photo by Tagan Engel
This bend in the West River at the base of West Rock in New Haven, is a place we go for healing and connection with the power of nature. The water is calm just before and just after this place in the river. At this spot it turns and the water rushes over the rocks reminding us of the lessons to be learned about letting things move and flow like the river. We stand at the waters edge and speak words of gratitude, pain, joy, and healing into the rushing noise of the river water. Standing at the base of this massive stone mountain, we think of our feet rooting down into the earth, and feel its strength. We also offer honey to the river and to the mountain, to remind us of the sweetness of life. We make these offerings to the Orisa of Osun and Oke in the Yoruba tradition that we practice. We also honor the ancestors of this land as well as our personal ancestors. Over the past year we have joined with friends and community at this spot to support healing and connection.