Spirit Work
by Raif

I pull a card from the MotherPeace Tarot deck to bring me to focus and the 3 of discs points me on my way. Vickie Noble's interpretation of this card is of "work done together - a communal act of building". She also calls it "building the church of the Goddess" and says its success lays "in the ability to work together... on behalf of a group project". Step-by-step physical plane work that rallies communion, craft and ability and which builds "personal and group appreciation", as well as "a structure that endures and that they can be proud of".

In reflection of my past 8 months here, ZMS seems a tribute to that effort. Six stewards(at present) come together building this Sanctuary and although we don't espouse any one tradition and individually practice many, I think we do the "Goddess work" - the work of building spirit and love. We are learning how to share our talents, visions, energy, emotions and hearts. This sharing seems pulled to the surface as we dive into countless projects, from building new structures to securing old, from earning money to seeking grants and donations, from shepherding the beautiful sacred land in a delicate dance of natural and human interplay to providing safety, freedom and creative experience for friends. A countless number of projects and daily we seem to add another to our list toward bettering our existence in some way.

Step by step I see us progress. Living in a full consensus run and income sharing style elicits some long conversations, great in-depth plans and many methods seeking to satisfy everyone involved to the greatest extent possible. We fight, bitch, moan, hold back and surge forward, listen, "pray", honor and run the gamut of emotions to make a "small" decision. But all seem intricately woven into this web of existence and each necessary to its survival and growth. Different skills, dexterities, visions, and callings to excitement provide a space of constant challenge, refreshment, and innovation. There is quite a dedication to this great endeavor of building spiritual sanctuary and also to find the balance to caretake and nourish our individual souls. Each person creating their own path in the harmonizing of outward and inward flow, and building anew their own internal sanctuary along with the external model. Sometimes when things don't go as our great laid plans and expectations which, it seems we can find the positive spirit of things and begin to build once more.

One example of this communal actions and spirit building endeavor comes readily to mind. A couple of months ago we decided to do a "Zia Arts & Crafts Festival" in Albuquerque(2 1/2 hours away). Our coffers were dry, our wait on expectant moneys was long and tired, and the touted prospect of great attendance and fortune pulled us. In the course of 3 weeks time, every steward jumped into the studio and produced, in toto, over 350 unique celebrations of creativity, did 2 kiln bisques, 2 glaze firings, cleaned and preened those pieces, and then delicately boxed around 450 total items for transport. We took these and an entire display arrangement(which was also built and finished 1 hour before leaving) and jammed them into Mika's van along with food and clothing enough for 2 of us. Maqui and I left on our trip, leaving the others behind to work on our great new garden project and to prepare for a beltane celebration and a garden workshop due the weekend after we returned. In Albuquerque, Sylver graciously assisted our 5 hours of setup and then escorted us around to buy necessary show items. Maqui and I finessed(some might call it gaily fussing over) our display and then, 8 hours on Saturday and 7 on Sunday, waiting in frustration for a show of no-shows. The few buyers who come were blessed givers. The many sellers, just mingling about, brought great fun and much information. At the sale's end we figured we had come out $120 in the hole. Another beautiful night's stay at Sylver and Jim's was a help in the transition before shopping and driving home the next day.

Our arrival was one of exhaustion and sadness and yet also of looking to the teachings of this experience. The input from the people at the show was our display was deemed beautiful, our works novel and exquisite and our friendliness and "colorfulness" a gift. We received insight on future show potentials and on improving our pottery, our display, and our timing. The helpfulness and support of friends was again a strengthening of our foundation. The amazing collaboration of our community was empowering. Our appreciation of our richness, even if it was not financial, was stronger and we decided that it was a valuable experience. We decided we would do again this month at the Albuquerque Gay Pride celebration and in July another "Zia Show".

Step by step we build. Each person seemingly quite reliant upon the other, our visitors, our friends and spirit for continuation. Deepening our rhythmic understanding, surrendering to flows, putting one pretty little spiked heel in front of the other, we dance the dance of consciousness. Spirit blesses us all to be building a physical structure that endures and transcends. And we are proud. Spirit's light and blessings to all on this intricate web of existence.