“Hold fast to dreams, for if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird, that cannot fly.”
~ Langston Hughes
I once heard that your vision has to be bigger than you are. When we ease our television time and focus as the eagle on our own visions, the ascension happens. As we move toward the light of the Spring Equinox, we honor the direction of the eagle in the east. The story of the firebird is told in many cultures – the great bird that all other birds see as creator.
The North American native peoples see this as the eagle and in South America, the condor. This bird is very elusive and only comes when lured by the horse of power. 
The winter is the time to snuggle with other warm bodies and enjoy the warmth of the fire. Tending fire is a most important role in Ceremony. I am blessed to have the title free and clear of 20 acres abutting the Mount Adams watershed. The land is very volcanic, and there are caverns and lava tubes running under this sacred land. Often Mandi and I can hear the old ones singing at night. Others who have spent time at bear creek soon capture the rapture and beauty of the natural. A zen garden(s) all around remind us the importance of seeing the space as well as the form. The beautiful blend of order and chaos.
In “The Artists Way” this way of seeing leads to an opening to a new world and new way of seeing. Mandi is heading off to England on Valentines Day, yet we are connected in our hearts, and never far away. Valentines Day is the day to honor our family and loved ones. To love and be loved is the way of the white wolf. The natural cycles of nature, and learning how to start fires, keep the chimney clear, and move toward an elegant teaching and healing center that can 
be duplicated much as AA and other 12 step meetings. The tribal way is to gravitate toward those like us. The simple life filled with a balance laughter, music and play and silence. Carson offers much for the weary traveler, as the healing sulfur hot springs run along the Wind River. The last couple of times, I booked a soak and massage, and I envision going and playing golf each day teaching the spirituality of golf, originating in Scotland, where my ancestors lived. (The Pratt’s)
And teaching the art of golf and fly fishing. To fish with no agenda is true play. The East is new beginnings, and each day we get to begin anew. Each morning I do a ritual of a salute to the sun – the essence of light, and each day we “hook up” to a power greater than ourselves through being in nature more.
Tonight is the Teaching and healing circle and I invite you to come and connect with our hearts and the wisdom that comes from listening to each other and speaking our
truths. Tomorrow night is mixed drumming, so give yourself a break and vote to play, find your own natural rhythms and honor those which “sync us” to the vibrations of our Mother Earth, Father Sky, and commit to walk the path of balance. In embracing our wholeness, we sync to the Universe. and tend to the eternal souls fires. Blessings, Patrick
FEBRUARY, 2016
This Week
TUESDAY EVENING 7-9
“TEACHINGS OF THE NORTH” CIRCLE # , 7-9
WEDNESDAY
MIXED DRUMMING CIRCLE (MEN, WOMEN, CHILDREN)
Upcoming Events
TONIGHT- CLASS #5 “TEACHINGS OF THE NORTH” CLASS
TOMORROW NIGHT, MIXED DRUMMING
FEBRUARY 2016
Drumming Circles
THIS WEEK IS THE SECOND WEDNESDAY, MIXED DRUMMING
1st Wed. Men’s Drumming
2nd Wednesday – Mixed Drumming (supervised children welcome)
3rd Wednesday – Women’s Drumming
4th Wednesday Shamanic Journeying
JANUARY 2016
The Teachings of the North – Gateway to the Mind
A SEVEN WEEK CONTINUATION COURSE IN THE TEACHINGS
OF THE ANCIENT WISDOM OF THE SACRED CIRCLE
North is the element of air, the winter, and that point where we begin the return of the light. The North is the dream time where we journey to spirit every night. We will study together the ancient wheels of Native American, Celtic, Buddhist and other cultures and the wisdom we can gain from them. The North offers us many gifts if we work for them. This is a teaching and healing circle, so not only are we learning, we are using the power of the circle to heal each other. Together, we will uncover, discover and recover these gifts:
The Breath of Life – Movement and breathing
Ease and Grace -How fear blocks the flow
How to access with the dream time teachers
Right thinking
Organization and Order
The proper place of the intellect
Accessing our inner wisdom
Imagination
Discernment
Understanding
How to interpret hidden meanings
Meditation and mind discipline
The gift of detachment
Setting intention
Detachment
To be held on seven consecutive Tuesday evenings from 7-9 pm beginning January 5, 2016.
Teaching and Healing” classes have been offered as a seven-week series of two hour classes at a cost of $150. This class is held on Tuesday evenings from 7-9 p.m. at a suggested donation of $150, or $23 per class. The present Work exchange or talent exchange can be negotiated, and no one will be turned away that are willing to exchange time, talent or treasure. Course taught by Patrick Pinson, M.A., of Mingo heritage and owner of Cedar Mountain Drums. He teaches from a place of knowing, integrating gestalt, play, years of experience on the Red Road and from his personal work with our own issues. This is an experiential class available to all seeking how to integrate the old with the new.
Held at: Cedar Mountain Drums Heartspace
2239 E. Burnside, Portland, OR 97214 (upstairs – steps on right side of retail store)
For pre-registration or information Call Cedar Mountain Drums (503) 235-6345 or email patrick@cedarmountaindrums.com