Who are my Band Members?
My personal Band Members came to me during a time of spiritual awakening and prompting from my Native Ancestors. This teaching was inspired and confirmed by a telephone conversation I once had with Grandmother Twylah during that time...
She told me that she walked with four white spirit Wolves whom she referred to as her "Band Members" and that they stood, one in each of the four cardinal directions. Her name "Yeh weh Node", means "She whose voice rides the four winds". Names such as this tell much about the person and Grams always attracted people from all over the world to her doorstep. Important seeds took root in my awareness and they grew.
This teaching was given to me and refined by My Spirit Helpers. It is about the Power Animals and Allies that come to us when we are born and stay with us throughout our entire lifetime. They signify an accurate, symbolic representation of who we are and do not leave. These Seven Totems and Seven Sacred Directions on the Medicine Wheel correspond to the Seven Chakras; like an inner map of the personality. Nowhere near as complicated as Astrology, this personal map is very easy to understand because we can all relate to and identify with animals and creature teachers.
Each of these Band Members are manifestations of our personal vital life force which keeps us vibrant, healthy and alive. Mind, body, soul and spirit are all intimately connected so a prompt from one of your Band Members can bring to your attention to an awareness of any imbalances in any other areas and help bring them back into balance.
I am happy to share these teachings with two interested people at a time or with a small group (a minimum of four people) over the course of a weekend workshop.
For a Band Members teaching or to set up a workshop, email Sonara at [email protected]
An Example serves to illustrate the structural bones of the Teaching.
She told me that she walked with four white spirit Wolves whom she referred to as her "Band Members" and that they stood, one in each of the four cardinal directions. Her name "Yeh weh Node", means "She whose voice rides the four winds". Names such as this tell much about the person and Grams always attracted people from all over the world to her doorstep. Important seeds took root in my awareness and they grew.
This teaching was given to me and refined by My Spirit Helpers. It is about the Power Animals and Allies that come to us when we are born and stay with us throughout our entire lifetime. They signify an accurate, symbolic representation of who we are and do not leave. These Seven Totems and Seven Sacred Directions on the Medicine Wheel correspond to the Seven Chakras; like an inner map of the personality. Nowhere near as complicated as Astrology, this personal map is very easy to understand because we can all relate to and identify with animals and creature teachers.
Each of these Band Members are manifestations of our personal vital life force which keeps us vibrant, healthy and alive. Mind, body, soul and spirit are all intimately connected so a prompt from one of your Band Members can bring to your attention to an awareness of any imbalances in any other areas and help bring them back into balance.
I am happy to share these teachings with two interested people at a time or with a small group (a minimum of four people) over the course of a weekend workshop.
For a Band Members teaching or to set up a workshop, email Sonara at [email protected]
An Example serves to illustrate the structural bones of the Teaching.
Here is a sample Band Members photo map...
West
Power style
What am I ashamed of? "I reclaim the energy that truly belongs to me and I release that which does not." |
Center
The balancer and connector
Am I feeling lost? “I stand in my sovereignty and bring into balance all aspects of myself." |
East
Community Presentation
Mental Prowess Am I lying to myself? "I hear the truth in the words I speak." |
Here is what the Band Members map says about ...
--- "ThunderWolf Medicine Lodge & Sanctuary" ---
This is only about two thirds of an actual reading but you can get the idea...
Above
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Thunderbird is said to have sharp teeth but no mouth, sharp claws but no limbs, huge wings but no body. All these things suggest Thunderbird and Heyokah have a curious, paradoxical and contrary nature. "Thunder Beings are truth beings" said Grams, referring to these powerful entities who offer humans their assistance. Their teachings are of truth and they are filled with love. She believed that the Thunder Beings are now speaking to everyone, "but only the awakened Thunder People are listening". In order to hear the Thunder Beings, she gave firm advice: "Go within, go within to your vital core".
