What does it mean to be a Gardener of the Soul?

I am reflecting on the lives of two men who have inspired peace in the world through their art, love of nature/gardening, music, philosophy, activism, poetry and wisdom… John Lennon (also a Libran like myself 🙂 ) and Claude Monet.

During his international career as a Musician, Poet, Activist and influential Ambassador for World Peace, John Lennon has been quoted as saying;

“Peace is not something you wish for,
it is something you make, something you do,
something you are and something you give away”

“My role in society, or any artist’s or poet’s role,
is to try and express what we all feel.
Not to tell people how to feel.
Not as a preacher, not as a leader,
but as a reflection of us all.”

“Love is like a precious plant.
You can’t just accept it and leave it in the cupboard
or just think it’s going to get on by itself.
You’ve got to keep on watering it.
You’ve got to really look after it and nurture it.”

“I’m not really a career person; I’m a gardener, basically.”

“Monet’s Lillie’s”, Monet’s Garden, June 2015 © Juerg Dreamturtle

Every year, some 500 000 visitors come from around the world to visit Claude Monet’s Garden in Giverny, France. Over many decades, millions of people have been touched by Monet’s peaceful and tranquil impressionist paintings. People are attracted because of the essence of calm and peace Monet was able to capture in his beautiful paintings and in his garden. For many years, I had prints of Monet’s Water Lillie’s hanging in my bedroom. When I walked into my bedroom, I remember how the paintings made me feel peaceful, balanced and at ease with my surroundings.

Not all of us have the gift of music and poetry to collectively inspire people’s minds and hearts like John – in a positive and powerful way. Not all of us have the opportunity to create a beautiful garden or the ability to paint like Monet did.

However, I believe we all have the chance in this life to work on our inner selves,…to grow in love and peace by owning and transforming our shadow self (our core wounds), healing and forgiving ourselves and others.

I refer to this work as “Soul Work” – and having been a “Gardener of the Soul” for many years now, I believe this is the true work I am here to do, be and share!

I have learned that the beautiful or impressive garden we create on the “outside”, is not as important as the garden we nurture and grow on the “inside”…

The Garden of our Soul is hidden to the eye but felt with the heart…

The Soul Garden we are nurturing, sustaining, lovingly tending too and growing every day – is the most important and true work we are here for.

As we honour our true selves and continue with our Soul Work, the universe will reflect back to us our inner transformation – we can attract more loving, authentic relationships into our lives and experience a sense of deeper peace and purpose for our journey. Although, this does not mean our healing and growing ever stops or we no longer attract challenges in our lives! However, over time, we can become more of a beacon of light to inspire others towards inner peace, truth and fulfillment for themselves.

Real, lasting peace is not something we can “take” from another or a piece of art or music to temporarily “feel better”. We each have to make the commitment to work towards peace in ourselves and this can be a challenging, demanding yet truly rewarding process over many, many lifetimes of experience and growth.

Copyright © Jaymie Elder (2017/2019)

Featured Photo for this Blog Post: “Sacred Sadness Rose” from my Grandmother’s Garden – taken on Christmas day, many years ago. The photo features in my partner, Juerg Dreamturtle’s book; “Sacred Journey – A Simple Book of Soul Wisdom, Love and Healing.”

The book, “Sacred Journey” is very much about this inner work of growing towards love and peace in ourselves, in our lives and in the world. Why not order a copy of the book “Sacred Journey”  to honour this day – International World Peace Day?

Find out more about the book “Sacred Journey” by Juerg Dreamturtle here

Photo of Water Lillie’s from Monet’s Garden: taken by Juerg, June 2015.
Read more about Claude Monet here

Working with our Shadow in a Soul Relationship

Everybody wants a loving relationship,… but few people are really open or prepared for the ongoing commitment and challenge of shadow work i.e. to take full responsibility for our own projections, inner child wounds and personal healing.

Relationships are so important because the deeper we are connected to someone physically, emotionally and spiritually – the greater the opportunity or catalyst for healing our inner child and transforming our core family and generational wounds.

Without this awareness, we may continue to protect or react from our wounds (hurt inner child) through becoming defensive, angry and blaming others, shutting down or avoiding intimacy altogether.

