Our Questers (center)
with Misa and Ariann

SpiritQuest — June 2011
Sunday, June 12 to Saturday, June 18

Check back throughout the year for information about our 2011 Quest.

Discover What Quest Is About
through our Reflections of Quest

SpiritQuest is a retreat unlike any other.

Upon arrival at the Domes, our location for SpiritQuest this year, the first sensation was one of WOW! We were greeted by the sweet energy of Mt. Rose and the ancient and powerful land which is home to the Domes. Surrounded by sage, pine, and willows we immediately felt a sense of release and of being home.

By Sunday night our SpiritQuest community had come together, including children and families, adults, and elders. After a year of preparation, we had two questers, with their right-hand supporters. We also had three new apprentices, coming for their initiation into the Women's Path, to be ordained as Keepers of these special ceremonies. There was a place for everyone, those with experience and those new to quest. We came together as family.

For the first time at Quest we enjoyed a combination of indoors and out, most of us in tents, while our elders could stay inside the Domes. We all felt the magic of the land and the energy of the Washoe Indians who had lived here generations before.

Our ceremonies and other activities:

Morning Ceremony
Mornings we welcomed in with songs to greet the sun. Through the Cherokee Dance of Enlightenment we would align our physical bodies with the energies of Great Spirit and the four directions.

Talking Circle
Evenings we would sit around the fire and wrap up the day with a talking circle. As the talking stick was passed around everyone, from young to old, would have an opportunity to speak their deep truth and share their experiences of the day.

Connecting With Nature
From tending the sacred fire, walks along the creek, and for some brave souls, swimming in the ice cold waters we had bountiful opportunities to commune with Mother Earth and the life upon it.

Crafts and Story Telling
Kids were involved in craft projects and told stories that helped them understand the traditions and ceremonies they were involved in.

Sweat Lodge Ceremonies
There were two sweat lodge ceremonies. The first was to prepare our questers and others, held by a Washoe Elder. Later in the week Misa led a special women's lodge, with the journey songs of the women's path. We even had a round just for the kids. They sang songs and realized what it was like to get hot and sweaty and dirty while they prayed.

Father's Day and Solstice Ceremonies
On Father's Day we honored the fathers and the men for what they bring to the world. Later we held a solstice ceremony, welcoming in the light of this season and welcoming greater light into our lives. With turkey feathers and amythest crystals we honored each of the children and the light and hope they bring to us all.

Women's Water Ceremony & Initiations
After a year of apprenticeship it was time to welcome the new Keepers of the Women's Water Ceremonies. These women were honored by a ceremony and blessing with the original Mother Bowl, in the presence of all the other women. It was a beautiful ceremony at the sacred fire and under the crescent moon.

Naming Ceremony, Honor Ceremonies, and Divine Reunion
Our final day of ceremony was held when all the questers had safely returned to camp. We honored them and the new keepers of the water ceremonies in a special way. This was also the time when those asking for their power or medicine names were given their new names. The ceremonies were concluded with a Divine Reunion, honoring the sacred masculine and the sacred feminine, in balance.

Giveaway
One of the most fun parts of Quest is at the end, at our Giveaway Ceremony. This is a time when the questers and new initiates give back to those who supported them in their Quest and Apprenticeship. Watching as the gifts choose their recipients, as questing items like sleeping bags are passed on to next year's questers, it's more fun than Christmas!

SpiritQuest 2010
Sunday, June 20 — Saturday, June 26

Arrive early for our New Dream Foundation Planning Meeting
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Open to all who are interested in attending.

For more information, email us:
SpiritQuest Spiritual Retreat and Rites of Passage Ceremonies

SpiritQuest is a registered trademark of SpiritQuest Sedona Retreats and is being used with their permission.