Relationship with the land

I am beyond delighted to have taught a workshop and hosted a circle, as well as done many healing sessions, in my new space. I have had several offices over the years (and I started my healing practice in my own basement). I have also taught workshops in at least four other locations. It was such a blessing to land here (yes, pun intended).

It has also made me think again about the importance of the land, and of building relationship, particularly when we move. I have received many teachings over the past year about what it is to get to know a place, and also to say goodbye to a place. It also brings into focus the incredible importance of reciprocity with the land. Working with land spirits is an essential part of my practice, but it is also one that developed later on--the understanding of the reciprocity between a community and a place is something very profound, and something that continues to develop for me.

I see a lot of taking the land for granted in my life. Most people don't take time to stop and appreciate the beauty around them. But more than that, more important than appreciation, is acknowledgment. The trees, flowers, rocks, rivers are not passive things to be enjoyed. They are beings, and we share the land with them.

As you go out on the land during this warmer season, I invite you to stop, not just to appreciate the beauty that you see, but to acknowledge the sprits around you. Whisper a prayer. Make an offering. Leave a gift. And see what you notice. You may be surprised at the acknowledgement you receive in return.

Letting the songs flow

I have been thinking about singing a lot recently. It's the time of year that allergies have a noticeable effect on my voice, particularly in the morning (which is when I tend to sing the most). My voice sounds scratchy, and I can feel the effort that it takes to do what is usually almost effortless. It causes me to sing less, and as a result, I feel the effects on my body and soul that come from my not singing.

Yesterday morning, I found out that my chorus teacher from high school passed away. She had a profound impact on my life--more than any other teacher, in or out of school. I learned a tremendous amount from her, more than I can say in a newsletter. There were 86 people in the choir (the year that I counted), and she found a way to pull us out of the anxiety of the school day and get us to go deep into ourselves to find the music we didn't know was there.

When I teach, I often hear people say that their song doesn't come easily, or doesn't come at all. It can feel like a tremendous amount of pressure to allow ourselves to sing. Mrs. Wich told us that there shouldn't be any pressure, because we aren't singing the song, the song is singing through us. Our only job is to allow the song to come out.

This is such a big part of the work we do--the realization that we are not alone in the work, that if we trust, if we show up, the spirits will be there to do the work with us and through us. It requires humility, to realize that we cannot do this work without support; it removes both the egoism and the pressure of what I am now calling "toxic individuality." We are not alone, we are never alone; we have only to let the spirits work through us.

I will leave you with what Joann Wich told her choir so many times: "The beauty of the sound comes from the generosity of the heart."

Weather surprise!

I spoke too soon! We are back into winter weather in my part of the world, and in the last month, our snow totals for the season in Vermont have almost doubled. Our second March surprise was over 2 feet of powdery snow at my house, and as I write this, an April storm is leaving almost that much.

It's a good reminder not to become too sure of what's in store for us--things can always change, and when it comes to weather, Nature has the final say. This snow is a blessing, as the lower than normal snowpack creates many issues for the environment in the spring and summer months. This snow was sorely needed, and I am so thankful for it. It's a reminder that we can't always see the blessings ahead, and it is essential that we are open to what may be offered to us.

Remember to be open to the gifts that you cannot yet see.