Magic disappears when you think you know everything
The other day, I stood beneath a tree looking dazzling in her red gown, as I listened to the raindrop sounds of the leaves falling to the ground. Plunk, plunk, plunk. I watched the tree gently let go of each leaf in the most delicate dance of grace. I stood there, mesmerized.
Every year this happens and yet every year I'm equally moved. I could feel the energy of the tree, at peace and in no hurry, following the natural flow of the cyclical year.
I thought of our own shedding, and how we humans often grapple with, and even torment over, if, what or when to release something.
And yet here in front of me, this tree was showing me over and over again, the ability to find peace and grace in the surrender. And also mirroring to me the necessity of losing our outer adornment for a time.
This mid-Autumn time, as we approach Samhain, is one of ghosts and skeletons. We’re reminded of what haunts us, what we haven’t yet been able to fully release (find a facing your ghosts ritual I created last year here).
And we’re reminded of the cruciality of returning once more to our skeleton selves, just for a time. To our bones, our structure, our inner-most essence. To who we are without our adornments, at our deepest layers.
Dropping the names, the roles, the way we’re “supposed” to show up in certain circumstances.
When we return again to our skeleton self, we’re able to once again feel into who we are without labels, and touch into our soul's purest longing.
As J. Krishnamurti said, “The day you teach the child the name of the bird, the child will never see that bird again.”
When we put labels and roles and names on things, including ourselves, we stop seeing who we truly are. The same is true for others.
For example, once we name someone as a Christian, a Muslim, a Jew, we stop seeing them in their totality, and start seeing them as someone who fits the box our brain has created in our head about that label.
Everyone does this unconsciously to some degree. Part of our brain's job is to make boxes and labels, and create compartments where things live. While useful at times, this can become a barrier to seeing the world clearly.
It is during this time of year when lines blur and veils dissolve that we’re invited to access the truth of the spiritual essence of something more distinctly.
Can you give yourself permission this season to uncover the skeleton of yourself again?
Can you give yourself permission to dissolve what you think you know about the world? Or about your partner, family member, or close friend?
And rather than stand ever more firmly in your opinion, can you allow yourself to be surprised by what is revealed when you stop labeling and knowing, and start opening into your heart’s, perhaps more honest, perception of things?
James Baldwin said it best: “I think it’s better to know that you don’t know, that way you can grow with the mystery as the mystery grows in you. But, these days, of course, everybody knows everything, that’s why so many people are so lost.”
Invite your child-like wonderment to seep in again.
Let yourself be surprised by yourself and others.
Let magic return again to a world not fully known.
Deepen into the Samhain Season with Plant Spirit Healing
Practice child-like wonderment, hone your intuitive skills, and invite magic deep into your late Autumn days in Call Into Darkness: Deepening Plant Allyship.
This course cracks open the doorway into magic and mystery, deep healing and spiritual insight.
Just a little over a week left to register!
Sign up before 10/31 to allow time for your tinctures to ship before we begin.
We begin 11/5/23.
Missed this course this year? Don't worry!
This course happens yearly from Samhain to Winter Solstice.
