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My Reaction to “Charlotte’s Web” Being Named as a Banned Book

Posted by Barbara Techel

“Why did you do all this for me?’ Wilbur asked. ‘I don’t deserve it. I’ve never done anything for you.’ ‘You have been my friend,’ replied Charlotte. ‘That in itself is a tremendous thing. I wove my webs for you because I liked you. After all, what’s a life, anyway? We’re born, we live a little while, we die… By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle.

Heaven knows anyone’s life can stand a little of that.”

~From Charlotte’s Web by Elwyn Brooks, “E.B.

Honestly. Banned?! What the heck?!

When I saw this post on Facebook the other day I was sad and mad all at the same time.

Then I was happy to see the reason to read the book included on the banner.

One of my all time favorite books as a child, and yes, I’ve even re-read it a few times in my adult years, as well as watched the film a few times also. I know I’m not alone.

Still thinking about this two days later it flashed through my mind the beautiful healing I had a few years ago with Spider that led me to uncover a deeper meaning and in relation to Charlotte’s Web. I felt called to write about this and shed some more light on the profound power of animal wisdom.

Because honestly, really, one of the reasons this book is banned is due to the “portrayal of talking animals?” What has happened to encouraging and instilling imagination in our children?! This is what creates the potential of a world where adults can live from the core of their hearts and be who we truly are. Something we have been sadly lacking in many cases for many years.

And as someone who has had (and continues to!) deep and meaningful connections with animals, and yes ‘hearing’ them, this just really has me shaking my head in deep disappointment. I wouldn’t be where I am today were it not for the animals that share the planet with us. They’ve been my confidants, my healers, and my companions who have loved me unconditionally.

Okay. I think you can tell this has me a bit fired up.

So, back to Spider and Charlotte’s Web and a healing that occurred for me.

It was back in 2019 when I agreed to take part in an exercise for a book that was being written by my friend, Dawn, called Shadow Animals – How Animals We Fear Can Help Us Heal, Transform, and Awaken.

The animal I feared that I chose to work with was spider.

I was taken through a series of questions.

When asked what I most dislike about spiders I said that they are fast, sneaky, and creepy.

I then shared with Dawn how spiders are creepy that had me drilling down deeper and how this makes me feel dirty. I was surprised by my sharing that and wondered what that was about.

Describing spider as sneaky made me feel like they are hiding something from me. And fast for me was about a control issue because I feel as if I can’t control them when they move toward me so fast.

As we explored this more, I shared, in part, how trust is big for me and that it takes a lot for me to trust another person.

Upon further reflection describing spider as creepy which led to my sharing that they feel dirty led me to the memory of my childhood wound of abuse. Because the situation was creepy and felt dirty plus fast and sneaky. I also felt no control over what was happening.

It was a rush of emotions that moved through me quite quickly.

After the initial exercise Spider would continue to bring insight for me.

Spider in one aspect represented trauma. But something that surprised me when invited to reflect on what Spider may offer as a gift or teaching, I was reminded of the book and film, Charlotte’s Web. How I loved that Charlotte was an advocate for Wilbur, listening to him, and assuring him all would be okay. She was just so kind and loving.

It was during that time that I’d watch the film again and found myself in tears for the unveiling of yet another layer of the trauma that was ready to be released.

And over time with inner work and reaching out for help, I realized how I became the Charlotte of my own life, listening to the scared little girl within me. The one who couldn’t speak or share her feelings of what had happened.

So spider, while yes, can represent the difficult and shadow aspects of self, Charlotte being the gentle and kind teacher helped set me free with another layer of pain that was released.

And I come full circle now to the line in the quote above that has my eyes filling with tears as I write this:

“By helping you, perhaps I was trying to lift up my life a trifle.”

This is what animals have done time and time again for me and for so many others too. And I will always take a stand to share their wisdom.

And why banning Charlotte’s Web does so much more harm than good. And I just had to share my thoughts. Because seriously, the world is not black and white or this or that. The world speaks to us in so many extraordinary ways and I really feel the banning of this book – and the censorship of so many other things too – is a wake up call to each of us.

Thanks for listening!

P.S. and yes! to what my friend and colleague, Cara Gubbins said in her reaction: “Let’s all read it again and share it with a kid not just because it’s a great book but also to counteract this weird censorship that is sweeping our nation.”

XO

Barb

    

The Gentle & Comforting Call of Wolf – A New Mixed Media Collage in Progress

Posted by Barbara Techel

The inspiration for this mixed media collage recently came when I lay down for a nap.

