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Ask Astrid Fridays ~ The Rabbit’s Corner: The Soft & Strong of Embodied Empowerment
To say I adore my soul companion in rabbit body, Astrid, is an understatement and the depth of that love is far more than snuggly sweetness we share between us (although that definitely is a big part of it). It includes how much I admire and am inspired by her agile spirit, strong heart, and wise instincts. I also love her humor and childlike innocence she so exuberantly and unabashedly displays, while the next moment standing in the unwavering power of her benevolent queen’s essence. She is so in tune with her body and feelings, and together we are like a finely tuned piano of black and white keys working in harmony. But that is something that doesn’t just happen overnight. It comes with committed patience, open-hearted presence, and willingness to be open to seeing each other as equals.
I’ve written quite a bit about animal communication, the importance of communicating everything with them, how we can share harmonious relationships with our animal companions, and in fact how important it is to keep deepening into the vortex of your heart so that possibilities in this realm will become the new norm. One of these shares was about how Astrid and our niece opened the communication channels, which you can read here: Animals Understand
And it’s just such clear communication channels between the two of us that assist during times of change.
I’ve been so very proud of this sweet, strong soul who has been fully back to having 100% free roam during our travel time away. The first week was a trial run of part-time closure within her giant, mobile pen the size of two and a half pens put together only while we were out during the day for a few hours and sleeping at night. This was for potential safety and damage control in foreign new spaces.
But after having a check-in and long conversation with her where she expressed her frustrations to me, I knew it was time to leave the door permanently open and this has continued since – she’s on three weeks of open pen and full free roam at all times.
We agreed on trust guiding things and with the freedom she would know that I honored her word and soul needs, which in turn she would reciprocate. And we’ve both kept our word.
Astrid’s soul is SO big and advanced, to contain her in more than just her physical body alone is spirit crushing – both to her and me. So it’s been back to full freedom always and that makes a happy queen and mom. She still uses her pen for the majority of the day and everything in it as her safe space and personal realm.
She’s shifted from guarding it all quite diligently from cat spies and robbers to relaxing into a new ease, while coming and going as she desires.
It’s been super interesting to watch both her old and new behaviors emerge, which have evolved to suit her temporary home life and reflect her transformation process. So far I’ve witnessed her behaviors change based on triggers from having an enclosed space, the different homes we’ve been in, the layout and space of the home, how she feels in it, the way the cats are behaving, and how she’s embracing being the traveling rabbit for the period of time I’ve told her we’ll be gone.
She’s gone from frustrated to empowered and joyful – from unsure to secure and confident.
She went from also knocking down her cardboard cabin, chewing on her mats and pen (even when it was open), tipping over hay bins and snack bowls, and being afraid someone would steal her treats, to complete peace, her usual tidy ways like back at home, and sense of security even if the cats lurk around.
The more we communicate and the more I demonstrate my trust in her, stand behind my word of never ever leaving her side, and literally holding her hand throughout every new transition of every single moment, the more she relaxes into even greater embodied empowerment.
One of the entertaining (although equally frustrating to me) behaviors she displayed was in the first home of three weeks we were in, where she became much more territorial. This was her way of asserting the need to honor her feelings while she traversed through the changes she was going through and learning how to process the new. This made her charge at or chase any cat that infringed on her realm. She was even temporarily back to charging when you put food in front of her (an old shelter response) until assured with pets and snuggles.
I especially got a giggle out of her stealth attack on our male cat Boojum. She would lay low in her cardboard cabin calmly with her amethyst, and if Boojum tried to pass (he’s known to steal her hay and water) she lunged at him with full speed and grunt, sending him on his way. She would then immediately and quickly retract back inside. This fast stealth strike and equally fast retreat back into oblivion had us calling her a little moray eel. 😉
She would also lay directly across the front of her small hay bin that is the bounty both cats will sneakily try to get, and basically like Gandalf from Lord of the Rings declared, “You shall not pass!”
There was never any violence or fight that ensued. She just asserted her boundaries and I LOVE that about her.
The cats know to back off because Queen Astrid is quite a force to reckon with energetically. You wouldn’t think so looking at her sweet silver butterfly kissed lips and twinkle toes, but she’s learned to be comfortable in her power of both strength and softness. She’s the Rabbit Queen, afterall!
In our first place she had morning moments of binkies and running laps with me in the master bedroom, but mostly processed how to integrate the new with staying in the main living area with us and asking dad for lots of extra snuggle time while he did his stretches on the floor. I loved how she looked to both of us (mom AND dad energies) for encouragement and love, as ingredients to the new she was deciding how to integrate.
And this behavior continued on the first leg of our journey until we got to our second landing spot.
With four weeks and already three of the seven road trips under her wings, she came to a steady and more anchored place of softened confidence, encouraged by her parents. And it is in this last week where even more of her exuberant and explorative inner child also made many more appearances again. She’s had a blast exploring the entire home from the get-go and not one night did she spend contained in her pen. It was only put up to create the feeling of her having her very own, safe realm within the new space, but it was left wide open all day and night long.
It’s a very nice space where she has a beautiful winter scape view.
She’s actually evolved into being the happiest I’ve seen her, the most social ever with everyone – not just me, the most self-assured and content, and super communicative, responsive, and interactive. She literally fills the space of the room, but in a sweet way that evokes a smile and invites you to play.
She doesn’t feel the need to own the room, but shares it with everyone and really has taken her spot as a bridge for the whole family.
There’s times we’ll come downstairs to find her sitting tall on the center round ottoman like the benevolent queen who is excited for the fun to begin and to let down her hair.
And in the evenings when we watch movies, she’ll move between laying like a bunny loaf in front of us on that ottoman, joining dad in his stretching exercises, and then jumping on and in between us on the couch, laying there awaiting pets and enjoying snuggle time.
