Thunderstorms & transformation
Easing pressure with permission
If you’re new to living wildly, and all the moon cycles and tree wisdom and archetypes seem a bit much to get your head around, an ideal place to begin is connecting with seasonal symbols. We include one for each month of the year in The Rewilding Yearbook, and July’s symbol is the thunderstorm. Here’s how we introduce them in the book…
Low rumbles of thunder and burning flashes of lightning occur most frequently in a summer sky, offering release from the intensity of building pressure and heat. Storms are so common in North America at this time of year that July’s full moon is known by some as the Thunder Moon. The combination of sound and light present in a thunderstorm is one of the most elemental displays in nature, reminding us of the incredible life force that is present not only in the wild world, but also in ourselves.
Now the peak of midsummer has passed, plants and flowers can often appear to wilt under the continued intensity of the sun, which still wields a great deal of power throughout the month of July, but the transformative nature of rain storms will often freshen and re-green the landscape, at least for a short time. The water balances out the heat of the sun, and brings a different kind of energy, one that can often feel like relief, giving permission for us to likewise find ways to counteract the busy action of this phase.
After June’s intense heatwave and frequent thunderstorms, it’s a symbol that may resonate more deeply this year than in previous ones. We have felt the oppressive build-up of heat, watched skies turn an eerie yellow-grey, breathed air thick with humidity, and waited for the release that finally arrived in rain.
A thunderstorm reminds us that pressure cannot build forever. In the wild world, storms are not interruptions to the season but part of it, restoring balance, cooling scorched ground, replenishing rivers and awakening dormant seeds. While they can be dramatic - even destructive - they also make renewal possible.
Without opportunities for release, ecosystems struggle, and perhaps the same is true of us. Many of us are carrying layers of pressure: the relentless pace of modern life, the emotional weight of living through ecological breakdown, the constant stream of news, notifications and expectations. We are encouraged to keep functioning as though none of it touches us, when in reality our bodies and spirits know otherwise.
We have passed the moment when we can simply endure all of this; we (and the world) need transformation. We need moments that interrupt harmful patterns, soften hardened ground and make space for something new to emerge. Rather than resisting the storm, perhaps this month we might ask: where is pressure building within me, and what kind of release might restore balance?
How to ease pressure with permission
An adapted activity from the Yearbook
On post-its, or on small pieces of paper, write yourself a series of permission slips, intended to ease the intensity that often emerges in response to the pressures of a demanding world. Begin with the phrase ‘You have permission to…’ each time and add your own endings. Here are some examples to get you started:
You have permission to experience positive feelings alongside emotions that respond to the chaos of the world; joy, pleasure and happiness can co-exist with grief, anger and frustration.
You have permission to step away from the news when your nervous system needs tending.
You have permission to ask for help and to lean on your community.
You have permission to change your mind as you (un)learn.
You have permission to grieve what is being lost.
You have permission to be ‘imperfect’ in how you care for the earth.
You have permission to hold onto hope for change.
If you’re interested in discovering the other seasonal symbols of the year - as well as meeting the archetypes of the wild self, and exploring the monthly wisdom of animal guides, moons and trees - you can find out more about The Rewilding Yearbook here.
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Such wonderful writing ✨