"The Forest" traditionally is a threshold symbol of entering
the unknown, the deeper nature, or the spiritual world. In
fairy tales it usually represents a passage through difficulties
and an opportunity for "transformation" of some kind. I also
see it as a sanctuary, refuge, a place of deepening. This entering
the "Dark Forest" happens sometimes when I have lost
(intentionally or otherwise) the frameworks, or beliefs,
which have given structure to my life; when I must find my own
way, and be true to the call of the Soul, despite the difficulties
encountered. Shamans, poets, holy men and women sought
refuge in the forest, as a healing place. Going into The Forest
represents a return to Primordial Being - beyond societal,
cultural, conceptual and spiritual frameworks; beyond dogma
and doctrine... In a way, it is like returning to the child's heart
of innocence - just following the longing of the Heart once
again; trusting that I will emerge from "The Dark Forest" with
clarity. As a child I often went into the woods next to our
house to just sit, to listen and commune with nature, and
write poetry - at the ripe old age of 11 :) It was a place of
directly experiencing what I knew then to be "God." Now
known by many other names...
the unknown, the deeper nature, or the spiritual world. In
fairy tales it usually represents a passage through difficulties
and an opportunity for "transformation" of some kind. I also
see it as a sanctuary, refuge, a place of deepening. This entering
the "Dark Forest" happens sometimes when I have lost
(intentionally or otherwise) the frameworks, or beliefs,
which have given structure to my life; when I must find my own
way, and be true to the call of the Soul, despite the difficulties
encountered. Shamans, poets, holy men and women sought
refuge in the forest, as a healing place. Going into The Forest
represents a return to Primordial Being - beyond societal,
cultural, conceptual and spiritual frameworks; beyond dogma
and doctrine... In a way, it is like returning to the child's heart
of innocence - just following the longing of the Heart once
again; trusting that I will emerge from "The Dark Forest" with
clarity. As a child I often went into the woods next to our
house to just sit, to listen and commune with nature, and
write poetry - at the ripe old age of 11 :) It was a place of
directly experiencing what I knew then to be "God." Now
known by many other names...
And since I don't have a "Dark Forest" handy to enter, and I'm
spooked by things that go bump in the night, my "Forest" will
have to be the Interior spaces - navigating the inner Forest of
the Unknown - as well as the difficult practicalities of everyday
living that I'm now faced with. It will be an interesting
sojourn, if I can pull it off... What better time of year
than approaching the Winter Solstice to go within...
spooked by things that go bump in the night, my "Forest" will
have to be the Interior spaces - navigating the inner Forest of
the Unknown - as well as the difficult practicalities of everyday
living that I'm now faced with. It will be an interesting
sojourn, if I can pull it off... What better time of year
than approaching the Winter Solstice to go within...
Mystic Meandering
originally written 6-22-2019
updated Dec. 6, 2023
originally written 6-22-2019
updated Dec. 6, 2023
~
The familiar horizon has been outgrown;
the old concepts, ideals,
and emotional patterns no longer fit.
The time for the passing of a threshold is at hand.
the old concepts, ideals,
and emotional patterns no longer fit.
The time for the passing of a threshold is at hand.
You enter the forest at the darkest point
where there is no path.
Where there's a way or a path
it is someone else's path; each human being
is a unique phenomenon.
where there is no path.
Where there's a way or a path
it is someone else's path; each human being
is a unique phenomenon.
The idea is to find your own way...
Joseph Campbell
~
Midway upon the journey of life
I found myself within a dark forest,
for the straightforward pathway
had been lost...
I found myself within a dark forest,
for the straightforward pathway
had been lost...
Dante Alighgieri
The Inferno
The Inferno
~
Photo - Mystic Meandering
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