The images that come up for you are similar to mine, earthy, soil-laden. When you described it as dark green, my soul said “yes!” Reclaim evokes for me an image of digging, unearthing a lost or forgotten treasure. It also brings a sense of staking out, a marking of territory.
Sasha, thank you for sharing. I really like the movement that shows up in your image. I was reading Hillman's essay on betrayal today morning and I wondered if reclamation is also part of a continuum that includes the puer archetype.
Hi Julie, I am noticing your words as almost as this progression where we arrive into relationship with what we may have lost relationship to. We can see that in the broader connotation of human beings and the earth as well parts/islands within ourselves. Thank you!
OMG, Priya! You couldn't possibly have known this, but the heart of my post today reflects on that same word, "reclamation" (it's even in the subtitle!). Love the synchronicity! I totally resonate with your sense of loss and grief, and with warrior energy. I agree, it's a fierce word, and I love your sense of its color. For me, it's a bodily, felt sense, a groundedness, an alliance with the Earth, an embrace that insists on being heard, seen, and felt. On taking up space. On fighting for justice.
My writing friend shared an essay with me as we were workshopping my piece & considering how the language of recovery and repair is used to excuse abusers. That "reclamation" is more what we're going for. The author considers the way that abuse is often swept under the rug in families, in an effort to "forgive and forget," which does violence to the abused (often a child), b/c the harm is never addressed. She writes, "Some demand a cheap form of forgiveness for the abuser, which asks for redemption with no repair." (That essay is here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/metoo-part-ii-155646304)
Julie, after going to Pacifica, synchronicity has taken on a whole new meaning. It's so good to reconnect with you. I love that the word reclaim is "an alliance with the Earth" - such fierceness, embodiment, and reciprocity there.
Thank you for sharing the link to your friend's work. I am working on an essay on how the Cassandra myth is very much alive right now.
I agree- the sentiment behind “reclamation” is teeming with taking action and warrior energy. But I find that reclaiming peace, where i am, feels like both of action and one of acceptance (maybe allowing non-action). In that sense, it feels more monk-energy.
Hi Divya, welcome. Reclaiming peace- you and I are in similar times. To me reclaiming rest or peace feels like a Doing/Being paradox. I'd love to hear what you think!
At this moment in my life when I think of the word "reclaim," I see the embrace of a humanoid black silhouette with a white outline and a humanoid white silhouette with a black outline. At least one of them—but perhaps both—are crying.
That, in part, is how I considered it, too. I think the blackened figure is representative of one's (Jungian) shadow; the parts of ourselves we maladaptively dispossess. But, in their reuniting, upon realising that they do, in fact, need each other, and that they are better together, they cry from euphoria; from catharsis and homecoming.
It's good to hear from you and reconnect. Pacifica has been a deeply transformative and enriching experience, and I am still metabolizing it (and being metabolized!). I do want to reclaim the writing and look forward to catching up what you've been writing about. Thanks!
Yes! "The side society is quick to eschew" - I think I may have followed society's directions and deserted those sides too. Here's to reclaiming! Thank you, it's great to hear from you.
The images that come up for you are similar to mine, earthy, soil-laden. When you described it as dark green, my soul said “yes!” Reclaim evokes for me an image of digging, unearthing a lost or forgotten treasure. It also brings a sense of staking out, a marking of territory.
Sasha, thank you for sharing. I really like the movement that shows up in your image. I was reading Hillman's essay on betrayal today morning and I wondered if reclamation is also part of a continuum that includes the puer archetype.
Yes! Digging, earthy, staking out territory, relationship.
Hi Julie, I am noticing your words as almost as this progression where we arrive into relationship with what we may have lost relationship to. We can see that in the broader connotation of human beings and the earth as well parts/islands within ourselves. Thank you!
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OMG, Priya! You couldn't possibly have known this, but the heart of my post today reflects on that same word, "reclamation" (it's even in the subtitle!). Love the synchronicity! I totally resonate with your sense of loss and grief, and with warrior energy. I agree, it's a fierce word, and I love your sense of its color. For me, it's a bodily, felt sense, a groundedness, an alliance with the Earth, an embrace that insists on being heard, seen, and felt. On taking up space. On fighting for justice.
My writing friend shared an essay with me as we were workshopping my piece & considering how the language of recovery and repair is used to excuse abusers. That "reclamation" is more what we're going for. The author considers the way that abuse is often swept under the rug in families, in an effort to "forgive and forget," which does violence to the abused (often a child), b/c the harm is never addressed. She writes, "Some demand a cheap form of forgiveness for the abuser, which asks for redemption with no repair." (That essay is here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/metoo-part-ii-155646304)
Julie, after going to Pacifica, synchronicity has taken on a whole new meaning. It's so good to reconnect with you. I love that the word reclaim is "an alliance with the Earth" - such fierceness, embodiment, and reciprocity there.
Thank you for sharing the link to your friend's work. I am working on an essay on how the Cassandra myth is very much alive right now.
Ooooo! Looking forward to reading that!
I agree- the sentiment behind “reclamation” is teeming with taking action and warrior energy. But I find that reclaiming peace, where i am, feels like both of action and one of acceptance (maybe allowing non-action). In that sense, it feels more monk-energy.
Hi Divya, welcome. Reclaiming peace- you and I are in similar times. To me reclaiming rest or peace feels like a Doing/Being paradox. I'd love to hear what you think!
At this moment in my life when I think of the word "reclaim," I see the embrace of a humanoid black silhouette with a white outline and a humanoid white silhouette with a black outline. At least one of them—but perhaps both—are crying.
Layton, welcome. I'd love to hear more. It feels yin and yang but I'm deeply curious about this image.
That, in part, is how I considered it, too. I think the blackened figure is representative of one's (Jungian) shadow; the parts of ourselves we maladaptively dispossess. But, in their reuniting, upon realising that they do, in fact, need each other, and that they are better together, they cry from euphoria; from catharsis and homecoming.
Homecoming is almost synonymous with whole-making (shadow and other parts integration). Thank you for sharing!
Hi Priya, How wonderful to find this in my inbox from you. I've missed your writing.
Reclaim for me is to take back something that has been suppressed or taken away - for example the Rising and Reclaiming of the Divine Feminine.
I'm also curious to hear about Pacifica and if you will write about your experience there?
I also hope you'll "reclaim" a regular pattern of posting. Welcome back♥️🔥🙏
Hi Camilla,
Reclaiming the Feminine- for sure!
It's good to hear from you and reconnect. Pacifica has been a deeply transformative and enriching experience, and I am still metabolizing it (and being metabolized!). I do want to reclaim the writing and look forward to catching up what you've been writing about. Thanks!
I like your idea of meditating on a word. That’s a cool idea.
Reclaiming makes me think about reclaiming my wild untamed side. The side society is quick to eschew.
Glad to see you back on here, Priya :)
Michael,
Yes! "The side society is quick to eschew" - I think I may have followed society's directions and deserted those sides too. Here's to reclaiming! Thank you, it's great to hear from you.
Here’s to reclaiming, indeed.
Great to hear from you too, Priya :)