Honor the Guardians

The trees are the Guardians...those that are identified as the 'Standing People'.
They are those that hold space for our becoming.
They surround us with their protective arms and remind us to 'reach' for the sky.
They teach us to dive deep into the Earth with our roots so that we might be grounded and stable.
They remind us to 'stand tall'.

The Guardians are our teachers, our guides, our partners.
If we draw close to them and ask them to whisper their secrets, they will.
They share with us patience, strength, fortitude for the challenging times that are upon this Earth.
They remind us to always stay connected to the Creator and to the Earth that generously gives us our foundation.

Some Guardians stand alone in the forest, as if to define themselves separate for some deep reason or purpose.
Some stand in Circles, showing us the power of connection and community.
Some shed their leaves and remind us to release all that no longer serves us.
Others stay evergreen, and 'hold space' for others to return to their 'green' again in the Spring.

The Guardians have been with us for many many moons.
They have seen the comings and goings of the people.
They hold the Earth's sorrow, joy, wisdom, and visions for tomorrow.

Honor the Guardians...they have been holding us close to their hearts for so very long.

Creating Connection...

Recently, my family took a little trip to Northern California where we visited a Monarch Butterfly Reserve.
It was breathtaking.
As you move into the grove of trees that 'house' the butterflies, you can feel their energy as they spiral around in the branches above you.
They have chosen a beautiful spot on the coast and come back there every year.
They fill the trees with a beautiful orange glow and cluster together in community.
The Park Ranger there explained to us that there are butterflies of different age groups there but their average age is about 17 days.
They create such beauty in the world in just 17 short days.

He explained that they search out milkweed plants on which they create their cocoon.
It's amazing that they choose what we would call a weed (milkweed), to create
their place of home.
They 'know' just the right amount of time to spend in creating this cocoon and just the right amount of time in staying within.
They 'know' just the perfect amount of time to wait to dry off their wings when they are coming out of the cocoon and just the perfect amount of time to wait to launch into flight.

There is so much to learn from these beautiful, wise and delicate beings.
They have developed such a sense of timing and rhythm.

They know how to create connection with others and form community.
They travel together and support each other on their journeys.
They do no harm.
They offer their wisdom to all that will take the time to engage them.
They are gentle and 'tread lightly on the Earth'.

So much wisdom...such a gift to our world.