I am still alive. I am breathing. I am conscious. I have many things to be grateful for, and in those small things, I prosper.
My journey took me into the lower world. I usually find this path full of twists and turns as I go down into the depths of my being. I arrive at the threshold of a small green hobbit like door which opens easily and I step through into a forested world, a waxing moon hangs above me in a star filled dark blue sky. There to greet me are characters from some of my paintings. They are there to help me on this journey’s intention to find some healing of my heart, soul, and mind. I find this amusing and wonderful; recognizing my artists soul come alive within the journey.
Spirit walks with me down to a calm lake, there is a row boat waiting for me. I know I must cleanse myself first and walk into the warm water, diving under and allow the water to wash away all my worries, all my frustrations and anger. Spirit is waiting for me on the shore and helps to wrap a gauzy white cotton robe around me, belted with a pale blue ribbon.
I get into the green row boat and begin to paddle out into the lake, seeing a small forested island ahead of me; my destination. Rowing up to the island, I tie my boat to a wooden dock and walk up axe hewn wooden stairs to a small nordic building on stilts. There waiting for me is an ancestor, he is a large man, fully bearded and dressed in homespun. An ancient swede, kind and gentle, living off the land and sea; his home is on stilts to protect from marauding bears. He points out other homes like his on the shoreline, their homely candle lights twinkling into the dark. He beckons me inside.
The ancestor asks me to sit on a low wooden stool. The interior of the home is warm and cozily lit with tallow candles. The hearth itself is a large flat stone, set on the floor, a small fire is burning upon it, and smoke spirals up through a hole in the roof. I tell him that I am here to find some healing for my heart. I tell him about my worries, he quietly listens. He got up after awhile and came over to put his arm around me. He tells me that I am prosperous. I question that, and he asks me to look at my life and tells me again, to recognize that I am indeed, prosperous. I realize that he is right.
A decision is made that I need a healing ceremony. The ancestors and some others (clansmen?), lay me on a platform and lay green leafy tree branches on top of me. Then the clan shaman arrives, dressed in a bear skin complete with head. He examines me and then folds me up inside the bear skin with him. I rest there in the shamans arms until the drum calls me back from my journey into ordinary reality.
Sacred Spiral Design 