Trouble on the Way

Even though the light of dawn was just beginning to trickle through the massive redwoods, she had still not yet surrendered to unconsciousness. The heaviness in her eyelids was ever present, threatening her resolve, and reminding her just how easy it would have been to check out. But when the first beam of morning sunlight filtered through the threshold of her ancient fallen log she had borrowed for her own, she granted herself surrender, allowing her cyan gaze to flutter shut for a final mediative moment. Taking a deep inhale, the euphoria of the smokey incense brought a new wave of peace and relaxation. Or perhaps it was simply the fulfillment of knowing these were the final moments of her vigil with the Pink Full Moon. Regardless, she rarely felt like she had some semblance of a centered mindset- and her observance of the previous night’s lunar event had granted her that. Or maybe she was just too exhausted to give a shit.

When she finally released her breath, her attention sought out the dim glow of embers tucked as far back from the entrance as she could get it- situated on a wide flat rock for protection. From where she sat in her sun salutation, she could see the haphazard stock of herbal remedies laid strewn about nearby. Today she would have to go out and recover some of her supplies, having nearly burned through what she had of her Holy Basil, Lavender, and Cannabis for the overnight practice. It had been her first time using that particular combination, and it would not be the last.

Feeling the urge to go out and greet the day, Aurelia left her smokey sanctuary- though the haze in her mind lingered after her departure. But after taking only a few strides out into the open forest, she anchored her hindquarters and slowly reached forward into a full body stretch- allowing her chest to touch the ground as she delighted in the pull of her back and shoulders. She was tempted to ask the universe what could possibly go wrong. But knew it was bad enough to think it, let alone say it out loud.

"Aurelia Veratti"