Many years ago, my spiritual business mentor told me that if I were to follow the way my soul was designed, I would live in a small house at the edge of the woods and spend quite a bit of time each day going within to listen deeply, follow my curiosities, tend to myself, the spirits, and the land before emerging to engage with the world.
#heaven #yesplease
At the time, I thought I was already doing that (at least minimally).
And honestly, I was hard-pressed to understand how spending more time listening to myself would help me grow my business or support my family – which were then two of my primary focuses.
I largely forgot about her words until recently when I woke up in a tiny house at the edge of an orchard surrounded by trees.
I spent hours fully, luxuriously, languidly journeying within.
From there I was inspired to write, dream into new ways of being in service, take my daughter to the river, and tend to settling into my home.
My inner manager – the part of me that loves productivity – is slightly uncomfortable with this new rhythm.
What happened to the days when I sat at a computer for eight+ hours?
Yet a deeper wiser part of myself keeps urging me to tend to my energetic field and deepen into being the shaman, the priestess, the wise one.
That the best investment I could make in this season of reorientation is the time and space to listen and trust that embodying a new way of living will become the foundation of what I share in my work.
More importantly, to start really enjoying my life now and live what I know.
I sense this same desire shifting in many of my students and clients.
We’re tired of endlessly digging and healing (not because healing isn’t important).
We’re recognizing that many of us have spent years doing the work and collecting the tools.
What we’re longing for now is organic growth and pleasure and time spent with people who resonate and create a sense of belonging.
It’s time to create lives that feel genuinely nourishing.
As we approach the Summer Solstice (on Sunday June 21st), I’ve been feeling how this season is burning away the remnants of old identities and creating space for the new.
It can be intense and disorienting. Uncomfortable and exciting.
The invitation is to move from healing into becoming.
The other morning I woke up in my home for this summer on land where I’ve held many ceremonies.
I felt called to sit on a rock beneath a catalpa tree just off my deck.
A vision emerged of one of my Spirit guides – a wise elder who gently cupped my face in her hands and expressed gratitude for my willingness to listen to the guidance that led me here.
She showed me how, for much of my life, I felt more comfortable in Spirit realms than fully inhabiting this human life.
And how now, after years of practice, I know how to create a deeper sense of safety within myself.
I’m willing to be embodied.
She instructed me to make offerings to the ancestors, Spirits, and land and to sprinkle cornmeal around the buildings to seal in supportive energies.
Then she invited me into a forgiveness practice.
The tears came.
I finally heard words I had been longing to hear for a very long time.
Just then, I felt movement beside me.
A baby squirrel hopped onto the rock where I was sitting less than a few inches away – practically landing in my lap.
For a moment I was startled.
Then I was told to create an energetic boundary around myself and let the squirrel know we were developing trust with one another while respecting what is comfortable to my body.
A perfect lesson for someone who has spent years learning about boundaries.
Later I looked up squirrel medicine and found this:
“Squirrel teaches you to create a safe place that stores wisdom and caring. Gather an undisturbed heart and mind so that you know all will be taken care of in its own time.”
That felt exactly right.
We’ve since named him Mr. Hops.
And the catalpa tree?
“Its heart-shaped leaves symbolize embracing your true self, expressing creativity, connecting to ancestors and unseen allies, cultivating resilience, and welcoming fresh starts.”
You really can’t make this up!
As I sat beneath its branches, I could feel the sunlight moving through my body and through a vast mycelium network of women.
It reminded me how important deep listening really is.
Listening to what’s right and true for you. Giving yourself permission to follow pleasure. Allowing yourself the time to sit with what you feel and tune into what’s emerging, alive.
I’m giving the powerful and wise woman within me and my soul essence room to become more visible and guide my choices.
And also space for all the emotions I really don’t want to feel but know they contain the codes for my freedom.
So as we approach the Solstice, I have a question for you:
What is this Solstice season illuminating?
In the past, I would have relentlessly looked for the shadow, the old story, what needs fixing.
Now? I also look for…
What new, alive, powerful, wise aspect of yourself is becoming visible?
And how can you carve out enough time and space to truly listen?
Even if it’s just ten minutes.
The ways are often so simple.
Take a walk. Crack open a journal. Make some art. Pull an oracle card. Have tea or a sparkling drink on the deck. Call a trusted friend.
The world is loud.
This season asks us to listen anyway.
I’d love to hear what is going on in your heart and mind. Catch me up. Pop me a reply.
Happy Solstice.
With love,
Meghan Gilroy is a shamanic healer and spiritual mentor who helps women answer their soul’s calling, amplify their sacred light, and create a lit-up life that uplifts the world. Rooted in the teachings of don Miguel Ruiz, author of The Four Agreements, she blends timeless feminine wisdom with modern spiritual practices to spark transformation in individuals, families, and communities.
Check out upcoming events
Comments