Briga’s Crossing

Transformation thru Rites of Passage

On Monday March 16^th my dear friend Barbara Molloy passed out of her body and was born to a new life in Spirit.  She was a woman of great clarity, conviction, grace, love and deep otherworldly connection. Her mantra is that “We are One”.  In life and beyond, she is dedicated to working as a bridge; connecting and healing beings across species and worlds. 

I feel that Barbara modeled a way of living and dying with sacred intent that deserves to be shared.  She was the third person in VT to benefit from The Patient Choice and Control at End of Life Act (Act 39) which provides Vermont residents with terminal disease the option to be prescribed a dose of medication to hasten the end of their life. This Act was signed into law on May 20, 2013.

I had the honor of being with her at the time of her final crossing as well as co-creating several passages for her since we met in 2006.

The importance of Rites of Passage

We all go thru changes in our lives.  Some of these are predictable such as first menses, marriage, motherhood and menapause.  Some are not, like cancer.  Rites of Passage are a way of bringing sacred intent, support and blessing to the inevitable changes of life and death.  They connect us to the greater circle of community, spirits and ancestors.  We remember that we are not alone and that we do not have to figure it all out for ourselves.  Change is rarely easy.  In some indigenous cultures, adolescents would have to undergo life threatening quests in order to be deemed worthy of initiation into adulthood.  Challenge hones us, strengthens us, forces us to break out of our comfort zone and to expand into our true potential.  It takes us to the next level of our quest. It is a one way gateway thru which we may not return. 

I will now describe the progression of Rites of Passage that transformed Barbara to Briga, with a focus on the recent events that led up to and followed her crossing. 

In 2007 we held a Croning Ceremony to mark Barbara’s shift into her post menopausal elder years.  In sacred space we honored her, offered blessings, and gifted her with a handmade staff.  We listened as she spoke from her crones’ throne of wisdom and power.  

In 2010 at the completion of the three year Druid Training, Barbara journeyed in pilgrimage with her clan and teachers to the Uk and was initiated as a Druid Priestess in Stonehenge where she made her vows to Gaia, in Marriage to the Earth.

In 2011 we gathered again for Barbara’s Breast Blessing. This was a women’s ceremony to prepare Barbara for her mastectomy.  It involved massaging, singing, toning, body painting, and topless dancing in celebration of the power and beauty of all our breasts.

Awakening Briga- Barbara turned 64 on Feb. 25^{th, 2015}.  On March 1^st, a close circle of her Druid family gathered at her home to feast, love and support Barbara in this final stage of her earth life.  Barbara had been given a spirit name; Briga Brigante, and this was her time to awaken and claim this name and a new level of her being.  We toned he spirit name, honored her life and transformation, and gave her a chance to forgive any with whom she had unfinished business.  A henna artist adorned each of us with a Brighid’s Cross to connect us to B and her crossing. This was also the time that the larger Faery Seership community around the country was activated on her behalf to work magically to unbind her from her life and body.

Opening the Way- March 13-15 with Orion Foxwood and “The Sexy Six”.  Orion is a dear friend, Faery teacher and Witch priest.  B wanted him with her at the time of her crossing so flew him in for the weekend. Orion and a small group of her Druid family spent the weekend involved in several magical workings around Barbara/Briga, her outdoor alter and her bedroom.  This included cutting ties, healing work, opening the Western Gate, calling the ancestors and threshold spirits, opening to the underworld, and chanting.  Many of these practises are specific to our path and cannot be shared in detail here.  This time also included delicious catered meals, visits by family and friends, laughter, cuddles, tears and deep conversation. 

