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Diverse Nature Encounters ~ Listening to the Messages of Pronghorn & Steller’s Jay
The wildlife encounters, connecting, and sightings continue…wow we are feeling so blessed!
One of the things we cherish about our lifestyle right now, living in an RV and enjoying the simple life, is our access to all of Nature where ever we go and the opportunities to see and experience incredible and diverse natural surroundings and animals we would never otherwise have.
The trees, rocks, waters, mountains, all creatures great and small whisper a message to us.
Timely alignment has been on our side for so many amazing encounters.
Yesterday we decided on a relaxed day, mostly at home and stepping out for some grocery shopping and picking up a space heater.
This proved to be the perfect thing, as that brought us our encounter with the Pronghorn since they enjoy foraging in the open fields between us and the General Store. Although this was the first day we saw them there and right close to the road…all because we decided on a different day than our usual.
We spent the first part of the day doing more spring cleaning alongside our work and later in the late afternoon enjoyed some quiet time with vegan peppermint hot chocolate – Dave reading and me a fun painting project.
Since we’re in the forest, Nature is still abound, but it felt like a perfect time to cleanse and refresh more.
Even our pipes that had frozen are thawed out and we figured out how to keep them so, so we don’t have to leave early like the other RVers that were all making a beeline out of the park yesterday because of the snow.
So some cleaning of the inside of the RV, cleaning out more clothes, and tending to my plants filled my morning, which made things feel more refreshed and open for creating.
If you haven’t already, some Spring cleaning of your literal and energetic life might be just the thing to refresh and recharge.
Where in your life can you release things, people, and situations?
What is no longer serving you in small and large ways?
Is your space clean and organized? Clutter won’t assist you in feeling focused and having clarity for your intentions, dreams, and things you are trying to create.
Even if it’s as simple as making a commitment to spend less time worrying and thinking and more time relaxing and feeling…that’s renewing too and will attract new experiences in your life that mirror the change.
Taking stock of what is helping or hindering you is key…there IS more time and energy available to you than you think there is for all that you desire to create.
And one of the things we wanted to create was opportunity to experience and see the magnificent and regal-looking Pronghorn, which came to be.
We saw a few large herds (you can see more in the distance in the photo below) foraging in the open fields and I marveled at how beautifully unique these creatures are!
This is a great link to information on the Pronghorn – North America’s fastest land animal:
Nature Blows My Mind! North America’s Fastest Land Animal Can Outrun A Cheetah
Pronghorns were reintroduced into the area after almost completely being eliminated in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Pronghorn are action oriented (this year is all about major action for me in layers of ways), masters of delicate maneuvers, are very nimble and rely solely on pure instinct that’s driven by ancient wisdom within their DNA.
They are like sentinels, always on guard, and have complete trust in their tribe, indicating a need to have like-minded souls is important.
They have adapted and evolved for survival, becoming faster than the predators that have hunted them more than 10,000 years ago.
Their symbolism is rich with psychic energy, as their horns do not shed and these horns symbolize an antennae attuned to psychic energies at the crown for receiving sacred wisdom and guidance. Their horns emanate powerful vibrations through the crown to activate Kundalini.
Pronghorn are actually a rare sighting, very elusive and quite skittish. I didn’t know that about them, but it made my encounter much more precious, as we stopped the car when we saw them and I slowly approached the fence to get closer to them and they did not run off.
In fact, a couple of them came toward me.
They were curious and listened to me, stopped with perked head and ears, but were not threatened in any way.
Their white bellies symbolize truth at the core of their – your – being. Pronghorn are true to self and others, as their lives depend on it and this pure truthfulness amplifies and strengthens psychic abilities.
I was reading up on their symbolism and loved the image of envisioning this that I found of how you can use a visualization to help activate your psychic gifts and receive the initiation that Pronghorn brings to your life upon their appearance – whether in dreams, in life, or as your Spirit Animal Totem.
Imagine strong spiraling horns that emerge from your crown chakra while you feel cosmic energies flowing and spiraling and welcome Pronghorn’s initiation into the psychic realm.
And yesterday, I also had a visit from Steller’s Jay.
Yes, even though we did not go hiking and deeper into the terrain around us, the animals came to us!
This beautiful little Steller’s Jay visited me in the tree right just outside my desk window…playing, singing, full of life out in the cold and snow…a beautiful reflection of how to approach our days with lightness of heart no matter the circumstances.
They symbolize bold, fearless energy, and the power of presence and how to use personal power effectively.
