Forward Motion

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I receive a spiritual message from time to time reminding me of my responsibilities and that class isn't over. I can still feel Cecilia as strong as before and her messages are clear. The more I practice and stay with the medicine, the stronger her presence is with me. I have been in touch with some of her community over the past year and several of us have talked about creating something that we can contribute to and share what we have learned to keep the energy flowing.

I sent a message out to Cecilia's community seeking participation in sharing lessons, experiences, stories and photos of Cecilia, her medicine and her work. If there are gatherings, activities, events, hikes, classes or anything that are appropriate, they can be posted here as well by emailing firepithome@gmail.com.

Cecilia gave all of us exactly what we needed at the time and all of our experiences are deeply personal and wildly different, but her lessons were the same. In her energy we felt our own natural rhythm, balance and everything made sense... then she gave us the lessons and tools to stay with it.

I remember one of the very first stories she told me, it was about the Antelope. She told me that they are very good at handling an emergency and are able to act in the moment... and, when the emergency was over, they went back to hanging out and eating grass, or doing whatever Antelope do. The point she was making was that after the emergency Antelope go back to their natural rhythm and calm energy. Living in the stress state is unhealthy and becomes a block for natural order. She taught me to be more like the Antelope.

All of her analogies were simple lessons on how to live my busy modern life with common sense and go about with a good attitude while caring for myself. I hope all of her students are being more like the Antelope, Coyote, Deer or whatever it was she passed on to you.

If anyone sends something, I will publish it here so there is a resource of her native lessons. Her knowledge is left with us and we can share what we learned.

All my best,

 ~ Brad

Quotes from Cecilia's Community

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"tell your story and pass on her knowledge..."

"The world had so much to learn from Cecilia."

"I am filled with appreciation for her and her love of this earth"

"she was a blessing to all who knew her"

"Cecilia believed that, when her transition is complete, she will be passing her gifts on to those who truly did  'get it'  and have the courage to carry on the work."

"When we have done all the work we were sent to do,
we are allowed to shed our bodies,
which imprison our soul like a cocoon encloses the butterfly
and when the time is right we can let go of it.
Then we will be free of pain, free of fears and free of worries –
free as a beautiful butterfly returning home to God...."

"Cecilia was a real leader"

"She was the real deal"

"Cecelia was quite a character!"

"She changed my life"


"I was very fortunate to have known Cecilia and to consider her a great inspiration not only as a spiritual guide, but as an inspiring human being, that always told you the truth even when you didn't want to see it, because the truth hurt's. She made you seek the beauty that is nature and inspired me to learn and to acknowledge my own ancestry and the knowledge and wisdom that our herbs and plants bring. I cannot tell you enough, what a great loss this is. She made me want to be a better human being, our talks about our respective fathers were the most in depth moments, I still can recall seating outside in the enclosed garden, it was a beautiful day, the eagles were circling around us, we cried, we laughed, we let them go, I mean we let go of the pain and the joy. She was at her best teaching people, about her art, whether it was showing a group how to dance, how to make the sticks and paint them, what it symbolized, how to prepare the medicinal headbands, how to drink the water with one leaf of sage, or how she expertly described each property that a plant had and how she intertwined a story from her grandmother's teachings or how she described how difficult it had been for her to grow in the United States and how here grandmother sent her away to protect her."

A Poem to Cecilia

My dear friend Cecilia Garcia

When a teacher dies,
a caring friend has left us to learn more on our own.
When a teacher dies,
a caring friend has left a key to knowledge for us to find.

Teachers are true friends for they want us to improve our lives.
Teachers are beautiful for this selfless desire.
Teachers are true friends for they want to better our lives.
Teachers’ selfless desires make us more beautiful.

As those who have passed,
We still live with them.
No one really dies- it is an illusion,
They live certainly within us.

We will miss the company we are used to,
But we can get used to the new company they provide with their spirit.
It is the change of the yang to the yin,
It is the beauty of the yin that we truly miss.