If we pretend that everything is wonderful and perfect on the outside, we deny ourselves the sacred opportunity to work with the truth – the unpleasant emotions that get triggered in us. It is only through acknowledging that our shadow/wounds exist, that we can begin to grow towards being more authentic and truthful with ourselves and others.

The truth is, we need relationships to trigger the wounds we have protected and tried to bury deep within our unconscious. As children, we developed unhealthy patterns, behaviors and beliefs in order to survive our family and society’s circumstances. However, as mature adults, we have a responsibility to consciously work with our history, our family story, our inner child, so that we do not continue to pass on our unhealed past and wounds.

Our soul acts like a magnet to attract the perfect partner and circumstances for healing and transformation to occur. As we work with the opportunities a soul partner offers us to heal and grow, we can embrace our shadow with love, forgiveness and soul understanding. As we continue with this work, we open ourselves towards a deeper capacity to feel and share love.

The soul purpose of a relationship is to share love and help each other heal and grow.

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“Love” by Sculptor Alexander Milov

In life, and especially in our relationships,
we often do not “like”
what is being mirrored back to us or triggered by another.

We can choose to protect or defend our wounds,
turn our backs on each other
and walk away from the challenge presented to us.

However, life experience shows –
our unconscious, childhood wounds tend to follow us
into the next relationship… and the next.

In time, we realise that wisdom, self-awareness and maturity
come from looking deep inside
the childhood wounds we carry with us.

Wounds, which require another
to bring them into our conscious awareness
so that they may be faced, transformed and healed.

When we are conscious of our inner child’s needs,
we can step away and disengage from a cycle
of outer criticism, projection and blame.

We can recognise our own shadow parts –
longing to be transformed with love, understanding,
non-judgment, compassion, patience and gentleness.

We focus our energy and time
on the inner changes, we need to make
and the most important personal work we are here for.

When both partners are open to feel and connect
with their unhealed childhood wounds that get triggered,
they have an opportunity to progress
with their inner work of healing and growing.

An intuitive guide can be very helpful to support us
in connecting with what is at the core
of our triggered emotional reactions.

He or she may also offer us beneficial tools
to support our inner child’s needs
for love, compassion and inner safety.

We can therefore approach our challenges as opportunities
to share and grow more together
towards wholeness, love and respect for each other.

With each obstacle on our path,
we have an opportunity to rise together,
reaching deeper levels of love, intimacy and healing.

A soul union is about complementing,
supporting and enhancing
our unique energies and gifts.

It’s also about being challenged –
to confront our old identity, conditioning
and past limited ways of being in the world.

A soul relationship can liberate us from our past –
supporting and encouraging us
to become all we can be.

The soul purpose of a relationship
is to share love
and help each other heal and grow.

The most important journey in life leads us deep inside ourselves!

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If we can not be honest with ourselves, how can we be honest with another? In a nurturing and loving relationship with the Self, we acknowledge our shadow in a way that we do not criticise or judge ourselves harshly. We understand its purpose for being there – to provide the lessons and challenges so that we may grow.

In an honest, conscious relationship both partners know that we touch each other’s wounds – and therefore the relationship can offer us a powerful tool for healing, growth and transformation.

“Every moment, it is our sacred choice,
how open we are to forgive, heal and grow
in love, compassion and soul wisdom

– on our Sacred Journey.”

Juerg Dreamturtle

It is of course always our choice how deep we wish to go and how much we wish to face, transform and heal on our own journey.

The true gift and fulfillment of journeying with someone who is open for all of this – someone who also has a good sense of humour, sensitivity, honesty and capacity to love – is the solidity, strength and union you build overtime within yourself AND together as a couple.

Copyright © Jaymie Elder, 2019/21

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Jaymie Elder and Juerg Dreamturtle

Our work is to support people on their soul journey. I am dedicated to my own personal healing and shadow work in a relationship with Juerg Dreamturtle (we have been journeying, traveling, creating and doing this healing/shadow work together for 15 years).

We do not pretend to be perfect because we know we can always continue to heal and grow more. Juerg and I share a core belief that our inner work of healing and growing is the most important, beneficial part of our journey we can devote ourselves to in this life…not only for ourselves and our relationship, but for all people and Mother Earth.

