I was listening to a talk by Day Schildkret, author of Morning Altars.

This was part of Nature Talks, a series I’m SO glad I enrolled in. I enroll in many things that I never attend! Maybe the same thing happens to you; there is, in general, way too much info out there! But I’m so glad to encounter this at just the right time.

Day’s talk filled me with such longing to do the things I used to do, as well as fond memories and appreciation for those times.

A big YES to nature, art and ceremony experienced together!

He shared his story about how all this began as he wandered in nature during a period of grief. He gradually began to pause and rearrange the nature objects that were around him – and a whole new world opened up.

Times I’ve Done This

His sharing reminded me of the times I’ve done similar things. 

All of these involve a circle, which is certainly a recurring symbol for me.

The circle is an eternal symbol of connection, cooperation and the flow and continuity of one thing into the next: the passage of seasons and moon phases, the decades of our lifetimes. All the phases working together for the greater whole.

Here are three ways that I’ve experienced this process.

Connection and Praise

Many years ago I lived in an alternative community, out on the land surrounded by sage, manzanita, everlasting, maté and so much more, growing on the hills.

Several times I bush-whacked my way to the top of the nearby hill, created a circle of stones and sat in the middle of it. 

This was done in praise, a sense of wonder, a dedication to the earth, an acknowledgment of my connection to the earth, and a sense of my connection to ages past and future as well! 

I was well aware of all the generations of Native Americans who had lived on the same land and been so deeply reverent and connected to it, noticing details of weather, tracks and subtle signals that are now lost to most of us through our inattention.

A Request for Help

Once I found a small book about drawing a circle and drawing your wishes or concerns inside it. It helped me to continue this practice of offering my praises, wishes and needs within a circle.

Sometimes I’d go to the beach, draw a big circle, and illustrate my wishes for the year within it. Or I’d draw a circle and place in it a person or situation that was on my mind. I asked for larger, loving forces to help me with the situation. Giving it to the sea, sand, sky, and ever-present Creator.

Finally, as Surrender

In times of grief and stress, this practice has helped me to surrender my pain to the invisible world and ask for its support.

Here is a sad story to illustrate this. I hope it will help you when you find yourself in similar circumstances; when something is sad and there is nothing you can do, but you feel the need to do something.

The Baby Deer

When I was at the north rim of the Grand Canyon with a friend, there were dozens of deer lining the road at night. It was nerve-wracking, and of course, inevitably some would be hit by cars!

One day we were driving and sadly saw a baby deer on the side of the road that had been killed. I was so stricken by sorrow, imagining the plight of the mother deer as she, at some point, had to move on and leave her baby behind. But what could I do?

We stopped the car and there in the dirt by the side of the road I drew a circle and drew the baby deer within the circle. I then gathered nature objects – a leaf, a twig, a pinecone perhaps, and laid them upon the drawing as reverently as possible, offering prayers for the deer and its mother.

After invoking the help of nature and the sacred powers of the place, in witness to the life and death of the deer, I felt better. It helped to take the edge off my sorrow as I felt supported by and connected to the larger forces from which all things come, and to which all things return.

I guess I created something meaningful and beautiful out of the evident chaos.

Have you done this kind of thing before? Gathered bits of nature and rearranged them into something whimsical, symmetrical or meaningful? Or expressed your feelings in a circle? You can get lost in the moment doing this kind of nature/art activity.

Activity for you

Outdoors: find a spot in nature that you can return to each day, noticing the subtle differences. Gather a few things that you find and rearrange them in some way. Perhaps in a circle, or just in a spontaneous arrangement. Admire it, and speak any wishes, praises or concerns that come to you. Appreciate your connection to the living forces of nature in those simple moments.

Alternately, go for a walk and carry a basket with you. Gather various objects that you notice (if it intuitively feels right to move them. Pause and take your time. Ask.). When you feel ready, select a spot, and again arrange your objects in whatever way you like. 

If you’d like to make a mandala pattern, it’s usually easiest to begin from the center and then work symmetrically outward.

Indoors: Draw a circle and place your wishes or concerns within it. Decorate in any way you wish. Write or draw a Blessing around the outer edge – an affirmation or prayer; an image of guardian angels, vines or other nature spirits that you love.

Something that pleases you and gives you a feeling of support.

Get expansive by using big paper!

Place it where you can see it when you are finished.

Resources: https://www.morningaltars.com/