soul purpose – Rainbowtree Woman

What does it mean to be a Gardener of the Soul?

Published on January 9, 2020January 24, 2021 by Rainbowtree Woman2 Comments

I am reflecting on the lives of two men who have inspired peace in the world through their art, love of nature/gardening, music, philosophy, activism, poetry and wisdom… John Lennon (also a Libran like myself 🙂 ) and Claude Monet.

During his international career as a Musician, Poet, Activist and influential Ambassador for World Peace, John Lennon has been quoted as saying;

“Peace is not something you wish for,
it is something you make, something you do,
something you are and something you give away”

“My role in society, or any artist’s or poet’s role,
is to try and express what we all feel.
Not to tell people how to feel.
Not as a preacher, not as a leader,
but as a reflection of us all.”

“Love is like a precious plant.
You can’t just accept it and leave it in the cupboard
or just think it’s going to get on by itself.
You’ve got to keep on watering it.
You’ve got to really look after it and nurture it.”

“I’m not really a career person; I’m a gardener, basically.”

“Monet’s Lillie’s”, Monet’s Garden, June 2015 © Juerg Dreamturtle

Every year, some 500 000 visitors come from around the world to visit Claude Monet’s Garden in Giverny, France. Over many decades, millions of people have been touched by Monet’s peaceful and tranquil impressionist paintings. People are attracted because of the essence of calm and peace Monet was able to capture in his beautiful paintings and in his garden. For many years, I had prints of Monet’s Water Lillie’s hanging in my bedroom. When I walked into my bedroom, I remember how the paintings made me feel peaceful, balanced and at ease with my surroundings.

Not all of us have the gift of music and poetry to collectively inspire people’s minds and hearts like John – in a positive and powerful way. Not all of us have the opportunity to create a beautiful garden or the ability to paint like Monet did.

However, I believe we all have the chance in this life to work on our inner selves,…to grow in love and peace by owning and transforming our shadow self (our core wounds), healing and forgiving ourselves and others.

I refer to this work as “Soul Work” – and having been a “Gardener of the Soul” for many years now, I believe this is the true work I am here to do, be and share!

I have learned that the beautiful or impressive garden we create on the “outside”, is not as important as the garden we nurture and grow on the “inside”…

The Garden of our Soul is hidden to the eye but felt with the heart…

The Soul Garden we are nurturing, sustaining, lovingly tending too and growing every day – is the most important and true work we are here for.

As we honour our true selves and continue with our Soul Work, the universe will reflect back to us our inner transformation – we can attract more loving, authentic relationships into our lives and experience a sense of deeper peace and purpose for our journey. Although, this does not mean our healing and growing ever stops or we no longer attract challenges in our lives! However, over time, we can become more of a beacon of light to inspire others towards inner peace, truth and fulfillment for themselves.

Real, lasting peace is not something we can “take” from another or a piece of art or music to temporarily “feel better”. We each have to make the commitment to work towards peace in ourselves and this can be a challenging, demanding yet truly rewarding process over many, many lifetimes of experience and growth.

Featured Photo for this Blog Post: “Sacred Sadness Rose” from my Grandmother’s Garden – taken on Christmas day, many years ago. The photo features in my partner, Juerg Dreamturtle’s book; “Sacred Journey – A Simple Book of Soul Wisdom, Love and Healing.”

The book, “Sacred Journey” is very much about this inner work of growing towards love and peace in ourselves, in our lives and in the world. Why not order a copy of the book “Sacred Journey” to honour this day – International World Peace Day?

Find out more about the book “Sacred Journey” by Juerg Dreamturtle here

Photo of Water Lillie’s from Monet’s Garden: taken by Juerg, June 2015.
Read more about Claude Monet here

Finding your own path and pace in challenging times.

Published on October 3, 2019January 24, 2021 by Rainbowtree Woman2 Comments

‘It doesn’t matter how slow you go as long as you don’t stop.’ – Confucius

Surrounded by the 4 giants of the European Alps, these days, competitive and serious hiking is very popular in the mountainous areas we spend most of our time in.

I believe we miss so much of the magic, beauty and energy of the mountains if the path we walk becomes a competitive and serious race against time, each other and ourselves.

