When we moved from the Boston area to the rural Abiquiu/Youngsville area in northern New Mexico in 2011, I eventually created an eleven-fold labyrinth with the gorgeous colorful rocks found in the area. It took two years hiking the land to gather the rocks and an entire summer to build the labyrinth under the protection of the sacred mountain Cerro Pedernal. I felt I was creating a sanctuary in front of my home. The labyrinth became the most consistent spiritual tool for my spiritual journey. And it became the metaphor for the heroine’s mystical path that I wrote about in my book, Life is a Song of Love, a Woman’s Spiritual Journey of the Heart and Womb.
My brother and husband Rick died a little over two years ago. The first Christmas without Rick was celebrated at home with my two adult children, Sarah and Tyler. We decided this past Christmas to drive to San Carlos Bay, Mexico for a change in scenery and to be by the ocean—hoping this would help with our sadness. After dropping Tyler at the airport to return to Portland ME, Sarah and I arrived home to be welcomed by a herd of cattle (around 12 cows) wandering around our land and stomping their way through my labyrinth. There were cow patties everywhere and damage to my labyrinth. I was not happy.
New Mexico is a free-range state. This means if the fence that keeps cows out is damaged, cows can find their way onto another’s property. It’s the property owner’s responsibioity to fix the fence not the owner of the cows. It was several days before I found someone who could repair the fence. I tried to direct the cows to go around the labyrinth but they kept coming back and I kept repairing the labyrinth and getting more upset about the destruction.
One day I noticed that the cows had knocked over the altar we created at the south end of the labyrinth to honor Rick. I lay down in the labyrinth and cried. As I began to calm down, I heard that still small voice within say, “Sally the labyrinth is your symbol of sanctuary. The sanctuary of your heart can’t be destroyed.” Of course, I thought, nothing can destroy what is held in my heart. I felt immediately at peace for the first time since I came home and discovered the cows. With this awareness my sense of humor returned and I realized that it was actually funny to say there are cows in my labyrinth.
Before the fence could be permanently fixed I needed to herd the cows back over the damaged fence. I’m familiar with cows having spent many childhood vacations at a family ranch in Arkansas. They are not easy to herd as they have a tendency to scatter in different directions. Two hiking friends came over to help find where the fence was down. While walking we noticed the cows beginning to congregate and walk in the same direction, so we followed. They all led us to where the fence was damaged and with a little verbal shooing the cows went over the downed fence. We hastily came up with a temporary fix for the fence. I felt the presence of divine intervention now that I was back in my heart.
These are chaotic times of conflict with governments all over the world. Especially in the US, we see Trump taking a wrecking ball to democracy and people’s freedoms. When I’m in my heart I know that everything created within separation consciousness has to be dismantled in order for the new age of Aquarius or golden age on earth to be created. I’m learning to vibrate with this loving energy that pours from the sanctuary of my heart. All of us are being called to consistently live within our hearts. We are in the midst of the great tuning or turning to love as more and more people begin to reside in the sanctuaries of their hearts.
All of us are grieving so many losses through war and conflict, as well as friends and family that have passed. Grief has cleared me out and the lesson is the gift of self-love. I’m still learning to trust abiding in the sanctuary of my heart. Some days are easier than others. Some days just getting out of bed and starting my day is a struggle. I don’t watch the news but somehow the destruction and hardship of so many people leaks through the emails and social media. When I return to my heart I feel connected, grateful, in harmony with my heart song. My heart breaks and then opens more. I continue to do my inner work of self-love so I can shine light in the darkness, hold faith that we are creating the new earth, and abide with infinite patience knowing all will be well. I feel the new earth rising with compassion and harmony for all living things.
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