms since 2013. They have experience growing many varieties of shiitake for fruiting in all four seasons and different climates. For more info contact Christina at 828-273-7131, selvasong@gmail.com You may register here on the SCL shoppe page.

Earth Day Weekend - Rebuilding our Purification Lodge, April 21-23 Whether you come for a couple hours or for whole the afternoon, you will learn how lodges of our tradition are built with sacred geometry and alchemy. Those that help build the lodge can participate in the Consecration Ceremony on Sunday. This is always a fun weekend and we update a lot of things in the ceremonial space as well as building the lodge. Those helping over the weekend are welcome to stay at the lodge. RSVP here.

Fire Crew Training will also be available during this event. Learn the alchemy of fire safety and the joy of being of service to your community.

Full Moon Eagle Dance - May 5-7 Our 2nd Annual Eagle Dance will be held sunset to sunrise to take advantage of the Full Moon energies!  Our personal and collective prayers are danced to the center tree.  The “tree of life” acts as an antenna to spirit as we pray for guidance from the Universe in the coming year.  Drummer singers maintain the heartbeat on a pow-wow drum from sunrise to sunset and maintain the energy for us as we dance back and forth to the center tree.  If you’ve never danced before contact Kelly for details or to register. We will also need several dog soldiers to be of service over the weekend if you’d like to volunteer.

To see the full calendar click here! Hope to see you in the holler this spring!

Winter Solstice Blessings 2022

Winter Solstice Blessings We are nearing the Solstice, the shortest day of our year. As the sun comes up on that day take a moment to understand the brief and precious time we have. Don’t beat yourself up for what you have not accomplished yet. Let the faces of those who love you come into your mind. Dream about what you long for……I’m full of emotions this morning as I look back on the year. The blessings, the challenges, love, heartache, and growth lead me to a deeper peace of what I cannot change and to be more engaged with what I can. My desire to help has shown me where to pull back and just love. Relationships we cannot heal are particularly painful. I have many tools in my years of experience to offer as guidance. However, there are times when nothing I offer seems to help. One of my teachers shared with me that when you reach an impasse, put those things in a basket. Raise the basket to the sky and give them away to Spirit to “figure out”. From your hands to the hands of spirit. Blessings to each of you. May our troubles be small and our gratitude great…

Winter Solstice Purification Lodge Ceremony December 17th @ 4PM The lodge is full at the moment unless we get cancellations you can check in with Kelly RSVP here

Sunday December 18th Holiday Fundraiser Party Noon-4pm. Heavy hors d'oeuvres (just love saying that) and libations 20$/person plus some other wonderful things for sale or dip in the hot tub. RSVP Kelly to donate/help/attend! or Carol Anne for donations. Visit the SCL shoppe to see some wonderful donations that have been sent in. Your cash donations are tax deductible and support the lodge and our ability to offer events to the community.

December 23 @ 7PM Crone Zoom Our final meeting of the year as we finish exploring the The 13 Original Clan Mothers book by Jamie Sams and adding our energy toward the changes needed within our collective. For more info see Crone on the website.

January 10th @ 7PM Beginning Medicine Teachings We’ve scheduled our dates for the new year and it is not too late to sign up! For the full info click here. RSVP to Kelly if you’d like to sign up. Fees for the 2023 Beginning Teaching Series: 4 sessions is $40 + $15 for the book = $55.

February 10-12, A Gathering of Men: Exploring Balanced Masculinity Michael Star Dreamer is back to host a special gathering for men @ SCL! Read the full write up for this special event here. Michael also hosts events in Chapel Hill at his Lodge Thunder Awakeners, and has a NY Eve purification lodge planned (I’m on the fire crew!) if you’d like to attend this or the men’s gathering contact Michael directly to register at Thunder Awakeners Lodge

February 17-20, Women’s Womb of Winter Retreat This gathering is a women’s favorite not to be missed and a gift given to yourself as a special time with women of all ages. Susan Campbell will be offering a 5 Rythms session and I’ll pour a purification lodge. We also will introduce a Crone Mentoring ceremony this time around! Similar to our mirroring ceremony for women in transition. For more information visit the website here. This retreat usually fills up fast. So, if it appeals to you sign up early.

