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Jun 15Liked by Northern Spirit House

Such a rich tale and telling, with beautiful illustrations by John Bauer. The themes in the tale really resonate. Just yesterday I took a long evening walk in Nymans Woods, not another soul in sight, connecting with the incredible trees there and chanting the runes that surfaced in Fittleworth Arboretum a couple of weeks ago, guided by an oak tree. More of this will be contained in my next Substack post. This is all forming part of a wider exploration of ecosexuality and its relevance to the mid-life human journey, and also builds on a conversation in response to Martin Shaw's recent posts. So here is my response to Princess Tuvstarr.

The Wild Nature of Self: Princess Tuvstarr's journey into the forest mirrors our own journey into the wildness of our own being. Just as she sheds her royal garments and adornments, we too must shed societal expectations and conditioning to connect with our authentic selves. The forest becomes a metaphor for the untamed, sensual landscape of our inner world.

Worldly Addictions and Reconnecting with the Heart: The story highlights the dangers of losing ourselves in external validation and material possessions. Tuvstarr's attachment to her golden crown and dress symbolizes the allure of worldly attachments. Losing these items forces her to confront her true desires and seek a deeper connection to her heart through nature.

Nature Connection and Loving Relationship: Tuvstarr's relationship with Long-legged,, the Forest King, represents the profound connection we can forge with the natural world. He guides her through the challenges of the forest, just as nature can guide us through our own personal journeys. This connection fosters a sense of love, respect, and reciprocity for the Earth.

Awakening to the Wild Nature of Self: The emphasis on the unconscious and the "Well of Memory" speaks to the importance of accessing our deeper instincts and intuition. Tuvstarr's quest for her lost heart of gold symbolizes the journey to reclaim our authentic selves and rediscover our innate wisdom. Aplying an ecosexual interpretation of the story highlights the sensual and erotic aspects of our connection to nature. Just as Tuvstarr experiences an intense connection with the natural world, we too can find pleasure, healing, and empowerment through our sensual relationship with the Earth.

I look forward to an oral telling of this tale to a wider audience sometime soon. Maybe at one of the upcoming Fittleworth events?

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Thank you so much Serena - yes a wide open telling is planned, we are thinking of doing more work with this story as it raises many questions. Warm wishes.

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