February 10, 2008

A Snowy Winter It Has Been

This winter has had the coldest December and January that anyone can recall, even after researching with the weather service. It has also been the snowiest that most folks can recall. The Durango schools were closed on two separate occassions as were the city and county offices. Southern Ute tribal offices were also closed. Anne and Jamie got snowed in Durango and had to stay in a motel for two nights. I couldn't get out of the ranch. Finally, Anne was able to get to the end of the drive, and we could snowshoe in and out from there.

I have made a little slideshow to give those of you some sense of the amount of snow we have had. Click here and enjoy.

Blessings,
~Nick

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December 14, 2001

Dear Family and Friends

The Winter Solstice is just about upon us. This is a special time of beginnings, and for me perhaps the most holy time of the year. The Winter Solstice is the time when the old year ends and all that it brought is left behind as we begin the journey into the new year.

On the Winter Solstice, the Sun Father will have travelled the furthest south, making that day the shortest of the year. The longest night is the one following the solstice; the day after solstice is just a little bit longer as he begins his return. (For example, December 21 is generally considered the solstice this year. That day will be the shortest day of the year. That evening until the next morning will be the longest night.)

To those of us in the northern hemisphere, we see and feel the Sun Father at his weakest on the solstice. Therefore, we men caretake him on the night of the solstice to ensure his return. Men go into the fields or their back yards or gardens that afternoon and make a fire which might hold his spirit in honor and solace. We then watch over his spirit throughout this longest night ensuring that he who gives us so much does in fact return the next day. On that following sunup, we send that which we have honoured and protected all the night long back into the sky. We know within our deepest self—within our soul—that if we do not do this honor, that he will withdraw from us, perhaps never to return. In days long ago, people might gather, men and women, around the sacred fire which has been created for this honouring and caretaking, the men feeding him throughout the night and the women ensuring that they do. Then in the morning, when his spirit has returned to the sky, the people would rekindle their hearth fires in celebration of his renewed spirit.

In this day and age I receive questions as to how one might caretake our Sun Father with no place for a fire within one’s home. To you, I remind that First Shaman who taught us these things as a gift from Creator, never said that the fire for this honouring need be large. An oil lamp or even a candle is sufficient, for it is the Sun Father’s spirit, his essence, that we take responsibility for, and his spirit, while able to encompass the whole of the Earth Mother and all her peoples, also lives within all fire. So, before the sun sets on solstice, kindle a small fire calling the Sun into that fire. Light your candle or lamp from that fire that you might take care of it during this sacred night.

After First Shaman had come to the people bringing the Ways to assist each person in finding and fulfilling their own unique path of return to Grandfather Fire/Creator, after he had taught these Ways to the people, he went into the heavens where we can see him today as the Eagle of the Night or north star. There he stands, ready to be of assistance to all people. It is upon the night of the Winter Solstice that First Shaman’s spirit returns to the people, bestowing spiritual gifts upon all, that our new year might be one of joy, compassion and growth. This return reminds us of the Give-Away, that this coming of the new year is a time to consider our friends, family and all people as we celebrate through giving something from our heart.

On the occasion of the new year which follows the Winter Solstice, I ask all people to reflect during the night on that which they have created during the past year. Leave behind that which does not serve you and carry forth that which does into the new year, that these good things might grow and blossom into your life throughout the year. Celebrate the gifts you have, those you receive and the good thing you have done on behalf of our Father the Sun.

.March 24, 2001

Eden Is Given a Shaman Blessing
Ceremony at £86 million project honours relationship between man and the environment

by Andy Greenwood

     The Eden Project has been given a blessing from a shaman and medicine man.
     Nicholas Noble Wolf, from Colorado, conducted the ceremony at the multi-million pound site which included prayers and chants to heal the land in Cornwall [England].
     "We are part of the Earth," he said. "Whatever happens to the Earth happens to us. By honoring the relationsip we have with the Earth, and taking responsibility for how we treat it, we are also honouring ourselves."
     Shamanism is recognised as one of the world's oldest spiritual paths and originally evolved when people lived in closer contact with the land. Although it has been stamped out in many parts of the world, it has enjoyed a renaissance in the past decade.
     Peter Hampel, creative director of the £86 million scheme was delighted with the ceremony and said it was particularly apt because of the objectives of the project.
     "We were delighted that Nicholas was able to visit us whilst he was in Cornwall." he said. "It demonstrates the spiritual aspect of our relationship with the environment and, hopefully, represents the way so many different cultures relate to the plant kingdom.
     "We felt it entirely appropriate for Eden to be blesed by someone who works so closely with nature."
The ceremony marked the latest chapter in the short, but hugely-successful, life of the environmental project.
     Last weekend more than 10,000 people visited the project which has transformed a former china clay pit near St. Blazey in mid-Cornwall. Home to thousands of plants and the world's biggest greenhouses, Eden has continued to attract a similar number of visitors throughout the week.
     "After the weekend, we have consistently had around 3,000 people a day," operations manager George Elworthy said. "We seem to have found a level very quickly which is excellent."

February 23, 2001

Nick, Anne & Jamie Move

The first of February, saw Nick and family move into a new home, leaving their old, dinky apartment in the back of a business behind. They are hoping to be able to raise the money to buy the property, but for the moment are renting it.

Plans call for holding weekend or four-day workshops on-site. However, Nick feels there is still much value in camping in the wilderness, even though many of us would say their new home is in the wilderness, being as it is 25 miles outside of the Durango city limits.

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