Juerg and I are offering support for this very important personal work, which helps us to heal and grow to a deeper level of love, compassion and soul wisdom. Both Juerg and I offer personal sessions for individuals/couples. Sessions are available internationally via Skype/Telegram/Facebook Messenger.

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Copyright © Jaymie Elder 2019 – Please only use this text unless written permission is received from Jaymie Elder. Photograph of Sculpture: artwork by Alexander Milov.

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More reading from Rainbowtree Woman about the Soul Journey
and the path of healing and transformation: – Click here

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Email Jaymie: rainbowtreewoman@yahoo.co.nz

Finding your own path and pace in challenging times.

‘It doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you don’t stop.’ – Confucius

Surrounded by the 4 giants of the European Alps, these days, competitive and serious hiking is very popular in the mountainous areas we spend most of our time in.

I believe we miss so much of the magic, beauty and energy of the mountains if the path we walk becomes a competitive and serious race against time, each other and ourselves.

Equally, in life, if we are always focused on getting ahead to some “where” we think will be “better” or to accomplish a future “goal”  – we can miss the valuable and perfect teachings for where we happen to be right now…

When I saunter through the mountains and on many of the old pathways in the Aosta Valley region, I find myself connecting with a very ancient and timeless part of my soul.

Whenever I am in nature, I practice the art of walking slowly and with reverence. I also believe in being open (heart) to listen, feel and connect with what or who is coming to me as a messenger. I love to make my own tracks, pause and rest, go at my own pace and usually I resist following designated pathways set out for serious mountain hikers.

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∼ Butterfly Messenger ∼

On a journey in the mountains I took a few days ago, a messenger came to me in the form of a small, friendly butterfly.

I could see in her wings beautiful colours of luminescent green, gold, orange, blue and brown. These colours kept changing as she gently moved from different angles to the light of the sun. She sat on my shoulder – gently and happily – for probably close to 10 minutes before she flew off into the pine forest.

Before she flew to my shoulder, I had the feeling that I needed to pause, breathe and do a ceremony or simply give thanks before I reached Juerg, Cento and our campervan at the foot of the mountains (where my journey had begun). However, I was not quite sure what was being asked of me, until the butterfly spontaneously arrived. Before long, I realised that my interaction and connection with the butterfly messenger was my “ceremony”.

As a messenger, the teachings of butterfly
are to appreciate and see the value
in each stage of the spiritual journey
and cycles of life.

Butterfly’s life transformation shows us, we each have the possibility and capacity to be reborn by going within ourselves. Therefore, we can draw much value and learn from the cocoon of darkness, despair, doubt, confusion, tiredness and all the emotions we have been conditioned to view as “negative”.

Honouring our feelings of discomfort and disharmony in relation to where we currently are on our journey (as well as what we may see happening around us in the world), is an important part of accepting that we are forever moving through cycles of change, transformation and growth.

A natural part of growth is feeling discomfort and resistance as we move into the unknown! These are cycles of deep change and transformation, which Mother Earth is also mirroring back to us!

Rather than judge these cycles of change as something “negative” or “wrong” – can we allow what needs to occur from a deep place of trust, love and respect… like the life cycle of the butterfly shows us so beautifully?

Can we observe and learn from Mother Earth by working with the mirror she provides us, as well as primarily focusing our energy on our own inner transformational process?

In the far distance: Monte Bianco (4,810 m) tallest mountain of the European Alps.

∼ Balance and Patience ∼

I am learning that in order to ease our transition through these current challenging times on the earth, we need two main qualities – balance and patience.

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Balance… Balance can only be found by a certain amount of detachment from the outside world and all of its noise, busyness and distractions… Slowing down to find our balance means we focus more of our attention on our inner being. This involves checking in with our authentic self – i.e paying attention to what our feelings, our center of self/solar plexus, our bodies and our heart are communicating to us. It also involves (with love and compassion) tending to the forgotten, vulnerable, shadow parts of ourselves (our inner child/children), which we may find are being triggered by the outside world and especially our relationships.

What are the unique signs of your body and emotions, which tell you – you need to slow down and reconnect with your own unique rhythm and pace?

