News from the Notch ~ Zuni Mountain Sanctuary ~ Fall Newsletter 2010
Zuni Mountain Sanctuary
News from the Notch
Zuni Mountain Sanctuary
Fall 2010
Bountiful Gathering
Little did I know when I was invited to attend the Shaman's Gathering in August that I would find a nitch here at the notch. Arriving during the monsoon season in July, I had never experienced daily torrential downpours outside of a tropical storm or hurricane. The short seven mile drive in from the paved road took over an hour to travel--sitting on the edge of the passenger's seat thinking we would be stuck somewhere on this road in the middle of nowhere. Finally, the land that had seemingly called was now beneath my feet. I was blessed to have the opportunity to meet a core group of faeries who were also attending Shamgath for the first time. While we bonded over life and the circumstances that had placed us together at this exact space and time, stronger bonds with the land became apparent.
Slowly people began to arrive and before long, ZMS was alive with Shaman's from all over. Watching others arrive and take in the splendor that is ZMS, to have all worked together to set up and prepare for gathering together, then to pull it off as if we were old pros—truly watching the gathering grow into the living entity it became, was spectacular.
What a wonderful experience it was to attend this Shaman's Gathering and not only see, but feel the magic in the air. So magical that five of us called by Zuni for Shamgath committed a year to the stewarding of ZMS. It has been exciting, entertaining, educating and enlightening growing with these four individuals. When I look at them and see the harvest yielded this year as we all prepare for winter, I cannot help but be thrilled at how ZMS has come alive with the new energy pouring forth from each individual and the collective that we've become.
We look forward to you coming home soon. Blessed be...Tiny Bear
Cream of Buckwheat With Home Milled Meal
This recipe serves one (1)
Ingredients:
1 cup milk (soy or cow)
1 Tbs. butter
3 Tbs home milled Buckwheat meal
3 Tbs. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. Cinnamon (optional)
1/8 tsp. Nutmeg (optional)
1/8 tsp. Allspice (optional)
1/8 tsp. ground cloves (optional)
Dash salt (optional)
Bring milk and butter to almost boiling; add buckwheat meal 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring constantly. Reduce heat to medium, stirring frequently. Add vanilla and spices to taste. Buckwheat will thicken to “cream of wheat” consistency. Additional options include: fruits, nuts, raisins, and etc. You may need to add additional meal depending upon the fineness of your home milled meal. We found 3 ½ Tbs. worked best in making this recipe with our meal.
Equinox Musings
by Munk
Most witches and wizards understand Munk to be merely a fully corporeal & sentient being in a reasonable world. Eternally composting his unconditional-compassion issues into new ground to sprout trust. He longs for organic moments of ecstasy and it has just been by happenstance that the accompanying repose from such states read as artistic mysticism. He has grown to love and cherish the simplicity of rural living but delights in novelty. Yum.
Pre-Samhain is always such an enchanting time to be in the Bay Area. So much is energetically there that is dead to me now, yet some really profound oasis of consciousness still animates my creative spark. When traveling recently in California, my journey of Good Faith was a path graced with many serendipitous encounters. People from my years prior to meeting the faeries whom I hadn’t seen in quite some time; such a blessing to re-connect, reminisce and remember the love that we continue to share throughout time.
It has also been refreshing this new study of erotic mysticism. Theoretical study at present. No lab yet. This time from a more grounded stance than in prior seasons. Part of this new exploration of spirit is due to In the past (past-life of this body), excitement was sometimes a trigger for compulsive patterns. And now I feel have transcended residual wounds enough that I am ready to forge new associations of sensuality with spirit and self. (sss) Although still espoused to spirit, I feel capable and ready to explore the gift more fully that is my physical self with the world around me. As a sacred dance with the cosmos, nothing cheep or obsessive. Something Mom would understand although not necessarily want to watch. You know. But as someone with a reputation as a fully corporeal, sentient being who loves and longs for moments of different kinds of ecstasy, it is just been by happenstance the accompanying repose from such states are what I have grown to love. Chaos crumbling into calm like some apocalyptic Tao. (by the way they let you pronounce it with a D or the T these days) Love it when that yang accelerates into yin. Plus the pheromones it produces.
Whether home or away, I feel truly blessed by the souls I encounter on my path and for the gifts of shared spaces in time with others. City life however wears on someone like me with a monastic disposition and empathetic tendencies. Talk about compassion fatigue in the urban; and ironically I’m usually in the same boat as most of the impoverished I encounter. But it is a blessing to remind strangers of their inherent worth. But even with the best of times and weirdest of time happening simultaneously out there, I am grateful that my time in the urban was brief albeit balanced with some profound solitude and significant journey-work as well.
