Polish Ancestry and Genealogy
Ancestry is now gaining popularity with Hollywood and the NBC Series “Who Do You Think You Are?”.
For people out there who are exploring their Polish ancestry and genealogy, you might be interested in reading my Master’s Thesis entitled “Journey to my Polish Indigenous Mind.” It documents my exploration of my Polish ancestry including my ancestral journey back to Poland. My thesis focused on the earth-based and indigenous roots of my Polish ancestry, including my encounter with the ancient Slavic spirit Baba Yaga or (in Polish) Jezi Baba. In my genealogical exploration, I went beyond the normal methods of gathering names, dates, and stories. In the Indigenous Mind program, we were taught to incorporate indigenous science methodology in our research. These techniques of indigenous science, included dreamwork, ritual, and visiting sacred sites.
This was part of my master’s work in the Indigenous Mind Program at Naropa University Oakland.
Who Do You Think You Are? Ancestry is now popular.
My friend and colleague from our non-profit Circle of Ancestors, Heidi Guttmann wrote a recent blog post about the NBC series “Who Do You Think You Are?” about celebrities exploring their genealogy.
You can watch the first full-length episode featuring Sarah Jessica Parker on NBC.com.
Circle of Ancestors is an inter-cultural community that connects people with their own ancestral traditions through educational programs, experiential learning, ceremonies and other activities.
This reconnection heals and balances, encourages respect for differences and recognition of similarities, deepens community and environmental bonds and promotes peace.
For more information, visit our website, CircleofAncestors.org.
Tags: ancestry, Genealogy, Sarah Jessica Parker
March Newsletter
Greetings!
Spring hasn’t officially arrived, but springtime is in the air and many gorgeous flowers and trees are blooming. Yesterday, when walking by a stand of plum trees, a divinely sweet aroma wafted up to my nose. There’s nothing quite like the smell of fresh plum blossoms! And one of my absolutely favorite trees is in bloom- the voluptuous magnolia. I love the spirit and medicine of magnolia and it is one of the key ingredients in my herbal formula Siete Flores.
As we enjoy the blooming trees and flowers around us, it is a nice time to remember the medicine of flower essences. Flower Essences offer a subtle yet profound system of healing. They work on an energetic level and help to harmonize our mental, emotional and spiritual bodies. Flower essence can support the healing process for all kinds of people and situations. I have used them successfully to help my clients dealing with depression, anxiety, fear, unresolved anger, addiction, trauma recovery, loss, intimacy issues, career and life path concerns, ancestral healing and much, much more. Flower essences also work great with children and animals too!
Call 510-541-2715 to schedule your appointment today.
For more information click here to go to my services page.
For the complete, in full color March Newsletter, click here.
Dreaming with the Ancestors
One way I have been applying my training in Indigenous Mind is to lead dream groups that focus on dreaming with the ancestors. Dream work was a central part of the Indigenous Mind experience and we were blessed to be guided by some incredible distinguished traditional elders, including Dr. Apela Colorado, Mr. Hale Makua and Auntie Mahealani Poe Poe. In much of the western world, dreams are viewed mostly from a the perspective of the individual’s psyche. In IM dream work, we also viewed dreams as a major means of communicating with the ancestors. Many of us had dreams of ancestors and were able to recover lost bits of family history through our dreams. I personally had many dreams about the Polish land and Polish people as I began to explore my Polish roots. You can read more about my ancestral dreams in a paper I wrote called “Dream Journey to Poland.”
Vasalisa the Brave, from Slavic fairy tales of the Goddess/Witch Baba Yaga
Starting on March 18th, I will lead a 8 week dream group that focuses on Dreaming with the Ancestors. In this facilitated dream group, we will focus on how our dreams can help us connect to the ancestral and spiritual realms. In each class, we will build an altar and create a sacred space for our dreamwork. The focus of our dreamwork will be first be on our genealogical ancestors and we will set our intentions to remember their stories, rituals, and healing traditions. We will also practice making dream connections with our animal and plant allies, magical beings (like fairies) and our own spirit guides. We will work with family stories, fairy tales and folk art to help activate our ancestral dreams and memory. Flower essences and plant spirit medicine will be incorporated to help enrich our dreaming process.
I have facilitated similar dreamgroups for the past few years and amazing things are occurring in them. It seems as if the ancestors are ready and eager to show up for us to do this work!
For more information, go to the Events and Classes page on my website, AncestralApothecary.com.
For those of you who don’t live in the California Bay Area…….. teleclasses coming soon! Drop me an email if you are interested.
Blessings,
Atava
NBC Series: “Who Do You Think You Are?”
The other day in my inbox from ancestry.com came an announcement about the upcoming NBC series Who Do You Think You Are?.
Who Do You Think You Are? is a new series which takes a up close and personal look at the genealogy and family history of some of Hollywood’s hottest celebrities, including Sarah Jessica Parker, Susan Sarandon, Spike Lee, Matthew Broderick and Brooke Shields.
As someone who has been working with my own ancestors pretty intensively for the past 15 years, it is nice to see that Hollywood is finally catching up. Perhaps all of us who received a Master’s degree in ancestral remembrance and recovery in the Indigenous Mind Program at Naropa University will finally be in demand for the unique work that we do.
I did my graduate research on my Polish ancestral roots, which culminated in an ancestral journey back to Poland in 2002. You can read more in my thesis. “Journey to my Polish Indigenous Mind” that you can download for free on my website.