When you know you are feeling off-balance, what is your resistance to taking the time and space you need – to come back to your center of Self?

Patience… There is nothing else like precious time spent connecting and being one with Mother Nature. Reconnecting our bodies to her natural and ancient rhythms, seasons and cycles, allows us to remember we are not separate and to be patient with ourselves and our own growth process.

I really love and savour spending time in nature with both my dog and my partner Juerg. However, grounding my energy on a solitary walk in nature and or just sitting and being alone next to a tree, with my own thoughts and feelings is essential for me to retain a sense of well-being and harmony in our shared relationship. This is the same for Juerg too.

When did you last make quality, nurturing time and space for yourself – to be alone in nature – with out any distractions?

In these times of deep transformation on the earth,
may you pause and rest when you need too…
may you find balance and patience…
so that you continue to move forward
with grace and confidence
on your own unique life path and journey.

©  Jaymie Elder

Photos shared are from a 5-hour saunter I made recently, to the top of Monte Zerbion (2722m) with stunning views of the Aosta Valley and three of the Giants of the Alps – Monte Rosa (4,634 m), Monte Bianco (4,810 m), and Gran Paradiso (4,061 m).

I find sacred moments of nourishment, inspiration, quiet reverence and solitude here in the mountains of Italy… where in the world do you find your own precious and healing moments in nature? I would love to hear from you, in the comments below…

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Photography and words © Jaymie Elder 2019

My work is supporting and mentoring men and women to embrace their authentic being and be true to the timeless calling of their heart and soul. I offer intuitive guidance and support through Soul Sessions, which take place internationally via Skype. Soul Sessions are a unique chance to feel, reflect and connect with the deeper part of your being – your heart and soul.

For more information, or to book a session
please use the “work with me” link under the menu title – or click here

More reading from Rainbowtree Woman about the soul journey
and the path of healing and transformation, – click here

Mountains are here to remind us to connect, be patient and go slow.

One of the main reasons why Juerg and I have spent so much time in the Alpine regions of Europe over the past 4 years, is because we find that all around us is the memory and connection with the old people who lived (and still do today) sustainably with the land and in harmony with the mountains, for centuries.

Mountains are here to remind us to connect, be patient and go SLOW.

But today, the ancient mountains are mainly being used for our modern ways of living,.. which include highways, traffic, tunnels, ski fields, snow machines, helicopters, adrenelan sports like mountain-biking and river-rafting,  etc. They quietly observe our apparent need for speed, action and our constant self-imposed stress surrounding the concept of “time” …

In many ways, the modern way of life has offered more comfort and ease, and daily tasks less time-consuming. But within this, I believe that our soul needs time and space in the silence and tranquillity of nature and our heart yearns to feel connected through authentic being and living in harmony with nature.

The heart yearns for connection
and the path of the soul is slow and steady.

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Last night, the evening golden sun was glowing through the pines… I felt it was the perfect time to gather some of our favourite wild spinach – Good King Henry! 😊 (“Buon Enrico” in Italian)

Buon Enrico grows in a cow pasture below where we often park up for the night at an altitude of 1600 meters. I also knew that it was highly likely that the next day the farmer would be moving his cows into this pasture for them to also enjoy the abundance of wild herbs – now bursting with life and good health!

I made sure I had a special moment to connect with the energy of the sun as it kissed the pines goodnight. I watched as two of the resident crows flew over me – their calls brought all the other sounds around me to my awareness.

After having gathered a nice, full bag of Buon Enrico, I decided to take Cento along with me to our favourite “snail” Fontana to give it a wash. This is the Fontana, which never fails to reveal to me that magic is all around me. Here, I find the curiosity of my inner child is always waiting to see what might happen next and surprise me with wonder and delight… It just so happened a beautiful dragonfly flew right past Cento’s nose – almost as if it was teasing and playing with him 😊

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While washing the spinach at the fountain, I admired how all the wild herbs and flowers had grown back after having been cut and made into hay, about a month earlier.

I felt the peace and appreciation for a life together with Juerg and Cento, which has allowed me to live slowly and connect with true and lasting treasures in life. I felt grateful for the traditional and ancient ones of the mountains, whose energy and devotion can still be felt.

