Tag Archives: Cacao Ceremony

Rain and Heartshine

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, distraction issues, impediments, Inner Struggles, Inspiration, Personal Values, Service Activities, Social, Spiritual, Striving

December 23, 2023- Whilst drumming under a canopy, last night, our little circle felt drips, then trickles and after a bit, the maintenance volunteer announced that water was pooling on the canopy. Mindful of the safety hazard, as well as the discomfort of being showered, we moved under the wooden-roofed porch of the small ”omnivore’s” restaurant, at Kelly’s Cottage Ranch. (The other eatery here is a vegan establishment.) I thought of the old Three Dog Night song, “Never Been to Spain”, written by Hoyt Axton,and added my own lyric to its musing: ”Well, I’ve never been to Woodstock, but I’m here at Kelly’s Cottage…”

Drum and Didge circle, “Reconnecting the Soul”, at Kelly’s Cottage Ranch, Tolleson

Some of us then adjourned to the basement of the Main House, for a Cacao Ceremony, which I described in the last post. Here is a photo of that scene.

“(Hu)Man Cave”, Main House at Kelly’s Cottage Ranch, Tolleson

I turned in, upstairs in Main House, making a little sleeping space for myself, behind a couch in the living room. The lights stayed on, as a gamer was in his element, on the couch, and the vegan chef was prepping his breakfast fare. Being me means going with the flow, so with a blanket covering head to toe, I drifted off.

This morning came, quietly, as non-work mornings do. I found that the ranch is close to the foot of South Mountain, Phoenix’s great southern boundary of old. (It’s been circumvented, and surrounded, by the spreading community), still retaining its majesty.

South Mountain, from Kelly’s Cottage Ranch, Tolleson
South Mountain, from Kelly’s Cottage Ranch, Tolleson
Kelly’s Cottage Ranch, in daylight.

After helping the “Man Cave” ( I call it Human Cave.) crew move some furniture around, I headed back up to Prescott, so as to stop in at Zeke’s, for an early lunch and to wish the ladies a Merry Christmas. Then, it was over to Farmers Market, for quick grocery shopping and helping to put the tents, weights and furniture away. Lots of hugs came today, including from a couple I hadn’t seen in over a year. I found out why they had been distant: Child # 6 was in Mama’s arms, serene and already cautious about strangers-at four months. Wishing one and all a Merry Christmas, we finished breakdown at 2:10, and I promised to be back for the New Year’s Eve day market.

This evening was spent at Rafter Eleven, listening to renditions of several meaningful tunes, including back-to-back love songs- Lonestar’s “Baby, I’m Amazed by You” and Garth Brooks’ “The Dance”. The first reflects how I feel towards someone now and the second, always evocative of Penny and our time together. Of course, back when the first song was released, I was definitely amazed by her. It was 1999, and we had every reason to think our time together had years to go. Once the music was done, I wished Dawn, her daughters and the baristas Merry Christmas, and a safe holiday week and back to Home Base it was.

It’s foggy tonight, and very dark. Coming out of a store, after picking up my last holiday gift, it took a while to find my car, in the fog and darkness. The Google Maps application was no help, just going around in a circle-upon which the spirits took over , and guided me to Sportage, in seconds flat. All ends well with their assistance.

Consciousness Rising

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Posted by on in Assistance, collaborating, Community, Inspiration, Personal goals, Personal Values, Social, Spiritual, Striving

December 22, 2023, Tolleson, AZ- For a long time, I have wondered why I can sense things so intensely, as they are happening, and sometimes before they happen. Extra-sensory perception seems a trite phrase, anymore. I have dreamed of people coming into my life, before they appeared, seen other people’s deaths, as much as a year before they passed, and sensed, as many of you know, instructions from the spirit world, as to what course of action I should follow, and where.

This evening, I joined in several consciousness-raising activities, starting with a Cacao Ceremony, which honours the humble cacao pod and all it brings to humanity-from cacao powder itself to fine chocolate. The origins of the ceremony are west African, but it is now conducted in parts of Central America as well. It reminded me of a documentary I once saw on tribal people in south India celebrating the ripening of wild mango, with drumming and singing.

Speaking of drumming, I was so spirited in my drumming, with a circle this evening, that the cover of the drum stick flew off, and will now have to be secured with tighter string! I haven’t felt that much energy in a drum group, in a long time. There were about eight of us drummers, plus two didgeridoo players and two mouth accordionists. It was a joyful noise!

A lady showed us a game, in which tarot cards are read and an activity is described on the tarot card. The group then does the activity. Everyone is a winner,in this game. I met the leader of a consciousness raising group that meets in Prescott. She invited me to join, and I may well take her up on that, as well as inviting my Hiking Buddy to join as well. 

All in all, this final activity of solstice time has strengthened my understanding of my own heightened consciousness, going forward. It also reminds me of Convergence at Arcosanti, which I’ve missed, these past three years.