As the September Full Moon drew near, my dear friends, Clay Simpson and Amy Nold, prepared to accompany me on the final journey of the gridlaying, along with my oldest son, Allan. How appropriate that my son, my firstborn, should be present when the masculine polarity of the StarGrid was seeded. This trek would prove to be the most arduous for me. The trail from the Kananaskis area was 23 km one-way - the shortest route to Assiniboine. We decided to use trail bikes for the first 15.5 km and hike the last 7.5 km over the pass into Mount Assiniboine Provincial Park. Allan and I were to go in on September 14th, stay overnight, plant the crystal and return the following day. Clay and Amy stayed at Mt. Assiniboine Lodge an extra day. We didn't get underway until 1:00 p.m.
Mountain Biking to the Great Divide
Although I have a mountain bike, the only riding I had done was around my neighbourhood. I certainly wasn't prepared for the adventure that lay before me. For a novice mountainbiker like myself, the first part of the trip would have been easier on foot. However, I soon learned how not to summersault while backpacking and tearing down a 45 degree incline. I did skin one elbow and a knee while getting on my bike, as the weight of my backpack toppled me over. Overall, I'm pretty proud of my first attempt biking the wilds.
The lower Bryant Creek Valley is wide and beautiful. Most of the ride was wonderful in spite of the body strain. About halfway up we stopped for water at the Warden's Station. We were told to be cautious at the foot of Assiniboine Pass as grizzlies were sighted daily in that area. The weather was superb for mid-September and my main problems were the weight of my pack and keeping up with the others. Part way up the valley, Amy elected to trade packs as hers was lighter. This was a welcome relief. It was late that afternoon when we finally arrived at the foot of the pass where we left our bikes and began our hike up over the Continental Divide.
First Glimpse
Clay was concerned about the time. We wanted to arrive before sunset, so we decided to push a little harder. My body began to complain bitterly. I realized that I had tensed up considerably during my ride up the valley. Clay, Amy and Allan were all very supportive and took turns packing for me to alleviate the strain on my back. It was then we wished that we had sent our packs up by helicopter. Hindsight is 20/20. There were many bear droppings around, so we sounded our bear bells and spoke loudly. The bears kept their distance the whole time.
As we climbed the pass, anticipation rose within me. I would soon lay eyes upon Mount Assiniboine for the first time. Of course, I had seen hundreds of photos, but this would be the first time I would actually see it. Mount Assiniboine is situated on the Divide, miles from any roads and surrounded by lofty mountains on all sides. In order to experience this powerful vortex, one must be willing to make the effort to reach it. The moment came when made a hairpin turn on the trail and there it was, majestic and radiant in the sun. Tears came to my eyes as I gazed at the main receiver for Archangel Mikaël's Temple. Simply looking at the Mountain gave me the much needed energy to continue.
The Mountain at Dusk
The sun was getting low and the last few kilometers were exhausting. Finally, we made it over the pass in good spirits. Clay and Amy went on ahead of us, as they wanted to reach the lodge in time for dinner. Allan and I were staying at the parks cabins and carried our own food with us.
Trekking Down to Lake Magog
I couldn't believe how energized I felt. I knew where this crystal wanted to be planted, on the shores of the lake to the right of the lodge. We found a path which led to the lakeshore. Silently, we made our way down. As we neared the site, we walked around slowly. The vegetation in the area was dwarfed due to the altitude. Allan walked ahead of me, very intent on the task at hand. Suddenly, he turned to me and said, "I think I've found the spot, Mom." I came over to where he was kneeling. I saw a circle of bushes, and counted five, a number I associate with transformation and the Star Sirius. An electrifying rush came over me, and momentarily I felt like I was back on Mount Shasta. I realized that these familiar looking bushes were miniature versions of the manzanitas which abound on that Sacred Mountain.
As I set my daypack down, Allan began to dig. I took out the remaining grid crystal and laid it down with a few others on the ground. This stone was the largest to be planted, and was gifted for the gridwork by Sharon Anderson, a dear friend from LaConner, Washington. It was unusual in that the quartz point was joined to a piece of pyrite approximately one inch long. In the moment, I was reminded of the information regarding the crystal which came through my mentors when I had been with them last. We were sitting at their diningroom table meditating, with the grid map spread out and the selected crystals placed on their respective points. The crystals had not all yet been acquired, but the large quartz/pyrite stone was present. It came through Hal that this stone's focus was to facilitate the surrender of the power strongholds within the political and financial infrastructures on the planet and to heal sexual abuse in its many forms. Phenomenally, it was only three months after this planting that the entire Planet felt the impact as the Berlin Wall crumbled. I knew our work played a role in that amazing event.
Elaya and Allan's cabin with Mt. Assiniboine in background Full Moon Morning, September 15th, 1989
Feeling Weak in the Knees Upon Completion of StarGrid
I placed my quartz necklace around the hole, then Allan and I put all the other crystals around it. One of the stones which I was asked to bring to this location was an exquisite pink quartz heart which belonged to Rosemary, a sister in Mount Shasta. I set its healing presence upon the ground. Then, the large quartz/pyrite was in my hand. As I gently set it in the hole I affirmed healing of the abuse of money, sex and power on the planet. Before releasing the last stone at the final gridpoint, Allan and I visualized a circle of White Light encompassing the grid. We then visualized another circle of Archangel Mikaël's Blue Flame of Protection surrounding the entire starfield. With tears in my eyes, I released it.
Two moon cycles after it had begun, the work was complete! I wasn't prepared for the mixed bag of emotions which overcame me. As I stood up, I felt weak in the knees. My Spirit felt totally expanded in reverence and joy at the successful completion of the Work, yet there was a place in my heart that felt lost and disconnected at the realization that 'it was done'. I felt locked in suspended animation. Even as I write this five months later, the tears are flowing and there is much difficulty relating the experience, which I continue to assimilate.
Crystals laid out at the final point of the StarGrid
Quarts/Pyrite at left bottom of photo
Divine Synchronicity
Allan drew me out of this state as he gently touched my shoulder and said, "Mom, look at that cloud!" I turned westward, in the direction he was pointing. There in a cloudless sky, one, perfectly circular cloud had formed, immediately to the right of Mount Assiniboine, silhouetted against the last remaining light of day. As we watched, it quickly took three different forms then dissipated. The first form was the Sun Symbol (original swastika) within a circle, the ancient symbol for the sun and energy in motion. This indicated to me that the grid was fully activated. Secondly, the 'sun symbol' transformed into a five-pointed star within the same circle. This is the symbol for the Star Sirius. Then the circle dissipated and what was left looked like a man in freefall. That's what I felt like in the moment.
The unusual cloud was noticed by others in the lodge. I silently gave thanks for the blessing of these signs in the heavens. The significance of this phenomena is varied and represents ongoing discovery for me at a personal level.
As Allan & I turned towards the cabin, Divine Synchronicity blessed us with our first view of the Full Moon rising above Marvel Mountain to the east.
We arrived on the shores of Lake Magog at sunset. There wasn't a cloud in the sky. The Mountain rose like some mystical giant above the lake, partially silhouetted against the setting sun which was well out of sight from our vantage point.
The peak of this Full Moon in Pisces would occur at 6:50 am, the next morning. As I gazed at the wondrous site before me, all my discomforts seem to fade away. I turned to Allan and said, "Let's plant the crystal now."
Without hesitation, he agreed. We went to the lodge to tell Clay and Amy. They were settling in and elected to remain inside and hold the energy for us. Allan and I continued half a kilometer to the Park cabins, found a vacant one and left our gear
