Mother of Rivers

Earth and Water

The other day, I was searching for something online. I don’t even remember what it was. All of a sudden, serendipity struck. There, in front of me, were these words regarding the state of New Hampshire, where I live.

One of four nicknames - Mother of Rivers: for the rivers of New England that originate in our Mountains. NH.gov.

I swooned at those words.

Mother of Rivers.

I’ve been content enough with the well-known “Granite State” nickname. I am a rockhound, after all.

But “Mother of Rivers??”

Immediately, I wondered, “Who named her this?” Surely, not the same European settlers who tended to bestow presidential names and the like to mountain ranges, rivers, etc.

My gut and heart tell me that Mother of Rivers is an indigenous name for this land and the mountains and rivers that she holds dear. However, I am at a dead end trying to determine whether that is true.

It’s been three-and-a-half years since a voice told me to “go look in New Hampshire.” I’d added mountains to my moving mantra of living at the edge of a forest and, later, rivers and lakes.

As you probably know from reading my posts, my mantra was answered. I can’t seem to stop telling stories about this place.

I feel sometimes like I’m filling in pieces of a puzzle that is my life right now.

I’d never lived near mountains, so it wasn’t a matter of returning home to them. They were calling me for whatever reason.

Ted Andrews has this to say about mountains:

Discovering our own spiritual powers; overcoming obstacles for spiritual attainment; communion with spirits.

The ancient Chinese venerated mountains. They were symbolic of greatness and generosity. Mountain ranges often took the symbolism of dragons. The mountains generated the clouds and thus the rains, bringing and sustaining life.

It is not unusual for people to begin hearing spirit after a visit to the mountains. Intuition heightens and creativity flows.

— “Nature-Speak: Signs, Omens & Messages in Nature” by Ted Andrews

So, it’s one thing to visit a mountain or to drive by. It’s another to find yourself, quite by serendipity, cradled in them:

I didn’t even know this was the case until months after I’d moved here. I ventured over to the wildlife sanctuary across the road and looked to the north, where my house sits. I knew I was surrounded by trees, but mountains, too?!

It still gives me goosebumps every time I see this view.

Yes, I feel the energy of these mountains. And, if anyone needed grounding, it was me.

And have I mentioned how much I love Dragons??

What does Ted Andrews have to say about rivers (and streams?)

Creation; the flow of time; shapeshifting; evolution and movement is necessary.

Rivers and streams follow the path of least resistance. They adjust to the environment, flowing around and over objects. They shift as they flow. They are the natural shapeshifters, taking the shape of whatever contains it.

Through rivers and streams, we gain guidance in adjusting the flow of our life, to help us take on the form that is most suitable for where we are.

Water is the creative element of life and is purifying, but it is also destructive. Thus, it is a source of life and death. The crossing of any water source was often seen as a change in consciousness and even an initiation - the death of one aspect of ourselves and the birth of another.

Rivers and streams always represent time and change in some aspect of our life.

Anything of the water implies fluidness, emotions and changes. It has a life of its own, and it is always shifting. Rivers and streams have rhythms and moods. Inherent within their elements are lessons and messages associated with the emotional aspects of life. Through water we learn to creatively express and use our feeling nature. — “Nature-Speak: Signs, Omens & Messages in Nature”

You’ve probably noticed how obsessed I became during fall and winter over a certain Pond and Stream near my home. I have to capitalize them because they’re that important to me.

Yesterday morning, I walked down the path in the woods to sit by the Pond. The ice was gone, and the trees' reflections had returned.

I took off my boots and put my feet into the cold water. I sat on the rocks and drank her beauty in. The only sound was the nearby Stream that she empties into.

This Pond might seem insignificant to you. She’s just your average pond. But I don’t know. I feel magic happening when I sit by her—healing magic.

I’d noticed a rock submerged in the water by the shore a few days before, and she caught my eye again. I asked if I could take her home and got an immediate “Yes!”

My rock ID app says she’s Sandstone and noted:

Sandstone is often used in meditation to activate the Sacral chakra and help clear the mind and facilitate better decision-making skills. Many people believe it helps inspire creativity and spiritual enlightenment. Place it in the home to encourage balance and harmony within. — Rock Identifier: Stone ID

After my time with the Pond, I went to visit the Stream. I stood on the opposite side yesterday so I could see her with a fresh set of eyes. There are beautiful massive boulders bordering her. This is the Granite State, after all. I scoped out where I could sit when the weather gets warmer. Oh, wait! Black flies love running water too… :(

I’ve always been drawn to waterfalls. This one is little but mighty and, in my mind, just as rewarding as Niagara Falls. Mostly because I’m alone with her, and there’s not a tourist around. :)

The sound and the sight of water have to be the most healing gifts of this element.

