Earlier in the month I did a weekend workshop with Sage called Wheel of the Year. She led us through reflecting on what the seasons mean to us and how they each effect our energy. She then took us through a guided visualization.
When the visualization ended, this is what I wrote about it:
My tree is a large, leafy Bradford Pear tree. The entrance is not a door, or an obvious opening. I had to climb the tree to drop inside between the branches coming off the trunk. Inside was a home. Beds, a rocking chair, a cozy spot. Walking through the door that appears, I walked down a forest path. A gentle breeze wafted the aroma of soil and grass. An archway made from two trees tangling together leads to a garden. The flowers are topped with book-shaped petals. The gardener is a squirrel. She invites me in, climbing onto my shoulder. We sit on a grassy patch under a tree and she perches on my knee. From her sack she pulls an acorn that is just beginning to sprout. This represents Spring and new growth/ideas/potential. Next she pulls out a drop of water. It’s crystal blue and somehow remains solid in my hand, reflecting the light from the sun. This represents Summer, a cleansing and refreshing time. Next is a page from a calendar. Autumn is represented with schedules and planning. Finally, the winter was represented by a cozy blanket and mug of warm cider. Returning to the tree home, I had to climb out and landed at home, in front of my house. Before I left, the squirrel climbed to my shoulder, curling her tail around my neck and snuggled against my cheek.
I looked into the meanings of each of the objects that were meant to represent the seasons and found this:
Calendar – new opportunities for growth, learning, and transformation. Encourages mindfulness, live in the present, and the transient nature of the moment.
water drop – purification, renewal, clarity, stay connected to the divine, and need for spiritual cleansing.
Acorn sprout – potential and growth, protection and defense (hard shell). Don’t give up. Patience and new beginning.
Blanket – comfort and security, embrace, safety and peace.
Warm cider – wisdom, calmness, find peace within, reflect and heal. Bitter apples become sweet drink = capacity to transform life’s challenges into experiences that enrich our soul and deepen understanding of self and the world. Personal growth and transformation. Welcome changes.
Squirrel – abundance, fertility, new beginnings. Sign of good luck. Something new in store. Teaches you to surrender and let things happen and to communicate and show respect to the people around you. A brown squirrel represents grounding and stability.
I had no idea that so many things could signify growth and transformation! I’ve been feeling a pull towards finding who I really am outside of all the roles I play. I’m on a quest to find her before my kids graduate from high school and I feel as if I have no identity anymore. I want to find who that is and not just conform to what others want or expect me to be. I’m hopeful that 2025 will help me get closer to who I’m meant to be.
Here is the painting I made to help me remember all of the insight I gained:
I love how the 3D aspects turned out. I still need to use sharpie to finish up the squirrel, but it needs to dry first. I’ll have to hang it once it’s done so I can have a constant reminder of who I want to be.
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