There’ll of course be a few hops, zoomies, and teases, as she invites everyone to add play to our peaceful evenings.
You can tell by the last several photos where her favorite spot is right in the middle of all of the action and smack center of the energy in the room. It’s so endearing to see her in her essence and element and even Dave has remarked how she’s really blossomed in this new space and surprised him with how not only well she’s doing, but how she’s let out her personality even more.
It has been so fun to watch her surrender into her childlike self as she runs, jumps, binkies, and leaps with joy. The more guarded, old parts of her have relaxed again back to how she is at home, but also in a newly empowered way.
She’s jumped on every surface possible – couches, ottomans, wide adobe window sills – and had no problem running up and down the wooden stairs to the second floor so that she could explore there and also come thump by my side of the bed to tell me she’s ready for morning and morning snacks to begin!
She would run upstairs in the evenings while I’m working and tug on the comforter or the velcro attachment of my computer cord to let me know it’s dinner time.
She’s even followed me around at my feet, excitedly been coming when ever we call her name, and has been craving dad’s attention too, enjoying her teasing games with him for snuggles and carrots.
And during the day she securely rested in her cardboard cabin or sprawled out on the mat in her pen, awaiting us to return home.
She’s been finding her balance and like the collective, is mirroring how to revisit the old patterned, painful memories of her past, but realize that the now is nothing like that. So while she’s had trigger reminders of being locked up, abandoned, and badly handled come up through the experience of major change on her traveling adventure, she’s been able to revisit it safely and quickly with our loving and nurturing help, so that she can move through and beyond those old behaviors at even greater depths of clearing.
She’s realizing, through our communications and demonstrations of honor and trust for who she is – being seen and fully supported – that the old doesn’t have to define her anymore. She’s learning that it’s okay to demonstrate vulnerable frustration and have feelings come up, but she’s also realizing that they are in fact only based on what “used to be” and what “is” is something entirely different.
She understands our trust in her and she trusts that we will always be here for her.
She’s being supported into her authentic self and loved every step of the way. We don’t judge her for her actions while she processes the feelings and needs she has to draw lines. We honor her need for alone time and give her plenty of nurturing when she needs encouragement.
And she’s understanding that boundaries are healthy, but can also be bridges of understanding rather than violent separations.
In the latest new home she hasn’t had to be territorial in the same stealth way. She’s softened into a more direct line of communication because of being more at home with her feelings. She simply stands her ground with solid and sweet confidence and I’ve now found her sitting not far apart from both of the cats at any given time. In fact, they’ll all be huddled in a triangle of sorts, leaving you wondering what’s being plotted amongst them.
She’s coming into a new sense of how it is to be both soft and strong when in embodied empowerment.
There’s a whole new programming she’s undergoing within this experience, much like me and how I’m reprogramming my relationship to the old fears surrounding height edges and skiing that has more profound effects on a wide range of things beyond what meets the eye.
Never are our experiences isolated to self alone.
We’re both learning how to move through and transmute these primal patterns so that a new experience can be possible.
And this in fact also reflects what I feel the collective is moving through and rebooting as well – something I’ll likely share a little more reflections about in an upcoming post.
Astrid wanted me to remind you that her Ask Astrid Fridays are also open to any of you who might have questions for her.
Do you have something you’d like to ask Astrid?
If so, please send them along either in the comments below, or through the contact form and we’ll try to get some of them up in future posts.
Ask Astrid Fridays ~ The Rabbit’s Corner: No More Playing it Small & Beltane Wishes
When you look at this photo of Astrid what does it bring up for you? What message do you think Astrid is reflecting? If you feel so called, please sit with her photo (and the other photos of her throughout this post), relax, and see what comes through. Spend some time and open to where her energy and wisdom anchors for you.
Astrid has a very powerful presence and as a rabbit she is not your typical “prey” or “victim” energy associated with what some might define as a prey animal. While she is full of heart, she is also quite fierce and can trigger people with her strong energy. It’s an energy that can be polarizing and demanding, as she won’t stand for anything less than you owning who you are.
She doesn’t do this to antagonize or start conflict, she simply mirrors the incongruent energy you have within and instead of meeting you in your insecurity, she will stand firm until you rise above the ego stories – both ones that keep you small or hide that you really do feel small, but wear a mask to protect that.
If you aren’t interested in exploring that relationship with yourself, which she is mirroring, then you’ll likely walk away and brush it off as she just doesn’t like you, she’s a mean rabbit, or she’s scared and defending herself with an air of reasonable protectiveness.
She is less dramatic with these behaviors these days, opting to be a bit more subtle to see who truly does want to be present with their energy, but they do still pop up and often someone might feel either rejected or special, depending on which way she acknowledges you – neither of these being her intention. She simply owns her energy and asks the same of you, even if that simply means to be honest with yourself.
Because of this I feel she is an incredible therapy rabbit who can provide powerful mirroring for the deep work.
I spend the most time with her, so I’m very acquainted with what her subtle and not so subtle behaviors are communicating. Overall, however, I feel she is often misunderstood. Especially so, before she came to be with me.
To me, she simply knows her boundaries and they are very pure and clear in terms of what she aligns with and what she knows you are capable of. She doesn’t stand for less in both the energy she desires to be in and recognizes that at the heart of it all, you’re not satisfied with what you’ve allowed yourself to operate as either.
Less than, is definitely a choice, but she brings to the foreground the conscious exploration around this so that you ARE actually making a choice and not just operating blindly on conditioned cruise control.
If you are battling with internal conflict, Astrid will have something to say about this in order to help you realize it’s within your power to realign yourself.