Equally, in life, if we are always focused on getting ahead to some “where” we think will be “better” or to accomplish a future “goal” – we can miss the valuable and perfect teachings for where we happen to be right now…

When I saunter through the mountains and on many of the old pathways in the Aosta Valley region, I find myself connecting with a very ancient and timeless part of my soul.

Whenever I am in nature, I practice the art of walking slowly and with reverence. I also believe in being open (heart) to listen, feel and connect with what or who is coming to me as a messenger. I love to make my own tracks, pause and rest, go at my own pace and usually I resist following designated pathways set out for serious mountain hikers.

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∼ Butterfly Messenger ∼

On a journey in the mountains I took a few days ago, a messenger came to me in the form of a small, friendly butterfly.

I could see in her wings beautiful colours of luminescent green, gold, orange, blue and brown. These colours kept changing as she gently moved from different angles to the light of the sun. She sat on my shoulder – gently and happily – for probably close to 10 minutes before she flew off into the pine forest.

Before she flew to my shoulder, I had the feeling that I needed to pause, breathe and do a ceremony or simply give thanks before I reached Juerg, Cento and our campervan at the foot of the mountains (where my journey had begun). However, I was not quite sure what was being asked of me, until the butterfly spontaneously arrived. Before long, I realised that my interaction and connection with the butterfly messenger was my “ceremony”.

As a messenger, the teachings of butterfly
are to appreciate and see the value
in each stage of the spiritual journey
and cycles of life.

Butterfly’s life transformation shows us, we each have the possibility and capacity to be reborn by going within ourselves. Therefore, we can draw much value and learn from the cocoon of darkness, despair, doubt, confusion, tiredness and all the emotions we have been conditioned to view as “negative”.

Honouring our feelings of discomfort and disharmony in relation to where we currently are on our journey (as well as what we may see happening around us in the world), is an important part of accepting that we are forever moving through cycles of change, transformation and growth.

A natural part of growth is feeling discomfort and resistance as we move into the unknown! These are cycles of deep change and transformation, which Mother Earth is also mirroring back to us!

Rather than judge these cycles of change as something “negative” or “wrong” – can we allow what needs to occur from a deep place of trust, love and respect… like the life cycle of the butterfly shows us so beautifully?

Can we observe and learn from Mother Earth by working with the mirror she provides us, as well as primarily focusing our energy on our own inner transformational process?

In the far distance: Monte Bianco (4,810 m) tallest mountain of the European Alps.

∼ Balance and Patience ∼

I am learning that in order to ease our transition through these current challenging times on the earth, we need two main qualities – balance and patience.

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Balance… Balance can only be found by a certain amount of detachment from the outside world and all of its noise, busyness and distractions… Slowing down to find our balance means we focus more of our attention on our inner being. This involves checking in with our authentic self – i.e paying attention to what our feelings, our center of self/solar plexus, our bodies and our heart are communicating to us. It also involves (with love and compassion) tending to the forgotten, vulnerable, shadow parts of ourselves (our inner child/children), which we may find are being triggered by the outside world and especially our relationships.

What are the unique signs of your body and emotions, which tell you – you need to slow down and reconnect with your own unique rhythm and pace?

When you know you are feeling off-balance, what is your resistance to taking the time and space you need – to come back to your center of Self?

Patience… There is nothing else like precious time spent connecting and being one with Mother Nature. Reconnecting our bodies to her natural and ancient rhythms, seasons and cycles, allows us to remember we are not separate and to be patient with ourselves and our own growth process.

I really love and savour spending time in nature with both my dog and my partner Juerg. However, grounding my energy on a solitary walk in nature and or just sitting and being alone next to a tree, with my own thoughts and feelings is essential for me to retain a sense of well-being and harmony in our shared relationship. This is the same for Juerg too.

When did you last make quality, nurturing time and space for yourself – to be alone in nature – with out any distractions?

In these times of deep transformation on the earth,
may you pause and rest when you need too…
may you find balance and patience…
so that you continue to move forward
with grace and confidence
on your own unique life path and journey.