Crossing- Barbara preferred to leave her body naturally but she had so much life force that it just wasn’t happening in the desired time frame (!), despite all our best efforts to support her spiritually.  Monday morning came and she said, Im done!.  She was ready to accept medical support in dying.  B had the drug on hand, having already gone thru the full legal and medical process of procuring it.  We made final arrangements and then gathered in sacred circle to empty the 90 capsules into a chalice together.  B mixed the powder in water and Orion blessed it.  A final puppy pile photo shoot took place on her couch and then we followed Barbara into her bedroom.  We cuddled around her in her bed as she drank the liquid.  We toned and sang as she closed her eyes and leaned back into her brother’s arms.  Within 10 minutes of drinking she passed thru the veil.  Her crossing was incredibly peaceful, gentle and beautiful.  We were all in awe and felt deeply moved to be so close to her process.  

Preparing her body- Four women prepared Barbara’s body for her 3 day home wake within an hour of her crossing.  It was important to do this before rigor mortis set in.  This was a very loving, intimate and ancient process enacted while the soothing sounds of celtic harp music played. Together we undressed her, sponge bathed and rubbed her body with herbal oils, and plugged her orifices with lavender soaked gauze.  She was dressed in her best cat print and her purple robe. Her hair and make up was done as she requested.  One of the women was a medium who was receiving feedback, comments and direction from B throughout.  This was at times humorous and brought levity to the process. I had ordered dry ice, which was delivered to the door and poured into the bottom of her hand made pine box, then covered with layers of plastic and blankets.  B was carried into the parlor and laid in her pine box draped with purple cloths.  She looked magnificent! 

Three day wakes are a cross cultural tradition that have been all but lost in this country.  I think this is because death brings up a lot of strong feelings in many of us and so we do our best to push it away, to avoid it, deny it and hide it. So often now this process is handled by funeral homes who have no connection to the deceased.

We believe that the spirit needs time to transition from its earthly body, life, home and loved ones, and that those who live on  also need time to say good bye.

Barbara opted for a home style wake and funeral.  There was a rotation of Druids holding space with her 24/7 for all three days plus two visiting times each day for B’s friends and colleagues.  Her brother and sister in law hosted these visitors with open hearts.

To our great surprise the dry ice evaporated in less than 24 hrs and we could not get more delivered in time. Luckily B has a lovely screen porch and the temps were still well below freezing.  We transferred her out there for the remaining two days.  It was her favorite place to sleep in the summer as it looks out to her yard which is always filled with birds, her beloved Burr Oak Sanctuary and her stone altar. 

On Thursday, March 19^th,  Ivan and I led a Funeral Ceremony for about 50 people representing several different parts of her life. We huddled around her one last time in her parlor.  We created sacred space, invoked her gods; Brighid and Pan, shared stories, laughter, and tears.  We sang to her and covered her with Hyacinth flowers, and toned her spirit name.  Briga Brigante was with us and she was full of love and gratitude.  Some of those attending did not know much of her spiritual life so i let her out of the broom closet!  It seemed well received. We got great feedback and lots of heart felt thanks for our part in her ceremony and her life. Afterward we shared food, and a few strong folk covered her box and carried her into the car to be taken to the crematorium.  It was the last day of winter. 

There will be a Memorial Fire Ceremony for Briga at Dreamland during our annual Druid Camp on Friday July 31^st at 8pm.  It will be open to our extended Druid community as well as friends and family of Barbara.  This will be a time of remembrance and celebration of her life and work with storytelling, songs and fireworks!  Some of her ashes will be offered to Dreamland. 

I thank you Briga for your love, generosity, friendship and for modeling such grace, fierceness and clarity in life and beyond.  It has been an honor and a gift to hold space and co create the many sacred passages of your transformation. 

 WE ARE ONE!

We behold you beautiful One

We behold you child of the Earth and Sun

Let our love wash over you
Let our love wash over you.

http://www.icontact-archive.com/OKL6XAZDiBDmjbFMHHgDQ3VncQ_gL3cj?w=0

http://www.icontact-archive.com/OKL6XAZDiBDmjbFMHHgDQ3VncQ_gL3cj?w=0

Home is where the Heart is.

