Wild Water, Willow and Dune

Today, I felt drawn like rarely before. A quietly strong ‘you really must go now’ sense of a destination I’ve never been to.

But how to get there?

I share transportation with a companion who I knew would not find the same value as I in a place I’d not seen and had only thought of a few times in the recent and more distant past. Yet, it was a place compelling of an at-once vague yet absolute sense that I, indeed, needed to go… and go now.

Standing in the gas station parking lot, already preparing to journey well over an hour home, I attempted to weigh the practicality of such a decision.

It had already been a long afternoon of multiple errands. And, as this destination lie beyond the Divide to the eastern plains of Colorado and further south, there were costs in time, finances and even miles which had to be considered. The sudden unplanned nature of it appeared, at least on-surface to be spontaneous and self-indulgent. And, I knew my companion would not value the destination which I knew I needed to visit not for myself (as such purposes have typically been deferred across my lifetime) but for so much else and for so many others. For our Earth herself and her caretakers – metaphysical and physical.

For the Spirit of Water.

Yes, the physical location was a particular, designated, recreationally visited and therefore highly disrupted one; but it was also a spiritually phasing notion… of that particular area vaguely sketched across long years of fragmented and unrelated references…

Eighteen years ago, I came across the locale via a disassociated crumbtrail of research revealing its likely piezoic potentials, depending upon its granular composition. That research extended organically relative to a series of six visions I received after my father’s passing (relatively concurrent with S. Jobs - both their energies, detected within those visions. Jobs providing a number of catalyzing technical insight - my father, facilitating, weaving the revelations into exceptional story form and providing other broader contexts less distinguishable). Despite the phenomenal opportunity to receive such cleverly woven and illuminating scientific insight, I’d had to defer further inquiry and redirect those visions to other(s) within our collective consciousness with a higher physical capacity to receive them. That decision was based upon extraordinarily stressful and persistent circumstances I chose instead to address, as they were external and broadly life-threatening across the whole of Seven Eagles and beyond including her biodiversity together with precious surface and groundwater resources.

Another instance of discovering more about the pre-destined locale - removed by years but further and quite by ‘happenstance’ informing me of that place - revealed a flowing water source present at the site.

So, it was through this moving, mosaic view that I intimately knew the setting without seeing.

As a deeply spiritual being, I do not intentionally impose on another. I believe in sacred autonomy and abiding self-will in all of life’s natural and living expressions. Such are preeminent gifts of our Creator(s) - gifts given to life to be cherished, respected, honored. If an entity needs and is seeking assistance, and only if I am competent and invited to aid, will I attempt to do so. These are caveats, needed to help curtail one-sided, perceived ‘need’ while actually serving selfish impulse: Something I will not indulge in myself or others. We must truly know ourselves to know altruism in its purest, most equitable and naturally imbibed sense.

From today’s moment of coalescing recognitions and intentions ever-respectfully-aligned with deepest-held and broadly-invested altruistic values and capacities expressed over a lifetime… coordinating conditions flowed easily toward that still-vague destination with the emergence of a very clear purpose to convene with metaphysical energies toward an amplified expression and reception of respect, blessing, and hoped-for preservation of unified water’s spiritual autonomy and life-giving, altruistic intention.

As humans we can find it very easy to take from others. But taking should always accompany great mutual consideration and highest-conscience. So should an act of truly altruistic giving.

I find the idea, then, to be one of mutually beneficial and benevolent reciprocity in service more to concept and outcome than ourselves. …Intentions toward those lesser able to reciprocate - all children of all species, Earth and her wealth of biodiverse wildlife and flora. We - certainly as a far more technologically enabled species - are blessed to offer far, far more than we could ever receive.

Finding reciprocity in sustaining a high-functioning sense of autonomy and equilibrium. Offering nurture and aid. Offering respectful guidance… this is the genesis of advocacy.

At its core, advocacy is about offering oneself as advocate, educator and shield toward protection of the innocent, the helpless, any with naturally and conditionally diminished capacities among us, and to protect Earth and her life-giving systems for all those gifted to share space from the promise of a shared and flourishing future.

And to each, of course, their own…

So, I considered the cost. The competing emotions were prominent; yet, they were no match for the internal recognition of a place now calling me to stand with and pray, together, with.

Certainly, within a place which I’d long ago learned of, forgotten with time, and only now found greater unified meaning in my relation and proximity to.

I recognized exotic-NHI as concierge.

Resituating myself in the vehicle, I contemplated the sizable bag of pistachios and large water refill in hand to share. Vaguely listening to mumurings of this or that, I abruptly turned and said to my companion – “Let’s take a road trip”.

