Midsummer Morning 2022

Muse
Written By Paula R Winters

I turned off my alarm and rolled back over. Five or six excuses why. But the birds woke me at 4:15. They were greeting the morning. Chirping away. Insistent. Stirring me to join them and this day. ‘Come be in the sacredness.’ So, I throw on my sandals and a sweater (not enough for 48 degrees this morning) and head out to the beach.

As the river comes into view, I can see the green harbor light blinking, warning boats to stay right. Fishing boats moved upriver out to the open ocean. Softly. Their engines quietly murmuring. Whispering their prayers to Mother Nature. A foghorn sounds in the distance. Its low, almost mournful tone signaling rocks, the shoreline, other boats… caution.

As I come over the sand, I see three others waiting for the first sun of summer. One woman with a dog walking away from us toward the jetty. But all of us finding a private spot, not speaking, not acknowledging anything more than what we came for.

I sit on the cold, damp sand watching the waves roll in. The undertow is strong. Pulling the beach out to sea. Slapping the waves on the shore. Rising up to take me with it.

I honor the four directions and the earth and the sky. I gather with the ancient ones. Surrendering to the wisdom of the earth. Gratitude sweeps over me. Through me. Each breath fills me with awe. Each breath opens me wider. I am soon a droplet in the sea, a grain of sand on this beach, the oxygen in the air around me. Each breath brings me further into pieces. Beautifully shattered. I slow. I am alive. I am here. I am a miracle.

Facing east, I sit in prayer as the colors of the sunrise peak over the horizon. Life seems to pause just for a second. A golden ball of light is unveiled as the earth moves us toward its light. The sky is radiant in shades of orange and amber and yellow. I feel Her Grace. Her pause. Her Love washes over me. She collects my prayers and holds them tight. Embracing every nuance. All that they are. I am in ceremony with Her medicine. Her sacred rhythm.

And as I move from the One-ness, from the connection of fire and water and air and earth, the aliveness of this moment and of the earth brings me to tears.

And I hear, ‘I am home.”

Paula R Winters

I came to energy work in 2001 at a time in my life where I was shattered. I had lost myself. There were too many endings and there was no clear path forward that I could see. But as doors closed all around me, I was guided onto a Reiki table. Here I found safety in my body, finally …and an amazing new reality in an unseen world. I worked hard to look at all parts of me as they were offered up. And… I went into total remission and off all meds after 30 years and 7 surgeries for Crohn’s Disease.

All forms of energy work then became my passion. I studied Reiki, flower essences, crystals, essential oils and tarot. I studied with Shaman here and in Peru and climbed high in the Andes mountains. I cleared houses and businesses of unwanted energies. I did Soul Retrievals for my clients. I sat with the dying, helping them in their last moments. I co-taught Medicine Wheel and Advanced Medicine Wheel. I officiated weddings. I had dogs and cats as clients. I studied with Gabrielle Roth, learning 5-rhythm dance. But most of all, this journey brought me to a place where I fell head over heels in love with the healing power of the flowers.

And now I invite you to remember the wisdom Mother Earth offers us.

https://souldancehealing.com
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