An incantation for the Equinox

And a story for you too...

In my last note to you, I shared that I have created an immersive experience that will be a part of the Asheville Fringe Fest.
It is a tea party held honor of the life of Ms. Ethel G.V. Sparkwell.

Ethel’s world was filled with story.
With magic.
With the most incredible of people.
And each tea party guest will get a chance to step into one of those storie.
They will get to experience the magic.
And discover her people.

I am going to share one of those stories with you…one that is perfect for the spring equinox.

Ethel wrote…

Though we met several times, I never knew her name.

When we met for the first time, I was in a swirl.
I was trying to get so much off the ground but everything kept sinking like a lead balloon.
I was flailing.
Desperate.
And seemingly unable to stop and take a breath.

I was running through the park, trying to make a meeting I was already hopelessly late for.
It was the first day of spring and I could feel the spark of life pulsing beneath my feet.
I wanted to stop.
To breathe in the day.
To just be, for a moment.
But possibility called…until I fell.
It wasn’t a bad fall, but I was stunned nevertheless.

As I sat on the ground, there she was, moving to help me up.
When she took my hand, I was overcome with stillness.
The noise within my head stopped.
I felt the totality of my being relax.

She guided me to a bench where I could gather myself, though I no longer needed to.
In the quiet, I could hear myself once again.
I could hear the desires that lived far down deep.
I could remember the visions.
The wants.
The dreams that had propelled me.
All the chaos fell away.
And I could see a better way.
I could see myself.
Again.

She asked if I was ok and I did not know how to reply.
She simply smiled, handed me a slip of paper, and continued her stroll.

It took me some time to look at the paper.
Upon it an incantation of sorts.
One I have used many times.
One I share with you now.

{for stillness}

Within the very center of all that you know.
Is a deep wild stillness.
One that does not need more than it is.
But holds all that is needed.

Sometimes we stumbletumblefall into its arms because there is nowhere else to go.
There is only the space between the whipping wind and the rolling waves.
There is only the ache to remember who we were before we were formed by a will not quite our own.
There is only our breath and our best.

And sometimes.
All you must do is forget to catch yourself.
To find what it is you have been seeking.

Her words formed a bridge within me.
One that took me right to the quiet.
Right to my truth.
I offer them to you, hoping they do the same.

I looked for her quite often, though it took me a while to find her.
It took 6 months…exactly.

~~~~~

If you happen to be in Asheville, I would love for you to come experience my piece at Fringe Fest…Fireflies in March.
The show takes place on March 21st and March 23rd at 7pm.
You can get tickets here: https://app.arts-people.com/index.php?show=228942

With love and fire~
Jo Anna