To set the scene, burn Earth oil, dim the lights, and unplug the phone!
Make sure you are comfortable, then, with eyes closed, take a deep breath. Imagine that this breath is cleansing, removing the dust and debris of the day. Breathe out, long and slowly, imagining the old, stale air leaving your body, with old stale thoughts from your mind. Do this three times.
Your doorway stands in front of you.take a moment to look at itare there any changes? Remember what the door looked like on your last visit, its size, colour, the feel of it; is it still the same? Go through the door, into the meadow. Check that you've left your door ajar, then take a few moments to enjoy the meadow. It is a crisp spring day, bright and clear. Shake off the last stale thoughts and tensions and head for the woods by the river. Take a good look around you as you walk, notice the plants, the earth and the sky. Are there any sounds? Can you see where the sounds are coming from? Are there any animals or birds?
As you walk alongside the river path, you glance at the water, which is playful today. The sun sparkles off the water's surface, making the river a mirror.reflecting back all images. Walking towards the woods, at first the trees are in small groups, then you enter a denser patch. Up ahead a little way, you can see a clearing, and you work your way towards it.
In the clearing stands an old, old tree.
Reaching the tree, you look up and see that there is new growth, that the tree is still alive. Standing with your back to the tree, close your eyes and feel the bark; the textures and sounds and the smell of the wood fill you with deep emotions you feel the earth's energy rising through the tree's roots, the tree's branches stretching towards the sky. The healing power of the tree surrounds you, relaxing you and energising you at the same time.
After a few moments, you are aware that one sound is becoming louder, a movement from the woods. You slowly open your eyes to see a large boar approaching you, watching you with curious but fearless eyes. He stops in front of you, humour and wisdom mixed with raw savagery. You watch each other, taking in the smallest details, oblivious of anything else around. A heady, rich scent rises off the boar, musky and sensual, emphasising his masculinity. The boar communicates with you, passing on a wisdom from the earth.
His mission completed, the boar turns and walks away, back into the woods. You watch him until he disappears from sight then prepare to go back to your doorway.You offer your thanks to the spirit of the tree, leaving a small gift if you have one. Saying a last goodbye to the ancient tree, you leave the clearing and head back through the woods, towards the sound of the laughing river.
The day is drawing to a close, so you hurry along the riverside path, the red setting sun turned into a blazing fireball in the river.
You make your way back through the meadow, tired now, but still tingling from the earth energies. Reaching the doorway, you stop and take a last look around you. The sun lies low in the sky, and a faint breeze touches your face. The door is ajar, as you left it; you open it fully and step through. Turning towards the door, you grasp the handle firmly and pull the door shut.
Taking a deep breath, you prepare to come back to consciousness. Breathe out, feeling your senses attune to the here and now.
Open your eyes when you feel ready, remembering all the details of your journey.
***** Keep the lights dim until you have had a chance to remember, discuss or record your journey, and finish by eating some "earth food", a carbohydrate rich cake, a piece of fruit, some chocolateanything that evokes sensuality. Share a drink of something sweet and heady, mead perhaps, or a winter ale.
Carmen Howse
February 1999
