It was an early mid-September morning, and we were already out. The light was shining, but the sun still hid behind the Catskill mountains. While the car climbed up the winding roads, the temperature kept falling. I should not have been surprised by that, but I was. Sometimes the anticipation gets the best of me, and this was one of those times. Maybe I should have expected that too. I wanted to come to this area for quite a while and now it was happening. The land held such a presence in its wild beauty. It was an old presence that would watch and wait. At times I felt like a mouse running from rock to leaf pile trying not to ruffle the feathers of the hungry hawk in the trees. Other times, I felt I was being embraced by a long-lost friend inviting me to sit for tea. At night, I would dream dreams of sorrow and joy, ghosts familiar and unknown, and of conversations that held deep meaning yet faded quickly upon waking. It was such an interesting place. We were wandering through the lands of Rip Van Winkle after all. It was a land that was certainly held in a time without time.
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Moments In Time
The Art of Knowing Yourself
Sometimes it is a struggle to find the ‘right’ words to say or message to give. We put so much pressure on ourselves to be creative. We encourage ourselves to make a space for our passion and do what we love. While we forge our own way, we are bombarded by ads, photos, and ‘inspirational testimonies’ every single day. Before we know it, we are pushing ourselves harder to create the next big thing, maybe leaving ourselves feeling inadequate. It is easy to fall into this trap when we look at the numbers of likes or shares on a post and judge our work as a success or failure accordingly. When we do this, it is easy to internalize it, labeling ourselves by the same criteria.
Read MoreThe Light Within the Cave
Deep in the heart of the earth, there is a cave. It is still. It is quiet. Filled with hope and potential, we gently tread upon the winding, spiraling path. Slowly, we walk. Step by step, we descend. Step by step, we move towards the center of the Earth, searching for the sacred cave. Finding our way through the darkness, the candlelight that guides us flickers. Shadows of all shapes, sizes, and even memories dance along the walls, nudging us to ask ourselves questions that are not so easy to answer. Moving slowly, we feel a heartbeat that pulses beneath our feet. It matches the beat and rhythm of our own inner workings. When we connect to it, peace that washes over us. As we trust this inner rhythm, the candle flame becomes steady, strong, and bright. So do we.
Read MoreAlong the Edges
Walking along a trail in any New England town, you can almost bet on seeing a stone wall. I love to spot these boundary lines as they snake through the forest, winding their way through history. Sentient beings, these moss-covered stones stand along the edges continuing to hold space long after their creators walked their lands. Centuries later they still stand. Protective. Vigilant. Silent witnesses. The stone walls saw so many changes. Perhaps they experienced them as well as new boundaries drawn. These stone guardians have stories to tell and lessons to share if one is willing to listen. Some may see just an old stone wall while other know they are much more than that.
Read MoreWould You Light A Candle?
Silence covers me like a blanket in the dark stillness of my sacred space. Is it just after midnight or just an hour before dawn? It is hard to tell. Time seems to stand still within the light of the candles. The flames that dance and flicker coax me to breathe a little deeper with each breath. I oblige and find myself gently slipping into a reflective peace. It is a peace that I gratefully welcome. With another deep breath, I allow myself to open my heart, letting go of the noise in my head. Gently I slip into a place where I am safe to explore my inner realms. As my breath releases, I walk the inner pathway that spirals in deeper and deeper and deeper into my soul. Guided by candlelight, I embrace my own inner light.
Read MoreOasis
We all have experiences every day of our lives. Sometimes, we keep them superficial. Other times, they weave their way into us, deeper than we expect. This spiritual alchemy can change how we think and perceive other experiences in our future, if we allow it. The exchanges can become little oases in our lives. They give us the sacred space to drink in the wisdom, healing, and nourishment that we never knew we needed, much like the lush, watery pools in the desert. Maybe the swan’s message was to remind me that magick is everywhere. Maybe she was there to show me that the magick was happening and I couldn’t feel it because the path that I was walking on reminded me of my own scars that I transferred onto the land and the spirits of that place. Maybe part of the message from the Swan was the simple reminder that magick and divinity are seen and unseen. I am here today, telling you this story to share the experience I was given. Magick is everywhere. It is in the hidden places and sometimes in plain sight. Divinity is woven right along side of it too. It is there for those with eyes to see and ears to hear – whether we think we have it or not. And sometimes, it is as simple as a single swan appearing on an overcast day in a place where many may have forgotten such magick. The same can be said for the magick and divinity within ourselves. I think this was nature’s way of saying what can be an oasis to us, may be a mirage to another. However, it is up to us to decipher what we deem to be an oasis for ourselves.
Read MoreAwaken
There is something about the fresh smell of rain in the early morning. The water starts to glisten on the trees and grass as the grey sky slowly turns blue. The contrast between the dark and golden light is striking. In the early moments of a new day, new month, new year, it is so alive, so vivid. There is a sound that is made in this moment. You will hear it if you listen closely. It crackles. It drips. But it is more than that. There is an awakening sound that seems to come alive as the light reflects on the shimmering crystal-like surface of your own backyard.
Read MoreInto the Liminal Part Eight ~ Born Within the Light
The light now travels across the horizon, reaching deep into the dark tomb. A sliver of hope illuminates the chamber, piercing the illusion of endless night. For in this moment, new life, new worlds, new beginnings are being created simply by a determined pinpoint of unwavering light. That light my friends, is an act unlike any other. With this light, a new world is created. It is hope. It is promise. It is rebirth. It is the bolt of lightening that jolts us into being and the animating force that imbues us all. Here, all is possible.
Read MoreInto the Liminal Part Seven Deep Within the Earth
Deep within the earth, we have been wrapped in the silent stillness. We have been shedding. We have been growing. We have been dreaming. The Lady of Winter, The Cailleach, who sheltered us under her mantle as we walked our path through the liminal lands, brought us here to rest. It has been a long journey together and at times, difficult. The act of unwinding from what no longer serves us can leave us feeling wounded and raw. It is an arduous process, yet, we understand the importance of it. We must unravel slowly and purposefully in order to find our hidden and splintered pieces. This is how we heal. This is how we grow. This is how we come a little closer to embrace our true heart and hopefully, a little wiser too.
Read MoreInto the Liminal Part Six ~ Exploring the Shifts of Change
Over the last five weeks, we have talked about liminal spaces as physical locations. Places like river beds, swamps, forest edges, and the ocean’s shoreline hold a special meaning and energy. They are the transition points between two types of land. Just like dawn and twilight, they stand between night and day, light and dark. A describable location with a sometimes-indescribable feeling, a borderland holds a special energy and can often feel unsettling. If you were to walk through a once bustling town that has become abandoned, you can feel that the land holds something different. That place can heighten your senses and demand that you pay attention to the electricity in the air.
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The Whispering Crow 