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Forest Portal Magick ~ Astrid & the Animals
When Astrid first came home to us, nearly a year ago now on Summer Solstice, we were living in the treehouse up above the lake. She loved the views of the forest, lake, and having the Moon shine in on her from the wide open Cosmos, as well as seeing the squirrels and chipmunks climb up to our deck, with bear and deer visiting down below. However, now that we live on the forest and her viewing windows bring her face-to-face with the animals, she has truly shown herself to be quite the guardian of the little ones here, drawing in all creatures to our Wonderland realm on the Forest Portal.
I have seen every variety of bird come visit, including Robin, Steller’s Jay, Chickadee, Woodpeckers, and more. Some of which I’ve been able to capture photos of when Astrid is lying on her bed and they are just outside the door or on the tree in front of our room. Here you can see her with a black and white Woodpecker sitting on the tree trunk and a Robin sitting on the tree stump.
Also tons of squirrels and chipmunks love checking in on her. But it wasn’t until several weeks ago that that I finally saw our resident Mountain Cottontail bunnies. I knew they were here, as I’d seen their footprints in the snow during Winter, but now they have become a daily visit we get to enjoy in the physical.
I learned that we have a momma bunny and one baby bunny.
This is momma.
She is quite the wise one, reminding me of Nestor and Astrid, but with that nurturing of Joy and her little one reminds me of Cosmo…he’s just a bouncy little bundle of love and purity.
This is baby.
It was sad to me to know it was only the two of them, as that means her other babies did not make it. She watches over him with great care and has taught him to hide in the bushes outside my office, which I also believe houses their home.
I have recently only seen him, however, which makes me sad. I am hoping she is still around, but I haven’t seen her since right before I planted the Foxgloves, Delphiniums, and Salvias. I did manage to get one photo of Astrid and the momma at around that same time, which you can see here.
If you look right between the tree stump and the tree trunk you can see momma sitting. I am wondering now if perhaps she was asking Astrid to watch over her baby, knowing she may not be around much longer. The last time I saw momma I noticed her looking a bit scruffy around one eye, so she definitely was getting into things more.
And now it has been a regular sighting of baby bunny, playing, eating, and connecting with me and Astrid. There is chance we are now his surrogate family, so I am extra mindful of him and sending him lots of love and protection.
He is very trusting of me and will let me go outside and talk to him, as he sits and listens. And like the other animals of the forest, he is very curious about Astrid.
Yesterday was an incredible day that had my heart pounding with love and all a-flutter, as if butterflies were swelling inside.
It started with what was at that time, the absolute cutest thing that involved a big squirrel that ran over to the deck off my office and crept to the left of the sliding glass door, then got up on hind legs, leaned against the glass with hands and fingers open, and peered in looking for Astrid. It was right after she’d left her spot. It was too adorable!
The rest of the day, the usual sightings of animals continued and then baby bunny started making his appearance.
I’ve caught him some mornings eating the grass alongside a Robin, and jumping and running back and forth with joy, as if inviting Robin to play with him. And this day he was again eating the grass, exploring out front, by going under the gate (we have lots for him to eat there too including wild strawberry plants), and coming back to safety in our side yard. He then sat atop the tree trunk pedestals next to the flowers and continued his exploring.
He likes to eye my very lush garden tower and has given it the bunny approval.
I know he’d love at it, but it is critter proof now and likely for the best, as I wouldn’t want him relying on it, since he needs to learn the ways of the wild.
And then, in the late afternoon/early evening I turned from my book I was working on at my desk and caught baby right up against the sliding door glass while Astrid lay on her bed – both a foot a part and only separated by the glass and screen door.
I only caught this one photo of them together, where you can see the top of the bunny and his ears, as not long after Astrid got up, which allowed me to connect with little one.
You can see how he peered inside looking for Astrid and not afraid that I was now only a foot or less away behind the glass. I couldn’t get enough of him moving about, chewing on the welcome mat, and stretching out his little body with legs and butt extended, as he continued to hang out and peer inside.
I am in love!
It’s incredible to see how much the little animals are drawn to Astrid and our Wonderland realm. They are very curious and quite aware of the Rabbit Queen who resides here and is spreading her wisdom and love. Astrid communicates so much with all of them and it seems interesting that her ear healing has come up when things have amped up the most the last week or two. Listening within and communicating from the heart is something available regardless of physical challenges. And Astrid has alerted me with this of my need to continue to do so about what my heart is telling me.
Perhaps even, the animals are all coming to assist her.
There is so much magick happening here daily at the Forest Portal and it’s only increasing. I found it interesting that the day baby bunny connected most was after my having a dream of a rabbit the night before. And no coincidence that the first time I saw him and momma was on Cosmo’s birthday.
