Sealskin. Returning to Oneself.
Sealskin story originates in northern cultures’ folklore and has many variations, all featuring a selkie – a magical half-human half-seal creature. Like all good stories, it contains great lessons which even we, modern people, can benefit from in our daily life. This particular tale reminds us of one of the essential things our soul craves – replenishing of energy.
The problem comes when everyday life spins us in endless obligations, and the ego swishes the whip to run faster after our ambitions. Then without any pauses, we eventually get lost and confused. We become irritable, ever tiered, dissatisfied, and we question ourselves too much.
Often, we don’t even see it as a problem – our constant “fix everything, help everyone” mode which eventually exhausts us, leading to inevitable burn out.
Experiencing the sense of wonder, vision, the state of wholeness is vital for us, but it won’t appear without our conscious direction. In Sealskin, we see that when the seal woman returns home – she regains her vitality. Returning home – is an act of the soul, it is when we put our running on pause for a little and make time to rest and recharge.
There are as many ways to rejuvenate as there are people – for some it is in listening to music, for others it’s dancing, or reading, or praying – it is up to your personal preference. The main thing though is to hear the call to do so – and to answer it. Don’t be confused, it is not as easy as it sounds - recognising the call and being proactive about it requires some more effort than turning on Netflix. Although it is easy to watch TV mindlessly, it won’t help you recharge. Unless this is what makes you feel alive, it will merely help you kill your time.
Purposefully replenishing your energy with acts that make your soul happy requires a little effort, how much effort depends on you, but you will surely feel the reward that follows. This act, taken often and mindfully, will ensure you have more energy for your work and your family. Remember, as much as we sometimes wish we could; we can’t give from an empty cup.
So, take care of yourself and do something that makes you feel alive often.
Sealskin story (shortened):
Somewhere in the icy lands far North, lived a man, so lonely that tears of sadness carved great chasms into his cheeks. He lived by hunting and strolling the waters in his kayak. One night he hunted past dark but found nothing. As the moon rose in the sky, he came to a great rock in the sea and saw a small group of magnificent women dancing atop of it. Listening to their laughter, he suddenly felt his loneliness lift away and almost without thinking he jumped to the rock and grabbed one of the sealskins laying there and hid behind an outcropping.
Eventually, the women went down, picking up their sealskins and jumped into the water, turning into seals — all except for one who couldn’t find her skin. Feeling suddenly emboldened, the man stepped from the rock, “Woman…I am a lonely man. Be my wife, and in seven summers I will return your skin to you, and you will be free to leave”. The young seal woman reluctantly agreed.
In time they had a child, who was named Ooruk. His parents loved him deeply, and he brought much joy to their lives. But as time went on, the woman’s flesh began to dry out, her hair was falling, she lost her plumpness, and her eyes were getting dull.
One night Oorok was awakened by his parents shouts.
“It is the eighth winter, and you promised to return me what is mine!”, cried the mother.
“And you are going to leave me wifeless and your son motherless. You are bad.”, shouted the man, walking out of the door into the night.
The boy was shaken and fell asleep crying…only to be awakened again by the wind.
“Ooooooooruk”
The child followed the voice out of the house and to the cliff. There, far out in the sea, he saw a huge silver seal.
“Oooooooooruk”
The boy scrambled down the cliff and stumbled upon a bundle that had rolled out of the cleft in the rock. He scratched it open and saw his mother’s sealskin. The silver seal disappeared beneath the water, and the boy ran back to the house.
His mother swept him up with the skin and closed her eyes in gratitude for the safety of both. That night she put her skin on and jumped into the sea with her son to show him the underwater world. After seven days she returned him to land. In those days, her plumpness and vision returned to her, and her eyes began shining again.
In time the boy grew into a mighty drummer, singer and a maker of stories. He was often seen by the sea, speaking to a female seal whose eyes looked human.
The end.
Based on interpretation and analysis by Clarissa Pinkola Estes from the book “Women Who Run with the Wolves”.
We Are Seed Publication!
We make enriching posters for condominiums in Malaysia, building communities and spreading insights that matter to people.
More Articles: