It is the season of gifting and even though the consumer onslaught of this time of year may seem overwhelming there is still that sense of generosity and fullness that comes from giving to another. Then, of course, there’s the opportunity to treat yourself to exactly what may bring you joy. Whether gifting yourself or another it’s always nice to give or receive something special that comes straight from the heart’s inherent knowing. In the spirit of gifting we are offering a 10% discount on all of our Sweetwater Sanctuary Essence Sets including mix and match sets. We hope that these essences may find their way to exactly who may benefit from them at this time.

We continue to develop our schedule for 2011 classes. Visit our website for details on the Earth Spirit Healing Intensive, Plant Spirit Healing Renewal Retreat, and the newly added Plant Communication class in California. Continue to check back as we will have confirmed more classes and teachers at Partner Earth Education Center.

Pam is interviewing now for the Plant Spirit Healing Apprenticeship beginning in April. Be sure to apply before February 15th in order to receive the early bird discount. You can contact Pam at greenpam@vermontel.net or call 802-293-5996.

Planting Seeds by Pam Montgomery

Mark and I, of late, have had lengthy discussions about a topic many of us would like to ignore – ageing. As we round the corner of the big 6 0 the shocking realization that this is the last quarter of our lives seeps in and we ask ourselves how we want to spend this precious time. Our culture would encourage us to find a second home in a warmer climate, travel the world or play golf. Second homes are hardly an option anymore not to mention upkeep on another home is not how we want to spend our time nor do we want to endure the grueling discomfort of travel (disrobing, being felt up and down, being squashed in tiny leg cramping seats for hours while starving) and I have an aversion to golf since I was my Dad’s caddy and had to lug a fifty pound golf bag around while others tried to put a tiny ball in a very small and distant hole, what the farmer’s here in Vermont call cow pasture pool. We have decided we would rather explore our creative sides and yet what exactly does that mean? What is it we want to create? Do we need to ‘do’ more or can we ‘be’ and allow our natural inclinations to unfold?

Along with ageing comes the movement on the wheel of life into the place of the elder. On the Medicine Wheel this would be moving into the direction of the North which coincides with the very time of year we find ourselves in now. It is also the place of the dreamtime where we experience the non-ordinary reality of our dreams allowing the wisdom from this place to inform our daily walk. In traditional cultures the elders were revered for their depth of knowledge, understanding and experience that their soul’s journey on this earth gave them. The pearls of wisdom they had gathered along the way were recognized and their stories were listened to by those younger as another strand was woven into the rich fabric of their intact culture.

I had the good fortune this past week to be invited to speak to a group of college students doing an independent study on shamanism. As I spoke to them I became so excited with all I wanted to share with them. They too became excited asking questions that caused me to stretch and reach deeper into my realm of experience. It was as if we were cooking up some savory stew together, me adding my experience, knowledge and wisdom as the main ingredients and they adding their enthusiasm, ideas and imagination spicing up this delicious brew. As I drove home I became aware that the beauty of ageing, becoming an elder, is to pass on what I’ve learned along the way and that this is invaluable to maintaining the fabric of life.

What will I do with the last quarter of my life? I will garden more, planting one seed at a time especially in the hearts of young people in hopes these seeds (that are really pearls) will grow into an exquisite garden in a time beyond my own.