Visit our calendar for more events! coming up in 2023

Community Zoom Tuesday @ 7PM

Invitation to Community Forum & SMSD teaching series Zoom, November 15th @ 7-9pm Dear community, I've decided to change the meeting a bit and to have an open forum to hear from YOU what you need in your life right now and the kind of teachings or gatherings would feed you in the coming year. While we will be doing beginning teachings starting early next year I also want to offer teachings, ceremony, or gatherings, that support a deeper level for those of you that have been around awhile and are apprentices needing more. I’d also like to bring up some of the exciting projects we have in the works at the lodge for it to be more sustainable in the future and reach out to those that may want to volunteer for specific projects that sing to you.

For beginning teachings we will choose our dates based on everyone’s input and begin in January. We will be working with the Sweet Medicine SunDance Path Course of Study Series A. These are the beginning medicine wheel teachings and each one includes a personal ceremony. You will need to purchase the book either online or from Kelly in person. There may also be other items to stalk for your ceremonies. Please join us and bring your 2023 calendars and questions! RSVP here for the zoom link

Fees for the 2023 Beginning Teaching Series: 4 sessions is $40 + $15 for the book = $55.

November 19th @ 10-4pm Medicine Making Craft Day Fall Craft Day is an opportunity to gather in community and create medicine items, such as shields, smudging fans, bundles, prayer ties, and more. Contact Kelly for more information. The above shield was made by Megan Owen for the Eagle Dance last spring!

Please welcome Ian Nichols our new helping hand at Spirit Canoe Lodge! Some of you know how much I need help around here and I am so grateful to have found such an amazing man to help me care for this place. Right now I hear him outside splitting kindling! From all the airbnb chores to keeping the house warm (now that we have gotten the water stove going again) and tidy I am very blessed right now that I can focus on other things…. like writing this newsletter!

Winter Solstice Purification Lodge Ceremony December 17th @ 4PM Join us for the last gathering of 2022. Bring a gift to exchange and a potluck dish for sharing. NEWCOMERS, plan to come an hour earlier for orientation. This lodge is almost full. RSVP here

Sunday December 18th Holiday Fundraiser Party Noon-4pm. Heavy hors d'oeuvres (just love saying that) and libations 20$/person plus some other wonderful things for sale or dip in the hot tub. RSVP Kelly to donate/help/attend! or Carol Anne for donations.

Visit our calendar for more events! coming up in 2023

Fall Back & Move Forward Faster!

Aligning with the Seasons….

Fall sits in the North of our medicine wheel. The element of air, wisdom, knowledge, logic (our mental aspect), and the animal world all sit North. Winds of change are the season for clearing out our mental aspect and bringing us clarity and flexibility in our mind. Being open minded and receptive with our mind is in proper alignment with the element of air. Ever been on a mountaintop or even your own backyard with the relentless wind in your face? Just as it clears the leaves from trees and freshens the air it moves the dusty negative inner dialogue from our mind…if we allow it. It is refreshing! Most often we try to figure out how things fit into our beliefs or cultural dos and don’ts before we make decisions rather than from what our spirit and soul is hungry for…is that so wise? More often than not we decide to NOT listen to our intuition or guidance from spirit that is calling us to a different or alternative choice. A choice that may make others frown or question our sanity…To hell with that! Let’s enjoy life as much as we can and feed our true hungers. Life has so many challenges to face and those challenges are teaching us to go for the more make change our ally and choose to be happy. To heck with what anyone thinks! We might all ask “What would my higher self say about that?” Spirit speaks in gentle and loving voices to us, so if you are hearing a voice pointing a critical finger at you…that is not the voice I’d listen to :)

Full Moon Harvest Purification Lodge October 9th @ 2pm I am only taking new rsvps for the waitlist if folks cancel I will let you know. RSVP to Kelly We have so many new folks attending which tells me the shifts in the world are opening up and many are reaching out and searching for alternative healing. Pay attention to the events happening in your personal world right now. Meeting challenges head on (rather than procrastinating about them if you are indecisive) helps keep the doorway open for quicker change. The full moon will be direct around 4:30pm when we are in the lodge or coming out! Lots of opportunity for massive change and reality checks about the inner shadow and light.... that our shadow protects. We each carry a unique gift the collective needs. Even if you cannot attend use the full moon energy!

