Honoring the 7 Sacred Directions
by Ananaia O'Leary

As we take our steps on Mother Earth it's easy
to become disconnected¦ to drift & swirl with
the currents of everyday living, un-settled and
un-centered. A simple and powerful way to begin to
reclaim our center and our connection to the Earth
is to take time each day to honor the 7 Sacred
Directions. It only takes a few minutes and with
time & repetition it can have a profound &
beneficial impact.

Honoring the 7 Sacred Directions

Pick a time at least once a day to do this
meditation practice.
Many people find it helpful to do this around the
same time each day
(for example: first thing in the morning; right
before bed, etc.).

Find a comfortable and undisturbed place to stand.
Breathe deeply a few times, exhaling any tensions,
distractions, etc.

Turn to the East.

Be present with the energies of the East. Stand
quietly¦ receptively¦ sensing the energies.
Allow yourself to simply engage the experience.
You may see colors or images, hear vibrations,
sense feelings, sensations in your body, have an
inner knowing. There is no right or wrong thing to
experience. Simply turn your attention to the East
and be present. When you feel ready, honor the
energies of the East. Continue your connection to
the East, while turning your connection to the South.

Turn to the South.

Be present with the energies of the South. Stand
quietly¦ receptively¦
sensing the energies. Allow yourself to engage the
experience¦ simply¦ without expectation.
When you feel ready, thank the South. Continue
your connection to the South, while turning your
connection to the West.

Turn to the West.

Be present with the energies of the West. Stand
quietly¦ receptively¦ sensing the energies.
Allow yourself to engage the experience¦ simply¦
without expectation. When you feel ready,
thank the West. Continue your connection to the
West, while turning your connection to the North.

Turn to the North.

Be present with the energies of the North. Stand
quietly¦ receptively¦ sensing the energies.
Allow yourself to engage the experience¦ simply¦
without expectation. Honor the energies of the
North.

Touch back into your connection with East, South,
West, North.
Experience yourself at the center of these four
directions
-- the planet radiating out in all directions ...
North to South, East to West.

Lift your Face to the Sky.

Be present with the energies of the Sky. Reach
outward¦ upward¦ extending into the heavens
to dance with the celestial energies. Allow the
energies of Sun, Moon & Stars to flow down upon
you and through you. Honor the blessings of Father
Sky.

Rest Firmly on the Earth.

Feel the ground beneath your feet. Sink down¦
allow the Earth to hold you¦ to really support
you. Open to the energies of the Earth, waiting to
flow up, into you, through you¦ kissing Father
Sky. Tune to the heartbeat of the Mother¦
rocking you, cradling you, sustaining you. Honor
your connection to the Mother Earth.

Turn Inward.

Become aware of yourself at the center of 6
directions between Earth & Sky, amid East & West,
North & South. Find that point within you where
the 6 directions join. Here is your sacred Center.
You are the 7th Sacred Direction. From this
Center, experience your place in the divine order
of the cosmos. Honor the energies of Self and
Place.

Whenever you feel scattered, un-centered or
unconnected, pause and honor the 7 Sacred
Directions. If you are not able to physically turn
toward the directions, do so in your mind or
reflect back to an earlier experience of honoring
the directions. This will put you in touch with
the directional energies and you help to center &
connect.

This meditation will evolve over time as you renew
your relationship with these sacred energies.
Allow your practice to grow and deepen
organically. Throughout the world, indigenous
cultures honor the Sacred Directions in unique
ways, with their own symbols and significance for
each direction. You may wish to explore some of
these traditions and incorporate into your
practice those aspects, which resonate for you.
There is Wisdom in the Old Ways of many cultures;
there is Wisdom deep within you. Honor both these
sources of Wisdom as you reclaim your connection
to the Earth.

**Many Thanks and Namaste goes to Ananaia O'Leary,

for providing these beautiful, inspiring words.**