There are moments in life when we realise just how blessed we are to be here. When the noise of everyday life quietens for a while, and our perception changes. We become aware of the ‘something else’ at work behind all our goings on. Words: Natalie Fee
As I sit on my sofa, with the author Glennie Kindred opposite me, I feel myself enter one of these moments.
Glennie’s influence on my life, although subtle, has been profound. I first came across her work when I bought myself a copy of Sacred Celebrations: A Sourcebook, the third of her twelve books. My first ever Hallow’s Eve ceremony to mark 31st October was a home-grown affair as laid out so encouragingly in her book. It was Glennie who introduced me to the importance of darkness; something which up until then I’d actively avoided at all costs. As the years passed I would turn to Glennie’s wisdom on the Celtic cross-quarters; the festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane and Lammas. It was through her sharing of experience and skills that I developed a more attuned heart to nature’s cycles – and I know many others who’ve benefited in similar ways.
And now, sitting in my lounge in Somerset, with the rain pouring down, I find her presence equally engaging. Not through any ‘thing’ that she’s doing or saying, but in her simple presence of being. I was inspired to interview Glennie when I heard she was finishing her latest book, Elements of Change’. I was keen to hear about her next offering; a deeper look into the elements and how we can use them as vehicles for positive change. But first I wanted to know more about her life; her inspirations, celebrations and artistic creations
How has being a mother inspired your journey?
Well I’ve been parenting now for 52 years, so you could say it’s been a constant source of inspiration – I’ve loved my parenting journey. Looking back I can see how important my first son’s influence was; he made me slow down. I’d moved from the city to a commune, back in the sixties, and we’d often all go out for walks. But we never kept up with them. We’d be looking at every little detail along the way – the plants, insects, hedges and herbs. Slowing down was a gift to me – and it was those walks that sparked my learning and love of herbs and plants.
So did your children grow up with a similar love? Or did they do the opposite to you and go from country to city?
I’m sure whatever you’re excited about gets transferred to your children. They love plants as much as I do, and Brian (Glennie’s partner) inspired their love of nature. It’s been a constant part of our lives!
And in the midst of child-raising, you still managed to find the time for your art and creative expressions?
I was an embroiderer and painter before the babies came along, but when they did I couldn’t keep it all up. I then had the idea of painting in black and white – so they could be photocopied! A great idea which served me really well – only now I’m delighting in the return to glorious colour! No more black and white!
What about your love of ceremony and nature’s cycles – how did that express itself in family life?
It was just what we did. We got good at ‘having a moment’ – things like taking time to light a candle and give blessings on the meal. ‘Let’s have a moment’ became our way of saying ‘let’s connect’. But I was also really keen to do stuff with others, especially around the Celtic festivals, so I put an ad in the local bookshop to form a celebrations group. That was where the inspiration came from for my book Sacred Celebrations. And I think out of all of it – out of all the things you can do together in a ceremony – the simple act of forming a circle, of holding hands and thanking the elements is the most precious. And it’s so easy to get the kids involved in that. Oh, and doing some kind of craft activity. That always connects and grounds the group – and the kids love it!
How do you think your own kids benefited from having been raised with ceremony as a part of their everyday life?
It’s been part of helping them connect to the earth – so they’re very grounded people. It’s helped slow them down – or maintain their natural sense of going slow that they had as children. For example we used to (and still do!) create a shrine in the middle of the circle and light candles. It was simple but so engaging for the children. Despite having written books on it, I’m not really one for planning a ceremony! Just to ‘have a moment’ with each other. Not filling all the moments in with chatting and doing.
So what’s your advice for parents wanting to bring more of these ‘moments’ into their everyday lives?
I think it’s just that – to make space for having a moment. Go outside and find the magical places. The hidden parts of the garden, the woods and the streams. Even if you’re in the city you can always find the wild. Back-alleys can be great places for that! As for ceremonies, they can be as simple as lighting a candle and giving thanks for the elements. I like to start with earth, to bring us out of our heads and ground; to send our roots down. It doesn’t have to be a big, grand thing. I’m not one for pomp and formality! It just is – we give thanks, our hearts open in gratitude, and we’re in a different place. A more loving place!
It was a real privilege to be one of the first readers of your new book. I loved the way it increased my awareness of each of the elements – as well as my appreciation for them!