Forest Medicinal Work Weekend Oct. 21-23 Join us in putting the native medicinal gardens to sleep for winter. We will be preparing new beds on the forest hillside and planting seeds, native rootlets, and much more for spring sprouting! Contribute a few hours or come for the weekend. Let me know if you would like to lend a hand. Susan, our new Sanctuary director will be leading our work and sharing her knowledge of forest natives. RSVP Kelly

Tuesday October 25th, @ 7PM, New Moon Crone Gathering Zoom Women who are 54+ years old are welcome to this event, the wise blood time. As we age the elders say that “our beauty steals inward”. Women 54+ are welcome. Our work is to dream the success of future generations and re-establish the importance and respect of the elders within our cultures. The magic we do as grandmothers is deeply needed within our communities. Our time together will include a purification lodge. Please check in with Kelly in order to be prepared for the lodge.
No Cost: RSVP to Kelly

Ancestor Honoring Purification Lodge, November 6th @ 2PM This November Beaver or Frost Full Moon on November 8 falls near All Souls Day usually around Nov. 2nd also known as the "Day of the Dead" a celebration of our loved ones that have crossed over. This lodge will celebrate the human path and all who have traversed it. We acknowledge that the growth we attain in this lifetime heals and supports the past and future 7 generations and that death is part of the process of life! RSVP here

Invitation to SMSD teaching series Zoom, November 15th @ 7-8pm In this FREE in person/virtual meeting you are invited to join us to voice your availability in 2023 for a new teaching series that we have once a month for 4 months. We will choose our dates based on your availability and ease. We will be working with the Sweet Medicine SunDance Path Course of Study Series A. These are the basic keys and wheels teachings and each one includes a fun personal ceremony. You will need to purchase the book either online or from Kelly in person. There may also be other items to stalk for your ceremonies. Please join us and bring your 2023 calendars and questions! RSVP here for the zoom link

Fees for this Series: 4 sessions is $40 + $15 for the book = $55.

November 19th @ 10-4pm Craft Day Fall Craft Day is an opportunity to gather in community and create medicine items, such as shields, smudging fans, bundles, prayer ties, and more. Contact Kelly for more information. The above shield was made by Theresa Haislip for the Eagle Dance last spring!

Winter Solstice Purification Lodge Ceremony December 17th @ 4PM Join us for the last gathering of 2022. Bring a gift to exchange and a potluck dish for sharing. NEWCOMERS, plan to come an hour earlier for orientation. RSVP here

Visit our calendar for more events! coming up in 2023

Summer Events at Spirit Canoe Lodge!

Crystal Planting Ceremony for SMSD Lodges!

I only recently have returned from my annual ceremonial time in Arizona and well….what can I say it’s so good to be home in the Blue Ridge and my own comfy bed. Several of us at the Dance participated in a Crystal Planting Ceremony to support the growth of our Lodges from all over the planet. 60 crystals each representing a Sweet Medicine SunDance Lodge were planted in between the Tree Arbor and the Water Arbor. Prayer Flags imbued with the dreams of each lodge were hung on top of the mesa that overlooks our ceremonial land. The word from Spirit is that we will have many new seekers searching for spiritual and community connections in these wobbly times. The dance was a dream full of hard work, personal edges of maturity, and a new dream is birthed to sustain our endeavors in the coming year. The star seeds released from the tree of life will hit their mark as needed. We will be ready for whatever may come!

Juice Fast & Purification Lodge Retreat July 15-17 There is room for a couple more participants! Get a boost from the group dynamic to change food habits. Juice cleanses are shown to heal medical conditions and reduce the need for pharmaceuticals to fix our symptoms. A cleanse can bring greater clarity and increase our will to incorporate healthier eating habits. When we make changes with the support of others it is much easier than starting something on our own. We gather Friday evening to set our intent. The weekend will be filled with juicing, lymphatic shaking/dancing, meditation, QiGong with Sybil, sharing circles, and personal ceremonial time on the land. Both women and men are welcome to this event. Saturday evening we will have an optional Purification Lodge to further purify our heart, body, mind, and spirit.

