Over the past ten years, I have immersed myself in “dirt time”—by the fireside, traveling to ancestral lands, and attuning to the cycles of nature. These experiences have been my teachers, deepening my understanding of the interwoven seasonal and life cycles that shape my existence.
As the wheel turns, I am refining my offerings of workshops and courses that honor life as ceremony—bridging voice, craft, and connection to ancestors, future generations, and the present moment. With gratitude to Quw’utsun Elder Qwiyahwultuhw-hw and those walking the Nutsa’maat Sqwalawun—One Heart One Mind—I humbly weave together all I have received and learned. All my Relations.
My work is guided by three profound wisdom traditions: the Celtic Wheel, the Medicine Wheel (Lakota – Woptika lineage), and the 8 Shields Nature Connection model. Each tradition follows the rhythms of life, marking the flow of time through the balance of light and dark, action and rest, growth and reflection. While they stem from different lineages, the overlapping principles are abundant, revealing a shared map for living in harmony with the earth, ourselves, and one another.
The Celtic Wheel follows the turning of the year, honoring seasonal transitions through sacred festivals:
- North (Winter Solstice): Wisdom, stillness, reflection
- Northeast (Imbolc): Awakening, intuition, vision
- East (Spring Equinox): New beginnings, birth, clarity
- Southeast (Beltane): Passion, creativity, action
- South (Summer Solstice): Growth, abundance, fullness
- Southwest (Lughnasadh): Harvest, gratitude, transformation
- West (Autumn Equinox): Death, letting go, deep reflection
- Northwest (Samhain): Mystery, ancestral connection
The Medicine Wheel represents the stages of life and spiritual growth:
- East (Yellow): Illumination, new beginnings, vision, childhood
- South (Red): Energy, growth, trust, adolescence
- West (Black): Reflection, transformation, healing, adulthood
- North (White): Wisdom, stillness, clarity, elderhood
The 8 Shields Nature Connection model deepens our awareness of transitional phases, encouraging us to attune to nature’s rhythms. It integrates elements of both the Celtic and Medicine Wheels, while fostering exploration, wisdom, rest, and growth throughout the seasons.
The 8 Attributes of Connection offer guiding principles for deepening awareness and relationship with self, others, and nature:
- Quiet Mind: Deep listening and awareness
- Inner Happiness: A sense of joy and gratitude
- Vitality: Connection to life force and movement
- Compassionate Heart: Kindness and empathy
- Being Truly Helpful: Offering support and service
- Presence & Awareness: Fully engaged in the moment
- Respect: Honoring all life
- Gratitude: Acknowledging abundance and gifts received
Together, these maps create a framework for deepening connection, fostering healing, and aligning with the natural world. As I explore their interwoven wisdom, I am inspired to offer workshops and ceremonies that honor the seasons, directions, and cycles of life through song, fire, and weaving.
I invite you to step into this rhythm, to reconnect, and to embrace the ancient yet ever-renewing dance of life. May this bring us all into deeper connection—to ourselves, our ancestors, and the land beneath our feet.