Lighthouses are amazing structures. Strong. Defined. Towering. Commanding. Courageous. Often they are built on jetties, or islands in the raging seas, accessible only by boat, and the first question that comes to mind is “How did it get there in the first place?”
We usually think of a lighthouse’s mission as a guide to bring those lost at sea, home again to safe land. We think of it as a beam of light, or metaphorically speaking, a beam of Wisdom bringing us to a place of sure-footedness and grounding when we are adrift in our lives, tossed about by raging emotional waters, or simply adrift and rudderless, not knowing where we are or where we are going. We usually associate these lighthouses with the sea, be they structures, guiding words or wise people or mentors who draw us back to home.
But “lighthouses” are for those of us on land too, in times when we DO know where we are trying to go, when the direction or new dream is compelling but to get there we need to fight our way through brambles, prickles and obstacles to clear the path. In this case we need to follow the dream by keeping our eyes on the light calling us home to our authentic selves.
We sometimes cannot do it alone. A trusted friend, a mentor, a wise counselor, a Lighthouse Keeper who knows who we are and who we can be, comes with the lighthouse, switching on the beam to guide us home to our best selves and purpose.
In my life, I have had many “Lighthouses” and am so thankful for all of them no matter what form they have taken. I invite you, too, to scan all horizons in your life whether on land or sea to appreciate the Lighthouses that have brought you home to yourself over and over again.
** These images were taken on the New England coast…Point Judith Lighthouse and the Beavertail Lighthouse, Rhode Island.
From Christine, the Greening Spirit
Thank you Chris. Funny, I was thinking the same thing the other day after viewing your image: what is purpose of Lighthouses for those of us already ‘on land’ who don’t feel safe or secure, or have gotten re-routed on land and come out into an odd and unfamiliar geography?
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Hi dear Julie. For me in those situations, I seek the guiding light of inspirational readings AND the guidance of trusted friends and a good mentor. But possibly most of all is sitting in Silence, being still, listening but then trying to find images that serve as lighthouses, engaging somehow in artwork…like photography, or well, like our dark moon mandalas. They are all lighthouses for me.. Thank you for your comment and input….
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