I’ve spent the day with Maple finalizing preparations for our upcoming Maple Sacred Plant Initiation. Sitting in the Temple of Maple's branches, I am once again, completely humbled by and in awe of Maple’s generosity and support.
Maple has long been a big Love of mine. It’s not surprising that ki is an important Tree at Heart Springs Sanctuary. There are many growing around the Sanctuary and a Maple “forest” has sprouted over the last several years in what once was lawn. This forest answered my request for more privacy and also serves as a favorite playground for the Birds.
For years, Maple has requested to offer a Sacred Plant Initiation. I have hesitated for several reasons. The biggest one is that we have been hoping to move to another Sanctuary. We absolutely love Heart Springs. I have learned so much here. And it has been wonderful to see the Land respond to my students and our efforts. However, we need more space for our work and family. This is a mutual agreement for the Land has been telling me that it is time for us to move on, there is more work for us to do, somewhere else. (I am the one who finds it difficult to leave, though I also know that it is right for all of us.) I have been hesitant to announce a Maple Sacred Plant Initiation because I didn’t know when we were moving and if there would be Maple Trees at the next Sanctuary. But this Spring, I could no longer ignore Maple.
From my first moments of working with the Land here, ki has asked for community. Maple, an incredible community builder, has led this push. Maple has been one of my biggest teachers for reciprocal relationship, demonstrating the balance of giving and receiving. For me, Maple mostly reminds me to receive and allow myself to be nourished. It seems that this is the perfect time to offer a Maple Sacred Plant Initiation.
We do not know where we are going or when, but I know now that this Ceremony with Maple is required before we move. It is an enormous opportunity to give back to the Land, honoring ki’s request to gather together in community, receiving the gifts and wisdom of Maple, and re-membering how to live in co-creative partnership.
If you feel called to re-member your relationship with Nature and receive the abundant generosity of Maple, there are spaces in the Maple Sacred Plant Initiation. Please join us. If you are unable to be here in person, I invite you to spend time with Maple during the Equinox weekend, giving ki your gratitude and Love. After all, Maple has been nourishing the people of this Land for generations upon generations, long before the colonists arrived. Through this life-giving nourishment, Maple reminds us of the sweetness of life during the darkest moments. This is something I think we all are in need of remembering.