$150 includes 2 nights of lodging. To save costs people will be given a produce list to bring for communal juicing. SCL gives one scholarship to each event to participants in financial need. There is no charge for the purification lodge. Please bring gifts for Kelly and the fire crew to bring balance for the ceremony. RSVP here with a deposit to reserve your space.

August 5-8, 2022 Maneuvering Transitions in the 5th World

Friday, August 5th @ 6PM We welcome Sweet Medicine SunDance Elder, Mary Lightening Strikes Twice to SCL!  She will present a lineage address about humanity’s transition into the 5th world. The times they are a changing…even faster than before.  Humanity is taking a big leap and it feels like there is not much to hold on to.  The old structures in our world are disintegrating and the new way is not yet in place. Social and political extremes are the norm and yet there is a feeling of excitement that we are on the precipice of something huge. There are so many distractions keeping us from seeing that happiness, health, humor, hope, and harmony are truly within reach. Sound familiar?!  Want to learn how to navigate it better?  Join us for a new look at our changing reality and why we are here now.  For those of you who have not met any of my teachers from Arizona this will be a unique opportunity to meet an amazing mentor.  Cost $30  Register here.

Mayan Book of Life Readings with Mary will be available Friday afternoon, Sunday morning, and Monday morning.  A book of life reading offers an annual reflection of guidance that highlights your focus, challenges, and potential opportunities in the coming year.  Mary quickly pierces the veil to reveal what your higher self is asking of you.  Cost $160.  Please bring payment in cash or check to Mary directly. Also, bring an audio recording device to record your appointment (phone, personal dictation, etc.). Reserve your appointment here.

Lodging for the weekend or specific days: The Lodge will fill up so plan ahead. 25$/per person/night. Camping is an option for 20$ land use donation. Reserve lodging

Saturday, August 6th @ 9AM- 8PM Transitions into the 5th World

A Personal Rites of Passage to Honor our Transition into the 5th World by recognizing and acknowledging our Transformations.  Seminar from Mary Whispering Snow and Kelly Jumping Mouse.  

Spend the day exploring our natural cycles and how they can empower our movement into the Fifth World.  We will be breaking into smaller groups to investigate how the Universe provides us with unique opportunities based on our age.  A specially designed personal Rites of Passage ceremony, participants will have the opportunity to reflect on their past, claim what is present and take their vision into the future with the support of all the Worlds of Grandmother Earth.   

• 9am-12pm Teachings & Moon Cycle (includes small group workings)

• 12-1pm Lunch (bring a bag lunch)

• 1-3pm  Ceremonial instructions & send off

• 3-7pm  Nature Walk Talk Ceremony

• 7pm  Dinner (Pie on the Mountain pizza & salad or bring your own dinner)

• 8pm Debrief & time with our mentors at the Campfire

Cost $125 ($140 to include dinner) Register

Sunday August 7th @ 2PM:  Kelly’s 60 year Rite of Passage. This is an Honoring of the Elder ceremony, which is a purification lodge poured by Mary Lightning Strikes Twice.  If you are attending the full weekend you are invited to help on the fire crew, participate on the inside or outside of the lodge, or take the afternoon off.  For more more information on this event, contact Mary ND at mary@naturejourneyslodge.com 

Saturday, Aug 27-28, New Moon Crone Gathering

Women who are 54+ years old are welcome to this event, the wise blood time. As we age the elders say that “our beauty steals inward”. Women 54+ are welcome. Our work is to dream the success of future generations and re-establish the importance and respect of the elders within our cultures. The magic we do as grandmothers is deeply needed within our communities. Our time together will include a purification lodge. Please check in with Kelly in order to be prepared for the lodge.
No Cost: RSVP to Kelly Donations for Lodging

There is no charge for ceremony however cash donations and medicine gifts for Kelly and the fire crew are requested to cover the costs and create balance for what you receive.

Visit our calendar for more events! coming up the rest of the year.

