Take a moment to close your eyes and relax; find your center. Breathe deeply, and let the cares of the day fall away. For a moment, simply watch your breath as you breathe in. . . and out. . . in. . . and out. Continue to pay attention to your breath for a moment. . .
Now, at the edge of the mists, there is a parting. The mists roll back to reveal the dark, cosmic waters at the edge of the world, deep and undisturbed. They stretch far into the distance, disappearing into the farthest mists.
In the shallows before you, where the land meets the waters, stands a tall, watchful crane. One foot stands upon the land; the other is in the water. His eye is raised to the sky.
This is Garanus, the crane.
He has dominion over the three realms: he sleeps upon the land, feeds in the waters, and flies through the sky. It is he who travels past the edges of these realms, beyond the Ninth Wave, and upon whose back we will range to meet the Ancestors, the Spirits of Nature, and the Shining Ones. Garanus, the crane, will will be our gatekeeper and our guide as we embark on this work for ourselves and for ADF.
Take a moment to simply watch the Crane as he works. Understand how he moves, where his liminal place in the world is, and how you, too, can fit within it.
. . .
Now, take a moment to re-center yourself. Bid fairwell to Garanus, the Crane.
See the mists of magic roll in again, drawing near so that the cosmic waters are lost beneath their cover. Feel yourself at the center, and then draw in a deep breath. . . and as you exhale see the mists of magic dissipate and reorient yourself. Open your eyes, and, when you are ready, take a moment to write down any impressions you have.
