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Memories of a Forest
I returned home Tuesday evening from a very nurturing time away, but have been immersed in settling back, completing some projects, and getting a lot of year-end things in place.
Although a second beautiful snow storm was the welcome home here, weather while away saw lots of sunshine and warmth providing my skin with an autumn tan to carry me over through winter.
One of the late afternoon hikes we did, however, took us through this enchanted forest you see pictured throughout this post where a pocket of fall magick awaited, nestled in its own vortex-like zone separate from everything else around.
I shared this little snippet of prose (below) on my Instagram page, but since I’m unable to post anything new yet (hopefully in the next day or two), I thought I’d share it here as well.
I was literally swept away by how the landscape of leaves and scents all around made me feel. The photos don’t do it all justice, but hopefully it might provide you a little bit of the inspiration it did for me.
I literally felt like I was flying on a magick carpet throughout this realm with layers upon layers of floating leaves. The veils were like a magickal web encircling me in a womb of creation. I wonder what was in motion. I guess we’ll see.
Wandering through forests laced with delicate veils of sweet floating leaves suspended in time and nestled in a timeless slumber is pure enchantment.
The landscape felt like a thousand pastel faeries on parade and the scents coddled the heart in warm embrace of memory-laden feelings floating gently in the air.
The nostalgic aroma merged that of an ancient wooden chest of old, eclectic tea leaves with holiday mesquite burning a warming calm in the solar plexus.
Summer’s Lazy Haze
As Summer sweetens into a lazy haze, my bare feet find solace in the thick cool clover reminding me that my blossom friends will return again.
Hints of auburn and gold Autumn hide between pine needles and sneak up each morning after anointment of faery wands dancing through the night.
Late afternoons and darkening evenings glow by the silvery song of the tree frog.
He croaks outside the door to call in a mate and his voice is both sweet and sad. I hope he won’t be alone for long.
This bitter and sweet lingers on the air of transition, as I say goodbye to the last of the foxgloves and hello to the seasonal wildflowers that seem to come and go in a blink.
Life spans are shortened like the days and light, as a mystique rolls in on the Zephyr winds.
Change is rumbling through the Earth and our bones, as seasonal circadian rhythms take on a new dance with the forest creatures in preparation.
My feet sink deeper into the cool clover; toes curling into their memories.
Time Well Spent ~ Nourishing Your Soul Well to Draw Upon When Needed
This weekend’s time was time spent well and exactly the energy needed to fuel this new week ahead. We never know what adventure the day will bring, but we follow where inspiration leads and it takes us where we need to be. It was one of my favorite weekends filled with new explorations beginning with a new hike up a river and waterfall on Friday, returning the next day to relax and read, riverside and lakeside, and then finishing off with yesterday’s epic new trail of ancient and expansive energies.
Mystical, magickal and majestic were just some of the words to describe yesterday’s discovery, although words don’t do what was seen and felt justice. To say it was otherworldly, ancient and transporting is an understatement too, but these Sentinels (the name given to these ancient rocks) were amazing and have much to share.
The trail heading up was full of wildflowers, mysterious forest, and the epic vistas were incredible. This area and these ancient stones are amazing. We’ll definitely return to spend more time soaking in the energies and visions, dive deeper, and extend the hike for the even larger loop, but glad we went now as the wildflowers were in full bloom, which added to the enchantment.
Talk about rich, deep Terra energy and retrieving embedded parts. I actually saw a super sparkly spot atop these rocks that was reflecting like a mirror to the sun’s rays. It radiated like a small beacon and I knew something was there and calling to me, but I decided to leave it a mystery for now and return to explore again or in dream time. I will not forget.
However, it also reminded me that the gems of wisdom lie within us and are there when we need them to draw upon. We have a well of yet unearthed treasures awaiting our invitation to dance with them.
After some deep earthing on the trail yesterday, we then enjoyed another new spot that was a perfect balance to the potent core energies. It was refreshing to soak my dirt-enriched feet in and nourishing for a lakeside picnic.
I find that spirit always guides us to where is most supportive to be and where the perfect blend of energies can be received in our soul well to draw upon for upcoming experiences.
This is certainly true for the full week ahead, as I handle some goals, clear the way for new energies, but also draw upon that soul well for this weekend’s first online Reiki training installment with the fifteen beautiful people ready to go that next step.
These times have been challenging for many to feel rooted because so much is up in the air around us. It has also been hard to remain centered and have that sense of peaceful connection and alignment with the heart and soul guidance you may have felt more clearly before.
Once again, Nature can help with all of this and every time I’m out immersed in the different energies, it is very easy to feel the difference and see where things can be adjusted to keep in balance and flow.
And especially for those of you who feel more inward right now, or in general as your life preference, as well as those of you who struggle to find the external outlets for your more active and fiery drives, Nature isn’t a luxury, but as important as the food and water you need.
You can experience the unseen universal life force that flows between everything when you engage in nature with presence and heart awareness. It isn’t the only way, but it is one way of making the subtle and visceral, more tangible and conscious.
This universal life force energy is Reiki and it’s no wonder that I’m drawn to immerse so much in Nature to support and anchor alignment to this way of life consistently.
It’s also no wonder that such deep Nature experiences were drawn our way this weekend before diving into the upcoming Reiki training.
I always find that these experiences, when embraced, can help to open another layer within us and it is just such a layer I feel is needed for supporting the group during these strange, but potentially rich times.