The crest on their heads connect them to the sky and above, drawing energy and wisdom through the crown and reminding us that our true power needs to be applied in a balanced way that integrates both spirit and body, mind and heart.
Since they are very resourceful, they too symbolize adaptability and how to do so more efficiently.
They also symbolize a great amount of talent, but a talent that needs to be developed and used wisely. In this way they mirror to us, if one has also appeared for you, that this is a time in your life where you can begin to support the inherent wisdom within you to mature and come forth in a bigger way.
Interesting that my little Steller’s Jay friend was looking at me through the window, perhaps also playing with his reflection while we peered at one another and he reflected his message through the looking glass to me.
Steller’s Jay also alerts us that anything of value, spiritual growth, and relationships takes work and they show us how to activate our internal resources to do this. Communication abilities are strong, access to memories and assimilation of them come to awareness, risk taking, seizing opportunities, discovering new things to explore, balancing intelligence with silence and patience to align with divine timing all come through Steller’s Jay in message.
Their crest that reaches up also places attention at the energy centers of the head/crown, indicating an increase in new spiritual knowledge and wisdom that may become activated.
Very interesting that both the Pronghorn and Steller’s Jay are indicating a psychic channeling of information from the crown, as I was given messages that even showed up in the reading that I had in Sedona, twice (once this year and last year), that energy would no longer being moving up the spine like Kundalini usually does for most, but that I’d be channeling through my crown now in this next part of my life.
Nature has me soaring…yet in a grounded way that feels more like embodied spirit that is down to Earth.
Our Little Private “Peace” of Bryce
Yesterday we decided to explore in the beautiful fresh snow that had fallen the night before.
We had another small snow storm last night and woke to our outside water and sewer pipes frozen, as well as where they connect to the RV.
We figured out hair dryers and space heaters work to thaw it….so we’re going to go out and purchase one we can keep by the pipes at night so we can stick around here and not leave early.
Everything is working now that we did so. Yay!
We keep seeing the other RVs leaving, likely for the same reason.
If you don’t have your RV winterized, which most of us don’t, then freezing temperatures aren’t a good thing and present challenges.
As long as this works, we’ll remain, but can easily leave early to our next destination if need be.
But one thing the snow does is it seems to keep people away from exploring.
Perhaps because they also aren’t prepared with clothing and equipment, or perhaps the snow, ice, and cold are foreboding.
Luckily we have all we need with us for all occasions and do love the snow…so off we went yesterday to do 5 miles of trails that included Mossy Cave and Hat Shop Trails at opposite ends of the park and we had the canyon to ourselves.
You’ll see why it’s called Hat Shop Trail, as there are balancing bounders that sit on the hoodoos that look like hats atop a person.
This trail takes you down nearly 1100 feet elevation into the canyon and you can’t see the Hats until the very end of it, but the vistas along the way are amazing.
We saw many animal tracks on it as well…rabbit, prairie dog, mule deer, maybe pronghorn….and came upon beautiful crystals in this one rock that were so magickal!
And at Mossy Cave trail we came upon little waterfalls, creeks, and the cave of moss and ice sculptures and icicles….they say these can last through June and Summer some times due to the moisture and exposure.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy the photos, which give you ideas of what you can expect to see if you decide to explore this park.
The terrain always looks different depending on the light and you never know what little animal friends may show up!
Snowy Enchantment at Bryce Canyon National Park
We arrived at Bryce Canyon National Park on Easter Sunday and with a week ahead of us here we are able to leisurely take in all that it has to offer.
It’s such an incredible park…so different from Zion, but equally grand in their own ways.
Even just upon entering the Dixie National Forest at Red Canyon we were getting a glimpse of the beauty that awaited us.
We spent the first two days getting acquainted with Bryce and doing some mild explorations…the first day doing several miles of the Rim Trail and stopping for some warm drinks at the lodge.
On the way back to our home on wheels we saw a small herd of Mule Deer again that were right at the road’s edge. Such a sweet welcome.
And yesterday, after enjoying our first sunrise, we drove all the way to the end of the park, which takes you up to 9115 elevation while you journey through the forest on the way there.
At the end point we did the short Bristlecone Loop Trail and then stopped at every vista point on the way back to take in the views.
On Bristlecone Loop Trail you wander through Blue Spruce, Douglas Fir and White Fir, go through the Dark Forest, as well as pass up to 1800 year old Bristlecone Pines while experiencing vistas reaching into the Four Corners area. This Bristlecone Pine is more than 1600 years old.
It was a fun little hike where we came upon a Clark’s Nutcracker, who seemed not at all bothered by us while he went about his business and even came closer when I started talking to him.