Of course, in this unexpected and unfolding moment, amid anticipation of an adventure at hand, we were both all in…

Yet, we could not be looking more forward to two very different but nearly side by side attractants: One of us sought a rather kitchy Southwestern destination known among many UAP enthusiasts as well as randomly exploring road-side happen-uponers. Mine, a very deep, spiritually collaborative and contemplative study amid Earth’s natural hydrogeologic features. For me, one was a cultural curiosity, the other… highly scientifically and spiritually compelling.

I knew I was being guided. I can always tell via a certain kind of signal detected near the solar plexus - sometimes mistaken for the ‘pit of the stomach’.

Then, the detection of pattern – sometimes at hand… sometimes near or further afield. Often evident only across years and memory stitched into form. But always presenting a suite of attributes unique to the source, intention, moment, event and purpose.

This trek was inspired and in all likelihood would be enabled, should I decide to embark upon it. And I anticipated from prior experience that it would be enabled for many reasons which I could not yet know.

I could count on one thing: Such collaborations would be toward broadly benevolent furtherances. Deepest benevolent values increasingly self-evident. Purpose becoming clearer, one fulfillment upon another. Nothing daunting, nothing frightening, nothing unsure. A spiritual calling to commune with aspects of time, space, place and higher purpose.

I paid close attention to clues relative to this signal, attuned without trying, aligned with highest purpose toward life and preservation of, this time as in the past… Water.

It was a quest to pray with and for our Earth and for Water which broadly inspires and naturally nourishes Life itself… all Life.

If such a journey were to actuate - the reason for which, I myself could only recognize and articulate loosely - it would have to be in the interest of and for the clear benefit of my companion. Who owned the vehicle and whose interests were often self-centric and loudly fore.

I suggested a road trip along the sensed route to a known ‘garden of conventional praise’ situated nearby by its own happenstance occurring years ago. I knew I would then come to see even more genuinely and broadly what only I knew might convene from there, and, of course, beyond...

What follows amounts to a ‘live’ rarely shared series of journal entries from that 2024 journey – as they occurred in the field with readers of my social media posts (now archived with expanded context here, on New Flight)


Turning out of the parking lot and heading east on 1-70…

I’ve been shown a wide variety of cloud birds in the sky throughout both yesterday as well as this day.

And fledgling life.

I've prayed for all.

Midway along this journey, a beautiful raven perched on a highway guardrail post, lifted its head and looked long and directly into my eyes in our passing. We recognized one another's spirits; and I recognized… appreciating… the given blessing as we ascended through the mountains…

Cresting and now descending the Divide… we wound through cities and suburbs, and now had begun traveling the long highway south.

Meeting Another Guide with Distant Vision

Around Colorado Springs, and ahead of entering the valley hosting both our destinations, I met a local, Native Elder at our last refueling station.

Through proximity alone, I found her spirit shining, and knew also our meeting appeared anything but random.

Assuming she had at least once perhaps traveled the route I was seeking, I asked her, and she graciously informed me of the nature of the pass we were about to encounter next in our journey.

Her kind willingness to assist would greatly facilitate my passage forward by providing her clear, experienced and personal perspective - aiding my broader spiritual awareness and continuity of focus.

I shared with her the purpose of my visit... to commune with.. to pray with and for the Spirit Guardians of the valley and its surrounding mountain ranges... guided by and buoyed by the Spirit of Water.

In facilitating my passage, she had become deeply connected to my purpose. And that purpose would become further shared... ever-expanding along this journey, growing to embrace all souls sharing in the same intention... intention, itself, morphing - as water will - to accommodate.

Concluding our conversation, I asked for and gathered her strong but small weathered hands, then asked her if she would like me to convey a message from her to the Guardians of the place I'd been called to.

The strength of our spirits enjoined in that moment, suddenly inviting her quiet tears.

Softly she said, 'Our Mother Earth is suffering so much. Please ask them to help us. To help us help her. We need help. All life needs their help.'

Her sincerity moved me deeply, and we embraced in a mutual bond of hope. I, vowing to carry her message with me into the mountains, into the valley - for Water... for Life.

Ascending The Pass Into The Valley 

Immediately upon passing the official entrance to the valley, and lasting only seconds, I am gifted with two drops of wild water from the sky.

The heady scent of sparse yet cooling rain falling upon the long blackened soil, stones and skeletal pines, remnant of fire sweeping mountainside after mountainside... their ravines and washes... dry and wanting...