She mirrors the self-sabotage, the belittling stories running the show, the doubts, the games you run circles around yourself with, the false masks, and the fears. While she understands why, she doesn’t want to spend time with you in that place. She doesn’t want to feed these energies and make them more powerful than they really are. She doesn’t feel it’s okay to keep saying you’ll change tomorrow, some day, or that you have unlimited time to focus on things. She speaks to the time being now, if you are serious about wanting and seeing change, and so she reflects that in subtle or not-so-subtle ways, depending on the situation.
The more dramatic feels to be an immediate call to action is necessary and would benefit you greatly.
The more subtle feels to be an invitation to commit to the process and that she sees potential in you to be a teacher, so she will take you through steps to help guide that.
Of course, that is, if you embrace the invitation in either case.
Astrid doesn’t feel good about supporting your continuing to be small.
She stands her ground in order to draw forth your authenticity.
It’s a powerful mirror of the wisdom she embodies and holds equally as important for herself.
Rather than cross the bridge to the small story, she holds the anchor of who she really sees you to soulfully be and calls you forward to that end of the bridge. She doesn’t feel it responsibly supports you to meet you in the place of fear. She helps draw forth your strength and sits patiently in the trust that with commitment and presence you’ll be able to journey to your truth while she reflects and holds that embodied space for you.
It’s not an easy journey, as it requires willingness to investigate and spend time in some uncomfortable spaces, but when we embrace the invitation with curiosity we can uncover the real motivating forces that are running the show.
Astrid holds unconditional compassion for everyone’s individual experience. Yet, she believes that indulging the stories does not benefit one’s evolution. Like myself, she feels that dropping her vibration to match the small voice doesn’t provide anyone a way out. Instead, she anchors in your highest potential, while extending a loving hand for you to embrace. Sometimes that love can seem a bit tough, but knows responsibility isn’t always meant to be the easy street.
When we want to be seen as more, we must ourselves see our more.
Our roles are to stand in what we see you to truly be and lovingly encourage you to do the same. It’s no wonder we found each other and I’m grateful to Astrid for holding me accountable to this journey by her example.
I believe the deeper invitation that Astrid embodies is reflected also in these current times we are facing.
Which voice do you allow to dictate your experience?
The one that keeps you tight like an endless bud, or the one that pulses with authentic potential, ready to blossom its wisdom?
Astrid knows that the smaller voice leads to a life that will only ever scratch the surface of your potential. She meets you as your higher self nudging you into your wholeness.
She also knows that it’s not about reaching a finite result, but about how much you are willing to open yourself to the adventures of the journey. It’s about more being and less excuses. Astrid knows there will be stumbles along the way, but as long as you keep shedding light into the hidden corners of what keeps you small, you are living more authentically.
Astrid and I wish you a magickal Beltane. This peak period of Spring midway between Spring Equinox and Summer Solstice is a celebration of life when Earth’s energies are most potent with fertile creativity, growth, renewal, and embody the designs of manifestation in motion. What a joyous time of year, perfect for expanding your hopes and visions into rich action, while having fun along the way. I may not be the May Queen in sacred marriage with the May King today, but this does mean that my own wedding is approaching at this half point to Summer Solstice.
I’ve been spending time in the garden daily, which feels especially aligned with this time of year. In fact, on Nestor’s special day I was out seeding the garden with a lot of hope in her honor – literally hoping for a magickal garden full of perennial wildflowers to attract pollinators like the monarch butterflies and symbolically growing a vision garden to aid the blossoming of my dreams. Now, I water and nurture it, while I do the same with the intents and projects I have in life.
Yesterday our big Easter, Anniversary, and Spring Shop Sale ended, but seeing how our creations have been sweet and supportive gifts shared between friends during their challenges at these times and used as anchoring portals of hope, we have decided that the rabbit magick will continue!
In honor of Beltane’s fertile celebration, we’re extending our Magick Rabbit Etsy Shop sale until June 20th – Summer Solstice! And with the extension we’re extending the discounts. The previous 25-40% off goes to 30-50% starting today, May 1st.
We’re almost sold out of many items and at our lowest inventory since opening just over a year ago. A restock date of new items is unforeseen at this time, but if you’ve had your eye on something or would like to share the love with someone in need or that you haven’t been able to see for a while with distancing in place, we hope this makes it all easier.
Ask Astrid Fridays ~ The Rabbit’s Corner: Self Care for Optimal Living
Yesterday Astrid had her regular, full six month checkup at our favorite rabbit vet down at the bottom of Mt. Rose in Reno (photos at the vet below where she waited patiently). It’s an hour’s drive each way, so it’s a big event for a bunny to go through on top of the probing they don’t like. Well, I can’t blame her, as I do everything possible to avoid the same myself and doctors in general. I’m grateful to not have reason to seek medical attention, that I never catch colds or flus, and unless absolutely necessary, will always opt for holistic ways to treat and heal things in my life.
Where rabbits are concerned, you just can’t take anything for granted, as they can suddenly have challenges out of no where that are very serious and scary in most cases, so it’s best to catch things early. Since they tend to hide things well for a while too, you really have to be diligent about presence with your bunny companion so you can spot the tiniest nuances in behavior and regularly be looking them over and catching anything odd looking or feeling that is developing.
We go to regular visits every six months and in the past when we’ve had something we’ve kept an eye on like her ear wax build up, we’ve done every three months until given the full green light.
At almost 5 years old, this September, she’s doing amazing and living her best bunny life ever. We count our blessings every day, as other than one bout of gas for about 3 hours that was connected to some deep past energy she was working on along with me once and some ear wax build up that once got her ear a little inflamed, she’s a really healthy, strong bunny. While at the vet she got a pedicure and the unloved ear flush to ensure her wax doesn’t create issues. I also picked up some extra stuff for our bunny ER stash just in case.