Other IM graduates include Audri Scott Williams, who traced her African roots back across the Middle Passage and to West Africa; Sulonda Smith, who traced her ancestors to South Africa and had a chance to study with Zulu healer Credo Mutwa; Marcela Sabin, who reconnected with her indigenous Basque and Spanish roots; Kit Cooley who made an ancestral journey to Italy; Teresa MacColl, whose ancestors come from the clan Colla of Ireland and the highlands of Scotland; Linda Joslin, who retraced the steps of her ancestors in England; Bernd Geels who rediscovered the Celtic Goddess Brigit; and Venus Herbito who helped restore the healing traditions of her indigenous Phillipino ancestors.
All of these people have amazing stories to tell and have much to share. I hope that Hollywood and the world will soon discover some of what we all have to offer.
Tags: Ancestors, Genealogy, indigenous mind
Wisdom Teachings: Dr. Apela Colorado
My dear friend and mentor Dr. Apela Colorado speaks on the importance of traditional ancestral knowledge.
Wisdom teachings from Hawaiian elder, Mr. Hale Makua
Mr. Hale Makua was one of the elder teachers in the Indigenous Mind Program. This is a video made of him by film makers Heidi Guttman and Paul Kealoha Blake.
Healer Heal Thyself, Part 2
During the end of the December I had a very challenging time due to a health crisis with my father. I spent a lot of time in the hospital visiting my dad, who was in a critical state for over two weeks during the end of December.
As a healer, I am always learning from my personal experience and this time was no different. I have been reflecting on the things that helped support me and my family during this extremely difficult time. First and foremost were the countless prayers from friends and family. Many people of all religious and spiritual persuasions were praying for us and we could all feel the comfort, strength and support that came from these prayers. Thank you to everyone for your prayers, they most definitely did make a positive difference.
Polish Madonna, Our Lady of Czestochowa
Herbs and flower essences also held me through this stressful time. A bottle of Rescue Remedy was always on hand and I used it liberally on myself and my dad. I made a flower essence mister with Rescue Remedy and an essential oil of Jatamansi from Floracopeia that I used to spray in and about the hospital room. I also used a flower essence formula for extra psychic protection created by Dori Midnight, called Boundaries in a Bottle. Flower essence misters are a great way to bring the healing power of nature into sterile and clinical environments like hospitals and the work place.
My trusted herbal allies helped keep me healthy, rested and calm. Each day I took several doses of elderberry cordial and echinacea root tincture to keep my immune system strong. Herbal nervous system tonics like scullcap, california poppy and passionflower helped me to sleep and also helped to restore my overworked and shaky nerves. Medicinal Mushrooms and herbal adaptogens gave me strength, endurance, and the ability to adapt to a very stressful situation in the best way possible. I particularly loved taking the Ayurvedic herb ashwaghanda in warm milk (with a sprinkle of nutmeg) each night to nourish my body and to also insure a good night’s sleep.
I also received several acupressure and Jin Shin Jyutsu® sessions from my beloved colleagues (Thanks Toni and Claudia!) that helped to return my mind/body/spirit to a place of balance. I would arrive at Toni’s office exhausted, overwhelmed and tense and leave calm, relaxed and energized. I realized, once again, how valuable it is to have hands-on healing work to help support the body during a stressful or traumatic time.
Basically, during the month of December I was the recipient of all of the healing systems that I practice. For the past 18 years I have supported many people through crisis using similar tools: herbs, flower essences, bodywork, and spiritual support. In this New Year, I have renewed faith in the power of these ancient systems of healing because they really work! I give thanks to the healers of all eras and all cultures who have dedicated their lives to keeping these sacred and precious arts alive.
Many Blessings,
Atava
Tags: Healing
Mind-Body Healing Dream Group Beginning Soon!
Mind-Body Healing Dream Group
Starts January 19th, 2010
6Tuesdays Starting January 19th, 2010
The New Year is a great time to give renewed attention to our physical, emotional and spiritual health. Dreams can be powerful allies and guides on your healing path. They tap into a wealth of imagery that can be directed towards personal healing. Dreams also can connect us to our healing guides that may take the form of a plant, animal, ancestor or other supernatural being.
In this facilitated dream group, we will focus on the healing art of dream work. We will explore our dreams to discover clues, remedies and prescriptions for health and wellness. Flower essences and plant spirit medicine will be incorporated to help enrich our dreaming process.
Date: 6 Tuesdays, January 19- March 19th
Time: 10:30-12:30 pm
Cost: $150-$250, sliding scale
Location: The Goose Sisters Healing Center, 3798 Grand Ave, Oakland
To Register: Class size limited. $100 deposit required to save a space. Call 510-541-2715; or email atava@ancestralapothecary.com.
Herbal House Party
Happy New Year Everyone!
I hope that you all enjoyed the Winter Solstice and the darkest time of the year here in the northern hemisphere. During the beginning of December, I enjoyed my first Herbal House Party of the season. All who attended had a great time sampling herbal goodies and potions. The menu included medicinal chai, purple kale stir fried with maitake, shiitake and oyster mushrooms; spicy Elderberry Cordial, Damiana Delight Cordial (an aphrodisiac), and much more. Upcoming Herbal House Parties include an Herbal Valentine’s Party (love potions galore!) and a Magical Fairy Mixer Elixir. Stay tuned!
Getting ready in the kitchen.
The lovely host and the herbalist.
Checking out the product.
Fairy endorsement for Ancestral Apothecary products.
Tags: herbal house party