“Finding my way to be bold
enough to be me!”
Life skills for Balance through the natural World
My name is Astrid and I'd like to welcome you to the
4 Worlds Lodge!
Why 4 Worlds? The 4 worlds surround us all the time.
We walk on the EARTH. We look at the PLANTS, we touch the ANIMALS and build relationship with people, HUMANS, all the time. Each of these worlds support a balance in our lives. Each World has something to teach us, whenever we engage. This Lodge is a place for us to gather. What better place to be, than the 4 Worlds!
This Lodge has been set up to create a community, interested in understanding themselves, others and life. We engage this journey using the knowledge, tools and ceremonies of the Sweet Medicine SunDance path (SMSD).
I have studied in this path for many years and have grown profoundly through these teachings. The SMSD teachings share knowledge and tools that work. These teachings come from an ancient lineage, known as the Twisted Hairs, who wove those teachings together after traveling outside of their tribal lands to explore other teachings and paths. These blended teachings are woven together and so named the Twisted Hairs.
Listen to Astrid’s story !
FaQ
Q: In the context of this website .... What does "Lodge" refer to?
The Sweet Medicine Teachings have been shared outside the original lineage of Twisted Hairs and for me to share them I have been guided within a system of Agreements. My level of qualifications within this lineage have my level at "Lodge Leader" therefore adding this to the 4 Worlds. So therefore 4 Worlds Lodge. When I first commenced teaching in my home area in 2017, it was then called ....4 Worlds Study Group.
The Lodge is a group gathering that is open to anyone that is interested or wanting to "check it out" and does not refer to accommodation. I do however also have people come and stay at our home when they are doing Ceremonies that are longer in duration than one day and they are usually from further afield than the Monaro.
Q: What kinds of "tools" do you refer to when you say ..."crafting tools"?
I have already held two "Talking Stick" events in the Monaro Area. Talking Sticks are one of our tools made from pieces of the plant world (the stick or piece of branch itself), the Animal world with representation of a feather or fur or snake skin or shell crafted onto the stick and the Mineral World represented with stones or crystals. The human world is represented when the human is holding the stick to speak and share.
The Talking Stick process is taught at the event and ensures clearer communication and empowered sharing when people choose to use this with some guiding principles. The Talking Stick is kept in the home at a height where the youngest member can reach it so there is always the opportunity for open hearted communication as the person holding the stick is the one who speaks without interruption. (This is a very brief explanation).
The talking stick is one of the tools we could make, also prayer sticks, tobacco ties, shields and more.
Astrid’s Talking Stick
Come to explore teachings, ceremony, purification lodges, and crafting tools together!
Contact:
Our group meets 25 km from Cooma,
Cooma Monaro Shire, 1,5 hours from Canberra,
the address will be provided on request.