The Muddy Underworld

Mixed media art piece I started
to capture my journey.
I enjoy creating art
from my journey experiences. 

On the recent Imbolc Full Moon, which represents the halfway point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, I went on a Shamanic Journey to the Underworld. 

My journey began looking for an entryway down. Sometimes it's hard for me to get started on these journeys. Often times the portals that present themselves do not make sense to the mind and reality I normally live in. 

Journeywork calls for you to allow the experience to guide you, deep into the mystery of the unknown. Trust what shows up and simply go with it....

My descent began with a smaller version of me walking a clockwise circle on my abdomen, which was a swirling vortex of black ooziness. The smaller version of me walked the perimeter of the vortex, and with each rotation sank deeper into the black ooze; to the ankles, knees, pelvis, abdomen - slowly sinking deeper and deeper...

...then suddenly the vortex sucked me down and in. 

Swirling around and down - the black ooze vortex spit me out onto a grassy prairie. Before me was a Tipi made of animal hide. I entered, and cicumnavigated the fire pit. Meditating on the flames I was informed that to descend into deeper wisdoms I must exit through the Doorway of the North. 

I approached the Doorway of the North and was instructed to take off my clothes. I did, stepped through the portal, naked and exposed, and descended into mystery calling me deeper.  

Once I stepped through the doorway, I found myself at the top of a steep muddy slope.  As I walked down it took so much effort to stay upright. With each step my legs sank deeper and deeper into the mud. Exhausted, I gave up, sat down and let the mud consume me. 

I was surprised. I had no fear of drowning. I had submitted to the process. Mud found an opening at the base of my spine and slowly started to fill the center of my being; filling me with dark, moist soil, weighing me down, taking me deeper into depths of mystery. 

Dripping out of the mud portal, I found myself on all fours, naked and alive in primal animal instincts. I found myself in a meadow I know very well. This was where I met Bear, many years ago, eye to eye, in the wild. One of the most profound experiences in my life.

Bear approached and I re-experianced the feelings of strength and power I absorbed from our last connection. However, this time, Bear shrugged its head and asked me to follow it through the forest. I did. 

Bear led me to it's den. I crawled inside and found two small cubs inside. Bear crawled in, laid on her side, exposed her underbelly, and welcomed us to her breast. The bear cubs and I crawled to her tits and started sucking.  

It was a POWERFUL experience, wrapping my lips around the nipple of Bear and sucking its milk. I had only connected to the strength and power of Bear from my past connection. This experience showed me the nurturing side of Bear, reminding me that we can be both strong and soft, and that both are needed in how we parent ourself. 

Throughout Winter, I've been engaging the Root Chakra and in doing so, have been transforming how I parent myself. I am so grateful that Bear has re-entered my life as a guide for me in this process. 

Thank you Bear for being such a powerful force in my life.

I bow to your strength, and your softness. I welcome these traits 

deeper into my life and honor you for you wild, primal living.