Listening to gentle rain fall on the roof as you are drifting off to sleep or to feel the ahhhh as you soak in a hot tub of water you feel the comfort from the Spirit of Water. The Spirit of Water can be so soothing and relaxing. Here in Wisconsin we have had a little too much water as rain and severe weather has brought the cleansing and clearing aspect of the Spirit of Water.

My state has been in the national news this past week due to flooding and the failure of dams or levees. We have had a lot of rain in the past few days. The most watched video of the flooding is the result of the water in Lake Delton drain after exploding through an earthen levee. In the video there are houses being torn from their foundations and float away into the Wisconsin River as the lake drained into the river.

I grew up in Wisconsin Dells and know Lake Delton well. I heard about the disaster at Lake Delton within an hour of the levee failure. The news traveled much like the water draining out of the lake…fast and furious. My husband and I drove down to the city of Lake Delton which is about an hour south of where we currently live to see for ourselves. It was sad and surreal.

We have fond memories of Lake Delton. We both worked at a giftshop/museum called Parson’s Indian Trading Post. We met and fell in love here. Paul’s family owned a summer home not too far from Lake Delton near the Wisconsin River. I worked in the “Little Post” located in Tommy Bartlett’s Water Show. I learned how to waterski on this lake to impress by new boyfriend who was to become my husband. Seeing the drained lake felt much like a friend’s death. Their passing marks a new chapter and in this case a whole new book.

As I thought about all these memories and knowing Spirit of Water, I had to consider that maybe this “disaster” is really nature balancing it self. The Wisconsin Dells/Lake Delton area changed so much over the last few decades. It went from a place where people vacationed to be close to nature to a place where people vacation to play in water parks, miniture golf and enjoy carnival type rides. There is a lot of concrete and black top. There is also a lot of hotel and motels to house all those coming to vacation. Once a long time ago, vacationers came to stay in lodges along the Wisconsin River and enjoy the quiet beauty of the sandstone bluffs, eagles, deer and of course watch the Native American dances.

The Spirit of Water is both gentle and powerful. As we can see it can be a major player in a space clearing. In the Medicine Wheel the Spirit of Water is one of the four elements and resides in the south winds or the west winds depending on the belief system of many Native American Nations. The spirit of Water represents or symbolizes emotions.

I pray that those affected by the recent flooding be blessed with a multitude of angels that can help them heal and find peace as they continue on the soul’s journey. I also pray that nature finds its balance gently and easily for the highest good of all.

Thank you for reading Between the Beats. Blessings, Neshi.

All Rights Reserved. Copyright, Yvette Neshi Lokotz, June 2008.

I recently had one of those ‘ahhh ahhh” moments. I am one of the millions of people reading and attending the Eckart Tolle and Oprah Webinar - A New Earth. Last Monday night we went over chapter 8, Discovery of Inner Space.

I found this chapter title and information so interesting especially from a space clearing point of view. The total amount of empty space between the molecules of our body is 99.99%. I had to sit with that statistic for awhile.

I thought about how that compares to the empty space in a home. Without any scientific measurement, I would bet it is very close to the same percentage. In the belief system of Interior Alignment™, we believe that our homes are a metaphor for our lives and that we are closely interconnected with our homes and all of Universe. So why would the amount of empty space be different within our homes?

This question led me to think about space clearing. In space clearing, we move stuck and stagnant energies out of a space by using clear intention and divine energies flowing through our tools. I remember one of my clients stating that she could feel the beat of my drum in her body as I was clearing her home. She told me the beat of the drum like her pulse as I drummed. I realize now that I was also clearing the inner space of my client. The sacred sound of the drum moving any stuck and stagnant energies that in and around the client’s body(s).  Was I clearing the 99.99% of “empty space”? The empty space may not be entirely empty as we have energies that linger, such as thought forms.

This uncovers another dimension to my space clearing. I had never stopped to think about the “empty space” of our bodies. The importance of having a clear intention in a space clearing is even more critical.  As a space clearing practitioner, I assist clients to clarify what kind of energy do they want to fill their home once the stuck and stagnant energy is removed.  The question then becomes, “What kind of energy do you want in your empty spaces?”

The discovery or rather the conscious thought of inner space, that quiet place that some tribal nations call, “going into the silence”. Going to our quiet spaces, our quiet inner spaces that are clear of unwanted debris.  A new and broader definition for sacred space.

Migwiitch, thank you for reading Between the Beats.  Blessings, Neshi.

