mother earth

Mother Earth’s True Calendar. Going with the Natural Flow of the Season Changes.

Posted by Barbara Techel

If we are in touch with Mother Nature, we begin to see signs and feel a shift toward autumn long before the calendar dubs it so, which is September 22nd this year.

This has definitely been the case for me noticing some changes I’m seeing on my morning daily walks. The photo above is from my backyard. This shrub sprouts white blossoms in the spring, then over the summer develops green berries, which then began to ripen as fall approaches.

I also sense it in my energy levels as the mornings are cooler now and we reach peak heat a little later each day. It’s a time also when my creativity levels are at their highest — such has been the case with different areas of my life of late.

Just this morning I was listening to Colette O’Neill of Bealtaine Cottage. She lives in west Ireland. Her YouTube channel is one I discovered a few weeks ago and I simply can’t get enough of it! She is a spunky sixty-five-year-old woman who over seventeen years ago bought three acres of barren land and a cottage because she’d felt this strong nudge to return to Ireland. With her own hands and a budget of almost zero, she began planting trees and over the years has planted over eleven hundred of them on her property!

Her videos are of her walking her land with her faithful border collie, Jack, in front of her on the many paths that weave through her property. As she walks and shares her enchanting land with viewers she talks about permaculture, Mother Earth, life, and an occasional rant about something she has strong opinions about.

In the particular video I was listening to today (she’s been doing them for nine years, so there’s a plethora of them!) she was talking about a yearly celebration in Ireland called Lughnasadh. It begins on August 1st a time when summer is beginning to wane, and the harvest season begins. It is based on the Pagan Wheel of the Year and on the sun’s cycle, and named after an ancient Celtic Irish god named Lugh.

What really perked my ears was when Colette shared how upset she gets with the man-made calendar of dubbing later in the season as the beginning of fall (September 22nd as is the case for 2021), when really, Mother Nature does not work that way.

This resonated throughout my entire being! I’ve realized how over the years I’ve felt these shifts of seasonal change much earlier than the calendar says it as so, thus putting off just being with the delicious sensations and feelings that fall brings for me — thinking I have to “wait” until the calendar says so.

Does this not speak to dulling our intuition also? When we are in connection with nature, this is what is the perfect guide for our intuition and feeling into what is occurring around us, instead of relying on a calendar — that and what our eyes actually see as Mother Nature slowly begins to reveal herself in the subtle changes all around us. Not only in the flowers, trees, and shrubs, along with the light changing but also in how the habits of the animals change too.

I’ve noticed with the birds that they don’t frequent my feeders as much lately. There is so much more in terms of insects, berries, and other things for them to enjoy right now. Despite my having just used my birthday money from my mom to purchase this new feeding station! But I know that in time they will return again as we move closer to winter.

Speaking of the habits of animals changing during different seasons, a frequent visitor this time of the year to the feeding station seems to only be the sassy squirrel! But hey, he has to eat too as I’m sure all the goodies he stored last season are waning in quantity too.

Lastly, it is quieter this time of year. I’ve especially noted that since the wrens have raised their families and have now flown the coop. I shall really look forward to when they return again next year! While the wrens are gone, the bees and butterflies are in abundance, and hummingbirds are dancing and feeding with much more frequency at the feeders. I’m also hearing the honks of Sandhill Cranes and Geese more often now too.

As I finish writing this post, and the door is open on Joyful Pause Cottage, you could hear a pin drop as it is that quiet.

And I’m feeling grateful to have learned of the Wheel of the Year as Colette shared in the video I listened to and the celebration of Lughnasadh. It really feels so much more in alignment with my own soul, so it is one I shall continue to follow.

Perhaps it will speak to you too? If so, welcome aboard Mother Nature’s calendar…

XO

Barb

                  

Friends in Low Places and Rodent Lover

Posted by Barbara Techel

Friends in Low Places and Rodent Lover

Just the other day I was so excited telling John that Mr. Squirrel, a.k.a, Hank, finally found the new feeder I put out for him that holds a cob of corn. It took him awhile and that first cob sat there for about two weeks. But then one morning I got up and noticed not one speck of corn was left on the cob!

Of course, Mr. Chipmunk seems to love it too, as I’ve witnessed them scurrying down the birch limbs I have leaning up against my cottage as decorations.  In my excitement sharing this with John, he smiled and said, “My rodent loving wife.”

