powerful and primal healing and releasing energy

Your quest for healing leads you deep into the bush. In a clearing you stop and admire the bountiful kawakawa and a Tui calls to your left. You follow the Tui and notice the bracken appears slightly flattened. Up ahead is a path. You follow it, heading North into the midday sun which is peeking through the tall totara and rimu trees.

Eventually you come across a stream that winds beside the path, bubbling softly across smooth grey and coloured stones. Flashes of white catch your eye – NZ quartz, how beautiful!

You keep walking, slowly now as you’re getting tired in your quest for inner balance and well-being. Suddenly your feet squelch into the path. Mud! But the path continues on, into the muck. You follow it, carefully watching your feet, testing your footing with each step.

Its up to your knees now, so continuing is really difficult but you persevere. You smell something out of place – mint? Why is there mint here? Then you feel a glow as gentle hands touch your shoulders.

Instant peace washes over you. You look up to see a beautiful face with long grey flowing messy hair and ferns caught in the tangles. Knowing smile lines are etched deep into her face as she looks into your eyes with infinite love and wisdom.

“Hello child. I’ve been waiting for you. Your path has been difficult, and this is not the end of your journey. But if you like, you may stay a while. Rest. Recuperate. And if you dare, start the deep inner healing you seek.”

The swamp hag smiles, and the bush seems brighter. Nine tuis frolic in the trees around her and you notice the smell of calm waters as well as the faint stench of fish and ocean.

“This isn’t necessarily a pretty, pleasant and flowery offer, child. I don’t do that kind of magick here. My swamp heals those you truly seek it, and she heals them well. But it’s your power she magnifies, her waters open you up to your own potential.”

You’re dumbfounded. Overcome with emotions, you’re unsure what to say or do. Then she places a bag of sand in your hand and gestures to her thatched cottage at the edge of a green, shimmering swamp. The Tui’s song gets louder as she smiles at you again, turns to her cottage and you follow with a nod. Somehow the path is no longer as difficult and the smell is just raw power. A gentle, crisp healing mist envelops you both…