Musings
Out of Death Comes Life
This is the time of year in our part of the world where we see what looks like mass death beginning to happen all around us. We likely all are aware of how this kind of death leads to transformation and the eventual springing forth of every manner of life. Likewise when tragedies, disappointments, or fallow times come our way, we never know what transformations it will lead to in our own lives.
turkey tail mushrooms on a rotting log in the woods
As we begin to look more inward over the next few months, how can we find ways to engage in activities that nourish our souls and allow the life within us to flourish? Are there one or two things we might want to focus on that feel like the highest priority right now?
For Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, I am proud of how far we’ve come, and that despite some set-backs, we’ve continued to move forward and keep our vision in mind. As we think about our highest priorities, we wish to allow each person involved to participate at a level that is comfortable for them. We wish to go as slowly or as quickly as energy levels allow for the people involved. We are here to bring healing and connection with nature and each other.
May you always find inspiration through nature’s cycles and order,
Jean
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Written by : Jean Cavanaugh
Jean Cavanaugh is the founder and steward of Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, established in 2019 as a living, learning community devoted to reconnecting people with the wisdom of nature, the sacred order of creation, and the presence of Christ within all life. Her work brings together spiritual formation, ecological stewardship, ancestral wisdom, and hands-on community practice.
Through years of practical work on the land, study of the Mysteries, and the healing of her own severe health challenges through natural methods, Jean has come to recognize God’s hand at work throughout creation. Her teachings, rooted in the Mystery School tradition and Christian gnosis, explore how the patterns of heaven, earth, and the human body reveal the way back to divine presence, peace, and inner strength.
Jean leads with honesty, integrity, and a deeply welcoming spirit, inviting others to let go of inherited assumptions and rediscover truth through lived experience and embodied understanding. She works with all ages—from preschoolers to elders—offering programs and celebrations that emphasize direct engagement with nature, music, story, homesteading skills, and in-person community.
She and her family live at the 21-acre Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary, where daily life reflects a commitment to simplicity, beauty, and harmony with the land. The sanctuary includes gardens, woodland trails, a seasonal creek, gathering circles, and spaces designed to nourish both people and wildlife. Jean is especially passionate about creating environments that are grounding, beautiful, and spiritually restorative.
Through her writing and teaching, Jean encourages others to know themselves, know creation, and recognize Christ as the living truth present within and around us—always inviting a return to love, beauty, and the sacred order of life.
