The Visionary Vortex #1

On the 20th September 2021 we witnessed a powerful gathering of wild, wise and worthy women. We said YES to ourselves and came together for healing, learning and harmonious growth. 

First we arrived in presence, in gratitude, on Kabi Kabi country, upon the Earth, under the trees and sky. 

We moved our bodies to music, exploring the vortices within and without, individually and in unison. Through movement we co-created a circular vortex of energy to inspire and nourish us for the day. 

We acknowledged “Wunya” – a Kabi greeting that asks “who are ya and where are you from?” These answers we each shared around the circle, adding “why are you here?” 

This sharing connected us, dissolving separation and allowing healing as we each walk a pathway to unity. When women come together in circle we can be potent medicine for each other. 

Mirrors reflecting the light, flames of care illuminating the shadows. 

A candle looses nothing by lighting another candle.

Through this sharing and deep listening we each learned about ourselves and the others present. This is powerful medicine in times of polarisation. 

Next a cup of herbal tea (from the garden) before sitting down to move into some brain-body education and experience. We learned about the connections between the vortices of our electro-magnetic beings and how we each hold the power to bring coherence within and between these aspects of SELF. I shared simple tools like cross-patterning, finger plays and consciously connecting and directing our thoughts, emotions, body and breath to support us in life. 

Over these things we have power, when we choose it. 

Thoughts are the seeds, feelings nourish with energy and actions are how we express into the world. How often do we take the time and space to consciously investigate these personal processes for ourselves? How much of a difference it can make in our lives!

In the garden, each woman journeyed through her Visionary Vortex workbook. 

First with a scan – personal, collective, environment, spiritual. These dimensions were explored through questioning. Some people shared and others felt to do this work privately. Questing can take the form of writing, drawing, dialogue, quiet meditation/reflection, interpretive dance – any way you choose to connect and explore within the inner realms of your own experience. 

To bring us back together as a group we engaged in some eye-gazing. A potent practice that created laughter, tears, insight, love, peace, and everything in between. Beautiful music supported us in this process as we held the gaze of another. The eyes a portal to the soul, a window into galaxies, sustained eye-contact does for the mind what an extended hug does for the heart. There were plenty of long hugs afterwards too!

Next we had a break from activities to share a delicious and nourishing lunch. A majority of the foods lovingly prepared were from our collective gardens and local businesses. This aligns with our values to support local ecology and economies. Remember, in an aligned existence ecology and economy are one and THE SAME THING! Our beautiful planet Earth. 

After lunch we had a roundtable discussion on the Essentials of Existence and applied the method of the Futures Triangle. It was a great learning opportunity to brainstorm as a collective, weaving threads from our multitude of life experiences and knowledge systems to deepen our understanding of the past, present and future. Each woman with her unique perspective has insights to share that benefit the whole. 

The image below shows the fruit of some of our discussions. A Futures Triangle mapping tool that investigates the weights of the past, the push of the present and the pull of the future. Many of the words and sentences depicted here come with stories and a wealth of interwoven feelings and connections across time, space and cultures. Intuition and extra-sensory perceptions (ESPs) are activated as we lean into the pull of the future.

What would you add into the mind-map?

This truly could have continued for hours but we needed to move on to the final activity. 

Descending to the mats laid out near the creek flat and beside the magical mugwort plant (a dreaming herb) we moved into the eyes-closed visioning part of the day. 

Choku-Rei played as we visioned our pathway to preferred futures. In their mind’s eye participants  journeyed into their preferred future, then through a portal/gateway to meet someone waiting for them. From this being in the future they received a gift. 

People saw and experienced a diversity of visions, which highlights the vast nature of our internal landscapes. 

I invite you to take a deep breath and imagine some of these visions for yourself.

• One woman walked through the veil and met her recently passed over mother, I watched with love and humility as both tears and smiles spread across her face at the same time.
• One mother walked a treacherous path but made it through to her family and the gift of a powerful sword.
• One participant met a bearded Indigenous man who gave her a key. As she was sharing this experience a golden leaf fell from the trees above and landed in her lap. Confirmation and invitation from nature.
• Others received very beautiful gifts that represented the healing of personal and family estrangement, including an amethyst crystal, a gold bar and other feelings and experiences. 

In circle we shared and completed for now, with insights to integrate into the future.

We danced and sang out appreciation for Mother Earth, the elements and amplified this energy with our loving hearts, as creators and creation.

As a whole it was a wonder filled day that I am honoured to have co-created with the nature-surrounds, elements – Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Ether – and my cosmic spirit-team. Thank you thank you thank you.

The feedback from many sisters was that the workshop could easily continue over a 3-day period. I love this idea as it will provide more time for deepening connections and exchanges, collaborations with other facilitators and even more yummy food and sharing. Let me know if you are in for the next one!

I am also super excited at the accelerating speed and clarity of my manifestations. Although this workshop/playshop is the result of over a decade of study and experience, it only fully ‘landed’ on the August Aquarius Full Moon when I stayed up half the night writing the bulk of The Visionary Vortex workbook as it streamed through me. I rarely do computer work at night but this vision was so alive that I followed the flow and channeled it all out through my rapidly typing fingers. The concept and practical details were refined over the following moon cycle and the actual event was birthed on the next Full Moon in Pisces (one month after conception) where we gathered and journeyed in circles within cycles within circles within cycles. Oh the joys of the Cosmos, Love and Life!

Well that is enough sharing from me about the Visionary Vortex for now. I will leave you with some of the feedback responses from participants.

What was your experience of your time today? 

“Held, affirmed, nourished, blessed.”

“Calming and beautiful, I had some major ah-ha moments which were amazing.” 

“I loved being in the energy.”

“Connected, delighted, nourished”

“Great guidance and women. Always love the food.”

“Grounded authenticity. I always feel like my true self at the Sams’.”

“Peaceful, openhearted connection to land. Listening to others from the heart with spirit/soul/cosmic ears. Allowing my coherence to shine.”

“Affirming how far I’ve come and tickled my potential for a leap of consciousness evolution. Loved the vision quest meditation at the end!”

Do you feel different now compared to when you arrived? How?

“Positive, uplifted, good feeling.”

“I feel in tune. Settled and fulfilled.”

“My circle has expanded. Don’t feel as much like crying!”

“Warm and connected.”

“Lighter, connected, more grounded, hopeful.”

“I came very tired from early morning rising, not enough sleep and some stress. It amazed me how the body movement to music really assists the physical system to relax, energise and realign.”

Facilitator Feedback?

“Sammi has an infectious smile and exudes ‘joy de vivre’ in a contagious way! She gently guides and holds space in a way that makes everyone feel heard and held.”

“Fab, clear, holding space beautifully.”

“Sam: wise, blended, integrated teacher. Thanks so much.”

“Bubbly, effervescent, ALIVE, energised, genuine, smart, wise, cute. Wants to accomodate others so nicely. Makes guests feel so welcome, free, comfortable acknowledged. Inspirational.”

“Sam is awesome!! I love her. Thank you.”

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