12th Annual Vision Quest
Mount Shasta, California
With Gratitude, we welcome your presence to this sacred ceremony and pray for a peaceful and harmonious prayer with our Visionaries and supporters, the Sacred Ancestral Mount Shasta land, the four directions, guardians, and ancestors to receive all the healing, clarity, and strength into our lives and our families.
Our ceremony, the Vision Quest, helps us to clarify our existence. It is intended for those who are seeking personal growth and spiritual guidance from the Great Spirit. We honor the memory and vision of our ancestors. We offer our fasting from water, food, and speech to the essences of the 4 directions. We do this as a prayer, asking for guidance, protection, love, peace, and clarity on our journey. We pray for the guidance and inspiration of the Great Spirit, for the expansion of consciousness in infinite gratitude for life and all our relationships. There will be a Temazcal (sweat lodge) at the beginning and end of the vision quest to open and close the doors of this ceremony. We may do additional Temazcales every day with the supporters, depending on the needs and interest of the group.
The Vision Quest is an initiation to the path of self-knowledge. Through Prayer and Silence, we connect to our own spirit, finding answers in Nature and the mountain. After purifying in the Temazcal, the visionaries head out on their quest carrying only what they need and their sacred altar – or the sacred pipe for the dancers. The vision quest circle is previously chosen and prepared. The Visionaries will make the circle their home, surrounded with tobacco, medicinal plants, and sacred colors: red, white, yellow, and black (or blue). In that circle, the visionary stays for four days and four nights without water or food, without contact with anyone, in perfect communion with the forces of nature. Alone with the earth, wind, sun, and rain. Facing our fears, the vision comes.
Xochitlquetzalli and Shimshai were given the blessing for this ceremony by Abuela Malinalli of Mexico and so we continue the tradition following her guidance and teachings. Supporters in the camp will share in song and word circles, receiving the guidance and teachings of our Traditions. We will have pipe ceremonies at night and will be learning about sacred offerings. The camp will be in constant prayer for each other, for our elements and the Great Spirit, supporting our spiritual families and envisioning our future generations.
You must commit to 4 consecutive years of Vision Quest if you are considering being a visionary.
SUPPORTERS:
Visionaries need to bring a support person, a family member, or a friend (ask your supporter before the ceremony with an offering of tobacco). Please choose your supporter keeping in mind the following guidelines: The supporter will pray to support YOUR INTENTION the whole time, asking the FORCE of THE MOUNTAINS, the Great Spirit and the essences. The supporters will offer their constant work and help in the camp; they will make offerings to the FIRE; they will participate in sweat lodges, word circles, and pipe ceremonies. If you are not able to find a supporter please let us know, we will try to find one for you.
Please keep in mind this is a traditional ceremony, not a festival or retreat. Your financial contributions help ensure that the property and facilities are well maintained and available for all who come after you.
