breathofgreenair

Walking in Storm Clouds

Posted on August 3, 2013 by greenmackenzie

Storm cloud over Skateraw, East Lothian, Scotland

The warm stillness of the day had gathered in my bones, and I felt the urge to walk it out. I needed space, movement and freshness so I headed for the coast. The sky was filled with patches of white clouds and blue sunshine, suspended in a lively breeze, but the breath of this breeze was warm and humid. It gathered on my skin in moist pools as I walked, and the clouds above mirrored this gathering, closing in around the edges of the sky. The further I walked the fuller the sky became, and the day lost it’s breath into the heart of a summer storm.

Storm over Barn Ness lighthouse, East Lothian, Scotland

A pool of sunlight clung to me as I walked out along the coast amid thunder and lightning. Rain fell in dark sheets to either side of me, bouncing and filtering the sunlight into beautiful highlights. The white limestone rocks, and the white tower of the lighthouse drew the light.

Storm over Skateraw, East Lothian, Scotland

The light and energy of the storm rolled and wove itself between earth sky, foreshadowing and foretelling drama to come. A small part of me wondered if I should head back to the car, but it was all to beautiful to miss. I felt wild and free as the wind picked up, pulling at my hair and clothes, beneath the gathering storm.

Gathering storm, Barn Ness Lighthouse

I reached the lighthouse, it’s stone towering up into the clouds, unmoved by the passing storm. It’s light has been warning ships, away from the sharp stone reefs littering this stretch of coast, for over 100 years. It barely noticed the passing drama of this summer storm, as the clouds rolled past.

Golden grass in storm cloud

I turned and headed back towards the car, and the heart of the storm clouds. The sun stayed with me, lighting the golden grass as it rippled in the thunderous air.

Path into storm cloud, East Lothian

The path led me into the dark clouds and the wild energy of the storm, and I felt free.

Not a drop of rain fell on me as a walked among the storm clouds. It made me think about the way we think we know what’s going to follow on from the foreshadowing signs arounds us. We often act and make decisions based on the things we see and notice in front of us. Yet often we are wrong, and we miss out on unexpected delights because we were so sure that we knew what was coming.
Staying open in the face of a potential storm can be a challenge, but I would have missed out on this wonderful energising walk if had listened to my predictive brain. I would have headed back to the car and missed the whole amazing one time only show which unfolded around me.

When storm clouds start to roll into the horizons of life, try to stay open to the reality which is unfolding, rather than tumbling into predicting with certainty, and shutting off from the event. It might surprise you in unexpected ways……but only if you are open enough to allow it.

Click on any image to see it enlarged in all its glory with more detail.
See more photos depicting foreboding at the weekly photo challenge.

Posted in change, elemental, green walks, mindfulness, nature photo, philosophy, photos, spiritual, thoughts, weekly photo challenge | Tagged elemental, life, mindfulness, nature, philosophy, photography, postaday, spiritual, storms | 56 Comments

The stitching of earth

Posted on July 31, 2013 by greenmackenzie

Ocean blue reflecting upwards into eternal sky,
Silent cloud threads stitched into summer silk,
By earths piercing green needles.

Posted in elemental, mindfulness, nature photo, philosophy, photos, poem, relaxation, spiritual, thoughts, verse | Tagged elemental, Haiku, mindfulness, nature, photography, poetry, relaxation, scotland, spiritual | 25 Comments

Thundering Pool

Posted on July 29, 2013 by greenmackenzie

Tucked away in a northern corner of Northumberland lies the atmospheric Roughting Linn. The name has Gaelic roots, meaning thundering pool, and it has an undoubtedly mystical atmosphere. The path tumbles down almost unseen, from a farm track, through a cluster of beech trees. Their roots form a spiral stair down the earth banks into the sheltered shadowy dell, and their bark is carved with centuries of lovers wishes.

Dappled pools of green light drift in shifting patterns across the path, confusing the eye, and the air is filled with bird song. Sensuous delights spill from every branch and root, loosening the grip of reality, softening us into this otherworldly space. We descend with bated breath.

