Musings
What’s In a Name?
“What’s in a name? That which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;” -William Shakespeare
Have you been wondering about the significance of our name – Crossing Hedgerows Sanctuary?
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leaves collecting along the edge of the swale and the berm which we made for holding and storing water for our plantings
The value of edges is also found in hedgerows. Hedgerows are a traditional part of farms that many people have forgotten. Besides windbreaks, hedgerows serve as edges for a variety of wildlife habitat, a filter for water, natural fencing, barriers to keep out pollutants, and they add visual interest and beauty to the landscape.
Although the land at the sanctuary has transitioned to being less about hedgerows and fields, and more about edges of various bio-regions, crossing hedgerows evokes a feeling of community coming together – people leaving their homes to cross through the hedgerows and meet at the Sanctuary. It also evokes the feeling of movement of pollinators and wildlife moving through the edges and hedgerows. Even though we may not always see them, we know they are there.
These concepts may spark other feelings and meanings for you as you now see the alchemy of edges in nature. And you may also begin to take greater notice of the abundance created in these spaces.
Sometimes it may feel lonely if you are an edge dweller. You are not surrounded with the multitude of sameness found where there is a sea of prairie grass going on for miles, for example. You may be the oddball in your particular habitat. But don’t despair. You are filling an important role.
Another layer to add to this topic is the symbolism of the letter “H”. When you add the H to edge, you are using a letter with deep symbolism showing the bridging of opposites.
“The letter H is symbolic of bridging opposites and can be recognized as crossing over from one side to another. It is Trinitarian as well, just like the Fleur de lis (flower of life) with both sides being tied together in the middle. The two vertical pillars represent the past and future and the horizontal bar represents the level Earth on which we stand, or the plane in which the drama of existence happens. It is also six total points creating one form, just like the cube. H itself is the number six as well, with six being the first perfect number.” ~ Brother Marty Leeds
So as you can see, the letter H all on its own has many of the same attributes of an edge.
To take this even further, the concept of “hedge crossing” within the occult world has a meaning of crossing the material boundary into the spiritual world. Traditionally a hedgerow was planted as a means of separating one’s property from the surrounding wilderness. So the idea of crossing a hedgerow would be the same as crossing a boundary. To me it is the same idea as the raising of the kundalini and the revelation of gnosis. When we are able to “see” the true meaning of the metaphysical wilderness of the heavens above, for example, we are able to attain spiritual sight and insight that was not available to us before.
With every good wish,
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.