Regular rabbit care routines and exams are a must and a good message to all of us though, to make sure we’re regularly taking care of ourselves from the inside out too.
Self care is much more than simply going to the doctor when there’s something challenging you, but also about doing the daily self care protocol that will help you not have to make those extra visits and ultimately, will provide you more vitality and energy overall.
I directly see the correlation between how I care for Astrid and myself and when I lack in the category of doing those extra little things, having her there reminds me.
I go above and beyond for her with making sure she has the best quality everything and that she gets all the little things that matter too, like lots of love and snuggle time, play time, encouragement, check-ins, and sticking to a well-established routine to meet her needs and beyond.
And since she is an extension of me, I know that since these enriching experiences keep her happy and health, then guess what? The same works for me if I continually practice enriching rituals, self care, and encouraging and loving check-ins with myself.
If I am tending to my needs, Astrid also thrives.
There’s no separation, since we reflect one another.
I know recently a lot of people have experienced some health challenges, have needed medical support for physical manifestations of things, and are even transitioning at this time. These things seem to go in cycles.
And at the same time, there’s also a record number of pregnancies and births taking place in surprising ways.
Life does balance itself out and so can we balance our energies when feeling depleted.
Channeling your creative spirit is another form of self care that is vital alongside the physical things like resting, getting enough good sleep, eating and exercising well, having some “you” time, getting outdoors to absorb good nature and vitamin D energies, practicing gratitude, having a healthy, loving, and encouraging dialogue with yourself, and doing little luxuriating things you really want and deserve to do.
I can’t emphasize it enough how committing to a little something everyday for yourself, can make a difference and start carving out a new life for yourself.
And if you truly feel you can’t commit to something right now, or today, then making a commitment to do it at some point during the week and sticking to that promise, will start to shift energy in your life and you’ll find your spirits lifting.
And when your spirits and heart feel uplifted, your physical vitality will shine.
Astrid wants to add her two cents here in sharing that vitality is a state of being. It’s not about the things you have, as these could just add more stress with bills or more things to manage and take care of. It’s about what you give intrinsically to yourself.
It could be little things you gift yourself or stretch to splurge because these acts then create the foundations of flowing abundance, but it can also just be the sweet, gentle, fun, nurturing and loving things you give yourself like two minutes of pep talk and encouragement, five minutes of meditation or sitting on a bench in the park, singing at the top of your lungs in the car or shower, putting on your favorite song and dancing, wearing a special outfit that makes you feel good, getting up a little earlier to make yourself a nice breakfast, using products on your body, hair, and skin that make you feel like you’ve been to the spa, or simply checking in to see how you’re feeling right here and now.
Astrid also wants to impart that checking in with those tiny nuances within yourself, just as I do for her, will help reveal things before they get bigger and more challenging than they need to be.
There’s a whole physical and energetic body communication that takes place moment to moment and you can be privy to it, rather than feel like a complete stranger to yourself.
After all, it IS YOUR body. No one will know it better than you, although like bunnies can hide things, so too do you hide from yourself.
You don’t need to internalize the suffering. You don’t need to internalize and forge ahead when there’s discomfort or pain.
Committing to self care – even if just a check-in with yourself and how you’re feeling, is powerful, revealing, and instantly creates opportunity for change.
I am usually pretty good at self care, but with life getting fuller over the years, I’ve definitely been more lax on some of my usual routines, replacing them with doing.
But I’ve made an extra effort to get back to these things and create more down time to tune in and just be and feel without doing.
Hence why we’ve stepped away from regular blogging and I’ve put a pause to projects to receive the guidance speaking through the wisdom of my body, heart, and soul vibrations.
I’ve created the time and space for extra listening that was needed and I’m happy to share that this has been extremely beneficial and clarifying.
I used to be outweighed in “me” time, with less doing.
Then there’s been more “doing” than “me” time.
But life has balance now and the two are merging more seamlessly.
It is making a difference and Astrid is my best teacher reflecting the wisdom within.
Ask Astrid Fridays ~ The Rabbit’s Corner: Remembering the Sacred Mother Within
The last couple of nights my sweet boy, Cosmo, has been coming to me in my dreams. I feel him so strongly that my heart both aches and feels enlivened by the waves of his powerful love running through it. His love is as vast as the cosmic waters of All That Is. He knows that it is because of his presence and my other bunny loves, including Astrid here in this realm, that I feel most inspired to move forward with the things my heart whispers. He and they are the wind beneath my wings. We are One.
With Mother’s Day just around the corner, I feel he is sending me a message of love and gratitude, as he truly was my son in every sense of the word.
I’ve written before about how he was the one who truly awakened that Sacred Mother within me in a very new way, even though I will never experience an actual physical birth in this life with a child.
Astrid is in every sense of the word, a true embodiment of Sacred Mother energy, as she so beautifully and powerfully exhibits how she watches over the humans and bunnies we know and the creatures of the forest here, and how she walks in partnership with her Earth Mother. Although she is so clearly of the stars and exhibits being much more from beyond than of Earth, she is very balanced in her energies as a Virgo, and hugely in touch with that feminine earthiness.
She is a beautiful example for me of this balance and a model of both the tenderness and awe-inspiring power and strength of the Sacred Feminine and Mother.
Between both Cosmo and Astrid, I am receiving the gifts of what it means to walk in this essence ever more so each day.
As I shared in a post about Cosmo several years back, I don’t believe one has to actually birth a child from their womb to have this experience, although it definitely is one of the very rich ways to know this aspect of self as reflection of our Earth Mother’s own blessings in this regard. But, nor would one necessarily need to have any form of children to know this part of a woman that simply IS due to her being a woman.