The Thunder Beings have come to me in many visions to oversee the building of ThunderWolf Medicine Lodge & Sanctuary, to provide illumination, to inspire insight, to move and to shake things up. I think the mask is a beautiful representation of their guiding energy, inspiring this project from above.
The Thunder Beings have come to me in many visions to oversee the building of ThunderWolf Medicine Lodge & Sanctuary, to provide illumination, to inspire insight, to move and to shake things up. I think the mask is a beautiful representation of their guiding energy, inspiring this project from above.
North
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Orca is the Record Keeper. Whale helps us open to our personal records so we may explore our soul's history. In this instance, this teaching, the records being kept are that of the Wolf Nation. Learning to navigate the stories that have been stored in the body will be part of the challenges at the Lodge. I have chosen all my photo images intuitively. They speak to me as I type on these pages. The foundation and the blueprint of my soil-less garden called "ThunderWolf Medicine Lodge & Sanctuary" emerges as fast as I can create this site. I see intuitively that which is revealing itself, simply by tuning in. There is a blueprint. The plan is emerging and growing. This is part of it.
East
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Our voice, our true nature reveals itself to the world around us. The truth can be blocked by lies, the ones we tell ourselves. We must learn to accept our true natures to express our authenticity.
Hummingbird came to me from the original journeys about the Band Members to sit in the East. I would often sit in the back yard with Phoenix and journal about our hikes together. Many times a Hummingbird would come around to visit. I made a commitment to be a voice for the wolves. I began to associate this tiny warrior with being a messenger both in the spiritual and physical planes, one who also lives in the physical world and carries the teachings of the Wolf across to me from the Overliting Deva of Wolves. I pay attention whenever I see a Hummingbird and I immediately ask what the message is.
Hummingbird came to me from the original journeys about the Band Members to sit in the East. I would often sit in the back yard with Phoenix and journal about our hikes together. Many times a Hummingbird would come around to visit. I made a commitment to be a voice for the wolves. I began to associate this tiny warrior with being a messenger both in the spiritual and physical planes, one who also lives in the physical world and carries the teachings of the Wolf across to me from the Overliting Deva of Wolves. I pay attention whenever I see a Hummingbird and I immediately ask what the message is.
Center
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Many years ago I journeyed alongside a friend to understand the concept of the Band Members teaching. These photos and the images of the Allies for the overall teaching came to us in that journey on the beach under the tree. We realized that the Tree of Life is an archetypal symbol, it is the World tree. The dream of the Lodge & Sanctuary grows strong from the seeds I have planted, watered and nurtured. It too will one day branch outwards to touch and shelter many who will come seeking. It has a powerful base of roots and experiences from which to grow. This image speaks to me of these qualities. Grams taught me by example to always greet the newcomers with open arms. It makes them feel welcome and disarms some of them too. Our Lodge provides shelter, comfort and safety. We offer a wild partnership with Nature to be explored. We welcome all who truly seek to understand wolves and wolfdogs. We stand guard with awareness to protect and shelter our sacred space in order to thrive.
From our Centers we give and receive in kind, open to or shut off our feelings and block or radiate loving exchanges. It is the central point to which we must return to find balance in our sovereignty. We learn to maintain the balance between our masculine and feminine sides as well as our inner childlike and adult selves. These energies within show us how to take care of, empower and support each other. We can choose to know the truth of things as we grow and learn to trust our own processes.
From our Centers we give and receive in kind, open to or shut off our feelings and block or radiate loving exchanges. It is the central point to which we must return to find balance in our sovereignty. We learn to maintain the balance between our masculine and feminine sides as well as our inner childlike and adult selves. These energies within show us how to take care of, empower and support each other. We can choose to know the truth of things as we grow and learn to trust our own processes.
West
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This is the energetic level where we engage in power struggles with others or learn to lift the energy to a higher level so as to rise above and find empowering solutions. To work with a wolf, strength is not enough, leverage is the ticket along with knowing how to control the resources. A human may respect the wolf but the four-legged may not respect the human and immediately start testing. A Human is weaker, physically -yes, psychologically -no. A human is a human and sometimes the things we go up against aren't.
