From Word to World

FROM WORD TO WORLD - This is the overarching theme of a fabulous, inspiring and magical retreat I’ve just been on in Ireland, our location deep in the depth of County Donegal, a stone’s through from Horn Head along the Wild Atlantic Way. Our Heroine’s Journey was led by retreat facilitator, author, writer, psychotherapist, Qoya and mindfulness teacher Victoria Smisek, and vocal alchemist Martha Rice.?

To provide some context, each day on the retreat follows a similar structure allowing time for silence, mindfulness, movement, writing, vocal expression and free time, which is essential as some of the exercises are intense and took me to and beyond my boundaries, into discomfort and the unknown – the place of awareness, insight and growth.

After silent mindfulness practice and a delicious vegan breakfast prepared lovingly by our chef for the week Ellen-Meave, Victoria and Martha opened our morning session by having candles lit in the middle of the room. There were three circles of cards, each circle getting smaller, and the invitation was to pick a card from the outer circle, to read that card then dance QOYA into that card, then the invitation for the second, then to dance QOYA again, then the third and to dance QOYA again. The process being that we had 5 minutes to write after each card was chosen and the dance was danced – each stage evoking different movement and words.?

• The first card I picked was the ‘The Spiral Dancer – circuitous route, perception
• The second card I picked was 32. Iseutt – Goddess of Perseverance
• The third card I picked was the ‘Owl’.

After my dance and writing with all three cards was complete, followed the invitation to write freely with what flowed when I put pen to paper. In the spirit of sharing, here’s what I wrote…

The Spiritual Dancer, Perseverance and the Owl

Once upon a time I felt my heart it’s beating fast,

Faster than it ever knew,

I raced, I crawled, I’m sure I drooled,

But was I ever really ruled?

?

The rules are, there are no rules,

Break free with delight, let your wings take flight,

The current of the wind will carry you high,

Higher than a star in a glittering sky.

?

Gour gong, gour gong, gour gong, gour gong,

This is the rhythm of my song,

My voice is ready, my heart is too,

To speak and express the words that are true.

?

No right, no wrong, the song is mine,

To sing silently, sing softly, to sing loud and proud.

Perseverance is key, my goddess knows the way,

Feel into my movement, feel into my sway.

?

There’s magic in the winds, feel the whispers, feel the song,

It’s time for me to ring my gong,

My spirit is high, the dance is strong,

Swirling, circling, perception is my song.

?

Perceiving a new future,

Perceiving a new me,

Perceiving a new way of being,

Creating a new me.

?

A me that’s magical, a me that’s fully expressed,

A me that’s most likely wearing a dress,

A dress that’s flowing and moving – no static, frozen or still here,

This babe has really shifted gear.

?

A sports car I’m not sure, but with wheels I’ll spin,

Spin directly into a new ‘everything’,

I don’t know what it is yet but I think it will include paint,

Painting with my fingers, brushing and saint.

?

Saint equals spirit, a spirit a new,

It’s time to put on my new golden shoe,

A golden shoe, I spot a shrew,

My wise eagle owl eyes, spot me like glue.

?

I’m now in my vision, I can no longer remain unseen,

It’s time to shine, don’t be afraid to be seen,

My wings are huge, there’s scope for so much more,

Soaring over mountains higher than ever before.

?

My head rotates left, my head rotates right,

Is it possible for this bird to take flight?

My wings are huge, my sight is too,

Will I have time to find the accompanying golden shoe?

?

This piece, The Spiritual Dancer, Perseverance and the Owl, is the first of a series of writings that emerged on my Heroine's Journey. I'll share a few more in the coming weeks on my Colourful Conversations blog - https://emmapotter.com/blog/.

You can find out more about The Heroine’s Journey retreats here - https://www.victoriasmisek.com

Photos taken at Horn Head, near Dunfanaghy, County Donegal, Ireland