The allure of the ocean and things unknown

There is something magical about the ocean. I love the sound of the waves and the feeling of sand pulling out from under my heels when I stand on the shore. I love paddling out to dangle my feet in the depths, feel the tide pull me, and hear nothing but waves, and the occasional gull. I love the grandiosity and vastness.

Being by the ocean, for me, is to be in a state of awe. This morning I zipped up a wetsuit and paddled out in the cold winter waves to surf and it woke me up. I came alive to my senses as I dove under waves, caught a few fun ones, and took time to simply float and feel the power of the tide beneath me.

I was enchanted seeing the waves surge, roll, and plunge themselves back into their own great big blue body. There is no controlling the ocean, just learning to navigate the waves and tide. I remember to accept the unknown in other areas of my life and to embrace possibility as I do on the water.

The biggest unknown in my life right now? I am moving! I bought a one-way ticket and I leave in a few days. I'm saying goodbye to Southern California, but unsurprisingly am headed to another beach town, just one across the world...

Tasmania bound!

I'm headed to Tasmania, an island state of Australia! It is a place known for freshly caught seafood and a rich Aboriginal history, and it is surrounded by a long string of mountains and national parks.

For a few months, I'll be living mere blocks from the Southern Ocean. It is one of the few knowns of the travels to come. I found a loft in a cottage home on the lands of a bee sanctuary and I imagine creating a ritual of walking to the beach. Sand encrusted everything. Beach sunsets. Polar plunging in the winter. Coming home to myself every time I slow down to listen, connect, and feel the pure, raw energy of the Ocean close to my heart.

Despite not yet having a secured job or knowing too much about the town or culture, I couldn't be more excited. I am ready for newness, for stepping through different doors of opportunity, even the ones I don't know about yet. My heart and mind are open, so I know I will find them. I think all the time spent recently by the ocean is grounding me in taking a leap of faith and embracing change with joy rather than apprehension.

The ocean as my teacher reminds me to

be present

aliven my senses

accept the unknown / let go of control

embrace adventure

flow

I'll soon share details about this journey ahead, but for now, I'll share this: I am overflowing with dreams. I'm dreaming of gardening, writing, hiking, and spending an abundance of quality time with the boy I love. I imagine a beautiful balance between work, exploration, and nurturing slowness to create and simply be. I want to go to art nights, attend women's circles, and climb mountains. And of course, I want to play in the ocean.

The symbolism of the Ocean

For Christmas, I was gifted a guidebook highlighting various archetypes. I use the cards as journal prompts, tarot readings, or a portal for soulful meditation. The ocean archetype is one of my favorites, representing what is unconscious and sometimes incomprehensible.

“We cannot live within the Ocean. We cannot claim it, manage it, or own it. It rejects our every attempt to dominate nature.” --Kim Krans

The wildness of the ocean stirs a wildness in me too. An unleashing. An acceptance of what is to come. An invitation to feel.

In the ocean, I am rapt with the magic of something so much larger than I can comprehend.

I love collecting shells, jumping in the white frothy foam, and picking bits of emerald seaweed from my legs. I cherish watching the sun bleed yellow, orange then pink as it hugs the horizon. In the ocean, I feel free. I feel my spirit rewild as I tap into a sense of playfulness and curiosity. The ocean is my sacred space.

Personal reflection offering

What does the ocean mean to you?

Are there other places or energies that help ground you and bring you to the present?

How do you feel when faced with unknowns (maybe job uncertainty, an upcoming move, or navigating a new sport or relationship?)

How might you make more space for new possibilities in your life by embracing what you cannot control? (Planning a trip without an itinerary? A blind date? Standing up for yourself despite not knowing how another person will react?)

If you feel called, please feel free to comment on this post or reach out to me via email. I'd love to know what might resonate with you on your unique journey.

With love,

Ava//

Rewilding Child