Saturday, November 24, 2012

archery

On Monday, April 30th of this year, I turned 30 years old. 

I wanted to do something important, that I had never done before. I wanted to prove to myself that there were still new experiences for me. I was tired, and jaded, by the growing disagreements between myself and my husband, by the expanding challenge of raising my gifted toddler, by my fulfilling but exhausting full time work as a tarot reader, store manager, and High Priestess. I kept thinking that I wanted to change everything. But really, I just wanted to change my own mind.

To see at distance again. 

My life got so close, I couldn't breathe.

So I gathered a few witch friends and took them to shoot an arrow from a longbow.

We stood outside the strip mall, in the parking lot, and sang a song to Artemis, Lady of the wild wood.  It doesn't get much wilder than the strip mall in Fremont. W got some strange looks from the game hunters who went into the shop as we sang, but we did it anyway.  We went inside, and were surrounded by very pointy, very sharp, very expensive equipment. Undaunted, we stepped to the back of the shop and found the tiny, indoor range. We listened intently to the lesson, and one by one took a chance at shooting.

The bow: all wood, made in pieces and lightweight. The arrow: carbon with a hard yet rounded tip, brightly colored plastic feathers at the end.  It takes strength to hold your arm up. It takes muscle to pull the bow taught. It takes keen eyesight and excellent aim to hit the bullseye. But sisters, I need to tell you something amazing: to shoot well takes work, but to shoot at all simply takes doing it.

Stand with your target on your left side, feet shoulder width apart, and turn your upper body to face the target head on.  Be fully present with the state of your body for a moment, while holding a clear line of sight to your target.  Focus where you want to strike.  Gather your breath, pull back until your thumb touches the corner of your mouth, and let it go. 

Let go of where you think you will strike. Let go of what you look like when you shoot. Let go of doing well or poorly, of being admired or mocked. Let go of any expectation you have. Just let the arrow fly.

I did ok I terms of accuracy, but rather well in terms of grouping. My sisters did well, a few actual bullseyes and several near center shots.  

Most important of all of this, however, is that I had done something new. Had learned something incredible. That when you let go, you can see further, feel stronger and be powerful. May it be so for you.