Wolf has been my spirit guide for many years now. She came to me at a time when my heart was broken from the loss of  a friendship – and one which in many ways felt like a mother/daughter relationship. It was my first encounter meeting a spirit animal and occurred during a guided meditation led by an equine assisted coach.

I remember how grounded, yet elated I felt afterwards for the experience. Though I had my skeptical self doubting if it was ‘real.’ But Wolf would continue to be with me. Her message at the time was her showing me my heart with flames shooting out from all sides. Wolf shared with me that even though I really wanted to shut down my heart because of the pain, that it was important not to do so. She said I had much more love to give.

As I healed from the loss I’d often recall Wolf in my minds eye and found great comfort with her presence. It would be two years later, still at times having my doubts, that I’d ask her name before I drifted off to sleep one night and I heard the name, Laiola.

Then just recently as I closed my eyes for a short nap I immediately saw Wolf. Her head tilted up to the sky as she gave a gentle howl. As I listened to her, I found myself called to look up into the cosmos and there it was I saw myself meditating.

Near the beginning of September I felt the nudge to dedicate myself to a daily practice of meditating for the duration of this year. Being an empath and trying not to carry the weight of the chaos occurring in our world with many sharing it will continue to escalate, I was feeling the call to hone in even more on my self inner care. And that is just what I’ve been doing along with pulling oracle cards and journaling each day.

There have been needed releases and lovely insights that have been so very helpful to my well-being.

Seeing Wolf just as my eyes closed that afternoon for a short nap and the comforting image of myself meditating among the stars and planets, I knew then I wanted to recreate what I was seeing.

Perhaps it will be a helpful reminder to someone else. That even in these troubled times, we can find peace, and how important self inner care is right now. We are supported by the animals and the cosmos and all we have to do is simply tap in and listen.

This 9 x 12 mixed media collage will be for sale once it is complete. $75.00 plus $7.00 shipping.

XO

Barb

My mixed media Animal Oracle Art thoughtfully blends together chosen images of animals that have inspired and/or captured my attention in some way!  Each image and corresponding backgrounds are enhanced with a variety of pastel chalks, pencils, markers, and paint. My collages include dried florals, leaves, and natural elements I discover on my walks such as acorns, feathers, stones, and tree branches, along with bits of discarded/recycled ephemera. Animal image and supporting images are then curated and adhered to create a dimensional effect that is gently and lovingly nestled with care into a 8 x 8 shadow box. On the back of each piece you will find an intuited oracle message that serves as a guide to deepen the connection to yourself, animals, and nature.

    

Elephant Art Complete and Leaves Impactful Imprint on My Heart

Posted by Barbara Techel
Elephant – Strength. 9 x 12 mixed media collage on birchwood panel. $75 plus shipping. SOLD

Recently, while meditating, Elephant appeared to me and raised its truck in a show of triumphant joy after I felt an intense wave of grief move through me. It was a grief I couldn’t name, but it inspired me to create this animal art to honor the experience.

After sharing a photo of it here in its beginning stage, a follower, Diane, reached out to me and said she would like to purchase if it hadn’t yet sold. This was a first for me and I found extra joy in completing it knowing Elephant had a home to travel to once it was complete (thank you, Diane!).

While in the midst of completing this piece, I’d learn from a dear friend that her husband unexpectedly passed away from an apparent heart attack. I had to read the text from her twice because I couldn’t believe this is what she was saying.

My heart just aches for her and this tremendous loss. Her whole life just changed in an instant. And as is normal, I couldn’t help but think about my own life and my life with my husband, John. When things like this happen it really hits home and brings up many emotions. I find myself once again reflecting on a deeper level of what is truly important.

While I’ve been listening to my friend as we talk via Zoom, I’ve been witness to something quite extraordinary. While deeply and painfully sad and my heart cries for her in the depths of her sorrow, there have also been these exquisitely beautiful moments that she has shared with me.

And it has reminded me of Elephant and how they are known for their capacity to hold such deep empathy and openly grieve as they honor their loved ones. And their amazing memory to remember those they loved.

All those memories that come to the surface in the depths of grief that bring comfort and peace to the heart. And a new way that is presented of how one can be in relationship to the one they loved, just in a different way, while also grieving the loss of the physical presence of their beloved partner.

Witnessing my friend go through the grieving process I see moments of joy and humor too and how as humans, just like Elephant, have this extraordinary capacity to hold all these emotions at the same time. And how love truly never dies. The memories a gift and if we can open ourselves to a new way of being in relationship, we can experience an expansion of something quite profound.

This has all definitely left quite the imprint on my heart as I pack up Elephant and it travels to its new home, while I continue to navigate and deepen into the heart of what really matters in life.

XO

Barb