A rock guardian watches closely as we stumble past his wooden antlers. He is wreathed in summer green, which softens his hard edges, and we pass unscathed.

The stillness of the air slows down our hearts, and we begin to feel the leisurely pulse of the earth. Ahead a grove of oaks creep and prance along the path, forming living arches through which we must pass. Their limbs seem to stretch down towards us and the landscape closes in all around. A swarm of flies rises up and swirls buzzing around our heads, challenging us to dare to pass. An unseen curse to keep away the unworthy.

Our hearts quicken as we pass out from the final oak guard, who bows gracefully, as we turn the corner into the glittering shade of the pool and its waterfall.

Here in the cool shadows, watched by the wrinkled rocks, we can offer up our prayer. All the senses are distorted, heightened and dulled, lulled away by the fairy linn and its thundering water.

Posted in ancient history, ancient sites, Celtic, elemental, history, nature photo, photos, spiritual, unconscious | Tagged ancient history, elemental, fairy, magic, nature, Northumberland, photography, spiritual, waterfall | 52 Comments

Mountainous Masterpiece

Posted on July 27, 2013 by greenmackenzie

Storr Ridge, Isle of Skye

There’s a place on the north easterly tip of the Isle of Skye, where the rocks of the earth have been chiseled and carved into astonishing peaks and crags. Nature had been practising and improving as she moved ever northwards, chipping the stone into increasingly sharp peaks, and here she has created a masterpiece.

Fading Light, Storr Ridge, Trotternish

As the sun drops mist swirls onto the lower slopes, creating sharp lines and shadows in the air behind the rocks. An otherworldly feel rises from the ground, and the rocks themselves seem to dissolve in receding layers towards the light filled sky.

Golden Steps, Storr Ridge, Skye

Golden light illuminates a staircase thrown into being from roots and rocks. Seemingly from nowhere the path ahead unfolds around the hills, and up towards the mist brushed crags. Anything could be watching us as we climb higher and higher away from the known world and into the land of blue shadows and unearthly shapes.

Halo Hill, Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye

Halo Hill, Storr, Isle of Skye

The air cools and fades, and as we walk deeper into the shadowy stillness our pounding hearts pushing us onwards. The sound and light play tricks in our minds, drawing shapes and shades to mirror the mountains and their hidden gods. The shadows of doubt and uncertainty are given flesh, and almost turn us back. Even the sky seems unreal in its impossible emptiness. We let go, realising that we know nothing, surrendering to this masterpiece of stone.

Summer View from Old Man of Storr, Skye

A jagged pyramid worships the falling sun, and the landscape below us is revealed in golden light. We know at least where we have come from.

Across Skye and Wester Ross from the Old Man of Storr

Laid out like the promised land, milk and honey pour through the gaps, nourishing the soft blanket of earth. From here we can see shapes and patterns hidden when we walk among them. Knowledge floods unbidden into our minds, and our souls and hearts are lifted in praise.

Evening at the Old Man of Storr, Skye

There ahead of us is the perfect pinnacle, the final flourish of this rock art masterpiece. The Old Man, silhouetted against heavenly blue. He watches us unmoved by our efforts, his magnetic pull leaves us yearning to touch him with our hands, and we are drawn up the last steps of this mystery. From here we are sure we could fly…..

Towards the Coulins from the Old Man of Storr, Isle of Skye

The Old Man of Storr is on the Trotternish peninsula on the Isle of Skye, in the Scottish Hebrides. In Gaelic it’s called Bodach an Storr, and is the highest point on the ridge, rising to 719m. It feels far removed from man and his small creations, a masterpiece of nature, which shifts and changes with every visit. The sky, the wind and the light play in eternal combinations around the jagged rocks. These photos were taken late on a stunningly clear and warm day at the very end of June 2013.

There are many stories and myths about this otherworldly place, but my favorite is that the Old Man Pinnacle is the petrified thumb of a long fallen Giant, whose bones lie beneath this landscape.
You can look at more masterpieces by clicking on the weekly photo challenge link.

