I Was up Early Today

Still in shock and awe at my good fortune

My view looking south

No matter how my night’s sleep goes (a claustrophobic one last night had my heart pounding) or the crazy that’s happening in my outer world, when I get up and look out my window and see this view, all is well.

Almost two years here, and I still can’t believe my good fortune in finding this gem. It was August of 2020, and as I drove through Pennsylvania in my new, used car, Willow (after not driving for 16 years!) I heard The Voice say, “Go look in New Hampshire.” I’d never been anywhere in New England.

Lucky for me, my friend, Robin, lived in New Hampshire, and it wasn’t long before I was on a road trip in search of my new home. I was about to give up, tired and discouraged when Robin knocked on my door and said to come down and take a look at a Zillow listing. And there she was:

The Bear Den, AKA The Little House

I still giggle every time I come up the driveway and see her from this side.

She’s tiny, but not that tiny. Here she is from the side:

Although my sun sign is in Sagittarius (love to travel), my moon and rising signs are in Taurus. Taurus people LOVE their homes.

This Little House is my sanctuary. My friend said recently that I was almost living a monastic life here. I would have to agree.

A funny sidenote - the day before finding my new home, Robin and I were sitting on the shores of Lake Winnipesaukee, eating a picnic lunch. For whatever reason, I was going on and on about how much I LOVE sandwiches!

I now live in North Sandwich. :)

Anyway, the whole point of this post was really about how grateful I am. Yesterday, a piece of paper fell out of my notebook. It was from a course I took on Celtic Shamanism with Jane Burns. I wrote about Jane in my first post here on Substack, called “You’re Like the Quaking Poplar.” There’s so much wisdom in her words I thought I’d share it with you this morning.

Daily Prayer to the Celtic Medicine/Wisdom Wheel

"I arise today with gratitude for my life.
May I bring honor to my life with the living of this new day.
May I not fall prey to fear by remembering the timeless core of my being.
May I steadfastly follow the yearnings of my soul.
May I generously share my gifts with others.
And, may I prosper from all that I contribute.

I arise today with songs of praise for my life.
May I hear the music of all my Mother's children, great and small.
May I find in their song my own music.
May I see in the wonder of their divinity,  my own sacredness.
May I share the inspiration and goodness of this blessed Earth with others.
And, may I create and give beauty to the world, as my Mother has demonstrated to me.

I arise today with a thirst to know this mystery of who I am.
May I find understanding and compassion for the things I have suffered.
May I see that my suffering comes from my unknowing.
May I gracefully surrender to the divine plan of my life.
May I share the wisdom I find in nature with others.
And, may I transform the lead of adversity into the gold of wisdom.

I arise today with the courage to face the rough places.
May I have the fortitude and endurance to live boldly.
May I discern what battles are necessary for me to fight.
May I strive to vanquish what keeps me from my sovereignty.
May I have the strength to accept my failures.
And, may I have the will to never give up on my life.

I arise today with the conviction to know, at last, my own divinity.
May I learn to relinquish the need to defend myself.
May I hear the clarity of my own voice.
May I see the purity of my own heart.
May I devote myself to the truth of divine knowing.
And, may I find sovereignty in the graceful living of this day."

--Jane Burns (Celtic Shamanism: Rituals, Myths, & Journeys for Reclaiming Your Sovereignty)

Thank you, Jane.

Much love from the Trees and me,
Barbara