And at one of the first vista points Raven medicine was strong. This one beautiful Raven flew down and wanted to just hang out with me. I’ve never been that close with one.
I kept talking to him and he would cock his head and listen and come within several feet of me just connecting. If I moved away, he came closer. If I edged closer he found his comfort zone…but then edged closer.
I was there with him for about 10 minutes and if not for us leaving he would have remained and I felt that at some point likely would have been right next to me or even come upon me.
He was not just a Raven I felt. And he had a message, as he would not leave me.
He was so lovely with his purple, blue, and green sheen feathers and beautiful face.
I was sad to leave him, as I got in the car and he came closer, not flying off until we had driven off ourselves.
When I got in the car, the song playing was called “Moving On.”
It reminds me of this post “A Message from the Raven” and also how Ravens are harbingers of messages from the Cosmos, are bearers of magick, bring clarity to the hidden, and are shapeshifters symbolizing transformation and change.
The weather is chillier here since we are at higher elevation than Zion so it was in the mid 50’s in the day and then 30’s at night our first day here.
When we arrived there was still patches of snow scattered on the multi-colored hoodoos, or spire-shaped rock formations, which is just incredibly beautiful.
It’s truly spectacular and the colors are always changing…crimson, orange, red, white, pink, and even some gray-greens. It’s all so fantastic, it’s almost overwhelming.
The temperatures dropped quickly on our second day and we found ourselves bundled up in our winter gear (looking like E.T. meets Sleestak of The Land of the Lost – omg we laughed so hard), experiencing snow flurries at the higher elevations, and then last night we had a snow storm blow through, which was fun to hear and magickal to wake up to with about 5 inches of fresh snow and is still gently falling.
Good thing we have everything we need aboard the Magick Bus come rain, shine, snow, heat, water and outdoor activity bound and all!
But how wonderful to have this little snow treat, reminding us of our beloved home in Lake Tahoe.
We woke up to a Winter wonderland, feeling quite cozy inside as we enjoy vegan lattes and feeling the excitement. It felt like Christmas this morning waking before sunrise and seeing the mystical surroundings and then watching the sun rise, opening to baby blue skies.
The RV park is nearly empty too and so it’s like having this magickal forest all to ourselves.
These are views from inside the Magick Bus from very early when things were mystical and then as the sun rose.
Perhaps some snow shoeing is in store today, or hiking one of the other trails we have our hearts set on exploring, which will take us down into the canyon and walking amidst the hoodoos on 5- 8 mile hikes….one of which is called Fairyland Loop (the longest one at 8 miles) and of course you know I was all over that one right away. We also intend to do one or two bike trails as well during our stay here.
I hope you enjoy these looks at another amazing place on Earth. Will share more as we venture into the canyon over the days to come.
Enlivened & As One With Nature
What I love so much about this adventure we are on is how balanced our lives are by time spent immersed in nature, flow, and feeling as well as our time focused on our paths, home life, and exercising our minds with our chosen pursuits.
Life has increased tenfold in enrichment and there is instant recharge and renewal at our door.
I feel enlivened and more “me” than ever.
I do have to admit that even still I have to maintain focus, as John Muir’s words are always in my heart, “The mountains are calling and I must go.”
Nature beckons me all the time, which is supportive for the creative things I’m focused on, as ideas and inspirations come to me while I am out hiking, as well as the continual retrieval of parts of my ancient self keep on integrating.
Yesterday was one such day, as we did a little hiking and exploring. We went on the Watchman Trail and the short Archaeology Trail just below it that takes you to the site of where an old Pueblo ruin once stood on the hill overlooking the vista.
The rest of the day was just meandering about.
We found ourselves a Collared Lizard friend and butterflies kept coming at me and flying across my path in between Dave and I, and above and around me when I was on my own. A lot of Swallowtail, but also small white and yellow butterflies, as well as one darker black one.
I definitely felt the presence and support of many souls and the connection with the elements, especially the Wind.
When we got to the top of Watchman Trail I felt called to bring forth a short song from my heart that moved through me gently, in reflection of the beauty around me, singing the song of Nature that I saw and felt…not with the same force externally, as can usually happen, but evidently had a force, as once I got deep into my heart expression with it, the Wind suddenly blew through with a force.
A short video was captured of what took place, which I haven’t listened to yet, but will likely share.
There had been no Wind until that moment. Just little gentle breezes. I felt that my song was being reflected and answered and it brought chills and a smile…feeling similar to the time when I sounded in the Great Pyramid of Egypt in the King’s Chamber.
