Meandering in the Woods

There's always something to learn

American Beech holding onto her leaves

We’ve had a massive amount of rain over the past few days. Yesterday, in between downpours, I went walking in the woods. And I set an intention to slow down my Vata energy and really pay attention.

I took a few photos because, well, I can’t help myself. But then I turned off my phone and put it away for the duration.

I struggled with which photo to use up top and settled on the shimmery Beech leaves still clinging to their branch. They are so welcome during the winter, fluttering and holding on against all odds during a windstorm or a snowstorm.

Evidently, it’s called marcescence.

In this article titled “The Mystery of Marcescence,” it says:

While scientists have named the process, they are unsure why it exists.

That made me laugh out loud. You know how much I prefer the mystery to a scientific explanation.

It went on to say:

Regardless of the reason that marcescence exists, it provides an interesting contrast in a woodland in a snowy landscape or against a bright blue winter sky. But when new growth begins with the spring, the expanding buds will push the old leaves off, and the branches will soon be covered in new greenery.

Well, since I was out walking and observing and not thinking about science when I came upon these three leaves, I saw them as clinging on till the last possible moment.

Kind of like me sometimes.

I’ve been thinking a lot about all the strong Taurus energy in my chart. Taurus is a fixed sign. An earth sign. Change can be hard.

And right now, there’s something significant going on in the sign of Taurus (it’s Taurus season, too), and although I’m still just a kindergartener studying Astrology, boy oh boy, can I ever feel that energy messing with me.

Mercury is retrograde in Taurus right now. For any of you with significant Taurus in your chart, you might enjoy this video.

Taurus needs comfort and security - both in the home and in finances - to feel fully stable. You can imagine, with all the financial instability in the world right now, how many of us are feeling less than secure.

We want to cling onto what we have - much like the Beech leaves - but as the season shifts, the healthy thing to do is to let go to make way for new growth.

Fortunately, my sun is in Sagittarius, which is a mutable fire sign and all about change. So, while this can sometimes cause friction, it can also give me a healthy push when needed.

If I had clung to my old city life, I would never be blissfully wandering through the woods, making these observations.

Speaking of life, as I meandered through the soggy forest, I saw the most precious signs of new life all around me.

A baby White Pine sapling, making his way into this world.

I want to believe that things will turn around on this planet and this wee one will one day reach majestic heights like the elders who surround him.

And at the other end of the spectrum, I saw a tree that many would see as dead, and yet she was brimming with life.

Just like Nature, we are ever-evolving.

I am still not in a state of spring fever like I wrote about in “Easing Into Spring.” I’m hearing talk of the planning or planting of gardens. Clearing things out. Spring cleaning. But I’m still not so interested.

And yet, my heart can’t help but feel happy seeing that otherworldly green that has appeared thanks to all the rain.

Whatever this is, it blankets a lot of the boulders scattered in the forest. I have to believe it’s the fairies’ favorite color. I mean, seriously.

Anybody home??

You may have noticed in some of my photos - there are rock walls all over where I live here in New Hampshire—remnants of farmland borders back in the day. I don’t think it’s any coincidence that I ended up where I did - considering my deep love for Scotland and Ireland. Even if you’ve never been there, you surely have seen these walls in movies.

Sometimes, when I return home and turn into my driveway, I stop and stare at the wall that borders this land. It’s magical.

I noticed as I meandered through the woods how my breathing had slowed and how absolutely present I had become. The damp smell of the Pine was like an aphrodisiac.

All of a sudden, my reverie was interrupted by a pretty big noise of branches crackling on the ground. I scanned the forest, looking, of course, for a bear, but didn’t see one.

I headed back home, and when I walked into my little house, I couldn’t help but notice how much I have always brought Nature inside with me. You can, too, you know.

I was typing this post, thinking, well, there’s nothing earth-shattering about it, when all of a sudden, I heard a BOOM! and felt the house shake. I thought for sure it was a downed tree and ran outside.

But my neighbor texted me to tell me that it was an earthquake. Not a particularly strong one, a 2.9 magnitude, but an earthquake, all the same.

Oh my goodness, life is full of surprises on a daily basis, isn’t it?

I observed myself after it happened. Once the initial shock wore off, I noticed that there was no fear. I can only thank my surroundings for teaching me to stay present, in the moment, and out of fear as much as possible.

Whether you’re in the country like me or in the city, like I used to be, I wish you happy meanderings in Nature. Bring it inside, and get yourself outside even more.

I know that not everyone is a fan of forests. What I feel is magical, some find foreboding and dark.

Maybe the ocean is your cup of Nature tea.

Wherever makes your heart beat with Joy. Find it and spend as much time there as you can.

There’s always something to learn.

Much Love,
Barbara