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www.shamansociety.org 29 S H A M A N I C P R A C T I C E In this another age Of evolving tools and weapons How are we to grow Survive Without the sacred ways Of our ancient ones It started with the tree. The Eagles Hawks and Osprey used to stop in the stand of green between the In- dian River to the west and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. The island of pine the shelter of life overlooked the Medicine Wheel in the far north of this land the county claims I own. On the west and north of the Wheel the Banyan Sea Grape and Night Blooming Jasmine add their scents their luxurious dreadlocks and populations of rare Butterflies enjoying Milkweed. Just weeks ago not a day passed when the winged creatures missed coming to those strong wil- lowy Pines to share their songs messages and blessings for sunrise and sunset ceremony at the Wheel. That stand of trees stood tall shelter and buffer near the coast a quieting place for the western wind an oasis of reflection a mirror of starlight. How many days I flew to the tops of those trees to commune with my feathered friends under the great blue or celestial night. How often we rode on meteors and sang the songs of wings and air spirit and space. One day I heard the sound of the chainsaw on the other side of the lot. Then it went away leaving the patch safe. A week later when I returned the green patch had vanished a hollow womb in its place signs of a great uprooting. Instead of the peace of the grove a Merlin Tree by V. Ariel Van Haltern Drawing by Julia Bertand