Many years ago, long before I consciously began on the shamanic path, Jonathan gifted me a smudge fan - knowing before I did what was to come. He foresaw the twists and turns my path would take from non-dual spirituality into rewilding, embodiment and shadow work and then shamanism.

“It’s hard being friends with you… you’re always so WELL!”

This was what a loved one told me recently.

I understood where she was coming from, I am exceptionally blessed, but it also called to mind the decades in which wellness wasn’t an enviable quality of my life.

The last few years, and especially the last couple of months, have been an initiation into slowing down to my true nature.

We modern humans have sped up. Magical, creative beings that we are, we have created all kinds of technologies that allow us to step out of the natural patterns of life… A slow trot beginning with farming, lighting and heating, and then hurtling into computers and AI.

Although I often talk about my love of gardening and share photos of scenes of cultivated beauty, what I’m feeling moved to express more of is the reverence for the wild that’s the intentional and devotional foundation for all of it.

When people discover the archetypes that are meant for them, especially the ones that are rare in this modern world, the difference it makes is beyond anything rational… that’s because the archetypes are beyond the rational.

(A post from March 2019)

This week, two separate clients told me that they hate me*...

I understood why.

Becoming present to the possibility of the gift that we are can feel like The Most Terrifying Thing On Earth.

You absolutely can gag yourself for fear of the ones who are compelled by fear to judge and criticise.

Maybe you’ve experienced being shamed in recent years or maybe you’re imagining it based on long ago experiences.

I contemplated long and hard about sharing this photo I found yesterday because it’s one from my “boy” years (edit: it was for about 10 years, not just a short phase) when I was repelled by anything that seemed girly or feminine, which I’ve spoken about but haven’t ever shared photographic evidence of.

I’ve been lying in bed looking through old photos with the children.

The timing is interesting because this month in Waking The Wild Medicine we’ve been entering the crucible of Story (especially the telling of the story of our wounds and gifts… and telling them from Sovereignty), so my younger self has already been more in my awareness than usual.

Last week’s #wildwednesday invitation over at Waking The Wild is one that couldn’t be closer to my heart… it’s all about finding your special tree (or honouring it in reflection if you already have one), if you want to join us in this practice, the link is in the comments. And also do share with like-minded friends who might want to join too!

This poem below is one I wrote some time ago that is my reflection of what my tree has provided to me (it’s truthfully beyond words but words will have to do). ♥️

Here’s what showed up for me this year, and in true Lian-style, it turned out to be all about myth and archetypes…

THE CHILD

I devoted to knowing, loving and listening to my inner child more deeply than ever.

I haven’t chosen a ‘word for the year’ for many years since I realised that I’d reached a point on the path where letting go of that form of (perceived) control of my experience was necessary to go further, and yet, this week little Li asked for 2023 to be the year of the Child: the archetypes of the Child, my inner girl, my actual children, and the inner child of everyone who I’m in connection with.

I interviewed a chap (they might not be a chap and I may have changed some details to protect their identity) for The Waking The Wild Show recently… he is one of those people that folk in the coaching world get excited about… a multi-millionaire, a creator, a trailblazer. There’s much to appreciate and admire about him.

For most of us, learning the language of the soul is in part relapsing into a guilty pleasure we attempted to give up in order to grow up.

For those who…

believe they haven’t done enough.

know they’ve done too much (and are now paying the price.)

are alone.

wish they were alone.

For those whose childhood taught them to be…

Waking The Wild Soul Guide is becoming a thing before my very eyes… training others to do this much needed “whole tree work” (see link below for more about “whole tree work”).

This is a barely dared vision, unfolding despite my usual “I don’t know if we’re ready.” proclamations.

Barely a day goes by when I don’t recall or realise a lesson learned from…

my martial arts days

my digital days

my 13-year-old who was obsessed with myths and psychology

I’ve been judged and misjudged for a lifetime… too this and too that.

This week I walked into a mobile phone shop and asked for help, explained I’m autistic and that “I struggle with things like this.”

Like many of you, I’ve practised accepting myself, seeing through the illusion of myself, liking myself, losing myself, transcending myself and loving myself.

And what’s creating the most expansion for me is: being in full, deep approval of myself.