The Pause — Fieldnotes

Like an All-seeing-eye, the remarkable ‘Oculus’ of The Pantheon exists unobstructed to the natural elements skyward in the historic centre of Rome. In the Autumn of October 2025, I had the chance to revisit the preserved ancient roman monument - where when lingered long enough managed to capture the light, when the gentle rainfall had ceased to shower upon all those standing and seated beneath its domed centre. I love the play of shadow and light inside for it truly exhibits the essence of how timing and positioning impact the experience of the observer. This time I first gave myself the chance to observe the site from afar, a short distance, with cafe and croissant on a nearby terrace as companions (!). I remember the feeling of awe and inspiration - letting the site touch me without remembering or avoiding the initial reach for additional information and historical context. I’ve noticed that this act in itself has become a vital aspect to how I approach travelling. To be able to feel into a particular space at hand first before gaining cerebral stimulation about its ‘features’ or ‘reason for significance’ has added another layer of depth and has enriched my experiences no matter where I find myself. Who is to say why something should have meaning, can we have space to explore as to feel via first-hand experience how any given place, person or object has an impact on us…?

With The Pantheons complex evolution forced upon it by elements of destruction and adaptation as an active sacred site- its fluid formation for which it has been greatly tended to and admired over time undoubtedly adds to its magnetic, universal charm. Founded as a temple to the Roman Gods, standing as a church as well as a tomb for royals /artists/ nobility - the site found at the heart of the eternal city continues to strengthen the beat of its pulse regardless of age and agendas in structure or service. The unobstructed spherical lens continues to remain receptive to elemental manifestations, where many an opinion pieces can be found for what effects and impact it has in doing so.

|| Welcome to THE PAUSE — Fieldnotes.

Field notes weave threads of observation with contemplation through a weekly practice of intentional pause for me and for you. A segment that dares to share an unresolved inquiry, as if pausing mid-thought or stating a misplaced sentence. Inspired by self-practice deeply rooted in intentional living through integrating diverse traditions of healing arts, intuitive travel, astrology insights and yogic world-views, I hope you enjoy this new weekly rhythm for rest and reflection - this universal place of presence the act of writing invites to all.

—

ITHACA

When you set out on your journey to Ithaca,
pray that the road is long,
full of adventure, full of knowledge.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the angry Poseidon - do not fear them:
You will never find such as these on your path,
if your thoughts remain lofty, if a fine
emotion touches your spirit and your body.
The Lestrygonians and the Cyclops,
the fierce Poseidon you will never encounter,
if you do not carry them within your soul,
if your soul does not set them up before you.

Pray that the road is long.
That the summer mornings are many, when,
with such pleasure, with such joy
you will enter ports seen for the first time;
stop at Phoenician markets,
and purchase fine merchandise,
mother-of-pearl and coral, amber and ebony,
and sensual perfumes of all kinds,
as many sensual perfumes as you can;
visit many Egyptian cities,
to learn and learn from scholars.

Always keep Ithaca in your mind.
To arrive there is your ultimate goal.
But do not hurry the voyage at all.
It is better to let it last for many years;
and to anchor at the island when you are old,
rich with all you have gained on the way,
not expecting that Ithaca will offer you riches.

Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without her you would have never set out on the road.
She has nothing more to give you.

And if you find her poor, Ithaca has not deceived you.
Wise as you have become, with so much experience,
you must already have understood what Ithaca means.’

By Constantine P. Cavafy | A poem based on the homeward journey of Odysseus in Homer's Odyssey, written in 1911.

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Thanks for being here,

This edition of ThePause seeks to capture the essence of what it means to be receptive to life. At first I thought that the Oculus of The Pantheon would be a clear example of how the sense of sight funnels the feed of what it is to filter from the external world to ones’ own internal landscape. Though when sitting with this experience longer, what arises is the importance of the whole - the entirety of the structure of The Pantheon and the differing positions and angles available that inevitably lead a person onto its course of path in the first place. Dare I say that to be able to look up, to see the sacred circle at the apex of its crown is one element of the grand masterpiece, an element that has served as the destination of a pilgrim no matter if one of curiosity, history, spirituality or religion. To meditate on what it means to be receptive can be an embodied experiment in itself through the humble wisdom the nature of travel can offer.

~

The story of Homers Odyssey has inspired many and will presumably continue to do so for many scholars, seekers of sentiment and students of life. One such body of work via a poem by Constantine P. Cavafy captures a beautiful essence of approach towards the voyage of life - the nature of travel. A sentiment that evokes the reader to not only embark on their acknowledged path of purpose, but to step into a path of openness that allows that purpose to evolve and expand as much as ones’ horizons and reservoir of capacity are willing to notice. The particular stanza of

“…Ithaca has given you the beautiful voyage.
Without her you would have never set out on the road.
She has nothing more to give you…”

symbolises for me the transient nature of the act of moving forward with a particular intention. It brings to mind a consideration as to how often we as individuals on our own life path allow momentary desires to propel us forward in our own lives - how these seemingly spontaneous or unplanned desires are often the bricks of action the very path we are paving seeks for us to bring forth and build with.

Whether you are a big-picture thinker or more detail-oriented observer of life, have you found a balance in zooming-in and zooming-out of perspective - so to remember the grande isle of your Ithaca amidst the odyssey of navigating the mundane obscurities and openhearted experiences encountered whilst on your journey there…?

//

with gratitude,

Frances.

Comments and contemplations are encouraged - I’d love to hear of how this weeks Pause has been experienced by you.

***[ It’s lovely of you to be here :) To further explore the nuances of how Intentional Travel, Awakening Practices and Explorative Writing enriches and expands daily life - you can receive my ‘Monthly Letters’ for your self-paced journey » here ].