There is no coincidence that so many are feeling called to open new layers within and step up and into the world in more empowered ways.
I’m grateful and honored to be a part of the activation taking place across the globe through Reiki, which not only is such a powerful tool for personal support, but its collective reach can be astounding. And in these days of distancing, there couldn’t be a greater time for tapping into a channel for embodied activism, which Reiki can support so that we don’t feel helpless and we can offer our gifts to others regardless of where and who we are in the world.
I love seeing people ready to raise their vibration and I get excited to see people actively tapping into their gifts and toolbox (like with Reiki), engaging them to create the world they want to see.
AND I get super excited when people courageously step into an active teaching role to support others to be empowered. This is an example of the ripple effect of how one can touch the many.
It’s how we remember who we are and the Source from which we are expressions of.
I’m reminded of Friday’s trail that took us up the river and waterfall. I shared this on Instagram, but will end by resharing it here.
The rock steps we ascended next to the waterfall reminded me of steps I once climbed to the high temples atop cliffs overlooking the ocean and of incredible stellar architecture high above cratered water passageways. The waters around us here are infused with the essence of long ago. It’s a reason I feel such resonance, as the water carries parts of me I retrieve when in and with them. Water is life and as a Pisces it soothes my soul to hear the whispers it carries and washes over me. And then the visions and memories begin.
From the stars their liquid minds converge with mine. I can hear their songs inside my heart. Their enormity envelops me like a nebula bursting with interstellar brilliance and yet their deep and elusive howls, although eerie like the planets themselves, are light and ethereal like a feather floating at my center. Like whistling helium their spouts blow cosmic essence into the atmosphere, infusing harmony for all to breathe. As I feel each silky mass move with grace through the space between worlds, I hear them whisper, “come back to us.”
I likely won’t post again until next week, as I have things calling my attention to focus on, especially in attuning to the group class beginning Sunday. But I wanted to share the inspiration of the weekend as visual and/or energetic support for your week as well.
Wishing everyone a day and week ahead of new possibilities.
~ For anyone who feels called to further your Reiki journey during these potent times, you may still be able to register for the levels you haven’t completed yet. Reiki Level 1 is full, however, and the others are close to capacity. Contact me if you have questions or to discuss your journey with this to see if it is a good fit. Remember that a tool unused is an opportunity overlooked. If you’re looking to create more peace, alignment, overall well-being, bring through more creativity and clarity, support others or global change and healing, support the creation of something new in your life, are looking to create a new soul path with your work that is supported by distancing guidelines, etc. then this may be a path for you. The link to do so is here: Online Reiki Classes
Whimsical Wednesdays ~ The Artist’s Corner: Wondrous Gifts from the Elemental Realm
Who better an artist to highlight whimsy, magick, wisdom, and harmony all woven imaginatively together, than the Earth Spirits themselves? Today’s short share brings to light how the Elemental Realm has been so sweetly showering us with surprises here in the days leading up to our wedding, and how much delight it has been to receive these generous and thoughtful gifts.
My sweet friend Mari pointed out how our Forest Portal Faeries are having a joyous time making sure that there’s a continuation of celebrations leading up, on, and following the big day – remarking on how they enjoyed sprinkling the sparkly powdered dust to create extra snowy enchantment that they know we both love.
The magickal snow seemed to enchant the garden too, as right after, my yellow lilies began to bloom right outside of my office and shared room with Astrid.
They evoke such joy, warmth, inspiration, purity and light heartedness. Seeing them makes my heart smile and believe in happy endings.
They anchor the path along with the welcoming yellow daisies in my garden and create a beautiful aura of energy in synergy with all my pink, peach, purple and white foxgloves blooming.
I have beautiful little blue faery flowers also blooming in the rock garden to the right of the lilies creating a lovely contrast.
I can’t wait until all the rest of the flowers burst with joy. I saw my first pink rose bud pop up at the same time the yellow lilies opened and all the wildflower plants and clover we seeded are all growing wonderfully too.
It’s the little things that make a difference.
The late morning before the surprise snow fall, we went on a crisp walk along the lake where I found four large geese feathers and another beautiful great horned owl feather.
Alongside the refreshing winds of change and clarity that day, these treasures were very meaningful.
There’s also continued to be a lot of new adventure hikes revealing inspiring vistas, sweet beauties, and unusual hidden things for my wondering heart to enjoy.
This included finding the largest sugar pine cone I have yet to discover at nearly two feet long from stem to end.
It’s exactly 21 inches! I thought the one I already have sitting on my desk was big, but this one towers over it nearly 6 inches more! I learned from another friend that pine cones were the first flowers so they carry ultra ancient wisdom and energy.
I looked it up and found amazing scientific information on it dating back 130 million years ago! Incredible! Also interesting is “the likelihood that a single male cone was responsible for the world’s first flowering plants owing to the elasticity of their genetic structure.“
I knew some of the symbolism of pine cones, but this info really put a new spin on them for me. I even read that in 1244 BC in Egypt they found an Osiris staff with pine cone at the top entwined by serpents rising up to meet it. The pine cone is associated with the pineal gland, spiritual consciousness, enlightenment, and eternal life. To be gifted such a huge one is something else.
The largest pine cone found according to the Guinness World Record is also a sugar pine at 22.9 inches. So, yes, I’m quite in awe by this massive cone gift that now sits beside my other one on my desk bringing in the ancient wisdom and forest energy to my creative space.
