Baptism by sea water
There is nothing like the burning saltiness of the sea, added to by the piercing cold sensation that seems to seep right through to the bones in a heartbeat, bringing an instant pain that is like no other, compressing us somehow. It makes us yelp with delight and children scream and we then go back for more. It is what we came for.....
The waves wash in and out and we crave and yearn for them to cleanse us. We intrinsically know that they are doing us good, that this act of dipping ourselves into the ocean is healing us on all levels.
When I think about going to the coast, I get a feeling of anticipation, knowing that soon the blue horizon will be in my sight line. If there is a chance to immerse myself into it or even swim, my excitement simmers away gently until the time comes where my dreams become reality and I am near boiling point.
Before I came away this time, a friend said as their parting comment " Go right under, head and all, there's nothing like it" this sentence stuck with me, rolling over and over like the waves nudging at the shoreline.
The English Channel is chilly in April so I was apprehensive and willing in equal measures, but also aware of the self love aspect and care that I needed to take so I was not bulldozing myself with an egoic determination to prove my worth.
The weather was bright and inspiring yet the wind whipped with an iciness that took my breath away. According to the forecast, Friday would be the best day if any for my connection to the undines and unlimited blue, so with that in mind, I boxed my plan and left it alone.
It is a new skill for me to leave thoughts alone and be mindful and present, but with a dogged determination I seem to be on the right track to making this a normality and am gently integrating this into my life.
Friday arrived and the warmth and stillness came with it. I knew that going fully saltwater was a must and all I needed to wait for was the tide to retreat and serve me the beach to enter her from.
Once the decision is clear the doing becomes effortless as my Runes taught me many years ago, and I knew what felt big in my mind was only going to be minutes of my life in practicality but the effect would last much longer.
Walking towards the waves felt empowering, I didn't go out too far, just thigh deep, then turning back towards the beach, I let myself be cradled by the sloshing incoming waves. My knees gave way and with my arms outstretched to help me float, the cold water hit the back of my neck and I was under, receiving the sea's blessings and renewal.
The intense cold sensation from the lapping waves made every inch of my body tingle and hum. I felt like I was being exfoliated on every surface as the saltwater stung. Holding my nose, I dunked my head fully, feeling the water rush into my ears and cool my scalp. It gave me instant calm and a natural joy like no other, so much so after a few moments I needed to do it again. This time I noticed the sounds of the sea for that brief moment that I was submerged and felt privileged for this awareness.
I walked unsteadily on the sharp stones back onto the beach, the sound of the rattling shingle as the waves withdrew felt like a natural applause which reflected my feeling of elation, wonder and accomplishment.
May you all have the opportunity to renew yourselves with the sea as my words are a far cry from the real sensation for you to behold......
Thank you for reading ❤️