All Rights Reserved.  Copyright, Yvette Neshi Lokotz, April 2008.

Imagine walking up the side walk to a home’s front door. The side walk is lined with flowers and green plants. You see and hear an outdoor water fountain near the front door. The front door area is so inviting, warm and friendly with the tinkling sounds of a wind-chime. As you knock on the door you are met by the owner who has a warm smile recognizing you as a friend.  As you step into the doorway your eye catches a table with a beautiful cloth draping it.

You manage a warm hello for your friend, but the table keeps drawing your attention. As you walk further into the home, you walk directly to the beautiful table. On the table you see a lit candle, smell a fragrant incense and you reach out to feel the soft texture of the silk cloth. There is also a statue on the this beautiful table and a small vase of pretty flowers. The statue is of a woman in standing position with the palm of her hands touching each other as if in prayer at chest height.

The scene I just described is how Chi is invited to the front door and into the home. The table with beautiful items placed on it is an altar. Actually a particular altar known as a protection or guardian altar that is found near the front door and off to the side of the front door (not directly across the door).  The statue is a statue of Kwan Yin in a protective mudra.

I recently read a book by Daniela Schenker called Kuan Yin, Assessing the Power of the Divine Feminine.  Ms. Schenker goes into great depth about Kuan Yin. I appreciated this depth and sharing as I have fondness and connection to Kuan Yin. I have to say that this book also held another surprise gift. The forward was written by my teacher, Denise Linn. I had no idea that Denise had written this forward where she called for Kuan Yin to come and help with the birthing of a baby for a friend of hers.

Kwan Yin is a bodhisattva known for her deep compassion for all sentient beings as she hears the cries of the world.  Bodhisattvas are enlightened beings who have attained the wisdom of Buddhas but have postponed their final “liberation” or ascension. Instead they provide compassionate support to sentient beings in this world until they can achieve their own ascension.  She is also known as the protector of women and children.

A protection or guardian altar counteracts any lower vibrational energies such as negative thoughts from entering your home. According to Schenker, the peacock was the protector of Kuan Yin. The peacock feather holds this energy and will protect the home and its inhabitants from accidents, other disasters and can absorb negative energies.

Kwan Yin is only one example of a Helpful Person/People that can be enlisted to protect your home. You may choose from your own belief system or culture to create a beautiful guardian altar at your front door. For instance, in the “old days” Native Americans living on the great plains used the Medicine Shields which depicted the man of the home (tepee) protection. This could be in the colors used on the shield, picture of animals or birds. The shield was placed at the opening or doorway of the tepee.  It also indicated if the man of the home was in.  Other cultures may use a pair of lions at the entrance to their property (driveway) or a pair of Foo Dogs as guardians.

I believe that the most important element is your intention for the placement and also other items placed on the guardian altar. Your clear intention is the energy that holds these seemly separate items together on the altar. 

All Rights Reserved. Copyright, Yvette Neshi Lokotz, April 2008.

My journey to New Mexico began about 2 years ago.  I had just finished teaching a practitioner certification of Interior Alignment. I was spending the next couple of days cleaning and putting aware the space clearing tools and such.  As I worked, I could hear
whispers of the name Albuquerque.  My husband and I went out to dinner and as we waited for our table, we sat chatting about our day.  As I was listening to Paul, I heard another voice say in a rather loud conversational tone — Albuquerque.  I had no clue as to why or what this all meant.  Paul teased me and said that I couldn’t go there until I knew how to spell Albuquerque.  I began my research and interest in Albuquerque. 

It was almost 2 years later in September 2007 that I received an email regarding the course, The Way of the Shaman, being taught by Sandra Ingerman in Santa Fe, New Mexico in March of 2008. I loved Sandra Ingerman’s style of writing and had heard such praise for her style of teaching.  I decided the day I received the email message that I would attend this course with Sandra. I wrote out a check for the entire course fee and
mailed it off. 

I shared my decision with my good friend and fellow Interior Alignment™ Master teacher, Deb Swingholm, that I would be attending The Way of the Shaman course.
I sent Deb the class information and she too decided to attend the same course.  I still had no idea why I had to go to New Mexico, just that there was a very strong pull to go to Albuquerque and Santa Fe.

New Mexico is a beautiful state that has many different ecosystems.  We spent our first full day visiting ancient petroglyph sites at the Petroglyph National Monument Park in Albuquerque. My favorite site was the Piedras Marcadas Canyon (Canyon of the Dark Rocks).  This is the home of the densest concentration of petroglyphs along the 17 mile escarpment with 5,000 images.  Most of the images were created between 400 and 700 years ago by the ancestors of today’s Pueblo Nations. This area and the petroglyph carvings were thought to be used to conduct sacred ceremony.

