Hello Beautiful Souls, I am honoured to meet again. There has been a shift in the air, a feeling of time moving on. Let us walk together, pause and feel the earth speak.
The wind has changed direction.
A storm came last night, washing away the heat of the last week leaving the earth feeling cleansed and renewed, to begin again. With it has come a cool breeze, one that speaks of freshwater springs, purple heather and mountain songs.
The rain has washed away the footsteps of the past. In the last few days, busy families have walked, laughed, and enjoyed the sun. Now the dust has settled in new places; it has shaped and shifted, guided gently by the early summer winds and the welcoming rain. The storm came to claim the land once more, to allow it to breathe and to feel peace.
It is early morning at sunrise, and I have paused alongside the river, to be present, to allow tumbling thoughts to quieten and to fade. Having taken my boots off, I am barefoot upon the grass so my feet can sigh alongside the flowing water. Sitting down quietly upon a fallen log, I smell the wild honeysuckle upon the breeze. Its perfume is exotic; it mingles with the smell of wet leaves and soft soil and smells of the languid nights of summer to come.
I watch the sunlight dancing upon the water and notice how loud the river seems. It too has been awoken by the storm, it’s quiet meandering has been shaken as the water tumbles with passion, wildness and joy. It sings of crashing waves, of sandy beaches, it sings of remote places far, far away.
Stooping to do up my boots, I leave the flowing water behind and turn away from the rivers song to walk into the trees. As I look up at the vibrant leaves above me, I sense a threshold between seasons, a pause and a slowing of energy. A deepening breath, a waiting for what is to come. I notice how the bird’s songs are quieter now, how there has been a shift in energy.
During early morning walks, I have heard the whispers. Have felt the long sigh before the pause. For birds have mostly fledged, seeds from Spring flowers are being dispersed and soon natures most important task will be complete. The rest that follows, the pause within the summer heat is when I can almost hear the Robin sleeping. I sense the spring flowers drooping their heads in a final bow, gently letting us know the performance has ended.
As I pause to brush my hand against hanging leaves I refect on how time seems to tumble over itself, in a race to get to the longest day. Flowers seem to open overnight and all is so vibrant, so bright whilst reaching for the sun. But I sense a bittersweet taste in the air, I feel it with the change in the wind’s direction.
The sun filters through the leaves and I am brought back to the present moment. I notice as I walk on how the wind has eased, and a deep peacefulness has settled within the trees. Soon the longest day will arrive, and the earth will pause beneath the summer sun. But today there is only birdsong, green leaves and the soft whisper of the breeze through the branches.
The wind has changed direction, and I find myself at a threshold.
For when the earth turns once more, it will nod with deep acceptance towards the sun as it casts its shadow to what must come.
Thank you for taking this gentle rest with me. I am humbled you have joined me.
If you would like to travel alongside for longer you are warmly invited to subscribe to receive my weekly free Nature’s Seasonal Letters. I would be honoured to walk this path with you.
Sending seasonal warmth to you all
Clare
Lovely post and great photos!
Such beautiful, potent words 🩵