In the Garden
"a reflection on a cold winter day"
Confessions need to be made as I am not a natural
gardener. So to all those who are, I
honor and respect you more today than in the past. I love plants, I love nature but I always
found “working” in the yard a chore and a task I would rather not do. I could never understand why some people
found it relaxing and calming. For me,
it was work and work I didn’t want to do.
I find my joy in organizing things, items in my house, rooms, closets,
ideas and projects. This is fun, to
me. So, why I am writing today about “In
the Garden”?
A few weeks back I treated myself to a session with Jeannine
Proulx. She is an intuitive
counselor. She had me meditate on “my
garden”, whether inside or out, real or unseen.
I did, but found it strange that I of all people would be meditating on
a garden space. Shortly after that
Minnie Kansman came to my house for a Feng Shui consult on my garden. Because, without Jeannine knowing I had been
contemplating starting a vegetable garden so I decided to have Minnie come to
my yard to see where is the best location.
Minnie did offer ideas for the vegetable garden but also shared other thoughts
with me about adding color to the front area of my yard and some additional
pots near the garage. We talked about
the element of water on the side of the house and lastly we found a place for a
“secret garden” near the front entrance.
In remembering Jeannine’s comments I was intrigued about the
idea of a secret garden (although I guess it’s not so secret since I am sharing
it with you.) After making the other
adjustments as Minnie suggested I focused on “My Garden.” Starting with removing the weeds and the dead
tree reminded me of clearing the unneeded and non-life affirming parts of my
life. The weeds were easy but I was in
for a battle with the tree. Although it
was not a large tree I still needed the shovel to remove it. I dug and dug and pushed and pushed and it
didn’t move. Finally I reach to grab the
top of it and it easily and effortlessly broke off at the base. Isn’t this how life is. We think something that the releasing of an
item that no longer serves us is difficult, yet sometimes with a quick grab we
can let it go.
Next, under Minnie’s guidance, I planted special stones and
crystals in the area, asking the stones and spirit for the best location. With tobacco, I thanked them and Mother Earth
and gently placed them in their new locations.
Often, throughout our day we do things to Nature and ourselves that we
do not stop and ask whether what we are doing is the best or highest and
greatest good. Do I want to be placed
here in this location, with those people under these circumstances? Some areas of the garden were near trees,
others near plants, while some were in the shade and others in sunlight. Asking yourself with the help of your spirit
team for guidance assures that where you are placing yourself is in your best
interest and the best interest of the Universe.
Lastly, I planted three sets of annuals in various locations
following the same process, offering prayers and setting intentions for the
“seeds” planted in order to have future growth. I chose the color of the plants based on its
meaning for me. Surrounding the area
with a final blessing of tobacco and thanking all the resident plants, bugs and
earth for their assistance I ended my time “in the garden” with a
meditation. I loved this time in the
garden. It did not feel like a chore or
a task but time with spirit. As I
finished up and walked to my backyard, I heard a noise as a baby fawn ran by me
into the woods.
June 2013
Susan J. McFarland
www.ofthevineholistichealth.com