Science shows that 150,000 years ago a series of volcanic eruptions flowed to create the mesa and the dark basaltic rock that were used to carve the petroglyphs. The petroglyphs contained both animal and human forms.  As we approached the trail head of the Canyon, I did a tobacco giving ceremony to ask for permission to pass into a sacred place.  I was given permission and called granddaughter. We hiked some distance, stopping occasionally to take pictures and to tune into the energy of this sacred place.

One petroglyph in particular caught my attention. The image of a woman, a female shaman, at the very back part of the canyon.  This particular carving was different from other shaman carvings as it was plain to see that this shaman had a dress on. Other shaman carvings was shown in stick person form. As I closed my eyes to feel the energy here, I felt compelled to turn and look in the opposite direction.  The view was looking down the canyon to see where it narrowed and then opened up to the valley which Albuquerque is located.  The shape of this canyon reminded me of a womb and birth canal. The female shaman petroglyph was at the very back of the womb.  She held a stick in one hand and a corn stalk in the other. I could hear drumming and women singing as I imagined what it might have been like to be there in ceremony.

As I stood in the center of the womb, giving thanks for the opportunity to experience the energy of this sacred place, I could felt in my heart that this is the reason, the
female shaman, that I was to make the sacred journey to Albuquerque. A special thanks to Ed and Yvonne Boudreaux for being such great hosts and tour guides.

Thank you for reading Between the Beats.  Many Blessings, Neshi. 

All Rights Reserved. Copyright, Yvette Neshi Lokotz, April 2008.

Winter Solstice       

Awakening the Magician Dec 21-23

According to Ted Andrews in his book Nature Speak, the Winter Solstice is a time to slow down outer activities, deeper medications, strong angel contact, intuition, healing, new birth, emotions and dream work.

He also writes that Archangel Gabriel – Giving Birth to Feminine Energies, Creative Energies is the primary angelic realm for the Winter Solstice.  Gabriel is known as the archangel of Love and Hope.  Gabriel assists in the purifying, elevating, and spiritualizing of humanity.  Gabriel is the guardian of the sacred waters of life – the seed and the egg in the male and female.

“Winter Solstice triggers a time in which the Inner Light is kindled in spite of outer darkness.  It is a time to give birth to and awaken the higher self.  Spiritual impulse is born anew within us, adding light and strengthening the love principle within our life.” Ted Andrews

As I consider what Ted wrote about Archangel Gabriel, I connect this wisdom to sacred geometry and ascension information. In sacred geometry the Vesica Piscis is the overlapping of two circles.  In the overlapped portion is the divine energy of Light. When the energy of Light is brought forth, is the balancing of male and female energies (Mer).

In sacred geometry the overlapping of circles creates the Fruit of Life, the Tree of Life and ultimately the Flower of Life also known as the Seed of Life.  The building blocks of all life are found within the Flower of Life known as Metatron’s Cube.  I find it fascinating that Archangel Gabriel is the guardian of the sacred waters as this Archangel is also known for being the announcer of divine messages.

Sowing of seeds for the coming year: These seeds are seeds of abundance, prosperity, love and illumination.

As I consider the link between Ted Andrews’s perspective and that of the Medicine Wheel, I begin to think about how it feels to be in that place of between.  Right now we are in that energy of what the Celtic Ancients called Betwixt and Between (where magic occurs).  When contemplating the Medicine Wheel, the Winter Solstice (and the Summer Solstice) ride the cross winds of the Wheel.  These cross winds are like a switch that brings change – a pause between a change in Nature.  When I think about this pause, it feels like the top or bottom of a full breath.  When at the top or bottom of the breath it is the time when we are either about to inhale or about to exhale — change.

Solstices are opportune times to bring completion of what has gone before and to fix intentions for what will come as we plant the seeds that seem to be dormant but are gathering strength to push through the soil in the Spring.  The Winter Solstice is the time to go within and sort out what intentions will be brought forth.

In Kenneth Meadows book, Earth Medicine, the wind is North North West (NNW) on the Medicine Wheel—Renewal Time.   The north winds encourage patience and inward growth, a renewal of the mind and body.  The north winds also assist to establish intent and purpose.  The north is the direction of the mind and things in the mind – knowledge and wisdom.