© Jaymie Elder

Photos shared are from a 5-hour saunter I made recently, to the top of Monte Zerbion (2722m) with stunning views of the Aosta Valley and three of the Giants of the Alps – Monte Rosa (4,634 m), Monte Bianco (4,810 m), and Gran Paradiso (4,061 m).

I find sacred moments of nourishment, inspiration, quiet reverence and solitude here in the mountains of Italy… where in the world do you find your own precious and healing moments in nature? I would love to hear from you, in the comments below…

Photography and words © Jaymie Elder 2019

My work is supporting and mentoring men and women to embrace their authentic being and be true to the timeless calling of their heart and soul. I offer intuitive guidance and support through Soul Sessions, which take place internationally via Skype. Soul Sessions are a unique chance to feel, reflect and connect with the deeper part of your being – your heart and soul.

For more information, or to book a session
please use the “work with me” link under the menu title – or click here

More reading from Rainbowtree Woman about the soul journey
and the path of healing and transformation, – click here

Creating a life path, which is unique to your own soul.

Published on August 8, 2019October 21, 2019 by Rainbowtree WomanLeave a comment

I have learned through my own experience,
the importance and challenge
in creating a life path,
which is unique to your own soul.

In my chosen art form of photography,
this has to do with the study of light
and the intimate presence of all beings in nature.

The result can only be achieved
by spending much time alone with nature…
listening, observing and feeling
in a receptive, sensory, feminine state of BEING.

Therefore this essence or energy,
transmuted through my photographs
is the result of a learned, intuitive skill over hundreds of hours
of practice, patience and being attentive
to the smaller details of life.

…Details, which many people disregard
or miss because they are either too busy,
or too distracted by keeping up with the latest trends in technology.

Remaining true to how Juerg and I live and share our lives,
my camera is not “the latest”, “the greatest”,
“the most advanced, expensive or sought after”.

We drive a 30-year-old campervan,
which we bought in Switzerland destined to be shipped to Bulgaria for parts!

We believe that in order to live and be authentic –
in these challenging times especially,
life is about the inside growth and expansion on our journey
and less and less about what is primarily visible on the “outside”.

Recently, I accidentally dropped my camera on a hard concrete floor.
It now carries a crack on the outer rim of the lens.

Fortunately, this has not affected the photographic quality.
However, as in all accidents in life,
I have taken it upon myself,
to search for a “hidden meaning or message”.

I believe this “crack” has to do with a need
for me to place greater value
on the work, I am creating and sharing
and the life path I have carved out together
with my soul companion, Juerg.

Reflecting a bit deeper,
I also realise that my time alone in nature with my camera
refreshes, nourishes and nurtures my soul,
in a way that nothing else really compares to in my life.

My time alone in nature,
also shifts me into a place of deep gratitude
and I remember my connection and true place within all of life.

How much value do we place
on the time and space in our lives
when we connect with the sacred feminine in nature?

Doing our inner work,
(which includes the work to heal and transform our shadow)
is a valuable, ongoing and necessary part
of our creative soul journey.

I believe this is the transformational, healing and forgiveness work
we all must devote ourselves too, as artists and creators –
in order to bring our unique identity, beauty,
and light into this world… (through the lense cracks! 🙂 ).

I am patiently, sometimes impatiently 🙂
unfolding to my potential in this life.
And I continue to devote myself
to the life-long-study of what nature shares freely with all…

…in essence – the Sacred Feminine Energy –
which creates and flows through all life on this planet
but can only truly be felt in the heart.

I am happy you have joined me on this journey!

What is it that you can do, which no one else can?

What feeds your soul, allows you to feel peace and balance
but also ignites your heart and soul?

Life is a discovery of who we truly are
and the unique gifts and inherent talents
we have to bring to the world.

Begin to recognise the magnificence of your own being.

There is no one else like you.
The world needs you.
The Universe wants you to be all you can truly be!

For more information, or to ask me any further questions,
use the “contact me” link under the menu title – or click here

More reading from Rainbowtree Woman about the soul journey
and the path of healing and transformation, – click here

Do you long to experience life more from the level of your heart and soul…?

