Taken from Eva Rose's lesson homework on The Triple Goddess
Close your eyes, quiet your breathing and still your mind. Close your mind’s eye,
and take 3 deep breaths...In...out....in....out...in...out. On your last exhale, you
open your minds eye and see yourself on top of a hill in pre-dawn light. The air is
crisp, and a sliver of a waxing moon is low in the sky. The faint sound of bird song
stirs the air as you look about. You are barefoot, and the grass is wet with dew and
cold between your toes.
You take another deep breath and see the Eastern sky begin to lighten. As you look
about, you see far below you a vast orchard, branches bare and skeletal in the pre-
dawn light.
A flicker of firelight between the branches catches your eye, and you begin your
decent. As you slowly proceed down the hill, the sun begins to turn the sky a myriad
of colors, and the bird song intensifies. As you approach the trees, the sun crests the
horizon and you stop, closing your eyes and letting the warm light bathe your face.
As you open your eyes, you see that the tree nearest you has small buds upon its
branches. Stepping closer for a look, you notice a smooth, stone path making its way
between the trunks. You feel pulled to follow it, and as you do so, you notice more and
more buds appear on the branches of the trees as you pass by.
The birdsong is nearly deafening, and you quicken your steps, pulled forward by
the promise of Spring in the orchard. Every step you make forward, seems to bring
growth to the flower buds. You break into a trot and marvel at the swelling flower
buds that you pass. As you rush headlong into a clearing filled with spring blossoms,
the flowers on the trees all burst into bloom and you laugh in delight, spinning about.
Your laugh is echoed by another light voice, and you spin about to see a young
woman plucking flowers and twining them into a crown. She smiles at your surprise,
and you step forward to greet her. She introduces herself as the Spring Maiden and
tells you her name. She gestures you forward and asks you questions about yourself,
your hopes, your dreams. You remember the childlike wonder you had and feel hope
and possibility well in your heart.
You speak with her a while, and when you are ready, she sets the flower crown
upon your head and says: “With this crown, may your inspiration grow, and light up
your heart to aid in making your dreams a reality. Go now, and seek who you can
become.”
You close your eyes and she kisses your forehead, as gently steers you back toward
the path leading deeper into the orchard.
As you make your way through the trees, you notice that the petals are starting to
fall and the leaves are poking out. Small green apples appear and swell before your
eyes with every step. The Sun creeps higher into the sky, warming the air and drying
the dew from the grass. Branches start to bend under the weight of the ripening
fruits, and the sound of bees and other insects overtake the sound of birds.
As the apples are turning red, you step into another clearing, this one filled with
row after row of berry bushes. A tall, stately woman is picking berries into a basket
that is slung over one arm. She turns to greet you and gestures toward the ripe
berries and an empty basket sitting on the ground. You pick up the basket and work
silently, side by side with the woman, picking berries. You can’t resist, but to pop a
sweet raspberry into your mouth. As you close your eyes to savor the flavor, you feel
the hot sun beating down on top of your head.
The woman speaks:
“I am the Mother, the giver of Life and Abundance. What is it that you wish to
achieve? What projects do you want to give life to?”
Keeping your eyes closed, you think on this question. When you have your
answer, you open your eyes and she hands you a small berry tart, still warm. As you
turn toward the orchard path once again, you take a bite and reflect on all the work
that went into baking it - from seed, to berry, to baked good.
The air is still and heavy as you make your way along the path once more, the air
filled with the sound of crickets and grasshoppers chirping and buzzing. Slowly, a
slight cooling breeze rustles the leaves, and cools your skin. You notice the bows of the
trees are bending heavy under the weight of red, ripe apples.
As you step into yet another clearing, you notice the the sun is hanging low in the
sky, and the air has a definite crispness to it. The leaves are tinged with yellow, and
the sound of apples thumping to the Earth causes you to turn and look about the
orchard.
A strong looking woman, with silver touches in her hair and fine lines about her
eyes and mouth from years of laughter is striding purposely toward you. She greets
you by name and gestures about the clearing at piles of pumpkins, apples, dried corn
stalks, and other vegetables.
“I am the Matron, the Accomplished One. I have spent my life working hard, and
now is the time to enjoy my harvest. What have you accomplished? What have you
worked for and achieved? How did it change you?”
As you ponder her words, you think back on challenges you have faced. You reflect
on who you were and who you have become. The obstacles you have faced and how
they made you who you are today.
The woman smiles at you and hands you a perfect, red, ripe apple and sends you
on your way. You bite into the apple and marvel at its taste, and savor the reward of
hard work well done.
You walk onwards into the darkening forest, your feet crushing on the fallen
leaves. The sky darkens and it lit only by the starlight filtering through the bare
branches. As the air grows colder, you feel a prickle of concern about the encroaching
darkness.
But them, through the trees, you spy a twinkle of firelight. You hurry your steps
as you begin to shiver, guided only by the promise of warmth ahead and the stars
above.
You rush forward into a clearing, and approach a giant fire. The snow begins to
fall, and you notice an elderly woman bent over the fire, stirring a pot. She smiles at
you, her wrinkled face showing kindness and wisdom.
“Welcome Child,” she says “You have come to the end of a journey. The path
behind you was filled with life, and now the path before you is filled with the
unknown. How does that make you feel? What wisdom have you gained that you can
take into the darkness ahead? What gives you comfort?”
You stare into the flames, and stretch your hands out to warm them while you
think on what she has said. When you have found your answer, you turn to her and
see her holding a steaming mug out to you. You take it, and she sends you out into
the darkness. As you take a sip of the warm cider, you glance back over your shoulder
and see the woman’s face in the flickering firelight. For an instant, she looks just like
the Spring Maiden again.
Your turn and continue into the trees, holding on to the wisdom that you gained
on this journey, and know that it will repeat itself again and again.
The air starts to have a whisper of warmth, and the trees slowly start to fade
around you into mist. You slowly become aware of the your breathing again. When
you are ready, become fully aware of yourself, wiggle your fingers and toes, and take a
sip of water.
Inspiring meditation thankyou