Find out about walking the whole Trotternish Ridge here

Read about the myths and legends here

Posted in elemental, green walks, nature photo, philosophy, photos, spiritual, travel, weekly photo challenge | Tagged mountains, nature, photography, postaday, scotland, Skye, spiritual, travel, Trotternish, walk | 67 Comments

Eternal Cycles

Posted on July 25, 2013 by greenmackenzie

Sunset over wheat field – Scotland

We stood at the crossroads
Caught In the middle of twilight
Gazing across eternal Elysian Fields.

Full Moon at twilight – Scotland July 2013

The golden spell of the dying west
Countered by the silver moon
Grown plump and round

Wild grass at sunset

The grasses had drunk their fill of gold
Bowing to be released into change
Back towards the earth.

Full moon at twilight

While the moon drew water
Into every silver globe and sphere
Of flower and bud and seed.
Our breath broke the balance
The sun fell, the moon rose
And the cycle rolled on into eternity.

Posted in change, elemental, mindfulness, nature photo, philosophy, photos, poem, spiritual, verse | Tagged change, elemental, mindfulness, nature, philosophy, photography, poems, poetry, spiritual | 37 Comments

Raspberry Rippled

Posted on July 21, 2013 by greenmackenzie

Wheat fields ripen to raspberry ripples
The hot frayed edges of day unravel
Into the decaying suns light

Posted in elemental, nature photo, photos, poem, spiritual | Tagged fields, Haiku, mindfulness, nature, photography, poetry, spiritual, sunset | 29 Comments

Freshly Poured

Posted on July 20, 2013 by greenmackenzie

Roslin Glen rapids

As the sun turns up the temperature we all need access to fresh drinking water, and here in Scotland we have some of the worlds best quality water running freely through our rivers. Heading for a cooling riverside walk is a wonderful escape from the relentless blue skies. Just the sound of running water, and the sight and scent of damp green moss is usually enough to leave my senses feeling refreshed.

Roslin Glen rapids

Our ancestors knew the value of fresh clean water, and built their homes and settlements close to reliable supplies. With the rising culture of bottled water and piped water supplies in developed countries across the world, this close link with nature has often been lost or forgotten. I was astonished to read that only around 2.5% of all the earths water is fresh, and not all of that is accessible or clean. Once you remove the fresh water tied up in glaciers, snow and ice, and in the soil and rocks, there only 0.01% left in the form of accessible surface water. It really is a precious resource even in water rich countries like Scotland.

Water pool – Roslin Glen

These water filled rocky pools at Roslin are a wonderfully refreshing place to explore on a hot day. The stones are worn smooth by the passage of thousands of years of water, which glitters clear and sweet in the sunlight.

Rock arch to river – Roslin Glen

This cool shadowy passage cuts through the rocks, and steps have been added long ago leading down to a swirling pool in the River. It feels like a magical place where fortunes and luck might have been sought, where the river gods may have been consulted, and where the sweet waters might have been taken as a cure. Light and sound are reflected and bounced into strange patterns in this shady gorge, confusing the senses.

Water Groove Rock - Roslin Glen, Scotland

Water Groove Rock Channel

There are grooves, channels and cups, carved by the water, which invite a second look. These watery rocks seem to refresh not just the senses but the soul and spirit, putting us back into contact with the magic of the earth, and of nature. Resting here we are drawn out of ourselves and into the wider wonders of life pouring freshly through the rocks and soil of our planet. The miracle of fresh water on an orb of cooling rock, spinning through the stars and the unfathomable depths of space.

River Esk Waterfall

Find more refreshingly fresh photos at the weekly photo challenge.
The name Roslin is derived from two Gaelic words. Ross meaning rocky outcrop, and linn meaning waterfall or pool. My translation would be rocky pools, based on the geography. There are Neolithic carvings in the caves of this gorge, so we know people have been drawn here to these atmospheric waters for a long time.

