Begin this meditation in a position that's comfortable for you.
Close your eyes.
Take several deep breaths.
As you focus on your breath,
Feel your sit bones rooting into the earth and drawing up energy from the earth.
The energy moves up from the core of the earth and into your core,
Following each chakra until it arrives at your crown chakra.
Relax and release any tension you might be storing in your muscles.
Stay focused on your breath.
As you do so,
Sense a circular white light surrounding you,
Protecting you.
No harm can come through this light.
You are completely safe.
We call upon the elements of earth,
Air,
Fire,
Water,
And spirit.
We call upon the sun and the moon.
May they be present with you right now,
Protecting and nourishing you.
Envision yourself on a relaxing stroll through a forest.
As you honor this place in nature with your presence,
The landscape speaks to you that you are standing at a crossroads of two seasons,
At the twilight of autumn,
At winter's gate.
You observe blackthorn trees serving as a hedge,
Guarding against any form of intrusion.
Use this visualization to once again see yourself being completely protected.
Spend a few moments now going within to a place of inner peace.
The blackthorns whisper to us the necessity of boundaries,
Showing us the importance of having a perimeter around our sacred space in which resides everything we hold dear.
Times,
Places,
Values,
Our loved ones,
And ourselves.
At the same time,
This boundary exists for far more than confining or limiting.
For the blackthorn is also widely used as a walking stick.
Take a few moments now in your mind's eye,
Visualizing your sacred core not only being protected,
But also being transformed into something that will steady your mindful steps and guide you through any change of seasons,
Any crossroads.
You now offer your thanks for the example before you,
Sensing equality,
Which is the very essence of the universe,
As you step through winter's gate.
At your own pace,
Begin to feel the energy you gather,
Slowly returning to the earth.
You've taken what you needed for this practice,
So you are just returning the surplus.
It will be there for you whenever you need it again.
Begin to invite subtle movements into your fingers and toes.
When you are ready,
Begin to slowly open your eyes and take another deep breath.
Blessed be.