These small but meaningful moments throughout the day are where I do feel a connection with my surroundings, and I feel at one with my heart and soul being. This is what sustains me and keeps me authentic and true to the slow and steady path of my soul’s growth.

In this time of great transformation on the earth, where much is coming up from the shadows to be faced, healed, transformed and released – let us remember that we are each going through a similar, and sometimes very challenging, internal process of healing and expansion.

Let us be kind and patient with ourselves – just like the mountains and the old people have been – for centuries. Let us trust that something much greater than each one of us, is at work on the earth and also within ourselves.

Let us cherish those precious moments of our day,
which help us to ground ourselves,
rebalance and feel our connection with our heart,
all beings and the earth all around us.

Buon Enrico is one of our favourite wild herbs growing in the Alpine regions right now. We love to use it in stir fry’s and pancakes but Italian people will often use it to make gnocchi or ravioli. Below is a video we made 2 years ago, where Juerg speaks a bit more about “Buon Enrico” – Good King Henry! 🙂

photography and text © Jaymie Elder 2019
The beautiful photo of last nights evening sun (close up through the pines)
was captured by Juerg.

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My work is supporting and mentoring men and women to embrace their authentic being and be true to the timeless calling of their heart and soul. I offer intuitive guidance and support through Soul Sessions, which take place internationally via Skype. Soul Sessions are a unique chance to feel, reflect and connect with the deeper part of your being – your heart and soul.

For more information, or to ask me any further questions,
use the “contact me” link under the menu title – or click here

More reading from Rainbowtree Woman about the soul journey
and the path of healing and transformation, – click here

Creating a life path, which is unique to your own soul.

I have learned through my own experience,
the importance and challenge
in creating a life path,
which is unique to your own soul.

In my chosen art form of photography,
this has to do with the study of light 
and the intimate presence of all beings in nature.

The result can only be achieved
by spending much time alone with nature…
listening, observing and feeling
in a receptive, sensory, feminine state of BEING.

Therefore this essence or energy,
transmuted through my photographs
is the result of a learned, intuitive skill over hundreds of hours
of practice, patience and being attentive
to the smaller details of life.

…Details, which many people disregard
or miss because they are either too busy,
or too distracted by keeping up with the latest trends in technology.

Remaining true to how Juerg and I live and share our lives,
my camera is not “the latest”, “the greatest”,
“the most advanced, expensive or sought after”.

We drive a 30-year-old campervan,
which we bought in Switzerland destined to be shipped to Bulgaria for parts!

We believe that in order to live and be authentic –
in these challenging times especially,
life is about the inside growth and expansion on our journey
and less and less about what is primarily visible on the “outside”.

Recently, I accidentally dropped my camera on a hard concrete floor.
It now carries a crack on the outer rim of the lens.

Fortunately, this has not affected the photographic quality.
However, as in all accidents in life,
I have taken it upon myself,
to search for a “hidden meaning or message”.

I believe this “crack” has to do with a need
for me to place greater value
on the work, I am creating and sharing
and the life path I have carved out together
with my soul companion, Juerg.

Reflecting a bit deeper,
I also realise that my time alone in nature with my camera
refreshes, nourishes and nurtures my soul,
in a way that nothing else really compares to in my life.

My time alone in nature,
also shifts me into a place of deep gratitude
and I remember my connection and true place within all of life.

How much value do we place
on the time and space in our lives
when we connect with the sacred feminine in nature?

Doing our inner work,
(which includes the work to heal and transform our shadow)
is a valuable, ongoing and necessary part
of our creative soul journey.

I believe this is the transformational, healing and forgiveness work
we all must devote ourselves too, as artists and creators –
in order to bring our unique identity, beauty,
and light into this world… (through the lense cracks! 🙂 ).

I am patiently, sometimes impatiently 🙂
unfolding to my potential in this life.
And I continue to devote myself
to the life-long-study of what nature shares freely with all…

…in essence – the Sacred Feminine Energy –
which creates and flows through all life on this planet
but can only truly be felt in the heart.

 

I am happy you have joined me on this journey!

