"Nothing happens by chance, nothing is as good luck, as commonly called, for the cause must be present to produce that which is real, see?"
Edgar Cayce Reading: 136-12
Sometimes it’s hard to find the good in all the bad.
But when, despite all else, we choose to approach life from a loving perspective, contributing the best of ourselves to the world, Life has an unerring knack of rewarding us in ways that uplift our spirit in a manner that nothing else can.
I hope the retelling of this gorgeously intricate true story, inspires and uplifts you, as it has inspired and uplifted me whilst living it.
It’s hard to know when a story begins until it has ended… until the treads of connection weave a gentle cocoon around a central idea, pulling all that is needed together, nourishing a seed, from almost nothing, into full formation.
The seed of this story was invisible to me for almost a year. It arrived in the form of an email from a new customer of Wild As The Wind. Here is the abridged version:
Hi Rachel,
I received my order this morning and already I can tell the oils are excellent quality. I have been using essential oils on and off for many years. I came across your site whilst looking for companies who were not engaging in the craziness of the past few years and bookmarked you.
I have so much respect for any company that had the courage to stand against the endless fear and discrimination that was/is going on. When I was ready to order more oils, I knew who I would be ordering from and expect to be ordering more in the future.
Thank you for standing for humanity. Thank you for choosing to, in the face of so much resistance, stand for what is true.
These words, and the deeply generous intention behind them, as you will discover, affected me deeply. In the moment, they provided me with incredible sustenance and release. And, they have travelled with me trough time, until now.
Nevertheless, I had no idea that they had even more to yield…
I wasn’t sure why I emailed the author, a couple of weeks ago, asking for permission to reproduce her words, but, when my request was granted, and I responded with thanks, the seed burst open, and this story very quickly began to take shape…
Thanks so much for your quick response, and for agreeing to let me use your quote. It's very much appreciated.
I am also very pleased to hear that you are doing really well, but so sorry that you have had to close down your practice, and go into retreat to achieve the improvements.
I abandoned my writing career after two successive burn-outs compounded by unidentified toxic exposure (EMF or mould - or both?), which led to a protracted period of ill-health that lasted at least two years. It was four years before I really had the energy to consider my options and rethink my future. Part way through, I entered menopause, which exacerbated things, before I was able to get a handle on that too... so, I know what it feels like to be facing seemingly insurmountable health issues.
I also became quite the hermit, but still had to do part-time freelance work to pay the bills. Thankfully, by the time that dried up, I felt well enough to contemplate a new direction. That's when Wild As The Wind was born. And, it happened almost by accident... almost like a hidden hand was guiding me where I needed to go, presenting me with opportunities to walk down a particular path, that I gladly accepted... Before I knew it, I was involved in a process that would ultimately materialise into Wild As The Wind.
I can honestly say that I didn't “found” Wild As The Wind... it found me!
All I needed to do was give it a home, and nurture it, so that it could become everything that it wanted to be.
In the last week I discovered that two violinists, (one a virtuoso from Bulgaria, living in London, and the other, an influential Scottish musician, who lives on the Isle of Lismore), both use my Facial Oil No. 2.
I used to play the violin, but gave my last one away three years ago, to a brilliant violinist, and friend, who was struggling on minimum wage, living in a caravan.
My RSI made playing too impractical.
I am hoping, with their permission, to write a post about my discovery, placing it in the context of how, when we do what we love, and bring our best to the world, our experience is incredibly inspiring in the most synchronous of ways... Effectively exploring the spiritual side of things, and embroidering in tenets of Universal Law...
I am saddened by the loss of playing the fiddle, but am delighted that, through what I'm doing now, I've discovered two new violinists, at winter's end, that have lifted me out of a pretty beleaguered state, to rejoice in my renewed faith, that the Universe does, indeed, operate by design, and not through chaos.
I have been listening to their music... It's been a complete tonic. Just the diversion I needed, at just the right time!
I mention this because, after relating the story of how Wild As The Wind began in this email, I immediately realised that the theme is the same.
I call these realisations Owen Meany moments, based on a John Irving book entitled: A Prayer For Owen Meany.
For me, an Owen Meany moment is when we finally discover a deeper meaning to why things happen the way they do, and how life has orchestrated an unfathomably complex sequence of events, that sometimes take days, weeks, months, years, even decades, to position us in precisely the right place, at the right time, for that moment to occur.
And, you know you have experienced an Owen Meany moment, because it feels like manna, and reaches into the very core of who you are. You feel alive. You feel connected. And, you know, no matter how you have suffered, that you are not forgotten. And, that you are, in fact, loved.