Phoenix once set me up for a very real dominance challenge. In that situation, I chose to be a fearless warrior facing a scary energetic Dragon that presented itself to help me. Feelings of shame only enabled my unwillingness to admit to my weakness. My stomach trembled with tension or anxiety, something was lurking inside, pushing against my flesh so that I caught a glimpse of something huge and overwhelmingly alien. I stared at something that I did not understand. I am not one for giving up or being defeated. I think this giant wanted something from me, but I felt small. Was I truly up to the task at hand? My imagination had me in it's grip but I made a stand. I could draw on the stillness that filled me. It was like standing in the middle of a field of white noise. I was still able to hear and see but all else fell away so there was nothing but the wolf, me and the emptiness. My body was light and ready with a with a very calm knowledge of mental clarity and the next step. I waited until the tension began to leak, until the vibrating energy died down and the beast within slid below the surface once more. Phoenix, my companion wolf backed down. I took a deep breath and the fur shuddered down her body, reminding me strangely of a bird settling it's feathers. That look said, "it's over; you are lupa, you outrank me." Step by step was the way I moved towards victory. I chose not to be defeated by my dragon or that which threatened to devour me. It was a part of me. I needed to face her, stand up to her... maybe I even learned to ride the dragon in the way the characters rode the sand worms in "Dune". This dragon has wings. This partnership is going to take flight. I have found a partnership with the wolves that empowers me. I'll pass on the teachings and empower others at our retreats.
Phoenix once set me up for a very real dominance challenge. In that situation, I chose to be a fearless warrior facing a scary energetic Dragon that presented itself to help me. Feelings of shame only enabled my unwillingness to admit to my weakness. My stomach trembled with tension or anxiety, something was lurking inside, pushing against my flesh so that I caught a glimpse of something huge and overwhelmingly alien. I stared at something that I did not understand. I am not one for giving up or being defeated. I think this giant wanted something from me, but I felt small. Was I truly up to the task at hand? My imagination had me in it's grip but I made a stand. I could draw on the stillness that filled me. It was like standing in the middle of a field of white noise. I was still able to hear and see but all else fell away so there was nothing but the wolf, me and the emptiness. My body was light and ready with a with a very calm knowledge of mental clarity and the next step. I waited until the tension began to leak, until the vibrating energy died down and the beast within slid below the surface once more. Phoenix, my companion wolf backed down. I took a deep breath and the fur shuddered down her body, reminding me strangely of a bird settling it's feathers. That look said, "it's over; you are lupa, you outrank me." Step by step was the way I moved towards victory. I chose not to be defeated by my dragon or that which threatened to devour me. It was a part of me. I needed to face her, stand up to her... maybe I even learned to ride the dragon in the way the characters rode the sand worms in "Dune". This dragon has wings. This partnership is going to take flight. I have found a partnership with the wolves that empowers me. I'll pass on the teachings and empower others at our retreats.
South
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As children we often blame ourselves for some misconstrued wrongdoing. As adults we have a tendency to forget how to play or "lighten" up. Coyote is sometimes referred to as the "Medicine Dog" or the Master Trickster who tricks himself. When he shows up, you can be sure that some kind of lesson is on the way. The four leggeds are more than happy to help you with it even though you may not like the way it was presented to you. Coyote is sacred. In the folly of his acts we see our own foolishness. Visitors will have ample opportunities to play together in our workshops. We'll mix our creative energies and the spiritual teachings with laughter. The wolves and wolfdogs will help us learn to manage our energy at our core centers. Pay attention so you don't repeat the lessons too many times over and over. Remember, wolves don't have the patience or tolerance for those who lack awareness and will test you at every opportunity. Follow the Medicine teachings of the Wolf as offered and you will be safe. More importantly, the message here is to stay calm, stay positive and "have fun!" with it all. Maybe you'll even meet our future resident Coyote.