Traveling, now, within the valley... I notice from within the clouds, kind, earnest faces of Gaia's Forest Guardians peeking out - one, an apparent patriarch welcoming and watching over me - protective... the other, a seeming youth, watching to see who was coming...

First, the Garden of Conventional Praise

Eventually the garden came into view, and I stood taking it in: A small point of collective interest among thousands who had visited.

Thousands who had brought with them hope and homage. Messages and memorial. Their deep truths and desires resonating... silently deafening.

Others merely commemorating their presence beyond a digital snapshot excised... and, in exchange, leaving the obligatory token of attendance. A 'been there done that' declaration and assurance of belonging to something bigger, but not really understanding what the something bigger was.

Is.

I looked at the vacant monument erected to the depths and heights of human longing... human need... the garish, rattling, scattered assemblage fading with time, degrading under the sun and dispersed by the wind. Plastic tumbling across the valley, shreds of fabric caught in the native grass. Wind jangling strands of carnival beads and bangles strewn in the soft, silvery limbs of long-remnant trees.

My spirit ached for it and all it stood for. Inviting humanity's breadth, slowly converting a place of reverence and regard to a blended state of discord... the raw want and gift of sincerity ringing out from within the steady tenor of constant chaos.

I stood overwhelmed, nauseous, desperately attempting to hear my spirit and reclaim my purpose - both connected and just beyond grasp... and now at risk, having lingered at this spectacle which only assaulted my every instinct. My companion, elated and beguiled, loitered long within it… wandering, wondering, absorbing.

I - now separate - gazed across the mountains, following their collective crestline…

With dusk, thunderstorms and autumn’s cold gathering near, I fixed my gaze to the distant range where a feature caught my eye… noticing a… what is that?

Then, a spark of recognition…

Could it be?

So close?!

Is that it?!

Quickly searching the range with an online app, I suddenly and fully realized why I had been drawn to this particular valley.

Were it not for the garden-prominent... for my reaction... for my further search… for all the years prior strewn with embedded reference, waiting… I may not have known of its presence. But it was right there. Literally, discreetly within view of me. And it was now loudly calling.

I finally realized I was near it, called to it, here because of it… all through a too-familiar fog of rushed, mixed and missed ques. Years of accumulated touch-points now minutes away… gathered against the ridge in shattered, weathered, scattered stone. But, would I be able to go? Circumstances were now conspiring otherwise.

I rushed to the outskirts of my true destination and - amid freezing, pelting rain, lowering storm clouds and descending darkness - struggled to see.

Vague. Beautiful. Strong. Astonishing and asking for my presence as it faded from view...

My companion was now waiting in the truck, I climbed back into the cab and mentioned traveling a little further down an adjacent spur just to quickly  ‘see where the road goes’. 

We did, passing a sign elaborating its designation as a National Preserve. We read the description. My heart soared. And, I floated the possibility of returning the next day even as skies grew darker, colder. No interest. Just another place on the map. Nothing to see here. Nature. It was everywhere. Boring.

We then returned to the highway and turned away from its exit. I sat silently heartbroken, longing... knowing I may never again have an opportunity to return.

Suddenly the looming faces of two Forest Guardians appeared opposite one another in the still-visible clouds overhead...

One to my right - a female elder, appearing stern and harshly skeptical. Perhaps even more disappointed than I in my yielding to another’s preoccupation with the garden. But the drive had taken longer than expected and plans had already been advanced to drive home that evening. The declared destination had been attended.

How ever events would unfold, I was too fatigued of spirit for a lengthy and specific ‘justification’ used only to judge and falsely frame something so precious which I had so quietly hoped to actuate. Such veiled and indifferent conversation advanced toward theoretic resolution was a tactic I was accustomed to. I’d learned, even as a child, to simply conceal and nurture such objectives from and exclusively within, even among many I may be closest to.

The other Forest Guardian - the male, who first greeted me at the entrance to the valley - was emotionally neutral, simply affirming his presence… but in doing so, he quietly reminded me of the existence and importance of unexpected but very real substance, how ever demure, how ever elusive… substantive phenomena shared.

Had these two Guardians invited me here, hours and miles ago? I began to think so.

It would be two hours to another hotel and overnight stay. Responsibilities, schedules, expectations… and very little if any honest regard for my heady notions of time and space and shared elevation of community, hope, understanding, prayer. Little to no recognition of my sense of urgency or need. No value would be given toward the meeting with the Native Elder who had with full spirit and faith understood and invested her own hope.

Had I persisted, it would have been no more than a farcical indulgence. A placating. A diminishment. A personal and far more broadly-leveled insult to greater intentions… and not just my own. How could I persist?