Dave said, “What happened? The Wind suddenly came through like a crazy Wind storm blowing sand everywhere.”
I said, “I was singing.” 🙂
The second time this Wind answered me was while we descended and I was receiving some inspirations for my book and when something came to me that I was feeling out, the Wind again roared through…and I actually had to stop because it again brought up the sand, giving me an exfoliation on my back. LOL!
I said, “Okay, I got it….that’s my answer. Thanks!”
It was a lovely day and we again saw the huge herds of Mule Deer and two herds of Bighorn Sheep….which just tickles my heart and soul.
It would be easy for me to get lost outdoors and not return.
Which reminds me of Everett Ruess, the young artist, poet, and writer who was an explorer of nature and did so alone, disappearing without a trace at the age of 20.
While you explore the photos from yesterday, I’ll let you wander through the words of Everett Ruess.
“I have always been unsatisfied with life as most people live it. Always I want to live more intensely and richly. Why muck and conceal one’s true longings and loves, when by speaking of them one might find someone to understand them, and by acting on them one might discover oneself?”
“As to when I shall visit civilization, it will not be soon, I think. I have not tired of the wilderness; rather I enjoy its beauty and the vagrant life I lead, more keenly all the time. I prefer the saddle to the streetcar and star-sprinkled sky to a roof, the obscure and difficult trail, leading into the unknown, to any paved highway, and the deep peace of the wild to the discontent bred by cities. Do you blame me then for staying here, where I feel that I belong and am one with the world around me? It is true that I miss intelligent companionship, but there are so few with whom I can share the things that mean so much to me that I have learned to contain myself. It is enough that I am surrounded with beauty….Even from your scant description, I know that I could not bear the routine and humdrum of the life that you are forced to lead. I don’t think I could ever settle down. I have known too much of the depths of life already, and I would prefer anything to an anticlimax.”
“…while I am alive, I intend to live.”
“I’ll never stop wandering. And when the time comes to die, I’ll find the wildest, loneliest, most desolate spot there is.”
“I must pack my short lifer full of interesting events and creative activity. Philosophy and aesthetic contemplation are not enough. I intend to do everything possible to broaden my experiences and allow myself to reach the fullest development. Then, and before physical deterioration obtrudes, I shall go on some last wilderness trip to a place I have known and loved. I shall not return.”
And he didn’t.
A perfect hidden owl..
We found this amazing naturally carved perfect chair…so comfortable too! Like Nature’s Throne
There is Much Kindness in the World
One of the things we’ve discovered on our journey is that the RV community has been such a joy to experience.
We’ve met some of the nicest people that share a love for the outdoors and living freely and simply.
Some are simply taking vacations, others are living full time as we are, or part time for extended periods.
Everyone is always so helpful, reaches out, smiles, and wants to lend a thoughtful hand.
Everyone also seems so happy, relaxed, and carefree.
I found this note by my plants this morning from our neighbors that left this morning before I could even say thank you.
They had seen me tending to my plants when we arrived yesterday, transplanting and watering them.
I left them outside in the sun and fresh air and they took care of them for me at night.
There is much kindness in the world, despite all of the stories you hear, what’s in the news, or the dramas some people find themselves embroiled in.
You don’t have to live in an RV to experience kindness or any other act of humanity.
We create our realities and I’m constantly experiencing and seeing the reflection of that.
A Warm Welcome To Zion
Yesterday began our Utah National Park circuit, which will continue over the next five weeks. So excited! And if the rest of the weeks exploring are anything like yesterday, it’s going to be a fantastic adventure indeed!
We will be visiting Zion until this Easter Sunday the 27th of March, then off to Bryce through April 3rd, Escalante next through April 10th, Capitol Reef following that through April 17th, and then staying in Moab the last two weeks to visit both Canyon Lands and Arches between April 17th and April 28th.
So it will be an incredible five weeks and being that we are full-time living in an RV, taking the extra time makes it more relaxed with partial work days mixed in there and being able to explore at our leisure, rather than trying to squeeze things into a day or two.
Part of Checkerboard Mesa
Of all of these National Parks the only one I’ve visited is Zion, which was almost exactly two years ago when we decided to add on a day to our return from skiing Park City so that we could do a little hiking there. We did two hikes that time, entering from a different park entrance than we are staying near this time.
So I’m looking forward to continued exploration here during Spring, as last time it was Winter – beautiful to see different seasons indeed, but challenged some hikes with ice at the time.
And what an amazing first day we had, even just for a couple of hours in Zion.