And equally, men have access to this essence, as there is a union we each have dancing within us even though we are playing out one role more than the other. This is something we can become more and more aware of, as we tune into and honor these parts both inside and out.
I believe that the alchemy of the Sacred and Divine Feminine and Mother is an innate essence for us to remember being within us and to embody, reawaken, activate, and shine forth without shame, guilt, fear, or judgment. We can awaken it through the act of self-love, through the channeling of creativity and nurtured passion, through sacred ritual, through our sexuality and sexual alchemy, and through the intimacy of relationship to all that is within the deep recesses of our most ancient, rich, inner mysteries.
For me, it feels as if Cosmo truly was a baby I birthed. And likely we have that connection from a time removed from this particular focused one, but it’s there. I had these instincts where he is concerned that I know is like that of a mother and baby that goes beyond just our soul companion connection.
And every moment I got to spend with him, even if it was the rigorous routines others might tire from, I was thoroughly enraptured with, loving any time I could spend with him, especially holding him close to my heart on my chest and helping to soothe his pains. I always felt like I was exactly where I needed to be, time stood still, I didn’t feel I needed to do anything else, and actually would have been happy just taking care of him.
I loved bath time and I loved holding his hand when I took him in to his vet and therapy appointments, reassuring him I was right there. I loved waking to see how he did in the night, and I couldn’t wait to see him when I returned home from anywhere, feeling sad to leave him, but also knowing the separation was good for growth and expanding our telepathic connection.
If you saw us in the afternoons and evenings, when he laid cradled in my arms and fell asleep on my chest as I gave him his Reiki and Crystal massages or even just cuddled him, you’d swear you were seeing a mother holding her newborn after nursing, or just putting her baby to sleep for a much needed nap. The way he looked just like a baby against my chest with his little hands and head safely cushioned by the warmth of my skin was very telling.
I feel like the only time Cosmo really slept best is when we were cuddling, and he could relax and feel nurtured. And guess what? He was nurturing me right back.
He helped to bring another layer of balance to my life, connection with my inner child AND inner mother, and softened, as well as strengthened the abilities I have to share with him and others – all adding to the layers of richness I continue to experience and open to in my life in bigger ways on many levels.
With his added presence, my own presence shifted and much was, and continues to be, supported to birth into being from this Sacred Womb of Creation within me that is being nurtured, embraced, enjoyed, honored, and celebrated.
There is a greater sense of being that came from knowing myself as a reflection and extension of our Earth and Cosmic Mother.
Astrid wanted me to share about this connection with Cosmo, as a way to honor that Sacred Mother energy the collective is sharing this Sunday.
Little did she know that I would share on how she is an incredible reflection for me of what this means and looks like.
I am grateful for both Cosmo and Astrid for what they have helped ignite within me.
All of my sweet animal companions have been incredible teachers for me in the most beautiful ways. I truly wouldn’t be where I am and who I am without their guidance and inspiration.
Part of why Astrid wants me to share this is also as a way for the human collective to understand the deeper partnership we have with all life and that whether you find yourself surrounded with many humans, animals, plants, otherworldly friends, or simply living in union with Terra – our Earth Mother – and on your own, there is incredible richness available to know yourself more in the simplest of ways.
Life doesn’t have to look extraordinary or be extraordinary by anyone’s definition of what that means.
Life IS extraordinary in its simplicity.
Even the trials, the challenges, the ugly, the raw, the pains, the disappointments, the routine, the less than ideal – has a bitter sweetness that reveals we are truly alive, what we are capable of, and how infinite creativity is – an enriching extension of spirit and being, although our minds would rather negate these experiences.
These things enliven how it is to feel.
These things are exercise to the heart just as we exercise our physical body and other muscles.
So while I am a curious being by nature, it is in the most seemingly mundane moments that I have truly experienced myself, love, and peace.
My curiosity has led me to see what is right before me.
In caring for Cosmo and Astrid, and all of my sweet companions, they help focus my vision to the now.
Ask Astrid Fridays ~ The Rabbit’s Corner: A Small Pause, but a Big Reminder
It’s been a whirlwind of events the last couple of days, so Astrid was kind enough to let us skip this week’s Ask Astrid Fridays and return next Friday. However, I did promise her that as soon as things settled a bit, we’d let everyone know that we hadn’t forgotten her special blog day, but simply will be processing everything into what she may feel important to impart next time. She was completely fine with that because it just gives her more time to feel into everything in the collective field and how it relates to things unfolding here with connective meaning.
In the meantime, she wanted me to remind everyone about gratitude and how important that is.
So, here are some snippets from our last year’s Gratitude Giveaway post as reminders:
We all know that the more gratitude you have and express, the more abundance in all areas of your life you will experience. Not to mention, the more enriched, vibrant, joyful, peaceful, and fulfilling your life will be in every way.
We receive far more than when we are aware of, which indicates we actually have way more to be grateful for than we even make a point of realizing.
Think about the air you have to breathe, the sunlight that gives life, the trees that provide oxygen, the animals that keep our ecosystems healthy, or things like eyesight, ability to taste, smell, hear, touch, and experience life in sensual ways not elsewhere possible.
Yet, even things like our bills – whether you struggle to pay them or not – are actually things to be grateful for in the service they provide like electricity to see by or run your air conditioning, gas to warm your house or cook with, water to bathe in and clean your clothes, and mortgages that keep a roof over our heads.
And not only does recognizing and acknowledging everything we have to be grateful for help us to enjoy and receive more in life – yes even the hidden gifts in something or someone that rubs us the wrong way because they are emotional trainers for us to strengthen our hearts to love more – but we also find it easier to give more. And this is important because the flow of giving AND receiving is also part of living an abundant life.
Even when you think there’s nothing to be grateful for, you’re wrong as there is always something and in recognizing and thanking those things with all of your heart you will align your frequency with an increase in things that will enrich your life.