Forest Medicinal Sanctuary Open House Sunday June 5th

Sunday 10-4pm June 5th Forest Medicinal Sanctuary Open House

The Laughing Buddah is the guardian to the entrance of our medicinal display beds. Further up the hill are the many beds we have planted over the last 3 years with many Appalchian forest medicinals. We continue to plant a series of new native plants each year and are excited to see what comes up this spring. We want to share this magical space with you!  Join us at this fundraising gala for garden tours, enjoy a serene sit spot in nature, and meander through our sacred forest.  Pick Stinging Nettle to take home. For a donation of 20$ you can have a cocktail, mint or nettle tea, and snack plate. Make your own spring roll!   Come visit our forest medicinal sanctuary! RSVP for directions kelly@spiritcanoelodge.org

Our goal is to expand the native and medicinal garden each successive year by creating forest pathways with unique plantings.  We need your donations of time and funding to make this happen.  If you cannot attend our event and are interested in making a tax deductible donation to Spirit Canoe Lodge: https://www.paypal.me/SpiritCanoeLodge501

Juice Fast & Purification Lodge Retreat July 15-17 Get a boost from the group dynamic to change food habits. Juice cleanses are shown to heal medical conditions and reduce the need for pharmaceuticals to fix our symptoms. A cleanse can bring greater clarity and increase our will to incorporate healthier eating habits. When we make changes with the support of others it is much easier than starting something on our own. The weekend will start with a purification lodge on Friday evening and will be filled with juicing, lymphatic shaking/dancing, meditation, sharing circles, and personal ceremonial time on the land. Both women and men are welcome to this event.

$150 includes 2 nights of lodging. To save costs people will be given a produce list to bring for communal juicing. SCL gives one scholarship to each event to participants in financial need. RSVP here with a deposit to reserve your space.

August 5-8 Maneuvering Transitions in the 5th World

Friday evening we welcome Sweet Medicine SunDance Elder, Mary Lightening Strikes Twice to SCL! She will present a lineage address about humanity’s transition into the 5th world. For those of you who have not met any of my teachers from Arizona this will be a unique opportunity to meet an amazing mentor. Saturday we have Rite of Passage Transitions seminar from Mary Heartsong and Kelly Jumping Mouse. Mayan Book Of Life readings with Mary LSTwice can be scheduled during these dates. RSVP Kelly to reserve a bed or camping space. More details forthcoming about costs and classes.

Sunday August 7th @ 3PM: Kelly’s 60 year Rite of Passage. Invitation only (community lodge members) Fire crew will be needed. Monday August 8th TBA ceremony or Book of Life Readings scheduled.

Eagle Dance Gratitude! A heartfelt THANK YOU! to each and everyone of you for helping to make this dream finally happen! This image taken a few days ago shows the energy of the dancers and how strong of a dance we actually did. Like spokes on a sacred wheel we moved back and forth to the tree of life. As in our everyday life we met challenges, edges of resistance, and kept dancing because life is short and we are the ones walking across the rainbow bridge and will make a difference in the 5th world. Dancing all day is no simple task yet a small price to pay for the boost in confidence of what we CAN survive and of what we are capable of in this life when we put action into our ideas. I have no doubt our prayers will manifest in beautiful ways and life will unfold mysteriously toward our desires. The greater collective will be impacted with our light.

Dancer Shields were amazing!

Dancers, drummers, and dog soldiers on clean up day!

Time is speeding up again. How do we align? How Eagle Dance can help.

Center Illustration by Stayce Leanza, background courtesy Dreamtime images, composite Kelly Clampitt

