Howdy Kumquats.
Thanks for seeing this journey through with me. I appreciate you taking the time to read my words, I hope they landed in your heart.
Here’s me on the Sunday after…I still have it faintly visible now, a week later.
The last part of the story I’d like to fill you in on is how I even got to this ceremony.
Back around January, I had written an email inquiring about renting this event space called Gratidude Ranch. I wanted to do an event there this summer, but the dates were already taken, so I just dropped it. A week before the ayahuasca ceremony, I got an email from the owner of the property who said he was in town from Nashville for the week and invited me to come by to talk and see the place.
I have walked by the property for years, because it is on a scenic road that was near my old studio, The Nest. The house was built by a family who ran an ice cream shop in Nevada City but sold it during the pandemic. The whole property is picture perfect— it always looked to me like it could be the set for a Home and Garden Network show. Very whimsical too. And built with ice cream money! So I jokingly always referred to is as “The Willy Wonka House.”
When I went to meet the owner, we discovered that we went to middle school together on Kent Island in Maryland 1987-88. We both were bullied badly in middle school, so we spent our lunch time in the library with the other misfits. He went on to have a very successful career in Christian music with his now husband and also had a documentary made about his career (which I did too…Us Naked, in case you haven’t seen it.)
And he had a big old laugh when I told him how excited I was to see behind the gates of the Willy Wonka House— he told me that at his last ayahuasca ceremony he was told to open a candy shop because people need more joy. When Grandmother tells you do something, you better do it! So, he’s in the process of building it now in Nashville and it will open in June. It’s going to be called Bubble Joy, named for a song him mom used to sing to him.
So THAT GUY found out about my current transient situation since returning to Nevada City from the coast a month ago— and he gifted me the ceremony, with Haru and Hayra’s permission.
And the whole thing has changed my life.
Magic is real, ya’ll.
And with that, here are Haru’s final words from the closing of the ceremony Saturday night. I had the help of the other participants to try to piece it back together— I wanted get it as close to his original phrasing as possible.
Also, Haru wore this every night. It was epic.
Haru’s Closing Words
Life is not an obligation, it’s a miracle.
Each and every one of us is part of one another. Existence makes us forget this. It is why we fear each other because existence makes us forget.
You are not your past. Forgive yourself. The gift of life is to live now, and for what’s to come tomorrow.
It’s time for us all to come together.
We are all brothers and sisters.
He said he wished for a day where community is valued more than electricity…where leaves are valued more than painted paper.
Women are strong, we must honor them.
Men still need serious healing, 90% of them are in pain.
The gay community should be embraced by all people and cultures. They are some of the most open-hearted and kind people you’ll meet.
Giving an experience is worth more than just knowledge or words.
You don’t need a degree to share your wisdom, knowledge and gifts. It’s time to show up in the world because you’re needed now.
He closed by declaring that we are all healed now— good for at least 10 years!
And a few more things, just for fun…
The story of Haru and Hayra’s meeting is pure magic, which you can read HERE.
This is one of my favorite songs Haru sung, he said it was about the forest squirrel, which is red, with a tail like fire.
And here is Hayra singing—
Thanks for being here, ya’ll.
Lots of Love,
Trixie
What a beautiful journey; thank you for allowing us to partake! You've opened my eyes even more 🤍