Remembering Our Relatedness

The natural world, far removed from our modern one of plastics, clean, hot running water and every convenience at our fingertips, is always waiting not too far outside the door.

I took a walk in the dark of the clouded-over new moon tonight and asked for guidance: for my health, for the health of my loved ones, for the work that I do, for the people of the world who are hurting. I often receive the same answers: to go deeper into the Earth, to seek the wisdom in her ecology, to understand the messages tucked inside of her soil and to learn from the nature of her complex creatures who are frequently perceived as more simple than we humans.

To be anthropmorphic-to assume that animals have emotions and systems which might mirror ours may seem remedial to some. But to me, being anthropocentric-to assume that animals do not possess emotions, make choices, exert some notion of free will, is more dangerous to Earth’s ecology. We humans are not the only ones which are equipped with advanced operating systems.

Most animals hear with far greater accuracy than we do. Their sensitivities to subtle vibrations in the ground and air prompt them to move or stay still. They see with keener eyes than us, and smell danger or food sources in a way in which we have forgotten. We do not have to utilize this intelligence anymore, much is done for us. Only in our relationships do we show up with some perplexedness about needing to perceive and read signals and signs.

If we can understand that we are related to everything and everyone,

we can bring the same attention and commitment.

We have all but lost our connection to the world in which we live. We have all but sacrificed our intuition, which can guide us when we call upon it to from the depths of our origins. We can remember, and re-member if we want to try, and I think it can help us to reacquaint ourselves with the confidence which is felt when we understand our connection to all living things, including what is happening inside of the Earth and in the Sky.

Spring is coming in the Northern Hemisphere. It can be felt in the warming and the lengthening of the days, and on the breeze. It can be seen when we look beyond our usual range. All of the knowledge of what is coming and what is possible can be sensed when we remember where we came from.