River Hike

 Oh, Spring is here and it's time to get outside!

Walking from downtown Winona, one can walk across the bridge--good path for walkers or bikers. And travel to Prairie Island beach. Walking across the wagon bridge is fun.  You may see a pigeon!

My friend, Dawn and I were hiking there this past weekend because the trails on the bluffs were too muddy and off limits this weekend.

We were snapping pictures and a friendly bicycler took pictures of us!

MaryLee & Dawn and the tip of a bike wheel!

We got warmed up out of the wind and in the sun!

The path was quite dry. The shadows created interesting lines.

See the small black dots in the tops of the trees?  Red-wing blackbirds singing in the Spring!

 

Some interesting shapes in these downed trees and the Wagon Bridge in the distance.

Do you see the tiny bit of green in the center of the leaf floor?  

It's coming.  

Waking up!

Release Ritual down by the River

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I wandered across the Mississippi River to do a "Good bye and Release Ritual."  My daughter's father had passed on to the next world on October 31, 2014.  I didn't get to say good bye. I also wanted to honor the art and music that he brought into the world.  I wanted to share some of my truths about our time together and forgive him for hurts I encountered and ask for his forgiveness as well.  I decided earlier this year that I would do it this October 31, 2021.

This beautiful sign welcomes visitors to Aghaming Park and Natural Area.  There is a beach here to the right and a path that winds along the river to end where the river cuts across the land in a canoe trail.

In May 2021, I did a Sacred Creativity Ritual in this area and I wondered if I could find this place again. I was in luck and I did find the area.  This beautiful tree is standing.  The log where I sat was there. Many other trees came down during this year.

I called in my ancestors, my Grandmother and Mother and the energy of the four directions.  Then I did a dance.

I wore my butterfly cape in the dance.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The altar I created in the leaves on the ground.  The leaves on the trees are yellow at this Autumn time of year.  In May the leaves were just forming a soft green.

After I spoke my words to release any energy that I didn't want or need into some leaves that  I gathered up. I took them to the river and floated them away.  It was gentle and also powerful release.

I closed the ritual with leaving a bit of nuts and seeds as a gratitude offering for being in this space.

I walked back feeling very light and peaceful.

 

If you'd like to see how the park looked in May, look at the Sacred Creativity Ritual. 

 

May we all walk lightly on this Earth.

Sacred Creativity Ritual

 

The Mississippi River was calling me and this is the place.  This is a little backwater and the thin strip you see beyond is the main channel.

I applied a temporary tattoo to get ready for the ritual.  "Head up, wings out."

The river called to me to do my claiming sacred creativity and committing to her/me.  I found a place that was dappled in sunlight yet under some trees on the back waters of the Mississippi River on May 6, 2021.  It called to me: this is your place. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I took out of my pack a dress to do ritual and a butterfly cape to wear.  When I looked down beside me, there was a skull—a deer had been here a long time ago and only her skull was partly showing out of the leaves.  The skull looked peaceful and like a good sign that I was in the right place.

 

 

I laid out a colorful cloth that I’d made many moons ago that said, “Art is the Way.” On the cloth I put a candle, a taro deck a small journal to write or draw or paint.  Some paints.

 

I called in my guides and ancestors: my mother, grandmother and all who loved me to be with me and guide this sacred time.  Then I called in the power of the four directions.  I wrote my intention for the ritual and then let it go with burning—laying aside the leaves to make a small fire—not too big because it had been quite dry and I wanted to honor the space and not harm it with an out of control fire.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I breathed in the beauty of the place.  Several fish jumped to let me know they were present.  I painted a scene about the trees that were being witness. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 I pulled the card the “Three of Pipes.”

“It is time to await opportunity expectantly or wander seeking pieces of the dream. 

“You may have periods of melancholy due to the intense uncertainty in your life right now.  Flow with them. Watch them pass.

We (Spirit and you) will reach fulfillment on the path Creator has laid before you.  Trust enough to take the first step Let yourself be guided by dreams and visions.

Look for signs.

Trust you Inner Response

Follow that wish calls you to the deepest level; respond to that which creates all-engrossing enthusiasm.

Let the Universe lead.”

I left an offering of a rock with a heart I painted on it. 

I danced and sang by the river.

And as I closed and thanked the directions I gathered my things.  My first step out of the ritual was with Intention. That step felt as light as a bird taking flight.  I was on my way.