|
Honoring the Strawberry Moon
Wayna boozhoo odemin giizis or Welcome to the Strawberry Moon in Anishinaabemowin the local language of the Anishinaabe indigenous peoples where I live in Michigan.
I learned from my elders this week that the strawberry moon is one of the more powerful moons of the year according to the local indigenous cultures. It’s the time of the year when the fruiting begins and the medicine of the strawberries can do it’s magic on us. This includes bringing grounding and grace to ways in which we are over sensitive, boosting our self worth and dissolving guilt so that we can receive the fruits of this life more fully. It’s known as the heart berry and a time in which the community would come together to forgive those who had caused harm and cultivate reconciliation. It’s a time to listen to each other as we also listen to our own hearts to call in our gifts and appreciate other’s gifts.
I’ve been continuing to land and integrate since my return home from England and the ancestral healing that happened and continues to happen. There are so many ways that we can return to ourselves, into the home of our body and the land where we are. I’ve been dancing most days to move with and through the shadows, taking walks to appreciate the blooming, supporting clients and gardening which gives me such joy! Throughout it all my intention is to be present with all of who I am, the land, my ancestors and those who are with me. This of course is all a practice and so often my mind and stories come in to distract me and get me revved up on some idea that must happen now or shuts me down. While this is so normal, it can also cause me to leave my body awareness behind and send me in a direction that is away from my true home. When I notice this is happening I try to stop, notice, look around, breathe and ask myself when I got disconnected and why. Slowly I can come back with nourishing practice through inquiry, being with my senses and offering myself loving attention.
I also have practices that are complex enough that they demand all of my attention and bring me back into alignment like Charya Nritya (“dance as spiritual discipline” in Sanskrit) that I learned while in Nepal. Here’s the refuge dance that clears us and calls in our whole selves, the teachings of all of life, our community and protection to guide us on our path. We need it all to be all of who we are, and it’s all a practice that requires great compassion. I was not consistently dancing this practice for years and have recently come back to it. I am reminded of why I learned it and am now able to embody it more fully. Practices come and go and we can return to them too.
How do you return to yourself and your inner home? Are you wanting to gain more tools, skills, practices, guidance and or support on your journey? Do you want to feel more belonging, connection and nourishment amidst this crazy world? Then consider joining us this summer, learn more about the options available in Northern Michigan . . .
|
