I’ve been living in California for close to 27 years – and I just made my first visit to Yosemite…
The power of the water…coursing all around…is like a massive spiritual baptism. What a place!
I’ve heard tell about those valleys with some type of harmonic convergence or spiritual nexus, and I’ve-visited-a-couple: Ojai, naturally (because it is so close by); and, Sedona in Arizona – also an amazing place. And, now that I come to think about it – Ojai did manage to release my inner demon (which I managed to see in the mirror). He (at least I think it was a he) – was rather breathtaking and impressive as I stared at him in the mirror (I certainly didn’t recognize myself!). And the other time I caught this demon-in-the-mirror was after one of HG’s open mic nights at some fashion store in West Hollywood: I’d sat in with some pretty spiritual musicians and definitely took off…in the wee-wee hours of the morning (a nod to Professor Longhair), I remember reciting some Fish:
And everyone looks at everyone’s faces
Searching for signs and praying for traces
Of a conscience in resonance
I’ll be sitting on a barbed-wire fence
Racing the clouds home
That time, however, the demonic face didn’t scare me – as I’d seen him once before.
I haven’t seen this demon in quite awhile – but I’m sure he/it takes me over when I get into my piano reveries – as I will literally play for 30 minutes – and come back to earth thinking that I’d played for only-a-couple (of minutes). I have a funny feeling, however, that Yosemite brought him out (even though I didn’t see him) – as HG said that my face looked very different upon my return. Which reminds me a bit of Peter Gabriel (whom HG is getting into these days!):
I’d swear I saw your face change; it didn’t seem quite right
But Yosemite DOES bring something out in One – the air and ground are electric: the power of the earth, air and water — courses through every bit of it. Those giant sequoias tell you that there is definitely something in the water!
Did I win by chance at the local casino? Did I catch my first trout by accident?? And, did I catch a stellar sunset (after catching the trout and winning at the casino) by mere happenstance??? I don’t know – but it seemed as if some unconscious, underground Me just said: sit back and enjoy the ride…and I seem to be letting this occur these “daze”…
Many years ago – my co-therapist (who loved mixing astrology into her psychotherapy [not ours]) did an astrological “chart” on me that suggested I stay VERY close to water (I am a Cancer after all). Water, she went on to say, energized me – and staying too far away from it for too long – would lead to depression. She was right!
So Yosemite was a baptism for me after all, as I basked in the seething web of energy that makes up that magical space. I do believe Yosemite pushed almost all the toxins out of my system – except for one goddamn spot – my nose! I think the remaining rosecea mites decided to make a last stand in my nose – and Man, what a fierce stand they made (more on this in my next installment)…