That new project.

Shamanic projects: They never start of as planned or turn into what you thought they would. For most of the time, as in this case, that’s a good thing.There are quite a few good things here at Distillery Farm.

I’ve been out of the flow for the last six years because I was working with an apprentice. Everyday, for those six years I put all my energy and attention to the woman I was working with. In watching her go through the changes of a young girl to a woman totally in her power, I experienced some of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen. Only Shamans who have served apprenticeships and led people through them will understand what I am saying. For the rest of you, trust me, there is nothing like witnessing the forge of confidence and self trust.

An apprenticeship is a full eight years, after which the apprentice goes on their “journey” for up to two years. I went on my journey after six years so it made sense that she did too. Sometimes they keep on going and sometimes they come back. In this case, a wonderful woman is out in the world, in trying conditions, proving her mettle and giving good memories to those she meets. With love and respect for her drive, we wish her the best in everything she does. I owe her a special thanks for giving me a very special love to remember as well as other fond memories.

So now that she is gone I am back in the current of the Shamanic flow. It started as Sequoia was training for her journey. I was called to a project in Maryland to do farming, some new construction and some renovation. When I got here there was a man claiming to be an engineer who couldn’t run the construction of a doghouse, much less a real home. The list of failures and incompetence on his part are too long to list (and for what point) so I decided at week one that he had to go.  The owner of the project agreed and he’s gone.

The flow: That interesting place between the worlds where you dream of what will happen that day, the night before. The place where you instantly make a “wrong turn” to end up meeting someone you have been seeing in daydreams. That place where you see the people who will come to your project before they know about it. The healing space where you call in people you know to put them in the fire and on the anvil and send them out the door totally pissed to have them call you a week later and tell you they have quit all addictions and started a new life. It’s Shamanism. Sometimes we do some strange shit. Now the project is in the flow as well. Progress on the different stages of the project are moving forward and the major obstacles that were here when I arrived are minor bumps in our road. The garden areas are taking artistic shapes instead of the usual rectangles and people from around the world are showing an interest and wanting to come and volunteer. Our first Sweat Lodge may be next month with a woman I’ve admired  for a while.

This has been a rewarding project for me personally. I get to build the way I like to build and I have a variety in it. I can go from basic framing, administrative with the county building offices, furniture design, historic barn restoration to farming in the same day. I’ve been working 12 hours a day, seven days a week to get this place on track.  Building can be loud, frustrating, irritating, dangerous and almost always dirty, leaving a man very tired and not wanting to anyone for the rest of the day but I often have a a twist to the normal construction schedule.  A few times a week, two of the most beautiful young women I’ve ever met will come by and work a few hours in constructing our zip line swimming hole or garden details. So for a little while at the end of my day I can take a break from building and Shamanism and enjoy the beauty of nature and new friendships.  The last few events that have unfolded are proof I did well the last six years and I’m thankful to be on this project and back in the flow.

The long term goals are to be an agricultural and organic project with alternative energy projects. We have three goats and one of the women I mentioned plans to bring ducklings. We hear geese honking overhead as they fly by and the peepers (small frogs that go “peep”) go on through the night. Deer are always walking through the garden areas and by the creek. The trees are coming green and the smell of Spring is here.  We have a Facebook page, Distillery Farm, so friend us and show some love! I don’t know how long I’ll be here as I have a project in Mexico pending. This place will need someone full time to take care of the gardens, animals and wwoofers that come through. Anyone interested? Send us a message on FB or distilleryfarm@hotmail.com.

Next time I’ll put up some pictures. Till then, enjoy your life.