Musings
Resting and Peace
It’s that time of year when many of us are feeling closer than usual to our ancestors and sensing their presence. And often when we send goo
It’s that time of year when many of us are feeling closer than usual to our ancestors and sensing their presence. And often when we send good wishes to those who have passed, we give them a blessing to “Rest In Peace”.
I would like to invite us to consider, however, that we don’t have to wait until we’re dead to have rest and peace. There is an insane amount of craziness in the world, and allowing ourselves time to rest is essential for our well being.
A squirrel that fell asleep while Brennah was photographing it at Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary
In the Druid tradition which I am part of, we are also big on peace. We call peace to the quarters before our workings and rituals, because “without peace, no work may be done.” But why? What does this mean? Shouldn’t we be using the elements of earth, air, water, and fire to go up against our enemies and fight for justice? Where does peacefulness fit in with standing up for justice?
I would like to suggest that our effectiveness in the use of magic, the elements, and all other means can be greatly enhanced when coming from a place of deeply grounded peacefulness within our own being. When we are running around chaotically fighting all the injustices we see everywhere with no sense of stability, we are simply not going to be as effective. We might end up stuck in the hell of our own fearful minds rather than being able to connect with the beings all around us who may be ready and willing to be our allies.
So what does all of this have to do with Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary? Our vision is to provide a place of rest and peace. In our last board meeting, we returned to that vision to remember how best to continue going forward. Sometimes we have to go slowly, but as long as we keep our goals in mind, and support each other as best we can along the way, our community will continue to grow in a sustainable and healthy way.
Thank you for being a part of this community. I daresay our ancestors are returning our wishes of rest and peace to us as well.
Many Blessings,
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.
