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One of the key components in shamanism is learning to see patterns in the world around us and draw parallels between those moments and our own spiritual and personal growth.
All Around Us
BalanceNovember 25, 2007
"Balance" - photographed in Salem, Oregon (October 31, 2007)
Between the pursuit of our goals and dreams, the practice of our spiritual paths, and the constant grind of our mundane lives, it's easy to allow our lives to get out of balance. I'm not someone who can offer themselves up as an example of what a balance life should look like. In all honesty, I'm right there in the trenches with you, trying to do my best and figure it all out myself.
One of my teachers once told me that balance was simply a manner of approaching life where none of the parts of ourselves were neglected. For me, given all of the responsibilities in my world - as a parent, an employee, a romantic partner, and a spiritual teacher - I find it difficult to make time for even necessities like sleep. But balance is something that I strive for and I get a little closer with each passing year.
In our magickal practices, balance is finding the equilibrium between study and application, between focusing on our own wants and needs and caring for the world around us and those in it. As pagans, we have a special connection not just with the weave of Nature, but with all living things. We need to remember that our desires impact those around us. Sometimes it's as simple as taking a more environmentally sound approach to the way we live. But sometimes it's realizing that our own desires may actually cause more harm to the weave around us than the good they will serve and we need to alter our approach to find a path that truly harms none.
We also need to remember that our the story of our own personal growth mirrors the phases of the Goddess - Maiden, Mother, and Crone. It's just as important for us to embrace the playful, exploring nature of the Maiden as it is for us to exhibit the nurturing guidance of the Mother or the wisdom and patience of the Crone. The closer we come to mirroring all three aspects of the Goddess, the closer we'll come to truly finding balance within ourselves.
This photograph was taken outside of my office when I stepped outside to get a breath of fresh air on Samhain. I was simply open to the guidance of the world around me and I found this leaf perched exactly as shown here.