FINDING SPRING ©
by Nancy Sandling
You are sipping a fragrant cup of milky chai tea sitting in front of a roaring fire feeling the warmth spread across your cheeks and hands…listening to the soothing sounds of the crackle, hissing and popping fire. You notice that the flames seem to dance a jig of merriment and cast a cozy glow across the stone walls of the cave which surrounds you. This cave has provided you safe shelter over the past weeks and you feel safe, warm, and grateful for its protection. As your gaze takes in your environment, you sense a shift in the light pattern that filters in from the entrance. It seems to reach further into the cave now. In the corner, there is a milky white stone basin which is naturally filled with droplets of meting snow and ice, trickling down between crevasses of the rock walls of the cave. The dripping noise has picked up its rhythm, or perhaps it only sounds louder now that you have drawn attention to it. It reminds you of the cold outside, yet it strangely stirs you to want to go out there. To cool your forehead, which has broken sweat from the fire, you dip your hands into the basin and pull the piercingly cold water to your face. It feels invigorating. You pat yourself dry with a cloth and your eyes look to the hall that leads to the entrance of the cave. You feel a pull in that direction. You know it is time.
You take the cloak which is warmed by the fire and pull it tight over your shoulders as you head for the opening. Standing outside, your cheeks are stung by the cold air. The light is so bright you are blinded at first. You blink several times trying to adjust to the brightness. You are relieved when an object shifts in front of you, blocking out the direct sun. It looks like a dark form with the backdrop of light flooding around it. You quickly adjust to the vision and see that it is a person with their hand up, facing you, as if to stay stop. Instead, you hear the reassuring voice greet you in Native American Indian tongue, “How.” You bow your head in greeting back to your Indian guide and marvel at the attire of feathers and animal fur. Your guide turns and starts to lead you towards the forest and you instinctually know to follow. Except for the crunching of the snow with each step of your feet, you walk in silence. You marvel at the crisp beauty of the surrounding mountains and tall alpine trees. The sky is winter blue, with not a cloud in the sky. Above, you hear three piercing calls from a bird soaring high in the sky and you squint to see its beautiful wing span.
You reach the edge of the forest, where you can hear the distant babbling of a stream. Your guide stops and faces you again. “Go to the river. Once you have reached it, look for the smoke rings to guide your way back. There I will await your return and ask that you tell me of three signs of Spring. This promise of Spring I will share with the forest spirits and we will rejoice in knowing that she is not far away.” As you nod to accept this task, your guide smudges a line of charcoal across your forehead and smiles at you with golden eyes. Your guide turns, and leaves you to your mission.
You step foot into the forest, taking each stride in direction of the gurgling noise of the stream. You marvel at the contrast of pine needle green and snowy white. You see wild life and hear sounds. The air is still, yet full of life. The volume of the water rushes closer and closer. The foliage changes as the river bank draws near. As you finally reach the river, you pause to reflect on its beauty and to listen to its thunderous voice. You cup your hands into a pool to bring a taste of the cold water to your mouth. You feel invigorated.
As you locate the rings of smoke in the sky and start your return towards them, you think about the three sign of Spring that you will share with your guide friend. Your steps quicken as you grow with excitement of the promise of Spring.
Back at the edge of the forest, you head towards the fire ring that your guide is tending. As you get closer, you are surprised to see that it is not your guide, but a great animal, poking the fire instead. As you look at this animal, the familiar golden eyes tell you that this is indeed your guide friend. You sit at the fire ring. The familiar voice calmly states, “This fire burns of the thoughts and parts of you that you will not need going forward.” You gaze into the glow and sure enough see ideas and things that you have been carrying with no purpose. You let them burn and release themselves. The voice continues “When it goes out, the three gifts of spring will give you all the warmth you need going forward. Please tell me of them now.”
You tell your companion of the three signs of Spring that you saw in the forest. The golden eyes seemed pleased. The great animal hands you a white crystal and thanks you for delivering such great news. You notice that the fire has now died out and the ashes are snow white. It is as if the fire ring was never there. You look up to the sun in the sky and when you gaze back to your friend, you see that you are alone. The crystal feels cool in your hand. You now feel yourself back in your own place and time but you know you can return any time you wish.
Nancy was born in Pasadena, CA and currently resides in Atlanta, GA, where she works at a university in external relations. Nancy is the co-founder of Circle of Trees Academy of Spiritual Training Traditions and studies eastern and western spiritual traditions and practices. She is currently teaching courses in Raja yoga, personal healing, dream work, and personal totems. Her hobbies and interests include organic gardening, sustainable living, cooking, writing, poetry, and painting. Email: nancy@circleoftrees.com
Finding Spring copyright © 2008 by Nancy Sandling, all
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Earthsongs: International Journal of the Society of Celtic Shamans copyright © 2008 by Elder Grove Press and content providers. All rights reserved. International copyright laws prohibit reproduction of or distribution of this page by any means whatsoever, electronic or otherwise, without first obtaining the written permissions of the copyright holders. We retain legal counsel to protect our copyrights.
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