We Are Your Ancestors Said The Trees
Blessed Samhain/Day of the Dead!
Some years ago my Irish Ancestors came to me with a deep soul call, “It is time to return home to the land and the sea.” It was my Grandmother speaking, she had long passed through the veils. I felt she was calling me to my ancestral home of Ireland, but wanted to check.
“Home?” I said, “Do you mean New Zealand (my birth place) or Ireland?”
I heard Irish music playing loud and clear in my ears.
“Okay, got it, Granny, Ireland it is.”
Yet, I felt New Zealand would be eventually calling as well, as it has.
It was March 2020. I got on the last flight out of New York. And as the world was burning and turning on its deathbed, my feet, my body, my soul were in ecstasy as we stepped on, and fell deeply into the Irish land, sea, and rhythm of the air and wind. Some days though, I experienced something akin to survivor’s guilt. How could I be so happy when so many were suffering?
And so the balance of life and death, sorrow and joy, once more showed its face to me.
As time stretched into the summer I made my way further north to visit my Great, Great Grandmother’s birthplace. I have made many pilgrimages in my lifetime, deep powerful soul journeys, but none compared to this ancestral land connection.
As my feet touched the land where she lived I felt, and saw, an intricate web of roots coming from the soles of my feet and extending deeper and deeper into the land.
I wept.
I wept like I have never wept before. Torrents. Buckets. Heaving with Recognition. Me of the land. The land of me. My blood, the blood of this land. As one.
I leaned against a tree. So old. So wise. I turned and wound my arms as far as I could around its middle. I was suddenly jolted with the understanding that the tree knew me and was emitting such a gentle feeling of love toward me.
I was physically holding the tree, yet she was holding me in a long ancestral love.
I sat down and next to me, I felt and saw my Great, Great Grandmother who was born and lived on this land. On the other side, my Great Grandmother and beside her the Grandmother who had called me here. They were all sitting with their hands in their lap looking outward with a knowing, with a soul satisfaction, as if something was complete.
The tree spoke: “I too, am your Ancestor.”
I felt a soul completion in this moment - feeling my lineage inside and out - and so it kept on, and keeps on growing.
I feel blessed to be able to share my Irish land, sea, and sacred stone connection with others through leading pilgrimages there. Now, I bring very small intimate groups, no buses, no noise, or packed itineraries. I offer a slow, soulful pilgrimage and everyone has a single room with ensuite. Even better!
Next year, in September I am leading two pilgrimages with the theme of Ancient Memory. Uncovering your own ancient memory through the power of the sacred sites, simple ritual, poetry, music, quiet time, and probably a good dose of laughter. All of life and our Ancestors leading us. For more info see here:
May Your Ancestors bless you in unexpected ways!
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