Monday, December 08, 2008

Winter - Elemental

This is the crone's time, and perhaps that is why I love it so.

The highlands are raw and snowy and very cold, gale winds harrowing the land, roaring through the trees, setting the snow in circular drifting motion and giving existence to that phenomenon called "white out" in which one can see nothing at all.

At the same time, there is a power and grace and majesty to this winter landscape that is impossible to describe in words or capture in images. One just has to be there to experience it and take it all in. It's magnificent, it's heady and it is absolutely wild.

I had a dream last night in which the Old Wild Mother was dancing across the icy hills and coves of the highlands, unfettered, euphoric and jubilant in the heart of winter. She kicked up her heels and turned round and round ecstatically, first deosil, then widdershins. She raised her arms in celebration, her beaded garments and wild dark hair dancing out behind her as she moved. She waved her hand in tender greeting, and the trees and snow danced with her. She beckoned, and I joined her in her winter dance, lithe again, supple and vibrant and realizing, perhaps for the first time, that whatever happens to me, I shall always be here in spirit and dancing. This is where I belong.

11 comments:

Lil said...

B-E-A-utiful Cate! I can see Her and you...and don't feel the cold, but instead feel the fire from your feet and abun-dance of joy.

Lil xo

Anonymous said...

Let me join the dance! What a lovely dream. This is a liminal time and I think you have been granted a glimpse beyond the fields.

Kim Antieau said...

Wonderful, wonderful: The photo and your dreams. Blessed be, blessed sea, blessed thee. :-D

Fran aka Redondowriter said...

Your photos are so beautiful, but I'm not very good with the kind of cold weather you live in. It's no mistake I'm in Southern California. But, I just read several of your entries and you emanate peace and connection with your environment and with the people in your life. Thinking of you.

Anonymous said...

Breath taking, all of it. I saw the Crone this morning too, as I drove along the Hudson River, first ice crusting its mighty expanse. There is such joy in this frozen world, a great desolate dance floor for the fiery reaches of the soul.

Quiet said...

Beautiful, ghostly image. Your words bring it to life. Thanks!

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Cate all has been said. Nothing to add to your wonderful words and the image is magical.

Linda Navroth said...

It is always magic to find a blog like yours. This image is lovely and numinous, filled with the spirit of all that I love, treasure, and hold dear. Thank you for sharing your beautiful dream!

Anonymous said...

Beautiful.
K

Anonymous said...

What an exquisite photo! This would be on my wall! :)

L'Adelaide said...

your dream of Wild Mother inspires visions of a painting of you and she dancing in the wilds of white.....

these photos of your world have simply blown my easy california autumn away....

you know how I feel...