The Journal of Elements and Seasons
A nature inspired newsletter for those longing to slow down and listen.
If you yearn to connect your spirituality with the land, need a dose of wonder and beauty in this hurting world, and long for ways to honor the full tapestry of being, this space is for you.
For regular poetry, reflections, prayers, and seasonal wisdom rooted in embodied spirituality and everyday life, join The Journal of Elements and Seasons. Each offering is crafted to meet you gently where you are and support in connecting your spirituality with the sacred rhythms of nature.
No spam. Just thoughtful words, sent with care – delivered directly to your inbox.
From the Blog Archive:
Writing from 2010-2021
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Verbiage
“Give yourself a little Grace,” said my friend Callie. Callie and I were sitting on the couches at the Y last week talking about our mutual insanity. I was feeling tired and depressed. She was feeling pregnant. I’d had a difficult week. I hadn’t found a rhythm to this new working-writing-contracting-teaching-mommying life, and the lack…
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Death Meditation
“Anything that has a birth has a death, and I am no exception.” ~ The Book of Joy In Chapter 4 of the Rule, Benedict writes, “Day by day remind yourself that you are going to die.” Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday and the beginning of Lent. I will go to church and the priest will…
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It’s All About Me . . . Sort Of . . . Not Really
Every now and again I bump up against the notion that my spiritual practice should not be for or about me. I bristle at this idea because I have been taught that self-care is essential and comes first. How can I help others if I don’t help myself? I understand that when I take care…
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Get into Hot Water – A Free Offering
Today I offer an excerpt from the upcoming free Householder’s Mini-Retreat. Day One “Let us get up then, at long last, for the Scriptures rouse when they say, ‘It is high time for us to rise from sleep’ (Rom. 13:11). Let us open our eyes to the light that comes from God, and our ears to the…
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How to Build Core Strength
While teaching a private yoga lesson last week, I was paid a compliment I never thought I’d hear, “You have one of the strongest cores I’ve seen. I want to know what you do to strengthen your core.” Truth is, because my abs are not ripped, I don’t think of myself as having a strong…
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What the Jedi Get Wrong
Master Yoda says, “Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny.” I say, How you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. As much as I adore Star Wars, the one thing about the Jedi that bothers me is their refusal to create space within themselves…
Melinda Emily Thomas 