Below
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Coastal Rainforest Wolves differ from other sub-species in that they eat fish in the rivers and eat the heads of the Salmon. Despite strong river currents, these fish will always return to their place of creation or home of origin, their roots. Salmon medicine honors every encounter in life as a gathering of wisdom. It teaches that even when the flow of life seems to push you back, you can tap the hidden resources of your human spirit and personal inner knowing. The journey may not be in your favor, but you can choose to honor the wisdom you carry and instinctively do what is right. Their determination is driven by instinct which yields a sense of inner purpose that cannot be thwarted by external forces. Coming full circle, Salmon medicine helps people finish what they begin and bring life's events and cycles to closure. Then a new cycle begins again.
The root chakra is about survival and how we meet our basic needs for shelter, food, water and sex. Fear blocks our ability to thrive. What would you do if your worst fear came true? How would you handle it? Fear is paralyzing if we allow it to overcome our actions.
My worst fear came true and by facing the reality of that situation I gained valuable life lessons, harsh though they were. I lost my home and almost everything in it. Walking in the constant rain, finally wore down my stubborn resistance. I was determined to make things work come hell or high water even though I was fighting a losing battle against all odds. The Thunderers were talking to me and I wasn't really listening. That was my breaking point with Phoenix. I had to surrender or be seriously hurt. One cannot live with a Wolf in a van, let alone find a job to support you both! In this day and age, humans need money to survive. A wolf cannot hunt in a grocery store. Lessons... swim upstream or down, swim with the current of flow or against it... choices, choices, choices? How difficult can I make it on myself to return to my Ancestral roots, to plant seeds and nurture their growth? How badly do I want the dream to become physical? A structure will inevitably fall when there is no foundation beneath it to build upon. When I finally learned the lesson here, I was given a pair of rubber boots with orange Koi fish on them- validation. Now I choose to walk in the flow of the river of abundance and teach others how to fish too. I've chosen to start over, rebuild from scratch and do things in proper order this time. Facing our fears sucks and sometimes we manifest them physically to deal with them once and for all. My Grandmother told me "build it and they will come". I believe her. I am building ThunderWolf Medicine Lodge & Sanctuary, steadily, one step at a time.
The root chakra is about survival and how we meet our basic needs for shelter, food, water and sex. Fear blocks our ability to thrive. What would you do if your worst fear came true? How would you handle it? Fear is paralyzing if we allow it to overcome our actions.
My worst fear came true and by facing the reality of that situation I gained valuable life lessons, harsh though they were. I lost my home and almost everything in it. Walking in the constant rain, finally wore down my stubborn resistance. I was determined to make things work come hell or high water even though I was fighting a losing battle against all odds. The Thunderers were talking to me and I wasn't really listening. That was my breaking point with Phoenix. I had to surrender or be seriously hurt. One cannot live with a Wolf in a van, let alone find a job to support you both! In this day and age, humans need money to survive. A wolf cannot hunt in a grocery store. Lessons... swim upstream or down, swim with the current of flow or against it... choices, choices, choices? How difficult can I make it on myself to return to my Ancestral roots, to plant seeds and nurture their growth? How badly do I want the dream to become physical? A structure will inevitably fall when there is no foundation beneath it to build upon. When I finally learned the lesson here, I was given a pair of rubber boots with orange Koi fish on them- validation. Now I choose to walk in the flow of the river of abundance and teach others how to fish too. I've chosen to start over, rebuild from scratch and do things in proper order this time. Facing our fears sucks and sometimes we manifest them physically to deal with them once and for all. My Grandmother told me "build it and they will come". I believe her. I am building ThunderWolf Medicine Lodge & Sanctuary, steadily, one step at a time.
Email [email protected]
Thank you! All contributions help support ThunderWolf Medicine Lodge & Sanctuary
Thank you! All contributions help support ThunderWolf Medicine Lodge & Sanctuary