Message from the Groundhog

Don't worry- this isn't about Punxsutawney Phil and whether or not he's predicting 6 more weeks of winter. No, no. It's about a furry little friend I encountered recently and the powerful message he had for me.

A few days ago, I went to see my Cree Elder who was in town from Saskatchewan to teach and consult at the Kumik Lodge. During my visit with him, I decided to ask he and his partner about fasting Vision Quests. The truth is, for the last few months or so, I've been feeling a strong urge to go on a Vision Quest. I can't really explain where this is coming from- all I know is that I feel it is time.

In Kenneth Cohen's book Honoring the Medicine; The Essential Guide to Native American Healing (which I highly, highly recommend) he describes the Vision Quest:

The Native American Vision Quest is typically a one-to four day period of isolation, fasting, and prayer in pursuit of guidance from the Great Creator. The "vision may be a waking or sleeping dream, a meaningful encounter with an animal or a helping spirit, or it may arrive when the spirit of a natural phenomenon, such as wind or thunder, visits the quester. The vision guides us as we try to live our truth and during times of crisis. It may reveal a person's life purpose and gifts and bestow on the quester the power to achieve them and to overcome adversity. 

  It's very important to me to do the Quest properly and under traditional guidance. During the last few months, I've asked a few different people about Questing but no one could really offer any direct help or link me to anyone I could do the Quest with. I was beginning to wonder if perhaps this wasn't the right time! But.......as the fates would have it, my Cree Elder told me he knows of someone in the area near Maniwaki who leads fasting Vision Quests on his property in the Fall and Springtime. They are going to ask him if I may join in on the next one this Fall. So, I will keep you posted when I hear whether or not I've been accepted.

Ok.......so now I'm getting to the part about the groundhog! When I left the Lodge I decided to turn into a place called Victoria Island, a very sacred land to the Algonquin People. I figured I could sit there for a while and contemplate the discussion I'd just had with my Elder. I no sooner turned down the road leading to the Island when I noticed a little groundhog over on the grass sitting half in/half out of his hole. I kind of moved toward him and when he didn't go anywhere, I moved even closer still. The cute little guy just sat there looking at me! I was able to get so close to him and I just crouched down on the grass and the two of us sat looking at each other for a few minutes! Then, off he ran........but not without looking back to give me another quick glance.

When I got home, I looked up the meeting of groundhog medicine. What I read moved me beyond words and I knew right then that I had received a very timely sign. Groundhog's medicine means  "altered states of consciousness, soul travel, controlling metabolism and dream time".  So I encountered a groundhog who allowed me to come within inches of it directly after I was discussing doing a fasting Vision Quest?? Ok, thank you little creature (and powerful prognosticator!).

Forever amazed by and grateful to our animal messengers.....and the Great Spirit!!

Shannon