Other fun finds and sweet gifts have been little faery bell wildflowers, tons of lady bugs landing on us, swallowtail butterflies dancing between us, serene lush beauty that provided a natural healing
attunement for me during a solo hike on Sagittarius’ Full Moon Lunar Eclipse, a dreamy spot
where you can swing from a tree overlooking inspiring beauty, an incredible little cabin hut
someone is building off-trail out in the middle of the forest, and a carved stump made into a mini throne/chair also found hidden in the forest.
But these Earth Spirit gifts are not just for my/our eyes alone.
Earth Spirits show up in our lives to teach, guide, nurture, heal, inspire, and so much more.
They are way-showers to self-nourishment, living in harmony, stability, and abundance, and showing up responsibly and compassionately in cocreation with all life and consciousness on Earth.
The Elementals of air, water, fire, earth, and ether are spirits that embody varying forms of energy to assist with different aspects of life. Within each Elemental family there are varying creatures, beings, tree, plant, mineral – crystals, rocks, and stones – spirits, and life forces that help us to understand our place within the rhythms of nature and this world.
We can learn and receive so much from the subtle and potent messages they bring us that ultimately fine tune us to both our Earth and Cosmic selves.
They offer us ways to feel lighter, more flexible, listen within and trust, support greater creativity, imagination and inspiration, help us to clear and balance, experience more grace and flow, learn the secrets of transformation and purification, increase our vibrancy, awaken our dynamic nature, pave a way for clearer communication with all life forms, provide soulful illumination, meld instincts with heart guidance, strengthen and ground our life force energy, and overall guide us to raise our vibration and live in greater alignment.
As we open our hearts more to all that is going on in the world, let us not forget we have powerful allies within the Elemental Realm, too, that show up in the most wondrous of ways.
Monday Musings ~ The Writer’s Corner: Magickal Rituals & Tales from the Forest Portal
While I’m immersed in painting portal flow working on an author’s book cover, creative writing has been coming through me in small channeled snippets during a mini novel break. I love how everything interweaves together and supports the other. So, in my own short book hiatus, I’m still very much writing and book focused, with simple musings and artistic inspirations. These are two recent channelings that came through, inspired by the forest and my enchanted garden, which I shared on Instagram and compiled together for my sweet blog friends. I hope you enjoy and/or find your own inspirations from them. One friend called the tree channeling a magickal spell in ritual. In both musings, the words glided through me, but were both me and not me. Enjoy.
INVITATION TO THE GRAND SUMMER BALL
The flower faeries are beginning to appear and invitations to the Grand Summer Ball have gone out.
Some can hardly wait and have thrown on their gowns while they make preparations.
They are the way-showers for all the new faeries of this realm and ensure pollinator guests for when they make their appearance.
The mainstay perennial hosts have returned with vigor and in some cases multiplied with glee. They are cycling in intervals with many yet to bloom and others taking the plunge into early brilliance. They encircle the enchanted garden bed – the ballroom stage for this yearly celebration – awaiting the tiny green shoots newly seeded this year that carpet the realm.
You can’t make them out, but I assure you they sprout with glee to reach the sunshine and join the dance. Sparkling butterfly and dragonfly guardians decided to watch over the garden this year too, and send out beacons to all their family, inviting them to what could likely be the biggest celebration this realm has yet to see.
There’s even been an addition to the serving stations to ensure all forest creatures can easily hydrate during the jubilee. Alongside the larger standing water bowl and bath anchored with a quartz crystal center, there’s now a small sunflower dish with bird hosts watched over by a pair of rabbits with solar succulents that light the way for forest creatures of the in between hours. In this way the ground dwellers like rabbits and mice can sip of its contents, while the birds, chipmunks, squirrels, raccoons, and opposums can continue enjoying the higher water station.
There is much excitement and many whispers throughout the land, calling in the seen and unseen creatures of the forest portal.
Summer Solstice is near and everyone is doing their part to make it a beautiful celebration.
* * * * * * * * * *
GREAT TREE
Oh Great Tree your roots carry the whispers of times forgotten, your branches see times yet to come, and yet your strength is in the presence you bear witness to unconditionally.
You are a portal to your Mother, The Cosmic Tree, through which multidimensional experience is woven.
Pressing my heart to yours I remember.
Nature is Helping Me to Embody the New
I thought I’d hop on briefly after being away from blogging the last ten days, just to share some of the beauty, special moments, and reflections I’ve experienced during this time. Maybe you’ve felt similar things or this little burst of nature’s inspiration may be exactly the breath of fresh air for you right now. In any event, I hope that you had a beautiful Summer Solstice, however you chose to welcome it in.
I’m still spending most of my time within the inner landscapes, but that is reflected in an increased deepening with nature and immersing even more in her realm.
This mirrors the time we lived in the Magick Bus exploring nature and National Parks for nearly a year and a half when life called me in a new direction. It’s only now that I’m getting what it all meant and where the embodiment of that change was leading.
It’s almost been like getting my feet wet again in body, from what was a resurrection of sorts from the waters of life – actually most literally. I have needed the last couple of years to reacquaint myself with things from a new perspective, which has had me dipping in and out of some things from before, tried out in the now.
Some clothes just haven’t fit, either feeling too tight or too loose – meaning they were still too tied in with the past and the energy I had completed, or they were so new that I wasn’t sure how I felt about them and hence all the extra room to explore.
It’s been a time of allowing what ever wants to move through, letting go of to-do’s, and softening the reflections so that even my process with things doesn’t mirror how I used to process stuff. Life is a soft and gentle focus now. In this way, not only will what ever the new is that comes through be different than before, but the journey will be too.
