The Compassion Club, founded by Hilary Black, looks like a rainforest temple. Tribal art smiles gracefully on rooms decorated with vaporizers, couches and the occasional waterfall of plants. In this environment, the toking of members and whirring of fans in the smoking lounge sound like jungle chatter. Like any jungle, there is beauty. The club is staffed solely with women, who have all dedicated themselves to healing. Hilary Black stands out as a powerful young mother lion, protecting the club and its members. Erenxx, a Jackaline of all trades, is like a tree, holding up the administrative weight of the club. Jasmyn, the club’s herbalist, emanates educated competence, a butterfly attracted by flower essences and aromatherapeutic techniques. Jill, in charge of distribution, prowls the club like a happy panther, mood control for the sick and dying. Leigh-Ann, who does Reiki, a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing, describes herself as a dolphin, for whom work and play are not always distinct. Davin describes herself as a grumpy faerie, whose healing art chose her more than she chose it.
