To Thine Own Nature, Be True

May 20, 2017

I am with the Tree near the cabin.  She is being counselor this night...  I have asked what is required of me to deepen in these teachings and in my own medicine.

Be true to thine own voice.  Do what you need to do for yourself.  Be true to your own Nature.  

For being true to your own Nature can never be wrong.

I walk to the Mystical Forest and stand with Reflection Tree for a moment.  A little nut-hatch lands just above me and begins to climb up and down and up-side down along the trunk and nearby branch, seemingly unconcerned with anything but her search for food.

And as I watch her, I feel her message... Be in your nature, she affirms.

And Reflection Tree agrees.  To create deeper peace, and deeper connection with those around you, be in your Nature.  

To thine own self, be true.
To thine own voice, be true.
To thine own heart, be true.
To thine own medicine, be true.


May 24, 2017

I am at the site that is currently planned for the yurt set-up.  It is morning, and I introduce myself to the site - in particular to the two eldest trees next to where the East and West walls will be.  I offer some of my hair, and incense.  The Elders are quiet.  All that is offered is an image to return later in the evening with smudge and my burning-shell.

~~

It is late now -- 10pm -- dark.  The farm is quiet.  I unwrap my shell, place the smudge inside and light it.  I bathe myself in the smoke, and then offer it to the directions.  And then I walk to the Elder Tree of the West.

I re-introduce myself.  "I ask to be accepted here -- as care-taker, helper, apprentice.  I ask permission for our home to be here, next to you, on this spot."

I hear you.  We [many voices] hear you.  We accept you.

I pass by a stump from which young saplings are growing and quickly offer it an acknowledgement.  Then I walk to the East Elder Tree.  As I offer smudge, I felt his energy... Sad, almost angry. I inquire, "Is my request accepted here, by you?"

East Elder Tree replies, We [voices in unison] hear and accept you...  It has just been sooo long since I have been honoured.

And in that moment I felt something of the history of neglect and disrespect, and the reason for his anger and sadness.

I then offered smudge to the other neighbour trees.  And when complete, I put more smudge in the shell, for now I wanted to receive teachings. I was heading toward the West Elder Tree, but was directed by him to the stump instead.

A nursing stump, still giving life -- life from death.  Nursing Mother.  I placed the smudge-shell on her, and also a small mushroom as offering -- fruit, death, life.

She spoke, I am the history of this place.  I lived, I died, I gave life again.  In this way, life is eternal, it goes on and on in cycles. 

I asked her for teachings.  She said, Listen, deeply, with heart and body.

I relaxed and dropped out of my head and into a receptive heart-body awareness.  I heard sounds becoming gradually more pronounced and even three-dimensional.  And I felt a bit frightened, which surprised me.

Why be afraid? You have received so much medicine this way before.  Relax, and listen always from this place to receive the teachings.

Images of the work I am wanting to deepen, and also flourish within, arose.  I said, "I want to go deeper in the teachings so I can offer them out to those I am working with."

Then you must go deeper and listen from this place!

And then my mind went to an aggitation between my husband and I.

Do not give-in, she said.  You must not give-in.  There is nothing you are doing wrong [when you are in your own nature].  Be peaceful.  Meet him with peace.  And pray for him, from this same place.  This deep-listening place.  Feel the prayer in your heart-body, pray deeply for him, and be at peace.

Return, child, often.  Speak with me here.  I am a gateway.