Before delving into the nitty gritty of why I am writing this let me wish you all a happy 2019. Like many of us 2018 was quite a difficult year for me but the support I am gifted by nature kept me going when there were times I seriously questioned my own existence. I often find the new year a very ungrounded time but when I woke yesterday the skies were blue, the birds were singing and if I didn't know any better I would have thought it was a spring day. It filled me with a warmth in my chest and I knew that it was all going to be alright. So back to why I am here and its a bit of a biggy I am afraid so grab yourself a cuppa and join me when your ready...
'To walk out'-
~Cambridge English Dictionary So now we know the definition of these three small words...or do we? Yesterday I went for a walk as many people do on New Years day. I knew it would likely be busy and that the quiet spot I often journey to would probably be a little crowded for my liking being, as I am, a bit of a loner. When I arrived I was shocked, the once a year walkers would have been most welcome compared to what I discovered. I will not go into detail for it is not right in my head yet. It is still too raw, too soon and not needed in this email. The bones of it though are that there was a rave in the woodland and also the hunt was taking place. The solitude I hoped for was actually deafening and invasive. I wanted to drive home, the key was in the ignition but something stopped me from pulling away. I realised that I had come here to walk and I still wanted to. So not wanting to be beaten I walked away from the madness and with every step I took I felt a little ember within me glowing. As I sat in a spot that I hold very sacred I took off my shoes, fed them into the cool moss and closed my eyes and the most beautiful thing happened. I was invited..no we were invited. Between all the hurt, amongst all the noise the land spoke to me so bravely that I wept silent tears. This is what I heard: 'There is no such thing as small feet, why do you think they are called soles? Many have walked my paths and traversed my hills but its been a long time since I was witnessed. There was a time when people WALKED OUT. They let their minds arrive at my edges and they stayed close the whole way. They noticed my shapes and folds, my song and my cycle. These ways are old and that I grant you but these are the ways we need.' I was speechless, what else could my reply be but yes! I had to put my confidence issues aside, I had to shut that critic in a box because this is not about me! or you! It's about her. So here we are with the invitation one that tears of my small girl heart are finding hard to write for fear of rejection and misunderstanding. Will you walk out with me? The plan is to gather as close to the turning of the wheel as possible. A group of us to meet physically in an age when that is all too rare. We will walk out together with intention, not a hard immovable intention but one that I am told will be fed to me, a word given to us to journey with. We will walk for a few miles and we will go at a pace that means we can take it all in. There will be nothing fast or quick about it. Along the journey we can talk, we can laugh, you can cry if you like (that will probably be me :)) we will stop somewhere to rest where we will share food and herbal teas (hopefully from bushes that we have foraged from along the way) Maybe someone would like to share a story or perhaps not. We will need to make sure we dress very warmly and are not too afraid to have a wild pee :) There is likely to be a few hidden extras to the day that I am sure will emerge once the sparks are lit. I know it is so hard to get out for some people with work and family but if you can make the time I am sure we will never be disappointed. As you can see this offering is still shifting in my mind. I don't want to make it too solid because I fear the trickling ideas will not come in. So I ask you to bear with me, this is not a women's group for I am not ready for that, the route of the walk is not set, the weather may be unpredictable, it may end quicker than you would like or perhaps go on a little longer than you had hoped. There may just be me waiting at the gates or one other, maybe ten of us who knows. I am not really sure yet, I just know that if I try to plan this to finer detail it will disappear like a wild creature once seen. All those times you have walked as your true self and have then been spotted, truthfully who feels a little shame at smiling into to wind or smelling the earth? I know I do. This is not just for 'earthy' types, this is for the everyday person as well. What I am trying to say is you don't have to wear a rainbow jumper to join :) I hope that's not offensive as rainbow jumpers are also very welcome :) The first walk out will take place at Imbolc which is Friday 1st February,I know that a Friday is an odd day as people often work but I am being told to stick with the wheel. Maybe you deserve to book that day off of work or perhaps two? there are some lovely places to stay. In complete honesty I have also struggled with this part, a fee. Walking out on the land should not have a charge. However I currently have small dreams for this that may turn into something larger and I don't want my fear of asking for support to stop what I think could be an incredible thing. So there will be a suggested donation for the time I am taking out of my business to arrange this, for food and teas and also for these secret ideas which I will share in time. I'm not sure of the donation yet, maybe you could suggest to me what you would be prepared to donate? So if you would like to join me, or just find out more. I will need you to contact me via email, not messenger or facebook etc as for my own mind I need to keep it in one place. I am currently putting together an email with all the details but for now all I am going to say is that the walk will be in West Somerset (about 20 minutes from Taunton) you will certainly need transport or once we know numbers if you don't drive we can arrange a train station pick up. All of this will be arranged in plenty of time though. So it is with my blessings to the land for her invitation that I invite you 'To Walk Out' Below is a button linked directly to my email or send me an email to this address [email protected] you will need to share with me your name and why you want to come along. It doesn't have to be poetic or long, just an acknowledgment of your willingness. Much love and magic, Lucy x
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Author - LucyA painter & needle sculptor creating creatures with a tale to tell and a song in their heart.
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