Connecting to the Earth - A Rock Mosaic

   In August the Sun begins to wane, the quality of light becomes softer, almost gentler, slowing us down after the mad pace of the world and the events of the Summer, where we try to relive our childhood Summer days at the beach or mountains, fields, meadows or lakes. Taking stock of things, becoming more grounded it seems, as we pass through late Summer and into the beginnings of Fall. The ever changing seasons, bringing a new perspective as we pass through each one.

   As part of living a natural life - and certainly not preplanned - was the spontaneous creative urgency to create a natural border along side a path I  built to access the back yard. Simple squares from the nursery, one foot by one foot, created a meandering path in and amongst the dark compost and pine needles. The stones I chose were earthy toned, a bit of reddish brown, to compliment the dark soil and greenery. Grounding, solid and exact in their geometry and dimensions.
   Parts of the earth surrounding the new stones were sloping and so to keep the earth intact I took several random stones and pressed them into the soft ground as a border, to enhance the area and keep the dirt in place and not wash away.
   An amazing thing happened, because it all began to fall into place, naturally it seemed. My fingers eagerly pressing the various shaped rocks into the ground. Nothing symmetrical - it was more wavy in nature - hence a water influence perhaps which created a unique pattern that seemed to flow. A great deal of blood, sweat and mud went into this - especially proud when as the days went by the rocks actually began to look like they belonged there and had always been there.
   Most of the rocks were mainly found through out the property - all shapes and sizes and patterns - making it appear natural and organic as though something had poured the rocks from above and they settled in a random but fitting pattern. I tried taking rocks from another pathway but no, it didn't feel right to remove them. The rocks from the other pathway were there for several years, already blended and at home. Secure in their pattern.
   In doing this it felt like I made something more beautiful. As I worked in the heat of Late Summer I began to sweat and feel uncomfortable, but in doing so - it not only connected me to the earth but also to myself. I began to shed all the worries and fears of daily life, felt the stress melting away. The more I worked and the more I sweated my muscles and limbs became looser. My fingers were sore yet somehow more nimble, like they did when playing the piano, a long lost memory. 
   I began to look forward to working on the border every morning, early, before the Sun came blazing over the house and into the yard. After awhile I was compelled to do it, by something taking me over, something connecting me to the earth and nature, to the very rocks themselves. It made me whole again.
   Every rock was a different shape, color, grain and texture which was part of the beauty of it all. If a rock or series of rocks did not belong - you could automatically feel it and they would have to be moved or replaced. Sizes need to vary to create what the land needed, and the spacing between the rocks also had to be balanced and then there was the nearness to the patio stones. All flowing naturally, weaving, blending. A certain amount of rocks had to be large, which were smooth and rounded, as though anchors for the design. Smaller stones in and out amongst the larger anchors fell like raindrops scattering and becoming solid when they hit the earth, some magic transformation. In color it seemed to call for the darker stones, other whiter pebbles seemed at times a harsh contrast.
   One side did not seem to flow. It called for smaller and more random stones, like a sprinkle of bread crumbs from Hansel and Gretel. I redid that section five or six times, plucking stones, changing sizes until at last it felt like it flowed.

   By the time it was done the rocks appeared to be growing out of the earth, as much a part of the landscape as the rhododendrons and Virginia Creeper, and the delicate ground cover I added of Creeping Veronica, as well as some clover present, for the rabbits of course, for originally this was their place to take naps and listen to me talk on the phone in the late afternoons as evening would approach. The pattern now seemed complete and it gives me joy every day when I walk along the stones.
   Humans crave symmetry, because we are made that way, and nature can provide the natural patterns.