I find it important for me that nothing mirrors the past, although can weave in the possibilities it held.
It still feels very fresh and I’m only beginning to immerse, as last week was more about the surrender, continued nurturing, and letting nature guide me.
So, with Solstice ringing in Summer, there’s been a ton of outdoor activity. It started Wednesday of last week while we explored a new hike to Cascade Falls – a shorter one, but climbs technically quite a bit. That felt invigorating and perfect for allowing the flow just like the gushes of water cascading down the mountain. Both the climb and the being with the water were perfect metaphors for things.
That same day we went to Baldwin Beach – another new beach for us. There, a mother duck and her seven ducklings visited and after they explored the higher activity of people down a ways from us, they came to rest in peace in front of our umbrella. Another beautiful reflection.
Thursday was a very special day – the two year anniversary of Astrid’s coming home to me at the gateway of Solstice. That’s what these first three photos celebrate. Since Astrid is such a huge part of this new life journey for me, I felt it important to capture some beautiful moments between us in the forest portal backyard of our house.
She was a surprise to me, but as I navigate this next part of my life, Astrid is my greatest guide. Where I have no example for the new I reinvent, she emulates the potential I most admire.
I love this photo below where she and I look merged as one – almost creating a Yin/Yang effect in how her body curves into mine.
Solstice is a very special time of the year for me ever since three years ago my beloved bunny, Joy, transitioned through its portal on that day in a place very dear to me – Montana. She and Astrid came from the same rabbit rescue and I feel that their entering and exiting at this gateway is significant.
The Mayans celebrated Solstice for spiritual initiation and change, creating ceremony to be in harmony with the Earth and Cosmic energies.
I remember the words from my dear shaman friend Amaru in Peru, “Nokan Inti Kani” – meaning “I am the Sun.”
Solstice extends an invitation to join the Sun’s energy and connect with your Higher Self, follow inspiration and dreams, and tune inside to the alchemy of “as within, so without.”
I find nature to be that gateway for me, as are my rabbit companions, and the Cosmos.
The Solstice gateway gifted me this beautiful golden hawk feather that I’m so grateful for.
So every day since Wednesday, nature time increased with tons of mountain biking, hiking, and beach time, as well as late afternoon/evening gardening time upon returning home from the physical activity.
To say I slept well is an understatement, as the deepening into body and moving a lot of energy in a grounding way was both nourishing and took me through cycles of decharge and recharge.
Solstice saw us in Squaw Valley where I enjoyed an intentional walk in the gorgeous meadows by myself anchoring in that new while Dave enjoyed his last day of skiing on the first day of Summer. You’ll see photos below of how beautiful this area is, reminding me of both the Swiss Alps (where I haven’t yet been, but seen photos of) and adored Iceland, as well as my favorite spots in Montana.
Seventeen miles of biking along the Truckee River that day was a way to move the energy and flow like the river.
Twenty two miles of biking the next day continued moving that energy along more gorgeous vistas.
All the while during each ride, allowing visions, thoughts, and feelings to flow, as my body did the integrating.
Two back-to-back hikes to different lakes Sunday followed by a vegan potluck picnic provided continued anchoring and as I said, each day I’d come home and plop myself in the garden planting perennials to create a low maintenance, inspiring, and beautiful backdrop that blends wild with a little intention.
I promised the Faeries of the land many things when moving here and I’m happy to create a special sanctuary for them to play in.
I’ll share more of the front and side gardens, as things blossom, but for now here are my beautiful Portulaca blooms that I adore!
The forest out back is in early stages of bloom, but as you can see they are already creating a welcome carpet to our home for the Faeries.
I just love how the wildflowers are blooming with joy everywhere – and it’s just the beginning. They feel like a love spell on my heart.
And as you can see from the below photos of Squaw Valley meadows, the Truckee River, and Cascade Falls, there’s been an abundance of inspiration all around from Mother Earth – the best nurturer there is.
As mentioned, I’m just beginning to immerse into a new realm of exploration within, so all of these good nature vibes are very nurturing to the vulnerable parts feeling safe to come through.
Because I feel that I haven’t much example to draw upon for that new, I feel nature provides me the best template and reflection for the journey.
Cultivating the garden is also very supportive, as my heart guides its creation in reflection of me as well – mostly wild, with woven threads of cultivated pockets that create synergy and harmony.
This last Wednesday I went to my third meditation group meeting that ended in a lovely picnic dinner at the beach with everyone who joined, however I feel it will likely be my last time going (at least for now) because I’m clear my work at home is more aligned for me at this time. I did leave the group with a few book recommendations to help with the “self love” topic, so they at least have some tools for any exploration they may decide to embark on past this month’s theme.
I feel called to explore on my own for now, dipping in and out when the moment calls.
The good news is (at least to me), I feel like I’m in greater alignment with the new path I’m creating than I was before. Remember I mentioned those clothes that felt too tight or too big and loose?
Energetically the ones that felt too big are now taking root and feeling more like home.
And on the literal, tangible level, the continued cleansing of, and weeding through, my closet leaves me with what feels to be the perfect essence of a place I now feel comfortable in heading to.
What’s fascinating is that the five Portal Paintings that found their new home, only just departed from Nevada on the Solstice – Yes! The Solstice of all days! Talk about divine alignment. Even though I dropped them off a week and a half earlier, they didn’t get crated and shipped out until then and so that also feels reflective of this anchoring in and clarity beginning.
