I am drawn to Grandmother Ocean, to the immediacy of connection at high tide, called by the energies she wants to share with me. To teach me of her unfathomable depths, her diurnal rhythms, her shifting moods, her playful exuberance. Ten minutes before high tide, I walk down the slight hill from our home onto the dirt road which turns east past at the corner. I look up and am once again stunned by the first view. The Ocean’s beauty surprises me even after these five years. Framed by wild rose bushes, the Ocean rises up beyond the opening. (See photograph on website opening page.)

The immediacy of high tide each day as the water is pushed higher, then drawn further out thrilling by the power. I feel joyous as my heart swells in awe. No two days are alike. Each day the tide is higher up the rocks than the day before or lower. Gradually, I begin to understand the internal rhythms of the ocean. I announce myself: “Great Spirits, It is I, Joy Anna Marie; I am here.” I acknowledge earth, Earth Mother; air, Sky Father; Fire, Grandfather Fire; and water, Grandmother Ocean.

As I go down over the rocks, I choose my sitting rock here on the Maine coast according to Grandmother Ocean’s tidal heights, a rock with enough flat surface for me to sit on so that my feet are submerged in the playfulness of the water rising and retreating. The cold splashes of a larger incoming wave become a foot washing as I ease my feet onto the smaller rocks and stand in the clear water. I am cleansed of other thoughts; the chill rids me of preoccupations. The unexpected in rushing of the tide often shocks me and I laugh aloud as I rejoice with the exuberant wavelets. Today the waves are small, lapping gently yet forcefully, breaking rhythmically as the water surrounding my feet then recedes.

Each time I come to the Ocean, I come to listen. Grandmother teaches me over and over to breathe deeply and be still, be present, to listen. A meditation emerges as I know that I am held by earth, air fire and water. We each are held, all the time, every day. The Creation longs to teach us that we are one with Her. She longs to heal us so that we are strengthened to go out into the world and share that healing in whatever way we are called to. SHE WAITS UPON AND COUNTS ON EACH ONE OF US WILLING TO SAY, “YES, I WILL BE STILL AND LISTEN.” SO BE IT, SO IT IS.