They say the best way to learn something well is to teach it.  Today has been a day of extreme learning.  I have been preparing for my day long workshop Opening our Hearts to Gaia tomorrow at the Worcester Town Hall.  We will be journeying, sharing, learning about the wisdom and power of the heart, and doing ritual to open and connect our Hearts with the Earth.

Part of my preparation was to find some quiet reflective time to meditate and refresh my energy.
I went to a local ashram where there is an exquisitely beautiful meditation cave that is lovingly tended year round.  Being in that space felt like a home coming.  I was so grateful for the deep quiet and sacred  energy of that place.  I breathed in the support of the Earth and exhaled my love and gratitude, over and over. After a couple hours which passed very quickly, i made my way home.  Everything seemed more clear and bright.  I felt at peace and in touch with a still center in my being.  My heart was wide open and i felt blessed. I made a decision to go back regularly.

I came home to find that my dog Brinx was missing.  I figured he had probably followed a neighbor home as he has occasionally done before.  Soon my phone rang and it was indeed my neighbor friend saying she had my dog and would swing by on her way to town to drop him off.  I told her she could simply let him out where we park (a 5 minute walk from our home) and drive away.  He has been good about going home from this spot when i need to drive away without him.
After a while i got a text saying Brinx had ran after their car for almost a mile after they dropped him off.  They had to turn around and bring him back again.  I walked down to fetch him, starting to feel disturbed.  Once i got within sight and sound distance, i called him.  He saw me but kept trying to go back with them.  They had to keep telling him to go.  He finally came, reluctantly.  I gave him a treat and we walked up to the house.  I was now feeling very sad.  Sad and betrayed.  I have poured so much love and care into my dog companion.  How could he want to leave me?  I was bereft while judging myself for being ridiculous.  Brinx was crying and looking miserable.

So what is the lesson here?  I got to experience the bliss of an open connected heart and then, very quickly, a sad and abandoned heart.  The wound of abandonment is an old one for me.  It is a well worn emotional path of co dependance and victimhood, neediness, and conditional love.  I am not proud but i am human and i am healing.  I know the extremes and i know the center.  The old wound may continue to rear its sad self at times and i will do my best to surround myself with compassion and love.
Meanwhile i will continue to cultivate my open connected Heart.  My dog is free to love who he loves and i am free to love unconditionally.  Having re-membered this profound lesson personally, i am now that much more able to share it with others.

Life is a journey of Re-membering.
When our Hearts are open and connected to Gaia, we are truly Home.

with LOVE,
Fearn

Testimonials about Fearn's work

Fearn is deeply at home with the energies of the Earth Mother. She hears, sees and understands the language of the Earth beings, the wind and the sunshine. She is able to convey this profound connection to her students, allowing them to expand into joyful awareness of all that is.

~ Annie McCleary, director of Wisdom of the Herbs School, Woodbury, Vermont

Should you ever want to connect deeply with the mysteries of earth&sky,
attune to the rhythms of our natural world,
or integrate magic into the fabric of your daily life-
please do yourself the favor
of traveling these sacred paths with Fearn.
I am forever grateful for her teachings & wisdoms
and thrilled that she continues to share her gifts.

-- devon byers :: lumosapothecary.com

"We sought out Fearn's help when our spring suddenly dried up during last years drought.  We had not been living at our land for too long, and were still really getting to know the energy of the place.  We were without water for an entire month!  Fearn came out and spent some time checking in with the place, the spirits of the place, and communicating especially with the water.  She heard some very beautiful information, and served as a bridge between us and the land as well, helping us to understand some other perspectives of its history, as well as the lingering energies that we have to work with.  She helped us find powerful energetic points where we could check in with the land and create ceremony over time. She gave us empowering knowledge to help us understand, appreciate, work with, enjoy, and worship this beautiful place.  And, also very importantly, she dowsed a new location for a spring.  The well guy was a skeptic, but even he couldn't argue when the very spot she picked was full of rushing water in what seemed like an endless amount, even during the driest spell.  After this i took a class of hers, because i knew that the knowledge she has to impart is sacred to this world, and the skills of listening to the deep energies of this earth are not to be lost.  I look forward to continuing to learn from her, and encourage all who can to take part in her classes!"    Casy Ellison

