The weather is such a common topic of conversation among our species and we use it to create connection with each other. “How’sthe weather where you are?” “Be careful driving in the (snow, rain, wind, heat, etc.) today.” “I hear we’ve got a big (storm, heat wave, tornado, etc.) coming in later today – I hope we all stay safe!” And on it goes with the elements getting villainized part of the time and praised part of the time in similar fashion. “Oh, goody, it snowed – perfect for skiing!” “This blasted heat makes me feel like doing nothing today – it’s soooo hot!” “This rain/wind/sun/snow is driving me crazy! I wish it would just stop!” We’ve all been there, right? Rejoicing, complaining, or simply being “meh” about the weather that is peacefully coexisting (actually) outside of our abodes or place of work. Yet we have a perception that because it interferes – at times – with our attempts at a controlled (and therefore more safe from a biological perspective) life and pursuit of happiness that it is somehow not a part of who are on all levels. It can represent shadow aspects of our world at times and therefore a bit of excitement for us happens when it runs to extremes and due to its somewhat unexpected nature we may fear it even just a bit which makes perfect sense in this dimension.
Part of the reason for our uneasy relationship with the elements is that not all of us are in love with the concept of change either on its own or having anything to do with us in general at times. I love the change in my natural environment as the seasons rotate and find that I get bored if it’s too anything for long – too sunny, too snowy etc. – maybe you’re like me in that regard. It was the Greek philosopher, Heraclitus, who established the doctrine of change being central to the universe and who also famously stated: “The only thing that is constant is change.” I’m not immune to the responses that extremes in weather can provoke in all of us and it is interesting to note that our wild animal relatives have a different kind of relationship with the elements especially since they’re out in them most of the time. I think the same holds true for companion animals yet they are a bit different because they can usually seek shelter if they so desire. They retain the same roots in their DNA as their ancestors and domestication with us has altered that to a certain degree as it relates to their ability to be outside in the elements for an extended period of time.
What we all have in common is our deep need to connect with the continual throb of vibrational energy that emanates from the Earth every second of every day of every year for millions of years thus far. There was a time in the history of our species that we were barefoot and had skin-to-skin contact with the planet and so were much more aligned with its pulse of than we are today. While it’s true that other species have evolved and adapted their physical form to coincide with the planet’s evolution none of them have created insulating substances that interfere with this ongoing dynamic relationship with Earth that we have, namely shoes and clothes. I’ll grant you that it was possibly necessary when we began to migrate into climates and landscapes that were different than the warm African continent from which we originated. Just like our wild animal family members we adapted according to the environment in which we found ourselves. Whether or not the decision to use the fur and skin of our relatives as coverings for our feet and bodies was in our mutual highest and best good is a discussion for another time. Coming in next week’s blog – how the elements speak to us in both light and shadow ways.
Photo credit: NASA Goddard Space Flight Center – Severe weather over eastern Texas and Oklahoma, resized.