Spirit Quest Associates

Spirit Quest's first healing retreat was organized for all our former and current Reiki students as well as those who've joined us in our monthly Reiki healing circles.

We knew we wanted to find a really cool place. Some place really extra special. It was our very first retreat, after all!

Ronnie tirelessly helped us in trying to find a good place. We looked at camping sites, B & B's, hotels and more, but nothing seemed just right.

Until one morning when a brainstorm hit me and I decided to look up "retreats" on the Internet.

We made arrangements with Becky Zook, the retreat owner, to arrive with our group on Saturday about noon on Labor Day weekend. We'd stay till Monday.

There were nine of us scheduled to go. Chris, Ginger, Ronnie, Susan, Suzy, Laura, Ricardo, Donna and Darlene were the lucky souls to begin the tradition of Spirit Quest Healing Retreats. The 1st of what we hope will be many!

As soon as we drove up to the retreat, we were excited to see what a beautiful place it was and hoped it would be an awesome experience. And as soon as we walked in the doors to Namaste, we were sure it would be.

The tranquil, peaceful energy of Namaste immediately begins to creep into your being and fill you with total relaxation, comfort and warmth. There's some great energy here! We knew right away that it would be hard to have to go home on Monday.

The house was just gorgeous! It was very large and so beautifully and tastefully decorated. All the colors were soothing and induced peace within the soul.

This house had two kitchens. There's one really cute small kitchen in the East wing and then there's this one, a very large one, which is the one we used during our stay.

What a beautiful dining room! We enjoyed many wonderful meals on this table. Becky, the retreat owner, made us delicious breakfasts in the mornings - juicy, fresh fruits of pineapple, watermelon and cantaloupe. Yummy muffins and lots of steaming hot coffee.

The others were scattered through out the sprawling house. Some were in the quaint Quilt room,

Some were in the pretty Dragonfly room...this room was really cool. It had French doors leading to the incredible deck that runs the entire length of the house in the back!

Ricardo got the Hill Country room - we called it his "manly room" because it had all the paneling! He had his own door to the deck outside.

After we arrived and settled in, we took the grand tour and discovered the most beautiful scenery in the back yard...

All the big oak trees dripping moss were a sight to see! There's also a creek in the back of the property but right now it's dry. They haven't had rain up in this neck of the woods in a long, long time. Water conservation has been in effect here for ages. Please send them healing with rain so that the grass will become green again and water will fill the creek.

The creek and waterfall behind Namaste must be beautiful when it's full of water!

That afternoon we all relaxed out on the deck and we were treated with healing chair massages courtesy of Darlene and Ronnie. Boy, were we feelin' good!!!

That evening, we decided to fire up the grill on the porch deck and make some dinner with all the tons of food everyone brought to share. I think we probably could have fed an army for a week at least!

We spent the remainder of the afternoon outside, relaxing, talking and enjoying each other's company on the deck.

After a while, we moved inside and settled into the comfy couches and spread some cushy pillows on the floor so that we could do meditation to meet our Spirit Guides.

Then it was time for our psychometry circle. Everyone brought an object. It could be an object from a deceased loved one, a friend or even something of their own. We used the objects to teach us how to discern energy.

Everyone got a chance to hold the object when it was passed around the circle. We all kept our impressions to ourselves until everyone got a chance to hold the object. When the object had made its rounds, we gave our impressions and the person who brought the object was able to validate what we got. It was an amazing time. Everyone in the group was so psychically open and connected! The results were pretty amazing.

What a blast we had sharing energy! All too soon the evening became quite late so we retired to our rooms to dream our dreams of mystery until the next morning.

The next day everyone was up early - even Susan! No one wanted to miss a precious moment of the weekend.

We had a delicious breakfast and then it was time for healing Reiki on the deck!

After everyone had a turn on the table and felt completely rejuvenated, we were ready for some adventure!

We got our tenny's or walking shoes on and headed outside to explore. Becky told us there were hiking trails and a lake not too far away. So we set off...

As we walked, Chris assured us all that no matter what, there'd be no man left behind. The sun was really getting hot. And the way was steep, at times it was even treacherous!

One of the team slipped as she tried to traverse a very deep and dangerous ravine filled full of raging water.

Ronnie raced to get to the other side of Darlene to try and help her out. I think it was an accident though that she left a muddy footprint on Darlene's back.

But first, we did have to stand back for a microsecond, so as not to pass up the photo op.

For some reason our team member wasn't very happy about that. Do you see the claw marks in the side of the hill?

Unfortunately, unbeknownst to us... it was that very second that Darlene fell into the raging waters.

Did I mention there was quicksand in the raging ravine? We knew we only had a little time left or Darlene would be lost for sure.

