Song of the Woods
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| Sharing songs and stories at the 2018 Shine Sister Women's Festival at Mundekulla Retreat Center. Photo: Tanja Muratova |
The
Story of the Woodswomen tells of a time long ago when women could be seen in
the woods. The woodswomen were
guardians of the woods and keepers of the woodland lore. They knew the woods
like the back of their hands and watched over all who lived there through
autumn, winter, spring and summer; seeing that all was well, all was in balance
and as it should be. In their keeping was the very heart of the woods and in
order to protect and preserve it, they had to keep it drumming by the singing
of its songs, the telling of its stories and the remembering of its ancient
medicine.
In those days, the songs and stories of
the woods were well known and loved by all. Following in the footsteps of the
woodswomen, the people learnt from an early age how to walk in tune with the
drumming heartbeat of the woods. The people were friends of the woods and helped
the woodswomen preserve the woodland lore. Not only did they help preserve it, they
brought it to life by the spirit of their own songs, and by the love of the
people, the woods and its guardians thrived as never before.
But what happened to the woodswomen?
Where are they now? And why have the woods become so, so silent?
Some say that the woodswomen never left
and that it was in fact the people who changed. The people left the woods and
instead of calling it Home as they once did, they began calling it The Wild.
The people become townspeople and their children grew up learning that The Wild
was a dangerous place full of dark and menacing creatures. Among the
townspeople were few who could still hear the beating heartbeat of the woods
and sweet songs of the earth. In secret, they watched over the Hearth of Remembering
and saw that the flame, however faint, kept burning.
It is said that the woodswomen once
gathered at the edge of the woods, looking out over fields, towns and villages.
Together, they sang a song so sad, so grey, dark clouds filled the skies and
drenched the earth with rain. Some of the townspeople felt a sorrow they could
not explain and children cried without knowing why. The woodswomen’s tears fell
upon the earth and the Great Mother took them with her loving hands and laid
them gently down to rest.
So if ever you go in the woods and
listen very closely, you might just hear that weeping song of the woodswomen,
softly singing in the wind.
Much has been said about that time so
long ago and we may never know the full story. What we do know, however, is
that the woodswomen’s song is calling louder and clearer than ever before.
Listen. Can you hear the song calling from afar? Can you
hear the song calling from within? Listen.
Hear the sound of Earth Song – the sound of our mother calling us home.
May that which once was lost be found
once again and may that which once was forgotten be remembered once more. May
the Hearth of Remembering be brought to life and may its flame burn brighter
than ever before. May we walk in tune with the heart of the woods just like the
woodswomen once showed us, and may we tell the stories we once knew so well,
sing the songs we once sang and awaken to the songs calling to us today – Earth
Songs for the healing of this land and all who dwell upon it.
The time has come to sing.
Song of the Woods
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| Photo by Tanja Muratova |
On Sunday the 24th of March I will hold a Song of the Woods (Skogens Sång) workshop in Järna, Sweden. Welcome to a healing journey into the heart of the woods where I will guide you with a gentle weaving of singing, drumming and storytelling to connect with your roots and experience nature with all of your senses. For more info, contact me by email at sagoheim@gmail.com
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