Do something wild with words and wild in the world: get outside and go inside–at the same time. Join Metaphorestry for Writers this November.
metaphorestry (n) – The practice of connecting deeply with nature through metaphor.
Nurture meaningful relationships between the natural world, your true nature, and the nature of the world all around you.
Nature “helps reveal ourselves to ourselves,” (Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee) and reveal our characters to ourselves–and our readers. Metaphor helps bring out the clarity and mystery of those revelations. Metaphorestry nudges us to embody those metaphors, and connect with nature to bring out our own true natures. And “Metaphorestry for Writers” explores the nature of metaphor itself–and its own revelatory powers.
Metaphorestry
You’ve been using metaphor to connect with nature in empowering ways all your life, but may not know it. Grief comes in waves, ideas compress into nutshells, solidity holds the form of rocks, independence shapes into the winged forms of eagles.
Metaphors are as natural to our use of language as they are to the way we think, and by extension, act. So why not use metaphor proactively to rekindle your ancient connection to the deep abiding wisdom readily offered by the natural world?
Put your hand on the bark of a tree and feel your own thick skin. Hold the stone on your windowsill and feel a patient restfulness within. Watch clouds part and delight in seeing a new idea come to light. Let go of a leaf and ready yourself for change. Tap into nature’s deepest messages mirroring your deepest needs–even unearth buried knowledge within.
Awaken to the realization that you are more than just a part of nature–you are nature.
I call the practice “Metaphorestry.”
This fall, I’m offering “Metaphorestry for Writers,” for everyone from novelists to nature writers, poets to personal essayists. We meet on Zoom Tuesdays November 10, 17, 24, Dec 1, from 6-7:30pm CT.
Learn from nature’s gentle teachings. A careful attention to the natural world can grow into empowering knowledge. Find out which wild metaphors speak to you, whisper of ancient wisdom, even sprout elegant tendrils that curlicue around and through the words you choose.
Learn from the nature of metaphor, too. Together we’ll stand in metaphor’s contradictions and challenge ourselves to maintain balance amidst ambiguity and clarity, breadth and depth. You’ll tease out themes in your writing and your own life—and use them to focus your work rather than blur your vision. Metaphorestry teaches you how to see both the forest for the trees, and the trees for the forest.
We’ll look beyond the page for guidance “in the wild” of the sidewalk, a neighborhood park, your backyard, or the boonies. Or maybe just the frost thickening your windowpane. What aspect of nature calls to you? We’ll read the landscapes around us, and translate what we discover. Maybe ask a leaf for guidance. Listen to the wings of birds, the chitter of chipmunks. Balance the weight of a boulder in our imaginations.
It may seem strange at first. But recognizing signs and messages from nature may be more natural than you think. I believe they’re with us all, and have been throughout our lives. All we need to do is get close enough (or comfortable enough) to see them through the magnifying lens of metaphor.
Join “Metaphorestry for Writers” this November and inhabit the natural world and your own writing with imaginative play, even awe. Explore how a fascination with near nature—or nature anywhere—can be cultivated through metaphor, both on the page and off the page.
Deepen your connection to your themes, strengthen themes within your current or future work, and explore creative ways to entangle metaphor and nature with your writing practice.
You can sign upfor Metaphorestry for Writers by emailing me at angelarydell@gmail.com. I’ll send the registration info your way.
Click here to get on the waitlist for future metaphorestry offerings.
