I stood facing the ocean and asked for guidance and protection on my upcoming journey. Asking for permission to enter onto her waters, I told her how vulnerable I would be in my kayak and that I was completely surrendering to her. My heart songs reverberated deep in my chest and spread out across the deep and choppy water. The prayers and the songs were accepted by the spirit of the ocean and I was offered the most beautiful rainbow of my life as a sign. We were connected…the ocean and I and every paddle stroke and every exchange of breath would be in partnership with her.
This is the ancient human way of communicating with the elements and the spirits of nature. It is a language born in our hearts. To communicate with the earth is to return to the home of our ancestors, and to open a door to a humble and connected world view. It is the birthright of every living being to communicate intimately with creation.
This solo kayak trip was a circumnavigation of Vinalhaven Island that is at the mouth of Penobscot Bay. To get to Vinalhaven Island from Owl’s Head, (Rockland, Maine), requires a 6 mile crossing of Western Penobscot Bay. This crossing has a large fetch of water that is exposed to the open ocean and all her winds and tides. It is an act of faith in the ocean and one’s self to commit to such a crossing alone.
As I approached the final jut of land before the crossing, two eagles flew in front of me and spiraled together. They rose and rose until they were faint specs in the grey sky and then disappeared from view altogether. This eagle dance was heartening encouragement, so I began the crossing. The outgoing tide, combined with an incoming breeze created two foot seas that were fairly steep.
When the seas began to rise even more, I again sang to the ocean. It was a song of gratitude and a spirit song of my soul. Within seconds of beginning my song, a seal arrived and looked at me with its dark, shiny and opaque eyes. I don’t believe it had ever been sung to before, and it swam with me for quite some time. It was very nice to have the company. At the same time, the ocean calmed and allowed me safe passage to Vinalhaven Island.
Later, while exploring the shore line of the wilderness campsite that I stayed at, I found an image in the granite that took my breath away. It was an image of a woman’s body with a falcon’s head. The image was made up of dark stone that stood out in contrast to the lighter colored granite surrounding it. My new friend in the rock and I sat for a long time and watched the sunset on the rocky Maine coast.
This is the precious way life can be for us. The Earth offers us gifts of connection, listening, encouragement, nurturing, nourishment, vision, guidance, love and meaning. We are a vital part of creation.
Take the time to listen and interact with nature and you will be tremendously blessed.