Yesterday, I rode the train up to Maple, ON and spent time at Grey Heron, the home and workplace of Andrea Mathieson, creatrix of Raven Essences (see my links), intuitive, and hostess extraordinaire.  We had a splendid lamb dinner crowned with apple-cranberry crisp.  Then Andrea worked with me through questioning, intuition, and great discernment to create a Black Madonna essence for me.  It was amazing to witness her process, and I highly recommend that people contact her for the support and care that she offers.  Afterwards, we played a couple of tarot games — Gifts & Secrets and Wishing Well, both from Tarot Games by Cait Johnson and Maura D. Shaw — in front of the fireplace and learned lots more about each other through the dialogue that these inspired.  The guest room, open to retreatants, is comfortable and peaceful.  The entire space is womb-like and serene, a sort of council mind in house form.  I purchased a couple of 08/09 Essence kits from Andrea to support moving into a new time.  Thank you to Andrea Mathieson for such a wondrous visit, both deep and fun.