Living with nature,
Maery

Harvest and earth

Living a Natural Life

Changing with the Seasons - Late Summer

   Every year around this time, the beginning of August, a cold front comes through, making an unusually cool morning and day, that to me somehow signals the beginning of the end of Summer and the onset of Fall. Change is in the air.
   And also this time of year is called Later Summer in Chinese medicine, and so we must adjust once again, as the daylight hours begin to grow noticeably shorter.
   It is also a time when the harvest begins, so it is a good time for letting things go, while reaping the rewards of our endeavors at the same time.
   Late Summer is associated with the element of earth, which seems to make sense because it is the time of harvesting crops from the Earth, at least here in the U.S. With the influence of earth one can become more grounded, take stock of oneself and one's life, reflecting on the events of Summer and preparing for Fall.
   From the element of fire comes the production of earth, through the ashes, as we manifest things in the physical. Summer projects or ideas come to fruition.
   Earth also nourishes, for example when you think of Mother Earth, the maternal nurturing aspect. This season, according to Chinese medicine, governs the stomach and spleen, so digestion becomes important. All too often we see stomach viruses in the Summer/Late Summer cycle. We need to slow down and take care of ourselves, which is sometimes hard in the fast pace of today's society. So it is a good reminder to ourselves. The stomach and spleen work together to digest and give energy and nutrition needed. Diet, as always, is important, building in some heavier proteins, whole grains, seeds, nuts and beans instead of the light salads and juices of midsummer. But not to forget the fresh produce and vegetables as well, and not to go to extremes with alcohol or heavy meals. Of course do not change your diet or habits drastically if you have certain health conditions and always notify your doctor or health care practitioner of any changes you make.
   It is important to be flexible in this time of transition, and not to resist the changes that are coming. We begin to ease slowly from Summer towards Fall, then inevitably Winter.
   The sense organ associated with Late summer is the mouth and taste, so again to do with not only digestion and assimilation, but also nutrition and nurturing oneself. The mouth also enables us to speak out our ideas and expressions, and singing also goes with the element of earth. A doctor once told me singing is healthy - it gets out any locked up emotions or hidden angers. The sound of earth is singing, so this makes sense. So feel free to sing in the shower if you don't want anyone to hear you, or sing along in the car to the radio or cd's. 
   The fluid for Late Summer is saliva, which also helps us to begin the digestion of food, so have an Autumn harvest feast of fresh foods to celebrate Late Summer. The lips is the organ where you can detect imbalances, whether they are dry, cracked or peeling. This is an indication of imbalance somewhere in the body, and to do with the element of earth.

Rocks go with the element of earth

   The compass direction that goes with earth is the center, which is not surprising, as we try to ground and center ourselves at this time of year, through the influence of the element of earth. In Feng shui, the center of the house is to do with health and healing, so it is good to keep the center of the home clean and clear of clutter. Put a sparkling clear crystal in the center of the home to radiate the seven colors of the spectrum.
   The climate to do with Late Summer is moist, and here where I reside it is a time of high humidity. Humidity moistens things and allows things to grow and come to fruition and to have less friction. Too much moisture however can promote the growth of mold and too much dampness is not good either. People who despise humidity with a vengeance may have an earth imbalance. In contrast, think of the desert where it is so dry and hot. Or in the mountains of Colorado it is so dry that my skin would crack, and lungs would hurt to breathe, since I am accustomed to the moisture and humidity of the east coast.
   The emotion to do with earth is sympathy. Although it can be wonderful to be empathetic and sympathetic in our daily lives, especially towards others, there is always a danger here to be too giving. If you give too much and sacrifice yourself for others, you can be draining your own energy and emotional reserves. For those who give too much, learn to say no sometimes. And for people who are "cold" like the cold earth, learn to give some more warmth to self and others.
   The color to do with earth is yellow. It is a bright and cheerful color, and reminds me of the sun, and like the sun, yellow brings warmth into our lives. You can use the color yellow during this time, whether you have too much earth or not enough. Everything is a balance.
   The smell of Late Summer is fragrant, like the ripe flowers, berries and crops. Use aromatherapy with fruitlike scents or anything that is fragrant - like lavendar.
   The tissue with earth is the flesh and muscles, so it is a good time to build strength through exercise, and gain strength before the Winter months come.
   As we head toward Fall, things can become bittersweet, cherishing our memories but also knowing that now a new cycle begins.

Be wll,
Maery

My little wild rabbit enjoying the feast of clover