What is it that you can do, which no one else can?

What feeds your soul, allows you to feel peace and balance
but also ignites your heart and soul?

Life is a discovery of who we truly are
and the unique gifts and inherent talents
we have to bring to the world.

Begin to recognise the magnificence of your own being.

There is no one else like you.
The world needs you.
The Universe wants you to be all you can truly be!

Copyright © Jaymie Elder 2019
Featured Photograph: Copyright © Juerg Dreamturtle 2019
Dragonfly Photograph: Copyright © Jaymie Elder 2019

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My work is supporting and mentoring men and women to embrace their authentic being and be true to the timeless calling of their heart and soul. I offer intuitive guidance and support through Soul Sessions, which take place internationally via Skype. Soul Sessions are a unique chance to feel, reflect and connect with the deeper part of your being – your heart and soul.

For more information, or to ask me any further questions,
use the “contact me” link under the menu title – or click here

More reading from Rainbowtree Woman about the soul journey
and the path of healing and transformation, – click here

Do you long to experience life more from the level of your heart and soul…?

I was asking a question to my spirit guides about what this really means… and this was their reply to me…

Human beings naturally crave structure, security,
or a clear and straight path laid out before them.
Many search for a spiritual leader or community,
a daily routine, ‘an acceptable way’ to follow –
so life feels more safe, predictable and ‘known’…

But the heart yearns for the deeper springs of life
and the path of the soul
is uniquely your own.

It’s a pathway that you forge into the unknown
and only your heart can intuitively feel/know
what is right and true for you.

If you really choose this path,
with all your heart and being,
know that you will be challenged.

You will need courage and perseverance
to keep opening your heart
towards the unhealed shadow
– of which has been ‘hidden’ to you…

Experiences which may come to you
won’t always be easy, pleasant or beautiful…
It may sometimes feel as if you walk a lonely path
but you will always be much closer to us than you know…

Above all,…you will grow,…

There will be others…
Soul friends and spiritual companions to meet again,
Soul family to share laughter, tears,
wisdom and experiences along the way…

It will not matter,
if you only cross paths for a short moment
or never meet each other in the physical.
It’s the mutual exchange of heart energy,
which has the power to transform, heal,
inspire and illuminate lives.

Dear one,
to live your life from the level of the heart and soul
means to become conscious of your old wounds
and from these limiting beliefs and conditioning,
create new, loving and joyful possibilities…

It means to recognise the importance of your inner work
and honour yourself as a sacred conduit –
here to shine your inner light

& help raise the consciousness and heart energy
on beautiful Mother Earth…

It means wherever possible,
guided by your feelings and heart
– to transform darkness, hurt and fear
into light, love, forgiveness, beauty,
 gratitude and fulfillment.

This is the magic,
the spiritual alchemy,
the infinite possibility,
the authenticity, humility and freedom
of living – connected and true –
to your heart and soul.

Copyright © Jaymie Elder / Rainbowtree Woman 2018/2020

“The knowledge of the heart is in no book
and is not to be found in the mouth of any teacher,
but grows out of you like the green seed from the dark earth.”
– Carl Jung (The Red Book)

Copyright © Jaymie Elder 2020 – Please only use this text unless written permission is received from Jaymie Elder. If you wish to use only some of this text on social media – please do so respectfully by acknowledging Jaymie as the author with links to her website/blog http://www.rainbowtreewoman.com.

If you enjoyed this post, please share it, follow my blog or register to receive notifications in your email box for my future posts. Thank you!

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More reading from Rainbowtree Woman about the Soul Journey
and the path of healing and transformation: – Click here

More information about working with Jaymie, in personal sessions: – Click here

Follow Rainbowtree Woman on: Instagram
Email Jaymie: rainbowtreewoman@yahoo.co.nz

The Mérens Horse – the Black Prince of the Pyrenees

I’ve been spending time looking back through some of our campervan journey photos from throughout Europe. These images of The Mérens Horse – known as the Black Prince of the Pyrenees – touched me deep in my soul!

During the spring and autumn of 2014, we were fortunate to spend much time exploring in the Ariège region of the French Pyrenees. We returned to this beautiful, peaceful alp several times, to spend the night and also forage for the well known and delicious Black Trumpet Mushrooms – Trompette de Mort!

