The Author Wants You to Know...
Name: Jessica
Instagram: @withopenwings
Jessica is a free-spirited wanderess, reconnecting with ancient lands, people and cultures on her latest travels.
Her current favourite mantras are: “Disconnect to reconnect” | “Tune out to tune in” | “Make the mundane magical” | “Be Here, Now”
Background...
Part of my latest travels around Australia have been guided by my Astrocartography - one of my favourite tools - a combination of both our astrological natal/birth charts and that big beautiful map of the world. (I use www.astro.com - search ‘Locational Astrology’ then ‘AstroClick Travel’).
The ancient, sacred site and natural wonder of the world, Uluru (named Ayers Rock by Europeans) has always been on my bucket list. I have very few planetary lines running through Australia on my chart, but this sacred site sits just west of where my North Node (purpose/dharma) and Pluto (death, rebirth & transformation) lines cross, down the centre of the mainland of this continent. A sense of freedom, creative expression, changing outmoded beliefs, rebelling against hierarchical institutions, advocating for places and people, and visions coming true are all prominent energies for me here. Funnily enough it’s also an area where possible challenges can occur with electronics (ha read on…)
A friend told me not to overlook Kata Tjuta (named The Olgas by Europeans) while I was visiting this area. A place I had not previously heard of, and despite its impressive 36 domes (Kata Tjuta translates to ‘heads many’), and it consisting of the highest single monolith in the world (at 546m high), it is a place that kind of stands in the shadows of Uluru.
Both belong to the traditional belief systems of one of the oldest human societies on this planet - The Anangu people. I thank them with my whole being for allowing us to walk on their lands and for sharing parts of some of their ‘creation stories’ with us. These used to be known as ‘dreamtime stories’, but many of the local people did not like this, because it made them sound as if they were not real and had been made up.
There are different beliefs around which energetics and chakras both Kata Tjuta and Uluru are connected to. The main consensus is that Kata Tjuta is the feminine and Uluru the masculine, both representing the solar plexus chakra of the world (aka the power centre). I found them both to have a perfect harmony of feminine and masculine energetics, and so this association with the chakra that represents strength and power makes so much sense to me. The red earth and how grounded I felt within myself also conjured up an association with my own root chakra while I was there.
Why does this matter, some of you might be thinking? When we know what energies are present in a certain place, we can gain so much innerstanding of our own energetics and ways of being. No-one can deny that certain places or environments make them feel a certain way… Sometimes this is to do with the people we’re around, but just as often it’s to do with the land we’re on - its history and stories - Has it predominantly endured times of hardship, death and loss, or times of success, celebrations and important discoveries?
Each land holds special codes and I feel forever transformed for having visited this corner of Australia’s Northern Territory, especially for what I experienced there...
This is my own story from Uluru…
Arriving on the landing strip of Ayers Rock Airport I knew some magic was about to unfold in the days to come, but I could never have anticipated quite what.
First, the skies set the scene and we had to wait on the plane due to lightning strikes on the tarmac. Only 3% of visitors get to experience electrical storms here, aka lightning only, no thunder or rain - a new phenomena for me, being from the UK.
I watched Uluru being struck multiple times from my room. This happens a lot because of the rock’s high iron content, and the reason for its famous orange/red colour. It was possibly the best front row seat I’ve ever had.
The storms were so powerful they cut out all wi-fi and phone signals across the park, resort and local town without warning for over 24 hours. I got the message loud and clear that it was the time and place to fully tune out and tune in.
This experience also made me realise that there’s a big difference between choosing not to go on your phone or social apps, and being in the middle of a desert, on the other side of the world, completely cut off from all contact without warning or choice - not even able to let loved ones know I had arrived safely (though not that my Mum had yet noticed!)
This gave me a whole new appreciation for technology and these devices. Nonetheless, I was glad to have time disconnected. The energy in the park felt too precious to be infiltrated by the outside world. It felt like there were gifts waiting to be revealed, and it was the perfect opportunity to reconnect fully with myself through nature and these lands.
Those who know me know that I’m very much a night owl and do not do well rising early. But if there was one place and reason I would rise at 3:45am on more than one occasion, it was for Uluru.
There is so much I could share from my 5 days and nights there, but the main thing I wish to share is my experience on one particular tour by AAT Kings - ‘Sacred Sites and Sunset Tour’ Special thanks to our main guide Glen for leading us through this experience!
The plan was to visit the Cultural Centre, then the Mutitjulu Waterhole. We never quite made it to the latter…
A Sacred Storm…
Standing by the bench that Princess Diana had once sat on, we listened to our guide recall the story of the Liru Warrior, looking up at the ginormous rock face behind that held the scars of this story.
Straight after this, the skies suddenly turned from light to dark.
It felt as though we’d awoken the gods or these ancient warriors.
An unexpected storm whipped up out of nowhere.
We ran to the safety of an overhanging rock. Protection from the elements.
First thunder & lightning.
Then the wind.
Then the rain.
The unique scent of eucalyptus and other local flora stirred up in the air was divine.
It was fun at first.
Then it was kind of scary in moments.
‘Oohs’ and ‘aahs’ both in fear and awe.
The realisation that “We are in the storm”
(Photo Credit : Mitch, AAT Kings)
Whole trees fallen or uprooted.
Debris flying through the air.
Boulders shifted and sliding down the rock face.
Rain whipping sideways, lashing our backs and bare arms and legs.
Cold. Shaking. Shivering. All completely drenched through.