The whole wild journey to get them to that point has mirrored so much of the changes I’m going through.
I’m excited for them to arrive in their new home across the country in Athens, Georgia with their amazing co-guardian where they will be open to anyone who wants to visit and meditate/work with them. This new home is being created into a form of a mini healing center welcome to people wanting to immerse in a conscious journey. As things evolve with that, I’ll keep you posted. It’s a way that people can experience them and more, and if at some point they are ready to journey on, they will be available via that portal.
I leave you now to return to my garden so I can complete the last planting I didn’t get a chance to finish yet. It feels integral to the next phase beginning.
What I love is that although the future is unknown and the vision is yet to be seen of how things look, the journey is so much more gentle and peaceful. There are those ebbs and flows, but it’s all naturally unfolding if I listen, allow, honor, and observe.
Do you experience reflections in your life that mirror the changes you’re going through?
My guess is we all do and if we stop to observe things, we’ll see it and make those connections.
If not, how might you create intention around something – like a project, gardening, etc. – to embody the potential you’re being guided to?
It will be interesting to see where the journey leads all of us.
Monday Musings ~ The Writer’s Corner: Twas the Night Before Yuletide
My dear friend Mark of Ravenwood Inspired, who also happens to be the wizard behind making me two new fantastically magickal Faery wands (one of which just arrived recently in time for the Solstice), sent me this version, below, of one of the most famous Christmas poems. I have to say, however, that I really love this one a lot more and I think you’ll understand why.
I thought it would be perfect for today’s Monday Musings. It also reminds me of my Russian Tortoise, Gaia, and celebrates this sweet Eve that is also Joy’s birthday (my sweet angel rabbit who returned to the stars).
If you haven’t heard or read it, I hope you enjoy this enchanting Yuletide rendition that speaks of the spirit of the season and reminds us of its true reason. The poem is thought to be written by C.C. Williford.
We’ll be back to regular Monday Musings next week, which will feature more poetry and other works by a sweet author friend of mine. Stay tuned!
Until then, I hope you enjoy a beautiful holiday evening, however you choose to celebrate this time of year.
I’m about to jump into my snuggly bunny onesie, enjoy Christmas lights by the fire, prep a yummy meal and dessert, and get ready for the continuation of the new Watership Down miniseries and present opening.
Wishing you a beautiful Christmas Eve.
TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE YULETIDE
Twas the night before Yuletide and all through the glen
Not a creature was stirring, not a fox, not a hen.
A mantle of snow shone brightly that night
As it lay on the ground, reflecting moonlight.
The faeries were nestled all snug in their trees,
Unmindful of flurries and a chilly north breeze.
The elves and the gnomes were down in their burrows,
Sleeping like babes in their soft earthen furrows.
When low! The earth moved with a thunderous quake,
Causing chairs to fall over and dishes to break.
The Little Folk scrambled to get on their feet
Then raced to the river where they usually meet.
“What happened?” they wondered, they questioned, they probed,
As they shivered in night clothes, some bare-armed, some robed.
“What caused the earth’s shudder? What caused her to shiver?”
They all spoke at once as they stood by the river.
Then what to their wondering eyes should appear
But a shining gold light in the shape of a sphere.
It blinked and it twinkled, it winked like an eye,
Then it flew straight up and was lost in the sky.
Before they could murmur, before they could bustle,
There emerged from the crowd, with a swish and a rustle,
A stately old crone with her hand on a cane,
Resplendent in green with a flowing white mane.
As she passed by them the old crone’s perfume,
Smelling of meadows and flowers abloom,
Made each of the fey folk think of the spring
When the earth wakes from slumber and the birds start to sing.
“My name is Gaia,” the old crone proclaimed
in a voice that at once was both wild and tamed,
“I’ve come to remind you, for you seem to forget,
that Yule is the time of re-birth, and yet…”
“I see no hearth fires, hear no music, no bells,
The air isn’t filled with rich fragrant smells
Of baking and roasting, and simmering stews,
Of cider that’s mulled or other hot brews.”
“There aren’t any children at play in the snow,
Or houses lit up by candles’ glow.
Have you forgotten, my children, the fun
Of celebrating the rebirth of the sun?”
She looked at the fey folk, her eyes going round,
As they shuffled their feet and stared at the ground.
Then she smiled the smile that brings light to the day,
“Come, my children,” she said, “Let’s play.”
They gathered the mistletoe, gathered the holly,
Threw off the drab and drew on the jolly.
They lit a big bonfire, and they danced and they sang.
They brought out the bells and clapped when they rang.
They strung lights on the trees, and bows, oh so merry,
In colors of cranberry, bayberry, cherry.
They built giant snowmen and adorned them with hats,
Then surrounded them with snow birds, and snow cats and bats.
Then just before dawn, at the end of their fest,
Before they went homeward to seek out their rest,
The fey folk they gathered ‘round their favorite oak tree
And welcomed the sun ‘neath the tree’s finery.
They were just reaching home when it suddenly came,
The gold light returned like an arrow-shot flame.
It lit on the tree top where they could see from afar
The golden-like sphere turned into a star.
The old crone just smiled at the beautiful sight,
“Happy Yuletide, my children,” she whispered. “Good night.”
