In the eddy or under the cowlick

"In fluid dynamics, an eddy is the swirling of a fluid and the reverse current created when the fluid flows past an obstacle. The moving fluid creates a space devoid of downstream-flowing fluid on the downstream side of the object." Wikipedia

A cowlick is a section of hair that stands straight up or lies at an angle that odds with the style in which the rest of an individual's hair is worn. Cowlicks appear when the growth direction of the hair forms a spiral pattern. The term "cowlick" originates from the domestic bovine's habit of licking its young, which results in a swirling pattern in the hair. The most common site of a human cowlick is in the crown, but they can show up anywhere. They also sometimes appear in the front and back of the head.^[1] The term cowlick dates from the late 16th century, when Richard Haydocke used it in his translation of Lomazzo: "The lockes or plaine feakes of haire called cow-lickes, are made turning upwards." [2
-Wikipedia 

The Full Moon and Lunar Eclipse earlier this morning happened behind cloudy skies as we slept. But no matter, the effects of the full illumination and momentary shadow created by the Sun's grandeur was felt none the less. The water and light within will rise to the surface whether we see it or now. My dreams have been deep and illuminated ones, shining on the patterns of old they do bring up the cowlicks in my psyche, the ones I kid myself about "Oh I'm so over that!" or hide under hats so no one sees the pattern. But of course, others see the cowlick, I am under the cowlick and the errant locks are out of my site not out of yours! The original post "What do you call a cowlick ... " I wrote continues to be one of this blog's favorites. The irony of that does not escape me.

The other day I sat for lunch with a friend. We'd brought our separate repasts: an omelet rolled and sliced making it handy finger food for me; cubes of what looked like beef with broccoli bits for my friend. Pete and I had driven up the island for a once-in-awhile appointment and this meet up was one of the add on benefits for the two hour drive. He dropped me off for my lunch chat, said hello to my friend and left us to my time. My friend is making some very big life changes, leaving a long-time pattern of being, doing and believing she is now making her way out. Over bites and swallows of omelet and beef bits we shared stories. At one point my friend said, "I'm in the eddy and not sure what ..." and I'm not quite sure of what she said exactly. What I heard was a friend describing what it's like to make new choices and break from the flow of a once satisfying and proper fit-for-her-life. Not fit at all on the afternoon we shared a lunch, I listened to her quandary. 

What I heard was a woman, mother and once-wife describe the wrestle with becoming a success in the world designed by man when it is the eddy of female that is asking her to wait and give birth to her woman-who-has-waited all those years. There were some bits of information that seemed timely to pass to her while we sat on the bench, she in her eddy, me a loving older woman who has fought my cowlicks or flailed in the swirl so many times! We talked about investing large sums of money into 'higher education' with the culture of debt an inevitable future. Was that the future she wished to commit to? What might you have learned through real-life as a pioneering off-the-grid mother of many, farmer, gardener and gatherer of people that could be the fertile ground for birthing the woman-in-the-eddy? I had a conversation weeks earlier with a practitioner with decades of experience in a field my friend was intrigued with. The money to support her training, and the time to study were challenges. That feeling of being in an eddy with the reverse current created  ... that was how my friend was feeling. Sometimes what looks like an unending dervish is BEFORE "when the fluid flows past an obstacle." Women experience this each time they birth a child through a vaginal delivery. It's what women are made to do.

Ever find yourself in the eddy or under the cowlick?