Suzy didn't know what brute strength she had but we all knew she could pull Darlene out of that ravine with only one arm!

Even so.. we all rushed in to provide assistance. Donna was really worried about Darlene's survival, but we implored her to just stand back and keep a look out for wild bears...

Poor Darlene! We're not sure if it was the river that got her... or the mega wedgie! I think she's okay now, though.

After a few days... umm, I mean hours, okay - it was minutes.. on the trail, we paused for a group shot or two...

Finally, it was time to turn back and head for Namaste again. Some of us pioneers forged our own trail back. Here's the stragglers...

We never found the lake on that adventurous hike, but we sure had a story to tell the grandkids!

Here's Susan shortly after we made it back. She's a trooper. In more ways that one!!!

We toasted our very first Reiki Retreat with delicious Mimosas...made by Laura. They were great!! Well actually, they were better than great!

That evening we settled in and laughed even more... talking, sharing... enjoying each other's company and getting somewhat spiritual... really deep subjects... like why are we here on planet earth, how many lifetimes have we been here, and what color car are we going to buy next, along with the many other things humans have been pondering forever...I think we answered everything sufficiently.

It was another really late night ... and all too soon, Monday was here and it was time to leave! Where does the long weekend go when you are having a blast???

It was on one of those last trips that Mr. Turtle appeared from out of nowhere. One minute he was not there and the next...there he was... right in the middle of the sidewalk making sure we noticed him!

"MR. TURTLE, TEACH ME YOUR MAGIC. I FOLLOW YOU TO THE SOURCE OF POWER TO LEARN THE EARTH'S GREATEST SECRETS."

Turtle has many mystical powers – earth magic, water magic, psychic protection, healing. Turtle can allow you to find balance in your life as well as freedom from struggles. He teaches carefulness, tenacity, and patience as the keys to reaching your goal.

Turtle people can feel at home anywhere they go because they carry their protective shell with them. But when Turtle finds himself in an uncomfortable situation, he tends to retreat into his shell instead of facing the problem. While sometimes this keeps Turtle from learning valuable lessons, it also means that people with Turtle medicine are survivors. They can chase new opportunities but feel safe knowing that they can withdraw into the refuge of their "shell" when trouble rears it's head.

The turtle is a creature of the water. Because of its great age and its slow metabolism the turtle is associated with longevity. Turtle medicine can teach new perceptions about time and our relationship to it. It can also help us grow old gracefully and in harmony with our environment. When the pace of life becomes too hectic the turtle shows us how to slow down and go with the flow.

Turtles have amazing survival skills and strategies. They sense vibrations in the water through their skin and shell. Turtle totems hold the mystery of awakening the senses on both the physical and spiritual levels and can stimulate clairaudience.

Turtles carry their homes on their back. The shell is actually the backbone and ribs of the turtle and serves as home and shelter for it. Those with this medicine should remember not to acquire more possessions then they actually need. The burden of responsibility can become a heavy weight for you to carry.

When turtle is flipped on its back it uses its strong neck to right itself. This can be a reminder to use your own head and inner knowledge to right yourself when your world gets topsy-turvy.

All turtles must come ashore to lay their eggs and they are usually buried. When the eggs hatch they make their way to the water. The link between water and land especially for the purpose of reproduction has great significance.

When turtle shows up in your life, it is time to get connected to your most primal essence. Go within your shell and come out when your ideas are ready to be expressed. The turtle cannot separate itself from its shell and we cannot separate ourselves from what we do to the earth. The way to heaven is through the earth and both are interconnected.

Turtle/Tortoise's Wisdom Includes:

Symbol of the earth
Connection with the center
Navigation skills
Patience
Self-boundaries
Associated with the feminine
Power to heal female diseases
Respecting the boundaries of others
Developing new ideas
Psychically protecting oneself
Self-reliance
Tenacity
Nonviolent defense

Becky, the retreat owner, walked over to see what we were looking at on the sidewalk and was astounded. Her daughter-in-law had called just the day before to tell her that a turtle had appeared outside her house on her own sidewalk. And now today.. here was one on Becky's! Coincidence? I think not.

I remembered suddenly a funny thing. I'd put a pair of earrings in my bag to bring with me on the trip. I haven't worn the earrings in ages... guess what they are? Yep! turtles!

We circled the turtle, held hands and spoke our closing ceremony of gratitude for an awesome and unforgettable very first Reiki Retreat filled with the warmth of friendship, lots of healing laughter and more fun than a lot of us have had in a long time!

It was time to go home... but first.. Chris, Susan and Ginger headed out to the elusive Boerne lake to see if it really existed.

Thank you to all of you who made our very first Reiki Retreat such a special one. We will never forget!! It will be hard to beat but we're going to have fun with the challenge of trying!!