A Spiritual Perspective on Drought

Currently here in the UK and across Europe, we are in a drought (and a heatwave). It’s hot and the rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs are drying up. The fish are suffering, the birds, other wildlife and the plants are struggling to survive. It’s hard to observe this and I find myself looking up to the skies and praying for the welcome relief that the rain will bring.

On Wednesday (10^th August 2022) the BBC Weather published an article which described how the lowered water levels of the Lima River in Galicia, Spain have revealed the usually submerged Roman camp of Aquis Querquennis.

This morning I became aware that there is a metaphor for us in this situation. Sometimes (especially at the moment), we feel like we are in a seemingly spiritual and emotional drought. Life is full of upheaval and challenges! But we can know that it is during these times that our past experiences,  limiting beliefs and programmes that run on autopilot in our usually submerged subconscious…are being revealed.

So, if we can take a breath and find some space to sit quietly and observe ourselves and our reactions during these difficult times, then we can become aware of our programmes or coping strategies which limit us. It is when we allow these beliefs to be exposed and neither avoid nor resist the difficult emotions that these can trigger in us, then we can begin to find healing and freedom for our hearts and minds.

In South Africa there is a saying ‘vasbyt’ (pronounced fuss-bait) and it means hold tight. So hold tight to your centre, hold tight to your faith, and allow the awareness of yourself to be the start of your healing. As C.G. Jung said, “It’s not what happens to us in life, it’s how we react to what happens to us, that determines character”.

And remember – the rains will come again!