As usual time flies, I thought I had plenty of time to work on my eight years in Ireland blog post, and the date is literally round the corner. Pressure to meet the deadline will hopefully do its magic, fingers and toes crossed because I have less than twenty-four hours left. Needless to say that these eight years have also flown, it still feels like yesterday when I was getting on the ferry in Cherbourg with my car packed to the roof, it still feels like yesterday when I was standing on the stern deck looking at the continent disappear in the horizon as if my life in Catalonia was also vanishing, it still feels like yesterday when I went up to the bow deck to gaze at the silhouette of the Emerald Isle which would bring a new fresh start. Eight years have gone by in the blink of an eye; however, and at the same time, there are times when it seems like I have been living in Ireland for decades. Éire has brought to both my heart and my soul peace, it has brought myself back from the dungeons of low times, it has brought me through an amazing journey of self-discovering and self-growing. Curious fact: Éire evolves from the old Irish word Éiru which was the name of a Gaelic goddess.
It is a smashing sunny evening in this end of the world, somewhere in West Wicklow. You can feel the warmth embracing you, nearly scared to say that it actually feels like summer just in case winter mode turns up to ruin such a wonderful feeling. The weather has been very unsettled since those lovely weeks back in May, when we had hardly no rain for the whole month. June has not been sunny as we all thought and wished however, despite the heavy showers we have enjoyed sunny days. Blinds are all up, for the house to soak up the sunshine. Everything seems to be full of life, everything looks brighter, everything feels energising. It is nice to see the rooms, the garden, the surrounding fields relishing those rays of light, for a change at last. Everything looks new, those dark, cold and damp days are a distant memory. The Emerald Isle is simply amazing, and when the sun does shine it is absolutely stunning: the shades of lush green on every hill, the shades of blues on the wild ocean, the shades of rainbows displayed by spring blossoms. One thing that I have learned over the last eight years is that the weather (apart from being topic number one in conversations) is so changeable that one can have four seasons in one day. So there we go, the sun has disappeared, clouds are back and it looks like it is going to rain soon.
Candle flickering away, as it is a special occasion to me, another anniversary to celebrate and honour. This time Celtic music playing in the background, perfect to bring back all those memories packed thanks to this magic island. Cupán tae as usual, as it is good for anything, including inspiration to be cheered to flow. And of course, Chief Superintendent Smudge the cat is right next to me, and funnily enough she is not sleeping, she is staring at me as if she knew I am behind schedule, under pressure and running out of time. Better get down to business…
…I could feel thousands of years of Celtic queens’ energy embracing me as well as gifting me a magical potion of strength and wisdom…
The Emerald Isle, magically soul healer, magically heart repairer, magically life enhancer. Éire has something that catches your soul in a way that not everyone can appreciate. I am one of those lucky ones who has been able to experience that captivating charm, that magnetising pull, that invigorating effect. Not only have I managed to be myself again after so many years of hiding behind the mask of self-rejection, but also to blossom in so many ways that I would have never thought I would. Back in 2017 when I moved to Ireland I visited plenty of powerful places with Celtic roots: Tara, Newgrange, Loughcrew cairns, as well Knocknarea Mountain where it is said that the warrior queen Medb (Maebh or Maeve) is buried in its cairn. I know that one is not supposed to climb to the top of the cairn but I was at the bottom looking up and without realising I found myself at the top of the cairn, as if a Medb herself had pulled me up there. I will never forget how powerful the experience was: I could feel thousands of years of Celtic queens’ energy embracing me as well as gifting me a magical potion of strength and wisdom.
…I took a ferry to a far away land, followed my dream with courage and persistence, bravely defied my fate so I could start again, and that made all the difference…
Eight years of an amazing journey of self-discovery, self-acceptance, self-actualization, self-awareness and self-compassion. With plenty of ups and downs, plenty of obstacles and adversities, plenty of hardships and efforts made. With loads of great memories and special moments, loads of laughter and funny situations, loads of unforgettable adventures and unknown paths to discover. I left my comfort zone when I packed my car, drove through France, got on the ferry and landed in Ireland the following day. I dared to follow my dreams and worked hard to make them come true. And as my silent hero magni used to say, I became a hero who fought for her wishes and desires with determination. Robert Frost once said, “two roads diverged in a wood, and I, I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference”. I took a ferry to a far away land, followed my dream with courage and persistence, bravely defied my fate so I could start again, and that made all the difference.
…The Emerald Isle where my soul has found peace, where my heart has found contentment, where my spirit has risen from the ashes like a phoenix…
Eight years later, I still would do it again: I would definitely jump on a ferry and move to Ireland; I would certainly voyage to the land of my hopes and dreams; I would assuredly translocate to the isle of Celtic queens and goddesses. Éire has offered me a chance to get my life together, to believe in my own strengths, to let my creativity go wild, to be proud of who I am, to savour new opportunities. I have no regrets, it has not been an easy journey but it is all well worth all the sacrifices I made. Proud of myself, grateful for this unbelievable adventure. The Emerald Isle where my soul has found peace, where my heart has found contentment, where my spirit has risen from the ashes like a phoenix.
To my family for understanding that I had to move to Ireland, as I owed to myself. To my Irish family for welcoming me with such kindness and looking after me. To my magnis friends who helped me from day one and kept encouraging me when things were tough. To my friends who from a distance have made an effort to keep in touch. To those who have helped along the trail one way or another. To those who have given me a chance to settle down in the Emerald Isle. To my Irish partner who keeps reminding me how hard I am working for my dreams and supports me unconditionally.
Go raibh míle maith agat, my Emerald Isle!
Jay Cee Moon ©
Jaycee Moon 