O.N.E. Journey to Mount Shasta

By Lillian Edwards

The hearts of 21 women heard the voice of a mountain. A mountain, calling them to its slopes, calling them to drink of its pure spring waters, to commune with tree elders and ancient stones, to dream with its profound presence at night, and bask in its vibrant and healing energies during the day. Mount Shasta, where the Organization of Nature Evolutionaries led a group of journeyers in early October, set the stage for a 4-day retreat focused on co-creative partnership with Nature. Guided by O.N.E. Vision Council members Elyshia Holliday and Julie Caldwell, who held a strong and loving container, participants where invited to ground into the landscape, and speak strong intentions for both personal growth and planetary evolution.

Julie filled our bodies with herbal allies and elixirs. Throughout the weekend she guided us into our hearts- the place where communication with nature takes place. Elyshia shared Earth honoring ceremony each day, as participants fed the mountain with foods, love, and song, and nourished the waters with prayers for healing. The hearth played a central role in the retreat, a place that was cozy and inviting, warmed by conversation, connection, tea, and the most delicious, nourishing meals.

When the weekend came to a close, each woman left with a small, beautiful offering bowl, and a greater understanding of how to “give back” to Nature and the Spirit of the land, who gives to us so generously. Everyone took home an anointing oil collectively infused with mountain medicines, and also a bottle of mountain source water. But beyond the physical treasures, we each carried with us so much more~ the boundless gifts of personal transformation, newfound relationships to self and nature, new friendships and connection to a strengthened community of incredible women, gratitude for the opportunity to take the time out of our day-to-day, to sink into a different way of being~ all integrating and rippling forth like the healing headwaters, emerging from the body of Mt. Shasta, flowing onward to joyously greet its continued work above ground. Here is what one participant, Jean-Louise, is carrying forward from the O.N.E. journey to Mt. Shasta~

“Shortly after my Shasta O.N.E. experience, I had a meditation where my body turned into a massive tree with roots that sank deep into the earth. Shallow ones connected with all around it, and heavenly branches reached way up towards the sun! I heard in my heart the words, "Now it is time for you to take your place as a Sequoia elder!"

My heart had opened wide to myself in a way that I have not experienced before. The Love-Light of my heart was beating for me! Waves of streaming love for me flowed into every cell of my body. My massive Shasta tears had cracked open my heart to more love connection with all sentient beings, including myself!

I am enough and I forgive myself for not knowing what I didn't know! I celebrate my coherent heart connection and the offering of myself on the altar of Ancestral Shasta.

I treasure my Shasta experience. I have been awakened to even greater connection with my own heart! Thank you Julie, Elyshia, and all my Shasta journeyers for sharing love and presence/presents in our enlivening O.N.E. experience that continues to expand inside and outside of me!”