Anyhow. Back to the desert. It is always such a joy to return here feeling that subjective experience of a return-home which is always present at sanctuary. The immanence of being in nature with her simpler rhythms. The play of the seasons really slows me down to appreciate the eternal now. I feel blessed that in the season ahead there are strong energies of support and compassion on the land. So much more familiar than unknown feels supportive beyond words but perhaps that would be good subject material for a multi-media project in the winter months. Introspection is always such a blessing for someone who values solitude; and a really beautiful were all in this together vibe comes when the days are their shortest.
If I had to count the number of Dark Nights of the Soul that I have moved through over the past seven years to reach realizations of holographic mind, there wouldn’t be an abacus big enough to chart that tally of long nights. But in the awakened moment of eternity any memories of the dead paradigm seem alien if not fewer and far between for recollection. But I am very grateful through it all to have discovered more healing notions about love, relationship, trust and unconditional positive regard.
Sister Hitirus has been helping me to work out my issues over not being more assertive with my compassion and transcending residual co-dependent power issues from the past. Plus I haven’t been as grouchy since taking up TM again. Its been such a blessing working it out with herbs and transcendental living, besides its cheaper than Prozac or therapy and usually leaves something inspired in its wake. Still it sometimes can be challenging to feel open with people who are neurotic or for whose Johari Window had been nailed shut from years of neglect. In some cases someone with the credential proves to be more helpful than someone with a crow bar.
Back in the day Socrates wanted all the other guys to know themselves and that’s good advice because society needs another guru like it needs another pharaoh. Besides Im not about to show anyone the keys and doors to ultimate bliss unless my own dedication to integrity and introspection are in synch. Which in a lot of ways I feel homeostasis around.
As for my own goals, intentions and aspirations - I endeavor to continue being of service to the transpersonal needs of the community to the best of my ability and learning new ways to express newfound gifts. Seriously, I thrive on self-actualization. And of course Ill chop water and carry wood which are always really exciting for me yet strangely comforting too. But I do know that I want to staying open to learning new things – about the various aspects of sanctuary life, about myself, others and our shared relationship with nature and Great Spirit. Always open for that because that’s always open for me. Im enthusiastic about further exploration of organic uses of technology to foster feelings of well being and connection to life & spirit. Deepening my relationship with nature as provider, sustainer and source for enstatic repose. So hold me to that. I mean it. Share with me what inspires you. Keep in touch if you have been touched and be sure to keep the community in your prayers which are more priceless than gold.
PS I also do weddings, fire rituals, divorces, exorcisms, and can spin a mean electronic trance set.
Feel open to email me at mysti...@gmail.com But Im usually in other realms go figure so don't expect a timed reply.
Or if you want send alms, questions or fan mail to: ZMS Attn: MUNK PO Box 636 Ramah, NM 87321
Ask Lupe...
Ring, Ring…
Zuni Mountain Sanctuary, Lupe Speaking.
Caller:
Hey Lupe – I am so happy to hear your voice!
Lupe:
Lap, Lap, Lap
Caller:
Uhh…are you licking the phone?
Lupe:
Howard made cinnamon rolls and left the receiver a little sticky, Sorry.
Caller:
Well I have always wanted to dance naked before the fire at a drumming circle. Do you think I should?
Lupe:
Since I am a nudist, the question seems a little silly. But does the Oso Notch Bear shit in our Garden? Hell yes! Why do you think we bark all night?
Need I say more?
Caller:
Wow-thanks so much for clearing that up!
Question:
Hi Lupe, I often have the urge to leave my tent about 2:00 A.M. and start drumming in the center of the camping area. Is that ok?
Answer:
And Ash has the urge to pee on your on your tent - but he practices self-control. Try that and stay in your tent!
Reply:
Lupe, you are the Queen of Analogy – thanks so much!
Question:
Lupe, I really love to rant on and on during my time in a heart circle. Do you think anyone minds?
Answer:
If Ash doesn’t pee on you when the talisman comes to you – I will! Be respectful, speak from the heart and we will all get to dinner on time.
Reply:
Thanks Lupe – You really know how to make a point!
Question:
I’ve been thinking about moving to ZMS for the winter. Can you tell me what that would be like?
Answer:
Have you ever watched The Shining?
Living at ZMS in the winter is kind of like that and the Reality T.V. series Survivor.
