Justin and I have been feeling the weight of life lately. It is partially the economy, partially the pressure on humanity to evolve consciously, and partially the pain of the earth beneath our heavy footsteps. Lately though, it feels more intense. The other night, standing in the kitchen, I let out a childish groan, and then another one, telling Justin that is how I feel inside. Childish because, for the first time in my life, I don’t feel like there is anyone to make all of “this” normal again. In fact, every day I understand more clearly that the normal I grew up with will never be again. It’s Justin and I and whoever else wants to join us, standing there letting the changes pass through us as fluid beings. Sometimes it gets to be heavy. Like now.
After the feeling of wanting to remain a child, comes the feeling of wanting to take responsibility and act as stewards for what is given to us. Part of this action has been happening for a while, collecting supplies and skills. The weight of recent events has made us want to take it further - the veggie oil kit installed in the truck, and touring some ecovillages.
So here we are for the next few days: OUR Ecovillage. OUR Ecovillage is located about halfway between Nanaimo and Victoria on Vancouver Island, near Shawnagen Lake. They have been running the 25 acre ecovillage for 10 years and have established a residence, healing sanctuary, some temporary residences, many gardens and animal husbandry.
While Justin adventured over to Bjorn’s to get the veggie kit installed in the truck, I took it upon myself to tour around a little and take some photos. I found the gardens, ready for winter with a few lettuce peeping out of the coldish earth. There was a little man looking out for their wellbeing, as well as the chicken and pigs.
Further out, I found the edge of the property (where there are many sheep), I realized later that I had crossed into some unknown neighbours territory when I saw beer cans on sticks… presumably some sort of cannibalistic homage (heads on sticks?) so, I started back. No sooner did I find myself atop a hill, face to face with the foliage of nature and more…. SHEEP! These ones obviously were OUR sheep, they didn’t have spray paint on 
their buts, and when I got close, one even let me pet it. Meet the token goat. (Ugly duckling syndrome, I wonder?)
By the time I had finished, Justin had returned, tired and ready for a nap. We went back to the Healing Sanctuary, where we are sleeping during our stay, and crawled into bed. Some part of me felt a little lighter, just the act of taking action - arriving at the ecovillage, making my way through and feeling what we want. Another part of me is still heavy, like we are on the right track, but haven’t found our path yet.
Look forward to another instalment of the Ecovillage Tour.
L.