I want to slip into Ayurveda-speak for a moment. Did you notice that I’m writing about earth and water? These are the dominant elements of Kapha dosha. If you missed my post about Kapha Season, which is happening now in the northern hemisphere, you can do a quick peek here.

When did the calendar officially declare spring? March 19th? And factor in the Daylight Saving Time insanity that happens here in the US.

Ayurveda has a lot to say about how hard that is on our body (and mind, too) as it messes with our circadian rhythms.

I was all set to write a post titled:

Goodbye, Winter, Spring has Sprung!

Well, we’ve had two major snowstorms since the spring equinox (one dumped more than 2 feet), and another one is on the way as I sit here typing. We did have some warm spring-like weather, and just as the snow was starting to disappear, it returned—along with harrowing winds.

It should just be called back-and-forth season.

But that’s where the wisdom of Ayurveda comes in handy. Each day becomes a clean slate where we can try to live in harmony with Nature.

We are Nature. That phrase gets used a lot, not only by me.

The blood and lymph flowing through us are just like the water in the rivers. They’re everywhere inside of us, but it’s our big brain that’s gotten us into trouble and separated us from the fact that we are Nature and part of the ecosystem.

I have never lived in such a state of observation as I have since last fall. I made a conscious effort to really be aware and to slow down.

I ate foods that were nourishing to my mostly Vata constitution.

I got a good, deep sleep most nights.

I spent time in Nature nearly every day. Always observing the plants and animals and elements around me.

I paid attention to the Vedic times of day (especially meal times) so that my body didn’t have to guess when I was going to give her food.

Ayurvedic wisdom (and my teacher’s voice) often rang in my ears:

“The body loves routine.”

“You’re not what you eat, but rather what you digest.”

“It’s just as important when you eat and how you eat (quietly, slowly) as what you eat.”

I.e. no erratic snacking or mealtimes. No multi-tasking.

One of the most important (and successful) habits that I have managed to stay true to is eating my biggest meal at lunchtime when our digestion is strongest.

While I’m not one to be super rigid with my diet, I did eat fairly Ayurvedically. Mostly gently cooked foods to soothe my Vata tendencies. Lots of healthy fats.

I was so hardy all winter that it frankly astonished me. I did not have a sniffle or many aches or pains. I had lots of stamina walking two hours most days in the woods.

I slept like a baby.

Full disclosure, however: Vata’s middle name is irregular. We don’t like routine, so don’t think that I was Little Miss Perfect Ayurveda. But I did my best, and it paid off.

The transition into the Kapha season (late winter-spring) has always been challenging for me. But I’ve been taking my own advice. Each day, I note the weather and how it affects my body. If it’s cold and snowy, you won’t find me eating salads or smoothies.

It’s a mystery how or why I ended up in a state called Mother of Rivers.

How I knew I needed to be near mountains and forests and rivers.

I felt it in my bones and in my blood.

I want to know all of the names of the mountain ranges.

Where each river flows from and to.

I want to know this land intimately.

I want to honor this place that I now call home.

There is so much mystery and magic happening right now. Can you feel the energy of the upcoming solar eclipse? There’s lots of chatter about it - good and not-so-good. I will be chilling alone inside my little house when it happens.

I haven’t even mentioned the birds yet. They’ve finally found me here after putting up some feeders. It brings me so much joy to watch them.

And, one last thing before I end. I briefly mentioned lymph as part of the water element moving through our bodies. When I studied Ayurveda, we talked about lymph a lot. It is very important and so often overlooked. A friend recently sent me a video by Dr. Perry Nickelston. I’d never heard of him but he’s been talking and teaching about the importance of lymphatic drainage for years. I’m going to share one of his brief videos where he teaches a simple practice that literally takes a few minutes. Honestly, I’ve been doing this for a couple of months with amazing results.

If you are interested, I suggest going to his website or YouTube channel and listening to one of his many interviews or demonstrations. You can also find his podcast, “Stop Chasing Pain,” on the podcast platforms.

I apologize for my absence here last month. I feel like I was in a time warp. I hope to get back in the writing groove sooner rather than later. Thank you for your patience!

Uh oh, here comes the snow…

Much Love,
Barbara

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