The 21 annual Spring Medicine Walk – Caminata Espiritual de Primavera was held on Rancho Arco Iris from March 16 through the 21st. Members of Arco Iris were invited to attend on the third day of the walk; this is the day dedicated to walking on the Wild Magnolia property. A group of fifteen met at the Rancho and joined residents at the sacred fire. Youngsters made God’s eyes or Ojos de Dios to leave at special places along the way as offerings of appreciation. A large Ojo de Dios is made to be left at each of the cardinal points during the walk; these take from eight to 10 hours to make. After saluting the four directions with conch shells, tambourines and rattles the group left the roundhouse singing a song of joyful celebration of creation. The walk from the Rancho down to Beech Creek and up the other side to the Wild Magnolia land is an extreme hike and too strenuous, so the group loaded up into their vehicles and drove to the other side. From there they met for a prayer at the Ojo de Dios which had been planted the day before at the east to start on the six mile caminata. The walk from there to the southern point is along the dirt road which traverses the property. A group of energetic young men walked ahead of the procession removing deadfall and tossing it out of the way. At the southern point more prayers were said and the staff was planted. Typically when we return the following year with a new Ojo we find little more than the wooden frame. The birds and critters of the woods pick the yarn apart and use it to line their nests. After recharging on healthy snacks provided by the Ozark Cooperative Warehouse and Ozark Natural Foods of Fayetteville the pilgrims dusted themselves off and started the three mile journey back to their vehicles. All were invited to return to Rancho Arco Iris for a feast and Temaskal ceremony. Tlazo kamati!

Here are photos of the walk.

a. Preparing for the gathering.jpg	b. Early arrivals lend a hand in the outside kitchen.jpg	c. Making Ojos de Dios.jpg	d. Dad lends a hand.jpg
e. Members load into their vehicles for drive to Wild Magnolia.jpg	e. The caminata begins with procession from the roundhouse.jpg	f. Lucia Hall carries the Ojo De Dios that she made for the Caminata.jpg	g. Maria Christina points the way.jpg
h. The Caminata resumes at Wild Magnolia.jpg	i. The procession.jpg	j. Ojo de Dios planted at the East.jpg	k. After planting the staff members make their way back.jpg