In the dream there was a blueish gray bunny, similar to Nestor, but a male, whose name was Blueberry and we were thinking about adopting him. In that dream I also found a very large feather that appeared to be from an Eagle’s wing. Hmmm!
Then baby comes knocking at the door, sitting atop our “Welcome” mat while I’m writing and Astrid is connecting. Interestingly, I shared these photos on Instagram yesterday and the second I published them, the clock turned 5:55 pm – my magickal sign connected to my twin soul rabbit, Nestor.
For now it seems the bunny we’re adopting is him and I’m happy to see that our portal has felt to be a welcoming invitation to join our family. Who knows what is yet to come!
Our Best Snow Day this Season
Our best snow day of the season was yesterday, which is also our first time being able to snow shoe in our forest portal backyard due to the amount of snow here at our 6600 elevation level. It was my favorite day so far this winter. So grateful to have all this magick outside our door and mostly all to ourselves, as we were creating fresh tracks 90% of the time. Fresh powder up to two plus feet deep in some places, with bridges, creeks, portals, wise tree spirits, and more enchantment around every corner. What a work out too when you’re in such deep snow, plus snow shoeing is usually two to three times more the effort.
It continues to snow so we’re looking at maybe doubling our snow depth at this rate and will be snow shoeing all weekend. This morning I woke to find another foot plus of snow. It’s supposed to continue snowing through today and maybe some tomorrow and then again the weekend we get back home from our Arizona trip. Seems like we’re being gifted snow before and after we return. Yay!
I may look cold and seem all bundled up, but truth be told I was one hot faery. Although I only had one thin sweater and one pair of thin leggings on under my jacket, I literally was sweating profusely and wishing I was in a tank and shorts. If I’m not moving I’m cold, but the second I do, watch out! It’s like an inferno within. LOL! In fact, my hands and feet will be warm, even if they are exposed or get wet. I had to remove my gloves to help breathe a bit and would have removed more if I had somewhere to put it all. If not for the beauty and snowflakes falling all around me, I would have been focused more on how uncomfortably hot I was.
A friend mentioned it’s because I’m exerting extra effort with flapping wings too, making it magick exercise. I like that. 😉
Dave is the complete opposite. He is freezing all the time, and all layered up. He can’t understand how I get so hot and can basically be wearing little to nothing in the cold temperatures. We’re like yin and yang in this respect, but I have more yang and he has more yin. I think it’s my Mars energy.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy this winter wonderland in our enchanted Forest Portal here.
This is a view of our house in the forest covered in snow
This is us with our house in the background. I call it sneaky faery. I can’t figure out what that smudge is. I think it must be snow, as the lens is on the opposite end of the camera and my finger doesn’t touch the screen to take a photo. I see also there’s some smudge by Dave’s left lens of his glasses too. It makes me think of an old photo and is interesting, so I included it.
The Magick of Cosmo
Near or far never changes your presence in my heart and the magick you shower my life with. I love you more today and although you were only with us for a short while, your love is etched in my spirit eternally.
Three years ago, today, this sweet boy came home with me, forever stole my heart, and both changed and saved my life forever.
Today, I woke to the most snow we’ve had yet this season here at the Forest Portal.
No coincidence this fell on our anniversary.
It felt like a sprinkling of your magick, sweet Cosmo, coming through the portal here.
Thank you.
I love, adore, and miss you.
Not a day goes by that you aren’t felt or spoken of.
Your love and spirit are as pure as the powdered snow in this Winter Wonderland.
Snow Bunnies
Over the last two nights it seems our late Winter started to take a turn, providing us a Winter Wonderland to explore and immerse in. The last two nights have also amped up magickal dream time and visits through the Forest Portal here. Seems completing Wonderland was the activation for it all. Wonderland inside and out! Interesting, too, that the snow came right after that as well. We’ve had dustings of snow 2-3 times since we moved in, but this is the most we’ve had so far and not just at the higher elevations. It’s a huge contrast to last year’s mega Winter – the biggest in like 40+ years, but any variety Nature wants to throw our way is a gift and gorgeous, nonetheless.
It made for beautiful hiking yesterday and will be fun to explore snow shoeing in up at the higher elevations.
Faery T was able to get her Snow Bunny on yesterday and this morning I thought it would be a perfect introduction for Astrid to see if she, too, is a Snow Bunny and if she likes snow as much as mom.
I’m happy to report that she does.
I’ve always said she reminds me of the Snowshoe Rabbits I fell in love with in Montana and Canada and felt that was in her spirit strongly.
There wasn’t a whole lot on the deck outside of my office because the morning sun hits there warmly first. But it seemed the perfect amount for her to get her feet “wet” before going big.
