The brightness and the increased amount of light, every year provides an excitement and a lifting of spirits, both internal and external. An awakening from some sort of slumber, calm and required solitude, I enter this phase with a huge desire to share and gather people around me to celebrate the glorious land and all that she generously provides. The first monthly fire circle since the spring equinox came alive with poetry, music and song and was shared with several new gifted and generous souls who lifted our hearts and openly shared their gifts generously with the other gathered strangers. We spoke to the Spirits of Place and asked for their support in making the venture of sharing this space for the healing of both the land and all the souls of those who come here – both human and other than human. A true community feeling was present, where we input our individual skills rather than, what I have been trying to do previously: learning all the skills possible so that I can cover everything myself – no wonder I have been feeling exhausted! It takes a group to bring things to life; for each to input something meaningful for them that contributes to the greater good of the whole, but so each person feels nourished and supported by the group. I have been longing for this for years.

It is early days and we shall see how things progress, but it felt as though there was a momentum gathering from beneath our feet. An understanding that came as we sat around the fire, from listening to the land and sharing in her expression of struggle: the land here has a need to unite the male and female energies which are feeling separated and unable to express themselves wholly. Each denying the capabilities of the other and feeling lonely, separate and not quite complete as a result. To stand any chance of success, these two energies need to unite and to appreciate the necessity of the other and the strength that they both have. I hope to work on this in the coming months and see what I can uncover and release. Watch this space. The next fire circle in May (Beltane) will help too, I hope, as more people gather and share their input.

The sharing has quite rightly, first spread to my good friends who have camped here almost every year since we moved in 22 years ago. Our respective children have grown up alongside each other and their friendships are deep, open and trusting, despite only seeing each other perhaps two or three times a year. As I look at my diary, there are numerous events and gatherings happening here in the coming weeks and I hope to continue to build upon what was started on 1st April, although in truth, it started 5 years ago as a seed of a thought. An inkling that the land was asking for this and for my help to make it happen. It has just taken a lot longer to manifest than I ever thought it would, despite me knowing things will only happen when they are ready and when the time is right; none of us can know when that might actually be.

As the light and energy grows this year, I hope that the momentum of what the land has been expressing for several years now, can grow too. The time feels appropriate; the year of the fire horse has the energy within it to gather both momentum and speed. It will take the gifts and skills of the gathering community to successfully harness and steer this powerful horse to head towards wherever the destination may be. Who would like to come along for the ride?