After we settled in to our quaint little park that enjoys these views (the first is the view out the right side of the RV):
had lunch, did some work, I got laundry going and transplanted some plants, we set off to Zion.
And with longer days, we’ll be able to enjoy more sunlight while exploring, which is perfect. Spring also makes for a wonderful season with blossoms, great weather for hiking, and the opportunity to see little ones amidst the wildlife, which we did!
We were so excited to be greeted by such stunning beauty and so much wildlife in our first short day. We always like to touch in with each place when first arriving, as a way to anchor in the new energy and say our hellos.
And what a warm welcome we received indeed!
We saw several herds of Mule Deer, like over a hundred, with young ones prancing along the fields at the entrance to Zion.
There was also a large herd of Bison at a ranch near the entrance, which was really cool to see these amazing creatures.
And we were super excited to see two herds of Bighorn Sheep with babies at different areas…one baby was even nursing, as they climbed steadily along the edges of the mountain.
It was our first time seeing Bighorn Sheep and we have been so hoping for a while to get the chance to experience them, so this was a big treat.
And I love the energy of mountain-climbing Sheep and Goats, as it speaks to my Capricorn Rising and North Node, reflecting so much perfect symbolism for me that I am integrating.
We then decided upon Canyon Overlook Trail as our intro hike, which was perfect and offered some stunning vistas and rocks.
And on our way out we were so blessed to see a giant Condor perched on a post (I was driving at this time, so couldn’t snap a shot, plus couldn’t stop with cars behind us). But wow! It was so huge and amazing.
I’d seen them skirting the cliffs at the Grand Canyon before, and I saw one up close and personal on Lake Titicaca in Peru back in 2008 (a rescued Condor they were helping back into the wild that had a love for our Shaman Guide), but hadn’t seen one just perched in the wild.
Since there are roughly 70 condors living wild in Arizona and Utah, where Zion rests in the middle of this realm, it was quite a gift to see this one.
We will continue our Zion explorations today and tomorrow and look forward to what other gifts will reveal themselves along with the total stunning beauty that this amazing place has to offer all around.
The Raw Majesty of You
As I explored the Grand Canyon’s rugged beauty, I reflected on the raw essence she mirrors for us to embrace within ourselves.
After returning from a hike in the canyon on our last day, taking a hot shower, bundling up in my cozies as my hair dried, and sitting down with a vegan hot chocolate, this is the message that came through.
If you don’t receive my newsletters, here is the new video I shared in my early April newsletter.
One Day & Night at Lake Powell
Originally we were going to spend a night in Marble Canyon, but instead were drawn to Lake Powell bordering the Arizona and Utah border.
Some places we just touch in briefly, while others we feel inspired to stay longer. Since this journey has no final date, as it is guided by our hearts and when we find our next home, if there are places we want to later return to, we can and will.
We don’t like long drives all in one day, so we also break up the journey by shorter stop-overs in some places.
Lake Powell is a landing spot in between our transition from Arizona to Utah so we had just the day and evening.
So, after we arrived yesterday at our spot overlooking the lake, set up, and had lunch we decided to take in a couple of short hikes that were nearby in the area that we could easily explore before sunset.
If we had stayed longer, or do return at a later time, one of the boat tours or renting a boat would likely be a choice of ours in order to see all of the hidden beauty the lake has to offer.
There is a seven and a half hour tour that takes you over 50 miles on the lake and visits the famous Rainbow Bridge Monument, which is a beautiful arch that sits on sacred Indian land. Apparently the easiest way to view this natural bridge, which is one of the world’s largest is by boat and then a two mile walk to the bridge. You can backpack to Rainbow Bridge across Navajo Nation lands, but apparently you will need to obtain a permit from the Navajo Nation. It is located in an arm of Forbidding Canyon, about 50 miles uplake from the dam.
Most of the well-known beautiful, most famous, and most photographed areas of the lake are easiest to reach by boat since they are uplake quite a bit…11, 25, 50 miles, so boating and hiking are required. This includes Antelope Canyon, which has appeared on tons of magazine covers and coffee table books. But since the canyon is located on Navajo Nation land, a Navajo-licensed guide must accompany you. And also West Canyon located in one of the narrow canyon’s above the water’s edge.
However, here is a list of day hikes in the area, which includes the two we did that you can also explore: Page Area and Hwy 89 N Hikes
My parents took the full day boat tour back many years ago and loved it. Interesting that trip of theirs took place back in the late 90’s when we had visiting family from the East Coast and France staying with us while living in Sedona. I had not been moved to go with them, as I was deep in my personal work and didn’t feel to venture out from the vortex of my journey at the time.
