It is gray and misty and almost raining outside. After what was, for me, an unbearably hot summer here in the Pacific Northwest, the return of the mist and rain is unbelievably relieving.
With a final (fingers crossed!) 90+ degree weekend behind us, the Autumn Equinox of yesterday has ushered in fall in a big way.
Therefore, today, I am celebrating!
Welcome Fall! Welcome Rain! Welcome cool days and cooler nights! Welcome snuggling on the couch with a blanket and a good book (or my husband, or a movie, or sudoku puzzle)! Yay!!!
As I gaze out at the gray, misty loveliness, I am reminded of another very gray, and much, much rainier day.
A day last spring.
A day when a small group of intrepid adventurers braved the pouring rain to spend time in sacred space with a tree – listening, feeling, sensing for wisdom, magic, healing, and guidance.
To celebrate the return of the rain, today I am sharing with you some photos from that magical rainy day not too many months ago.
May they touch or re-enliven something deep inside, something that may be dormant, waiting for the spark of the forest to bring it (you) back to life.
The day began in front of a cozy fire in a lodge along the Sandy River.
After spending the morning settling in to our bodies and our senses and fine-tuning our deep listening skills, we ventured out into the wilds of the forest. We walked through swirling mists, water streaming from the sky and dripping from the trees surrounding us.
Eventually we arrived at a massive tree where we constructed our altar and called in the Spirits through word and song. When the time was right, each participant wandered out through the forest until they stood before their tree, the tree that contained exactly the wisdom and medicine they needed.
While it is not my place to speak about what transpired within the ritual itself, I can say without doubt that everyone received exactly what they needed.
In the weeks following the ritual, I heard stories of transformation, of deepening into purpose, of renewed connection with the aliveness of nature, and of gentle awakenings into more authentic versions of Self.
For now, for today, as I continue to celebrate the return of the rain, I leave you with these words from my mentor, Malidoma Somé:
“Maybe we would become candidates for some serious magic if we would enter nature with a little more curiosity, a little more openness, and even a sense of a quest, a quest to commune with and to be with a realm that is far more sophisticated than its physical ruggedness reveals.”
Comment Magic:
For me, opening to the magic and teachings (the wisdom!) of nature is both profound and sacred.
I feel the most myself, the most at ease, and the most capable of living my life in a good way when I take the time to commune with nature.
What connects you to yourself, to your true nature? Have you had an experience in nature that has led to transformation, healing, or insight?
I am celebrating today right along with you, Larisa! Phew, what a relief. I found myself watching the rain out the window this morning with a huge smile on my face. Ahhh.
Something that connects me to myself is my relationship with animals. I love my own animals, two cats (perhaps a bit too much, but I’m sure they don’t mind). I love all animals dearly, and they have often shown up as omens for me, seeming to point me this way or that in life.
Through this ritual in particular, which I was honored to be a part of, I formed an even more special relationship with raven/crow. I’ve always known that these birds were important for me. But through dreams and synchronicities, raven and crow have continued to be with me often in dreams since our special day in May. I believe raven/crow shows up when I am needing to really listen, and they point to crossroads or turning points in my own development.
It was an honor to be part of the day in the forest. Thanks Larisa!
Thank you for sharing, Dena! *I’m* smiling as I read your comment remembering how we all ‘cawed’ another participant back from her tree so we could close the ritual. She later related that our crow imitations hadn’t been very good – that we’d sounded like very sick crows. 🙂
Anyway… 🙂 I love how raven/crow shows up so consistently for you, reminding you to listen and pay attention at the crossroads of your development. Very beautiful!!!