rituals of rewilding
I take my dog for walks each day, I notice that during the sun hours we tend to move forward or clockwise in the direction towards woods and water. In the evening, we tend to move counter clockwise deep into the neighborhood towards moonlight. Each revolution teaches something different and creates a new radius of experience.
About a month ago, I discovered a wide expanse of woods and stream behind my home that I never knew existed in the 19 years living in this neighborhood (let alone my 40+ years living in this town and landscape). Today, I was called to enter solitary in nature and blew off my cardio workout to venture out instead. After walking on the black paths around ponds and courts, we move closer to the newly discovered path along the streambed. I pulled out my earbuds and stopped listening to the audio book Untamed to tune instead in to the sounds of nature.
As we move along the dirt path, I begin to sink into the wild around me. I notice a tree that seemed about the size of both my arm’s length around, l lean in and give the tree a full body hug. The tree seems to be hugging me more. I feel held by its sturdiness and solidity and aliveness. I receive loving energy from its roots that extend upwards to the sky.
Breaking away, we continue upon a cluster of oaks with 4 trunks emanating from one base trunk. There is a nook in between that calls me in. I climb up and nestle in this heart. I rise taller and settle in realizing this is a new vantage point. Just then I notice a beautiful brown owl across the tree branches holding my gaze in the light of day. Eye to eye contact, neither of us looks away. I have never seen an owl but have always wanted to. Each of us now on equal footing. With reverence and respect I energetically bow to the winged creature. Sending gratitude to owl for presenting herself. Just then she bounds from the branch with a release of Whoooooooo. The sound is deeper, more guttural and wild, than I expect. A flutter of strong feathers roars away. Feeling changed and elated, I continue my journey with newfound purpose.
Following my dog’s lead, we come upon a sandy bank by the stream. The sand and gurgle of the water was warm and inviting. We sit eyes closed and listen. All senses coming to life, leaves rustling, wind gentle and touching my skin, talking waters, I sink deeper into myself and the sand. A realization arrives that this is a fleeting moment in time that is unique and would never be again. The experience and experiencer intersecting in a flash. The world of the quarantine is quiet without the usual sounds of leaf blowers, cars and other loud, reverberating, carrying man-made machinery. Just as I stood on the balcony in Cabo before Covid permeated our lives, and knew in that moment, the world may never be the same again, the same sensation strikes me here. I breathe it in with the sense of radical presence.
Back on the trail, everything has shifted. The colors are brighter, plants and animals play like a Disney movie. A flock of little birds choreograph a private dance just for me. Ground cover and blooms burst with song. Black squirrels and bright red cardinals dart with energy and excitement. Knock, knock, knock. I stop and listen. Knock, knock, knock. If I hear it one more time I will move forward through the thorny brush towards the sound, not wanting to leave opportunity knocking without answering the door. Knock, knock, knock. I move closer to see a large woodpecker with a bright red head doing its work before flying off on black and white stripped wings. I have seen holes in the trees that woodpecker has made, but have never laid eyes on woodpecker herself. Another new visitor to my world that has always been there.
The synchronicities of the day are numinous and luminous. Never again to be experienced or perceived the same way. A single moment of co-creation.
I pull an oracle card. “Trust your judgment” it says with a magical illustration of woman among wild animals. There is a deep knowing that I have trusted my judgment on this day and it has guided me down the right path…