When was the last time you sat under a tree with intention? Sat under a tree to watch and listen deeply to the seen and unseen around you? Or sat on a hill, staff in hand, singing out to the land around you?
This is the practice of Utiseta, or sitting out, a Norse shamanic tradition historically undertaken by women to converse with the land and the spirits of place, gathering insight, knowledge, and wisdom. Four years ago, in July 2020, I undertook my first Utiseta on a burial mound in the South Downs. You can read about that incredible experience here
https://www.runesnroses.com/news/2021/4/2/a-south-downs-utiseta-the-practice-of-mound-sitting
Now, I’m preparing to hold my second Utiseta in August. This time, instead of a solo sit on a hill, the Utiseta will be with a group in a private birch wood in West Sussex. We have met as a group for two sessions now in this beautiful wood. I wrote about my experience of working with the trees there back in June. This weekend, we sat with our elected tree and began a short Utiseta—a warm-up for the dusk until dawn sit in August.
In our group sessions, we connected deeply with the trees and each other, sharing our experiences and insights. This communal aspect brought a new dimension to the practice, enriching our individual and collective understanding. We entered our liminal space, each with a new name given to us by a fellow participant. I was ‘Great Pathwalker’.
I quickly fell into a trance-like state sitting with my birch and became aware that there were Otherworldly nature spirits present. They gave me a gift and, in exchange, asked to hear the songs of humans singing out to them. This is the gift and song they gave me:
A fairy gift of protection
Spinning yellow diamond leaf cloak,
spun from spider silk,
gossamer gown,
stitched with small bells,
the one-eyed silver log lady
sings as she stretches,
bending sideways,
showing her split silk slip.
In just 30 minutes, an entire gown and cloak were woven. I can only begin to imagine what might be gifted in a whole night.
Try sitting under your favourite tree, or any tree that calls you, and see what arises.
Until next week, with love,
Serena xxx