The Day the Hornet Died...
It’s been raining for two days, and we’re deep in the TRANSITION from summer to autumn here in the northern hemisphere.
This morning, as I wandered into Luna Garden, I noticed a hornet resting on the couch. It looked lifeless, yet something in me knew it wasn’t. I gently nudged it to the ground and stepped back.
This is progress. My younger self would have been terrified, heart racing at the sight of the dying hornet, that could rise and sting me.
At four years old, I was stung by a wasp while playing pirates with my neighbor, peering through the metal pole at the top of a swing set. It hurt, a freakin lot. My eye swelled up like a baseball. I was traumatized. It took years to grow comfortable with certain parts of the natural world. And now, I feel so blessed to find myself here, on this sacred land of the Monocan tribes. More comfortable than ever in the natural world.
I quietly stepped a few feet closer to check on the hornet. They’re hungry and aggressive this time of year, so I approached cautiously. I could see it was struggling—its life slowly slipping away.
For a brief moment, I considered ending its misery. But a soft, gentle “no” washed over me. I knew I was meant to sit on the edge of the couch, with the misty rain falling around me, and hold space for this hornet’s TRANSITION.
I clasped my hands, took a deep breath, and opened the space. It was curled in on itself, slowly moving through its final bits of life. Hot tears filled my eyes. I knew then, that this was about more than just the hornet. I’ve had the honor of spiritually guiding many loved ones through their transitions. It’s been both grounding and heavy, reminding me how precious life is and the importance of the present moment.
Here I was, weeping with the natural world, holding space for the hornet, and in turn, the hornet was holding space for me. We were honoring my beautiful mother, Sarah, Cara, Dave, Kristen, and Claire.
Each twitching wing movement felt like an acknowledgment of the natural cycle—of dying, weaving itself into the alchemy of autumn. A sacred honoring of my loved ones, and all those who have gone through this process, across time and space.
The hornet lay on the outdoor rug, and I sensed it needed energy. I tuned in, and it became clear: the branch from the tree in the fairy garden, full of support and love, was meant to help the hornet’s transition. I placed it gently above the little creature. The energy shifted, and I felt its gratitude as tears quietly fell down my cheeks.
There are many more tears yet to be shed.
I bow deeply in gratitude to the hornet for this honor—another transition to witness and hold space for.
Ego interrupted for a moment, whispering, “If someone saw you, they’d think you were crazy.” But I brushed it aside. Nobody was watching and I wasn’t going to let that intrusive thought burst this sacred bubble. I felt a knowing settle in. In response, I hurried inside to grab my computer, which felt incredibly wrong and absolutely right, all at once.
Writing has always been therapeutic, but I’ve kept myself away from it. Frozen in trauma and grief. Rolling with the waves and the punches. I’ve wanted to write about my experiences through the lens of an energy doula, holding space for the TRANSITIONS of so many loved ones these past few years. Slowly, I’m emerging from the underworld, ready to process through writing and sharing
And…
There are many more tears yet to fall.
The hornet honors this with me.
I glanced over every few moments to see how it was doing, breathing and honoring all it symbolized for me. Feeling a little guilty for not being completely present. And then, a voice came through—whether from my intuition, Spirit, or the hornet itself, it didn’t matter. I tuned in and gazed into the hornet’s eyes.
“Please continue. I’m okay. Thank you.”
A deep knowing followed…
This is the way. Grieve through writing.
Release through writing.
You are ready.
It is time.
The wounds are healing into scars.
It’s safe to share.
I could feel the hornet’s energy fading, much like I’d felt with my mother and friends, preparing to move through the portal, past the veil. We often speak of death but rarely do we speak about dying. It’s a process of divine timing.
As I sat with this energy, nature’s symphony surrounded me. The rain drummed softly on the gutter, birds sang, and the breeze stirred. Life moves on all around me as I bear witness to the passage of this small, yet significant life.
The hornet has passed through the veil.
BREATHE. BELIEVE. RELEASE. RECEIVE.
And to ego, I lovingly say, “Let them think I’m crazy. This was undeniably one of the most beautiful experiences.”
What a gift, to open myself fully to grief. No numbing, no holding back—just allowing, accepting.
This season of TRANSITION continues to reveal there is beauty in the breakdown.
THAT’S NOT ALL. I thought it was. That’s where I was planning to end this post….beauty in the breakdown, but there’s more.
As I returned home from a day full of errands, I felt drawn back to the garden to check on the hornet. To my surprise, it had moved. Looking closer, I saw it still pulsing, not yet fully transitioned. Once again, that inner battle arose—should I end its suffering? But every fiber of my being whispered, No.
At the side of the house, I noticed an enormous maple leaf on the ground. It called to me, and I listened. Gently, I covered the hornet with the damp, warm leaf, creating a tent-like shelter for it to continue its journey. The leaf's stem left an opening, offering the hornet a cozy, sacred space to complete the dying process.
In these small yet profound moments, we’re reminded of the cycles of life, death, and the transitions in between. Just as I held space for the hornet, I hold space for you now and your transitions this season.
For more sacred moments through the lens of an energy doula, follow me on Instagram @divinelysensitive. 🌿✨
And if you're feeling the call to nurture yourself through life's seasonal transitions, I invite you to check out the replay of my Transition workshop, Autumn Alchemy. CLICK HERE to watch the replay, print the workbook, and listen to the playlist!
Reading this after the Autum? Click that link anyway. We update the TRANSITION page every season:)
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