May: Relationship With What Is Growing



Hello Reader,

The quiet promise of early spring has become visible, undeniable growth. What began as tender shoots is now stretching toward fullness – leaves widening, stems strengthening, roots reaching deeper into the soil. The land is no longer asking if it will grow; it is actively becoming. This is a time when energy moves outward, when life expresses itself with a kind of natural confidence.

With this expansion comes a different kind of responsibility. In the garden, this is the season of thinning, guiding, and supporting – to give new growth the space and structure it needs to thrive. Too many seedlings crowded together will compete and weaken. Growth, when honored, sometimes requires letting go of what cannot be sustained so that what remains can flourish fully.

The month of May invites us into relationship with our own unfolding. What is growing in your life right now? Where are you being asked to support that growth – through attention, boundaries, or choice? The emphasis is now on the strengthening of something already underway. The invitation is to participate consciously, to trust the vitality present, and to shape it with care.

Suggested Practice

Spend time identifying one area of your life that is actively growing. Gently “thin” your attention by releasing one distraction, obligation, or pattern that competes with it. Then offer simple, steady support – time, energy, or presence – as you would water and tend a thriving plant.

Thoughts for Reflection

  • What in my life is clearly growing, even if I have not fully acknowledged it?
  • Where might I need to release something so that this growth can strengthen?
  • What does it feel like to trust the momentum already in motion?

Please be kind to yourself and others. These are difficult times.

Featured Workshops & Events

It was great to take a month to renew, refresh and re-vision my workshop and class offerings for the next few months. I have re-visioned and redesigned the May 23 workshop to be forward focused to re-imagining how we might meet the challenges of weaving a safe and supporting sacred community together. Please take a look and let me know if you can attend.

Here are the in-person workshops and events scheduled in May. If you are in the Austin area, please make sure you are on that list for special announcements!

Shamanic Journeying

May 17 ~ 1:00-2:15pm
Anahata Yoga Sanctuary Studio
13435 US Hwy 183, Austin, TX 78750
Events and Registration

An experiential introduction to the shamanic journey, an ancient practice of communication with personal Spirit & Animal Guides.

• The Shamanic Worldview
• Entering Non-ordinary Reality
• The Gifts of Rhythm & Imagination
• Spirit Guides & Power Animals
• The Shamanic Journey

Weaving A New World:
Evolution of Community

May 23 ~ 1:00-5:00pm
Shamanic Passages Office
3004 S 1st Street, Austin TX 78704
Online information and Registration

We are now given an opportunity to approach the end of an old worldview with new eyes, new hearts, and new tools.

The focus of this workshop is to create a safe and supportive visioning space to rethink, re-imagine, and reweave – to tune in to a new, heart- and spirit-centered view of the future. Together we can create introspective downtime together to dream anew what comes next for ourselves and our communities.


The Journey of Personal Evolution

The intention for my Journey of Personal Evolution blog articles is to offer readers ideas and support for navigating the challenges and demands of living from heart and spirit in these challenging times. Rather than to spin up into fear and helplessness, people better serve healing and evolution by taking care of themselves, their families, and their communities.

Current Focus: Recent articles are focusing on how to create and nurture Alive and Thriving Relationships, including a new section devoted to those articles.

I am also curious about how to view artificial intelligence from a shamanic point of view. This is leading to some very interesting observations and suggestions how to remain grounded while exploring the benefits and drawbacks of this powerful research tool.

If you have not subscribed, I encourage you to take a look at the latest articles there.

With appreciation and respect, Reader. I hope to connect with you soon.

Gerry

Gerry C Starnes, M.Ed.
Author, Teacher, Personal Development Guide
www.GerryStarnes.com
The Shamanic Passages Institute
The Journey of Personal Evolution

Consider connecting with the Shamanic Community of Austin. We offer regular live and virtual shamanic journey circles and other events.

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Shamanic Passages | Gerry Starnes, M.Ed.

30+ years shamanic practitioner and teacher • Weaver of spiritual practice into Life and Relationships • Best-selling author, award-winning books, videos, podcast • In-person and virtual classes and workshops • Subscribe for monthly inspirations

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