Dear Shamanic Community of Austin,
As we step into the beauty of Spring weather, there’s a pull to be outside. Some of us like to get into the trees and on the trails. Some like to ride bicycles or fly kites, or take the kids to the park. And then there are those who like to get their hands dirty and plant the tomatoes and peppers and herbs in the garden plot in the back yard. You are encouraged to step outside and breathe and move and take in the healing medicines that the Spirit of Spring is offering.
Here are some insights from Nate Long “Owl”
The Gardener
What you tend within blossoms beyond
You are both the gardener and the harvest
What’s taking root in the garden of your heart?
Is it thriving, or has it become tangled with doubt, fear, or neglect? Before something new can grow, you must clear the space. Trim away what no longer serves you, pull the weeds of hesitation, and open the soil for something vibrant and true. While you work (and because of the work), you’ll find the perfect spot within this sacred clearing, where light, possibility, and intention meet.
What seed is calling to be planted?
The Earth is waiting to cradle whatever you choose, whether love, courage, or wisdom. Hold it in your hands and honor its potential. Your desires and needs are eager to sprout into the sunshine. Plant it deep and trust that transformation begins in the cool darkness below your feet. Then, turn to the Sky with humility and awe and ask for the purest rain, the water of clarity and nourishment. Speak your prayers, your affirmations, your dreams. Let your voice ring out in song, each word as a drop of water, awakening the roots of what’s to come.
How will you tend to what you’ve begun?
A garden doesn’t flourish on its own. It needs care. Water with attention, prune with wisdom, and shield with patience. With time, tender shoots will emerge, and soon, the harvest will arrive. The fruits of your labor will be abundant, nourishing, and meant for sharing. Recognize that the greatest gardens aren’t just for the gardener. They are for the world.
What if your garden could stretch beyond you?
Your heart is a vast and endless place with no acreage limit to worry about. Gather the seeds of your harvest for planting next season and create fields that feed many. Share the bounty of what you’ve grown by teaching others how to plant and nurture their own heart space. Then, relax and witness the landscape’s transformation within yourself and your community.
Remember to enjoy the work you put into the garden of your heart because it feeds more than your own well-being.
The Shamanic Journey
Meditative journey work (also known as Shamanic journey work) can be a tool with which one can offer viable and meaningful help. This practice provides a pathway to connect with spiritual helpers and access wisdom beyond the physical world. Through these journeys, we can receive guidance, healing, and clarity to hold space for others during times of crisis. This practice empowers us to embody the compassionate witness, offering support and nurturing connection on both seen and unseen levels.
— Shamanic Community of Austin Leadership Team