Living Nature as Metaphor

Photo: (c) Jamie K. Reaser

Departing Storms

I have opened all of my

doors to the oncoming

winter storm.

The wind howls lullabies

and the branches of the naked

sycamore flail

as it dances,

entranced to music

that I have long ago forgotten

how to drum up.

Dark grey clouds come

to me across the western ridge,

running southward

and then East.

My eyes follow their

intent to be somewhere

soon.

Should this be my prayer today?..

~ Jamie K. Reaser, excerpt

PRACTICE

• Find a quiet place out of doors to work uninterrupted for at least an hour. Bring a writing pen, colored pens or crayons, and a journal for recording observations.

PART ONE

• Practice “Connecting with Nature” (posted January 8, 2013) or engage in any other practice that will enable you to relax and become focused.
• Make a list of adjectives (e.g., stormy) that describe the patterns and trends in your life.  Note: You can explore your entire life story, periods of specific time, or the current moment.
• Make a list of aspects of the natural world (e.g., storms) that are related to these adjectives. 
• Collect adjectives together that are associated with certain natural phenomena and/or natural objects (e.g., storms might be associated with dark, tumultuous, lightening fast insights, chaos, etc.).
• Review the role that these natural phenomena and/or natural objects have played in your life.  In particular, explore their relationships to major life transitions and moments of deeper awakening   to your unique gifts, for example.  What patterns do you notice?
• Write a poem, song, or story about these aspects of Nature and how they relate to your internal nature.

 PART TWO

• Identify a natural process that inspires you.  Perhaps it is the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a butterfly, or the blossoming of a flower, or the way trees can bend and brace in a magnificent storm.
• Make a list of steps and/or adjectives that characterize this process. 
• Draw one or more pictures that illustrate the process.
• Consider this natural process as a metaphor for your future.  What emotions does it bring up?  What does it inspire you to do?  How does it inspire you to act with regard to other people, the environment, and your own needs?
• Write a poem, song, or story about your future, incorporating this life metaphor.
• Place the pictures, list of adjectives, and what else you wrote where you can see them regularly.  
• Repeat this process anytime you are feeling stuck or want to be even more inspired to live your life fully. 

This practice was first published in "Courting the Wild: Love Affairs with the Land," edited by Jamie K. Reaser and Susan Chernak McElroy and published by Hiraeth Press (2008; www.hiraethpress.com). (c) Jamie K. Reaser. All rights reserved.

Departing Storms was first published in "Sacred Reciprocity: Courting the Beloved in Everyday Life" (2012; www.hiraethpress.com). The complete poem can be found at http://talkingwaters-poetry.blogspot.com/2012/01/departing-storms.html