I’ve recently started working with a book called “Slow Time” by Waverly Fitzgerald. I had first become acquainted with Waverly’s work when I used to subscribe to SageWoman, a magazine devoted to Goddess lore and Earth based spirituality. I was fascinated by her thoughts about the cycle of the seasons and her words resonated on a very deep level within my soul.
The book is set up in a 12-week format and it is filled with exercises and questions that help you explore your relationship with time. Speaking of time, I have been busy getting ready for my annual jewelry show tomorrow so I haven’t exactly been following it by a weekly schedule. I am reading and absorbing and exploring in my own “slow time”.
The subtitle to the book is “Recovering the Natural Rhythm of Life”.
As I was reading Richard Bode’s “Beachcombing at Miramar” last night, these words jumped out at me.
“I believe there is a clock within me, a living clock, and it keeps pace with the beat of the world. I hear the slow ticktock of the planet when I stand in a salt marsh or walk the sands of Miramar, and I lose it the instant I slip behind a steering wheel. The moment I exceed the speed at which I was born to move, I lose the tempo of the natural world and become like a singer who has lost the rhythm of his song.”
This passage stayed with me long after I had read it. As we move through our days faster and faster, here, there and everywhere, work, school, errands, etc., are we losing our natural rhythms? The speed we were born to move? I wonder about these things.
Art and Tea 
i treasure your blog, now that i am subscribing. it is lovely to know that there are others out there who appreciate the “slow time”, something i aspire to have in my life every moment of every day (not always easy). i’m wishing you much success with your jewelry show (lovely beadwork!), and will be enjoying my first cups of the creme vanilla and english earl grey that arrived at my door today from upton. take good care. breathe deeply. xx
Hi Nina,
As I treasure yours. Thank you for your well wishes and kind comments about my beadwork, they are much appreciated. Savor and enjoy each sip!
-Karen
I’m going to order that book!
Oh good! Let me know how you like it.
-Karen
Hi Nina,
This sounds like a great book! I know I often lose that connection and then need to regain it again. I think as a working, marketing artist there are a lot of pressures that push me away from the rhythm and yet as an artists (and a human) i NEED to keep with the life cycle!! Thank you for your comment!
~ Diane Clancy
http://www.dianeclancy.com/blog
whoops … I should have said Karen instead of Nina – I am so sorry!! ~ Diane Clancy
Hi Diane,
Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts about connections and rhythms. Yes, I agree – maintaining a balance between our own natural cycles and life’s responsibilities is a constant challenge. Our involvement in our day to day responsibilities is enhanced by our connections to natural rhythms but that intense involvement can also take us away from that rhythm.
-Karen
I am going to look into both of these! I’m just discovering my own calling to the Godess/natural rhythms and am excited to see you speak of it here!
Great, Steph! I just finished “Beachcombing at Miramar” and it was wonderful. He really has an amazing way with words and I found myself nodding along with a lot that he said. Enjoy!
-Karen