-J. Snowiss


Diligence prevents a stale emptiness.
Patience teaches endurance.
Quitting breaks the walls of will.
And every ending has a new road around the corner.
(Filling the Void, a poem by yours truly)

Woman's Circle

January 29th, 2:00PM to Sunset
February 26th, 2:00PM to Sunset
April 29th, 2:00PM to Sunset

HOW IT STARTED
Cecilia is offering a safe place for people to gather. A place to share, learn and most importantly, a place to laugh and dance. It started on Grandparent's day since Cecilia's grandparents were the ones that kept the teachings, she is bringing the best of the past into our forward motion in welcoming a universal need of spiritual actions. Come and be ready to unwind. Cecilia and Yoeme/Mohawk Gourd Teacher Jan Cleary are creating a learning center. In doing so, they open a space for a community to develop. Both Cecilia and Jan hope for a space where people can learn Native culture devoid of Western doctrine. Here, both Elder women offer an opportunity to teach their skills without the burden of bureaucracy. Initially the community will include only women, offering a safe place for expression and development of individual talents. Through fire, dance, song, and workshops women will learn as well as have the opportunity to cultivate their own creative talents.

WHAT IS OFFERED
Both the educational aspects and the physical space are flexible, growing and evolving. Each day determines what can be offered, taking into account environmental climate, political climate and what is happening now. While content for the day is not guaranteed, relevancy and common sense are assured. Some of the workshops that will soon be included are pine needle basket making and gourd bowl making. As we move forward we will also include workshops in whatever talent you bring to share.

• Medicinal plant Workshops

• Chumash songs and dance

• Honoring Fire

• Personal healings

HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Everyone is welcome, bring a friend. These workshops will not only allow you to establish a relationship with Cecilia, but they will also give you an opportunity to better understand what these women have to offer. We are asking for donations from $20 to $100 to create resources for the startup. Please bring a no fuss dish to share, drinks and a good attitude. Dress for outside, bring a blanket and clapper sticks or a rattle if you have them.

A PERSONAL MESSAGE FROM CECILIA

I want people to know that the womans circle is not about me, its about women. So for the next few months, I am not going to be there, I will be doing things that I need to get done, so we can share a better time together.

Jan has all of the materials and clapper sticks and will be teaching the basics of dance, so when I return in April we can light a fire and really dance. It's important to me that everyone learn to dance, because dance is global, in every tradition dance is what empoweres you, keeps you from getting confused, keeps you from giving up or being run over by anything. You can't play with the medicine and not know that. You're not going to help people just by taking notes at my workshops, once you dance then everything you learn about the medicine makes sense. It's easier to find and it will find you. But without the dance, there's a missing link... and women really need that link back for themselves.

If women aren't balanced, then men have nothing to reflect. This is 2012 where women have to empower themselves without being mean. We have to get back in the place where we enjoy being women, in order for anything to change. Once you get into that comfort zone and you learn to dance you can hit that comfort zone and take that to your home and it will effect your family, your work and your attitude. Dance is the key to knowing the medicine and improving yourself. Its a real important part that will fill the gap that words don't. Dance gives you that without words getting in the way. Dance is all season, year round.

You need to know what it feels like to be welcomed so when you go into another situation and you don't feel that, you know that you aren't stuck there thinking that's what you have to accept, that's as good as it gets. Women need to learn that they deserve more, that they should be safe. When you're safe, you make better decisions, you're a better mother, a better neighbor, a better sister a better worker and things come clearer when you feel safe.

MAP AND LOCATION:  930 0ld farm road thousand oaks 91360


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Theodore Payne Workshops

April 27th & 28th
May 11th & 12th

Workshop

Part 1: Friday, April 27th, 9:00-12:00
Part 2: Saturday, April 28th, 9:00-12:00

Workshop

Part 1: Friday, May 11th, 9:00-12:00
Part 2: Saturday, May 12th, 9:00-12:00

$70 members, $90 non-members

This two-session in-depth class on medicinal uses of California flora discusses the plants and why they are effective. Part I includes a photographic presentation and plant descriptions. Part II moves outside to TPF grounds to collect and prepare plants for use. Cecilia, a Chumash healer, and Jim, associate professor, USC School of Pharmacology, are co-authors of Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West: Cultural and Scientific Basis for their Use, Second Edition,(Abedus Press, 2005).

For information visit Theodore Payne Events and to enroll in classes call (818) 768-1802 during business hours

Theodore Payne Foundation, 10459 Tuxford Street, Sun Valley, CA 91352

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Private Healings in Long Beach

April 18th, 19th 20th & 22nd

Times available are: 9:00am, 12:00pm, 3:00pm and 6:00pm

You can make an appointment for any of those days by emailing firepithome@gmail.com.

