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As we enter August, we are taking a step forward to end or complete the Summer season. That may be hard to process here in Central Texas where the temperatures are still very high, but school vacation time is drawing to a close now.
August 1 is traditionally the date to celebrate Lughnasadh or first harvest. The start of harvest season signals the completion of the growing season.
Nate shares his journey regarding the importance of acknowledging and celebrating the completion of things.
Endings vs. Completions
A profound distinction exists within the framework of everyday life, between “endings” and “completions,” each influencing the journey we walk in distinct yet impactful ways. This awareness became particularly clear to me while facilitating a journey circle recently.
The group journey drew to a close after about 20 minutes. As the facilitator, I played a standard call-back of four sets of seven quick beats, a longer stretch of beats, and then again four sets of seven quick beats. I rose from my seat and walked around the circle, rattling each person and calling them gently back from their journeys. At that moment, I realized again how important the call-back is to complete the journey for each person.
They were not “ending” their journey; rather the rattle was helping them to “complete” it with an opportunity to thank the spirits that joined us while offering a gentle and graceful return to our physical circle.
Endings arrive with the weight of abruptness, a sudden cessation that leaves us grasping for stability in the tumultuous wake of change. Be it a cherished relationship, a demanding project, or a lifelong commitment, the conclusion of something significant plunges us into a sea of emotions—grief for what is lost, the ache of abandonment, and the unsettling void of purposelessness. Depression often looms as a shadow, a testament to the profound impact of what once was, now vanished. Society advises us to “let go,” an injunction easier said than done, as we wrestle with the complexities of detachment.
Completion, however, offers a different vantage point—a chance to survey the landscape of our efforts with clarity and grace. It invites us to see that what we perceived as an end is, in fact, a culmination—a stone reverently placed upon the altar of our journey. This altar, adorned with the markers of our achievements and relationships, serves not as a repository of closures but as a testament to our growth and resilience. Each completed task, each concluded relationship, stands as a stepping stone propelling us forward, shaping the trajectory of our future commitments.
The concept of “cutting cords” embodies this transformative process. It beckons us to acknowledge change not as a severance into darkness, but as a redirection of energies and resources toward new endeavors. Imagine the symbolic cord, binding us to what has passed—its severance not a plunge into emptiness, but a liberation of potential. Whether our journey concludes with triumph or turmoil, the wisdom gleaned nourishes the path still ahead. It teaches us that closure, when approached with gratitude and reflection, honors the investments made and the lessons learned, ensuring that our next steps are informed by the past rather than haunted by it.
The contrasts between endings and completions provide a profound lesson: Our narratives are not just compilations of final chapters, but journeys enriched by moments of closure and continuity. Each transition offers an opportunity for growth, each completion a chance to embrace the insight gained from both tragic and triumphant changes. Thus, as we navigate the ebbs and flows of life, may we learn to celebrate not just the endings but the artistry of completion—wherein lies the true essence of our journey. Good completions can only enhance our relationship to Spirit, the inner self, and all our relations.
Here’s to Good Completions and New Beginnings.
This is my journey,
Nate Long “Owl”
At this time of the year, we are each encouraged to celebrate the beauty of competition in our lives
The Leadership Team for the Shamanic Community of Austin
Learn More
We are partnering with The Shamanic Passages Institute to offer two virtual introductory courses especially designed for those new and relatively new to the shamanic journey. Council member Gerry Starnes, M.Ed., author and creator of the Institute, is offering a special 20% discount on two foundational courses. See the blog regarding Journey Courses For Beginners for more information.
The Shamanic Community of Austin website also has an educational library under the Resources page. You can find links to books by leading shamanic teachers and leaders.
The Leadership Council is working towards providing educational online videos for both new and continuing members to learn about our core values and mission. We are also looking to present our leadership team to the community through online videos to express each unique practice, expertise, and shamanic view.
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