Seven Directions

A different life: my days as a children’s librarian. After sounding the Tibetan singing bowl to attract my wild tribe of toddlers and pre-schoolers to library Storytime corner , we get to sing and dance.  Also delivered: a lesson in magic and rhythm.

Voice raised I start. “Little Sally Walker/ Sittin’ in her saucer/ Rise Sally, rise/ Wipe your weepin’ eyes/ Put your hand on your hip/ And letcha back-bone slip!/ Shake it to the East/Shake it to the West/ Shake it to the one/ That you love the best!”

Candidly, yes this song includes a hip bump and what could be categorized and a grind but it does not include my favorite burlesque move the tick-tock/pendulum. Maya Angelou sang this one on Sesame Street so it is Pure Magic.

This song shows you where you Are. This song shows you where your friend Is. This song orients you in a world where within any group of people: there is one that you love the best. This song puts you on the Wheel, ever turning.
The Seven Directions are: East, South, West, North, Above, Below, and Within. When I first began my relationship with Earth Medicine these directions were quietly, unassumingly, at the heart of my practice. Now, they are the heartbeat of my beating heart. Each and every moment of our lives, we are suspended within their wisdom in a micro and macro way.

They are a never ending cycle of conception, growth, expression, fruition, fading back, dying and composting. This is Wheel of the Year, the seasons we see in the natural world that play out in a twelve month cycle.. but arguably these Seven Directions play out on their own sweet timeline within our conversations, artistic creations, our relationships. I might tell a friend, “You’re in the West, babe. Just be there.” or while working on a painting hands covered in copper and teal acrylics blaring Missy Elliot I am in the South, the blessed blessed South. Let it last, Mama, I pray.

Quick look at these seven clever players:
East : Power of air.  Initiation, new beginnings, conception of ideas, the first fresh and light step of the journey. Deep breath.

South: Power of fire: Energy, passion, willpower, soul’s creative expression, cranking it out in the sunshine.

West: Power of water. Breakdown, meltdown, wash out. Emotions flow, shadows are cast. Time of reckoning. Must traverse the West before you can go North. Easy to get stuck or have an extended visit here.

North: Power of earth: Ahhh. Place of the ancestors where we lay down burden, integrate the lessons , and be still and silent.

Above: Wisdom of Star Nation, cosmos.

Below: Ancestor wisdom, drawing the Mystery up from the roots.

Within: You ‘ve got it allll in there.

Where do you stand on this map? Where have you just come from? How can I guide you?
Let’s walk together.