Since I was a girl, wandering the waterline at the beach after a storm’s moved through was one of my favorite things. Walking in deep meditation or deep conversation, it is always special when nature places a gift for us. Oh, the treasures! Each of my treasures keeps a story for me.
A hag stone, (or shell – like this hag abalone), is one in which time and elements have created a natural hole. Don’t you wonder how long it takes for these holes to form?
People all over the world are attracted to these stones and collect them from beaches, lakeshores, riverbanks; virtually anywhere there is or once was water. That has got to be everywhere on Earth.
One of the facebook groups I follow posts a lot of pictures of hag stones and the stories are fun to read. Hag stones can be used in artistic creations, like being hung with string in mobiles or as part of a wind chime. Or, like I enjoy doing, collecting them into ‘mermaid piles’ and placing them in my garden and around my home.
Do you ever wonder what it is that attracts us to these stones (and shells) with natural holes? I’ve been pondering that awhile now. I picked up this cherished abalone hag ‘stone’ out of it’s shell in my home today and sat down to write.
Hag is another word for Crone. Years keep creeping by me and I feel myself finding radiance as an Elder, though I don’t feel ready. These stones are what I am becoming, a reminder to ‘never, ever forget who you are’. They may even be a reminder that there is always a way.
A hag stone represents the miracle of space being created in matter.
It seems so impossible when you look at the hole to imagine how it came to be there. Through generations of time, water and elements have worked to create an opening. We celebrate that opening in our life when we cherish a hag stone.
Hag stones remind us that we, (even the stoniest among us), have access to the light.
To faery realms.
To magic.
To life itself.
Over time, particles from this little stone or shell were released from itself and cast into the void of creation. Somewhere, bits of this stone make up the ocean floor, or valley floor nearby. That thought makes me happy for some reason. It helps tie my world together when I think in an overview of Earth as its own living thing.
There I go again… okay. Back to hag stones.
That little hole represents the space where life exists. We are that space; that beautiful hole that exchanges life energy with every other living thing.
Hag stones are an example of solid being not solid.
That’s us. Humans walking the Earth; spirit draped loosely in matter.
I am SO ready for spring this year! The new moon cycle began on the 13th and next Saturday, March 20, is the Spring Equinox. ::Rebel Yell Inserted Here::! Here is a photo of an old rose from the garden I hope you enjoy.
With so much chaos in so many areas around the world, I am reminded that Nature is a reliable guide to follow in the day-to-day of life. The Covid pandemic over the last year has changed so much in our world and most people’s lives are still changing. One thing that really stands out for me is that the need for civil discourse is evident everywhere and it’s time to take a collective deep breath. On a hopeful note, as the tide of herd immunity comes in to our society, vaccines are becoming available to a second, wider tier of citizens.
There’s a storm outside right now as I sit at my window to work. I’m hoping for thunder and lightning! The garden’s colorful flowers pop through the grey stormy light and tickle me with a reminder that life always comes again.
I’m reminded that the Navajo say that they do not use drums or other loud instruments during the winter time; aware that many creatures are hibernating. When the lightning strikes the earth in the moon cycle before spring, (about NOW), it is a signal to the sleeping ones to wake up.
We are taught that it’s good to go outside and stretch when we hear that thunder. We’re told that it’s a good time to get your tools and ‘medicine things’ ready for the year.
For me, being aware of Nature’s cycles helps me align with a larger life. It takes me out of my head and into my heart; loving my garden and the sun and moon cycles – and remembering a deeper truth.
Mark the Equinox on your calendar – 3/20/21 – and celebrate the coming of spring!
If you’ve never sat in a Lakota Stone-People Lodge and listened to sacred songs sung in their deep, deep language… well, it is moving.
I’m remembering a dark night in the hills by the lake with the sound of drumming in the air. That was an Earth heartbeat. The fire used in ceremony is the energy of the stars. Power is afoot.
I felt to share this sacred healing song because it seems to convey the heart and humility of an Earth people crying out to spirit for the benefit of their people.
As Grandpa taught us; “If you’re going to say something and break the silence, then say something good”. Prayers like this epitomize saying something good. Something worthy of breaking a sacred silence.
