Picture
My name is Krystalle Keszainn; Bear With Two Feet; Earth Mother; Star Gazer. I am a member of the Human Clan of the Earth Tribe. I am blessed to share a close and personal connection with Mother Earth; Gaia; Pachamama, who helps me connect with and embody Tunkashila; Wakan Tanka; Great Creator; My Highest I AM Presence - every day.

Two months ago I was called to journey on a vision quest. With this short series of blogs, I joyously share the blessings I received on this journey. My outcome for this series is to convey the experiences of my vision quest for you to share in, as well as to co-create a space for your own visions, guidance, and journey. I invite you to participate in this process by adding your comments, visions, and inspirations to each entry.
 
 
Picture
After my hike on Mt. Wrightson, I entered a space of "little preparation". Rather than planning and organizing this journey down to the last detail, which was my approach in the past, I created a small list of items that I required for the journey and called them to me. In a beautiful display of grace in action, friends and family either gifted or lent me all that I required for the journey: a water filter, down sleeping bag, wool blanket, poncho, a small knife, backpack, and even tobacco and mole dirt, which play a significant role in the vision quest ceremony. In an uncanny display of Divine Humor, the one item I purchased for the journey, a butane wind-resistant lighter, actually malfunctioned beyond use. Good thing I brought a back-up lighter!
 
 
Picture
At some point between my vision quest calling and my preparation, I chose to follow my inner guidance and complete my vision quest without wearing contacts or corrective lenses - experiencing exclusively my natural vision. At this point, my journey became a true vision quest!

The night before my journey began, I went to sleep around 9pm. I set my alarm for 4:30 the next morning to be at the inipi site in time to start the fire before our sunrise inipi ceremony.

That night I dreamed that Dan and I both overslept and woke up at 7:14am (if anyone understands the significance of 7:14, please share it with me!). In my dream, we woke up, recognized that we both overslept, and went directly to the inipi site to light the fire. About 10 minutes after we lit the fire, Yellow Horse arrived to lead the inipi ceremony. He looked at the fire and said, "ah, folks - these stones don't look very hot." Dan and I shared that we lit the fire about 10 minutes before he arrived. At that point, the dream warped into another dream.
 
 
Picture
I live in southern Arizona, just 20 minutes north of Mexico, where national forests are actually national desert lands. Our landscapes portray rolling desert mountains, various types of cactus, long grasses, mesquite trees, and copious amounts of rocks and sand. Our mountains are home to lizard, spider, snake, javalena, deer, wildcat, a few bears, and a host of other beings. They also harbor routes of transit between Mexico and the US and are well-traveled by Hispanic workers, immigrants...and some illegal operants.

I embarked on my vision quest knowing that I have the opportunity to journey deep inside myself to explore my shadowy jungles, dark caves, and deep pools of my emotions, beliefs, fears, and gifts. As I prepared for my journey, I discovered two main fears related to it:
 
 
Picture
Brrr! It is really cold at night! As the morning dawns, I recognize that the large boulders and high walls of the canyon keep my circle well-shaded until about noon. That means my vision quest circle is cold in the mornings - Brrr! Laying snuggled in my sleeping bag, I notice a large rock just across the stream that is bathed in sunlight. I cross the stream and sit on the rock, filling myself with warm downloads from the sun. Ahhhhhh! Heavenly!

From here I see the canyon crevice that I climbed to reach this spot. I now recognize the scope of my accomplishment: I hiked and climbed all the way up here wearing a 40 pound backpack while water fasting. Wow! I celebrate my achievement and my life!
 
 
Picture
I slept peacefully most of the second night. Just before I woke, I remembered having two dreams.

In my first dream, I was sitting on a grassy bank in a semi-urban area. It was enclosed on all four sides by a chain-link fence. On the other side of the fence in front of me was a body of water about the size of a small lake. The grassy bank sloped down towards the lake. I reclined comfortably on the downward slope, looking at the lake. I was the only person in this enclosed area, and I found it peaceful - even while people walked by on the path lining the fence behind me.
 
 
I open my eyes and breathe a deep, full breath. I am observing this morning's brightening colors and the cool, crisp air. Today is my final day on the mountain. I am nearing the completion of my journey.
Picture
I recognize that I have some logistics to tend to today: clearing my space, packing, and hiking down the mountain. First, it is time to perform my closing ceremonies.

I climb out of my sleeping bag. Whoops - Careful, Krystalle! (I often talk to myself when I require my attention!) I am feeling dizzy on the fourth morning of my water fast. I am okay. I am supported. Breathe. Breathe. Ahhh...I feel present in my body now. Why do we call it fasting, anyway? I am certainly doing things more slowly!

I create a small fire in my fire circle and offer a blessing to the beautiful nature spirits who surround me:
 
 
Picture
After receiving my gift at Turquoise Canyon, I continue walking down the mountain. I am noticing more footprints on the path than I recall seeing in the past - animal and human! I wonder if Krisanga and Samantha have been hiking here to hold space with me? I am warmed by the thought of my friends supporting my journey.

These footprints could also belong to "migrant workers" who travel this trail. Before I began my journey, I was aware of two fears: wild animal attacks and interactions with drug traffickers. Now I no longer fear. My faith is strong, especially after feeling my intense experience of love's power this morning at the waterfall.

As I am contemplating my beautiful transformations of fear into my faith, I hear footsteps behind me. I turn to see whose feet I am hearing, and feel my lips spread wide into a wide, penetrating...smile! I turn around, smiling, and see two Mexican men dressed in jeans and sweatshirts. They have no backpacks or equipment. I continue smiling, then I wave hello, and offer a greeting.
 
 
Picture
Samantha and I share water as she drives me home. I share many of my Vision Quest accounts with her. She is a great listener and a beautifully powerful presence who is escorting me back into my daily world with grace and love. When I arrive home, my beloved Arttemis is waiting for me with a beautiful hug and his bright smile. I am grateful for my loving welcome! I enjoy a very refreshing shower and rest quietly until inipi time.As evening washes the landscape I journey to our inipi site. Our elders held two rounds of inipi (Lakota Sweat Lodge Ceremony) with Dan and I as we began our vision quests. Now it is time for the final two rounds.