All The Pretty Lights

“The wisdom of bridges comes from the fact that they know the both sides, they know the both shores!”
~ Mehmet Murat ildan

I’m still in the city just now, tending loved ones. Driving home from a friend’s last night, I was startled to see an owl in this suburban landscape. It was sitting right in the middle of the road, and it took wing as I drove toward it, disappearing off into the blackening sky beyond the reach of my headlights.

I should have known that the owl would mean something. You see, I went flying later that night. One moment I was sitting on my bedroom floor meditating, holding space for my next retreat group and sending healing to loved ones and friends. The next I was up in the night sky, looking down, with my Aboriginal Auntie at my elbow.

Auntie does not meet me in cities. Usually. The spirit that is Auntie comes to me when I am at my farm, when I am in the outback, when I am close to nature. But last night we were in Brisbane. We flew across a cityscape of streetlights and soul lights.

Dat lady there, helpful to you, she pointed out, showing me a bright light in one darkened house. Dat one too.

We flew along a bit more until we were out over the bay. It reminded me of my grandparents, who had spent so much time in their boat exploring these waters, and taking us with them on school holidays. I felt viscerally connected to them, although they too have passed.

Dat owl, she said to me as we flew. Dat owl know someting. Soon, you know someting too.

I wanted to ask why. But I didn’t, although I was busting to. Instead I said ‘okay, good’.

You ready now, Auntie said eventually.

Ready for what? I wanted to ask. But I didn’t. I ask too many questions. Just the day before I was speaking with a young Aboriginal woman who explained to me that, in her culture, elders won’t always answer your ‘why’ questions. Sometimes you’re not ready for the answer. Sometimes what is needed is your curiosity and observation, so that you can find the answer for yourself. Thanks, Mundanara – your timely wisdom was so helpful!

So here I am. Curious. Observant.

Hoping that my wait won’t be too long and that I will figure it out soon, or be shown.

What a strange and wonderful adventure it is to be me!