As March goes out just like the Lion it roared in as we’re all anchored to our homes and communities for the foreseeable future.
Take a look around you at this moment. What you see is YOUR COMMUNITY. Breathe that in and let it settle.
Please practice ‘kindness first’ in the days to come.
Stay alert. Stay smart. Stay healthy.
Remember that you must take care of yourself. If we are healthy, we are available to pitch- in and help care for others.
Community
As of this writing, My hometown on the coast of Southern California has been officially under quarantine for about 13 days. My household is in the ‘fragile’ demographic and we need to be careful.
In the first week of the “shelter-in-place” order, we found our miles of beaches, trails and acres of parks crowded with large numbers of visitors from other, inland areas. It was packed. In the first week of shutdown, few seem to be staying home or practicing any social distancing.
The second week of our quarantine seems to be a bit more serious and people are making social-distancing a ‘thing’. Of course, the authorities closed down all parking lots to beaches, trails and parks, basically forcing people to walk from their cars to public areas.. Yes, that made a difference.
Any gathering stands out now. The pandemic curve is on the upswing in our region right now. Still… People, here and on the news, are not all practicing the new social hygiene.
What I saw in my own community this week included a neighbor welcoming couples over for a party on two different nights. Several places over this week I’ve seen unrelated kids playing together publicly in groups, while their adults socialized in questionable socially-distant isolation from each other. I saw one group of young adults playing touch football in the street.
There are way too many “Spreaders”. People among us who are not alert enough to the problem who continue to ‘mix households’, rendering our regional isolation less effective. Non-compliant members of our communities put the fragile among us at greater risk while the rest of us dutifully quarantine and the economy holds its breath.
Ways to Practice Self Care
Caring for ourselves is even more critical now because it means if we stay healthy we can help care for others.
What can you do? While you can, get that extra rest. Breathe deeply. Use the quarantine time to clean. Spring is here! Clear. Get caught up on all those ‘pending’ tasks at home. Make time to plan. Control your budget.
Barbara Ann Brennan, the famous energetic healer, taught us to approach being of service to others this way; “First those things that nourish the Self. Then pause for deep reflection. Then those things that nourish others.”
She understood that we must maintain our health first in order to be available to help others.
What Can You Do to Take Care of Yourself?
While all this chaos churns on around us, how can we make sure to take care of ourselves too?
You choose it. Just begin today with a single step.
Something that’s helped me commit to self-care during our isolation is to notice how overwhelmed I feel and just. Slow. Down.
I’ll take a few extra moments throughout the day to really enjoy little daily rituals. Extra, relaxed time washing and moisturizing my face can be very calming.
Dressing, grooming, straightening up our homes and cooking meals are all times that just scream at you “SLOW DOWN!” and just breathe a little more mindfully while we are in motion.
Really notice what you’re doing… and why.
Get out in Nature. We need exercise and walking in Nature now is perfect. It will clear your mind as well as your body’s energetic field. Time in Nature and her gardens gives me something to look forward to during this pandemic lock down.
Take time before sleep and give yourself a foot massage. Take a nap when you need one. Do a really deep meditation. Stretch your whole body. Breathe deeply. These are all things that will nourish your body and soul.
Salt Baths: The Flu Season “Go-To”
Don’t forget the salt bath as a seasonal therapy. It clears the energetic field of all that gunk that makes us feel so “polluted”. It will strip your field so remember to rest a while after. A salt bath is perfect before bed or meditation.
Himalayan salt is very nourishing, with its 86 minerals, and will leave your skin very soft. Epsom salts will soothe aching muscles because of the high magnesium content. Sea salt, table salt… it all works.
Use between 1/2 cup and 2 cups salt for your bath, depending on how you feel and what you want. Less salt gives a lighter cleanse and more will give a deep, saline wash.
Adding seaweed is an ancient bath ingredient and introduces lovely enzymes that nourishes the skin; especially helpful for soothing skin irritations. Any seaweed will work and can be used in a small, cloth drawstring bag or a zip-lock baggie with holes in it. Let the seaweed soak a few minutes to release the enzymes.