Divine Mission – Possible ~ Litebeing Chronicles Blog Challenge 2018
Today we take another break from our regular scheduled program to share my thoughts to another blog challenge – this time from sweet Linda of Litebeing. The title is Divine Mission – Possible Blog Challenge where Linda asks us to “write about what we feel our spiritual mission here on Gaia is” to include answers to the following questions.
Are you a lightworker, Starseed, forerunner, Indigo, or none of the above?
What have you incarnated to do or to be?
Describe your mission and your journey to achieve it.
Are you delighted to be here?
I chose 11/11/11 as the portal date to share mine, as somehow that felt particularly potent for this declaration and expression, as I’ve come to understand it so far.
Mission is a mixed bag of chips for me, as I do feel we each have focuses, but for me it boils down to the creative expression we are deciding to experience and a frequency we feel resonant with in cultivating more of.
While I feel we make spirit contracts in the way of a committed focus – hence mission – I feel we are also learning how to temper this “mission above all else” idea with love – Cosmic love, that is. One might think that love would naturally be the mission, but in fact there are many times, on bigger picture and smaller picture levels, we will follow a “mission” and forego love on many levels for our idea of the most compassionate, greater good choice.
I don’t agree with this – or at least, not anymore – although don’t have a simple answer to convey. And while it can be tough to find that balance, it leads me on further exploration of how I can best bring through my own example of how I’m coming to see this experience on Earth and beyond looking like to me.
In which case, a more nebulous answer is the best I can muster, as I find myself in continual exploration, excavation, and experimentation.
Was it always that way for me?
No.
In fact, I was caught up so much in needing to “know” my path, my purpose, my reason for being here…my mission, that I got lost in the details and strayed more from the natural way I birthed into being. Everything seemed to be about defining myself more and having to create labels or have a specific focus, otherwise I guess I wouldn’t be good enough?
It seems we’ve all been through that story.
Searching and searching I have done most of my life. But the more I searched, the farther I felt myself to be from satisfied with the results of my research. And if something didn’t fit into my and the collective’s idea/l of how that “should” look, then search some more I would or would wander off into inability to manifest in the way I wanted, or knew was possible, because ultimately I was an idea and not an embodiment.
So, am I a lightworker, Starseed, Indigo, etc.?
I would likely fall into the definitions of what we think of these to be, but I’d rather loosely describe myself as a pilgrim of the Cosmos singing my song and sharing that harmony from the farthest depths of love in my heart I continue to discover, as I dance with All That Is.
I’ve definitely never felt at home here since I was born, although have a huge love and reverence for Mother Earth – Terra. Here was seeded possibility and greater creative expression, and I uphold that origin in the countless lifetimes of incarnating here. And yet, in doing so, I remained trapped in an endless spiral of mission desiring to “correct” things, and misunderstood the scope of that commitment.
Perhaps the fight, and plight for that matter, is an illusion and liberation lies in our innocence.
So while in the past I would have said something like, “my mission is to help, empower, heal, etc. others”….life here has now become an experience.
An experience of what?
I guess if I have to describe it, it would be something like discovering more ways of how I can simply and most purely sing of the love in my heart and more clearly bring through Cosmic harmony as an Earth frequency embodiment – what ever that means – through every encounter I share here.
I dance in the magickal and am enraptured with enchantment, but it’s not the kind that blinds you under a spell, but rather invites and activates a brighter version of experience.
I used to be deeply in pain over my being here again on Earth. I never felt understood and likely still don’t, as there is so much I can’t explain of my experience and why I do and feel as I do, but the difference now from then is that I don’t care and it doesn’t hurt me anymore. I’m also not attached to an outcome and I could easily enjoy being here doing what I’m doing, or be elsewhere because the bottom line will be the same.
Everything I do in one reality, affects the others.
I’ve already shared about going through a profound transformation that, for me, erased all of these ideas and took me to the deepest peace I’ve known yet in this life. It cut away the cords to perpetual cycles I kept recreating in different ways, but same Emperor’s clothing.
I’m still discovering keys to new doorways of potential, but I know now that I don’t need a particular way my path or mission should look to be the love I feel. It’s just an adventure and I can do that while cleaning houses, volunteering at a local shelter, being a clerk at the store, working at the local coffee shop, taking care of my family, living as a hermit on top of a mountain, or being a famous artist or multi-millionaire entrepreneur.
It may not even have to be a “mission,” but simply an expression I keep choosing from my creative heart.
What ever most draws me in to experience.
It doesn’t much matter.
I simply find more ways to dance in imagination and experience through my heart. And I enjoy it all while challenging myself to more creative depths of love and courage I know have no limit.
This is why I’m here, or rather – still here experiencing this new relationship to everything – but it’s also why this seed of my spirit simply IS.
Would I say that I am delighted to be here and love it?
Hmmm….Well, I’m not resentful of it anymore. I’m seeing it as opportunity to embrace the potentials that were seeded here and why so many have been drawn to one of the best shows in this universe – Earth.
I have decided to express the most resonant, creative version of my multi-dimensional self in this focused reality of Earth I am privy to.
I’m certain the other parts of me are doing much the same.
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I have a very magickal update to add to the end of this share about what took place directly after posting it. I’ll share it here later today when I return from a new hike we’re heading out to do. So check back for photos and the sweet encounter that took place.