And now I’m just dipping into the energy here.
It feels perfect and what we saw yesterday was also perfect.
We briefly visited the controversial Glen Canyon Dam, where they also have some cool dinosaur tracks out front.
Then made our way to Horseshoe Bend, which is a 1.5 mile round-trip hike to an absolutely stunning view of the Glen Canyon and Colorado River, 1000 feet below.
The winds were still howling through, just as they had been now for the last three days, so standing and sitting at the edge of the Canyon was quite something and sandstone was just all over us, but I loved it, although had to shield my eyes when the wind swept through carrying the large sand pebbles.
It felt so Earthy, gritty, and like I was feeling the natural erosion of time that has molded these canyons. This view and the energy there was just breath-taking. One of my favorites.
So we sat for a bit and at this site I found a beautiful piece of smooth raw green jasper. A wonderful gift from Mother Earth. Thank you!
After this we then decided to check out the Hanging Garden, which is about the same distance hike round-trip to a shaded alcove where a natural spring feeds a lush  hidden “garden” of ferns and orchids.
The walk is beautiful with lovely vistas and the lake in the distance, and although the orchids were not there at this time, the ferns rustling in the wind caused the hair to stand on the back of neck. Especially so, since nobody was there other than us and a small Indian family.
I felt the connection once again to my ancient voice and my Nymph and Sibyl self.
I did a short video of the wind through the ferns to share, although it may be hard to get the full feeling from it.
On the way up to the garden I found a cairn someone had built facing the setting sun.
After viewing the garden we sat overlooking the view and I built my own cairn to add to the garden, feeling it to be a way of connecting sacredly with, and honoring, the energy.
I didn’t realize until I saw the photos later that it was comprised of seven stones. I created the three base stones from smooth flatter rocks, and was really drawn to these amorphous looking sandstone rocks for the last four that felt so alive in my hands.
And before we headed back to our site at the RV park, we drove down the huge boat ramp to the water’s edge, where I put my hands in the water to feel its cleansing energy and took in the vastness of the lake, as the sun was starting to set.
Although only a brief time spent in this area, it all felt divinely aligned and guided, especially that we were here on the day of the Full Moon Eclipse.
I awoke this morning to a warm and bright sunrise over the lake I could see from our bed on one side….the full moon was still up on the opposite side.
I feel complete and grateful, ready to set off for Utah this morning and the grandeur of the National Parks there that await us, beginning with Zion.
Zion is the only one of the parks I have briefly visited on the way home from skiing in Park City, which was two winters ago. We had time to do two hikes there, but it was snowy and icy, which didn’t allow us to go as far as we could have on one of the hikes. This time we’ll have no restrictions.
I like that…no restrictions.
Exploring the Grand Canyon & Her Reflections
Today was our last day here at the Grand Canyon and we decided to hike into the canyon itself a little ways in, in between our work day.
I had never hiked in, in the maybe five or so times I’ve visited (mostly when I was a little girl except for this time and last May), but since we aren’t able to camp and leave the little ones behind at home, and we didn’t have a full day needed to go to the bottom and back up again, we decided to go as far as we were inspired to.
This ended up being about a third of the way (the total is nearly 10 miles down), which was perfect.
It’s been pretty chilly, which is nice, but not as cold as it usually is here at this time I guess. The RV park manager said they’ve never had so many people here for Spring Break because there’s usually snow.
But we’ve had gorgeous days and amazing sunsets every night, with temperatures in the high 50’s, low 60’s mostly in the day time.
Today it got chillier coming down to high 40’s. We’ve also had crazy winds the last two days at 26+ miles per hour – clearing out the old energy for the new!
Anyway, we enjoyed a beautiful afternoon, packing a lunch that we shared at the top of the South Rim, and then descending into the canyon.
We saw some cool petroglyphs that included images that appeared to be a turtle (yay!), lizard, and some other symbols.
Lots of squirrels were excitedly chirping away, saw the burrows descending led by the guides, I found a sparkly rock that has joined my stone garden, and I brought along my new orange calcite heart from Sedona that I sat upon the canyon’s rocks to absorb the ancient energy like I did at Bell Rock with it.
I started out bundled in layers and then stripped down to my tank.
The journey was beautiful and I was amazed how easy it was to ascend. We did the down and up in exactly the same time.
