The Bay Studio Tour

Here we are, 3 days to go until the tour...  and it's the last day of September!  I feel the chill in the air, and I wonder about the animals we share space with...  Maxine is barely walking, but still eating and alert.  The 2 chihuahuas are fine, but don't like all the action in the house because we don't let them into the studio.  Of course they want to be where we are, and the studio is off limits.  I'd let them out there, but one of them has accidents - they don't make the connection.

It's a busy week all around - intermediate psychospiritual development started on Monday, and we have a dedicated group of students wishing to advance their knowledge...  Tonight it's a class of dowsing - all women carrying pointy sticks!  Brian is outnumbered.  We've had a couple of medical appointments to attend, and 4 out of 5 days we have to pick up Angeni at school because of her drama and band activities.   Being a bus kid, if her after school activities go beyond 3:30, she's stuck for a ride.  So, we plan our shopping and any other errands around her schedule.  Mercifully we can!  I am grateful for this flexibility.  I'm also grateful that this is the last year for it. 

Brian has been making some beautiful pens for the tour.  I hope they sell well because he could use the confidence boost.  I'll get one last shawl done...  I contemplated converting my last 5 cocoon shawls into standard shawls, but they are quite gorgeous the way they are, so I'm reducing the price to $75.00...  This doesn't even cover the cost of the yarns, but I don't care.  These 5 cocoons are last years stock and need to go, just as they are...  I've used the time I would have spent converting them to otherwise make talking/prayer sticks.  They've turned out quite impressive, because they start with Brian's woodwork skills and end with my bead, ribbon and artistic touches.  It's a physical prayer from our hands to the receivers!  Seems fitting...

As I write this, I'm listening to Peter Kater and R. Carlos Nakai,  Exquisite music.  It puts me in the mood to craft, so I better hop to it!

Winter Solstice

Yes, I really am thinking about winter solstice already...  our autumn equinox ceremony on September 20th was quite moving, and a lot of fun - even with only 7 people.  It's not the numbers, it's the  hearts in attendance that count...  Since I've emailed folks, and posted on Facebook about the winter solstice (so people mark their calendars - the holiday season gets mighty busy), I've begun receiving questions from those who haven't attended before... here's what I wrote in the updated newsletter:
"Winter Solstice - Sunday, December 20, 1 PM to 4 PM. This is one of the most beloved gatherings. Everyone is asked to bring something that no longer serves them, to pass along. The item is simply put in a paper bag – not wrappings – just keep it simple. We use the talking stick to speak our peace, and everyone comes away with a gift. It is important to share food, so feel free to bring a snack offering, your drum and crystal [if you have them]. There is no cost, but please register – seating is limited." There are already 6 people registered.

Basically, like any gathering, we open the circle with a full smudge. If there are questions about this portion of the medicine wheel, I answer them, and provide any insights from spirit.  I don't spend a lot of time...  then we make an "Ancestors plate" from the food offerings, which is taken outside.  We eat together, and then it is time for the talking stick...  It's quite poignant, and an opportunity for everyone to offer their medicine, or their life's teaching, to the group.  If there is time we can make bundles and do a burning ceremony.

In years past this gathering usually started at 4 PM and ended after dinner, around 8 PM.  However, I feel that my mobility issues are still too problematic to do this as a full dinner.  I'm also aware that weather is daunting for people driving in the snow.  So by having an afternoon gathering, we can still eat together and our gathering will be over before it gets too dark...  It's the best of both worlds.

If you have further questions, we welcome them - just email kathryn@moonstarlodge.com or connect through the website.  Love, love, love the ceremonies!  Have a blessed week.  

Wolfe Island Fundraising announcement

Announcement

 2015 Wolfe Island Métis Charitable Association Fundraising Campaign

T’anisi – Boozhoo – Greetings!

In 20 years of providing spiritual and educational services to aboriginal people in Canada, Wolfe Island Métis Charitable Association is embarking on a fundraising blitz.  Everyone who works for Wolfe Island from the Executive Director, board members and the licensed minister, work for free and always have…  our budgets are small and we have just enough money in the coffers to cover administrative expenses (like the bank and website management).

Now we need your help - A new set of challenges is presenting itself, and we appeal to our supporters: 

·        Kathryn’s mobility issues are amplified, and we need to do some renovations on the office, stairs, ceremonial and teaching spaces to accommodate her needs, and those of other ability-challenged adherents. 

·        Expanding our range of courses to include a two-year, part-time program for training and ordaining ministers to be licensed in our aboriginal interfaith spirituality model. 

·        Opening a dedicated teaching space. 

·        We’re increasing the number of feasts, and gatherings to fully embrace all the moon cycles and seasonal ceremonies.

·        We plan to run a community medicine wheel teaching garden in 2016.  This is the same model we used in 1997 when funded by the ‘Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy’.  There is no available funding from agencies for a new garden project.

·        We’re expanding Wolfe Island’s membership base to include registered cards, using a 5-year term model.