Fearn's powerful and accurate intuition guides her healing work. In the 14 years that I have known her and witnessed her heart-centered work, I have been constantly amazed at her profound conversations with the earth. She joyfully brings the human body, mind and spirit in connection with that of the earth and all its creatures.  Lisa Mase~ Harmonious Cookery

I highly recommend the program Guardians of the Sacred Earth with Fearn Lickfield.  What an exceptional opportunity at this moment of evolution and transformation on earth, with a beautiful, humble, powerful woman who excels at encouraging others to find their roots and center, and pursue their authentic path of self healing, and earth care. If you are on the fence about taking this class, take my advice, sign up now! What receive in return will feed you, your home, and your community, many fold!

My history with Fearn's practical, magical and innovative educational offerings and healing work spans the last 13 years. Fearn is my teacher and friend, and has helped me navigate through many significant life events. Examples of ways I have experienced her abilities include: ley line property work, various forms of dowsing, pet health care, counsel along my personal health journey (with herbal formulas, flower essences, rites of passage, ritual and shamanic extraction), custom blends for our family’s health needs, as a guest teacher for my herbalism students, as an astrological gardening resource, and as a leader of community events and intimate ceremonies.

A consultation with Fearn, in any of her areas of expertise makes for a meaningful day in life. I find her work to be accurate and resonant. I experience a positive shift that lasts long after we have met. Fearn is incredibly strong, skilled and grounded. I trust her connection with the spirits, and her ability to connect humans with the wild and invisible realms in ways that benefit the greater whole. She is a gifted and professional facilitator. She creates inclusive process within a safe and sacred container. Fearn is a listener, is patient and wise, moves through the world with integrity, and she cares about justice. Fearn is helping to keep ancient systems of healing alive. Fearn is a true healer.

Fearn's geomancy services are a fundamental and active part of our farm’s permaculture design process. Recently during an outdoor consultation on a sub-zero winter’s day (did I mention Fearn is hard core?) Fearn facilitated a fruitful dialogue between my husband and I, and the natural energies and spirits of the land. From that conversation came specific ways to respectfully develop our relationship with the seen and unseen landscape, We also arrived at the location of our new home site. We are empowered  with practical tools, awareness, and a clear idea of how to proceed thanks to working with Fearn.

Sandra Lory~ Mandala Botanicals

The Power of Community

dear readers, I am moved to share a personal story in this post.
Crisis has a way of pulling us inward to tend to the most important, immediate issues of safety, survival and support.  It also has a way of bringing community together thru compassion and service.

On Saturday i brought Ivan to the Emergency Room.  He could barely walk.  He had been dealing with increasing nausea, weakness, diarrhea, on top of the the blood clots in lungs and leg.  His blood pressure was dangerously low, and his potassium level was off the charts.  It was kidney failure.  He was in mortal danger.

My personal stress level had already hit a high that day. i was trying to prepare for a trip, while wondering if i should go, and worrying about ivan.  I am a fairly empathic person and this tendency is strongest with those to whom i am closest, especially when they are experiencing pain and suffering.  Ivan was going thru intense emotional and physical pain that night, and i felt it all as if it were my own.  I lost it.  i wanted so much to be strong for him but i had run out of cope.

Meanwhile, my dog who had been with me in the car all day had also run out of cope.  He is also very empathic and felt that something was wrong.  He was in the car at the ER for about 4 hrs and ate my seat belt in a fit of anxiety.  I could feel that too.

Thank God/dess, our amazing and extensive support system kicked in quickly to offer hugs, grounding, chocolate, a shoulder to cry on, protection, crystals, dog care, a spare bed, flowers, food, massage, healing and love.  This awesome community continues to step up for both of us thru the rocky road of ivan's health these past few years.  I'm sure its why we are feeling so strong and resilient, and why ivan is alive and recovering.  I am humbled by the web of love and power that holds us, both human and spirit.  Ivan has had more near death experiences than anyone i know; more lives than a cat!  Each time i am reminded of the preciousness of life,  the powerful teachings of death, and how grateful i am for community.