Even when you think you have nothing to give, if you give anyway – including money in a relative amount to your life, but greater than you think you’re capable of – the more you’ll find things flowing in.
Abundance equates to love, gratitude, and living in the flow of both giving and receiving.
Gratitude is one of the most effective ways to bring more of what you want into your life in incredible ways you wouldn’t even think of. It opens you to the highest good through simple, heartfelt gratitude, as this aligns you with your matching frequency.
Be grateful, as every moment is a gift.
VegNews: BUNNIES ARE PROBABLY THE MOST AMAZING ANIMALS EVER. HERE’S WHY YOU SHOULDN’T EAT OR EXPLOIT THEM.
One of my sweet and amazing Instagram friends, fellow bunny mom, vegan, SaveABunny volunteer (where I adopted Astrid and Joy from), and simply all-around sweet and bright light, Diana, shared this article today on her feed written by her talented friend, Tara Baxter of VegNews. As Diana shares, “this is such an important and timely article right before Easter.”
Diana’s ever-sweet bunny, Rufus, makes a debut appearance in the article in the third photo featured. Rufus is such a dear bunny that I love following daily for updates and sweet stories on his adventures and love shared with his bonded partner, Wasabi.
Here’s a link to the article:
Bunnies Are Probably The Most Amazing Animals Ever. Here’s Why You Shouldn’t Eat or Exploit Them.
A Message of Love
I just had to share this precious story of alignment and angelic presence that moved me deeply. As you know, we’ve been holding an online Easter Auction to help raise money for rabbit rescues, alongside donating 10% of proceeds from our Magick Rabbit Etsy Shop during the Easter Sale going on through April 22nd. The auction just closed last evening and what unfolded was truly magickal.
The auction item was this rabbit basket and all of its contents that included three very special crystal eggs. Bids started off slowly, but were starting to gain momentum over the weekend and last day.
I had no attachment to outcome, but hoped to raise the optimal amount we would be able to add to our donations we’re collecting.
Bids closed at $103 yesterday at 6 pm PST, which was a steal for everything included, yet in perfect alignment and unfolding.
And here’s the backstory.
I messaged the winner, who has become a sweet friend of mine now via Instagram. She and I connected via another dear friend, Reiki student, and the guardian of the giant Amethyst Geode Rabbit and Lemurian Seed Crystal. (In fact, for my birthday she surprised me by sending a big, beautiful, sparkly gold rabbit that now sits on my bedroom dresser next to my silver Manzanita jewelry tree, overseeing all the other sparklies. She was at the store messaging me about all the rabbits she was seeing and then sent me one! I was so moved just by this, so to add the rest of what you’re about to hear, truly put icing on the cake of emotional tenderness.)
Jane was in disbelief. She couldn’t believe that no one had outbid her and that bids hadn’t gone much higher, as she was in dismay people wouldn’t want to help. She was convinced we’d reach like $500 by the end and was in shock by these turn of events.
Immediately, while she was sharing this, I started getting huge chills that wouldn’t cease, as I continued to share to her that things are just meant to be and while it had been odd to me that people didn’t seem to be seeing the post on the other channels of social media and not engaging, I also am all about surrendering to what is in divine perfection and never twist people’s arms to help. It must be from the heart.
I found out why just seconds later, or rather while I was messaging her, as she revealed the rest of her story and why she was so emotional.
She went on to share that she had chosen her daughter’s number for the last bid she placed saying, “Anaiyah this is for you, let me bid your birthday $103.”
Her daughter was born January 3, 2008. She chose 103 to represent 1/3 since the last bid was at $100.
(Side note: 2008 was actually a huge year in my life as well as my partner’s life – where we both got divorced, lost our twin soul animal companions (Nestor my rabbit and Kitty Boom Boom his cat), both went through huge life transformations on deeper levels, and met each other.)
Jane became very emotional and continued to share with me that her daughter had passed away around Easter time and sent this photo of her that was taken just a few months before she passed.
This is why it was all so crazy beautiful to her, adding also to the fact that she’d never won anything before in her life.
She felt that Anaiyah wanted her to have this basket because she always has a way of reaching out mysteriously and she loved bunnies. In fact, Jane has 3 bunnies in her daughter’s Amethyst collection – interesting connection to the rabbit Amethyst – and that Anaiyah’s favorite color was purple.
Synchronously, the day before the end of the auction I had posted a photo of me in a lilac/light violet dress, with purple shoes and Amethyst jewelry on.
Jane pointed out so cutely that I had to giggle, that she and I had been connecting the morning of the end to the Auction and that she knew her daughter sensed my energy and my bunnies, plus I was “rocking” a purple dress, as she put it – “She was like MOM this lady is super cool,” relaying what Anaiyah was pointing out to her.
Her mom and I also share wearing tattoos all over our bodies, so there are a lot of connecting dots.
As you can see in the photo of her daughter, she truly IS an angel. Not only an angel embodied in human form, but eternally. She also has quite the sparkle and reminds me of a bunny, in fact! I just adore her and felt immediately that my bunny angels were with her, orchestrating all of this so beautifully.
Indeed, it was perfection and I felt it was also Anaiyah’s way to send a message to mom while also lending lend support to her for things right now, and remind her of the wonder and precious joys life has to offer in surprising ways.
It also speaks to how our loved ones are always with us and never leave our hearts and sides.
The heart is the bridge and where there is love there is no separation.
I felt so deeply this sweet message wanted to be shared and asked if I could.
Jane immediately said yes, wanting people to know that our loved ones are always with us in spirit. She also felt Anaiyah would love this story shared as well and told me I could share her photo too, adding that she was always a “show-off.” 😉
I couldn’t be more happy that this rabbit basket of sweetness and potent beauties will be going to Jane via Anaiyah and I couldn’t be more grateful to both of them for helping to support the bunnies.
