The Alchemy of Wings

Hi there folks! Spring is finally here in Edmonton. I can smell “green” in the air and the Canadian Geese, robins, and seagulls are back. I actually did not know that seagulls migrated. I suppose I never took the time to notice before but I did this year and yes, they do in fact migrate. This is from The Canadian Encyclopedia...

“Generally, gulls breeding from Manitoba westward migrate to the Pacific coast and southward; those nesting east of Manitoba go to the Atlantic coast and southward. Franklin’s gull, which winters in South America, has one of the longest migration routes of any gull in Canada.”

Something that I feel is very important to do, no matter where you live, is get to know the beings that live alongside you. Research the species that live in the rafters of that old abandoned gas station or the “weeds” that poke up through the cracks in the school yard. Nature is all around us, even in the city. From your research you can create your own Wheel of the Year like what exists for many Pagan folk but it will have more meaning for you if you create it yourself. I did this exercise a few years ago and it is interesting to see how the seasonal dates shift from year to year. For me Spring always begins when I hear the first call of the Canadian Cobra Chicken (Canada Goose) and see the first pussy willow on the willows in the school yard by my place.

Another thing that heralds Spring for me is the feeling I get that I need to purge and de-clutter everything in my house. And I do mean everything!! No drawer or box is immune to my calculating gaze. Perhaps you feel something similar and it is no wonder. After being cooped up inside for nearly six months, you can get really tired of looking at your own stuff. It is amazing to take notice of how quickly humans can fill their spaces with stuff. Much like goldfish, we seem to be able to expand to fit whatever space we inhabit.

This year though, de-cluttering has taken on a different focus as I have plans to move out of my current home in 2027. I have lived here in my coach home for just over 10 years and it was the first place that I had complete control over after I found myself as a single mother in my mid 30’s. My daughter and I grew up together over the last decade but now that she has moved onto her own life, I had to make some decisions about what is to come next. My rent is going up (again) and I can no longer pay for a place on my own. It really is a sad state of affairs as on paper I make pretty good money at my day job , yet, I am not able to afford to pay rent on my own. So, my sister and I are going to be moving in together in 2027. Where, we are not sure yet, but I will have to look at the stuff I have and what I may no longer need. Trying to fit two middle aged women’s belongings into one rental is not going to be easy (hahaha).

Prepping for a move and de-cluttering are strange things when you are as conscious about not generating waste as I am. I can make a case that everything inside my home has a use and someday I will get around to using it, but I know that is actually not the truth of it. When you are neurodivergent like I am, clutter takes on a world of meaning in the unfinished projects and good intentions lying in bins overstuffed with supplies and instructions. Who do I want to be now? How does the stuff I own hold me back? I recently read a book called New Minimalism: Decluttering and Design for Intentional Living by Cary Telander Fortin and Kyle Louise Quilici. In it are a variety of exercises and journalling questions that you can ask yourself on your decluttering journey. Check out the book at your local library. I got mine from Edmonton Public Library. I discovered that I am both the Practical and Energetic archetype. For my Practical side, I can acknowledge the use of an item but also release it to someone that may actually be able to use it sooner rather than later. For the Energetic archetype, the main challenge is to get honest about the time you actually have for all the hundreds of projects that you want to do. I always think that things will take less time than they do and that I will find time somewhere. Spoiler alert….yah…not going to happen with ADHD.

So where does this bring me as someone that is really concerned about not creating waste? Well, I will have to make plans to move my extra things to places where they can do someone else good. One such place is the Reuse Centre here in Edmonton. This is seriously one of my favourite places in Edmonton and a fabulous place to go if you need crafting supplies and other reuse items. You can drop off for free and pick up for free and even sign up to attend a few of their DIY courses. Check out their events and drop by for their Earth Day Event on Saturday April 26th for a Earth Day Market and information. I also take books to the Edmonton Public Library for their book sales. Home goods go to Goodwill and clothes go to Blenderz Garment Recyclers. This is another one of my favourite reuse businesses here in Edmonton. They also have DIY classes you can sign up for. Check them out!

I love the sense of being able to stretch and breathe after I de-clutter which mirrors the feelings of Spring. Letting things go so that new things can grow is a key energetic pattern at this time of the year. We will see how well I do though about not bringing in new things. I think remembering that I am no longer a spring chicken and that I will have to carry all of my stuff up and down stairs when I move may help. Or not…

I would love to hear what you feel are signs of Spring in your neck of the woods . Or what are your favourite places to take things you no longer need in an effort to keep things out of landfill and our waterways?

Until next time, Stay Weird and Wonderful!

Melissa