This day in nature honors your relationship with nature as sacred and reciprocal.  The elements, the creatures, the plants and the unseen energies, all are seen as a key to your access to wholeness.

 

The ceremony is called a Vision Walk, or Wilderness Vigil, and it offers a distilled version of the threshold phase of the longer ceremony of the Vision Quest, offering a new perspective of self understanding, and purpose.

 

Upon registration, you will receive a list of items to bring on your walk. You prepare the night before by packing an emergency kit and a few other items you might need for a day’s journey. Get a good night’s rest. An important dream may arise on this night.

 

We begin our time together as a group, introducing the practice and as an exercise of balance and attunement, and introducing indigenous wisdom of the four directions as framework for your journey. 

 

Then, each participant has an opportunity to share with the group their intention or question that is present in their life currently that they carry with them on their walk. This day is not a challenging of the elements, nor is it an endurance contest. The invitation for your solo time is to discover connection with the beauty of life and the reality of death as both are reflected by the regenerative world of nature.  In your alone time, you will listen to your body, heart, mind and nature while interacting with the mystery moment to moment to discover new aspects of yourself. 

 

During your walk, you may pay attention to memories of loved ones and friends who call strongly to you. Some of these individuals may have already died. They may have messages or gifts for you. Indeed, some of those who call to you may be your “spirit guides,” teachers, ancestors and helpers, who will watch as you grow and help to strengthen the circle of your purpose.

 

At the close of the day, we return to the group and sit in council to listen to solo stories.  After listening, guides will offer reflections to the group and to each participants’ story, highlighting themes relating to their chosen intentions, purpose and self-knowing.