11/15/2018
found this patch of dead rattlesnake skin in my backyard the other day—the day we oriented to where danger, grief, and loss roared through the flames—letting out a collective cry. from the size of the scales, this looks to be a piece of baby snake skin symbolizing innocence shedding its death to make room for its next phase of growth. much like our own psychic skin shedding, it takes tremendous effort and pain leaving the new life emerging, vulnerable.
if you have been affected by these wild flames in any capacity perhaps your innocence has been left with the ashes and you feel a new vulnerability of psyche and body. vulnerable to the power of the elements. vulnerable to the trauma of no longer recognizing your home. vulnerable to the possibility, in a moments notice, you go from enjoying left overs in the fridge to receiving evacuation orders in which leaves you a window of time to gather loved ones, loved pets, and loved items, letting go of all the rest.
may we tap into the emotional, physical, spiritual vulnerability that emerges from the ashes and our resilience it takes to stay safe. may we cherish our love with our loved ones, our animals, our land and our sacred items. and may we be loyal to the process of burning, loving, and shedding so that we move through to our next phase more embodied and expanded than ever before.