I took a video of her very first snow day experience, which was adorable to watch.
I’d gone out, barefoot (hence my foot prints alongside hers in the snow) to set up a protective pen barrier so she felt safe and didn’t wander off into the great outdoors. She’d probably be fine, since this area is fenced off, but she may not want to come back in. 😉 She exhibited her curiosity right away in finding the small hole I wasn’t diligent in closing off, sticking her nose through near the end, but luckily I caught that before it turned into Astrid gone wild.
It was fun because I told her what was happening before it did and she was very curious, listening with bright eyes and alert ears. She played coy for a while, exploring her house and licking her gnomes and mushroom next to the open sliding door I left that way for her to go out.
Then she went for it, cautiously, but courageously.
I love the little happy thump she gave at the threshold of the door.
I can tell there’ll be many more snow days for miss Astrid, as she seemed to really like it. I can’t wait for there to be a lot more snow so she can play in it and get in deep. I’ll be sure to capture those sweet memories and share.
Two Snow Bunny peas in a pod we are.
Here’s Astrid experiencing snow for the first time – at least this life!
Winter Solstice Alignments ~ Things Are Shaping Up!
I’ve been immersed in house stuff here in an all-consuming way these days, but am beginning to see the light and space is opening for more. Yesterday a lot of major things came to closure with the house, including the end of a 4 1/2 day stint my mom put in to help me out with the hardest stuff here. We still have a couple of last big projects to finalize and then some last minute tie-ins, but we’re almost there and the days of having several teams of contractors in the house all at once are over. Holding the peace within chaos will now simply settle into pure peace.
And the timing couldn’t be more perfect, as winds started blowing in a little storm last night and this morning we woke to it snowing, perfectly timed to create a wonderland for Winter Solstice tomorrow. Timing all around truly is aligned for Christmas gifts galore and our having some stillness and relaxing for the holiday and New Year.
The seasons remind you of the ever-shifting and flowing cycles of life, change, and potential to honor and make space for. Winter Solstice reminds you of the light that you are, as a gateway of sacred reverence for a “return to light” in general.
I find it perfect that our fireplace is 95% complete, and will be finalized tomorrow on the Solstice…wonderful way to ring in this change of season with the flame of warmth and inner truth.
You can visualize this as well in seeing the light and inner fire of your heart and soul expanding and filling your entire body and emanating out and joining with the light of our Great Central Sun, allowing yourself to take up more space and be who you really are.
This entire home remodeling project definitely mirrors, to me, a support to that – being “me” – and the ending of the old and the onset of the new, as well as that movement inward at this time of year to do anchor in things that will be blossoming soon.
I’m super grateful to my mom who always comes to the rescue to help whenever I have moved over the years. She’s helped with all moves except the one from house to RV – Magick Bus – and back to house after that journey. We always get tons done quickly and inhumanly at times – all the while laughing along the way. We are definitely a two-Faery team that moves mountains! There’s nothing we can’t do.
I’m especially excited because my new office/Faery/Bunny Magick Room is 90% complete, which means I’ll be in action here shortly again – full throttle! Loving how it’s come together and how Astrid’s things are looking. I haven’t introduced her to it yet because I’d like it all complete before that. Plus, her new abode and things are meant as Christmas gifts to her. So the timing should be perfect for the big reveal on that to her too!
I’ll share photos when things are complete. I’m looking forward to getting back to my creative projects and especially full time on my book.
I was able to jump into it twice recently, which felt really good and got Astrid all excited, as she sat by my feet nosing me the whole time and acting as my little helper and guardian to ensure no one bothered me.
She’s been shifting a lot again lately, which is fun to see. Getting super interactive, snuggly, and doing her work moving energy through the house. With my mom here a few days she was also able to connect more with her Grandma, which was sweet so they have a stronger channel of communication between them now.
Reading my story from the Forest Portal felt oh so good. I could sense the energy difference and also how that will help with the editing process for sure. Other than getting our house in shape, my book is the most important project to me.
My loved ones, learning to anchor in more peace and more harmony, communing with Nature, tuning into the Cosmos, and being more and more me are my greatest joys and focuses these days.
That’s a little update here from the Forest Portal and how things are aligning and shaping up for the Solstice, Christmas, and the New Year. We’ll be spending Christmas at my family’s house and I’ll be continuing to finalize and anchor in things here so the New Year will be fresh and fertile for the new.
Wishing everyone an inner illuminating, peace and harmony filled Winter Solstice.
From Treehouse to Forest Portal
We officially moved into our new home this past Saturday 11/25 and what a wild ride that all was. I always marvel at how we manage to get things done and in general, what is possible when you set your mind and heart to it. Our first full day we enjoyed rain, cleaning the slate so to speak, and this morning (our second day and start to a new week) we were greeted by a white Winter wonderland that the snow Faeries gifted us as welcome.
