November 2 , 2010

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year to all of you who acknowledge the Celtic yearly cycle that ends with Samhain or Hallowmas. With the end of the growing season and the harvest complete much needed rest comes as the light wanes and we have an opportunity to begin exploring our inner landscape. During these next few months Pam will be working on a new book delving into areas like the healing properties of sanctuaries for both plants and people, how we are “hardwired” to bond with the natural world and how ceremony and ritual contributes to Earth healing. She will still be available throughout the winter months for and long distance healing and mentoring session. Call now for an appointment at 802-293-5996 or email greenpam@vermontel.net.

healing sessions

mentoring

Pam is now interviewing for her 2011 Plant Spirit Healing Apprenticeship. Be sure to take advantage of the early bird savings by paying in full by February 15, 2011. Space is limited so call now in order to secure a spot in this highly acclaimed program.

We have many opportunities for you this coming year at Partner Earth Education Center both for new and past students. Look for details soon on our website about: Earth Spirit Healing Intensive, Plant Communication, Ceremonial Plant Dieting, Plant Spirit Healing Renewal, and more. The dates for these are listed on our website calendar.

Becoming Indigenous by Pam Montgomery

This time of year is always deeply reflective for me as I end a very busy season of teaching, gardening and traveling. In keeping with the seasonal cycle I pay homage to my ancestors and hold them close to my heart. I wonder about their lives most of whom lived a land based existence. I don’t know when they first came to America and what their struggles may have been like coming to a new land filled with the growing pains of white settlement on heavily populated native land. What were their relations with these native peoples – ones of peace or conflict? Conflict surely for the natives (if not physically then spiritually) as it was my relatives wanting to farm their hunting grounds. Did the Shawnee Chief, Tecumseh, tell them the lands of the Ohio River valley were where his peoples’ fires would always burn? Did my ancestors who settled south of the Ohio River hope to live in peaceful co-existence with Tecumseh and his people or did they ignore his indigenous rights? After watching the American Experience epic series “We Shall Remain”, a story of over three hundred years of Native struggle to remain on their ancestral lands, I dig into my cellular memory as I ponder some of these questions. Now, at least two hundred years later, this land I love and care for I still cannot call my homeland. What’s two hundred years of walking the same ground compared to ten thousand? Am I still an orphan in a land foreigners? And yet, my pagan (country) roots course through my veins and the deep love for this land is undeniable. Perhaps the distinguishing factor of indigenosity is ones mindset. When I realize I do not own the land but the land owns me, I am in service to this land instead of enslaving her and this land is not a property commodity but a living entity with spirit that deserves equal rights as me, perhaps then I can approach the possibility of truly being of this land. As my breath is exchanged with the breath of trees and plants, my hair is woven into bird’s nests, my urine brings enriching nitrogen to my garden, wild water is my drink and my prayers of gratitude focus on the generosity of this land, my longing for home that is deeply rooted in the Earth begins to be realized and my indigenous soul stirs.