in a grove of birch

Happy New Year from New Zealand! 

At midnight we tied a strip of paper reading “2016″ to a firework and set it off, and the above is all that remains. I wish it had been more thoroughly obliterated, but I think the symbolism that everything that happened this year can’t be erased is probably appropriate. 

I then pulled a card from the Tree of Life oracle for the new year, and it seemed kindof awful. “Fallen” has to do with death, tragedy, loss, bitterness … all those great things, and I considered not sharing this because the implications are just depressing. 

But it also means renewal, and reading more about the card replaces my initial feeling of dread with one of cautious hope, with such statements as: 

“You are now or may soon be part of a shift that seems to have altered the universe. Do not lose hope or faith in all that good life has to offer at this time. Forbearance and stealth will see you through.” 

and

“Big changes have come, and when you face them with courage, you see that  you are still standing, living, and capable of thriving. Do not allow explosive and unexpected change or the end of situations disable you, certainly not for long. Recover and repair, clear up the pathways or leap over the obstacles and walk on. Renewal is yours now.” 

So that’s better than it first seemed anyway - we are not the tree who has fallen, we are the forest around it, grieving for the loss but adapting to it and filling the hole with new life. 

That last line of this still resonates with me hard:

If you’re anything like me, you know the frustration of trying to transition into a trance state, or making it across the hedge.  As someone who deals with a lot of stress and anxiety, it’s extremely difficult to get my mind to shut up and focus.  On one particularly stressful day, I came up with this great way of focusing on breathing within a Celtic/Gaelic worldview (because I grew frustrated that all of the breathing/focusing exercises I came across were from Buddhist or new age practices). As many of us know, the trinity of land, sea, and sky is important in Gaelic tradition, so these are the three elements or realms that I used to create focus and relax the mind and body.

This meditation is unusual because it starts on an exhale.  Take a deep breath, get into a comfortable position and begin:

Exhale: Feel your body sink into the earth and become grounded Inhale: Feel the sea fill your body, let it swell up within you Hold: Feel the sky lift you, you become weightless (Repeat)

You can do these breaths in counts of 3, or 4, or whatever you feel comfortable with.  As in: “Exhale… 2… 3… 4… Inhale… 2… 3… 4… Hold… 2… 3… 4… Exhale….” and so on.  The words above are simply a guide to how to make your body feel as you breathe, you may give yourself mental instruction like this, or just let your body feel each realm.  I usually recommend starting out with mental instruction and slowly weaning yourself off of it until you’re just relying on feeling.  This is a good way to slowly ease yourself away from daily consciousness and into a trance-like state.

Top Shot: Green Reflections

Top Shot features the photo with the most votes from the previous day’s Daily Dozen, 12 photos chosen by the Your Shot editors from thousands of recent uploads. Our community votes for their favorite photo from the selection, and the Top Shot is showcased on the @natgeoyourshot Instagram account.

Here you go! 

NIU - He Tangata Matauhi is a 56 oracle card set depicting 56 unique Maori influenced artworks. An 82 page published guide booklet accompanies the deck which describes the meanings behind each card. Every step of the process, from concept through to design, packaging and production is created or overseen by myself.

The NIU oracle cards and guide utilises many of the teachings of classical Tarot and combines them with a Maori cultural framework to create an intuitive ethnic guidance. What’s unique about the NIU oracle is the way Maori philosophies and knowledge interlaces with modern day ‘mindfulness’ analogies. Mindfulness essentially means being tolerant and accepting of all aspects of human conditioning - pleasant and unpleasant. 

I kindle this hearth this morning in front of the De ocus anDe in front of the ancestors with kindness and gratitude towards the mighty Three Blessings upon Blessings Be.

- 

Back to the earth, and may it be

A blessing of blessings upon all Three.