Yes! It does doesn’t it? And I really feel it’s the most important part of any ceremony – giving thanks to the elements. Because without them, we don’t exist! And as soon as we give thanks out hearts open – our generosity of spirit is such a great force. But the book isn’t just about the elements, it’s about us, in this period of change. I see the crucial part of this change is our basic perception of ourselves as inter-connected and united to the whole of life. We are the elements. No longer do I ‘call in’ the elements when I’m holding a ceremony – I recognise I am the elements! This body; this breath. We have to change our thinking from this separation to the consciousness of our unity. I’ve had to work to change my thinking. And still am! I have to notice when I’m separating myself.
How do you notice when you’ve disconnected from that awareness of yourself as part of the whole?
It’s a heart thing! Our hearts are a great organ of perception. As soon as we slow down and drop out of the brain we can feel what’s going on. We can feel our disconnection and we can feel the threads connecting us to the whole. We can look to our children to remind us how to do that; they still perceive the world through their feelings.
You talk about connecting in Elements of Change - it’s great to be reminded of how instrumental the elements are in this process!
I really felt it important to do this – to give ways of connecting with the elements within and without. In the book we look at things like the simple act of drinking a glass of water, to taking a shower, through to visiting springs and appreciating the rain! When we look at fire, as well as focusing on the fire we all know and recognise in a flame and the sun, we also take in the qualities of the fire in our projects, our direction and our choices.
What’s your favourite tip for applying this wisdom to a stressful moment?
It has to be grounding. Put your roots into the earth. Connect. Take a moment. It needn’t be more than a minute. But you need to make that conscious choice; it always comes down to making that choice.
I loved the suggestion in your book to make a set of element stones. It’s quite unlike any other form of divination I’ve come across – in that it’s very much down to the individual how one interprets them.
I got my inspiration from the old practice of ‘throwing the bones’ for the element stones. There were no rules with that other than how you interpret it. There was no-one telling you what things mean. The element stones are a follow-on from The Alchemist’s Journey, I wanted to continue a connection to the elements and the alchemical symbolism – going deeper with how they relate to both the inner and outer worlds. There is a little page of messages though, more for inspiration than for fixed ideas! They’re also great for busy parents. No need to do a full ‘throw’ of the whole set, you can just pick one when you need to!
I’m looking forward to making my own set! And of course to seeing your book in print. Are we to see the return of the beautiful ‘Glennie-Style’ hand-written book this time?
Yes. All written by hand, with a fountain pen this time. My calligraphy pens weren’t playing ball this time so I decided to do it all with my favourite fountain pen. And it’s all printed locally. Very much a home-grown publication. In fact that seems to be the theme for this time of my life. I’m doing things closer to home, only working within a 50 mile radius and getting involved in my local Transition Town group. And of course there’s my other baby, the Earth Pathways Diary. I love it so much! It really is for us; for anyone who loves nature, spirit and creativity. I suppose it’s just another way to inspire ‘taking a moment’ in daily life.
And inspire magical moments she does. I’ve not told Glennie this yet, but during our conversation I noticed a particularly magical moment unfolding. I don’t remember at what point in our conversation this occurred, only that it was a moment I’ll not forget. As I sat taking notes, nodding enthusiastically and trying to remember to ask ‘good’ questions, my perception shifted. For a moment. For a moment I saw something other than the everyday scene of two women sat chatting in the lounge over a cup of tea. Glennie seemed to transform into an embodiment of nature; her eyes were sparking like firecrackers, her hair took on a leafy, twiggy form. She was no longer Glennie, but a spirit of nature, expressing her love and wisdom through a divinely human body. I gently put my pen down, not wanting to stop Glennie’s flow by interrupting her, nor did I feel the need to keep writing. Instead I did what she had been talking about; I took a moment. I bowed my head, and gave thanks to this beautiful spirit.
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READ All of Glennie's books!
The Alchemist’s Journey: Tapping into Natural Forces for Transformation and Change
Herbal Healers: Ancient Wizdom
Sacred Celebrations: A Sourcebook
The Tree Ogham
Earth Wisdom: A Heartwarming Mixture of the Spiritual, the Practical, and the Proactive
Creating Ceremony
The Earth’s Cycle of Celebration
Sacred Tree
A Hedgerow Cookbook
Elements of Change