Time is speeding up again… and yes there IS a Mercury retrograde in attack mode. Visit my recent blog to hear the rant about the speed of life (approaching light speed..maybe that’s the point..the light) The fifth world is happening now and I don’t know about you but the pace of life feels overwhelming. Have you ever said to yourself “I’ll do that when things slow down”? I certainly have and after (almost) 60 years on this planet I finally have learned to stop and really schedule the important things into my life now. If I put it on my calendar it’s more likely to happen. My discovery is that things are not slowing down and in fact are only speeding up. No matter how much time I think I have there are always competing priorities (love this new phrase) that need my attention these days. For instance last week the garage flooded and a swarm of carpenter ants hatched in a guest room that was booked. On the lighter side of chaos a bear stole my entire trashcan never to be seen again, and tried to eat a brand new hot tub cover. Remember to laugh your way through life’s challenges it really does help. The truth is that humanity is getting a much needed upgrade and many of us are having resistance to hitting the “upgrade now” button. Why? Because we know our computer or life will freeze for god knows how long for this update to install and then we have to reboot, restart, and learn an entirely new program. We don’t have time for that right now do we?! AND we can’t afford to no hit that button in theory as our to do list for today is already over the top! Ultimately, if we are able to align with any situation that pops up and fight off the urge to resist or “give up” our life receives an instant mini upgrade. All these little improvements add up to the bigger change we really desire but don’t want to commit to…yet. Alignment with this energy increase is what we are seeking to learn so we don’t burn ourselves out in this massive upgrade. Eagle Dance ceremony can help. I know many of you want to attend but feel overwhelmed with the list of preparations. It is still doable. I am committed to assisting you first time dancers and have extra supplies to make it happen IF you can feel the call I will support you this time. Next time you will know for yourself that it is doable. Contact Kelly to register for Eagle Dance

May 14th Work day preparing the Drum Arbor and setting stone in the east altar and fire pit. Let me know if you can lend a hand. Contact Kelly

May 20-22 Eagle Dance! An Eagle Dance is a one day ceremony.  Our personal and collective prayers are danced to the center tree.  The “tree of life” acts as an antenna to spirit as we pray for guidance from the Universe in the coming year.  Drummer singers maintain the heartbeat on a pow-wow drum from sunrise to sunset and maintain the energy for us as we dance back and forth to the center tree.  Dancing keeps us in our bodies and out of our head so we can receive “with care and with clarity” messages from spirit.  The people of Grandmother Earth need our prayers.  We have chosen to be alive in this special time and humanity is calling us to participate as we bridge the old world into the new one currently emerging. Children are welcome as long as we have extra support to care for them during the day. They will be dancing in the arbor during the afternoon to bring us fresh energy when we need it. Guests are welcome if they contribute to helping support the dance outside the arbor. We will have a dedicated arbor space if a guests wants dance. Guests can also ask specific dancers to dance their prayers for them if they are unable to physically dance themselves. Saturday evening we break our fast and Feast together in celebration. Sunday everyone on the land can participate in a purification lodge for deeper integration. Afterward we all help to take down the arbor and leave the space better than we found it. Dancing back and forth to the center tree creates energy that amps our prayers. The more energy we create together the easier our prayers manifest. An analogy would be how much energy do we actually put into manifesting what we desire? The more we engage with what we want the more likely it is to happen. Prayer can work this way also. Life is a dance. This ceremony can give us the mojo and understanding that when we are tired and feel like we cannot go on…to just get up and dance through the resistance, pain, stories, and feel the love that we are truly supported by the universe to love and be loved. Even when it feels like no one is there for us …grandmother earth is, spirit is, the stars beckon us to believe in the magick we are. Our ancestors who have gone before have our back. Feel the love that is there for us. Yes, dancing for 12 hours is…a life challenge. 24-36 hours of a microcosm of all of life experiences and if we survive we will know we can do so much more. Come give it up and soak in all the love you can give to yourself. So excited and scared to be hosting this for the first time…so is the way of life. Be here with me! From the one to the many and the many to the one. Inspirational soapbox complete.

SCL’s Open House & Native Gardens Gala! June 5th 10-4pm Come visit our native plant and forest medicinal sanctuary. We continue to plant a series of new native plants each year and are excited to see what comes up this spring. We planted 200 new goldenseal rootlets last fall and we want to share this magical space with you! Details will be coming soon.

 Join us at this fundraising gala for garden tours, enjoy a serene sit spot in nature, and meander through our sacred forest. 

• Have a product/service, or time you can volunteer for this event? Contact Kelly. kelly@spiritcanoelodge.org

 Our goal is to expand the native and medicinal garden each successive year by creating forest pathways with unique plantings.  We need your donations of time and funding to make this happen.  If you cannot attend our event and are interested in making a tax deductible donation to Spirit Canoe Lodge:  

https://www.paypal.me/SpiritCanoeLodge501