animal guides

Staying on the Well Worn Path with Donkey

Posted by Barbara Techel
 
The writing of a message for each animal in my Animal Reflections Oracle Deck continues. So far I’ve written a message for Kingfisher, Horse, Fox, Rabbit, Eagle, Elephant, Penguins, and Buffalo. I’ve posted a few of the cards along the way on my Facebook and Instagram pages.
 
Sometimes I feel nervous as I begin to write a message for one of the animals. In part because I want to do them justice in sharing their messages.
 
It’s how I’m feeling about Donkey today because – well – if you know me, you know how I adore this sweet creature so much.
 
Not many animal oracle decks (or books) I have as part of my collection have Donkey represented, so I’m honored to have Donkey as part of my deck.
 
Three of my inspirations for Donkey are the ones who live on Bedlam Farm. There was Simon – a special needs Donkey who passed a few years ago (and I loved the book about him), plus two current donkeys on the farm, Fanny and Lulu.
 
One thing I noticed about the donkeys at Bedlam Farm from the videos Maria Wulf shares about them is the same path they walk day in and day out. It’s a very well-worn path!
 
Observing them do this is like a meditation to me. I appreciate the teaching of how often we humans can get caught in the trap of thinking we have to create a new path. What about the path we walk consistently and with mindful intention? That one seems to be the one that flows with more ease than one of forcing or trying to make happen.
 
I’m thinking of that now as each morning I sit down to write 1-3 messages for the animals in my deck. It’s this setting out each day, on the same path, doing the same thing, until all 52 messages are written instead of thinking about the whole big task and picture of it. But trusting each day writing what feels in flow and before I know it, all the messages will be written as they are exactly meant to be.
 
UPDATE: After I wrote this post and then wrote the message for Donkey I was reminded by this thought that ran across my mind – that the cool thing about sharing the message of each animal is that each person that wishes to purchase the deck will also have their own personal message and connection with each animal. How beautiful is that?! I really appreciated this reminder I was given!
 
XO
Barb

                  

The Back Design of My Animal Oracle Deck Almost Complete. How it Came to Be.

Posted by Barbara Techel
Working on creating the design for the back of my animal-themed oracle deck.

I don’t mind days like yesterday and today that are snowy and blustery. It’s a great time to be tucked inside my cozy Joyful Pause Cottage. Working on art. Listening to my favorite YouTuber’s or a documentary.

I’ve been thinking lately about how my creative endeavors have unfolded over the past twenty years. While I was in one aspect of creativity, such as writing my books for many years, I’d catch a glimpse of being where I am now. Though I wasn’t quite sure how any stage would exactly look, I’d have these moments of insight that I’d move into a different aspect of creativity at some point.

For the last two days, I’ve been working on the design for the back of my animal-themed oracle deck feeling grateful to be living the life I have. Because again, I knew at some point I wanted to delve into other mediums of art. While writing is something I still enjoy doing and having written the books I have, I wanted to also experience other avenues of creativity too. And here I am. Doing just that.

Just like writing a book, creating the 52-cards for my deck, the idea began percolating over time and then began to take shape. Also like writing, creating something from mixed media, it shifts and changes along the way. 

I’m still pondering a title for my animal deck. Right now I’m thinking of calling it: Animal Wisdom Reflections. For me, animals have, and continue to be a mirror to various teachings that have benefited me in some way. Some big lessons. Some small.

Some of the teachings came from painful experiences I needed to learn from and open myself to the shadow aspects of myself in order to heal.

White Wolf is my spirit animal, though Dog and Snake I’d have to say play a big role in my evolution also. But Wolf came to me, as many of you know, a few years back when my heart was broken after a relationship with a friend ended. White Wolf, who I’d eventually learn her name, Laoiloa, encouraged me to not shut my heart down.

Laiola was the beginning of a healing journey I’d be taken on over the next two years, along with my dog, Gidget (and a mama snake), who was pivotal in guiding me to releasing the trauma of a childhood experience.

So I knew I wanted an image of a wolf as part of the back cover design as this is how the journey to healing began for me. Laiola reminded me of the love and compassion in my heart even though at times it can feel pain.

As I was in the process of creating my deck I was eventually down to working on the last card, though I wasn’t sure which animal it would be. It would take me a few days of pondering before it came to me. But when it did, I just knew it was right!

The last one I created was of Firefly.

Firefly for me represents how we are able to shine our light even brighter out into the world when we heal the wounded parts of ourselves.

And that is how I came up with wanting to have Wolf and Firefly part of my back cover design. My original idea was to have Firefly sitting atop Wolf’s back. But I wasn’t able to create such a small version of a firefly and have it actually resemble one.

So instead I now have a whole field of fireflies represented by the touch of fluorescent yellow dots in the background of where Wolf stands on the card—standing at the beginning of a path—as an invitation to you to come walk the path to find your light too—to not be afraid—and to trust that the animals will guide you with the utmost of love. Because that is what they do. And they are just waiting to walk us home to the essence of who we are.

XO

Barb

                  

I’ve Created My Own Animal Oracle Deck!

Posted by Barbara Techel

It was about eight years ago when a friend planted a seed by nudging me toward something I wanted to do but didn’t think I could. And yes, I can still have my own self-doubts!

Perhaps you have something you think is beyond your reach? Well, I’m here to assure you to never say never. 

I’m so excited to share with you that for the past fourteen months I’ve been working on creating my own animal-themed oracle deck! Just this week I put the finishing touches on the artwork for each card. Woo hoo! 

I’ll be sharing more card images soon in future blog posts and on my Facebook & Instagram pages. But for now, I’m so thrilled to give you this sneak peek with these three below.

Kingfisher on the left in my deck begins the excitement mixed with a bit of trepidation of any path we embark on that is new, Snake invites us to shed what we no longer need, and Lion invites us to stand in our strengths and share our roar in our own unique way.


There is still much creating to do as I now begin the process of writing the 52 messages for the guidebook to accompany the cards.

But what began as something I thought I couldn’t do and then the nudge of a friend who planted the seed to the seed that then began to germinate into possibilities. It then emerged from the soil, reached for the light, and bloomed into an idea that became my own unique way of creating my own deck.

I can’t wait to share more with you soon!

XO

Barb