Perhaps it’s all the hiking we’ve been doing putting us in great shape, the vegan dark chocolate with blueberries from Endangered Species Chocolate that just so happened to have a sea turtle on the package that we ate before ascending, or perhaps it was the energy I was feeling, as it just felt to flow with ease.
Either way, I marveled at the rugged majesty and raw beauty of the Grand Canyon and how she reflects our own raw beauty in all of our beautiful layers and processes that make up who we are in essence.
I made a video after returning home, once I took a warm shower, made some vegan hot chocolate, and snuggled into cozy clothes on the bed to reflect. I’ll share it soon.
But for now, here are photos of our day in the canyon….a beautiful send off before heading out tomorrow morning to Lake Powell for the day.
We shifted our itinerary from Marble Canyon to there, following our inner guidance.
So we’ll be in transit from the Grand Canyon to the lake while we experience the energy of the Full Moon Eclipse.
Wishing you a revealing Full Moon to your truest authenticity and may you shine your light in inspiring ways to others, as the Moon shines upon you.
Embracing Nature’s Reflections at the Grand Canyon ~ Spring, Deer & Elk Symbolism
Life unfolds rapidly before our eyes and we sometimes don’t realize how truly far we’ve come in a relatively short span of time.
With the changing of seasons comes a time, if you haven’t already, to review your life and to truly feel gratitude for the beauty that you DO have, regardless of all the aspirations and desires you feel you have yet to attain.
As Spring continues to unfold and blossom, the revving new energies of the year are beginning to truly take form and all that you’ve intended has grand opportunity to come into manifestation.
Not only can we all benefit from a little Spring cleaning on all levels right now, but could also benefit from more full-embodied living and breathing in of those parts of ourselves and our lives that await our embracing and remembrance.
Being in the now and realizing the power of this now moment can be transformative in big ways. Everything can change instantly based on what you decide to do with this moment, your choices, and the actions you put into motion right now.
And as always, there is much we can learn from all the symbolism around us, especially in nature, that reflect the messages we need most in our lives right now as support.
We can call upon our Earth Mother to help in these changing times of our journey, especially when in need of support in moving more easily through the turbulent waters of some tough life-transitions, need a bit of positive encouragement along your journey, and when you are actively wanting to connect more deeply to the spirit world and focus on your intuitive development.
There is much in store as the year unfolds so it’s nice to know you always have a nurturing friend at hand that can assist, as she is there to help you release and renew.
Many more adventures await you if you learn to embrace the opportunities presented to you and optimize all that is in your present experiences.
You can rest assured that if you support yourself and take the necessary steps, you will be supported in return with many blessings and gifts.
Our Spring Equinox was truly a gift.
After settling in to our new park home we decided to do a short four or so mile trail along the South Rim of the Grand Canyon just to take in the new energies and welcome in a new season of our lives.
We ended up off-trail and looping through the forest, which gifted us with coming upon twenty-two elk and then four deer directly after that pranced across our path – a buck and three females. All of the elk were females or younger ones.
Twenty-two seems significant right now, as last night I ended up dreaming about numbers and twenty-two was the number chosen for me in it.
Anyway, we sat with a group of seven elk for a while and one female took a liking to Dave, shyly checking him out while nibbling at the tree she was sneaking looks at him through. It was so cute!
Three of the female and younger elk when they saw me just laid down on the forest ground peacefully.
I’m convinced the female curious about Dave would have continued closer had some people not scared her off.
It was really a beautiful experience to be among these beautiful creatures.
And then as we settled back home to relax, coyotes began howling at the moon glowing in the spectacular vibrant display of blue, pink, orange and purple sunset that was like someone went with fluorescent markers across the sky to paint…it was so bright!
The photos don’t capture the color at all.
All being such a beautiful way to celebrate Spring with so much symbolism.
I would have been grateful just arriving here and resting, to integrate everything…so this was all truly a surprise gift.
The deer and elk were lovely Spring reflections.
I’ve written before on deer symbolism, which includes so many lovely energies:
love, grace, gentleness, compassion, innocence, peace, beauty, fertility, femininity, humility, swiftness, acceptance, regrowth, renewal, creativity, spirituality, psychic power, subtlety, higher connection, awareness, abundance, benevolence, watchfulness, and is associated with the moon, the dawn, and the easterly directions.
The stag in particular symbolizes the same, but includes masculinity (which brings balance), regeneration, guidance, healing, connection to the Earth and forest, alertness, pride, independence, purification, strength, and nobility.
But elk is a newer encounter for me, and while there are some similarities with deer, they have unique qualities that feel very connective for me/us right now.