Yup, I guess that’s me. I love critters. And many of my friends reside in low places, just like this sweet little bunny that was mindfully munching away.

On any given day I can be perched in my writing cottage, working away, and take a moment to look outside my windows to discover a friend or two is nearby.

It’s comforting to me. While I love time alone, I don’t feel alone. And while I adore the people friends I have, I must say a girl sometimes just needs those friends who have no advice to give or any troubles to share.

Aren’t animals and nature grand?  Thank you Mother Earth!

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Journey into the Woods Alone

Posted by Barbara Techel

For the past few weeks I’ve had this inner nudge telling me to walk in the woods alone—a small wooded area only five minutes from my driveway.

Now that I did, it sounds silly to say that I had fear about doing so. But it’s the truth. When I shared this with John last night he smiled and asked, “Why?” 

His smile helped to lessen my fear a bit. It’s not like I’ve never walked in those woods before. Though each time I have it’s been with at least one of my dogs. And it’s not like it’s a huge, dense forest. And did I mention I live in the village, so there is an athletic field next to the woods, plus you can see homes along the woods edges in certain places?

But John’s smile was the extra push I needed, along with listening to some speakers recently talking about the Native American and Indigenous cultures of which I find myself leaning more and more into, that I knew I needed to take more time to connect with nature.

The small woods near my house have areas of wooden steps along the path that Boy Scout troops took the time to put in place years ago and continue to maintain. We live in a glacial area, so the wooded area has some steep inclines.

Listening to author, Tamarack Song yesterday who shared on Heartbeat of Mother Earth summit, that being in nature is vital to our well-being, was the final nudge I needed. So much does he believe this, living in Northern Wisconsin in the woods, that he does not even have indoor plumbing. That’s right…he does his business outside. Okay, that’s a bit much for me.

So around noon today, after working on an essay that I’ll be offering as a free gift soon (stay tuned), I needed a break. I bundled up in my winter coat, mittens, and boots.

And out the door I went, leaving the dogs behind and my cell phone. Even though I had the urge to turn back and get my phone for the camera in case I wanted to take a photo. Or what if I fell and needed help? And guilt wanted to walk with me for leaving the dogs behind — but neither able to navigate the snow and ice well, being one with IVDD and one with arthritis, and both seniors.

Just go! I scolded myself.

The wind bit my face, but I remembered what Tamarack said. We can’t control the weather, but we can accept it and welcome it. And so I changed my thought to ahhhhh, I’m breathing in fresh air.

Once I got to the woods entrance, it was crunchy snow, about 3 inches, covered in many places with ice. I worried I’d fall as it is a steep hill.

But no, I said I was going to do this. Keep going! I told myself. I used the trees as my anchors, holding onto a branch here, a trunk there, and slowly down the first incline I went.

I thought about how walking years ago was a hurried thing, a work out, a way to stay in shape, lose weight, stay firm, pressure to stay thin, etc. And I realized during all those years it really wasn’t fun or relaxing. Most times I couldn’t wait for it to be done and it was stressful.

Now was another chance to put that to rest. Today, right now. To connect with myself and nature. No goals. No other reason. Just be.

And so I walked in an open-minded way to whatever would unfold. I heard the rustling of leaves blowing in the wind – leaves that had turned brown and crunchy, but still held on. I saw a nuthatch bouncing along a large tree limb. I could watch them all day – such funny, energetic, little creatures.

As I climbed a small hill, the next part of the path would be another steep incline down, though wooden steps and wood railing in place to make the trek down a bit easier. But yet I could see it was covered in much ice.

Just then I glanced down and saw the perfect stick to make my walking stick – to hold in my right hand as I held onto the railing with my left. And slowly I began my decent and with each step I took I did so mindfully and as if a meditation- grateful to have my feet upon the earth.

On the final push up the last hill, the sun glistening on the snow I relished in hearing the sound of the walking stick hit the crispy snow as I took each step to the top of the hill.

Coming out of the woods I thought about discarding the stick. Would it be silly of me to walk back through my neighborhood with this stick? I wondered. But yet, I didn’t want to leave it behind. It had become my friend.

And so it made the final trek home with me. As we walked, I thought about what I’ve been learning about indigenous ways of being, and how it resonates not only as healing for ourselves, but for this planet by being more in connection with Mother Earth. And in honoring and being respectful of her.

When I got home I set my walking stick right outside my writing cottage door – to serve as a reminder that taking a break and connecting with nature is not only vital to my well-being – but to all beings.

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