Spring Equinox

Despite the pouring rain and cool weather several PLOT volunteers arrived to prepare for the Spring Equinox.

Claudia Brown Bear Woman, who helps facilitate Sweat Lodge at the Cwenen-gitel Aboriginal Centre in Surrey, arrived as things were being set up and gifted us with a sage smudge, then offered up a traditional healing Bear Song in blessing for the land and the people.

Grandma Amy – Manchus S’Kwao – Earthworm Woman, arrived wrapped in a beautiful West Coast style button blanket that she had made. People from the community circled around, filling all the spaces under the tent and overflowing out under umbrellas to help celebrate the first anniversary of the Newton Medicine Wheel.

Grandma Amy and another singer drummer Janeh began the Ceremony with the “Seven Direction Song” by Grandma Harris of North Vancouver. As the ceremony continued Grandma Amy and the Medicine Wheel team shared their words acknowledging the four cardinal directions of the wheel and the four related major elements that make up the fabric of life, Earth, Fire, Water and Air.

Telling stories, drumming and singing Grandma Amy was asked several times if she was too cold and wanting to leave. Each time her response was no, no, no I am good and she would launch into another wonderful life experience or teaching story.

After the Equinox Celebration and abundant feasting, the rain stopped. About half a dozen of the garden volunteers set about working on the garden well into the late afternoon, with shovels flying and wheelbarrows rolling, another set of beds was readied for planting.