They carry the medicine of virility, fertility, nobleness, sensual passion, grace, integrity, stamina, dignity, vision of fulfillment, strength, and empowerment.
Since elk seem to literally vanish, as they walk silently through the forest, they are known as Ghosts of the Forest.
Autumn is considered the powerful time of the elk, as this is when they mate…so virility is on high.
However, it is Spring that brings around the birthing season – both for elk and deer. This is why we saw so many younger elk and a lot of females. The one deer buck was the only symbolism of that virility.
So all of this feminine and young energy coincides with things for us that are coming to fruition in Spring from what we’ve started in the Fall. This can be starting to see things manifest, having greater clarity and vision for what you were processing, feeling invigorated to put things in motion in bigger ways, taking new leaps of faith, making changes, and having courage to branch out and go for it.
Like all of nature, elk are spirit messengers that work with the lightning so their messages and insights can sometimes come like a flash to you. So it’s good to pay attention to what you were thinking when they appear or what comes to you then or thereafter, as these can be divinely inspired visions of clarity directly channeling through.
Since elk don’t come into their prime until much later in life, so this can mean that with steady focus, energy, and action, you too will eventually achieve what you desire, but don’t give up early. The elk don’t stop their growth because it takes longer than other animals to get to adulthood. They simply embrace that this is part of their journey and process. Slower doesn’t mean worse. Faster doesn’t mean better. Keep believing and keep moving forward.
The contradiction of slow growth, later followed by almost instant growth is an interesting medicine for us to receive as well from them. They let us know that when the time is right and things align, growth will happen overnight, just as elk bulls regrow antlers an inch a day. The velvety covering on their antlers is considered symbolic of our power to rebuild our bodies and life force.
This speaks a lot to me, as I’ve always had things come later in life and continue to see that now as well with all I am inspired to keep focused on. And many times things have seemed to come overnight for me, but people haven’t realized the years I’ve put into the behind-the-scenes work to get there.
Elk carry the medicine of gentle power as well. Although they are prey animals, creating vulnerability, they are also respected by predators who see that it is a force to be reckoned with and won’t go down easily without a deadly battle. Predators normally wait and look for weaknesses in the herd and then and only then attack.
So this keeps in mind that we need to be wary of our weaknesses so that we can take care to strengthen ourselves and fortify so we aren’t surprised by things coming at us from behind or seemingly out of nowhere. There is a beauty in gentle power, which again speaks to that balance being key in life.
Elk are connected to Birch trees, having a natural affinity for them. Birch trees to the Celts are trees of new beginnings and sit at the doorway to the spirit realm. So elk herald fresh energy and walking between the realms, bringing us messages from beyond that we can infuse into our lives tangibly.
Elk learn to balance working cooperatively in groups, but understanding their need and the importance of being by themselves now and then and so they go off when feel called to do so. Just as we also need time to recharge and focus on our own things away from others, while then understanding co-creation and sharing is a way to optimize as well.
Elk teach us how to balance and conserve our energy too, as they can get depleted easily and not be able to do their work. So, too, do we need to be mindful of not overdoing things, over-extending ourselves, thinking we are invincible, have to do it all by ourselves, or that it all needs to be done now and keep piling on more. We need to monitor and moderate our expenditure of energy – the easy to see ways we put it out and the not so easy ways of seeing how we are having it sucked from us.
Elk is known for having a deep gentle voice like that of a bard that tells stories and sings songs.
This directly speaks to me, as storytelling is one of the paths both through creative artistry, words, and sound that is guiding my life and how the life force within me is wanting to be channeled.
I just love how much we can learn about ourselves through nature and how everything is always so on point for us in terms of who we are as souls and where we are on our journeys.
The photos shared here are from our first few hours in our Grand Canyon home. We are only staying here until Wednesday the 23rd, but I imagine over the next two days we’ll continue to receive much richness here.
Today we’re going to do a long bike ride packed with a picnic lunch and I look forward to what surprises we’ll discover along the way.
We will be leaving just as the Full Moon Eclipse in Libra on the 23rd takes place, which is a penumbral eclipse where the Sun, Moon, and Earth are aligned in a straight line. A subtle, but visible eclipse where the Earth will block some of the Sun’s light from the Moon, creating a shadow. Potent stuff!
So with Spring, Full Moon Eclipses, and so many of nature’s messages for us, there is indeed a lot of fertile energy available to us all.
The question is, what will you do with it?
Because you can harness it in any way you choose….or not. 🙂
I hope you enjoy these images of the majesty and beauty that are part of this beautiful Earth we call home.