A Sacred Blessing as You Begin Your Journey


May you have faith that your future is safe.
May you accept that your every choice has brought you to this point in
your journey.
May you find security in the knowledge there is no beginning and no end
in this universe.
For this will bring you the peace you desire.

May you find self-acceptance.
May you know you are pure love.
May you allow passion into your life.
May you grant yourself permission to dance through this life.
For this will bring you the dreams you desire.

May you see only the reflection of your beautiful inner light.
May you allow yourself to feel pure emotion.
May you see the vast abundance that is already all around you.
For this will bring you the strength you desire.

May you release resentment from your heart and find restful peace.
May you find clarity and strength to make positive change.
May you be open to your heart's desires and
answer the calling of your soul.
For this will bring you the freedom you desire.
May you may be blessed with love and grace on your journey in search of
fireflies.


Awaken

Feel the stirring of your soul.
What does it seek?
Listen carefully.
It is calling you to take action.
Close your ears to words of doubt.
Let your eyes see only truth.
Allow your courage to roar.

Every day, I would drive alongside a field where an abandoned, crumbling old cottage sat surrounded by a mass of dark, gnarly trees. It reminded me of a scene from a horror movie.

I wondered how the cottage would have looked in its youth. I tried to imagine the stonework in perfect order, creamy in colour and clean. I would see the tin roof and wooden windows in order, keeping the elements at bay. I imagined a long driveway leading to the place someone had once called home. However, the trees would always cut short my vision. They stood out for all the wrong reasons, and I wondered for a long time why they hadn't been cut down. That was before I witnessed their incredible springtime transformation for the first time.

Every one of the dead, dark, gnarly trees suddenly burst into life with a magical display of the most beautiful, delicate pink blossoms. Not one failed to bloom. The field was instantly transformed with a mammoth flurry of pink blossom petals.

All it took was the right conditions for the trees to bloom. They had sat there dormant, innocently and patiently waiting for spring. Did they realise their dead look could have been enough for them to be cut down and their beauty lost forever?

Sometimes, we too have to retreat into a dormant state, where we patiently await our own spring to come around in order for us to bloom again. Just like the trees, being in this dormant state preserves and protects our inner sanctum from the harsh life elements that surround us. It is a necessary function in order to survive while we wait for the return of the right conditions that will see us bloom again. It is a natural process to go through and one that all too often we are denied, due to demands placed upon us to always be and look "happy".

Nature has many lessons to teach us: lessons of survival, of restraint, and of unbridled regenerative power.

If we feel as if we are in a current state of dormancy, or heading there, a walk in nature will quickly nurture our soul. A walk among a pine forest after a rain storm, or along a windswept beach, will quickly remind us of our own fragility and delicacy. It will also remind us of the innate strength and regenerative ability that lies within. It will show us the yin and yang of life, which we are, of course, a great part of. It will teach us that dormancy is a natural survival tactic and a successful one.

If you are experiencing "dead wood" syndrome at the moment, take time and be gentle with yourself. Let nature remind you how to achieve balance and harmony through rest and renewal and connection with the elements.

When the time is right, you will bloom magnificently and shower the world in your very own cotton candy-coloured blossoms.

Sacred Renewal Ritual

Awaken to Your Dreams

It is time to plant dreams.
It is time to nourish oneself with passion and joy.
It is time for wishes to be fulfilled.

This ritual will aid in the manifestation of your heart's desires.

Creating Sacred Space

Create a sacred space with red flowers for passion. Add four candles to represent fire and rebirth. Their light represents the very energy you wish to attune to. As you light each candle, call upon the elemental forces of the earth to activate your ritual:

• north: the element of earth for strength

• east: the element of air to carry away your troubles

• south: the element of fire for purification

• west: the element of water for cleansing

Adding fragrance in an oil burner or to a bowl of water heightens the power of the ritual.

You may use patchouli oil, which is a stimulating aphrodisiac, or sandalwood to evoke a meditative atmosphere. Whatever you choose will be right for you.

As you pour droplets of the essential oil, give thanks to their over soul in acknowledgement of their gift to you. Sit quietly and take a few deep breaths. Look at the beautiful sacred space you have created. Listen to the sounds around you. Breathe in the fragrance you have chosen, the scent of the flowers, and the warm molten candle wax. Be aware of whatever taste you have in your mouth. Be aware of the touch of the clothes on your skin. Be grateful for the gift of your senses.

Let your focus fall on your breath. With each in breath, welcome in peace. With each out breath, send out love.

Feeling safe and relaxed, let your attention go to the centre of your heart. You see the glow of a soft green light. Focus on the light and see it become more intense. The green becomes deeper in colour and intensity. The middle of your chest is glowing in iridescent light.

Soon you notice the light from your heart centre has completely surrounded you.

The entire room is now glowing with emerald magnificence. In front of you, a green door appears. It is an old door made from ancient timbers. Step towards the door and pull on the solid latch. As you open the door, you see a meadow before you. It stretches as far as your eyes can see. Step through the door. You have nothing to fear.

Feel your feet plant themselves firmly on the ground as you pass through the door into the meadow. Feel lush green grass under your bare feet. You have entered a sacred meadow. Wriggle your toes; feel the softness of the grass underfoot. Take a deep breath and devour the scent of fresh green grass.

The meadow is covered in beautiful, delicate flowers of every colour of the rainbow. In one quick moment, wild flowers surround you. They reach out to touch you as you pass. They beckon you to lay down and spend time in their loving embrace. Their easy motion and sweet perfume lull you into a state of deep peace. Lay down for a moment.

Let the meadow flowers wrap around you like a beautiful blanket, keeping you warm and safe. Looking into the sky, you see a butterfly gently fluttering towards you. Its wings are vivid blue. It lands upon your nose to rest.

Smile at this blissful encounter with such an innocent creature. Notice there is something attached to this butterfly....