·        Teaching manuals and materials need to be published. Our Wolfe Island computer equipment needs to be upgraded.

·        Art materials for the “Aboriginal Artist in Education” program are required.  We currently teach in local schools of North Simcoe, but would like to expand the number of artists and range of programs throughout all of Simcoe County.

Our campaign is looking at raising $30,000.00 to cover these expenditures – the need is NOW.  As a registered charity, everyone who donates to Wolfe Island receives a charitable receipt for the full amount of their donation. 

To make a donation - There is a PayPal donation buttons on the Wolfe Island website www.wolfeisland.org  .  If you would rather donate in person, you are welcome to do so…  Cheques can be made out to “Wolfe Island Métis Charitable Association” and mailed to 302 Lafontaine Rd. W., Tiny, Ontario L9M 0H1.  If you have questions, by all means contact Brian Lovelady at 705-533-2520 or brian@moonstarlodge.com

Miigwetch for your support! 

Fall Courses 2015

Well it didn't take long once we got the momentum going... 

 Here is our list of upcoming courses and gatherings – a little bit of everything this time around.  We’re hoping you’ll join us for the gatherings – there is no charge for gatherings, but we ask that you register in the rare case we have need cancel for some reason.  Have a great weekend – Blessings, Kathryn

Moonstar Lodge

Aboriginal Traditional and Alternative

Spiritual and Educational Services

 

Fall 2015 Courses

Psychospiritual Development: Intermediate Level: is a 10 week course designed for those who’ve already completed the beginner level.  More clairvoyance, clairaudience, clairsentience, clairolfaction, aurvoyance and psychokinesis, along with plenty of channelling, more general exercises and even homework!  Dress comfortably, and bring a notebook with the handouts from the beginner level.   Class fee is $125. Mondays September 28 to November 30 inclusive 7 PM to 9:30 PM 

Dowsing - Beginner This popular course is divided into 3 evenings. We demonstrate the use of a single, suspended pendulum and 2 L-rod dowsing sticks.  We should have warm enough weather to assure lots of practice outside doing geomantic dowsing, and learn radiesthetic dowsing for healing work.  We study ley lines, vortices and ghost paths.  Bring a binder, pen, crystals, pendulums and L-rods if you have them.  We have pendulums and L-rods at a nominal fee for students who require them. Class fee is $75. Wednesdays September 30, October 7 and October 14 7 PM to 9:30 PM

Zay - In the Company of Angels: is the pan-cultural, pan-theological study of angels.  This is not a course of anecdotes nor religious doctrine - we study this complex subject with a systematic approach.  Topics include: the differences between angels and guides; meeting your angel; communication; grounding; the chakras; and, angelic healing practices.  Fee includes notes.  Please bring a binder, potluck lunch offering, and a crystal if you have one.  Dress comfortably and please do NOT wear perfume. Class fee is $75. Sunday, October 25 9:30 AM to 4 PM 

Drum Making: Instruction and all materials required to make a single-sided ceremonial drum [deer hide] provided.  You also make a drumstick called “grandmother’s arm”. On the first afternoon together we put together the drum and drumstick.  After allowing a week between classes for the drums to cure, we get together to decorate and perform ceremonies for the drums. We require a minimum of 8 students for this class to run due to the cost of materials. Class fee is $150.  Sundays, November 1 and 8, 1 PM to 4 PM 

Aboriginal Ceremonies and Healing - Introduction: A course about the uses of traditional medicine objects of the northeast, and the basic healing rituals performed by a medicine person.  We “walk” the medicine wheel and discuss ceremonies and rituals that pertain to the seasons as well as those which pertain to the cycle of life. Bring notebooks, crystals and whatever healing objects you own.  This is an important prerequisite to the Wolfe Island Métis Charitable Association Ministerial Program coming in the winter of 2016. Class fee is $80. Thursday’s November 5, 12, 19 and 26. 7 PM to 9:30 PM

Receipts are issued first night of class.  Classes fill quickly!  Payment can be made through the website (PayPal), Interac e-transfer, cash or cheque (payable to "Rev. Kathryn Gorman-Lovelady".).  We take Visa or Mastercard if you drop by the studio (call ahead).  

Courses are being held at 302 Lafontaine Rd. West, Tiny (formerly Lafontaine), Ontario, L9M 0H1. 

Students are to bring to each class: a binder, pen, pendulum, and PLEASE DO NOT WEAR PERFUME. Do dress comfortably. Class size is limited - register early to ensure your space!

Register online here: www.moonstarlodge.com/courses.html

Gatherings:

Autumn Equinox - Sunday, September 20, 1 PM to 4 PM.  Feel free to bring a snack offering, your drum and crystal (if you have them). Please register – seating is limited!

Winter Solstice - Sunday, December 20, 1 PM to 4 PM. Feel free to bring a snack offering, your drum and crystal [if you have them]. Please register – seating is limited.