The following is an account of my continued work with trance as part of ADF’s Trance 1 course, advanced studies towards Initiate status. I’ve decided to share my personal experiences on my blog as a way of accountability. If some of my reflections happen to help others on similar journeys, I hope they share!
This weekend, I decided to work on my inner grove. I began with my weekly devotional, but I did not utilize any drumming in this trance session. It worked surprisingly well. After I made my offerings, I focused on my breathing, closed my eyes, and visualized a door open above my altar. I allowed my spirit form to climb through this and enter a path. Trees of all sorts grew on either side: ash, apple, birch, pine, etc. I noticed holly and ferns growing closer to the ground.
One of my spirit guides, a deer, appeared through the trees. He came from the right. Suddenly, an otter appeared at my left. Otter, again. I stopped to chat and learn the otter’s name. She’s appeared before and I figured it was time to ask. Then a bee showed up! I realized that I now had companions representing all three realms! I gave offerings that I had on me, and promised more in the physical realm.
We all rode the deer to my inner grove. There, I took stock and tidied some things. I noticed the changes since my last visit. The animals with me went about their business. Deer ate some plants in the hedge, bee visited the red clovers, and otter jumped in my well, swimming out to the river connected to it. She is very playful.
At one point, my spirit form laid down, and I actually leaned back in the physical realm too. I looked up at the canopy circling above. It was relaxing… Shortly after that, I decided to return to the physical realm. I left my spirit guides there until next time.
Author M. A. Phillips 