Add a few drops of your favorite skin oil and essential oil… and enjoy a lovely soak.
20 minutes is usually about right. You’ll feel your body begin to sweat when it’s time to end the bath. Now is a perfect time to rest or meditate for a few minutes.
If you don’t have a tub, take a handful of salt into the shower with you in a plastic dish or cup. After you are finished bathing, pour the salt into your hand and start at the top of your head, gently spreading it on down for a gentle salt scrub and clearing.
It’s always a smart idea during flu season to launder towels and linens and sanitize your surfaces often.
Let Nature Heal You
Take regular quiet time in Nature. She always helps us to clear and center ourselves.
Step onto an open path or into a garden space. Use this great, natural power to regenerate and help relieve stressful patterns. Remember to work with gratitude because we are truly co-creating our reality with Nature.
We’re In This Together
First of all, take a deep breath and let it go for a moment. Think about what you’re going to do to nourish yourself. Ok…
Self care is well-being. We’re moving through this pandemic and will find our new normal. Whatever we co-create with Nature, we’ll use our health and strength to do it.
Take care of yourselves and each other. Consider the new reality still gestating in the void. Contribute.
Being in this together…. That’s the old way and old ways are coming back!
It’s happened silently. No one could have stopped it even if someone had wanted to. When it comes to technology, we’ve found ourselves somewhere between master and slave.
Let’s face it; technology is seductive. We are all better off for it, except for one little problem.
You see it everywhere. Family groups sit together silently, looking down at devices. We’re becoming isolated. It’s completely shifted our culture.
Instead of interweaving our lives through companionship, we sit in immediate proximity to others, but preoccupied with a device. Separate. We’re having separate life experiences in the same moment we share others.
What do older folks remember about their childhoods and what they used to do? How different are young people today?
You guessed it. Devices.
A powerful solution to the lack of engagement is: get your kids out in Nature. That the world is an amazing place and our children need to be turned on about that.
Baby boomers will remember a childhood without computers, or ANY high technology. As a youth back then, a curious mind meant thinking creatively to have fun. We knew every square foot of our neighborhoods and had forts and went on “adventures” as we explored. We made things. We read books.
Television was still new. There were cartoons on after school and on Saturday mornings and nothing was a re-run! Looking back to the pre-technology era of the 1960’s, any kid inside sitting in front of the TV during daylight hours it was because you didn’t feel good.
People had better posture back then too. Everyone walked upright, with eyes on what’s in front of and around them. We waved at friends and neighbors and smiled a greeting.
Today, we’re constantly reminded to put devices down for our own good. Signs along freeways caution us to focus on our driving because “that text can wait”. We’ve all gotten in to such a hurry.
Technology is a tool. And, what does that even mean? Surely it’s not meant to be attached to our mental processes 24/7. Our bodies are organic. Whatever words we use to understand it, the seduction is too effective for us to resist.
We need time “off the grid” to be healthy and happy humans.
How can we keep our organic bodies healthy? What can we do to take care of ourselves and our loved ones? A great start is to be conscious that you need to take time. Get yourself unplugged from time to time. Make it happen. Get out in Nature. Be present with others you are with.
Will history show that a pendulum has been swinging back and forth as humans adjust to technology? Let’s try to remember our humanity as we expand.
Do we have the maturity to control the ongoing influence of our devices? Taking time to uplug is a number one step to responsible device use. Humans need to be human.
Will we forget how to have common, courteous conversations? Or, how to have friendships? Let’s remember that the ones we love are the reason we even push forward. Take the time to be kind.
At the center of the relationship discussion is the need we all have for quiet time alone. Pause. Listen to Nature moving through you.
Our culture is energetically swinging with that pendulum. Our people, especially our children, are caught in these changes in culture.
We help our body’s health by getting out in Nature. Our mind and body both need to unplug from the electrical, digital zone regularly.
Reconnect with loved ones and make time to play.
Then, after regenerating your “organic batteries”, plug in to the grid again.
There is a joy in moderation; living life with balance health. In this time of rapid, ongoing technological expansion, we continue to be somewhere between master and slave.
