Over the millennia humans have learned tangible ways of fostering relationship with each other and the more-than-human world. Our lives were spent observing the myriad ways plants, insects, birds, and other animals communicate. The gifts of song, movement, breath and blessing are lessons humans have learned from our other-than-human kin. I call these ways of communication technologies of relationship. We employ these technologies ~ these embodied languages ~ within our deepening kinship with nature.
Song is earth’s first language, articulated by wind in treetops; by water rushing over stones and dropping into clear pools; by birdsong at dawn, autumn crickets, geese flying in formation; by coyote whom we call the song dog and vixen’s song of love. Like our ancient ancestors around the fire at the cave’s edge, we too can discover the magic of song as we embed ourselves more deeply into our own immediate pocket of the emerald earth. As we walk our favorite trail or sit in the twilit back yard, allow song to arise from your listening heart. Offer this simple song as a gift to these other-than-human relatives who surround you.
Sing now! Seeds are wakening below and springtime birds are beginning to return. The pre-spring-time blessings of Imbolc are rustling underground and winging our way. Our songs of gratitude can help pull the warmth and growth of springtime closer.
Soon, in this blog, we will call on the miracles of Movement and Breath to deepen our relationship with our fellow Earthlings!
Excerpted from my book Rewilding the Human Heart ~ A Journey of Reunion.
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https://www.sharifaoppenheimer.org
There, along with you, they’ll find Nesting Circles of Belonging ~ Family, Nature and Cosmos.
Photo by Doncoombez