ALIGN: Your Journey
Cycles and Rhythms
“A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us.” ― Albert Einstein
One of the very reasons that I’m so passionate about working with the cycles of nature, whether this be the moon cycles, or the Wheel of The Year and the changing seasons, is that they remind us of our very own cycles and rhythms.
I don’t think the cycles around us are ‘right’, and that we have to align with them, or force our own cycles to match them, but they are really useful to be aware of when we start to feel overwhelmed, anxious, disconnected, or out-of-sorts.
When we are connected with our own internal rhythms, we feel more confident to handle whatever comes our way.
We experience a sort of inner peace, and inner-knowing.
We have a deep understanding of our own energy and emotions, and can act accordingly, making the most out of our peak energy states, and supporting ourselves when we know we need to rest and take things slower.
We are aware of how we fit into the world around us.
The Spiral Path
Sometimes we feel in flow, in sync with the outer world, and our own inner word, and sometimes we get lost.
When you get lost, the cycles of nature can lead us back home. We can reconnect to their rhythms, as they show us how to reconnect with our own.
They offer us a template to reconnect with, until we can re-find our own.
Following this cyclic journey leads you right back to your own heart, and your own truth.
This is walking the spiral path.
The spiral path leads us in towards our centre, diving deep into who we are, and releasing that which we are not. It then requires us to pause at the centre to receive. And then leads us on the spiral journey back out, with the new information we have learned.
The spiral path asks that we:
- Let Go
- Receive
- Integrate
You can see this more clearly as you follow a labyrinth.
Walking a labyrinth has three stages:
- You journey inward, with your question, or guidance you are seeking. As you spiral in, it’s the time to release any burdens or distractions that you’ve been carrying.
- You pause at the centre, ready to receive whatever wisdom and guidance is waiting for you.
- You leave the centre, and take the journey outward, bringing, and integrating, the new information, gifts and wisdom that you have received.
Women go through many of these spiral paths in a day, month, year, and lifetime.
Some spirals are life events, and some are the very nature of being a woman.
Each spiral is an initiation into a deeper connection with yourself.
Whether as a rite of passage such as Menarche, Motherhood, or Menopause, or a transition in life such as beginning or ending a new job, relationship, or education such as The Witch Academy.
Each event gives you the opportunity to spiral in, leaving the ‘old’ way of being behind, a pause in the centre to receive the wisdom and learnings of the event, and then finishing with the spiral out, where you integrate your new information and wisdom.
With all of this continuous change, the cycles and rhythms around us act like an anchor, or touch-point, so that we can always find our way home.
Make Your Own Finger Labyrinth
I want you to make a finger labyrinth to connect you to your own spiral path.
A sacred tool to anchor you into your own journey.
It can be used as a meditative tool, for reflection, to calm your mind, or to find the answers you seek.
There are several ways that you can make your own finger labyrinth:
- Draw one
- Print one off
- Make one out of string
- Create one from plasticine/playdoh
Here’s the instructions to one I’ve made before, out of string:
https://heatherplett.com/2015/01/make-finger-labyrinth-also-piece-art/
I didn’t paint mine.
I used thick red thread and covered with lots of Modge Podge Glue – several years later it’s still going strong.
Get as creative as you like, or keep it super simple.
This is your sacred tool and your journey – you get to decide what’s right for you.
Labyrinth Designs for You to Use
Finger-Labyrinth-Designs
Using Your Finger Labyrinth
Before you begin, take a couple of deep centring breaths.
- Place a finger from your non-dominant hand on the entrance of the labyrinth, this activates your intuitive self. If you find this too awkward at first, use your dominant hand.
- Slowly trace the pattern of the labyrinth with your finger, just allowing your mind to clear from thoughts and distractions
- Focus your attention solely on following the path of the labyrinth.
- “Walk” to the centre of the labyrinth.
- When you get to the centre of your labyrinth, pause and focus on your breath, allow yourself and your mind to rest. Notice if you have any intuitive insights.
- Retrace your path out of the labyrinth, and back to the beginning of your journey.
- Once complete, take a few moments to be with yourself. Breathe deeply and notice how you’re feeling.