WEI Hosts the International Gathering of the Sacred Obsidian Pipes August 25-29. 2007

The Women’s Environmental Institute at Amador Hill hosted the first International Gathering of the Sacred Obsidian Pipes August 25-29, 200t. This five day event called “The Heart of the Water Turtle Moon Dance” or Ayoltmetzli in Nahuatl is based on the millennia tradition of indigenous women of the mountains of Mexico who sing, dance and pray at night in relation with the stars and the moon. Afternoons were dedicated to teaching circles and speakers.

On Sunday, August 26, 2007,  Mary Beth Garrigan, Program Director of the National Eagle Center, Wabasha Minnesota shared a message about eagles and brought an eagle with her.

International participants included: Grandmother Maria Luis Soto Suarez, “Malinalli”/Herb Woman who led the delegation from Mexico City and is head drummer. Anna Carmona and her husband Humberto of Costa Rica and several grandmothers from the Anishinabee Nation of Canada particpated with women from all cultural heritages and races in the Midwest region. The goals and intentions of this women’s gathering were: to work with inner knowing, to honor each person’s reason for learning from the natural elements, to discover by experience the nagual concept and for each woman to find herself. Men are invited to support as fire keepers and to provide security.

The Mexica Moon Dance Council of Minnesota,led by Grandmother Dr. Sylvia “ Mayahuel” Lemus Sharma, sponsored this ceremony to build a foundation of spiritual leadership for women’s role in culture and society.