one of many peonies currently blooming
In April, I made a big decision. I had been traveling for five weeks, in the moving process for many weeks prior to that, and in a liminal space since the previous September. In this in-between season, I wrote and released my first book, launched a new version of this website, and began blogging on a more regular basis.
A lot was happening, both personally and at A Sacred Journey, and I wanted to take some time to step back—not to discover how I could keep up the pace, but instead to see what was growing.
It was all inspired by the garden at my new apartment. When I left for five weeks of travel, February was just turing into March, which might as well be January in Seattle weather. There was a corner in our small yard that I knew had been used as a garden, but at that point it was filled with dead leaves and sticks, with the occasional bulb poking through.
However, I knew that while I was away whatever was there would begin to grow, and I was anxious to see what appeared. As time went on and I transitioned from cold and windy Ireland to dry and hot Arizona, I kept asking my husband, Kyle: “What’s growing?”
My many labyrinth walks at the retreat center in Arizona made me realize that I had this question for myself and my work, too. After I unpacked my bag back in Seattle in April, finally in a place I could call home, I shared with you my question and announced that I was going to take things more slowly as I waited to see what was growing.
wild blackberry blossoms, promising many delicious pies
Over past two months, the metaphor has served perfectly, because as I’ve pondered what’s growing for me in my new home, my work with A Sacred Journey, and my general well-being, things have literally been growing around me.
Things planted long ago in my garden by someone other than me have sprung up—peonies, roses, and hydrangeas—the last of which I’m still waiting to discover what color they’ll be once they bloom.
On my walk to the bus (and literally in every wild place around this city), I’ve discovered wild blackberry blossoms and am making plans to return and forage as many as I can handle in the coming months, with hopes of not stopping until my fingers have turned a deep shade of blue.
I’ve also done some growing of my own in containers (terra cotta pots to be exact—my favorite). When it was determined that the sun had come and indeed decided to stay for a while, Kyle and I headed to a local greenhouse to start growing things of our own. We came home with lavender, mint, parsley, kale, strawberries, and various lettuces to put in a “salad bowl” that you can harvest all summer long. (I know—amazing, right?)
our “salad bowl,” ready to harvest
It turns out that over the past few months, this is how things have been growing for A Sacred Journey as well.
Some things I’ve discovered growing are things planted long ago that are being imagined anew and are finally coming to fruition. Other things are wild and surprised me as I crossed their path, but they also offer the juicy delights and abundant growth. And there are also things that I have planted myself over the past two months with care and intention, inspired by your responses to my recent survey and also by my own desires and what I think will grow best in this season in which I find myself.
So without further ado, here’s what’s growing at A Sacred Journey—some things that you already know about and other things that are entirely new:
NEW THINGS COMING TO A SACRED JOURNEY
a sacred journey print shop
I’ve been sharing my creative process with you over the past many weeks and am excited to launch the print shop and my premiere set of hand-lettered prints on Monday, June 23rd (this was one of the wild developments!).
These prints will be available in different sizes and colors and are exclusively available via download, so you’ll receive them immediately and can print them on your own. Those of you who took my reader survey in May and provided your email address will receive an email the day of the launch with a code to download a free print or put to a larger order! (Thanks again for your time and input.)
While the shop is launching with only three prints, I plan on adding to the collection as time goes on, including a perpetual Liturgical Calendar with themes, prompts, and reflections to help you sink more deeply into the Sacred journey of the liturgical seasons, available just in time for Advent.
spiritual direction
As you know, I recently finished a spiritual direction training program and received a certificate in spiritual direction. I’m excited to begin serving as a spiritual guide to seekers in an intimate setting, learning more of their own spiritual journey and walking alongside them, helping them discover and name the presence of the Divine in their everyday lives.
I’ll begin seeing directees in Seattle this summer, and when I open up my practice to those elsewhere for sessions over the phone or Skype, you’ll be the first to know!
pilgrim guides
This fall I’ll launch a collection that will continue to grow for years to come: Pilgrim Guides. Pilgrim Guides will be a line of downloadable resources for the pilgrim at home and abroad. The first guides available in this collection will be part of the spiritual practices library, offering mini guides on ancient practices for modern times. I’ll also be releasing guides on creating a morning ritual and packing essentials for the intentional traveler, expansions of my popular posts.
pilgrimage to Ireland
Another big development that I announced not long ago is the pilgrimage to Ireland I’ll be leading next March with Christine and John Valters Paintner of Abbey of the Arts. Designed for seekers in their 20s and 30s, this pilgrimage will be a time of retreat and reflection near Glendalough, home to one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland.
The theme for this journey is “The Soul’s Slow Ripening: Celtic Wisdom for Discernment,” and we will spend time listening to the wisdom of ancient Celtic monks for how to live a life of discernment and holy unfolding. It will be both an inner and outer journey and a time for renewal and inspiration.
Consider joining us, won’t you? Find out more here.
and more…
Spring is slowly fading into summer here in Seattle and the growing season is in full swing. So it is, too, with A Sacred Journey. There are many things still growing in regards to my work here, especially ideas for more offerings in the coming years, and I’ll be excited to share them with you when the time comes.
Until then, you can still find inspiration on spirituality and intention in travels and daily life each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday right here on the blog (with an occasional break here and there—let’s call it a Sabbath, shall we?). And, of course, you can easily stay up-to-date on new posts by subscribing to my newsletter. When you do, you’ll also get a FREE download of the mini-guide that inspired my book. Subscribe here.
GO FURTHER…
What’s been growing within you in this season?