Huddled together. Facing inwards in the cave - physically & spiritually.
Bodies protecting bodies.
Sheltered by the cave. So much gratitude & relief.
The eye of the storm passed over in about 10 minutes. It felt like 10 hours.
Each second not knowing how much worse, how much more violent or dark or loud it was going to get, or how long we would be out there.
Seconds that felt like minutes. Minutes that felt like hours.
And then there was light again.
Trust that it was passing.
Rejoicing that ”This is a once in a lifetime experience for every single one of us”
As our guide exclaimed that “You guys are .00001% of people who are experiencing this right now”
A moment to appreciate the waterfall cascades.
Before attempting to move through diverging torrents that nearly took some of us off our feet.
Wading through red earth-washed water.
Climbing over fallen trees and branches.
Grateful for strong helping hands and arms.
Holding each other up.
Back to the safety of the coach.
Laughing. Crying. Speechless.
Bonded for life.
The gift of a double rainbow springing magnificently out of the side of Uluru.
Fork lightning underneath the coloured arch. A sight I’ve never witnessed before and possibly never will again.
As we reversed out onto the flooded road, gawping in awe at the waterfalls still flowing down like mini rivers - the greatest gift to witness with our own eyes - we reached a point where we were passing private, sacred sites along the base of Uluru, and so our guides reminded us, “No photos to the left… But go for gold on your right!” And so a game of tennis neck commenced, back and forth between a canvas of waterfalls and a double rainbow.
I am still decoding the messages. For there will be many.
But one that was clear and strong from the start - We need each other. Independence is great, but when you zoom out or have moments that give you a glimpse of that bigger picture of life, you remember that we are truly stronger together.
I’ve never been more grateful for my fellow beings (even the ones that had been irritating me earlier on by not listening to the guide ). Complete strangers. But with a common goal… To survive. To rejoice. To embrace. To live, laugh, love. To share our very own creation stories.
A sacred storm indeed.
Reflections...
What a tumultuous, transformative and transitory time it has seemed for everyone recently.
Witnessing so much injury, loss, separation, not only in our collective world at the moment, but in my direct field too. I wondered and realised that this experience was perhaps my very own shakeup, or so it seemed, with a miracle in immediate tandem.
For every piece of bad news the past month or so - I’d see a picture of a rainbow, double rainbow or hear friends talk about phenomenons they’d just seen, such as shooting stars! Universe always providing stark polarities.
That storm, the double rainbow bursting out of Uluru afterwards and carrying on the tour to catch the most delicious, pinky, orange sunset reflected behind that most magnificent natural wonder. All masterpieces of nature’s artistry.
Teachings from the Anangu people…
In the hours and days that passed, I recognised the synchronicities between this experience and the teachings of the aboriginal people whose land I walked upon…
Their beliefs in the power of storytelling.
We can not share and tell stories if we do not understand.
We can not understand if we do not listen.
We can not listen if we are distracted.
We’re often mainly distracted by devices.
You’re still in control of this extension of our limbs. Choose when, where, how and for how long you get distracted for.
The way of the Anangu people affirmed the message I shared in my article for last month’s Connection edition - ‘A Rare Jewel’ (link below)
More Messages from Uluru…
- Even if the storm is raging around you, find your own inner calm.
- Do not mess with Mama Nature, especially in Oz. There is Mother Earth, then there is Mother Earth Australia. I reflected that pretty much every domestic flight I’d taken through Australian skies and over Australian land and waters this trip had been turbulent as f*ck! There was something so deeply divine and activating about this ancient place for me this time that I won’t even pretend to understand the full depths of it.
- Respect nature and she’ll respect you. I returned to the cave and waterhole in the days that followed the storm to gift an offering to the land for its protection.
- As nature teaches us - a solution will always be provided with any situation, perceived issue or problem.
- Things can change in an instant! Expect the best, but always be prepared for the worst.
- Listen to understand. To be moved, transformed, transported.
- Portals exist everywhere in these places, in the sense that it’s easy to step into a new version of yourself and leave an old pattern, habit, limiting belief behind with one step.
- If you are willing, these places also give you the ‘eyes to see’ and the ‘ears to hear’ beyond what is immediately in front of you.
- Exploring the interior of Australia, I recognised I’d had the same experience with myself... Having been fortunate to visit this country several times in the past, I finally felt I had a more well-rounded, clear and thorough view of who Australia is, and who I myself am or are becoming.
- On the Lasseter Highway - the road from Uluru to Alice Springs - the vast openness and expansiveness of the flat, arid landscape and its consistency over 500 km was oddly comforting. My soul was grateful for the remoteness in this part of the journey, but had never felt more connected.
- Thankfully there are still places in this world where there’s more nature than man, and I am grateful having seen such a place for the perspective and reminder this provides of our insignificance.
- We will return to the earth or the ether one day, so never forget that nature rules supreme. We are all equal, but as with each other, nature demands and deserves our respect.
- I surprised myself that I did not miss the coast while visiting Australia’s red centre. Mama Ocean is beautiful, but the character, history and ancient wisdom and teachings from the interior are second to none.
One of 28 finalists of the ‘Greatest Natural Wonders of the World’ list, I’m not sure how Uluru was not chosen for the top 7, but regardless, this seems trivial, as list or no list, this is without a doubt one of the most sacred places I’ve personally ever visited on Earth. I felt sad to leave, but feel peace knowing I will return. I’m already excited to see what lies in store for me next time.
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