I’d lost the opportunity. I didn’t have it in me to again endlessly advocate for something so poorly regarded, misunderstood and ultimately dismissed. I was years-on emotionally depleted, and therefore also quite physically so. It was too much to present and defend in the required detail and context.

My Elder friend from the valley’s entrance… I’d let her down. Unable to deliver her message. Unable to recognize in time... to correlate, locate and join this space which had at last been more fully revealed and now stood beckoning as the true path and conclusion to this journey.

Sinking failure and an Invitation

We traveled quietly though hastily through the valley… I, mired in a deep and sinking feeling of failure while requesting we slow in our descent through the mountains. Among other concerns, there was so much I yet wanted to absorb.

I pondered the depth of failing the Elder who had so greatly helped me forward and who had offered such an urgent message for Gaia's Guardians. For Gaia herself.

I had failed them all.

This place was still calling me. Not wanting to let me go.

Calling so loudly. Calling so strongly.

I... not wanting to leave.

But I was leaving. Feeling ushered.

Again, passing by the burned, scarred mountains and sailing smoothly toward town and beneath a clearing twilight sky, I looked hard and longingly out of the truck window, quite surprised, quietly excited and deeply humbled to suddenly see two huge white clouds in the shape of perfectly and equally proportioned hearts positioned at eye level, directly across from one another on either side of the truck.

I kept my notice of them to myself. But… had help in deciding that advocacy was worth any possibility of dismissive rebuttal. Conditions coalescing…

A Gifted Return

It is now tomorrow, and I have returned to the valley...

I welcome a new dawn on this journey... with the state of Water... the fate of Water weighing on my mind...

...my affinity for the life of Water, alive and light within me.

The spirit of the Crystal River a part of me.

It is Water that will attenuate, facilitate and mediate this journey...

In course, in current.

Connected...

Closer to Destination

A stormy sky of hearts and spirals greet my arrival so distant in miles from my destination, and I am deeply humbled... deeply honored...

Mutuality charged, awaiting conscious projections...

So much more than a tiny garden now awaits as I travel this distant fringe - soon to rest very still upon our living soil graced by a sea above, buoyed and nourished by a sea beneath...

moved in turn and cosmically attuned.

It is true garden, it is valley, it is river and basin...Gaia and her Guardians...

Spiral and Sphere...

Honoring Gifts Given

I re-entered the valley with renewed purpose, appreciation and genuine awe at the magnificence of the broader reality I'd received over the past ten weeks. Phenomena which had enriched my life so greatly... a lifetime already gifted with aspects, experiences and insight into our stunning and complex metaphysical surrounds. More richly beautiful and abundant than many choose ever to see or to sense. Gifts entrusted to my character which leave me still without adequate expression. Stirring revelations of our cosmos. True and further, clearer sight, though I am so deeply and completely thankful and humbled, it is often blurred by unbound tears.

I am mere page and messenger.

 

Arrival At True Destination

Standing on the paved parking lot and peering through rough, brushy surrounds, I stood instinctively preparing my spirit on the fringe of this parched and crystal plain, itself flanked by wildcast monuments to and from the stars... our own star, that moment, engulfing our planet in rushing magnetic ionic currents... our moon half in shadow - at once seeing and waiting... drawing me gently closer to her light.

My feet washed with brought water. Hands doused in the same. Seven sips honoring all sacred directions... cradling all sacred life past present future, large and small... myself a part of and following clues to a trail first illuminated eighteen very long... and so few years ago. Now, further revealed.

I had been only peripherally aware of the extended reach; but the components were now coming into greater focus and illuminating a much larger, distant view coursing through. A glimpse. A fragment suspended in time. All so fleeting and charged.

I, a living antenna... reciprocal... recipient. Conductive.

Water.

I trekked barefoot toward the dunes, pausing at her vital edge shaded with communal flora.

Where was the water within the soft, warm, yielding sand?

Was it still present? Had it long left the radiant desert swales?

Beside me, a kindred spirit called. And the Willow reached for me in the breeze.

Willow knew.

Willow reached the water deep, and held it to the sky. Willow would help me deliver my message to the Spirit of the Water gently folding me within waves of invisible vapor, Gaia's breath, graciously lending me my own.

I held Willow's slender cane, thankful for her kind kinship and guidance...

Her long, graceful, narrow leaves fluttered pliant in a sudden gust...

Then I spoke to all I knew had brought me here. To all I knew were listening...

A Rebeginning of Giving and Asking and Praying

There at the fringe of desert I stood, still detecting the cool dampness of sand underfoot from the water I had brought to offer.