I remember well, photographing and quietly observing the majestic herd of Mérens, as well as the beautiful, mountain cows and their young, sweet calves. Both herds of young and old were peacefully co-existing together – free to roam, in the beautiful scenery of the Pyrenees mountains.

(In many mountainous areas of Europe, small, sustainable farming is rich in ancient tradition and very different from the industrialized dairy farming practices eg, where cows will have their horns removed and calves are most often separated from their mothers or killed at birth. Mountain farmers will usually name their cows and maintain a close bond with them – just as it has always been done in the past! The cows will enjoy a wide, diverse terrain to graze, including large areas of natural, wild, medicinal and nutritional herbs, flowers as well as forested areas for foraging and resting in the shade….not to forget fresh, clean mountain air to breathe!)

 

Here on the alp, I also remember a little French girl who clearly was just as captured by these beautiful beings as I was. Each time I glanced away from the horses and looked behind my shoulder, I saw that she was following me…. she had a small camera, which I saw her father give her. It seemed as though she was totally immersed in the moment with the horses, cows and tranquil scenery – much like I was.

5 years later, I wonder if the little French girl looks back at her photos and remembers that special day with the beautiful Mountain cows and the Mérens horses.

Many of us share precious moments in our life, where we may feel a connection or see a reflection of a younger, innocent part of our being… this could also be through our relationship with own children or grandchildren. These precious, healing moments are usually when we are simply being in harmony with our heart, nature and our inner child feels playful, creative and free.

A bit about the Mérens Horse…

“This small, black horse is native to the Ariège Pyrenees, having the name of a village in the high mountains close to Andorra. Paintings of horses strikingly similar to the Mérens are found on the walls of the cave at Niaux. Gentle, hardy and economical, the Mérens horse has long been a companion to the “Montagnol” (mountain farmer) and the soldier, notably with the armies of the Count of Foix Gaston Phoebus in the Middle Ages, and later Napoleon during the Russian campaign. His gentle disposition makes him a favorite with children.

In June the herd is led up to the summer pastures to spend several months in total freedom in the high mountains. This life with the herd gives the Mérens horse the mental balance for which he is known. While Mérens horses are increasingly bred in other regions of France and even other countries, an authentic Mérens is one who has run free in the high Pyrenees like his ancestor’s thousands of years ago.”
credit: https://www.ariege.com/en/discover-ariege/agro-pastoralism/merens-horse

Photography copyright © Jaymie Elder 2014/2019

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Jaymie Elder is a soul journey guide, artist, photographer and traveller offering intuitive guidance/Soul Sessions internationally via Skype. Jaymie is dedicated to supporting others to heal and grow towards their authentic self – and a life in harmony with their heart and soul being.

Jaymie is an Artist who is committed to creating portraits of your animal companions, which you can hold dear to your heart for a lifetime. She knows from her own experiences, the profound connection and emotional bond we can develop with our pets.

If you would love a portrait of your horse, dog, bird or cat
– you can learn more about her portrait work here.

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Reconnecting with the land and listening to it’s stories.

What does it mean, to feel connected to a place?

Is our feeling of connection to a place – limited to the roots of where our ancestors came from?

Or, does the feeling extend much deeper – into the very soul of Mother Earth?

What if our soul is just like Mother Earth?,… Timeless, ancient, expansive, with roots extending deep into history, land and culture – more than we could ever truly know?

Perhaps to be connected to a place means, to truly experience, participate and observe how the land changes throughout the four seasons…. Maybe we have a small garden to grow our own food, flowers and herbs…. Maybe we like to forage for wild plants, medicinal herbs, flowers, berries and mushrooms….Or, maybe we feel especially connected to some old trees in our city or village park and we can experience how each season transforms them.

Perhaps to be connected to a place means, we simply spend time “being” there, with an open heart… and in doing so, we learn to quieten our mind and listen, for the stories of the past that long to be shared.

My journey with my partner Juerg, of living and traveling to many places, countries and cultures has shown me that every rock, stone, tree, mountain, stream, (everything!) holds energy, sacredness, mystery, magic and stories.