~
I’m back to continue with today’s experiences. So, as mentioned, directly after I posted this blog this morning on 11-11-11, I went upstairs to wash my coffee cup and get in my hiking clothes for a new hike we had set out to explore today. Well, as I was drying my cup and facing the forest I could see movement from the kitchen through the living room window. I was ecstatic when I realized it was a deer, as we haven’t seen any deer for the year we’ve lived here, although many live in the forest surrounding us. We have seen coyote wander behind our deck and countless little woodland creatures including rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, mice, hawks, raven, and an array of smaller bird varieties, but we had yet to see deer and bears like we saw at our previous condo home.
I ran to the window with excitement and what do my eyes see? Not one, but three deer all munching away on some bushes. Two of them were more camouflaged in the bushes and harder to catch on camera, as I did not want to open the door and scare them off.
They slowly made their way left just outside the fenced area of our side yard and so I, too, went to the side window. One was ahead of the others and she somehow knew I was there above and stopped to stare directly up and at me for a good minute.
Then the others came to join her and suddenly I discovered there were four, not three!
I watched them for a while until they made their way across the street, but knew this was no accident their showing up on 11-11-11 for the very first time since we’ve lived here – well, at least in a way of making themselves known to us that is, as I’m sure they wander through when we’re not looking – and right after I posted this blog. The photos have a glare from the sun reflecting, but make for interesting photos at this angle when the four of them showed up, creating almost windows and doorways – portals – amidst the forest.
I got chills because, like another incident I had in Montana’s Glacier National Park, when two ethereal, Pleiadean deer showed up on the path in front of me this, too, was not simply an encounter of the Earthly kind.
The one who looked me dead in the eye, through my heart and spirit felt to be an emanation of my dear Nestor (rabbit twin soul who transitioned), visiting along with Joy and Cosmo (my two partnered soul mate rabbits), and Gaia – my Russian Tortoise.
I understood their presence as a nudge of love and confirmation and their ability to come through the Forest Portal we live at was supported by this 11-11-11 gateway.
Deer have such a gentle grace about them and symbolize a magickal ability to regenerate and be in touch with life’s mysteries – not to mention are all about the heart energy.
After, we did go on a new hike to what is known as Crater Lake – a desolate, steep, off-the-beaten-track hike that few people explore and on this day we were the only ones out there ascending up the mountain overlooking dramatic Hope Valley.
We happened to take a break under a gorgeous Juniper tree overlooking a frozen-over creek and when I looked at the time it said 11:11! Around our feet were juniper berries with a small glistening quartz in the middle of them right where I stood.
We continued and came to the opening saddle where the lake lies between two peeks.
The lake has a very other-planet kind of feel the way it sits in the crater surrounded by steep rocky escarpments and because of its eastern exposure gets only cool morning sun, which has it covered in sheets of ice and the waterfall above turned to ice as well.
It was a little piece of private cosmic Earth and we felt as if we’d entered a timeline vortex. (This being accentuated by two tree branches on the way back down along the trail whose arms held out in each, a different men’s long sleeved shirt. Both of which we did not see on the way up).
We also found deer tracks! They were moving across the trail, but we had not seen them going up either. Something was afoot and the deer were making themselves known.
Above the lake is a rock field of what appears to be beautifully colorful slate. I made my way around a small cluster of three trees sitting atop the stones, and over a very Faery little world of a different smooth stone covered in moss, to catch the above photo of the lake and it’s there that I found an unusual stone that has a quartz matrix growing in it and these pockets of rainbow sheen with sparkle I discovered later, as well as what appears like fossilized lichen. It’s otherworldly really and I was told to take it home, as it would assist with the next leg of the journey and be a portal access when needed. I couldn’t capture any of the detail mentioned, but this still gives you a feel for its energy.
The rest of the day was sprinkled with alignments including such things as sitting down for lunch at 1:11 and finding exactly the perfect pair of ski boots at Goodwill that I needed to replace my too small boots that hurt my feet that I fractured and since have healed, at 1/4 – 1/5 the cost. These boots were in nearly perfect condition, exactly the 2 sizes larger I wanted, and the same style and brand I currently have. We also found two white candelabra we had just the night before talked about wanting while we prepped for a dinner party we hosted.
Anyway, I thought it would be fun to share what unfolded after.
Did anyone else experience interesting little winks, messages, and magickal appearances?
Seeding Possibilities & Cultivating Well-Being
Did you know that playing, being silly, laughing, and approaching life with curiosity are incredibly supportive and boosting to your overall well-being, quality of life, creative energy, and your immune system? When you keep that connection to your inner child alive, you experience the benefits of a healthy, low to no stress, and constantly wondrous way of experiencing life, rather than living in continuous fret and fear. Other ways to create better quality of life, experience more balance and harmony, as well as enhanced presence, perception, and intuitive and creative abilities are spending more time in nature, communing with the natural world in any form, as well as being willing to challenge yourself to embrace change more by aligning your vibration with things rather than fighting them.
Spring is a wonderful opportunity to explore where you feel called to plant new seeds in any area of your life and commit to cultivating it. Sometimes if you literally do this, it will stream into your life in ways you can’t imagine.
By literal I mean plant actually seeds or nurture a cherished plant or animal with the intention that it signifies something in your life you also want to blossom. Then watch this trickle out into more enthusiasm and energy pouring into the actual thing you do want to manifest. If you can devote even just a little of your love and attention to something and see the results, you understand how this process can be duplicated in the rest of your life as well. It doesn’t have to be an overnight thing, but you will see the benefits simply by committing to it.