Published on July 2, 2019December 27, 2020 by Rainbowtree WomanLeave a comment

1 year ago, I was asking a question to my spirit guides about what this really means… and this was their reply to me…

Human beings naturally crave structure, security,
or a clear and straight path laid out before them.
Many search for a spiritual leader or community,
a daily routine, ‘an acceptable way’ to follow –
so life feels more safe, predictable and ‘known’…

But the heart yearns for the deeper springs of life
and the path of the soul
is uniquely your own.

It’s a pathway that you forge into the unknown
and only your heart can intuitively feel/know
what is right and true for you.

If you really choose this path,
with all your heart and being,
know that you will be challenged.

You will need courage and perseverance
to keep opening your heart
towards the unhealed shadow
– of which has been ‘hidden’ to you…

Experiences which may come to you
won’t always be easy, pleasant or beautiful…
It may sometimes feel as if you walk a lonely path
but you will always be much closer to us than you know…

Above all,…you will grow,…

There will be others…
Soul friends and spiritual companions to meet again,
Soul family to share laughter, tears,
wisdom and experiences along the way…

It will not matter,
if you only cross paths for a short moment
or never meet each other in the physical.
It’s the mutual exchange of heart energy,
which has the power to transform, heal,
inspire and illuminate lives.

Dear one,
to live your life from the level of the heart and soul
means to be open to heal your old wounds
and from limiting beliefs and conditioning,
create new, loving and joyful possibilities…

It means to recognise the importance of your inner work
and honour yourself as a sacred conduit –
here to help raise the consciousness and heart energy
on beautiful Mother Earth…

It means wherever possible,
guided by your feelings and heart
– to transform darkness, hurt and fear
into light, love, forgiveness, beauty,
appreciation and fulfillment.

This is the magic,
the spiritual alchemy,
the infinite possibility,
the realness, humility and freedom
of living – connected and true –
to your heart and soul.

“The knowledge of the heart is in no book
and is not to be found in the mouth of any teacher,
but grows out of you like the green seed from the dark earth.”
– Carl Jung (The Red Book)

Copyright © Jaymie Elder 2020 – Please only use this text unless written permission is received from Jaymie Elder. If you wish to use only some of this text on social media – please do so respectfully by acknowledging Jaymie as the author with links to her website/blog http://www.rainbowtreewoman.com.

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More reading from Rainbowtree Woman about the Soul Journey
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∼ Butterfly Messenger ∼

∼ Balance and Patience ∼

Human beings naturally crave structure, security, or a clear and straight path laid out before them. Many search for a spiritual leader or community, a daily routine, ‘an acceptable way’ to follow – so life feels more safe, predictable and ‘known’…

But the heart yearns for the deeper springs of life and the path of the soul is uniquely your own.

It’s a pathway that you forge into the unknown and only your heart can intuitively feel/know what is right and true for you.

If you really choose this path, with all your heart and being, know that you will be challenged.

You will need courage and perseverance to keep opening your heart towards the unhealed shadow – of which has been ‘hidden’ to you…

Experiences which may come to you won’t always be easy, pleasant or beautiful… It may sometimes feel as if you walk a lonely path but you will always be much closer to us than you know…

Above all,…you will grow,…

There will be others… Soul friends and spiritual companions to meet again, Soul family to share laughter, tears, wisdom and experiences along the way…

It will not matter, if you only cross paths for a short moment or never meet each other in the physical. It’s the mutual exchange of heart energy, which has the power to transform, heal, inspire and illuminate lives.

Dear one, to live your life from the level of the heart and soul means to be open to heal your old wounds and from limiting beliefs and conditioning, create new, loving and joyful possibilities…

It means to recognise the importance of your inner work and honour yourself as a sacred conduit – here to help raise the consciousness and heart energy on beautiful Mother Earth…

It means wherever possible, guided by your feelings and heart – to transform darkness, hurt and fear into light, love, forgiveness, beauty, appreciation and fulfillment.

This is the magic, the spiritual alchemy, the infinite possibility, the realness, humility and freedom of living – connected and true – to your heart and soul.

“The knowledge of the heart is in no book and is not to be found in the mouth of any teacher, but grows out of you like the green seed from the dark earth.” – Carl Jung (The Red Book)