Boozhoo everyone. Last weekend was a busy one for me. I was actually out and about for 2 events. I have been hiding out in our holler in the mountains for a few months now – covid, hot and humid weather, a heavy dose of introversion and perhaps a dash of depression, but just as you can feel the coming of Fall, so too I feel the pull of community. It seems as though my life is full of new beginnings.
On Saturday I attended a local new moon circle which was celebrated in such a beautiful way from the altar decorated with harvest flowers, leaves and the sweetest painted pumpkins to the sacred fire that became a part of the ceremony. The women were so open and caring and immediately welcoming to those of us who were joining for the first time. Is there anything more beautiful than vulnerability, trust and deep, deep listening and reflecting? I truly feel the ongoing support of the women who witnessed my intentions for this next month. (We got to take home a pumpkin too. Sigh…)
Sunday was the first meeting of a book club (Dave calls it a book coven) that is getting together with the intention of reading and working with books that have an indigenous world view. We met in a coffee shop in the city which was balm to my soul. Cozy nooks, artwork everywhere, wonderful food and the owner has created this space with the intention that it should house community. There were a number of groups there but the layout is such that you feel you are enclosed in your sacred circle and all else disappears. Once again I was amazed at the powerful vulnerability of the women involved who showed up to witness and share themselves. The intention of the group is to share our experiences and thoughts and dreams with the book being a focus point to bring us to the same frame of mind.
So, this brings me to the realization that I want my website, my writings to celebrate community. The theme of what I believe and teach is Living in Relationship. I hope to reframe the world around us with an indigenous view. We are surrounded by animate beings who are cognizant and aware – rocks, trees and plants just to get started. We are just one piece of the web and definitely not superior in any way to all the other beings. We can come to the world in humility and reach out to all of the others. They are already there and they are listening. I know it is scary to love a world that is in danger but the way of healing requires us to be vulnerable and committed to community.
Mii’iw noongom
Love this and Love you. 🙌 for sharing and tending different ways of being in relationship and community. Am sitting miles and miles away, but feel those heart strings reaching all the way back to ya hearthfire. Grateful for community that supports and inspires regardless of distance❣️
I love the way you are weaving together the stories of your whole community— non-human people and human people. And, thank you so much for putting words to and naming how vulnerable it feels to love so deeply a world that is so endangered from habitat destruction, pollution, war, and climate crisis. May I have that kind of courage. Beautiful post!!