Meditation: May 13th, 2025

"The wisdom of the oak comes not from reaching ever skyward, nor from burrowing ever deeper, but from the moment when it realizes that these movements are one and the same act."

Physical Setting & Preparation

Position yourself where you can feel the dynamic rhythms of mid-May. Ideally, find a place near flowering plants where bees or other pollinators are active—perhaps an apple orchard in bloom, a wildflower meadow, or even a flowering hedge. If weather permits, remove your shoes to feel the warming earth beneath your feet. Bring a small vessel of honey or sweet water to represent the nectar of life, and a small stone to represent endurance. Sit or stand with your spine straight but relaxed, allowing energy to flow freely through your body

Opening Invocation | Fosgladh

Air an treas latha deug de Chèitean
On the thirteenth day of May

Nuair a tha blàthan a' fosgladh rim farsaingeachd
When blossoms open to their fullness

Agus beathaichean beaga a' sireadh mìlseachd
And small creatures seek sweetness

Tha mise cuideachd a' fosgladh gu solas an t-saoghail
I too open to the light of the world

As you speak these words, feel the vibrant energy of mid-May surrounding you. The world is no longer tentatively awakening as in early spring—now it pulses with confident life force. Sunlight falls stronger each day as we approach the summer solstice. Plants respond with abundant growth, insects buzz with purpose, and birds sing their territories with full-throated certainty. In this season of expansion and connection, we work with the emotional states of curiosity and determination—two energies that drive both human growth and natural cycles.

Body of the Working | Corp

Mar an seillean a' sireadh mìlseachd
Like the bee seeking sweetness

Tha m' inntinn a' sireadh tuigse
My mind seeks understanding

Mar a' chraobh a' fàs gu speur
Like the tree growing toward sky

Tha mo thoil a' stèidheachadh mo shlighean
My will establishes my paths

On this thirteenth day of May, we tune into the twin energies that propel life forward: curiosity—the open-minded exploration that discovers new possibilities, and determination—the focused intention that transforms possibility into reality. In the natural world around us, these energies work in perfect harmony.

Curiosity and determination—complementary forces in the dance of becoming.

Fiosrachadh—fosgailte do na tha ùr
Curiosity—openness to what is new

Dìoghras—suidheachte anns a' cheann-uidhe
Determination—fixed on the destination

Feel curiosity arising within you—the lightness in your mind as you wonder, question, and explore without attachment to specific outcomes. This is the energy that causes a seedling to send exploratory roots in multiple directions, testing the soil for nutrients. It's the impulse that leads the bee to investigate many blossoms, discovering which are richest in nectar. Allow this openness to expand in your awareness, experiencing the joy of possibility without limitation.

Now, feel determination growing alongside curiosity—the focused energy that allows sustained action toward meaningful goals. This is the force that drives the oak's taproot straight down through challenging soil to find groundwater. It's the persistence that enables the spider to rebuild its web after storms. Let this steady resolve strengthen in your body, particularly in your core and lower back, creating a sense of grounded purpose.

Ann am fiosrachadh, tha mi fosgailte
In curiosity, I am open

Ann an dìoghras, tha mi seasmhach
In determination, I am steadfast

Còmhla, tha iad a' cruthachadh slighe na beatha
Together, they create the path of life

Allow both emotional states to exist simultaneously within you. Notice how curiosity without determination can become scattered exploration without completion. Observe how determination without curiosity can become rigid pursuit that misses unexpected gifts. Together, they create the perfect balance for growth and fulfillment—openness paired with direction.

The Deep Working | An Obair Dhomhain

Anail a-steach, leudaich d' aire
Breath in, expand your awareness

Anail a-mach, daingnich do rùn
Breath out, strengthen your intention

Mar an abhainn a' sruthadh gu cuan
Like the river flowing to ocean

A' sireadh is a' leanail na slighe còmhla
Seeking and following the path together

Visualize yourself as a flowering tree in mid-May. Your blossoms open with curious receptivity, welcoming diverse pollinators that bring genetic possibilities from distant plants. Simultaneously, your inner bark maintains determined focus, drawing specific nutrients upward to fuel precise growth patterns.

Feel curiosity in your upper body—the chest, throat, and head opening to receive new information and experiences. Feel determination in your lower body—the pelvis, legs, and feet establishing firm connection with purpose and direction.

Tha fiosrachadh is dìoghras mar phaidhir ann an dannsa
Curiosity and determination are like partners in a dance

Aon ag iarraidh farsaingeachd, aon ag iarraidh doimhneachd
One seeking breadth, one seeking depth

Ach anns an dannsa còmhla, tha iad a' cruthachadh iomlanachd
But in their dance together, they create wholeness

Now imagine that you can sense the Earth Mother's wisdom flowing through the ground beneath you. She has perfected the balance of curiosity and determination over billions of years of evolution. With curious adaptability, she explores countless forms of life. With determined persistence, she maintains the core patterns that sustain these explorations.

Bring your awareness to places in your life where curiosity and determination meet. Perhaps a creative project, a relationship, a healing journey, or spiritual growth. Notice how the Earth Mother demonstrates that these energies are not opposed but complementary—the in-breath and out-breath of the same life process.

A' Mhàthair Thalmhainn, teagaisg dhomh cothromachadh
Earth Mother, teach me balance

Eadar rannsachadh is seasmhachd
Between exploration and steadfastness

Eadar fosgailteachd is rùn
Between openness and purpose

Ann am bàigh leat, gheibh mi sòlas is neart
In communion with you, I find joy and strength

Rest in this integrated awareness for several breaths. Feel how curiosity and determination naturally regulate each other when given conscious attention—curiosity preventing determination from becoming rigid, determination giving curiosity meaningful direction. This is the dynamic balance exemplified by all successful life forms, from microbes to mighty forests.

Afterthought | Smuain Dheiridh

Take a moment to contemplate:

How might consciously balancing curiosity and determination enhance your creativity and resilience? What wisdom does the Earth Mother offer about maintaining purpose while remaining open to unexpected discoveries?

Closing Blessing | Beannachd Dheiridh

Buidheachas don Mhàthair Thalmhainn
Gratitude to the Earth Mother

Airson fiosrachadh a bheir sùilean fosgailte
For curiosity that gives open eyes

Airson dìoghras a bheir cridhe seasmhach
For determination that gives a steadfast heart

Gun robh an cothromachadh seo annam
May this balance be within me

Mar a tha e anns gach craobh is beathach
As it is in every tree and creature

Beannachd leibh, a spioradan na h-àraich seo
Blessings with you, spirits of this place

Gum bi sìth eadarainn gus an coinnich sinn a-rithist
May there be peace between us until we meet again