Natural Musings ~ Elemental Guidance in 2023

“She was the heir of ash and fire,

and she would bow to no one.”  - Sarah J. Maas

2022 was the year of the firebird, the famed phoenix who looks out from its meticulously constructed nest upon the wide expanse that surrounds it. Living close to the sun and embodying the solar energy of transformation, this winged symbol for our inner fire accompanied us throughout the past year. We may have found ourselves comfortable at one point, but the elemental surge of fire that fanned the flames of change in our lives began to grow stronger and gain strength as our visions, dreams, and intuitions were no longer to be denied. Personal pockets of resistance were targeted by the spirit world as opportunities for purification; the resulting cleanse may not have been pretty and yet absolutely necessary. In 2022 an amplification of ancestral energy pushed us forward despite our best efforts to stay safe. A sense of being torn, confused, or ungrounded may have dominated our lives as one choice became glaringly clear: move  through the flames or be consumed. 

“Nor shall this peace sleep with her; but as when

The bird of wonder dies, the maiden phoenix,

Her ashes new create another heir

As great in admiration as herself;

So shall she leave her blessedness to one,

When heaven shall call her from this cloud of darkness,

Who from the sacred ashes of her honor

Shall star-like rise as great in fame as she was,

And so stand fix'd …”

(William Shakespeare & John Fletcher from Henry VIII) 

As we emerge from the fires of transformation and into 2023, the elemental year of nature, we are given a breath of fresh air, a break from the flames, and a time to engage in the mysterious potential that awaits us as “maiden phoenixes.”  We now understand that the fire in our lives was choreographed to initiate us into new dynamics of a fresh elemental cycle that will expedite our growth. In the nature year we become the muse of all things magical as we embrace new endeavors that will elevate us.  We realize that coming out of a fire year, we are capable of ANYTHING because planted within us are seeds that required the fiery flame to regenerate. 

the call of the creatrix

In 2023, nature asks us to embody the energy of rejuventation and reinvention as we channel the archetype of the creatrix and creator. The visions of the previous fire year are now within our grasp if our choices and decision making paradigms are oriented towards practically anchoring our dreams into this reality. We will be required to “take the high road” and not  allow ourselves to get distracted or compressed with extraneous drama or self sabotage. A nature year can be fraught with wily, trickster energy that will try to push us off course if we are not vigilant. Phases of negative self talk and apathy can work their way into our lives if we fall out of alignment with the essence of nature. Therefore, we will need to direct our energy with laser sharp focus if we are to stay in the stream of manifestation.

2023 will implore us to put aside the masks we hold up that shield our authenticity from the world. If we engage the element of nature as our mentor this year we will embody pure, unadulterated expression. 

Nature does not conceal itself.

 Nature is unapologetically resilient.

Nature takes up the space it needs to assume its rightful place within a community ecosystem.

If we look to nature for council we can mirror this wisdom in our lives and the forces that support our identity will align accordingly. 

reaching upwards

Within our global community, 2023 asks us to raise each other up, center the voices of the most vulnerable, and to tend to the animal and plant kingdoms in new relational ways. We are called upon  to extend ourselves beyond our individuality to hold a community based consciousness. Shrinking into victim mentality (the shadow side of nature) allows opportunistic weeds to take root, hijack our nourishment, and prevents us from blooming. We must keep our vision directed upwards for this is the motion of nature. We need to stand tall like trees stretching ourselves to new heights by extending towards the moon, the stars, and the cosmos. In this year of rewilding may we hold nature as our advisor, guide, and elder. May we welcome expansion on all planes of consciousness and continue to elevate ourselves to bring fruition to our dreams. 

Rooted I stand 

Tall I expand 

Reaching out to meet myself 

I am alive 

I will strive 

To expand beyond my own limitations 

And live my dreams 

---

Jen Hudziec is Ritualist, Ancestral Lineage Repair Practitioner, Death Doula, Fire Walk Facilitator, and Dagara Diviner.  As an animist she has spent decades integrating Earth honoring practices with her former Catholic upbringing while reviving the traditions of her Slavic ancestors. She is a student of the Dagara tradition and credits her mentors Malidoma Some and Ann Sousa for passing on the elemental wisdom of the Dagara. Jen offers online private sessions, public rituals, education, and group circles. She can be reached at Jenhudziec.com

Photo credit: Benny Rotlevy