animal guides

This Message Wasn’t Just For Me

Posted by Barbara Techel

I smiled when I drew this card after my meditation this morning.

The card says, “You Are Worthy.” I didn’t question it like I would have done in the past because I know this now more about myself than I have before.

I see this card as two parts of myself. The little cat represents the little girl within me. The lion represents the protective and loving mother also within me. See how the tail of the cat winds around the mama lion? Together, a bond, that can’t be broken.

But for a long time, I didn’t feel this way. I separated myself from that little wounded girl within not wanting to believe what she had to share with me about her deep hurt from long ago.

At first, I thought this message was only for me. But then as I went about my morning I heard that it is World Mental Health Day. I knew then this message is for all those who suffer from not feeling worthy and struggle to make sense of their lives.

It was in 2018 that I went through a deep dark night of the soul as I wrestled with anxiety and for a long time didn’t believe I also likely had depression mixed in with that. But I tend to not like labels. What I know now and from my own experience and the journey I walked is that those feelings often described as depression and/or anxiety were trying to get my attention.

Years of burying a vision I carried with me from my childhood had finally reached a tipping point. It was one late afternoon in April of 2018 that a thought ran through my mind that I’d never had before. I wanted to die instead of dealing with the pain that was coursing through me.

As soon as the thought of dying came, another thought stepped in and I heard that I didn’t want to die. Both voices were me. And even though I knew what had to be done would be difficult, I had to face that little girl within, listen to her, and most of all, believe her. Walking that journey is what I’ll be sharing more about in my memoir, I’m Fine Just the Way I Am coming out early 2020.

I believe I’m a bubbly and optimistic person by nature, but the truth is that I was also hiding beneath a mask of shame. Once I decided to face that woundedness within me, reach out for help, and do the work that needed to be done feeling my way through all my emotions, that I came out the other end feeling more worthy than I have ever before.

And so I share this message of Tabby Cat from this card and a glimpse of my journey in hopes that whoever needs to hear this will take it into their heart, reach out for help, and begin the journey to healing.

Wishing you all much peace.

XO,

Barbara

Oracle card from: The Illustrated Bestiary by Maia Toll

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.