There are moments when we dream of far-off places and of a time that has been long forgotten. Hazy pictures within our minds are painted. They create landscapes, uncover memories, and perhaps even pieces of ourselves are revealed as the mist dissipates. The fuzzy images become clearer as we emerge from the shadows, gathering strength through understanding. For some, this is the work of our journey. This is the work of our soul. This is the work of connecting the dots between our longing and with our unexpected de-ja-vu experiences. When we take the time to listen to what our body is telling us, what our soul is craving, we can give ourselves permission to take the step forward to feed ourselves with what we need. However, this can only happen if we choose to walk into the unknown and into that strange place of liminality between today, yesterday, and tomorrow. Like frosted breath on a window pane, we touch the boundaries between ourselves and what is calling to us. Tracing our way through the vapor as we explore our blurring edges, we can dance once again with the ghosts of us, releasing the expectation of what we think we know for that inherent longing of our soul. To take the step off a map with well laid lines of what we perceive as our reality can feel risky. However, it gives us license to explore our ourselves and the connections we have, known and unknown. Are you ready to take that step?
For as long as I can remember, I have been able to feel the energies of places I have been. Sometimes, it is like reconnecting with an old friend. A warm embrace can welcome me, putting me at ease just as I cross the threshold. Whispers on the wind chatter, melting away the years, just as a good friend can by picking up where we had left off years ago. Sometimes this can happen even if it is the first time I set foot upon that patch of earth, in this lifetime anyway. Other times, a breeze may blow a little colder. There is no outstretched hand offering a welcome. Instead, what is felt is the icy stare of hidden eyes, watching and waiting to see if they would be noticed or left alone. Echoes of heartache and pain can be felt reverberating through the dirt and stones, reflecting pieces of lives from long ago, perhaps even a few of my own. The lifetimes we have lived linger not only within us, but they are woven into the tapestry of the earth, sea, and sky. Humans seek connections. They are not only found within people, but also within the land. Sometimes we need to experience it with all our senses. And if we are lucky, one day we may be able to experience what calls to us, reuniting ourselves with that mystical force that weaves through us all.
It was just over a week ago when I leapt out of one land and into another. It was like a dream. The sights, sounds, smells, the music and energy wove all around me, wrapping me in its welcoming arms. I was a stranger to this land, yet layer upon layer, echoes of long-ago whispers were leading me into places that felt strangely familiar. While my surroundings were glistening with my shiny new eyes, I felt the history and weight of all those that came before me. Things that I knew and dreamt of fluttered all around me, yet I was unable to pinpoint specifics. My entire life, I wanted to walk these streets and allow my senses to absorb every ounce of the magick the land could offer. And there I was. I was wide awake, walking along the streets lined with modern buildings, moving through the layers to yesterday, soothing my homesick heart. There was a deluge of emotion that swept and carried me off into the labyrinth of lifetimes, experiencing more than I thought I possibly could by eating an ice cream on a stone bench in the square. I had never experienced anything like it. It was beautiful, electric, emotional, and at times, overwhelming. I would never trade that for anything in the world. It still feels like a dream.
I believe that we are called to people and places for reasons. There are mysteries to be explored, lessons to learn and teach, parts of us that need releasing and healing, and a chance to live, grow, and thrive. As we make our way through this world, we can take the lessons we learn and carefully craft our knowledge into wisdom, not only offering hope and healing to ourselves, but to others along the way. As we live and learn about ourselves, hopefully we can craft a network of supportive, honest, and loving people that form a beneficial web around us. In this safety net, hopefully, they will continue to hold up the mirror for us as we move along our path. There have been lessons learned throughout the years that still ring true today. I would like to share them with you and if they resonate with you, please feel free to carry them with you.
*If there is something calling out to you, seek it out.
*If there is something that you are longing for, find a way to experience it.
*If you are curious about something, explore it.
*If a faraway land calls to you, learn about it and ask yourself why.
Embrace all of your parts. Celebrate them. Reflect upon them. Listen to them. Get to know these pieces and discover a deeper understanding of what makes you uniquely you. Taste what your soul hungers for. Quench your thirst by exploring your dreams. Shatter your chains by looking at your fears. Unbind yourself from expectations and guilt. Take that chance on yourself even if no one else will. You are the one who can sit inside your heart and listen to what your soul speaks of. The journey is never easy. There is no straight line from one point to another. There is no guarantee that you will get what you want in the way that you want it. However, you will never be able to reach your milestones and dreams unless you take the chance on yourself. Step off the well-drawn map of what you think you know. Choose to wander into that misty place between the known and unknown and explore it for yourself. You will be glad you did.
Be well,
Renee Bedard ~ The Whispering Crow
The Whispering Crow 