Presence

Summer is one of my favorite times of year. The solar energy is at a peak both, within and around us. As the wheel moves to late July, I feel vibrant, full of life and excited about all the green beauty that surrounds us. Summer is a celebration of the inner-fire, the magic that makes abundance & wild growth happen from a tiny seed.

Each summer day is full of opportunities and blessings of new growth, blossoms and wild adventures. There is so much to see, to get done and take in. However, I find that all too often this “full of life energy” leads to overwhelm and an inner ungrounded & frenzied energy. In acknowledging this, I am reminded that even in the vibrant movement of Summertime we still need to take breaks and create moments where we can settle our busy energy and focus on just one thing at a time (definitely not my strong suit).

Summer offers us the lesson of patience. The fruit will not be sweet & ready to pick until it is ripe. There is no rushing nature. Nature guides us to surrender into a slow, steady pace. If we ground into this rhythm… breath, let go and settle into the knowing that most things will reach their fullness without much action or hassle from us.

This mandala was created while on a mid-day hike where I felt called to rest under a tree and breath into the beauty of a sunny Colorado day.

This mandala was created with the prayer and intention of releasing the need to push forward forcefully and instead slow into being presence. Allowing us to find simple ways to nurture ourselves while moving through the many duties, celebrations and happenings during this action-filled season. While creating it, I felt overcome with the prayer of “releasing resistance”. As I laid wild harvested Artemisia (Artemisia ludoviciana & Artemisia frigida) on the ground at the base of a ponderosa pine, I called in peace for the earth, peace for myself and peace for all. I asked that we all release any resistance and seek to walk gently on this earth through these fiery July days. May we honor the inner call to slow down, even for just moments, to be present.

I have always loved wild Artemisia. Often while hiking I twist off a tip of the plant and roll it in my hand to inhale its sweet, sacred scent…. that will always remind me of Colorado summers. The color of the plant is a tender blue, green and grey that just feels calming and has lunar vibes. In herb school (Equinox School of Herbal Medicine), I learned how it was considered sacred to many of the indigenous tribes that lived in or traveled through Northern Colorado. And most recently experimented with Artemisia flower essence which helps to calm high-strung energies and help us relax the mind. It’s helpful in steering us gently away from distractions that take us away from our true, soulful nature (like social media scrolling, addictions and other unhealthy indulgences). Overall, Artemisia is lovely for cleansing the body, mind, and spirit and clearing away negative patterns, behaviors, energies or anything heavy that is weighing us down. Seemed like a plant that many of us can use.

My prayer for you….

Is that while the solar fire ignites growth and energy into our lives, may you find slow summer moments to be quiet, listen and slow the mind & body to take in the wholeness of the moment. May you sync into the ebbs and flows of your unique summer rhythm. Sinking into slow, present moments of gratitude, especially in nature. Remembering that we, just like the sun, shine love & light out into the world.