Five Elements

by Lynnette Belej

My Soul Walk evolved into a journey through the five elements of nature based spirituality. Each photo is the view from a sit spot inspired by one of the elements. The surrounding flowers are those that were in bloom in the area of each sit spot.

I started the walk in an area of the forest where everything was brown or green except for one bright splash of color in the distance. I hiked off the trail to find that it was a small, vibrant patch of purple spiderwort. It reminded me of how my spirit is uplifted every time I go out in one of my wild and colorful Lilly Pulitzer outfits that I love, fully realizing that most others present will be in solids, predominantly black.

Afterward, I moved down the trail to a little old well but found that my view was blocked by a fiery red bush. As I approached, I realized it was a beautiful azalea ablaze with deep red blooms and it became my second sit spot.

I decided to go with the elemental theme that I had been drawn to and hiked to the meadow where I could sit and watch the sky.

The first picture is from my sit and the second was as I was hiking back at the end of my walk - a wonderful contrast.

After making my way to the creek to sit with the water, I ended the walk by communing with the trees.

I love to collage so I decided to create a Soul Walk tribute to the beauty and power of the elements of nature. 

Five Elements is the Soul Walk Project created by Lynnette Belej, FTS Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Brandywine 2024 cohort.