Pure magick all around and on my end, just another of the ways my powerful angel bunnies demonstrate their presence and supportive orchestration of things in my own life.
I’m so happy to come to know Anaiyah through Jane and that Jane and I have made this sweet connection via our angels.
And what sweetness to know that her dear angel girl had a hand in helping to support the bunnies ❤
Easter Basket Auction for Rescue Rabbits, Everything Now 20% Off Easter Sale & Payment Plans at The Magick Rabbit
So, yesterday Astrid and my rabbit loves in the stars inspired me to create an Easter Auction to help raise money for rescue rabbits. We always like to give to help the bunnies, and do this sporadically when one of our favorite non-profits is in need of help, but also at least once a year. We’d like to create an auction as our contribution to supporting other ways to gift people at Easter than to purchase a bunny on a whim, while also being able to add to our donations we’ll contribute for this year.
In light of this, we’re going to be holding an auction on all three platforms we host – yes it is going to keep our bunny senses on full alert to manage, but feel it’s the best way we can raise the most for the bunnies.
This is the way the Auction will go.
Auction starts now and will end at 9pm PST on Monday, April 15th.
Bidding starts at $10 with at least $1 bidding increments.
For anyone here on my blog that wants to be part of the bidding, please place your bid in the comment section below. I will be monitoring the bidding across three platforms and will update where the bidding is at, so that you can see if you want to place another bid. If you do, simply place your new bid in the same comment section. You’re going to want to pay attention to the comments for potential updates from me.
It will work differently on Instagram and Facebook.
I may have created a monster for me to manage, but it doesn’t take place that often and I’m willing to do so for the bunnies.
Shipping is $19.95 within the U.S. only.
This Ultimate Easter Basket will be up for auction.
The Cosmic Basket includes:
* A beautiful wicker rabbit basket adorned with faux spring flowers (basket can be used separately if desired)
* One stunning angelic blue Celestite organic/open egg with rainbows – properties include: angelic, celestial stone, communicate with angelic realm, tap into universal love, open clear channels of communication from the heart, mental clarity connected to instincts, recall dreams, compassion for Earth and all creatures, relieve stress, surrender to inner peace
* One large Sunstone egg – solar plexus and sacral stone, clearing negative thought patterns, expand mind, confidence, self worth, clears and activates pathways, optimism, hope, power of the sun, celestial lighthouse, warming, opening your heart to love, life giving, healing, transformative, creativity, truth, leadership, happiness, stress aid
* One medium Rainbow Moonstone egg with Tourmaline inclusions – new beginnings, gentle, calming, improves intuition and receptivity, goddess energy, inspiration, inner growth, strength, love, moon magick, sacred feminine, shadow work, dreamtime, creativity. Tourmaline properties -protection, grounding, calming, keeps away electromagnetic pollution and radiation, aids addictions, good for stress and anxiety.
* One sweet stuffed White Rabbit mother and child
* One Alice in Wonderland natural vegetable soap in Vanilla Frosting scent by LolliLuscious with white rabbit, 2 teacups, and clock sitting on top of a cupcake
* Two small silver stands included in case you want to display your Sunstone and Moonstone eggs separately
* Faerytale spiral moss to fill the basket
* One felt magickal mushroom
Here are photos of all mentioned above that’s included.
HOPPY BIDDING! LET’S RAISE MONEY FOR THE BUNNIES!
Astrid and the bunnies are super excited about so many things right now, including how mom is 100% back to her writing full time and what that means. They’re also pretty delighted about Spring time and all of the tiny forest creatures that are coming around more again – can’t wait to see if our bunny friends will be back! They are anxious to see if mom is going to replant the Garden Tower and what flowers will be popping up alongside all of the irises pushing up and blooming right now.
And yes, they really, really want to encourage Easter gift-giving not to involve rabbits unless people are committed to a lifetime of companionship and guardianship with their rabbit family.
So, they have prompted mom to include ALL items in our shop for the Easter Sale, so that all of the new items can also be a part of the offering. And a 10% portion of proceeds will be included in rabbit rescue donations.
This includes our beloved new Magick Rabbit Talismans.
Two have found homes and I’m talking with people about potential plans for a couple others.
Titles for these creations include Temple of the Stars, Sunflower, Four Leaf Clover, Mer-Rabbit, Atlantis, Dragonfly & Friends, Pink Daisy, Dreamy, Rose, Desert, Violet, Love, and White Magick Rabbit Crystal Talisman Necklaces.
All now under $100, which is an incredible offering for these hand-painted and crafted treasures. That includes free shipping.
You’ll also find the first joy-filled Magick Rabbit Keepsake Chest, potent Cosmic Butterfly pendant, and smaller, ethereal lilac and purple “Thumper” foot-like piece of the Amethyst Rabbit also now included in the sale.
And yes, as people have been asking, I do offer payment plans.
If something says RESERVED, it is not available, unless the person relinquishes on their piece.
We are about 1/2 sold out of mini rabbit faery gardens now, but some of my favorites remain and all at incredible prices including some of the larger, vintage, or unique item pieces. There is only 1 glass terrarium mini garden left.
We have of course many whimsical choices that make wonderful Easter gifts, instead of buying a rabbit this season.
This includes a set of 5 greeting cards that would make lovely Easter notes to loved ones for only $15.96. The collection features all five of my original pieces, Moonlight Whispers, The Journey, Bedtime Stories, The Empress, and Cosmic Voyage with envelopes and title on the back cover. Perfect for every occasion and not just Easter – thank you’s, thinking of you’s, holidays, birthdays, sweet messages “just because”, anniversaries, congratulations, celebrations, motivational notes, sympathy, and more.