Welcome to the magical world of healing essences!

Witch Hazel is a remedy for seasonal depression.

Are you thinking about a new year's resolution but doubting your ability to follow thru? 
Do you feel stuck in old habits, thoughts, beliefs?  

Are you carrying heavy emotional funk?

The green world and i want to help release what is blocking you so you can step into 
your full expression of power, beauty and purpose in 2015!  

Custom Flower Essence Blend 

January SALE! (expires Feb. 1st)

$40 (Normally $50)

or $108 for a three month/three blend healing journey!

Includes intake, bottle, essences, and write up.  

Add $5 If shipping is required.

Start your journey!  

Email fearnessence@gmail.com.

What are Flower Essences?

Flower Essences are natural liquid extracts containing the vibrational healing imprint of a plant.  They are totally safe and non-toxic.  A flower in full bloom holds the healing “essence” or life force of a plant most potently, for it is the peak of the plant’s life cycle and expression.  Flower Essences are prepared by floating a few select blooms in water, which are infused in the sun or moon for a specific length of time.  They are then potentized, diluted, preserved and bottled.  The resulting essences are taken-usually internally- to bring balance and healing to the emotional, mental and spiritual levels of consciousness.

How do Flower Essences work?

The basis of all of life is vibrating energy and everything has a different vibration. When energy becomes blocked by dis-ease, pain, trauma or suffering, it vibrates at a less than optimal frequency.  Flowers to the rescue!  Flower Essences work on the energetic field of the body, each flower offering its unique vibration to heal a variety of specific conditions.  Essences can also be used to bring our overall energy back to health and wholeness.  The flowers show the way and the body follows.  This is the principle of Resonance.

What is Flower Essence Therapy?

Flower Essence Therapy is a process whereby a person seeks and receives the help of a practitioner to heal issues of an emotional, mental or spiritual nature.  As a wholistic approach to wellness, it can include looking at relationships with other people, animals and your home, all of which contribute to who you are.

It is a uniquely effective modality because it works with the healing plants that grow in our local environments.  Some of these will become your allies.

Connecting with the Spirit of the Earth is our deepest healing!

The benefits of Flower Essence Therapy include:

 *stress relief                                                    *a personalized formula!

 *connecting with the earth                                *tell your story and be heard with compassion

 *finding our purpose in this life                         *slowing down and breathing

 *loving and nurturing ourselves                           *feeling more joy, clarity and vibrancy

*letting go of outmoded beliefs that hold us back

*understanding and releasing stuck emotions such as fear, anger and sadness

The process is twofold: 

Self intake.   In your own time and space you will fill out my intake which is designed to get a picture of where you’ve been, where you are now and where you want to go or be in the future. Each of these questions is asked on the level of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual.  From this picture, I start to get a sense of the core issues that are at work within you and which plants might work to bring you toward healing and wholeness in relationship to these issues.  Another important part of the process is the use of affirmations.  Once the client becomes clear on what needs to happen and where they want to be,  you will develop an affirmation and visualization that you will be using in partnership with the essences.  This partnership is a potent combination for healing.  I may need follow up by email or phone to clarify and crystalize my understanding.

The formula.  Once I have gathered all the information necessary, I combine the plants that will be most appropriate for the client, and create a special formula with great intention and love. I currently work with about 300 plants, trees, stones and fungi and so have a wide range of healing applications at my fingertips.   Formulas are prepared in green glass dropper bottles with personalized label and given to the client along with an email which includes their affirmation and the descriptions of each of the plants’ actions that make up the formula.  Keep in mind as you read the descriptions that they are merely condensed snap shots of amazingly complex and diverse beings.  Take what works and know there is much more than meets the eye! 

