Friday, January 17, 2014

A Reflection of Spring, "In the Garden"




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   

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