I’m a Winter Faery myself, being born in the month of February, so I love the white purity of rebirthing energy blanketing our enchanted forest backyard to mirror this huge shift and transformation underway.
It was also synchronous and felt aligned with a house blessing we did last evening and a big Reiki Healing Attunement done by one single, tall, white candle I held for the ceremony.
I won’t bore you with all the details we’ve been managing here and what yet has to be done, but let’s just say it is, and has been, one huge process that keeps spiraling around to reveal new layers of the bigger picture.
We started off living in just one section of the upstairs and soon will be able to take over the whole upstairs. Layer by layer we move forward.
All of our fur babies are doing great. They have actually gotten even more loving since here and enjoying exploring and looking out into the forest at all of the little animals. I’m excited most for Astrid because of the flooring choice we made (porcelain tile that looks like wood with texture) that is so perfect not only for all of our animals and life use durability in all ways, but allows her to be able to run confidently throughout the house without sliding like wood floors or other smooth surfaces might. Plus it’s completely waterproof! I’ve so enjoyed seeing her exploring all over without worry of not feeling stable. Yay!
The fun parts are starting to weave in more now, which involve making creative decorating decisions with some furniture ordering we’ve kicked into gear. I’m so excited for the full tapestry of what we’ve been weaving to come together. It’s completely all new and different in style than anything we’ve had so far…and rightfully should be since we are different and this is a new beginning and path in every and all ways for us.
I also really love organizing and thoroughly enjoy the sifting through of things, purging, finding the perfect space, and getting things in order. Must be my Capricorn energies and Saturn placement. That will continue as we receive our stuff from storage we had tucked away while in the Magick Bus. Although we didn’t store furniture except for 2 or 3 pieces, there’ll be things to go through and discover again like opening Christmas gifts.
We have A LOT still to do here, but it’s incredible how much we’ve accomplished in a short time…things most people said were impossible here in Tahoe due to contractors both being booked out for months and having a very laid back approach to work. That’s not to say we haven’t had our share of challenges, but we’d always find a way and there’d always be a reason that worked out better.
Delays help alignment sometimes.
Anyway, this is just a little update of where things are with us and my first blog from our Forest Portal, which we loving refer to our headquarters here as.
This weekend was definitely bitter sweet to say goodbye to our Treehouse in the sky overlooking the expanse of Lake Tahoe. We will definitely miss those spectacular views, but at least our condo will always be our little gem even though we’ve outgrown it. We lovingly hand it over to our new tenants on 12/1, whom we really love and know will take great care of our baby for us.
Although we’ll miss our Treehouse, we find it easy to move on and like with everything in our lives these days, the transitions are much more fluid and emotionally gentle and graceful. That I’m grateful for – having moved into a flowing process of ease.
So much has taken place from our Treehouse headquarters over the last year… so much more than I’m able to share here, but literally it’s been like moving mountains. It’s so incredible what the energy of that space supported, inspired, revealed, and ignited into motion and manifestation.
There’s still this amazing sense of flying, like all the birds we’ve engaged with from the vantage point it offered, even though we’re anchoring in more now.
We’ve moved from 7500 to 6600 elevation – still the same numerological vibration, just 900 feet and 5 minute winding drive directly down from the Treehouse. We’ll still sit above the lake, but are now within walking distance from it, have hiking and mountain bike trails directly out back, can snowshoe off our deck, not to mention are only 3 to 5 minutes from grocery stores, restaurants, and entertainment. We also only have one human neighbor directly next to us, but with lots of space between, who isn’t full time – it’s their vacation home – and tons of animal neighbors. We’ve met 4 of our neighbors (3 others across the street) already and everyone seems very nice.
We now have a forest view, views of Heavenly Ski Mountain (especially clear from my office), tiny peeks of the Lake as enchanted little gems shining through the trees, and a fenced yard touching the forest where we’ll be creating a secret garden sanctuary over time.
So, now we find ourselves living on the enchanted forest and although it is more grounded and Earthy in nature (perfect for my Capricorn North Node), it feels very light, rich, and creatively abundant here. It’s very expansive in its own way, and of course quite nurturing and nourishing. The smells, feels, textures, and energies are prolific.
It was fun early this morning to wake up to snow and go out on our deck in my jammies taking in the smells and silence, yet listening to the whispers of my Otherworld family here, while watching squirrels still preparing for Winter before the rest of the humans woke up. I sense some Cosmic encounters upcoming.
Looking forward to the magickal adventures ahead, as I root deeper with this land and all of the surprises that await.
