This morning I took Cliff Scholz' advice and sat cross-legged on the kitchen floor. It was a new perspective of stillness in a place of doing. Looking at different perspectives is something I have always enjoyed. And for the last year and a half I have been immersing myself and pushing the envelope even further in this regard. However, these perspectives are not actually new. More like ancient knowledge hidden in plain sight. We could call it ...
Candlemas Brighid’s bright blessings were upon us yesterday during our celebration of Imbolc. The heartfelt participation by all who were present, made it a beautiful and memorable experience. As I have been taking a class on Song in Ritual from Danica Boyce, I look forward to continuing to add more singing to our rituals. Danica talks about how in the past, everyone sang all the time. Poetry would not have been spoken, ...
Awaken to the mystery of being here and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence. Have joy and peace in the temple of your senses. Receive encouragement when new frontiers beckon. Respond to the call of your gift and the courage to follow its path... May your outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of soul. May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention... May you experience each day as a ...
We would like to invite those who have spent time at the Farm and Sanctuary to submit inspired poetry, photos, or experiences from your visit. These then will be posted here for all to enjoy, and to feel together the connections being made within our shared human and nonhuman community. You may email your submissions to: crossinghedgerowssanctuary@gmail.com Sincerely, ~Your friends at Crossing Hedgerows Farm and Sanctuary~
Snow has arrived again at the Sanctuary and it has been mostly quiet over the last week. Taking time to pause at this time of year is so helpful. (And on a personal note, I have not had much choice in that matter. It turns out after having an MRI last week that I broke eight different bones in my foot.) Snowflake on Mitten by Brennah Cavanaugh Photography LLC But as we approach ...
This video snippet from our May walk in the woods gives a good sense of the ambience as we head away from the farm and into the forest. https://youtube.com/shorts/YGnMcRGZzHY Along with that, I offer you this beautiful poem by Philip Larkin. The Trees The trees are coming into leaf Like something almost being said: The recent buds relax and spread, Their greenness is a kind of grief. Is it that they ...
Beetle on Currant Blossom at Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary - photo by Brennah Cavanaugh Greeting To The Spring Equinox Glad Bringer of Brightness, hail! Maiden of Grace, Lad of Laughter. Gifts of vigor are returning, Spring's surprise, rainbow's embrace. Quickened be the heart within us, Opened be our souls to grace, May the blessing be abiding, Welcome sit in every face. by Caitlín Matthews, Celtic Devotional: Daily Prayers and Blessings
Tree at Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary - photo by Brennah Cavanaugh Work song, part 2: a vision If we will have the wisdom to survive, To stand like slow-growing trees On a ruined place, renewing, enriching it, If we will make our seasons welcome here, Asking not too much of earth or heaven, then a long time after we are dead The lives our lives prepare will live Here, their houses strongly placed Upon the valley ...
Sunset at Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary - photo by Brennah Cavanaugh Beannacht / Blessing On the day when the weight deadens on your shoulders and you stumble, may the clay dance to balance you. And when your eyes freeze behind the grey window and the ghost of loss gets in to you, may a flock of colours, indigo, red, green, and azure blue come to awaken in you a meadow of delight. When the canvas ...
Oak tree at Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary. Photo by Brennah Cavanaugh Song of Life by Charles Mackay (1814 - 1889) A traveller on a dusty road Strewed acorns on the lea: And one took root and sprouted up, And grew into a tree. Love sought its shade at evening-time, To breathe its early vows; And Age was pleased, in heights of noon, To bask beneath its boughs. The dormouse loved its dangling twigs, The birds ...