I wanted to take this opportunity to give some bit of insight to the person who lurks behind the voice.
I was born into a very magical family. I have often joked that watching the movie "Practical Magic" was much like my childhood memories. My mother started working with me at an extremely young age and incorporated discovering what gifts I had as much as learning the usual things children learn, such as letters or numbers or colours. The things she taught me were handed down from many generations within our family. Each had added their own tidbits of wisdom, so by the time I was old enough to understand, I felt the strength of my ancestors within me.
She took such great care to teach me in each area, and to help me to not be afraid. It was very strange growing up, because I knew I was "different". My family was "different". Being an empath was the hardest thing to adjust to, for it took quite a long time to seperate what it was I was feeling rather than confuse it with what I was picking up from others. At times, I still have to take a minute and shake it off and clear my head. I used to tell my friends the things that I saw in my visions, and often advised them with their problems. I was the girl who was always asked to bring the tarot cards and do readings, though some did not take it as seriously as perhaps they should have. It would amuse me that months later, when I saw them again, they were dumbfounded and full of "how'd you do that?!"
Perhaps the greatest thing she taught me overall was the laws of karma. I was told at a young age I was meant to use the gifts to help people and help heal, and though it had taken me a long time to understand the depth of that meaning, I feel like I am finally on the right path.
It was after going thru a very negative span of years in being married that I decided I needed to get back to my roots and reground myself. I had lost myself spiritually and had hidden so much of who I was because of my ex husband's unwillingness to accept. I felt truly as if I had lost touch with myself. So when I set out on my journey of rediscovery, I found myself back in the lands of my ancestors; back on reservation lands of South Dakota.
I dedicated myself to the desire to learn, so I sought out advice and would go clean the houses of the Elders just to listen to them tell stories of their life. I was amazed at how much they had to tell in their stories. I had been befriended by one man who had been a Shaman for over 60 years. He shared a great deal of his wisdom with me and took me out often to speak of the spirits while strolling thru the rocky Badlands. I will never forget how I broke down in tears while on my knees before the Wounded Knee Memorial, because I could hear the drums in the distance. Spirit drums. He watched the signs during the times he spoke to me, and one day told me that it was "time". The next year I spent cleansing myself- spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically. Upon completion of that cleansing time, I was put upon the mountain, Bear Butte, for my Vision Quest. 3 days. Words cannot possibly describe what took place.
Once I had been brought down from the mountain, I assisted with camp for the others who had yet to go up. This one enchanting evening, I had decided to go for a late night walk. Little did I realize that there was a mountain that was considered to be off limits. It was the one used by the Ancients for their ceremonies. What I followed was the sound of drums, and ended up having gone off the path and on to the other mountain. All the while, he sat at the camp and watched. The drums were so clear and my soul so free that I just started dancing. I do not know how long I was up there, but when I returned to camp, not only was my Shaman there, but so was another who was camping with his people. They, along with some people of the camp, had been watching me dance, and said they could see the Ancients dancing around with me. Thus, the next day, I was given my Indian name. "She Who Dances With Ancients". I assisted the Shaman for as many ceremonies as he would permit, and learned much from him and from many of the others that crossed paths.
I have been asked by some if the Native beliefs conflicted with the things I was taught as a child. Not at all. It all comes down to the same things in the end. Ying and yang. Balance. Belief and faith. I have my views on things and I respect the rights of others to believe as they wish. I hold no judgements nor do I wish to be judged. I have learned to embrace that which I am and find a comfort zone so that I am empowered to help others.
Where some are comfortable in teaching and speaking to the masses, I am the quiet one who is often the watcher. I'm very much at peace with my spirit guides and with the things that go on around me.
There are a great many things soon to take place and a great many changes waiting to happen in my life. For now, I'm just sitting back and enjoying watching the events unfold.