How SpiritQuest Came to Be
A Place to Belong
by Reverend Misa, February 2010
My mother had just died. Months earlier she was on her deathbed and after spontaneously singing her a Native
sounding healing song, her infection cleared up and she came home to be with us for another three months. The
healing gave her some time for completion because her spirit wanted to go home. She eventually left and there
I was with the realization that the Cherokee blood she carried, but had never explored, had spoken in a profound
way to both of us. Something in me wanted to be discovered.
I left my successful consulting practice, packed up my belongings and went on sabbatical — for ten years.
I had never explored my Native blood, and was feeling called to do so. I traveled to sacred sites, participated
in Native ceremonies and prayed for someone of Cherokee descent to come into my life that could teach me how to
be with the blood and the sounds I carried. She came and my life changed forever.
What Grandmother River saw in me, I did not yet see in myself. She saw that in addition to using my sounds
for healing, I could hold ceremonial space. I travelled with her and helped as best I could. I organized
gatherings for elders. I quested many times and I participated in community and ceremony every way that I could
and I learned about my roots.
Cherokee — A Matriarchal Tribe
The Cherokee have traditionally been a matriarchal tribe. When I attended Cherokee ceremonies in the Northwest, things were different than the intertribal ceremonies I had participated in. There was no moon lodge for women to go to when we were on our moon time. We were not sent away from the kitchen. We were; however, wisely encouraged to take care of ourselves and to honor the energy our monthly cycle.
Like other tribes I had encountered, we did not sweat with men during this time of the month nor share in pipe ceremony, so as not to overpower the delicate balance between the feminine and masculine energy of the ceremonies, nor did we sit on drum, though we certainly sang.
However, we participated actively in most everything else. We danced with the men at the fire. We did healing work in the seven-sided council house. We brought our prayers to the sacred fire during the full moon. We got to know the Mother Earth and each other. These ways suited me and I knew I had come home. I belonged.
Song Quest Was Born
Eventually, I was called to spread my wings and to find my greater calling. During this time, another Cherokee Elder, Harvest Moon, came into my life. I shared with her events that were happening that were confusing to me. Wisely, she told me to get quiet and to listen to the spirits. There was a ceremony they were asking me to do. Finally, I listened and the visions came. Cherokee spirits came to me and asked me to bring a ceremony to the people — to all people — a ceremony that had been nearly forgotten — a ceremony I called Song Quest.
I had been studying sacred sound for many years and I realized I had been preparing all my life for this ceremony. Like a vision quest, one prepares for an entire year, then sits quietly on the Mother fasting and praying, preparing oneself to receive one of their sacred songs — one of their song–lines to the Divine.
Nervous about my calling, and with an elder unable to travel, I invited a dear friend that was much more spiritually awake than me to come watch over me and the ceremony. He came for several years, until eventually another friend and elder came to do the same. Elders are important, for they make sure the trappings of my ego do not get in the way of the ceremonies. I rely on them to make sure I keep my heart humble, listen well to the guidance of the spirits, and act in wisdom.
During the week of Quest, we support our questers by keeping a sacred fire burning 24 hours per day. The fire is the heartbeat of our community for the week. Recently, for the first time ever, the Mother was so dry there was a fire ban during Quest week, but the Sacred Fire is so much a part of our heart, the community tended a virtual Sacred Fire, 24 hours per day for the entire week. It was so powerful, one day I left the circle smelling like smoke, though no physical fire was present.
Sacred Path of the Feminine
When the ceremonies of the Sacred Path of the Feminine were brought to me, by yet again spirits from the other side, and yet again ceremonies that had been asleep for over 100 years, I had to chuckle. "Why me?" I asked the spirits. They remained quiet, and in the silence I knew I had two choices. I could say, "Yes, I open my heart and mind to your wisdom and I will be of service," (knowing I had probably volunteered to do this before I came to earth) or I could say, "No thank you." They were waiting for my answer, so with some initial intrepidation, once again I said, "Yes!"
We incorporated the women's ceremonies (described here on the website at Sacred Feminine Path) into a bigger SpiritQuest week, along with other Native ceremonies I have permission to do such as naming ceremonies, initiations, journeys and sweat lodges. Most of my sweat lodges are for healing, so I am very mindful about the needs of anyone (particularly newcomers) that enter the lodge. Participation in any ceremony is voluntary, and there is enough variety for each person to find their place in the rhythm of the week.
With so many beautiful people of various backgrounds participating in Quest and with much to give, we added Celebration Prayer Circle, where throughout the week people share their gifts from many traditions, such as Reiki healings, marital arts, readings, and more. Held within a container of Native practice, the week that began from my calling to serve has now (gratefully) become the community's ceremonial week.
Native Hearts Come in Many Colors
When I call in the spirits for ceremony, my mother comes. On the other side, she is neither Native nor non-Native. Her presence reminds me of what my elders taught. They encouraged me to look into people's hearts not their bloodlines. They taught me that people of Native heart come in many colors, from many spiritual traditions, and they long to experience the sacred and their relationship with their Creator through ceremony, community and relationship with Mother Earth. They showed me to respect the ways I was learning because there are powerful gifts for all of us that come with humble and open hearts.
People come to SpiritQuest from many spiritual traditions and no tradition at all. They are single, married, heterosexual, homosexual, from every age group and various races. They believe in God, Goddess, the Tao, the Mystery and beliefs they can't put into words. As mentioned above, they come for many reasons. The ceremonies can hold it all and provide them with what they need.
After the week is over, I listen to what the people tell me SpiritQuest gives to them. In the many ways they say it, I frequently hear that they have found a place where they belong. They discover some lost part of themselves and their relationship with Spirit and Mother Earth.
A Place to Belong
Now in our 13th year, SpiritQuest is here for you if you have felt a longing to become familiar with your own Native heart. If you have felt this urging within you, come and be of service, be respectful, pray and laugh and open your heart to what is waiting within you to be discovered. Like many of us, you too may find a place where you belong.
In my heart and songs,
Misa
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