First: A warm welcome to new subscribers!
The last newsletter dealt with a lead mare that I knew and some of the qualities of feminine leadership. I published it while being on a riding camp, and just two days later, the saddle underneath me fell off in a galop, performed by the mare’s son, a young lead stallion. A freak accident that led to a double pelvic fracture.
Snap, the saddle strap said, and crush, the core cracked. The pain was intense. Like giving birth, but without a positive outcome. Totally dependent on others, I was unable to walk, sit, stand, or turn in bed.
In seconds, my summer changed and life with it. Hospitalized for a week and after an operation, I was released to a new and very slow life. I call myself "Turtle Woman".
It will take a while before I am able to hike, dance, run, bicycle, swim, or even walk the dog. Let alone ride, if ever again. But it could have been worse. So, in all my grief over what’s lost in this brief moment in time, I carry an immense gratitude deep in my cracked core of being alive, (almost) whole, and healing quite fast. Of having friends and family who care. I think about being so privileged that I have taken movement and free mobility for granted. Many bodies are disabled, in pain, lonely, repressed, held back, unwanted, excluded. My limitations are temporary.
I am an advocate of slowness. We live in accelerated times which cause stress, anxiety, and a lot of disconnection. No one thrives with being out of synch with oneself, other humans, and the natural world. We have already had Earth Overshoot Day this year, and there’s no time to regenerate. Production and consumption continue. The ecocide continues.
As Turtle Woman, I keep close to the ground and move around slowly. My animal body is recovering, regenerating. Nature is fast and strong that way if we leave it to it and let it do its magic.
Unable to move much around, I move myself from within and mobilize other ways of being. The core cracks open an underworld of the imaginary. I’m constantly learning, reading, and now diving into the powers of myths and storytelling. I listen to the natural world and how other species can be mentors and guides of resilience, strength, and inspiration, even the smallest and frailest of creatures. I picked a mentor for each month of the slow year, I have ahead of me. Sophie Strand inspired me.
My favorite flower, Chicory, was with me this tough July. I drank chicory tea, observed the flowers and their magical, alchemistical change of colour from clear blue to almost white, I read old tales of chicory and learned about its many medical properties and some magical ones, too. I made a drawing. August will be my month with the Deer. Looking forward to spending time with this stunning creature.
Take care, slow down as much as you can and enjoy the core of your being,
Turtle Woman / Birgitte