Occasionally someone shows up to pour drinks and talk about things that need to be ‘Corrected.’ Creepy! If you want to correct something, you can start by feeding me and Ash fresh meat twice a week!
But if Jack Nicholson doesn’t scare you and you don’t mind Tribal Counsels, AKA Heart Circles, you will be good to go!
Reply:
Errr….Ok, thanks!
Moon
Those Desert Wines
Howdy ya'll and welcome to the ZMS Wine Cellar (otherwise known as the walk-in).
We are pleased to report that our first, single, bottled wine is at rest and aging. It is a nice little wine made from: Bartlett Pear, prickly pear, yucca fruit, orange and honey. It was quite a bit of fun harvesting the prickly pear and yucca fruit from our very own desert backyard.
Upon juicing the fruit and adding the honey, it was suggested by sweet Randy that a tiny amount of yeast would be a good idea, as there is precious little in our desert air. With only a moments pause, in went a ½ teaspoon. A quick prayer to Goddess and we set the wine in a nice dark and quiet spot in the cellar.
Nearly 10 days in, we couldn't help but take a look and it seemed the “cooking” phase was at an end and a very cautiously obtained taste told us how delicious this wine really could be, yet when we began to transfer the wine, we noticed it was still slightly bubbly and we put it back to work another two days.
It was ready.
We must tell you that we were a bit excited about transferring the wine from its small fermenting container to an actual wine bottle. After much discussion with other local oenologists, it was determined we didn't need to siphon the wine into its bottle but rather strain the sediment using cheesecloth and then just pouring it in.
It was much fun to have Christian, Randy, Bryan & Phillip there for this momentous occasion. Even more fun awaited us in tasting the wine. Here our nerves began to fret. “Would it be good?” or “Has it gone to vinegar?” These, among other questions, played over in our mind.
To our delight it tasted delicious but had the slightest back flavor of vinegar. Our heart fell, but, once again, the local oenophlologists gave us encouragement. It is felt that in its aging, the wine will mellow even further than what we tasted and the back flavor will be no more. Time for more prayer!
The capping device wasn't as cooperative as we desired, but with a little ingenuity, think rubber mallet, and we popped the cork into place.
We wish to end with a thank you nod to Sandor Katz and his book, Wild Fermentation. This proved not only a delightful read, but an invaluable source guide in making this wine.
Your ZMS Oenophile
Come home for Thanksgiving 25 November 2010
Many Thanks:
Amber, Zane, Sister Kali, Sister Bambi, Maqui, Huilo, Munk, Christian, Phoenix, Randy, Kara, Sur, Tony, Mikee, H R, Jamie, Audry, Mezzo, Willie, Miri, Schwartz, Skye, Ash, Lupe, Gertie, Alice, DreamEagle, Moon, Moonfire, Liz Herron, Baker, Jake, David K., Vangard, StandingFeather, Red Wulf, John Strong, Charlie & Rebecca, Ross., Kate B, Katie K, Jerako, Stuart S., Cyrwyn, Bryan, Phillip, Anthony B., Rand R., Lady Day, Old School Gallery, Pine Hill Clinic, Ancient Way Cafe, El Moro Feed & Seed, El Moro Valley Co-Op, Inscription Rock Trading, Joshie Poo, Camille, Richard, Writers Promise, Poet's Promise, Wolf Creek Sanctuary, Short Mountain Sanctuary, Karen, Victoria, Loganberry Frost, Nebula, Sakhi, Alex, Autumn, David B, Nomenus, Grand Central, Chaos Cabaret, Alec, Rio, joeL, Hot Lava Love, Iahqua, Rising Buffalo, Whoville, Starcloud, Stephen L, Leo Pardo, Corey, Juicyfruit, Guava Soleil, Gentle, Flood, 3Raven, Ralfka, P-Raw, Starchild, Morningwood, Ellen DeGenerate, JinnJin, Jessie, Jill, Paula, Sophia, Bashi, Ed, Tiny Bear, Will, Maria del Ray, Flood, Robin, Raven, Steven, Drum, Mimosa, Greg, Senorita Ay1 Ay! Ay!, Wren, Apollo, Vincent, Bambi Love, Rio Corazon, Seth, Lapis P Luxxxury, Unicorn, Lasagna, Ganneymeade, Cullen, Gonoway Ta Round, Mother Sister D'Queen, Love LeeDay, Te Sek, Jackie, David, White Owl, Clay, Frank, Dustin, Bruce, Dragon, Zea, Disco, Creature, Web, Vibrant, Blossom, Stella Maris, Violet, Mo Jo, Lapis, BlueEagle, Otto Walker, Taffy, Sunshine, Alisha, Sam, Tanner, Birdsong, Jokie X, and to Great Spirit.