Malibu Powow

April 15th

Cecilia will be attending the 14th Chumash Day Powwow in Malibu. All drums are welcome, this is an inter-tribal powwow. Join us as we dance on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Map and Directions: 24250 Pacific Coast Highway Malibu, CA 90265

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Plant Walks for U.S.C students and families

April 7th at Malibu Creek
April 14th at Santa Fe Dam
April 21st at Eaton Canyon

Cecilia will be leading a series of educational Plant Walks for the students of U.S.C. and their families. Each walk will be at a different location and will be formatted for all levels of physical fitness, it's a pleasant outdoor walk.

Medicinal Plant Walk in Glendale

Saturday March 31st 10:00AM
The City of Glendale Community Services and Parks Department is hosting a Medicinal Plant Walk at the Deukmejian Wilderness Park.

Here you can learn:

• How Chumash Indians use Native Plants as medicine
• How medicinal plants are used in everyday healthcare
• How to gather, purchase and grow medicinal plants

Cecilia and Jim Adams PhD will lead the hike and discuss the historical, cultural, medicinal uses and scientific bases of the plants and their effects. This will be a hike with a pace in moderately steep terrain. Please wear sturdy shoes/boots and bring some water and a hat. Handicap accommodations are available upon request.

Space is limited so please RSVP by calling 818-548-3795.

Map and Directions
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Self-Healing with Chumash Medicine

October 1st and 2nd



Quail Springs is honored to host this special two-day journey into self-healing with traditional medicine led by Cecilia Garcia. In this hands-on workshop we will become familiar with many of the native medicinal plants of California and how each is used traditionally as a part of the Chumash culture. Special guest James D. Adams, PhD and co-author with Cecilia of the book Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West - Cultural and Scientific Basis for their Use, will be joining us at the beginning of the weekend for a plant walk on the land.

Together they will share their unique perspectives on how these plants can help us in our lives, the scientific basis for their use and our communication with them. After the walk, Cecilia will lead us through the rest of the weekend, teaching us how to go deep with this medicine through the healing power of song, dance, fire and prayer. Join us for this beautiful exploration of land, spirit and the medicine within.

The cost of this workshop is $150-$250 sliding scale, and includes instruction, tent camping, and catered meals. Please contribute as much as you’re able to as we endeavor to honor and value these teachings and the teachers, as well as give back to this land through caretaking. We’ll have a few partial work trade positions especially for those who aren’t able to gather $150, let us know soon if you are interested.

To RSVP or for more information, contact Kolmi at info@quailsprings.org.

August is the month to commit

All of August

Cecilia will only be scheduling traditional healings for the month of August.

You have the opportunity to take the next step in your forward motion and travel to your community leader for a traditional spirit healing.

Traditionally, the action of going to your community leader was the first step in your process and your medicine person worked with that as a starting point. While preparing medicine for your healing, Cecilia will pray, praying invites God's participation in the healing of your spirit, then she connects with your energy so that you can see what you need to see.

You will receive answers, have visions and feel balanced... and you are given the medicine, tools and personal advice to carry that forward.

Being happy, centered and in touch with your spirit is central to your health.

Right now the weather is nice, it's safe to travel and rates are favorable for staying a couple of days.

For the most benefit, Cecilia recommends that you attend a workshop or at least meet her before you schedule a traditional healding - Cecilia is available in Long Beach at the end of July to meet, talk with, pick up some medicine and introduce yourself.

A Creative Day at the Beach

Saturday, July 30th

Cecilia will be at the annual "Queens and Kings of the Beach" volleyball tournament and fundraiser supporting education, teachers, raising money for Long Beach Community STAR program and honoring Shannon Runningbear. It's a day at the beach with a volleyball tournament and celebration and Cecilia will have a camp where you are invited to stop by to introduce yourself, hang out for a talk, pick up some medicine or a book and participate in the festivities. Bring your wife, your mom, kids and come down to the beach, hang out with fun people and share in the celebration and healing. The beach is dog-friendly, freeway close and located next to ample parking.

The Granada Beach volleyball courts are located just south of the olympic pool in Long Beach. Bring QUARTERS for the parking meters.