And yes, even the birth paintings that started it all are available at discount – a great chance to have an original piece of art.
The ever-popular journals featuring the five paintings are also available. We’ve sold out of Moonlight Whispers, but still have some of each of the other 4. Only 1 each left of The Journey and The Empress, 2 Cosmic Voyage, and 3 Bedtime Stories.
And besides the ultimate Easter Basket that is being auctioned, there is still one other remaining at big discount.
All available at this link:
Stay tuned later today for Ask Astrid Fridays and her message of the week!
Thank you from our hearts to yours!
Hoppy Birthday, Hoppy Home!
This day can’t pass by without a blog share to honor this magickal being who I have the privilege to call my best friend. Today is Astrid’s 4th birthday and it also happens to be the day we signed papers to close on our home we now live in here at the Forest Portal. It’s no surprise these wonderful things align together, as I know Astrid had a big hand in making this home possible for us, along with all of my other loves in the stars and the Faeries and beings of the land here – the very same enchanted ones Astrid and I are honored to now call our friends, as they visit us daily.
Astrid also is the one who helped me finish writing my story – the book that will one day emerge to share with the world – and she has inspired and supported this new part of my journey.
It’s been such a gift to watch her expand in hops and leaps, as well as a gift to experience the same through our coming together.
“Together” we are more powerful and can move mountains.
The photos here are of the birthday gifts I gave her this year – her very own personalized chair and a snuggly bunny blanket – both of which she loves. Today is extra bunny treats and love to add to the celebrations that continue, iced with tons of gratitude.
Thank you Astrid for calling out to me when I wasn’t expecting you and for choosing me to be your partner, co-creator, and witness to the growth you foresaw for us both. You’ve helped shape my new life and this place we now get to call home.
I love you Astrid and look forward to the continued journey of adventures we have yet to share.
Happy Anniversary Astrid! ~ One Year Summer Solstice Gateway
My first connection with Astrid on 6/20/17 wearing my magickal Peter Rabbit dress
You may recall that it was one year ago, today, that magickal Astrid chose me and I embraced her vision of a different level of experience than what I thought at the time. She had the foresight of something bigger and more challenging for me and she was right, as since she came into my life things have transformed rather quickly and continue to reveal surprises with every new experience I open to. Most of it has been laying new foundations for what’s to come, but in saying “yes” to her, to the journey, and ultimately, to me, a domino effect is in motion.
Last year Summer Solstice was on the 20th – this year the 21st – which holds both Astrid and Joy in the magick of this incredible portal that has become very significant for me and a favorite life-changing gateway.
My sweet angel bunny, Joy, transitioned on June 21st two years ago, which was under a Full Moon Solstice energy. And Astrid stepped in on Summer Solstice, one year ago. The full story of Astrid’s journey to me was chronicled in this blog post: Divine Surprises ~ Following the White Rabbit Blew Zephyr In & Cosmically Aligned Astrid
So much has changed since her arrival into my life and part of that has ignited the true magickal child within me, as I’ve set up her and my Wonderland Room to fully nurture our essence and activate our heart’s imagination and vision in bigger ways.
Although I started my book before she came, it is with her at my side that everything came pouring through rapidly and took on a more expansive embodiment. She challenged me to go further, to not accept less than my highest with it, and provided a channel and doorway to access more to bring onto the pages. I find it beautiful that I will be completing this second phase of the book by month’s end or sooner, aligning with the Solstice gateway energy. The first phase was writing the full story, the second was my editing and reworking of it, and third will take it out of my hands to an official editor. There are many parts to the process, but I’m committed to going through each in the fullest of ways possible, without rushing any part of it.
This last year also saw a lot of expansion for Dave and I, as we moved into our new Forest Portal home and rapidly put together our shared business almost overnight. With Astrid came anchoring of visions and setting foundations for growth and opportunity. She reminds me to take each day fully and not get caught up in details, nor try to bend the outcome, as they will come together with each step taken.
There’s a level of presence, purity, courage, and commanding recognition of self that one must meet Astrid with and this can only be if one is consistently doing so in their life in totality. And hence, she has me stepping up my game, so to speak.
And in this year, huge transformations for Astrid have also taken place with the softening of her defensiveness and aggression that had built up from a past of not being seen for who she is and not being treated with the value she deserved. The barriers to her heart have been melting away, as my own have expanded further with her. She’s revealed her magick with much more to come! And, she’s met my own child heart in innocent exuberance, as we play together everyday.
She is so engaging and loves to run, hop, and twist in the air with delight, shake her head and ears, as I say her name with playful energy, and teases me to come chase her. We have a little play ritual where she waits for me each night in the same place and we first snuggle, then I tap her bunny buns and she takes off jumping (or rather springing in the air) and racing, waiting for me to catch up and then takes off this way and that, each time looking for me to keep following like a game of tag. Once she tires she throws herself between the cushions on the floor and that’s the sign it’s time to snuggle again and so we do. I can’t tell you how fun it is and I just laugh out loud the whole way – another lesson of balancing work and play and to have fun while enjoying life fully.
We have many fun rituals and also sweet ones…all of which I cherish. She is extremely wise and intelligent, knows her name and if I call her she will come. She has her ways of communicating to me when she wants things and anything I tell her, she fully understands.
And although she’s super independent, she has no problem with me picking her up and holding her, which I only do if necessary, as truly I like to honor her freedom and encourage our equality.
I’m excited for the mysterious unknown that will continue to unfold, but in the meantime I’m happy for what is.
So, today, I just want to acknowledge this incredible star child who has honored me with her partnership. I don’t know where the journey is headed, but I know we will have fun the whole way, while we expand into more of who we really are.
Tania Marie 