Journey Stick

Journey Stick

For my Soul Walk project, I decided to create a journey stick from a gnawed stick a beaver recently left by a marsh near my home. A journey stick is a walking stick with collected materials wrapped around it in chronological order to tell the story of your travel. The collected materials and markings can be used as markers for natural features of the land or to show what was experienced along the way.

It was very early in the morning when I went out for my Soul Walk. I decided to explore a new branch of trail in an otherwise familiar patch of forest. This particular trail is slightly overgrown, and its comparative wildness called to me this morning. Because of the early hour I felt sure I’d be alone with the forest for some time. I began by sitting on a large mossy rock, my eyes closed, my attention open and welcoming. After sitting for some time, two barred owls began to call to each other with a wild duet of hoots and cackles. I opened my eyes and was surrounded by a rainbow of colors, as the angle of the sun shone through the drops of water still glistening on the branches above, transforming them.

I walked on and moved through deep patches of shade and stretches of bright sun, feeling the changing temperature on my skin. I moved from cool to warm, through dark and light, as shafts of light through the trees created beautiful shadow patterns on the forest floor.

A small stream began to follow my trail. This stream was met by many others, feeding into a small river. I sat by the river for some time, just listening, appreciating the sounds of the water flowing by me. Small flying insects moved as a group above the water, dancing in the sun. A few of them decided to visit me, resting on my arm and leg. I was just another part of the forest in their eyes. I took off my shoes and walked along the rocks across the river to the opposite bank, where sandy soil squished between my toes.

After a while, I walked on, following the river as it twisted and turned with the contours of the land. I soon came to an open field, alive with birdsong. The longer I sat and listened the more the songs mingled together, and I enjoyed their symphony for some time. I decided to stay a while, enjoying the light breeze, the warm sun, and the sounds of the field and surrounding forest.

The time went by much faster than I had expected. As I walked back to my car, I felt so light and free. I’m very grateful for this experience today.

Journey Stick is the Soul Walk Project created by Rachael Beikmohamadi, January 2024 cohort.