Whispers From the Trees: All Paths Lead to the Fire

By Penny Reed

The meadow greeted me in all its fullness.

Sounds of busy insects, sweet earthy smells, and rich shades of green in the grasses, wildflowers and small shrubs frolicked through my senses. The joyful blossoms of daisies, tickseed and vipers bugloss decorated the landscape in a delectable display. I breathed it all in. Moments like this are where my heart goes when people say “Think of your happy place.” I delicately gathered a few daisies and went to my forest altar. I offered the daisies, set my intentions for the walk, and began singing as I started on the trail. Up ahead there was a great raucous in the tree tops. The crows were up to something. I approached slowly and cautiously curious as to what was going on. I counted nine crows but felt that there were more. It seemed like there was a great debate happening. I marvelled at the different sounds that seemed to express so much meaning. Suddenly I was spotted, and the entire murder took flight with great squawks of disapproval.

A single feather floated down, and I received it with open arms.

The forest quickly returned to its usual summer hum, and I continued. My eye was being pulled down little offshoots from the main path, so I decided to follow one. Down the path, which was feeling more like an animal trail, I noticed a green dot painted on a tree, and further down the path, another green dot was painted on a tree. Curious, I continued following these dots even when the path became indistinguishable from the rest of the woods. The space opened up to a large clearing with a well-built fire pit in the centre.

The space felt cozy and well-loved.

It made me smile to think of people coming out and having a fire. Especially for city folk, a fire can be so healing and grounding. I felt called to leave the feather there and started back to the main trail. But I quickly noticed that the way back was not visible from my position.

I attempted to walk out from the perimeter of the clearing trying to see if I could find one of the green dots and perhaps make my way back in a backward manner. But just then, I noticed a blue dot painted on a tree. Curious as to where it would take me and not too thrilled at the idea of searching for green dots, I began to follow. Much like the other path, this one also disappeared, but I pushed on, following the painted blue dots. To my surprise, the blue dots led me to another clearing with a fire pit in the centre.

This space felt cared for too.

As I investigated the perimeter of the clearing, I noticed a vertebrae from a large mammal. It was perfectly clean, so I picked it up. It felt warm and comfortable in my hand. I felt into it to see if its spirit had a message but only felt warmth. As I stood up, from the corner of my eye, I saw a yellow dot on a tree in the distance.

I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming as this whole excursion was beginning to feel like an episode of the Twilight Zone!

What made it even stranger is that I walk these woods all the time and have never seen these dots on the trees (Perspective is EVERYTHING)! I stepped out from the clearing and into the woods to follow the yellow dots. The low rumble of thunder in the distance rolled through the forest. Rain is coming. 

Determined to follow through the story of “the dots on the trees,” I put on my poncho and kept going. This path was not a path at all.  It was pure bushwacking. I kept thinking to myself, 'where does this lead to… another fire pit?'  Just then, I heard an owl and looked towards its call, and there less than 30 feet away was a large barred owl perched on a branch of a large maple. It looked at me with its intense gaze. I stared back in awe. Owl blinked, then looked away. I followed its gaze to a red squirrel, stalking its next meal. More thunder in the distance. The sky was getting dark. Must continue my feet whispered. I climbed over fallen trees, pushed through dense brush and prickly brambles, and finally reached another clearing. More thunder this time much closer. 

Like the other two clearings, this one had a fire pit in the centre of it.

This fire pit was much larger and looked like it had been used recently. Just then, the rains came. I pulled the hood of my poncho up and started to explore this area. Fire pits like this are normal to find on Crown Land or in provincial parks but not so much in the Greenbelt. This made made heart smile. The Greenbelt is such a precious wild space. It allows so many people, who may not otherwise have an opportunity, to experience nature so intimately, and I appreciated the care and safety that was put into these fire pits.

This clearing felt sacred and special. It was so personal that I almost felt like I was trespassing.

I scanned the perimeter and forest beyond. No more dots could be seen on any trees, and I couldn’t see the dots that guided me as they faced the other direction. Just then, the rain picked up and a large boom of thunder cracked overhead. ‘Oh boy’ - I thought to myself ‘what have I done - I’m deep in the woods without a clear way back, and there’s a storm happening.’ I took a deep breath and asked for guidance. I took in my surroundings and noticed a cedar grove not far away.

I thanked the dots for the adventure and walked towards the cedars. 

Once under the thick boughs of the cedar grove, my body relaxed. I found a large knotty root and sat down to wait out the heavy rain. I noticed I was still holding the animal bone in my hand. I took in its shape, its texture and weight. I imagined it in its former state as an important part of a living creature. Thunder roared again, and rain came harder. I tucked in closer to the trunk of the cedar. My tummy grumbled. I’d been out walking for hours. I pulled out a granola bar and tuned into the sounds of the rain in the forest. It sounded gentler here in the woods as if the drops were landing on pillows of open arms. At home and in the city, the rain almost sounds hard. I could feel the joy that the plants, the soil, and the creatures had for the rain and thought it funny that we humans dislike it so much. I noticed the smell of the rain and how it almost made me feel sleepy and very relaxed. I leaned in even closer to the cedar and just allowed my senses to be stimulated by the rain in the forest.

Just then I heard the trees whisper, “The time is now. Change is always. Stop resisting and allow yourself to receive. Follow your flow.”

I stepped out from under the cedars and pulled back my hood. I breathed deeply and just allowed the raindrops to fall upon me. I noticed my body bracing itself and tensing up. I consciously relaxed and attempted to be like those around me and received the rain with joy and appreciation. The rain, even though it was still coming down pretty heavily, felt like little kisses from water sprites. As tiny rivers started forming from my hair and flowed down the features of my face, I could feel myself feeling stronger and lighter. I got my bearings and started towards the main trail with renewed vigour and a sense of belonging. I felt empowered by befriending the rain and wondered what else I was resisting and if I opened up to receive it, would I feel this similar kind of strength and wholeness?

The word Faith jumped into my mind and I smiled - such a small word but its meaning is so huge.

When I reached the main path, puddles had started to form in some places, so I took the opportunity to splash and play in them. Play is such an important part of joy, and who doesn’t want more joy? As I came round a bend, I noticed another person out in the rain, and they too were splashing in a puddle and getting quite wet and muddy! I smiled, our eyes met, and we both said at the same time, “Isn’t this great!”

The rain began to let up, and I found myself a little disappointed but also very grateful for the experience. The parking lot was getting close, and I noticed the interesting contrast of the fire pits and the rain.

Water and fire.

Basic primal elements that shape so much of our reality. Two gateways that allow humans unique ways to reconnect to their true nature spirit. What happens when we let ourselves follow a path with an unknown destination? What happens when we embody faith and trust? What happens when we reconnect to buried forgotten parts of ourselves? What happens when we stop resisting and allow ourselves to receive? What happens when we embrace play and joy? The Gurus and Masters tell us that that’s when living really begins. Perhaps they're right. I invite you to experiment and see for yourself! I thanked the forest, the trees, the rain, the painted dots, the crows and the owl and climbed into my car, looking forward to a hot shower!

Walking With You, Penny

If you missed Penny’s article last month, check it out on our blog.

Penny hosts forest walks, Human Design readings and a Sacred Herbs Series. Check out her offerings on our website.