Our task is to be attentive but also playful and innocent like a child, so that we may begin to reconnect ourselves with this magic all around us. Only then, can we learn to listen to what the land wishes to teach us about who we have been, who we truly are and who we can grow more to become.

 

For around 3 years, I have been intrigued by a medieval castle – Castello di Ussel – in the Aosta Valley, Italy.

It is true, that the entire Aosta Valley is strewn with castles rising up in the magnificent alpine scenery. The castles were mostly built in the Middle Ages by powerful local families and then later on modified. The Aosta Valley was recognised by the Romans as an important trade route between France and Italy – but also Northern and Southern Europe.

Today, I find the Castello di Ussel carry’s an energy of enchantment and mystery, but also, it symbolises a transformational point between light and shadow.

This transformational point between light and shadow has been reflected in both of individual healing processes. Whenever we spend time in this area, we have had to face some of our personal masks, self-doubts and “uncomfortable truths”. We therefore have learnt it’s a powerful place where we can expect a deeper, clearer understanding of our personal journeys and our journey together, to come to the fore.

 

“Live in each season as it passes,
breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit,
and resign yourself to the influence of the earth.”

Henry David Thoreau

 

During all four seasons, I have photographed the castle from a far away distance, mainly from the opposing valley of Chatillon and Saint Vincent. Here, we have spent many days with our dog collecting wild, medicinal flowers and herbs, such as Saint Johns Wort, Wormwood, Sage, Oregano, Nettle, Dandelion, Plantain, Clover and many more.

Here, in spring we were delighted to find a patch of the delicious and mysterious Morel Mushrooms! Here, in summer we played together and found abundant fields of wild, abandoned Lavender and Sage to collect and dry. Here, I also spent many hours observing and photographing the abundant insects, bees, butterfly’s and other pollinators who were enjoying the wild flowers and herbs in the warm sunshine.

 

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees,
on a summers day, listening to the murmur of the water,
or watching the clouds float across the sky
is by no means a waste of time.”

John Lubbock

 

Wherever we are, Juerg and I love to forage for wild food, mushrooms and medicinal plants and herbs. During these times together, it is my camera, which offers me a unique way to observe our surroundings. The light that constantly changes against the backdrop of the mountains and the mist that sometimes surrounds this historic landmark, connects me to the lands ancient mystery, transformation, enchantment, beauty and magic.

 

“Those who dwell among the beauties and mysteries of the earth…
are never alone or weary of life.”

Rachel Carson

 

This past New Years day, we finally visited the castle in person. During winter, the sunlight only touches the castle for little more than an hour – because of the surrounding alpine mountains.

Perhaps it was the feeling of winter – the quiet stillness, bare trees and frost covered ground, which made my impressions even more memorable and unique. The castle itself is strategically built on granite rock, directly on a cliff-face, so you can’t walk around it. However, it offers spectacular views on the surrounding valley and mountains. Our dog Cento enjoyed running and playing on the adjacent green area next to the Castle.

I had the strong impression that together, we had been here before, only Cento took the physical form of our horse – not our dog! 🙂  His name, “Cento Cavalli” (in Italian, 100 horses) derives from an ancient story belonging to the oldest tree in Europe *Castagne dei Cento Cavalli* . It was at the foot of this gigantic, ancient Chestnut Tree in Sicily that we found him abandoned by his mother….and our journey together (now 2 years) began.

Read more about the ancient Chestnut Tree and Cento here.

Photo © 2019 Juerg Dreamturtle

 

If you like to do so, please share in the comments below, what makes you feel connected to a place and experience it’s beauty, depth, magic, mystery and stories.

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Jaymie Elder is a soul journey guide, artist, photographer and traveller offering intuitive guidance/sessions internationally via Skype. Jaymie is dedicated to supporting others to heal and grow towards their authentic self – and a life in harmony with their heart and soul being. Learn more about Jaymie and her work here.

 

For the past 14 years, Jaymie has been journeying, creating and sharing with Juerg Ritter. Together, they teach about the sacred journey of a heart and soul relationship – both for couples and people who are longing for a heart and soul relationship.

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Photo’s and text copyright © 2019 Jaymie Elder