The Goose is the Birth and Animal Totem for the NNW December 22 through January 19.  Those born under the Goose Totem have imaginative minds, a great Dreamer.As we prepare to exhale that full breath on December 22, Winter Solstice, we are at the place to begin to dream about the coming year and what we would like to create.

May your Winter Solstice, Yule Tide, Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanza be loving and joyful.  Many Blessings, Neshi.

I just returned from a trip to Arizona.  My husband and I visited the south eastern part of Arizona.  We were at Fort Huachuca around the Sierra Vista area.  Our nephew graduated from his advanced Army training and we went there to see his graduation.  We took a few extra days to explore the area. 

On December 12, an important portal day, we spent out in nature in the Huachuca Mountains.  The Huachuca Mountains are a part of the Sierra mountain range and received its name from the Apache Nation.  Huachuca translates in English as “a place of thunder”.  The mountains are known as the “Thunder Mountains”.  This area is a place of transition from the Chihuauhua-Sonoran desert and the mountains.  This is also the mountain range that Chochise and Geronimo escaped to in order to evade capture.  We have to keep in mind that at one time this place we call Arizona state was actually a part of Mexico and the Native people of that time knew of no borders between the United States and Mexico.

We hiked up part of the way to Garden Canyon which is in the Huachuca Mountains on the Vanished Trail.  Vanished Trail is 6300 feet above sea level.  There are 3 prehistoric archeological sites on Fort Huachuca that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  According to the Fort’s information, the pictographs are dated 300 – 1540 A.D.  We decided to look for the pictographs at the Garden Canyon site.

I had to look up the definition of a petroglyph and a pictograph since I didn’t know the difference between the two words.  A pictograph is a picture or picture like symbol used in a system of writing.  A petroglyph is a drawing or carving on a rock made by a member of a prehistoric people. 

The Garden Canyon pictographs consist of 53 pictures that are painted on the roof and vertical face of the rock shelter. Some of the pictographs are painted in red and black and date to circa AD 1300.  Other pictures are in black and white and date back to circa 1700. The black and white pictures are considered to be Apache drawn.

Since there are some pictures that date to the 1700’s, I can see why the archeologists use the word pictograph instead of petroglyph.  Had the only pictures been dated to the 300-1540 A.D, then we could use the word petroglyph.

I had not done any research prior to our trip so I didn’t know about the pictographs.  We stopped by the Visitors Center on the Fort and we were given a map of the area.  The map had information about the archeological sites.  We decided to try to locate the pictographs.  We were not exactly prepared to do a mile and half hike up.  In fact, I had my Skecher slip tennis shoes on!  We did have water with us.  I have not hiked to this height before and I can say that the air is definitely thinner at 6300 feet.  As we made our way up the mountain we had to jump over small mountain streams of water that came from melted snow.   The vistas were magnificent as we looked across the canyon to other parts of the mountain range.  There was ponderosa pine, barkless trees, and loads of different kinds of cacti.  We came to bends in the trail and at each bend we stopped to decide if we were going to further or not.  While at each bend we took time to rest and breathe….deciding to see what was around the next bend.

We could hear the rushing of the mountain streams, the sound of small waterfalls, birds chirping and the wind blowing through the trees.  The sky was a clear bright blue.  I felt like I was at the top of the world.  At one point my husband pointed out a cactus growing in a tree.  The tree may have been dead or dying, I couldn’t tell.  Here is a picture of the cactus in the tree.

We finally made it up to the first set of pictographs – Garden Canyon Pictographs.  Before approaching the pictures, I gave tobacco to ask permission to pass and to give thanks to the Ancient Ones for leaving behind information for us.  I also gave thanks to the mountain, to the Stone People, to the water and to the trees.  We were allowed to proceed to the pictographs.  Fort Huachuca fenced off the site for its protection so I wasn’t able to touch the actual carvings.  I did sit on a rock outside the fence to connect with the Ancient Ones.  I was directed to Dance on Ancient Ground.  So, I did.  I danced next to the pictographs, honoring those Ancient Ones who left us a story and clues to their life and for ours.

As we headed down the mountain, I realized that it was 12/12.  We felt lighter and happier as we walked down the mountain.  I suggested that it may have been the negative ions from the trees and water.  But, I believe we can also include the blessing we received from the Arizona Ancient Ones.  Here are some pictures for you to enjoy. 

Many Blessings,  Neshi.

All Rights Reserved.   Copyright, Neshi Lokotz, Dec 2007.