When the ground opens up - look to the ancients

About 18 months ago I was contacted by a young woman who I had come to know through her participation in the Nature Based Leadership Training. I had always known her as a passionate and confident activist, leaning in to deeper connection with the earth and herself. A leader. In an uncanny way, she reminded me of myself at the same age.

But something had changed when we spoke this time. Her entire centre of gravity had shifted. The life of activism, partner and community had become disenchanting. Rather than pot luck community dinners around a campfire she wanted the fire all to herself, the trees and creatures of the night her wild companions. Her dreams darkened and deepened. The sunny disposition was clouded over with uncertainty, and potency. An enquiry that went something like - who am I really beyond all these social roles? What gifts am I really here to bring to the earth community?

Image by max roux

This young woman was in her 30th year. Perhaps some health professionals might grow worried at this shift and try to fix or even medicate this young one. But instead I inwardly celebrated - and knew that this one was knocking on the door of initiation - the truest journey into adulthood - where one comes to know themselves at a Soul level.

The Ancients knew this one well. It was in their myths, their ceremonies. Their rites-of-passage were at the heart of village life, because the health of their village depended on them! No initiation, no elders. No elders, and, well, you don’t need to look too far to see the results of that.

And so, with some encouragement, some maps and tools in her medicine pouch, this one courageously left the home of her first belonging (in a psychospiritual sense), to seek her truest path, which is just now, like the stars, starting to ‘burn through the sheets of cloud,’ to borrow from Mary Oliver. Often it's about choosing the path less travelled, and having the courage to do so. Like when this one followed her intuition down to a wildish stretch of the Merri Creek at night to be gifted with a powerful encounter with Owl, gobbling up another night creature. On the threshold of a Vision Quest, the mirror was apt. I eagerly await stories from the other side. 

image by max roux

Why am I reflecting on this now? Probably because we are imminently about to head out to the wilds and set-up a kind of contemporary version of a rites-of-passage camp for many dozens of people to come to over the next month, and enact certain ceremonies, adventures and practices to endear them to the Wild.

For 15 people, this will mean walking out for four days and four nights with nothing much more than a tarp, sleeping bag and a deep prayer for their life to really matter in a new way, for shedding and clear insight.

For others, that will mean learning to sit and observe and get curious about the more-than-human-world, how to walk barefoot and quiet, how to weave a basket, make fire, and listen with the ears of the heart to another. Different arms of the same journey.  

image by max roux

And so when someone asks me where to start, I say, tend to your relationship with the Wild Other. Learn some ecological literacy. Be with yourself in the wilds. Track yourself as you track the outer. Apprentice yourself to elements and forces outside of social control. Make yourself available and accessible to ‘the forest’ - all that is mysterious and wild.

We are making ourselves available for some ‘toe dipping’ in two day-long workshops in Autumn - Earth Time: Into the Wild World and Wild Belonging. Come and sit by the river in good company.

With trepidatious excitement,

Claire

P.S I didn’t even mention yet that one of our mentors, Jon Young, is coming to Australia in October to offer a 7 day intensive - Mind of the Mentor. Such a fantastic opportunity to deepen into the work of mentoring others in Deep Nature Connection. It's sold out but spots will likely arise, so join the waiting list.

P.P.S Stay tuned for details of another Wild Threshold Crossing: 48-hour solo fast later this year. Email emily@naturesapprentice.com.au to be the first to hear more.