The Gift of Rest: an Autumn Reflection
Warm Greetings, Friends –
As the land slips into quietude while parading about in a riotous cloak of color, I am called to sit with contradictory feelings of urgency and rest, busyness and peace, windswept flutterings and deep stillness. Just two short weeks after the Autumnal Equinox here in the Northern Hemisphere, and the slide into the dark half of the year now feels both inevitable and welcoming. It’s okay– the Earth whispers in hushed gusts of rain soaked leaves – you can set down the heaviness; I will hold it all for you.
Now is the time the forest stunningly demonstrates the myriad ways we can let go, of course, but also the myriad ways we can redirect our inner resources to where they’re of more useful service. The sugar maples turning from lush, deep summer green to dark cherry aren’t really letting go of their color at all: they’re pulling their green chlorophyll back into their stems for other uses, revealing the other colors that were there all along. Setting down their leaves in fall helps them conserve water, and they re-grow their leaves in spring to evaporate water when they’re ready. This process is done on an individual tree-by-tree basis: ever notice that one tree in your neighborhood who changes color early, or the one who leafs out in the spring later than everyone else?
These are the messages I hope all wanderers and wonderers learn from intimate observation of, and relation to, Nature this autumn: we can withdraw and conserve and reallocate our inner resources as we see fit, when we’re ready. We can set down what isn’t presently serving us, knowing that the Earth will hold it for us and change it until it’s nourishing and helps us grow again in the spring. It’s okay to hold on; it’s okay to let go. We need only be present. We need only be.
This – all of this – is the gift of the rituals of Forest Bathing and of Sauna – they are healthful practices, yes, but they also reawaken our souls to reconnect with our beingness, our connection to every being who shares this place we call home, and to our ancient stories.
honoring all of your colors –
Leigha
Our Big News in a Nutshell
*We’re now four Guides strong! We recently had the pleasure of welcoming ANFT-certified Guide and EcoNIDRA Instructor, Amy Haben, to the Silvae Spiritus guiding team. Along with Annie Hejny, Amy will continue our tradition of offering guided Forest Bathing walks in Minneapolis / St. Paul and with our cherished Twin-Cities partner organizations. Look for additional experiences with Amy next year – including recurring Forest Bathing walk series and guided EcoNIDRA sessions!
*We have just added four public Forest Bathing walks for this autumn and winter in Minneapolis / St. Paul, guided by Annie Hejny and Amy Haben – one this very weekend, two in November, and another in December. If you’d prefer a private Forest Bathing session, contact us – we’d be happy to create a session perfect for you whether you’re staying on-site or making it a day-trip.
*Our 5-star AirBnB Guest House is hopping! Weekends are usually fully booked 45-60 days out, and weekdays fill in a little later. We accept reservations as far as six months in advance; reserve your special dates today!
*the smell of woodsmoke in the air means our forest sauna and hot tub are ready for your visit! The crisp night air is keeping the cold plunge tubs at about 48 degrees fahrenheit these days, and it’ll just keep getting colder – the perfect way to fully experience the thermic cycle of hot, cold, rest, rehydrate, and repeat. Sauna and hot tub sessions must be booked at least 36 hours in advance, so be sure to get your weekend Northwoods getaway reservations made – day-trippers welcome!
What We’re Listening To: Music
In September, Silvae Spiritus, in collaboration with Leon J Music, Digital Nap, and Dendrotic, hosted Interbeing 02: A Music Production Interactive Immersion. Ever since, we haven’t been able to stop listening to these ambient journeys created by Digital Nap – which seek to actively create space for the body to activate its inherent healing capabilities.
What We’re Reading: Books
Sound Healing: Using Vibration to Harmonize Your Health and Wellness
In 2023, we’ll be debuting therapeutic audio immersions / sound baths, here at our Northwoods Nature Retreat. Travis is fascinated by this book’s deep-dive into the concepts of resonance and entrainment as methods to enliven the body and mind. Keep an ear out for future Sound + Sauna events!
