Last week, as I sat by one of my favorite rivers, I noticed tiny fish darting among the underwater rocks. They were young salmon, less than two inches long, exact replicas of their adult counterparts.
A thought crossed my mind. These small creatures were born alone, and have no earthly parents to care for them and guide them. Intrigued, I went home and read about their lives. I learned that after spending their first year in rivers and streams, the young salmon trek downstream to the Pacific Ocean where they remain for several years.
When the salmon are mature, they swim countless miles back upstream to their birthplace, where they spawn and fertilize eggs, and then die. Their voyage is daunting, filled with obstacles and challenges, yet they persist in order to bring forth the next generation of salmon.
I realized that with no earthly parents, these amazing creatures rely on their one true parent, Earth Mother, to nurture and guide them throughout their lives. The salmon listen to the whispers of Her sun, moon, wind, and water to know when to migrate to Her ocean, and when to return to their birthplace to spawn the new generation. It is the ultimate Mother who provides nourishment, a home, and ongoing guidance to these brave beings.
Salmon are incredible models for living…intuitive, determined, courageous, fully connected to the Spirit of the Earth…I am honored to share the planet with these amazing beings.
(New photos on website Gallery: wandernature.com/new-photos)