Posted in ancient history, ancient sites, Celtic, elemental, history, mindfulness, nature photo, photos, relaxation, spiritual, weekly photo challenge | Tagged ancient history, Celtic, fresh water, mindfulness, nature, photography, postaday, scotland, spiritual, water pools | 67 Comments

Shoreline Textures

Posted on July 17, 2013 by greenmackenzie

An unbelievable array of textures greeted me at the shoreline. The wind had whipped the sky clean of all but a few whispy clouds, only their memories lingered. In the distance new clouds were already mysteriously bubbling into existence, seemingly from the land itself. The sea was pulled into white tipped lines, rippling back towards the horizon. Meanwhile the sand had been recently licked smooth by the receding tide, and higher back it had been churned by a hundred excited feet. Even the sea grass was windswept and tousled, looking as though a good brush through might restore order. What a delight for the senses.
Texture adds detail and depth which can pull us into experience with our eyes and hearts wide open. Once there it can hold our attention for hours as we drink it all in, and release all our whirling thoughts into the windswept coast.

Posted in mindfulness, nature photo, photos, relaxation, spiritual, thoughts | Tagged beach, gratitude, mindfulness, photography, relaxation, scotland, seaside, spiritual, Yellowcraig | 44 Comments

The Golden Gloaming

Posted on July 13, 2013 by greenmackenzie

Lining the Brae at the back of the croft are ancient trees, mostly Sycamores, but with a scattering of Oaks. They stand like guardians casting cooling shade across the track. Rolling away from the trees are the fertile strips of land which have fed the villagers of Plockton for generations. Caught in the soft golden light of the gloaming, the trees and the crops seem to be illuminated from within, the whole landscape shimmering with soft light.

Photographers around the world delight in the soft light of the golden hour, just after sunrise, and just before sunset. However this far north they are the golden hours, with the sunlight barely leaving the sky before it rises again in the morning. This twilight, or gloaming, casts a surreal inner glow across the land, creating a long liminal space between day and night. Neither one nor the other, this is a time caught between the normal rules of light and dark. This is a time where nothing is hard and fast, and truth itself has soft edges.

Late into the evening, maybe around 11 O’Clock, these trees were still humming. I sat with my back against a trunk and gazed up into the golden branches, filled with invisible bees. I could almost feel the vibration of the collective hum reverberate deep with my chest. The air around seemed to shimmer with the voices of a million wings singing into the slowly fading light.

In this space where the real and the unreal twist and weave their threads together, anything is possible. Nothing feels surprising, because from this in between space creativity bubbles out. The inside can be found on the outside, and the outside slides in between the gaps. It can feel like taking a bath in golden inspiration with myth and fairy tale feeling as real as science and numbers. As above so below, sing the birds, as the sky falls into water, and the grass climbs into the air.

Golden buttercups turn to milk
Folding sunlight inwards
Closing the door of day.

Find more photos of the Golden Hour at this weeks Photo Challenge

Posted in elemental, nature photo, philosophy, photos, poem, spiritual, weekly photo challenge | Tagged gloaming, Haiku, nature, photography, poetry, postaday, scotland, spiritual, summer | 50 Comments

Jumping for Joy

Posted on July 10, 2013 by greenmackenzie

Yesterday on the beach we had so much fun, running with the dogs, swimming in the sea, and then my son still had so much energy he was doing back flips and cartwheels for the sheer pleasure of moving. Summer had filled us up so full of joy that it came bubbling out through our bodies and into the world.

Mindfulness doesn’t always have to be about stillness and quiet, it’s all about focus. We can choose to focus on the sheer pleasure of using the muscles in our bodies to move through our day, and in this way bring a stilling of the thoughts. Our minds can become filled with the sensations of the actions and movements, letting go of over thinking. Shifting from thinking into experiencing.

The young among us can still throw wild and crazy shapes with their bodies, and the rest of us can remember how good it felt when we could move with this much freedom. This kind of joy in being alive is infectious, and even the dogs enjoyed watching. We can all jump for joy, within our own bodily limitations, at the one wonderful life we have been gifted. Don’t put off or delay the chance to enjoy the moment, because time has a way of creeping up unnoticed, bringing unwelcome companions like ageing in it wake.