Mermaidanry 101

I’m in Mendocino at the fabulous house and micro-retreat center of  a water shamaness named, Kathryn Van Camp. The drive here was mesmerizing! There was a riot of wildflowers in purples, pinks, and yellows, rolling hills with endless vineyards, cool and woodsy redwood corridors and out beyond, the wild sea.

I was invited on this journey by my dear friend, Iris, a Feng Shui space alchemist, mermaid, mystic and water lover. She has come up here several times to experience Watsu, water massage through individual sessions and a group retreat. Every time she gushed about how wildly transformative her experience has been… so when she invited me a few weeks ago it was an instant “yes”.

The drive was full of inspiring conversations about intentional space design, the energetics of the divine feminine and masculine, classes we were both preparing to teach, manifestation, community, relationships, and love. When conversation lulled, we sang along with the enchanting melodies of Wah! and Satnam Kaur. I was tickled that we were taking off on this overnight trip on a Tuesday night~ it felt like a weekend vacation!

We arrived in only 3 hours. The property is magical! There are big fields with gorgeous regal horses, like the romantic ones from movie, Excalibur. The transformation zone has, yurts, a tipi, a saltwater pool structure, and bathhouse, and there is also a guest house and main house. Everything has been crafted and adorned with tender loving care. Door handles are made of carved brass deities, thick wood beam ceilings of bright birch-colored wood add warmth, a remote controlled heater-fireplace lends us coziness, beautiful rugs comfort feet, and assembled riverstone floors have been laid in showers. Inspiring art abounds, wind chimes tinkle from the backs of doors and the big fluffy dog, Bella, is all smiles. The bathhouse is stocked with plush towels, sumptuous lotions and potions. The yurt is lined with multiple beds along the sides which look cuddly and inviting with their thick flannels, sheepskins and puffy comforters.

The crown jewel is the bath house, containing a lovingly constructed circular pool. Upon entering, I was immediately soothed by warm, humid air and the sight of steam rising from the glittering blue waters. There was a sense of crystalline clarity in the room. Magic had been worked here~ sweet healing magic created by focused intent. Prayer flags depicting tropical mountains and waters, dolphins and whales hung in sunlight beaming down through the sunroof. Framed shamanic art, an inviting bench and plush, massive leopard print towels beckoned. At the entry of the pool there was a beautiful transluscent dolphin mosaic. The waters were 98 degrees and salted.

Kathryn has the feeling of a wise, nurturing grandmother who has gone on many mystic journies. Before our session, she shared that she that the pool had a strong energetic connection big island of Hawaii, where she experienced a special connection with the dolphins. Also, that sacred waters from many, many places around the world had been added to the pool. She asked my intent and I shared my desire to deepen my connection to water, soften into the divine feminine and activate my inner mermaid. She smiled and we started.

Weightlessness. The water was warm and soft and supportive. There was a sensation of gliding with no resistance. My whole body was supple and at ease while she supported my head and expertly navigated my arms, torso and legs in fluid arcs, folds and undulations. Inflatables kept me above water at my legs and under my neck. Time seemed to slow down, and even reverse as I felt myself back in the womb, feeling salty and protected and completely cushioned. Dim water swooshing sounds echoed faintly as I was rocked. There was a distinct sense of being inside a safe place while my body was loosened and streamed in the natural tides. As my head was supported, I felt so mothered and loved.

I felt loose and watery, as if the skin separating my body’s liquid from the liquid around me was an afterthought. My breathing deepened as I was gently stretched. Eventually I was sighing with deep release as I felt massage at the base of my spine, then along my spine and behind my heart as I continued to be swirled. Gently, my neck articulated as it swam through water, guided by unseen hands.

Deep within, I sensed cells were being re-educated. Habitual patterns of holding were being released so a more serpentine flexibility could move in. There was a mysterious sense of connection to a vast expansiveness. I realized that knowledge could be obtained through relaxation and ease. Every now and again, I could feel the warmth and light of sunshine on my face as I was pulled through bright beams.

Soon the womb-like feeling expanded out to oceanic proportions and I felt as if I was a young mermaid being mentored by an elder mermaid. I was being taught how to use my tail, about it’s flexibility, the speed it afforded me and the circular water patterns it created through it’s twirling folds.

I could feel the delicacy and also the power of letting go and allowing myself to be carried by the natural tides. There was a vast vocabulary of currents I could ride. Sighing worked magic. Surrender was gold. My spine was given the power to ripple and somehow, rippling, itself, became a high art which I was apprenticing to. I was being guided by a pack of dolphins and it felt like they gently nudged me, one at a time, to keep my body afloat and in current. I knew that being “in current” was key. It was suddenly apparent that “glide” was a code. “Swirl” was equally pregnant with meaning as both a technique and a key. The dreamzone faded and soon everything was warm, dark and fully released…

I awoke from the loud sound of my own snoring. I was freefloating and warm, still in water. I slowly opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling. I had been in the pool for over an hour and twenty minutes. I looked over at Kathryn, already dressed and reading by the side of the pool. I slowly swam over, feeling empty and full at the same time. My fingers were pruned. “Wow,” was pretty much all I could say.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments

[Iris Bieri]

This is so beautifully written, Christabel!! What a charmed and joyful journey it was!

[Sarah]

Thank you, Christabel, for this deliciously fabulous description of a fantastical experience. Your well-chosen words expressing your beautiful experience took me there, and I shared in the magic, healing, and benefits. I will read it again and again. And thank you, gorgeous souls, who create such sublimeness. YAY!

[Ngoki]

I just finished reading your entire blog, entry by entry, from March 2008. Deeply inspiring and empowering! We haven't spoken in many years, but I will always love, respect, admire--and yes, adore, you as one of my favorite goddesses. Christabel, thank you, for so enthusiastically, openly and eloquently blogging your Spritual Adventure. The Journey is the Destination. I really hope we meet again!

Peace, Ngoki
805 284-1234
ngoki@yahoo.com