Dog and Whale Remind Us of Loyalty to Our Souls – Animal Wisdom Oracle Reading

Posted by Barbara Techel

Dog asks us to check in with where we may be out of alignment and why, while Whale reminds us that our purpose is to stay open to our soul’s purpose, even when we are unsure.

Here is this week’s Animal Wisdom Oracle Reading:

XO,

Barbara

To book a personal one-to-one oracle reading with me you can learn more here.

Oracle cards used: Messages from Your Animal Spirit Guides and Power Animal Oracle – both by Dr. Steven Farmer

 

Thank You, St. Francis of Assisi. Your Presence is of Great Comfort.

Posted by Barbara Techel

Ask the beasts and they will teach you the beauty of this earth. ~St. Francis of Assisi

Today marks the death of St. Francis of Assisi who is best known as the patron saint of animals.

I can’t even tell you how many years I searched for just the “right” statue of him that spoke to me. It wasn’t until the passing of my dachshund, Gidget, in May 2019 that a St. Francis statue found its way to me and captured my heart. Another reminder that all things are in divine timing.

He now resides in my garden watching over my three dachshunds, Frankie, Joie, and Gidget, who were all laid to rest outside my writing cottage.

On days I feel an unexpected wave of grief that comes to pay a visit, I find great comfort in either standing in my garden near St. Francis or gazing out the window at him.

As I’ve come to experience, and what has really sunk into my being of consciousness with the passing of Gidget, is that all my dear animal friends remain with me. Just in a new way of which I cannot see them, but rather feel them with me. The teachings they bestowed upon me sink deeper into my being with each passing year. It really is such a beautiful gift that continues to help me evolve into a deeper understanding that they are still here.

I enjoyed finding this bit of information about him:

“Francis saw animals as his brothers and sisters and prayed that God would work through him to help them. Birds sometimes gathered while Francis spoke and listened to him. Francis began preaching to them about the ways that God had blessed them.

When Francis lived in Gubbio, in the province of Perugia, a wolf was attacking people and other animals. He met the wolf to try to tame it. The wolf charged Francis, but Francis prayed and moved toward the wolf. The wolf obeyed Francis’ commands, closing his mouth and lying at Francis’ feet. Francis promised that the townspeople would feed the wolf regularly if it promised never to injure another person or animal. The wolf never harmed people or animals again.”I
 
I feel so blessed to have had many animals work through me and guide me so far. I also never knew of this story of the wolf laying at his feet, which brought tears to my eyes. As I’ve shared here before, and share in my memoir out early next year, I was visited by a wolf during a guided visualization in 2015.
 
I remember how I first feared her, but then as she slowly crept toward me I sensed she was there to help me. Eventually, she lay at my feet and brought me the message to keep my heart open. This was during a time when I was in a great deal of pain from the loss of a friendship. To this day, I carry her message with me.
 
So thank you, St. Francis of Assisi for guiding us to understand that the animals indeed are our friends, our teachers, and some of our greatest allies.

XO,

Barbara

Source for quote.

 

The Sparrow and the Crow

Posted by Barbara Techel

There are mornings when I can’t seem to make it through my yoga practice without having to stop and admire something that catches my eye outside my writing cottage window.

Today was such a day. Here was this small sparrow perched atop a decorative crow art piece in my garden. Looking at the photo as I posted it here I heard, “lean on me.” Like in the song where it goes on to share that when you don’t feel strong, to turn to a friend, and they will help you out.

There are days when we feel small and alone. But then there are days when we feel like we can take on the world. Both are necessary for living a balanced life. Sometimes we need help. Other times we need to rely on going inward and being with ourselves while remembering we are truly never alone.

Well, there you have it. This pretty much sums up how I was feeling this morning. Thank you sparrow and crow for the reminder that life is all about the yin and the yang. And the importance of interruptions, of which is how I could have viewed as an inconvenience, but instead feel grateful for the teaching.

XO,

Barbara