Your first email to me came just at the right time, too. You joined me out on a limb, and made me feel so much less alone. I'm deeply grateful for that. x x x
And, there it was… the story had begun to write itself… it was ready to be born!
But, I still needed the assistance of two more midwives in order for it to enter the world…
I was almost giddy with excitement, and trepidation, when I reached out to the two gifted violinists, asking for their co-operation.
But, in the spirit of co-creation, they graciously lent me their support.
Their names are Mila Georgieva and Mairi Campbell, and this is what they wrote:
Mila’s words…
It’s amazing that you have also played the violin and it’s good that someone else now has the chance to play yours.
I will check your other client and will listen to her album.
If you are interested, if you type my name( Mila Georgieva violin) on YouTube you can hear some things that I have done.
Your email moved and touched me. It was beautiful to read and inspiring to hear about your journey.
I am happy to be featured in the post.
I am grateful that the universe brought us somehow together.
Mila Georgieva is an outstanding violinist born in Bulgaria. She has been a virtuoso violinist since childhood, and has travelled the world because of it.
Mila studied at Juilliard School of Music, in New York, and at Guildhall School of Music, in London.
The following video features her as a young woman, in Italy.
Join the next video at 1:40, if, like me, you don’t speak Italian.
Mila has also, very kindly, provided feedback about Facial Oil No. 2:
I absolutely love facial oil number 2.
It’s golden colour and gorgeous scent transport me to sunny Bulgaria and the wonderful rose fields that we have there.
It’s very healing and balancing for my rosacea prone, sensitive skin. I have always been nervous using facial oils on my skin as they are usually not approved for my skin condition by dermatologists.
The quality of facial oil 2, and the combination of oils in it are incredible though, and it has never irritated my skin. On the contrary it is calming and nourishing and makes my skin soft and beautiful.
Thank you Rachel for the love and care that you put into your products.
Mairi’s words
Dear Rachel,
It's wonderful to hear from you directly! Your face oil came this morning. It is a balm for my skin. It was recommended by my daughter I think, can't remember very clearly, but it's the only thing I've wanted to put on my skin in a long time! The smell is divine and the feel is so light.
My friend Kath Burlinson has just ordered a bottle too - she's staying with me at the moment and loved what she tried, so ordered a bottle immediately.
Isn't it strange how things happen! I think we have much in common, but what I love is that you've reached out personally, so thank you for that.
Of course, I'd be delighted if you wanted to write about meeting the two fiddlers and how that's a deep thread in your life too.
Kath and I are in the middle of a deep process of writing my next one woman music theatre show, all about land and a particular stone which I found up here on my great-grandmother’s croft. It's a wonderful thing and a deep dive but feels right for these times. I'll be showing it for the month of August at the Edinburgh fringe festival.
For those wishing to discover more information about the Edinburg show, closer to the time, Mairi has an events calendar on her website. Alternatively, you can subscribe to the mailing list for updates.
Mairi kindly recommended a couple of videos to reproduce here. She is so prolific, there’s an enormous amount to choose from. Both feature Mairi’s mesmerising, soulful voice.
This first video is profoundly gripping from the outset, depicting amazing imagery.
This second video feature’s Mairi in concert, and is a delight to watch…
It’s clear that Mairi has a deep connection to the earth, and to her heritage. Living on the Isle of Lismore must be an endless source of inspiration.
She is generous enough to share it with others - providing fiddle retreats throughout the year.
My deepest gratitude goes to Mairi and Mila, and the writer of the words, from which this story emanates… Thank you so much. x x x
We are living in tremendously challenging times. Only those who dutifully conscript to the call to create, can begin to redress the destruction of those who heed a darker instruction.
All that is crude is always self-evident. So full of bombast and dissonant noise. Constantly threatening to drown out all that is good, beautiful and inspiring.
For the sake of our souls, it is incumbent upon us to tune in to the subtle creative force… so that we may resonate with the stuff that is as everlasting as love. We can only ever hear it’s whispers in the quiet moments, between breaths. And we can only give it’s secrets wings and a voice if we cherish it enough to bring it into the manifest world.
Much love, as always. x x x x
Rachel you are an inspiration . Hope to see your first book soon
Beautiful souls attract beautiful souls . Even in the darkest tunnel, a glimmer of light is present. Reach out and we will be amazed ... just a beautiful Rachel's story unfolds. Mila and Mairi's creativity and wholeness are mesmerising and deeply moving. Thank you beautiful ladies. XXX