Understanding synchronicity provides an aperture for self-discovery. Synchronicity is my pivot word for 2022 and as I navigate the uncertain landscape, I will look for the connective events, their synchronicity as a compass guide to enrich my world with creativity, insights, and lessons.
Synchronicity Defined
The coincidental occurrence of events and especially psychic events (such as similar thoughts in widely separated persons or a mental image of an unexpected event before it happens) that seem related but are not explained by conventional mechanisms of causality — used especially in the psychology of Carl Gustav Jung.”
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/synchronicity#examples
For example, you think of an old friend, someone you haven’t seen or heard from in years, and then PUFF, they call, or you bump into them.
I am deeply interested in these outward coincidences and consider them an encouraging nod to look deeper, to find metaphor, remain compassionate and creative with my interpretative synchronous insights.
When you experience synchronicity, you’ll have experiences that seem far too significant to be mere day-to-day serendipitous encounters. Some people describe these as ‘freak encounters,’ ‘miracles,’ ‘signs from the heavens… or even mystical instances of Soul connection.”
Synchronicity: 7 Ways to Interpret and Manifest It, Aletheia Luna, 08/03/2021
Synchronicity Unfolds
The following story summarizes a series of events on December 30, 2021, and my interpretation of synchronicity that inspired the writing of this post.
Two events occurr simultaneously
- A planned 2 PM walk at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge is delayed
- The Tarot cards I ordered arrive. (After much research, I decided to use the Rider Tarot Deck as a vehicle for self-reflection prompts. I chose the Rider Tarot Deck, because of its history (1909) and popularity). This Rider Tarot deck includes a small pamplet describing each of the 78 cards. A good place to begin understanding this ancient practice).
Sitting at the kitchen table, The Rider Tarot deck in hand, time on my side (because of the delay), I spontaneously decide to pull my first card, though nervous as to what the message will portend for the New Year.
The Lovers
Phew…….Married forty years this June (g-d willing) to Glenn, I smile at him across the table. And then I turn to the internet to read the meaning of The Lovers card.
“The Lovers represent you and your partner having a spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical connection that most couples can only dream about. Lucky you!”
With those encouraging words, I read further.
The Lovers signifies perfect union, harmony, love and attraction. The Lovers can represent finding the balance within oneself. You are learning to understand yourself, your own personal moral code and what you value in life… “
https://www.thetarotguide.com/the-lovers
And with this first dive into Tarot for self-discovery, I enthusiastically shared the synopsis with Glenn who was finishing up some work (thus, the delay).
Seizing the positive energy of the card’s message, we decide to go to the Quogue Wildlife Refuge after all, even though it was getting late. Sunset was at 4:30 PM and it was already 3:00 PM.
The Quogue Wildlife Refuge
The Quogue Wildlife Refuge is a 305-acre nonprofit nature preserve home to a diverse habitat, a great place to bathe in nature, and a wonderful place to photograph.
The Green Trail
There are seven miles of walking paths at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge and with an hour till sunset (when it closes), we choose the green trail, the shortest path, and new to us. We often get lost at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge and sure enough, we found ourselves off the green path. With sundown looming, we decide to backtrack and arrive at the beginning of the green path.
Ahead, a man falls to the ground, a woman frightened peers over, worried he has had a heart attack or a seizure, I interpret what I am seeing as I look ahead.
A hired photographer hides behind a tree. A man is now kneeling on one knee…
I quickly aim my camera with a 70-200 mm lens and capture the moment of the marriage proposal unfolding.
Synchronicity Summary
And so there you have it. Synchronicity. The Tarot cards arrive. The walk at the Quogue Wildlife Refuge is delayed. The Lovers Tarot card is pulled, choosing the green path, backtracking, and voila! running into a scene where a surprise marriage proposal unfolds. If any of those events occurred later or not at all, this story would not exist.
About Cheryl Machat Dorskind
Cheryl Machat Dorskind is passionate about spreading her joy of photography and its power to communicate. Cheryl is a celebrated portrait photographer, three-time author, a professor, beloved mentor, and a New York Times-acclaimed fine art photographer. Connect with Cheryl and learn how you can bring synchronicity into your life and your photography.