Life is a labyrinth – we continuously visit specific areas that encourage us to grow. What do you say to yourself at the beginning of each season and the end of another? “Fall came fast. I’m not ready to let go of summer.” or “I feel like I’m dealing with a lot emotionally, and I want to let it all go,” or even comments on how you feel physically, “My skin is dry. My arm and shoulder hurt. I have a dry cough”. Of course, we can say these year-round, but most say things like these at a particular time, like fall, other season changes, or when we pass specific areas in our labyrinth. We experience emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual energy every cycle, but during the autumn cycle, we all may be experiencing more grief, sadness, and letting go. Many of our emotions arise during season transitions because change is taking place, and change is hard.
Each time we pass through areas, we may react the same way. Why?
Our lives are labyrinths, and when we pass a specific area, we experience these emotions, physical things, thoughts, etc. Depending on what we did in the past and our labyrinth, we may look at that area from a different angle this time. Maybe during a specific time of year, we are constantly dealing with emotional stress caused by childhood trauma. Perhaps this time of year, the holidays are tough for you, and you haven’t noticed you are more depressed and angry while in this area of your labyrinth.
How long can these areas in our labyrinth last? I believe that depends on many things. This area may always exist as long as we are alive and as long as our soul feels it has work to do. How we respond to it and our different viewpoints when we return to that area matters. For example, maybe one year, you are deep within a situation, and it feels personal and hurtful. Two years later, because of that experience and others, you were encouraged to work on healing. You find yourself in the presence of a person or energy from that past incident. However, because of your recovery or other things you’ve done, you are viewing it from a new angle that allows you to feel peace or see other people’s sides in that situation. Or maybe this new angle encourages you to respond with more anger and hate – that depends on you and how you walk your labyrinth.
What do most of us say when we cycle back to that area? “I thought I was done with this,” or “How long do I have to deal with this? I already handled this.” I’ve learned we will continue to visit this energy, or it’ll present itself, so long as there is something for us to understand. Even after we’ve learned all we can, it may still be there, and we will find our way to it in our labyrinth. What’s beautiful to notice is how differently you react when you come in contact with that area each time. Sometimes we react quicker and recover quickly, or maybe we continue to get stuck in that area. Write it down – seriously, journal every time you make a connection with the energy. When it comes around next time, look back at your writing and see if you are doing the same things or responding differently to this part of your cycle.
The cycles and areas are interesting. They can come a few times a year, once a year, or even once every seven years. I had a dream where Spirit walked me through releasing the authentic energy of each organ in my body. All organs released their power nicely. However, the Mind was tricky (it always is). I tried many things to help the Mind understand its potential and power when connected to all other organs. Finally, I gave up and said to Spirit, “I don’t think I will ever be able to convince Mind it is here.” Spirit responded, “You can.” While my eyes were still on Mind, I asked, “How?” I did not hear a response, so I asked again, “How?” while turning to face Spirit. She was in my face, and hers was no more; instead, it was the cosmos. She said, “By remembering where you came from!” Seven years later, I have another visit from Spirit during a troubling time in my life that carries the same energy as it did seven years ago. Spirit said, “I’m going to show you my raw form.” I saw myself first, and then I saw beautiful bright energy. Spirit said, “You are me, and I am you. I am Spirit, and you are Spirit.” Ah, yes, the message of remembering where I come from and walking as I know.
Finding yourself in the thick of your labyrinth can be challenging while journaling and contemplating. However, I firmly believe that journaling can give you a clear enough mind to think of what causes this energy cycle and what causes you to react the way you do.
Our labyrinths and cycles are inevitable. The best we can do is understand them to walk through them smoothly – whatever that may be.
EricaChinise
Erica Chinise Art 