RBCS Circle for Self Governance
Circle members are busy with the responsibilities which they undertook on behalf of RBCS in their capacities as members of various committees , mandated to develop strategies on topics such as mentorship and the establishment of local communities. The next Annual meeting will take place on Gabriola, B.C. from August 11th to August 15th, with August 8th to August 10th as an optional opportunity to test drive ceremonies. The RBCS Circle for Self Governance brings together people from all over the country to share their interests in bringing to the people Shamanic ceremonies and healing knowledge that works. We have discovered through direct experience that ceremony is the magickal and mysterious way to effect real change in our lives. It is an exciting "rainbow journey" and we invite anyone who has an interest in a ceremonial path of healing and a desire to share in supporting this journey with your presence to join our Circle. If you are interested in finding out more about this, please write to rbstor@gmail.com. Enthusiasm and a true intent to work on behalf of the people, and a calling to enhance and heal our own experience of life and that of others are the chief requirements. We look forward to hearing from you.

Community News Calgary/Edmonton
Sweat Lodges will be held as follows:
Nov 20th in Calgary; Nov 22nd in Edm;
Dec 18th in Calgary; Dec 20th in Edm;
Jan 22nd in Calgary; Jan 24th in Edm;
Feb 19th in Calgary; Feb 21st in Edm;
March 19th in Calgary; March 21st in Edm;
April 16th in Calgary; April 18th in Edm;
May 14th in Calgary; May 16th in Edm;
June 18th in Calgary; June 20th in Edm.
For information, please write to rbscal@gmail.com
Ottawa Region
On January 1st, there will be a Family Day sweat; on March 20th there will be a Community Equinox sweat. Both begin at 7:00 p.m. For information, please write to rbsott@gmail.com
Toronto
There will be a New Year's sweat on Dec 30th and Community sweats on Jan 27th and Feb 23rd. In order to support the growth of sweat lodge activities, people willing to be trained to work with the fire and the rocks are absolutely essential. No experience is necessary. All interested please write to rbstor@gmail.com . Join our email list also at the above address. We are proud of our amazing drum team, the Thunderbirds. They meet on Tuesday evenings to drum and sing, and weave in sound healing as needed. All interested in joining this vibrant group are invited to contact Pat, the RBCS Dance Chief, at coyotenorth@gmail.com . Experience with a drum or possession of your own drum are not necessary, just a desire to participate in a fun and healing evening that includes a variety of musical instruments.
Vancouver Area
This community has a variety of ongoing activities and upcoming events. For more information please write to rbsvan@gmail.com.

Featured Animal Totem

The Elk
Stamina is the greatest strength of the Elk who paces him/herself in any undertaking. Elk may not be the first to finish, but Elk finishes what was started, without burnout. While Elk has goals, Elk also is able to respond quickly to new situations and to change course when necessary. Those magnificent antlers serve as a direct connection to intuition, to gift Elk with unseen information. Strength, nobility, pride and survival are all aspects of Elk. Protection of community is a priority for Elk. Awareness of danger and a desire to support others in the community are paramount concerns of Elk. Outside of mating season, Elk seeks the companionship of its self-same gender. Elk guards the path to illumination. It has the ability to listen for and to discern what lies beneath the surface. This ability extends to being able to have an awareness of the discrepancy between human-based laws and the laws of nature. What can you learn from Elk? How can you pace your life to be able to accomplish your goals without stress? Are you able to keep an open mind and receive new information? Can you find strengths within yourself to move beyond any fears about survival? What is your role in community, and could you benefit from spending time sharing experiences with your own gender? Can you trust Elk to be a steadfast guardian as you walk your own path towards illumination? How can Elk be your ally in discerning your own truth? How can Elk help you to have the courage to break free from human law, and to live more in synchronicity with the laws of nature?

Ceremony:

Smudge yourself and your ceremonial shawl. Sit comfortably and cal l, in your own way, the energies of the directions, East, West, South, North, and Centre, and ask for the presence of whichever spirit energies are willing to assist you in your ceremony.

Call in the energy of Elk and ask that it be with you during this Ceremony. See Elk as your ally in your own healing.
Sitting in a comfortable place, wrap your ceremonial shawl around you, go into a meditative state and picture yourself on the back of Elk, ready and willing to surrender to a healing journey. Recall that Elk is a protective energy and trust that Elk will take you gently wherever you need to go. Feel the strength of the muscles beneath you. Imagine yourself riding into a beautiful forest on the back of your protector Elk. Take a few deep breaths and intend to relax into this journey. Notice and connect with the beauty of the forest. Allow memories and feelings to surface and be aware of your intent to be open to the teachings of Elk, and to your own innate wisdom.

When you are ready, begin to ask yourself questions, whichever ones are appropriate for you. Mentally note your answers and be open to new information. Give yourself time between questions to hear the answers, trusting that they are there. Be aware that Elk has many of the answers to share with you and that answers from Elk are really a reflection of what you already know deep inside of yourself.

Am I able to honour my pace and rhythm or do I tend to squeeze myself into what I perceive to be the expectations of others? Can the energy of the strength of this magnificent animal ally seep into me to allay my fears of survival? Can I really be an "open cup", willing to allow myself to accept the gift of my own intuition and to trust and integrate new information? What does community mean to me? What is my care level here? Do I need to spend more time with people of my own gender to share stories and experiences?

Keep feeling yourself on the back of Elk who is serving as your guardian on this journey. See and smell the forest, listening to the sounds as you continue to ask yourself questions.

Can I trust that Elk will always be there to guard me on my journey towards illumination and enlightenment? How can I depend on Elk to help me see below the surface? How can I use Elk to help me see my way to living according to the laws of nature and to no longer be limited and intimidated by the laws of man? Ask whatever other questions of Elk that seem appropriate for you. If needed, forgive yourself for whatever has kept you from being like Elk.
When you feel complete with your questions, ask Elk to return you to your beginning place. Carefully dismount, put your arms round Elk's neck and express your gratitude. Take a few deep breaths, and allow yourself to return fully to your beginning place.

Go outside when you feel ready, and dance your Elk, allowing your shawl to move with you. Move like Elk, prancing with renewed strength and purpose. Speak your gratitude and intend that the knowledge you gained from this journey be remembered, integrated and acted upon. Dance until you feel that all has been integrated. Release Elk and know that Elk will always be with you and will be there when it is needed.

Returning inside, thank and release al l of the energies and spirits that were there to assist you. Take time to write notes about what you learned. Clear whatever is needed to bring your ceremonial space back to its original condition. Know that it is important for you to keep inside what you experienced for seven days and that after this period of time it's okay to share, but to always keep back a piece only for you.





....................................................www.rainbowbridgesociety.com ..................... Vol 1, Issue 4, December 2009

ARCHIVES:
Vol 1; Issue 1 Jan 2009
Vol 1; Issue 2 May 2009
Vol 1; Issue 3 Sept 2009

Materials Needed:
Smudge Stick or smudge and shell
Lighter
Ceremonial shawl
Note book and pen

Creating the Space:

This ceremony begins inside and continues outside. Chose a time in which you have at least two hours during which you will be undisturbed.