I held Willow lightly, and thanked our Earth and all conjunctive forces within and beyond for the natural, living, vibrant and life-giving matrix that sustains all and will continue to sustain its many iterations across time.

I prayed for continuity of self-determined vitality, for our living, breathing Earth... I prayed with and for her that she may continue to nurture Life abundant, diverse, co-evolved and co-dependent across her cycles of wholistic regeneration... in gracious partnership with Sun, Moon and Cosmos ethereal.

To what I can characterize only as a broadly unified, benevolent and life-perpetuating consciousness, I then prepared to silently ask what spontaneously emerged as a series of four questions...

Knowing the responses would be - as they have always been - immediate, direct, brief and succinct while leaving me the great challenge of determining both context offered to me as well as refining my own context in asking, and further interpreting potential meaning across a timeframe unclear...

Revealed to my heart was an understanding that we unequivocally should rescue and care for our Water. To care for Water is to care for Life.

Certainly, we should try.

Success at this stage, however - with nano plastics and synthetic chemical pollutants abounding above ground, underground, in the sky, and interwoven within natural broad Life biologies encompassing brain and fetus, such possibilities may be quite complex in task, in outcome, and perhaps even in Water's very structure, which may become incompatible with current Life on Earth.

If we fail, what remains of Water will recede deep into Earth's interior; and, if given a future opportunity concurrent with hospitable conditions, could take millennia to recover in its currently recognized form.

With caught breath and a heavy heart, I offered deep gratitude for the patient and sage reply, hoping to bring the highest degree of accuracy to responses which have always provided a malleable yet ultimately clear insight relative to unfolding circumstances often not yet experienced, though connected across time, within every future cause and effect, encompassing innumerable possibilities - infinitesimal, buildable, dissolvable... like the bonds of Water itself.

I then shared the message of my friend and Native Elder... and for her, asked for humanity's help. I could not know that reply, as it was for her on behalf of humanity and our planet; and, as it was deeply sincere, I knew she would hear that reply in her heart... hopefully, all Life recipient of her great intention.

We don't always know with certainly where we are meant to go or how we will get there. We can only know what is in our heart and follow the values we nurture, as they will lead us where we are meant to go... our imperfections forgiven in that earnest, thankful quest for benevolence and truth.

The Long and Lingering After…

That day helped initiate the 'try'. There must always be recognition, acknowledgment, appreciation, first steps toward benevolent engagement. Humility. Gratitude. Faith.

Willow knew and graciously taught me where Water had already gone.

Willow demonstrated abiding faith that Water would come again.

They are one...

And, in its interconnected family of shrubs, their leaves collecting dew, their roots reaching deep and lacing across... just beneath the surface of shifting Sand - itself the living embodiment of also living Atmosphere, Rain, Wind, Darkness, Light and Time - Willow offered shelter and shade to a wild Rose nestled within its rustling canes... offered community, wisdom and encouragement to the Cottonwood, the Pine and Sage.

Wild Water, Willow and Dune…

Further toward the Mountains, each species climbed higher, holding onto one another, inviting Beetle, Bird, Fox and Deer... reaching with courage and faith that, for all, in their sustainable measure, Water would come...

And in that want and in that will, within that natural balance, Water rewards belonging to Each and to the Other.

Overwhelmed by the grace I'd been given, heartened and fortified by the embrace of truth and faith shared intimately among us, I again offered my gratitude and humility.

I looked up into the vast field of clear blue sky to see the same Forest Guardian which had originally come to greet me at the valley's entrance.

Now, he was peeking out at me from a small, nearby bank of dense cloud, and deeply expressing his gratitude. The elder female across the way… still skeptical, seemed also to, in her way, approve.

It was very nearly more than I... so incredibly humbled, could bear.

At that moment and forming directly overhead... lasting at least half an hour maybe more... a graceful unfurling of threads of swirling Vapor rapidly casting Heart after Heart after Heart...

...tiny Hearts, large Hearts, transparent, opaque, outlined, scrolled, imprinted on others, connected, loose and drifting...

...hundreds and hundreds...

...hundreds of Hearts...

I could neither count nor regard them all, as they simply manifest and dissipated as thin and fast as a winter's breath scattered across a clear blue summer sky.

Scattered and lifting from within.

Love ethereal, reciprocal, eternal.

I've always received in my heart, but I've never knowingly been gifted such a breadth of visual sky display as I've been gifted in the past several months.

I believe I continue to be so honored because it is certain I will forever in turn gift all that I am gifted.

---

Text and Image (C) 2024 Lisa Bracken - All Rights Reserved

Image Titled: “Wild Water, Willow and Dune” is from the actual event.