Dear Friends, Poets and Sister Crones,
“To those who do not know the world is on fire, I have nothing to say.” ~ Bertolt Brecht
The news about the wildfires in Los Angeles yesterday touched me deeply, moving me this morning to take up my pen and write my first words of 2025. A hopeful little story follows …
“In the heart of the burning forest, an owl perched silently on a charred branch. Its eyes, glowing like embers, saw beyond the flames, beyond the destruction. It saw the promise of new life, the seeds waiting to sprout in the ashes. The fire roared, consuming the old, but the owl remained, a sentinel of wisdom, a beacon of hope.
From the depths of the forest emerged Sophia, the Great Mother, embodying the essence of wisdom. Her presence was a calming force amidst the chaos, Her eyes reflecting the ancient knowledge of the earth. She whispered to the owl, Her voice like the rustling of leaves, “In the dance of the flames, there is the eternal cycle of death and rebirth. Embrace the wild wisdom of the world, for from the ashes, new life will always rise.”
The owl, with its keen vision and ability to navigate the darkness, nodded in understanding. Together, they watched as the forest transformed, knowing that wisdom burns brightly in the wildfires of life, illuminating the path to renewal and growth.”
Blessings always,
Deborah
© Deborah Gregory 2025
Art by Christian Houge
Beautiful, inspiring piece. I love it! Thank you for being able to see through the devastation to rebirth and renewal. Jeanie 🙂
Thank you so much Jeanie for your beautiful, kind-hearted feedback my dear friend. In the words and wisdom of Leonard Cohen, “There’s a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” Sending you much love, light, healing and hope across the oceans between us, Deborah. ❤️
The wildfires are devastating to watch. Though I don’t live in California, it’s kept me up at night, worrying about the inhabitants and wildlife.
I’m sure there’s a reason, a lesson to be learned behind these wildfires. But for now, it’s hard to see that. It has brought communities together and shown the beauty of humanity.
Thank you for sharing your beautiful words.
Welcome to my poetry and Jungian thought blog Chanel. Thank you so much for your encouraging words. Indeed, when we watch the news and follow live broadcasts, all we see is suffering and grief. Suffering and the hope for better days ahead. Watching people support one another hopefully will help heal many local and global communities. After all, we’re all in this thing called ‘life’ together! Blessings always, Deborah.
True, my dear angel. Let’s Phoenix rise from the ashes!
A chattering crow lives now for nine generations of aged men,
but a stag’s life is four times that of a crow,
and a raven’s life makes three stags old,
while the Phoenix outlives nine Ravens,
but we, the rich-haired Nymphs,
daughters of Zeus, the aegis-holder,
outlive ten phoenixes.
Centaur Chiron to young hero Achilles
In pure synchronicity my dear friend, in my next book “Croneology” I’ve written at length about the archetype of the Wounded Healer (Chiron) so when I read these fragments just now … I knew I was on the right path! Thank you so much Aladin for your kind-hearted reply and sharing these wise precepts of Chiron. You have given me much to muse upon today … most especially the allegory of “Home”. In love, light and hope, Deborah.
I cannot imagine what it is like for the people who have lost everything in these devastating wild fires, it is almost unthinkable that this could happen in such a large city. My heart goes out to them for the losses they have suffered, not just the bricks and mortar as that can be rebuilt, but the small, sentimental and irreplaceable items of little monetary value that have burnt in the flames.
Yet many who have returned have found one or two of these sentimental items untouched by the fire and that is a foundation of hope for them to rebuild their lives. For me your story picks up on this hope Deborah, where there is wildfire small seeds lie below waiting to be reborn and through them the renewal takes place. Beautifully expressed Deborah, thank you. With love, Sophia.
Indeed, the shock and disbelief that these events took place this week continues to wash over me. It’s impossible for us to comprehend the immense destruction and heartache for thousands of people and beloved animals who lost everything in these wildfires. Oh, how the angels surely weep for the city of Los Angeles!
“Pearls, a power saw and a lawnmower toy” were this morning’s headlines from the BBC. I agree, small foundations (seeds) of hope to be built upon. Similar to the Owl resting on the charred branch, we watch the (metaphorical) forest burn before us, aware that the eternal cycle of life, death and rebirth will continue, no matter what.
As we hope, hope, hope beyond all hoping that those dispersed seeds below will someday, somehow awaken, sprout and grow. Thank you so much Sophia, I greatly appreciate your thoughtful reply. With love, light and hope, Deborah.
I’m with you, Deborah. Wildfires generate new life in the long run and are often necessary for a forest’s health. I agree we will eventually see wisdom and rebirth emerge from this death and destruction. Sophia is still here, although it’s hard to see and feel Her.
At the moment we listen to the anger of frightened people stirred up by D Tr**p who loves to make bad things worse and point fingers of blame. It’s a sad, sad moment with so much anger and accusation. I’m heart-broken and the fires are 3000 miles from me. I can’t imagine what it’s like to live in that world with smoldering trees, burning homes, fleeing animals with wild frightened eyes, and not a drop to drink or quench a fire. Sending love and trying to find hope in the midst of anguish. I honor you for writing a brave and beautiful poem and may there be rain and new life in our world.
Thank you so much Elaine for your thoughtful and reassuring reply! I must confess that my finger hovered over the publish button for some time as those devastating wildfires in Los Angeles are still burning, but I reminded myself that it is the soul task of the poet and Crone to be courageous and speak Truth when necessary. I note that the BBC is using the terrifying word ‘Armageddon’.
Sophia, the Great Mother, remains present, now more than ever I sense. Her return to us so slow, yet I continue to reassure myself that Her presence is increasing each day. In my little story, I was delighted when Sophia and the Owl encountered each other in the forest. Indeed, may the rains arrive and assist those brave fire-fighters battling these devastating wildfires on the ground.
Re D Tr**p, I’m pretty fed up with politics, worldwide, as the same old narratives persist … with too many greedy, power-hungry, aggressive men in positions of power, ‘ruling’ rather than ‘serving’ (thanks Susan!) us. I hope and pray for changes to occur so that the Divine Feminine (in women and men), will one day provide more balance in our world leaders. In love, light and hope, Deborah.