Thank you for all your contributions, ideas and prayers that help us remain a true sanctuary for all who need it.
Wishes:
Insulated coveralls (Medium to XL); Leather Work Boots (13 Extra Wide); Leather Work Gloves (Cow Hide – Small to XL); Stocking Caps and Face Masks; Sweat Pants - All Sizes; Tobacco Seed; Tobacco; Rolling Papers; Bolts or large pieces of cloth for making curtains, clothing, etc.; Mosquito netting or gauze cloth; Comics (full ARCs); Toe Shoes (9m); Long Johns (small); white socks; gloves; Sponsorship; Faith in you and me; Love of self & others; Joy & Peace; cross Faerie House Pollenation; organic brownies; travel grants for Shamanic Travel; vacation to Hawaii; my room decorated and cute; intimacy with friends & lovers; toothpaste; Hard contact lens solution; A good sharp pocket knife; Christmas/Seasonal Music; fun crazy fabric; dental care; yet another water bottle; that Cubix game like they have at Short Mountain; cat & dog food; newer movie DVDs; Elvira movies; new work boots (9m-10m); anything important I may have forgotten; shrooms; Twink porn, movie and dinner night on the town; A visit to other homes; Auntie Mame w/Rosalind Russell; Deluxe Scrabble; arts & craft supplies; knitting/needlepoint/cross stitch kits and accessories; books; solar lights, solar Christmas lights; yards & yards of fabric; beeswax; Coleman White Gas (for fire dancing); spool of 2" Kevlar wicking to make fire implements; Ugg Boots (9 1/2 womens medium); snow gloves (womens large); womens large poly or silk long johns; wool socks (9-10 womens); sprouts: mungbeans, wheat berries, lentils, sunflower, alfalfa, chia; sprouting trays; Exacto knife; stretch canvas; 9 1/2 rubber boots; potters clay; 8ft Satellite dish - recycled - for Subat bath; coffee; candles; sleeping bags; pillows; comforters; food of all kinds; herbal cigarettes & brownies; Tarot decks and other mystical toys; Ouija Board; All types of DVDs and music; Ipods; laptops; sleeping mats; tents; solar path lights; Gift Certificates to: Safeway, Albertson's, Trader Joe's; Home Depot; Lowe's; Sunflower; Costco; toothbrushes; toothpaste; dental floss; razors; shaving cream; and other personal care items
Annual & Monthly Support Packs
Supporting Donor - $35+ ($3 a month)
Sustaining Donor - $150+ ($12.50 a month)
Benefactor or Sponsor - $1800 ($150 a month)*
*We have Stewards and visitors who come to ZMS and do not have the financial resources to cover food costs. At the present moment we have Steward Candidates who are seeking sponsorship. If you are interested in sponsoring, email us zun...@wildblue.net
All Donations are Tax Deductible – 501(c)3 Non-profit Organization
Please make all checks payable to:
Zuni Mountain Sanctuary
P. O. Box 636; Ramah, New Mexico 87321
zms.org zun...@wildblue.net (505) 783-4002
UPS/FedEx Address: ZMS, 96 Zuni Mtn. Sanctuary Rd., Pinehill, NM 87357
Facebook: zun...@wildblue.net
If you received this at more than one email address or would like to be removed from our mailing list, please send us an email...
Who We Are
Zuni Mountain Sanctuary is a consensus-run, inclusive, intentional, and earth-friendly Radical Faerie Sanctuary dedicated to the sustenance and well-being of faeries and like-minded folk.
It is our Mission to be dedicated to the healing process. Through healing programs and an intentional living experience focused on nurture, ZMS offers to create a safe, accepting & respectful environment that fosters deepening growth within its members, visitors, and the greater community.
ZMS offers programs, gatherings, and a cooperative back-to-basics living experience as its spiritual curriculum.
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Zuni Mountain Sanctuary exists through the infinite generosity, hard work, and moral support from Stewards and other supporting members. Our goal is to be self-sufficient, but not insular. This Email allows us to maintain contact with you, the wider community of members and supporters. Please help support your sanctuary's efforts by making a contribution this year, financial or otherwise. We are a 501(c) (3) nonprofit, tax exempt organization under religious auspices chartered in the state of New Mexico.