Dosage is generally 3 drops, 3 times a day under the tongue.

Meditate on your affirmation/visualization each time, and if possible spend time getting to know the plants/allies you are working with in a personal way.

I recommend keeping a journal to record your experiences.  Pay attention to your dreams.   Listen to  your body.  The healing process may be subtle and it may be intensely transformative.  Each process and path is unique. 

The formula lasts about one month if taken at the suggested dosage.  After one month, I will call to follow up and see how you are doing.   A  3month, 3 formula commitment is recommended,  as this process is deep and profound when given the proper time and energy.  People also benefit after only one consultation and formula.

I am certified by Delta Gardens as a flower essence practitioner

 and have 13 years of experience in this wonderful work!

Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns along the way. 

Enjoy the journey!

                                                         ~ with bright floral blessings,  Fearn 

Wassailing and the Apple Tree

Do you want to find more connection with Nature in this frenetic holiday season?  
Here is a beautiful tradition from the UK that celebrates the Apple Trees with a festive ritual and yummy beverage!

Wassailing is a term used with several meanings and associated traditions related to Yuletide and Solstice.  The word actually means "Be Healthy" and is used as a word of toast; "Wassail!"
Wassail also refers to the warm spiced alcoholic beverage imbibed by the revelers and shared with the Apple Trees.  Finally, Wassailing is a verb referring to the ritual practice of processing, singing, drinking the beverage and making offerings to the Apple Trees.
Incidentally, the origin of the phrase "to toast" with glasses raised in honor of someone or thing is from the Wassailing tradition.

The apple tree is sacred to the Druids and to many pagans who know its deep wisdom and depend on its fruits for nourishment.  Our ancestors understood their responsibility to the land and knew how to ensure the health, fertility and abundance of their food crops.  They did this not only by physical practices such as soil building and pest control, but also by attending to the spirits of Nature.

This is a folkloric tradition so practices varied from one area to the next, but here are the basics for creating your very own Wassail!

• Make some Wassail! (see recipes below)
• Invite all your apple tree loving friends
• Wear warm clothes and boots and bring instruments, especially low pitched drums, and penny whistles
• Learn a Wassailing Song.  (See Lyrics below)
• March to drum with one person (perhaps the oldest) in front, holding the bowl of wassail and toast, the rest follow with mugs of wassail
• circle around the largest apple tree in the orchard. 
• Sing and drink and drum!
• One person (perhaps the youngest) takes soaked toast from bowl, climbs tree and leaves it for tree spirit.  
• Elder pours the rest of the wassail onto the roots of the tree.
• Sing some more and toast the tree!
• Huzzah!  

Hot Spiced Wassail (non-alcoholic)

4 cups cranberry juice

6 cinnamon sticks

5 cups apple cider

1 orange, studded with whole cloves

1 cup water

1 apple, cored and sliced

1/2 cup brown sugar

Mix juice, cider, and water in large saucepan or crock pot. Add cinnamon sticks, clove studded orange, and apple slices. Simmer mixture for 4 hours. Serve hot. Makes 12 servings.

Traditional Wassail

from John & Caitlin Matthews' book The Winter Solstice.

Heat a large container of ale or beer, about 3 or 4 pints. Add:

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup mixed spice (cinnamon sticks and whole cloves are also excellent)

2 or 3 small sweet apples, cut up

1 1/4 cup pineapple juice

1 1/4 cup orange juice

the juice of 2 lemons

Place over a slow flame; then, before it begins to boil, take off the heat and whip up some cream. Let this float on top of the brew like foam.

Put in a suitably large bowl (the more ornate the better)

Toast some good bread and add to the Wassail bowl.

Wassail Song

Here's to thee, old apple tree

Whence thou may'st bud and whence tho may'st blow

And whence thou may'st bear apples enow.

Hats full, caps full, bushel, bushel sacks full, And my pockets full too!

Lift your glasses to the tree and shout "Huzzah!" as loud as you can.