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The Garden Faire

June 25th and 26th

Saturday June 25th 9:00 to 5:00, in Skypark, Scotts Valley
Cecilia and Jim will be presenting at The Garden Faire with a speaking engagement (time TBD) and an exhibitor's booth. The Garden Faire is open from 9-5, during that time, Cecilia and Jim, their book and Chumash Medicine will be available at their booth.



Sunday June 26th
Cecilia and Jim will be leading a plant walk from Skypark. This is an outdoor, hands on, informal workshop on local plants and wildlife. Information is passed on a trail walking with Cecilia and Jim Adams PhD, co-author of Healing with Medicinal Plants of the West. This is where you come to be introduced to native medicinal plants and how it is used traditionally as part of the Chumash culture as well as the pharmaceutical and scientific data supporting their effects.

Location: Skypark in Scotts Valley, California
Website: www.TheGardenFaire.org/

Eaton Canyon Book Festival

June 18th 9:30 to 3:30

Cecilia and Jim Adams PhD will be presenting at 1PM about Chumash Healing in your health. Admission is Free.

Download the Event Flyer

Eaton Canyon Natural Area
Park and Nature Center
1750 N. Altadena Drive
Pasadena, CA 91107
Phone (626)398-5420


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A Series of Workshops

Sunday April 17th from 12-4 | Sunday May 15th from 2-5


Download the Workshop Flyer

Space is limited. Preregistration is required. It is not necessary to attend the first workshop in order to attend the second workshop.

Contact Jeanne Berry at 818-884-6118 or Jeanne@jberrycpa.com to register for classes.

Medicinal Plant and Dancing Workshop

March 26th - 12PM to 4PM

The event will show you practical uses to local medicinal plants and it's an opportunity to ask questions and familiarize yourself with traditional healing. Learn how to unblock and stimulate your own positive, creative and useful actions through dance.

Traditional Healings

Traditionally, a member of a community would go to their medicine person and be healed. The action is part of the personal cleansing and preparation to get in touch with your spirit. The journey is about facing your fears and making a commitment. A traditional healing is a personal experience that starts your forward motion and taps you into your natural rhythm.

Cecilia is offering her community traditional healings in Ensenada. One session will get you in touch with your spirit and another a healer will work with your body. It's a personal journey where during your time, your mind, body and spirit are being healed - then you are given the knowledge and tools to carry it forward. The setting will depend on what you need, it may be in a healing room, a hike to a waterfall, a walk on the beach, gathering plants or a fireside conversation; you should bring appropriate outdoor clothing and something to carry water and snacks in.

Recommended donations are $75 to $200 a day that you spend with Cecilia, the same donation as a private healing appointment, however you have her attention for the whole day with all of her tools and resources. Here in Ensenada Cecilia can gather and prepare all of the medicinal plants for your process, she has her medicine room and prayer pit and access to sacred healing grounds which makes her work more effective.

In order to get the most benefit, it is recommended that you attend a workshop, meet Cecilia and tell her that you are preparing for a Traditional Healing. This will give you an opportunity to start your own personal process and Cecilia the opportunity to give you some helpful information so that when you do take your journey you get the most out of it.

Native Workshop at U.S.C.

January 27th from 5 to 7 PM

Cecilia and Jim Adams PhD will be speaking at USC at the Native workshop about Chumash medicinal plants and culture. The presentation will be a couple hours with speakers, photos and film as well as live plants and a Q&A period. This is hosted by students and teachers in Native American studies at USC. Cecilia and Jim will be available to talk after the workshop and books will be available. The workshop will cover Native American culture, history and Chumash medicine, it's a great opportunity to continue your learning process and for those who haven't attended workshops, a good base can be created here.

The workshop will be held in the Kaprielian Hall room 460 on the USC main campus. Kaprielian Hall is next to entrance 6 on Vermont Avenue. Parking structure A is the nearest parking structure. The Native Workshop does not pay for parking.

The Healer and Healing Plants

Monday, November 29th at 7PM

Cecilia is presenting a lecture and demonstration on the healer and healing plants a creative relationship. This is held at Pitzer College in their Broad Performance Space between 7 and 9 PM.

Cal State Northridge Powwow

Saturday, November 27