“The above quote hung on the wall of the home I lived in for two years while living on the Big Island, Hawaii. It struck me on many levels. First, the idea of “expert”. Something I associate with mastery or even the word, “professional” in terms of developing your craft or gift for the world. What you know well enough for yourself that you can teach and show others through mentoring. Maybe my preferred word here would be “mentor” and not “expert”.
The other word, “recognized” feels loaded and with ego. My highest self would like to interpret this, for me, to mean, “seen”. To be witnessed and seen to belong and understood because I am being interpreted through my altar
And lastly, the piece that struck me with these words and why I loved them so much and have added them here with the Rites of Passage work is that during this time I was taking my altar building to the next level. I found them in nature, in my home and to this day, I have pieces I bring for a traveling altar.
I share & offer this saying, while honoring the source as best I can. May it serve and pique your curiosity to learn more.”
Here is an article I found when I researched the phrase ‘Ike ‘ia no ka loea i ke kuahu
And further reading on Olelo No'eau
Cross Cultural Protocols in Rites of Passage : Guiding Priciples, Themes & Inquiry :: a working document developed by
Youth Passageways
Initiates at any phase of development, but particularly our young people, need initiated adults, authentic adults and community of support.
It is my belief that what young people need in order to bring their gifts to the world is NOT a “solo hero’s journey into the wilderness tested, fasting and slaying dragons”.
what is needed more than ever is B E L O N G I N G in community, mutual support,INTER SPECIES, intergenerational, and peer mentoring IN COMMUNION WITH THE LAND AND ANCESTORS to initiate our young people into authentic adulthood.
Why I no longer use the word wilderness.
The Idea of Wilderness Erases Native People. Here's How To Fix It.
Wilderness as a Colonial Construct
The QUEero’s journey always begins with the call
in service to supporting those who desire ways to mark passages in their life in a ritual, sacred, ceremonial & life giving way. Assisting them in exploring their self designed Rite of Passage initiatory experience
Using the metaphor of The Hero’s Journey,
a pattern of narrative identified by the American scholar Joseph Campbell that appears in drama, storytelling, myth, religious ritual, and psychological development.
What in your heart calls you to seek out this experience?
Looking back, what one or two experiences – intentional rites of passage or not – most initiated you into the place you are now on your journey of adulthood?
What do you know about your ancestors? How do you relate to them at this point, if at all?
What are some of the challenges and gifts that come from various aspects of your social identity (such as race,
gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, class, etc)? What aspects of your identity feel most important to you at this time?
“Embedded in every rite of passage is a blueprint for change. A call for transformation is heralded. Something old is released. A process of deconstruction and eventual reconstruction unfolds.Something new emerges. The integration of that which is new occurs.” – Melissa Michaels, Youth on Fire
The Spark
PERSONAL NARRATIVE: A GENDER ODYSSEY
BEARING WITNESS: EXPLORING RITES OF PASSAGE AS A SUPPORTIVE FRAMEWORK FOR TRANSGENDER YOUTH
"Out beyond ideas of wrong-doing
and right-doing there is a field.
I'll meet you there.” -Rumi
Tools used in creating your Contemporary, Self- Designed experience
Traditional Practices, Rituals & Ceremonies
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Shared experiences
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Your Alchemy
ˈalkəmē/: a seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, or combination
WE creatively MARK your PASSAGE IN A WAY THAT COMMUNICATES your crossing the threshold into a new way of being
Examples of self-generated ceremonies & rituals to Guide you through important transitions and breakthroughs
Crossing Thresholds
On becoming a Queer Adult & your Transcestors Wildest Dreams
Setting Intentions & Discovering Gifts
Naming & Identity
Council & Witnessing
Rituals of Reconciliation
Working with Conflict
Trauma, Grief & Loss
Reclaiming our own roots // Ancestral re-connection
Archetypes
Nature
Movement
In Community
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IF OUR LIMINAL SPACES ARE APPROACHED INTENTIONALLY AND WITHIN COMMUNITY, RATHER THAN STAYING PARALYZED, RUNNING AWAY OR GOING AT IT ALONE, WE CAN BOLDLY APPROACH IT AND CONFIDENTLY MOVE FORWARD INTO OUR FUTURES.
When we become aware of our own liminality, most of us, if we’re honest, don’t know who to become or how to navigate the transition. We often miss the real potential of ‘in-between’ places
Rites of passage require the individual to shed their current roles, identities, self-concepts & societal obligations & pass through a space of change before resuming their new roles & identities in their communities.
COMMUNITIES SERVED
GENDER EXPANSIVE & GENDER BLESSED
Queer//Gender Non-Conforming//Non-Binary//Transgender//Gender Fluid//Gender Queer//Two-Spirit//Intersexed
Gay//Lesbian//Bi-Sexual//Asexual
Questioning
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& are not limited by these labels
BRING ME TO YOUR COMMUNITY, YOUR ORGANIZATION OR BUSINESS
LETS WORK TOGETHER & CO-CREATE
WE have the ability to collaborate & assist in developing programs specific to your Organization's needs.
TEACHERS & lineages that inform my work in the world
OUTWARD BOUND
JOANNA MACY & THE WORK THAT RECONNECTS
BILL PLOTKIN’S NATURE & HUMAN SOUL
YOUTH PASSAGEWAYS & DARCY OTTEY
MELISSA MICHAELS WITH GOLDEN BRIDGE & SOMASOURCE
QUEER (TR)ANCESTORS THAT HAVE MY BACK
Leslie Feinberg
QUEER ODYSSEY ANCHORS COMMITMENT TO BE IN SERVICE & LIVE AUTHENTICALLY