Animals, nature, meditation, and oracle cards are wonderful tools to help us gently shift perspective, release what no longer serves us, and guides us to embrace living in a more centered and aligned way of being.
New to my website is a complimentary meditation and journal prompts you can use in conjunction with pulling oracle cards from your favorite deck. Focusing on the inner child that I hope you will enjoy and find beneficial.
Just click here or on the photo above to check it out!
XO
Barb
I awoke in such a funk this morning! Ever have those? And I wasn’t quite sure why.
As the morning wore on, the angst I was feeling continued to grow, even though I still wasn’t sure what it was about.
Getting on my exercise bike, while listening to a podcast, I felt my anxiousness continue to grow. Especially when I noticed two lint pieces on the arm of the sofa, and the more I tried not to notice them, the more they bugged me. And right away my mind tried to convince me that something was “wrong” with me.
But soon enough I knew this was a clear signal that something was brewing below the surface and I knew I had to work with it. John and I have something we say when seemingly simple things become the object of a frustration, and we know better that it isn’t about that particular thing. We say “It isn’t about (fill in the blank)! In my case today I said, “it isn’t about the lint on the sofa!”
Once I was finished exercising I pulled up the Insight Timer meditation app on my ipad, feeling called to find a guided meditation. I knew I needed to work with my emotions, but that I also felt that what I really needed to do was surrender. I came across a lovely woman named Sarah Blondin who does the most beautiful guided meditations. The one I chose was “I Learn to Surrender.”
Listening to her soothing voice and beautiful poetry of words, the tears finally came near the end of the meditation. I felt I still needed a bit more inward time so chose another one of her meditations. This time, I listened to “Accepting Change.”
Afterwards I made my way out to my writing cottage and sat at my desk where I keep my oracle cards and journal. In my journal I wrote, “Dear Spirit, What is it I need to know about the frustration I’m feeling today?”
From Wisdom of the Oracle I pulled Observer in protection (reversal) — the essential meaning of this card is about perspective, objectivity, and neutral observation from a distance.
So what did that have to do with my frustration? Well, I knew right away it was guiding me to see that I was getting caught up in my head of trying to intellectually figure something out that can’t be dealt with in this way. I was also trying to control my feelings of frustration because I was feeling bad for having them.
Once again I had to remind myself that all emotions are part of being human. In order to release them, I must feel them. The observer in protection (reverse) was my extra nudge from Spirit to take the time and pay attention and work through all my feelings.
Just the awareness of this brought me relief. Asking Spirit for my next right action step I turned to the Spirit Animal Oracle deck and pulled Bobcat Spirit and the short message on the front that says, “Life is a mystery.”
Ain’t that the truth, I heard myself say. And the truth is that sometimes that mystery can feel so very distressing because we want control and we want an outcome we are wishing for that we think is best. I was reminded, once again, that I have to be okay with the unknown right now.
Not only do I need to again practice sitting in the observation of all my feelings about a certain situation I realized my angst is about, I also have to trust that either an answer will come at a later point, or it may not come at all. Even though that feels uncomfortable, I’m being called to sit with it.
Turning to the guidebook after journaling my understanding of the cards regarding my particular situation, I especially resonated with this line from Bobcat Spirit:
No matter what, Bobcat Spirit is a sign that you are being called to trust, even when what is revealed does not agree with your need for intellectual certainty.
What I do know now with certainty that after taking this time to focus inwardly is that I’m feeling much better, even though the situation hasn’t changed and there is still uncertainty – but my perspective shifted and from this place I’m feeling much more peaceful.
As I look at the observer card again noting fox on the card I’m sensing the message of how sly and clever our minds can be at deceiving us. But it’s dropping into our heart during challenging times and listening and just being, that we eventually find our way back to truth and understanding.
XO,
Barb
I’m offering a special price on my Oracle Guidance Readings if you are feeling stuck and need some support. I’d be honored to hold space and offer guidance. Click on graphic to learn more about my readings. P.S. Though special price is only good through December 21st, you can schedule your session for the New Year if you wish.
On Monday I had the opportunity to be taken through a guided meditation by the woman who was helping me through a recent challenge. It was our last session together as I’m feeling great to be on my way now with wonderful tools in place to return to if need be at some point.
But back to the guided meditation– I thought I’d step out of my comfort zone and share with you.
As I’ve mentioned lately, I’ve been opening myself more to being aware of what animal wisdom (besides my dogs) are trying to teach me. So it really should be no surprise what happened during the meditation, but yet, it has left me in awe.
During the guided meditation I found myself at the base of a mountain. When I looked around I saw a river and then saw a wolf nearby, howling with his snout pointed to the sky. At first I felt scared, but then was fascinated and quite curious that Wolf showed up.
The fear began to subside as he looked my way and we were looking into each others eyes. I slowly walked closer to a large rock that was next to Wolf. I sat down. After a few moments I reached out and stroked his fur. I wasn’t afraid. I was in complete awe of being in the presence of Wolf — an animal so many fear.
I was then asked to listen for a message from whatever Spirit was before me. I didn’t get anything at first. I told myself I was trying too hard — just be open — see what comes.
Wolf brought me a message that I’ve heard before when I’m working through something — this time I’m determined to take this in and honor it. But Wolf said, “You are worthy and loved. All will be okay.”
The next instruction was to stand behind Spirit, which was Wolf for me, and see through his eyes as Wolf/Spirit sees me. It came to me almost instantly as I saw myself as this huge red heart with a orange glow around it. Wow, I thought. Wolf/Spirit sees me as Love.
This brought tears to my eyes because how often we don’t see ourselves as Love — our mind beating ourselves up one thought after another. But the lesson that we are indeed a part of Spirit is one that we need to honor.
It was a powerful experience for me and I became quite emotional as I relayed it back after the meditation.
I drove home wanting to somehow capture what occurred so it would stay with me. And that’s when it came to me that I could create a SoulCollage card from my experience.
Not only was I so excited to create this card to honor Wolf and his teaching to me, but to honor myself… and quite tickled at how this is all unfolding just as I get ready to leave for the SoulCollage retreat this weekend.
The meditation and doing the SoulCollage is such a great reminder of the wisdom we have within us if we take the time to listen and pay attention.
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The background photo of the mountain courtesy of my friend, Dawn who lives in Alaska. I love that it is part of my card too as Dawn has been an important part of my journey the past 2 1/2 years in very special ways.