New Moon in Leo. What Do We Individually and Collectively Most Need to Know Right Now?

Posted by Barbara Techel

I just received a new deck in the mail yesterday called Inner Light Moon Oracle by Elizabeth Lee. Elizabeth and I are in a class together and the card above is the one she just shared in our recent class. It’s also one of the cards I personally pulled when I did a New Moon reading for myself this morning.

Then it showed up yet again when I pulled a card to share with all of you today. It is definitely calling us to pay attention.

Elizabeth’s cards combine the Chinese 5 Element Theory, the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac, and Asian Archetypes and Symbols. This is unlike any deck I have in my collection, so I’m looking forward to the wisdom I’ll glean from it.

Ojizosama is a Japanese diety we can all call upon during trying times. We are definitely in that right now more than ever. Elizabeth’s guidebook shares that “He is a protector of children and travelers, babies hide in his robes as he shuttles them to paradise. Offerings are made to Jizo for safe childbirth and to aid in souls in their passing.”

There is so much to be said in regards to what Jizo is about. I encourage you to simmer and reflect on your own meaning.

For me, it speaks powerfully to how we are each being called to protect the children that are here now and the ones coming into this world. But it also speaks to me as protecting our inner child.

In a world that is in turmoil, now more than ever, I believe we are being called to heal those traumas we’ve carried for far too long. How important it is to look at those traumas, understand their patterns, and then heal them in order to move forward into a space of less fear in order to experience more joy despite the outside world chaos.

Ojizosama is reminding us that we are our own protectors. We are the ones that must take that inner child by the hand, the one that was wounded, assure him/her that we are here to deeply listen and acknowledge the pain of the past, assure him/her that this need not define us and that together we can experience happiness by our choosing. 

I chose the rose quartz and black tourmaline stone, plus a dried Queen Anne’s Lace flower to accompany this message and for extra support.

Rose quartz to be gentle and compassionate with yourself as you heal what needs healing and to also deeply lean into and listen with the utmost of tenderness what your heart is sharing with you.

Black tourmaline is a stone of protection from the negative energies of the world. I wear a bracelet that is all black tourmaline when I go out in public. Being a sensitive person and an empath helps protect me from the energies that are quite potent right now. But I do wish to share also that while crystals are a great tool, it’s even more important to continue to do our own inner work of healing and also set intentions for what we wish to see in the world, and then be that as much as we can.

Lastly, I’ve been foraging for Queen Anne’s Lace the last few weeks and drying them for future art projects. I learned that it is a symbol of purity of intentions. It’s also about safety and refuge. Also when the head of the flower curls under it often looks like a bird’s nest – this is a great reminder of what it takes for each of us to build a happy home – physically and within ourselves.

I believe this is really a time of healing shame that we’ve all faced in one form or another – and often stems from something in our childhood. We can rise above that! Ojizonsama and his wisdom are what we can lean into when we are scared and remember that we are protected and that we can do the protecting of what is right for ourselves and our hearts. We can do this.

Keep shining your light!

XO,

Barb

                  

Chickadee Reminded Me of the Sweetness of Life

Posted by Barbara Techel

It can be easy to get lost in the chaos of the world.

Sitting at my art table this morning excited to work on my next project piece, this darling chickadee sat for the longest time on the suet feeder, while my laundry on the line blew in the breeze.

It moved me to tears. The sweetness of life, I thought. This is what brings such joy to my heart.

Yesterday I’d gone down the rabbit hole with all that continues to swirl in the world – so much that does not make sense to me. My heart hurt for all the suffering.

Later in the day, I’d recalled what a teacher who hosts a monthly group I’m taking part in said, “The mind can’t take it, but the heart can.” I wrote that out and taped it to the mirror on my vanity.

Though at times it feels like my heart can’t take it, it really is the mind that goes into fear, when the heart knows what to do.

The sweet chickadee reminded me that I can choose contentment at any moment, which after looking it up, is exactly what they symbolize — that, and happiness. A tiny bird that reminds us of the joy in simple pleasures.

