What if true wisdom isn’t something we learn from books, but something we remember deep within? What if it whispers to us through the rustle of alder leaves, echoes in the salmon’s brave struggle upstream, and shines in the winter moon’s pale light? This is the powerful invitation offered by John Joseph Connell III in his beautiful book, Age to Sage: A Poetic Journey of A Modern Celtic Mystic. Connell doesn’t just write poems; he offers a map for rewilding our spirits using nature as our greatest teacher and our ancestors as our guides.
Nature Isn’t Just Scenery, It’s Our Mirror
Forget complicated philosophies. Connell finds profound spiritual lessons right outside our door. In Age to Sage, he doesn’t simply admire an Alder tree; he becomes it. He writes, “I think about all of the versions of me / Spawned from a sacred and sanctified Tree.” The Alder, bleeding red when cut, mirrors his own passions and pains (“And so does mine boil when a word goes unsaid“).
Watching a hummingbird play in a misted hose stream becomes a moment of pure, heart-awakening connection. The relentless journey of the salmon, battered but driven towards its birthplace, becomes a powerful symbol of our own life struggles and the call to return to our true essence. Nature, for Connell, isn’t passive. It actively reflects our inner world and teaches us resilience, purpose, and the cycles of life and renewal.
Hearing the Echoes of Our Kin
Connell’s journey in Age to Sage is deeply rooted in connection. This connection stretches beyond the present moment to embrace those who came before. His dedication to his grandfather, whose “high-pitched brogue and the clicking of his knotted shillelagh” sounded like ancient Celtic music, shows how ancestors are not gone.
They live on, their presence felt, their wisdom echoing down through time. He speaks of “relations, my Ancestors, that exist simultaneously beyond the veil.” This sense of kinship, of being part of a long, unbroken line – whether of Irish bards or simply the family of life – provides strength and a deep sense of belonging. It reminds us we are never truly alone on our path.
Answering Your “Anam Calling”
At the heart of Connell’s message in Age to Sage is the concept of the “Anam Calling.” This Gaelic idea, inspired by his mentor John O’Donohue, speaks of the soul’s unique purpose. It’s that inner voice, that deep knowing, guiding us towards our true place in the world.
The poems themselves are expressions of Connell’s own Anam Calling, a “mirrored reflection and contemplative expression.” He encourages us to listen for our own call, often drowned out by modern noise. It might sound like the drumbeat we feel in nature, the pull towards creativity, or the quiet voice urging kindness. Discovering and following this calling is central to moving from mere “age” to true “sage.”
Rewilding Your Inner Spirit
So, what does “rewilding your soul” actually mean? In Age to Sage, Connell shows it’s about shedding the layers of societal expectation and artificial constraints. It’s reconnecting with that “curious child” he mentions, the part of us that remains “untamed and wild.” It means trading the frantic pace of modern life for the patient rhythm of the seasons, the trees, and the tides.
It involves listening – truly listening – to the lessons in a fox’s den, the persistence of the salmon, the constancy of the moon, and the quiet wisdom of our ancestors. This rewilding isn’t about escaping society; it’s about returning to our core, natural wisdom to live more authentically and resiliently within the world. As Connell urges, we must “Rise up people, heed your call / Read the writing on the wall,” recognizing the divine spark within and all around us.
John Joseph Connell III’s Age to Sage is more than a poetry collection. It’s an invitation to embark on the most important journey: the journey inward and homeward, guided by nature’s eternal wisdom and the whispers of those who walked before us. It offers a path to remember who we truly are.
Ready to begin your own journey from Age to Sage? Discover the profound wisdom and beauty of John Joseph Connell III’s poetic guide. Explore Age to Sage: A Poetic Journey of A Modern Celtic Mystic today and start rewilding your spirit.