animal messages

A Reading for the Fall Equinox with My Deck – Animal Reflections Healing Oracle

Posted by Barbara Techel

Happy Fall Equinox!

A time of inward reflection on what the year has taught us so far and how we wish to not only move through these last few months but in the next year too.

With this in mind here are three questions I asked for us all to contemplate and relate to in our own lives.

🍁What needs our inward attention at this time?

Kangaroo – Honor: How often we want to just leap forward and we get caught in the illusion that we are running out of time and that we must keep moving and make things happen. But we are being reminded to honor our own inward flow instead of the cultural conditioning that keeps us stuck in a maddening loop.

Any time of introspection always pays off in the way of knowing more deeply who we really are, which gives us the courage to move forward when it is time.

Honoring the cycles of the seasons is what helps us connect deeper to our true selves.

🍁What is it that our hearts know?

Llama – Healer: Our minds are a powerful part of us that work hard to convince us that it knows what is best (which often comes from a place of protecting us from pain). But within our hearts lies our true healer.

Llama reminds us how it is that at times we default to a guru or other external influence for the answer because this is what we’ve been conditioned to believe. But Llama is here to assure us that we are our own best healers.

🍁What is our most meaningful way forward at this time?

Lion – Courage: Following the call and the roar of our hearts – whether that is a loud or gentle roar – it’s about sharing who we authentically are.

Yes, this does take courage. But Lion walks beside us with the reminder that when we do the brave and courageous inner work of examining and releasing emotional wounds that kept us bonded to fear, we are granted the gift of clarity and a sanctuary of inner peace.

We can then stand in our power and welcome in a rush of acceptance for our lives instead of engaging in the angst of struggle.

***

Just an update that I received the first prototype of my Animal Reflections Healing Oracle deck! I did have to make some minor adjustments so it is back out to the printers and I await the second prototype. Inching closer to having the editing done for the booklet also and then that can go into design mode. I’m aiming for the early part of 2023 to have my deck available while realizing I have to stay fluid to changes that may occur! 🙂

But I was excited to be able to use the first prototype set of cards to do this reading and share it with you! I hope you enjoy it and find it helpful.

XO

Barb

    

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

                  

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