Old stories – new stories
On the 15th there was a lunar eclipse over most of Africa
25 Tree of Life facilitators were at a workshop together
where they had been exploring their lives, their experiences, their visions
They were at a place where huge granite rocks split open the ground
and, atop one of these towering monoliths
with a view from horizon to horizon
they watched the slowly-growing golden-bite eat into the moon
entering the shadow – losing its light
the growing radiance of the stars
In Shona tradition this is known as the ‘rotten moon’
death and rebirth?
In modern culture it is explained as the moon moving into the earth’s shadow
as it slips slowly backwards in its orbit around us
the discussion ensued…
different views were aired
new ways of seeing
looking for meaning
cell phones were taken out
and families and friends in rural homes and high density townships
were brought into the web of witnessing
Stories from our ancestors carry old wisdoms;
reminding us of our connection with the land and the changing seasons,
of great harvests and great warriors and teachers,
and of the turning of the planet and the movement of the stars.
But these are the new ancestors
- these moon watchers
and they are living new stories
organic stories that change as they are lived
changing in meaning as they are re-viewed, re-told
Stories not locked in the unchanging stone of ancient tales
but sculptured and woven onto the surface
changing shape in time and space.
What are the stories we tell as we paint our lives?
do stars flow from our mouths?
stories of joy and connection?
of power and endurance?
Will we be the ones who refused to accept what is unacceptable and acted on our truth?
Will we be the ones who stopped allowing outside power/culture /social taboos/approval
- act as barriers to us taking responsibility?
Will we be the ones who walked with love and grace and gratitude?
everything changes
when does the balance shift?
the rulers who hold power with a violent fist
are hitting back with renewed vigour
for they have everything to loose
and their only tool is our fear
today is winter solstice
we had the first fire
now the days grow longer the sun stronger
a new turn in the spiraling of time
old stories – new stories
one day we all will be the ancestors.