I also read that Chickadee is a homebody bird. Well, if that didn’t literally hit home in my heart, as I am a homebody too. This soft place that I perch and take refuge in when the world around me is confusing…and how grateful I am for my physical home, but also my inner home that I’ve worked hard to stay in alignment with what is true for me.

Thank you, dear Chickadee, for your presence and the reflection that turns out to be the best present I could have asked for today.

XO

Barb

                  

Mother Earth’s True Calendar. Going with the Natural Flow of the Season Changes.

Posted by Barbara Techel

If we are in touch with Mother Nature, we begin to see signs and feel a shift toward autumn long before the calendar dubs it so, which is September 22nd this year.

This has definitely been the case for me noticing some changes I’m seeing on my morning daily walks. The photo above is from my backyard. This shrub sprouts white blossoms in the spring, then over the summer develops green berries, which then began to ripen as fall approaches.

I also sense it in my energy levels as the mornings are cooler now and we reach peak heat a little later each day. It’s a time also when my creativity levels are at their highest — such has been the case with different areas of my life of late.

Just this morning I was listening to Colette O’Neill of Bealtaine Cottage. She lives in west Ireland. Her YouTube channel is one I discovered a few weeks ago and I simply can’t get enough of it! She is a spunky sixty-five-year-old woman who over seventeen years ago bought three acres of barren land and a cottage because she’d felt this strong nudge to return to Ireland. With her own hands and a budget of almost zero, she began planting trees and over the years has planted over eleven hundred of them on her property!

Her videos are of her walking her land with her faithful border collie, Jack, in front of her on the many paths that weave through her property. As she walks and shares her enchanting land with viewers she talks about permaculture, Mother Earth, life, and an occasional rant about something she has strong opinions about.

In the particular video I was listening to today (she’s been doing them for nine years, so there’s a plethora of them!) she was talking about a yearly celebration in Ireland called Lughnasadh. It begins on August 1st a time when summer is beginning to wane, and the harvest season begins. It is based on the Pagan Wheel of the Year and on the sun’s cycle, and named after an ancient Celtic Irish god named Lugh.

What really perked my ears was when Colette shared how upset she gets with the man-made calendar of dubbing later in the season as the beginning of fall (September 22nd as is the case for 2021), when really, Mother Nature does not work that way.

This resonated throughout my entire being! I’ve realized how over the years I’ve felt these shifts of seasonal change much earlier than the calendar says it as so, thus putting off just being with the delicious sensations and feelings that fall brings for me — thinking I have to “wait” until the calendar says so.

Does this not speak to dulling our intuition also? When we are in connection with nature, this is what is the perfect guide for our intuition and feeling into what is occurring around us, instead of relying on a calendar — that and what our eyes actually see as Mother Nature slowly begins to reveal herself in the subtle changes all around us. Not only in the flowers, trees, and shrubs, along with the light changing but also in how the habits of the animals change too.

I’ve noticed with the birds that they don’t frequent my feeders as much lately. There is so much more in terms of insects, berries, and other things for them to enjoy right now. Despite my having just used my birthday money from my mom to purchase this new feeding station! But I know that in time they will return again as we move closer to winter.

Speaking of the habits of animals changing during different seasons, a frequent visitor this time of the year to the feeding station seems to only be the sassy squirrel! But hey, he has to eat too as I’m sure all the goodies he stored last season are waning in quantity too.

Lastly, it is quieter this time of year. I’ve especially noted that since the wrens have raised their families and have now flown the coop. I shall really look forward to when they return again next year! While the wrens are gone, the bees and butterflies are in abundance, and hummingbirds are dancing and feeding with much more frequency at the feeders. I’m also hearing the honks of Sandhill Cranes and Geese more often now too.

As I finish writing this post, and the door is open on Joyful Pause Cottage, you could hear a pin drop as it is that quiet.

And I’m feeling grateful to have learned of the Wheel of the Year as Colette shared in the video I listened to and the celebration of Lughnasadh. It really feels so much more in alignment with my own soul, so it is one I shall continue to follow.

Perhaps it will speak to you too? If so, welcome aboard Mother Nature’s calendar…

XO

Barb