I was a bit overwhelmed, to say the least, when I discovered the nudge to write this new book of mine and that it ended up developing into much more than I originally thought it would be. Yet, with continued commitment and nurturing of the process that presented itself to me, it’s become a wondrous journey of enjoyment, self growth, and creative enhancement that fuels passion in my life and opened up so many new doors of potentials unraveling. All, simply by deciding to nurture that seed within me that was stirring like a Cosmic cauldron of possibility.
And with Spring here, I’m doing the other thing I shared with you, as in literally planting seeds – 72 to be exact – that will have twofold purpose of nurturing Astrid’s needs, but also symbolically representing the plethora of new ideas brewing within me to manifest. I decided to grow organic baby plants for her all by seed this time, since my bulbs I planted in Autumn did so well. Crossing finger, toes, and wings this success rate continues! 😉
I recently saw an exciting discovery of sprouting from the five daffodil bulbs I planted last year when our house was in renovation. I planted them on the Full Moon, in fact, which was an intention for planting my garden of life with hopes of my dreams to blossom. And, they have been and are continuing to. When I planted them, a very healthy earthworm revealed herself in the soil where I dug their rooting ground, and I knew this was a sign that all would be well and supported because of my willingness to plant the seeds and care for them. Then Winter came and went and with Spring thaw they started sprouting.
I later planted several variety of irises – all of these bulbs gifted to me by special Faery, Laura from her garden. Apparently the irises will come later she told me and within a month or so I should see them too! Soon we’ll have lovely blooms and surprise colors lining the entry to our home! And my own garden of dreams will be mirroring this blooming.
And that leads to the baby plants intended for Astrid. I’ve started all the bunny goodness in this mini greenhouse indoors and have a seedling heat mat under it too.
Normally, in California I just directly planted the seeds in my Garden Tower or in the ground, but here with the difference in weather, am needing to begin indoors and then can transplant into my Garden Tower outside my office sliding door that has the perfect Southwest exposure.
I’m growing her two kinds of Romaine, cilantro, dill, sage, oregano, arugula, sweet basil, lemon balm, endive, dandelion, and a variety of wildflowers.
I do everything by faery intuition and am organic in my processes so it’s always a lovely surprise to see what unfolds. Yet, I see the mirroring reflection of the creative projects I am cultivating step-by-step in my life as well.
I love the action of seeding intention in literal ways, as other things percolate and evolve.
And action puts creative energy into motion and exponentially grows the possibilities.
Add in love to cultivate and nurture it and you’ll eventually find yourself smelling the roses in your garden of blossoms that manifest.
And speaking of new doors and closing old ones. Yesterday, I sent out a newsletter announcing it to be my last, as I am feeling led to close my Constant Contact account to focus elsewhere. I also announced that I’ll eventually have a new website and likely new email address, which could look like this blog evolving into new paths of sharing, or a separate website to replace my two others of http://www.taniamarie.com and http://www.spiritualskin.com.
So for now, that means really that this blog site is the best way to keep updated and receive inspiration, especially if you’re not on any social media platforms, where I also share. It’s also the best way to contact me if you don’t have my email, or if in the event my email gets changed, as I foresee.
These won’t happen immediately since it’s still in percolation, although you never know when since I’m someone who once I get the idea to do something and the nudge it needs to be done now, doesn’t linger.
I am constantly guided to fully close the old doors, so that my energy isn’t still lingering around in anything and can fully be propelling me in the forward momentum of the seeds I’ve planted.
Wishing you an expansive Spring of possibilities!
I hope you find nature to be a companion in your life more regularly in any small way possible and I wish you much joy as you follow dream seeding with action and a sprinkle of love to water it into life.
Magickal Snow Day #2
I just can’t keep this beauty to myself and so here are some photos from yesterday’s epic snow day #2 of this season. In contrast, the sun was shining and the sky was brilliant baby blue. We got about a foot plus more powder and it was stunning against that bright sky. We took a sunset walk at Zephyr Cove, which proved a hearty hike in knee deep snow without snow shoes. I did wear my rainbow moonboots, which proved the perfect addition for the deep snow, immersing in Tahoe’s crystalline water, and even romancing a mallard. It was pure awe, and filled with mystery as the storm clouds approached. It concluded with duck fun and a mallard coming straight to me as soon as he saw me, and giving me some love pecks on my moonboots. I think we’re in love. 😉 I only caught the moment before he went for me. I was too giggly to do anything else. A little activation in that sunset evening for sure!
Mallard medicine includes: communication, letting go, strong sense of knowing, awareness, preparation, speaking your truth, intuition, finding your flow, not settling, water elements, creating a sacred sanctuary nest that soothes your soul, graceful self confidence, connection to ancient ancestor wisdom, luck – preparation meets opportunity, the power of being in the now moment, being at peace, letting it be, having the resources to navigate your life, taking notice of your surroundings to see the new opportunities being offered, being ready to move forward swiftly to embrace opportunities presented and to succeed with your goals, exploring your emotions and clearly navigating them so you can release what no longer serves.
Perhaps Mr. Mallard was infusing my right foot with supportive energy to be able to use my water, air, and earth energies effectively for our upcoming Grand Canyon trek, as that is the foot I fractured this last fall and he pecked on the side where the fracture was. Ducks can swim, fly, and walk, bringing these energies all together in a productive way. Thank you!
Let yourself immerse in the energies of these images. These will be the last snow beauties shared until my return from Arizona – leaving on Wednesday – since I have a lot to prepare before I head off. I’ll likely share one more post before I go. Until then, wishing you a lovely Sunday filled with wonder-full things!
Tania Marie 