Sparrow’s Blog

Psyche and Psychedelics — Medicine, Part 1

altered states two

I’ve been talking about “medicine” for decades. I’ve offered workshops on Medicine Wheel teachings, traveled to the Amazon to explore medicine plants, and taught about medicine names, songs, and encounters with medicine animals. Now, with the upsurge of interest in “medicine plants,” I want to share some thoughts about what the word “Medicine” means.

 

View of Stone SpiralRead More »


Stirring Up Trouble

God's country

For a long time, I’ve tried to apply the mantra, “Energy flows where attention goes,” to my life, and considered my attention as perhaps the only thing I actually could control or take credit for. In service of that, for 30+ years I’ve begun most days by lighting sage and giving thanks to the world around and within me.

I recently read a blog post written by a local friend… Read More »


Chaos and Order… yin and yang

The well-known yin-yang symbol represents two snakes, the head of each one pursuing and devouring the tail of the other. The white snake (yang) is usually seen as masculine, and it creates rules, structures, and form (order). The black snake (yin), is generally seen as feminine, and represents nature and wildness, the forces of chaos and disorder.

Order (yang) creates agreements and the stability, safety, and predictability that follow, but… Read More »


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Coming to Our Senses

After several sodden vision quest days in Nova Scotia, wishing for sun, I decided to just “love what is.” It was a good decision!  And this love letter to Nature, to the primal reality of a wet and dripping world was one of the results. Enjoy!

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Wind moves in the branches. This morning brings rain and fog, the call of a lonely sparrow, the tapping of dripping… Read More »


Drinking From the Source of Life

Our oldest archetypal image – the World Tree – has roots that reach deep into the earth while its branches stretch upward to the sky. At its base, a spring – representing the Source of Life — bubbles up from beneath the ground, providing life to everything in “the garden.” Institutional spiritual traditions of the West habitually look up…… Read More »


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What people say about our Vision Quests

What a gift!

Our quest a few years ago in Death Valley changed my life forever. You helped me make deep, profound changes to my humanity by sharing your self and wisdom and letting me find my way in my own time. What a gift! Love and blessings to you.

— G. Won, Hawaii

Such an inspiration

You are an incredible Teacher, and I hope I can learn from you again in the future. The Heroic Journey is taking root in my life, more and more everyday. You’re such an inspiration to me. God bless you.

— R. L, Montreal, Quebec

Circles of Air & Stone • Putney, Vermont