Kindness in the Wilderness
“One man practicing kindness in the wilderness is worth all the temples this world pulls.”
~Jack Kerouac
🌲
Photo: Geneva Creek and Red Cone
by Nancy Lankston
They Speak to Me
“The beauty of the trees,
the softness of the air,
the fragrance of the grass,
speaks to me.
The summit of the mountain,
the thunder of the sky,
the rhythm of the sea,
speaks to me.
The faintness of the stars,
the freshness of the morning,
the dew drop on the flower,
speaks to me.
The strength of fire,
the taste of salmon,
the trail of the sun,
And the life that never goes away,
They speak to me.
And my heart soars”
-Chief Dan George
Samhain; Betwixt and Between
Originally published November 1, 2017
Certain times in our lives are filled with potency and magic. Twilight is such a time, as is dawn. These are magical moments when it is neither day nor night. Birth is another potent in-between time, along with death. These special times mark borders and transition zones. The in-between is a sacred time when magic is afoot.
Here in the northern hemisphere, we find ourselves on the boundary between autumn and winter. The light is slowly fading away as our Sun drops lower and lower in the sky and our nights grow longer. This is another potent in-between time. The ancient Celtic people would celebrate Samhain (Sow-in) at this time. Some tribes chose to celebrate at the 1st new moon after late harvest. Other tribes celebrated at the 1st full moon after harvest. The celebration of Samhain was a beautiful way to honor the seasonal transition out of the light and into the dark.
The veils between the worlds grow very thin during this sacred in-between time. Loved ones who have departed this Earth are believed to be nearby. Many people in Mexico honor this by celebrating Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) at this time.
Samhain is the perfect time to acknowledge and celebrate the sacred cycles of birth – growth – death – rebirth that are an integral part of Nature.
♾
Some suggestions for acknowledging and honoring the magical in-between time of Samhain:
Take a few moments to honor everything you have “harvested” this year.
Bow to your ancestors and thank them for giving you this life.
Offer love and prayers to loved ones who have transitioned.
Thank the brilliant light of summer and embrace the deep dark of winter.
Listen for spiritual guidance to help you in the coming year.
♾
Celebrate the Magic of Samhain.
Split Boulder Photo by Nancy Lankston
Autumn Beauty
September Sky
“And then the sun took a step back,
the leaves lulled themselves to sleep, and autumn was awakened.”
~Raquel Franco
🍁
#CyclesandSeasons
#Autumn
Photo: Grass and Sky
by Nancy Lankston
Ahhh, Autumn
As the northern hemisphere moves into Autumn, there is a brief period of balance; where day balances night. It is here now. Autumnal Equinox has arrived.
The energies of Mama Earth are beginning to slow and cool here in the north. Every part of Nature knows that Winter is coming.
On some level, your animal body feels this shift, this turning toward cool, dark, slow, yin energies. Your body senses it just as the squirrels and trees and bears sense it.
Honor this beautiful transition with a small ritual; say a prayer of gratitude for Mama Earth and Autumn, cook squash or pumpkin, spread flower seeds in the garden, sit or walk among the beautiful leaves and seeds and nuts in the forest, light a candle at dusk. Honor Mama Earth in some small way for this season of transition.
Savor the shift.
Savor the yin gifts of Autumn.
#Cycles
#Seasons
#Transitions
#TurningPoint
Look Under Your Feet
The lesson which life constantly repeats is to ‘look under your feet.’
You are always nearer to the divine and the true sources of your power than you think.
The lure of the distant and the difficult is deceptive.
The great opportunity is where you are.
Do not despise your own place and hour.
Every place is under the stars.
Every place is the center of the world.’
~John Burroughs
🌎
#EarthWisdom
The Land Owns Us
In this short video, Bob Randall, a Yankunytjatjara elder, explains that all beings are part of a vast family. He encourages us to care for the land and all living beings with unconditional love and responsibility.
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