The Journey to 1000 Paper Cranes

I had just finished moving through a 100-day Ren Mai alchemical acupuncture series facilitated by a dear friend. And I was still empty. I hadn’t done any sort of creative practice in months. Even though I had set the intention of writing an article a month, summer came, my work as a hospice chaplain picked up, and adventures with fairies and nature spirits left me with no energy or time to create with my hands. I could feel how deeply I needed a creative practice that moved my hands.

Me (Emma Jaqueth), sitting on my favorite reflection rock, looking downstream.

I had been feeling a build-up of tension in my spirit, which often happens when I am not creating. When I craft, cook, play music, dance, or do anything with my hands, I easily access flow. When I don’t, I become depleted so quickly—grumpy, exhausted, and unrefreshed no matter how much I sleep. I knew I needed something to bring balance back into my life. I also felt a shift happening within me. Perhaps in my work, my priestess practice, or my relationship—I wasn’t sure. I only knew it was coming, subtle and mysterious, like the quiet pressure before a storm. I didn’t know what the shift was about (I still don’t), but I knew I needed a creative practice to ground me through whatever changes were on the horizon.

The first thing I did was clean and re-arrange my dream palace—my office and creative space. I flipped the futon back into a couch, pulled out my floor loom, dusted my altar, and reorganized my art supplies. Then I went for a run. During that run, I received a clear vision: fold 1000 paper cranes. I already had the paper, knew exactly where it was, and was ready to begin that very day. My mind immediately leapt into equations—if I fold 10 cranes per day, I’ll be done in 100 days!

The first 100 paper cranes, tied on a piece of birch.

But the goal of this practice has not been to finish in three months. The goal, I’m discovering, is to be present with my feelings, to allow the transformation that comes with creating, and to give myself space to dream into what is next with this stirring of change.

Last night I completed 100 of the 1000 cranes. I threaded them on pink cotton string in two sets of 50 and tied them to a piece of birch I gathered after a windstorm four years ago. Birch represents new beginnings, initiations, and change. It felt right to hang my first 100 cranes (and eventually all 1000) from Birch.

I’m glad I didn’t stick to my original timeline of 10 cranes per day. Folding slowly has invited me back into the wisdom of right timing and flow. I thrive when I move with patience and attention to detail. Rushing would strip the practice of its depth. Several nights I reached a point where I simply could not fold another crane. I would try, but the origami wouldn’t come together. I now have a basket of half-folded cranes that wouldn’t resolve because I was too tired, unfocused, or rushed. What a lesson that has been: slow down, be present, rest when tired. There is always tomorrow.

The basket of unfinished paper cranes, the pink twine, and my current reading.

The momentum has begun, and I look forward to the lessons that will come with the next 900 cranes. I also look forward to the deep presence and peace that meets me each time I fold—whether it’s 1, 8, or 13 cranes. Tonight, as I reflected on this initiation and new beginning, a question arose:

What is the path of least resistance?

In life, in work, in creative expression—what is the gentlest way forward? Sometimes it means adding one thing that fills me up unlike anything else. I will keep meditating on this question as I continue folding.

And I’m curious about you, dear reader: Do you have a practice calling to you? Something that feels hard to make time for, but you know will fill your cup more than a week-long beachside vacation? What is the path of least resistance in your life right now?

Maybe I’ll share more insights as I continue this journey of folding cranes.

If this creative practice sparked something within you to craft and create in a way that aligns with your soul, consider looking into my Wild Free Woman Training.

A breathtaking sunset over the Clark Fork River.