by Orion Foxwood
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For nearly half a century, in the greening time of May, we have gathered in the woods summoned by the Life-that Runs-Thru-All and by a deep unexplainable longing for the connection that opens us wide and ends the homesickness that haunts humanity. The connection to Earth.

We, hundreds of humans and,
We, the wind, water, fire, and earth; tree, chipmunk, and cloud,
We, the unseen ancestors of humanity and, the-,
We, the “Wee”-ones (the invisible company) have met heart-to-heart, hope-to hope, deed-to-deed, vision-to-vision in cycles of birth, death, marriage, grief, and celebration united by a felt-cord of the community (human and other).
We have done this for 10 then 10 then 10 more cycles around the sun, and
all in service of -Earth, in celebration of -Earth

We have come from every direction to a sacred mountain, deep in the wild woods summoned by a voice that speaks to our longing for home, for the community, for the intimacy that is the salve of the soul, our origins, the home of our ancestors and the ancestor- Earth

We have immersed in the cleansing waters of a lake that courts the sky as celestial immensity smiles in her magic mirror and the watery one pours liquid beauty in ripples of tranquility washing tears of sorrow, delight, and homecoming, cradled in the bosom of- Earth

We, of many faces and diverse expressions of ethnicity, culture, sexuality, gender, traditions, pronouns, ages, and paths make our pilgrimage to ignite a sacred fire that warms all hearts, melts sorrows, awakens passion, ignites inner life, incinerates threads of illusion. And we erect a spindle, A pole to center and unifies all- as we dance in circles like planets around the sun with untattered ribbons inviting all of life to a web of song-weaving hearts, tears, compassion and sacred witnessing in the rain, shine, grassy field or sloshy mud- laughing (nay, giggling with childlike glee), singing, exhaling, and becoming innocent again children of one mother and her name is- Earth

We fly, we drive, we walk from all directions, from many states and countries, weaving with threads, breaths, glances, drum beats, poetry, performance and sacred art, all for the love of- Earth

We build communal bonds crossing generations, celebrating transformations as- sister and brother, father and mother, human and other. We awaken spirit-roads from the ancients past to a modern world, while unearthing silenced sacred spirits buried under the rubble of forgetfulness fueled by the illusion of isolation. They speak and teach – The Original Ancestors AND we listen deep. We are calling the roots to the tree to heal a family of- Earth

We have made the magic in one place for all places. For all places we go are on this sacred orb of blessing is, in truth, but one place. For in the spirit of the Earth we have come together and in the spirit of the earth, we are one. Our feet are on one earth and thus we consecrate the space that knows no distance and weaves threads and ribbons on the “inner-net” of life anchored by a center-post that aligns head, heart, gut, heaven, nature and the soul of the Earth.

The task that is ever before us- carry it light on your shoulders, carry it deep in your soul, for we have been blessed with magic and the magic will make us whole.

Sometimes we call it in and sometimes it summons us out.
We do it for us, all of us- seen and unseen and thresholds in between. It’s a rhythm, you know like a heartbeat, A breathing lung, or the ebb and flow of the ocean.
Sacred original instructions to be reborn in the spirit of Earth.

The Magic is in the EarthSpirit where we are ONE!

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We are delighted to share this beautiful piece from our dear friend and long-time Rites of Spring teacher, Orion Foxwood.  These words originally appeared on Facebook and are re-printed here with his permission. To read more of Orion’s work and learn about his writing and teaching, please visit his website.