animal messengers

Honoring the Summer Solstice on the Lakefront with Whale

Posted by Barbara Techel

Among the sounds of church bells, IndyCars racing around the Road America track, boats humming across the lake, and kids on bikes, I sat on a bench at the lakefront in our small town of 950 people. Summer is here for the most part and alive with many tourists visiting our small legendary village. It’s been a little unseasonably cool. But today it’s in the low 70s, with the wind coming from the east off the big body of Lake Michigan, which sometimes puts a little chill in the air.

Summer Solstice is here. It’s also been seven years today since my dachshund, Frankie – known somewhat famously as the Walk ‘N Roll Dog, passed on.

With this being the longest day of light I love to think of an image of Frankie in my mind of one I had in meditation two years ago. After we met up on the beach and had a lovely connection in my meditation, I watched as she rolled away down the beach as if into the sunset. Not in a hurry, but the epitome of savoring every precious moment.

Always a sweet reminder for me to do the same. So around mid-day, I took my journal and oracle cards and rode my bike down to the lakefront—about two miles from my house— to pick cards in honor of the summer solstice and what it was I needed to know.

One card that comes up often for me in my personal readings is from the Spirit Animal Oracle deck and that of Whale Spirit. Sometimes I sigh in a bit of frustration as the message on the front says, “Trust the Mystery.” Sometimes I just want to know things! This is human nature of course.

But as I sat looking out onto the water, appreciating the slower pace of summer, Whale helped remind me to go with the flow too. Sometimes I feel in this liminal space wondering what’s ahead instead of just being curious and open to life to just unfold.

Yesterday I finished writing the afterword and updated the last round of edits and suggestions from beta readers for my manuscript—my third memoir—I’m Fine Just the Way I Am. It’s now ready to be sent off to the editor. Though I’ve not yet contacted her. I’m giving myself the weekend to simmer and make sure I feel it’s truly ready to go.

When I think back to how writing this book came to be, there were often times I had to be in that trusting of mystery space and how at times I really fought it. But now here I am. The manuscript is complete. In a way, it feels a bit surreal.

So I think about Whale Spirit guiding me now as the summer solstice is upon us and the days will grow shorter once again. 

When I read the guidebook for Whale this passage struck me: “Stay in present moment awareness and allow the Hidden Realms to hold your intentions safely until it is time for them to manifest in the Realm of form.” 

My memoir and all the emotion, time, and effort I put into it is still hidden from many. It will be a while yet before it takes form out in the world for others to read. So I love this reminder that when I feel fear about letting it go out into the world at some point, that my intention for writing it is to help others—and to trust the mystery that I can never truly know the impact it will have—but that it was something I felt called to do and I honored that calling.

Wishing you a Happy Summer Solstice and some time in reflection and contemplation…

XO,

Barbara

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Happy, Happy is Just Being You: Oracle and Animal Guidance for the Week

Posted by Barbara Techel

Right away pulling these cards I was struck by the blues and greens within them. Whenever I see these colors together I immediately feel a calming effect on my central nervous system.

I pulled Happy, Happy in reverse which is called protection in this oracle deck – which means to pay closer attention and it’s like a hug from Spirit.

The essential meaning of Happy, Happy is joy and contentment, a sense of fulfillment and a feeling that all is well.

Because it’s in reverse we are being asked where in our lives are we not feeling this? Where do we need to pause, check-in with ourselves, and take stock of where we perhaps are pushing too hard to try and force happiness. 

How often do we forget that we can choose happiness at any given moment? Whether we are working or taking time for play – there is happiness in both. Each provides us satisfaction in some aspect. But if we are too much in one or the other, we can tend to feel a lack. Both are important for feeling grounded and whole.

Peacock Spirit and the message to Let it Shine reminds us that no matter what we are doing or if we are just being, to be totally and authentically ourselves in everything. Within each of us we have many colors. Some days we shine with the most brilliant light and vibrant colors and other days our light is not as bright and our colors more subdued.

But they are all part of who we are. Each serves a purpose in their own way. When we can appreciate all of who we are and what life brings us, this is the key to how we can live a more balanced life and find gifts in all of it.

Looking at the hummingbird on the Happy, Happy card and one who can fly backward and forward, and up and down, so too can we flow with this rhythm as we are called to do on any given day. Within it all there is something to learn and grow from and an opportunity to practice finding the gift in all situations.

And today is also the full moon – strawberry moon – which the energy in this moon is here to help us put into practice, even more, staying in the present moment and following the natural flow of what your heart is calling you to. We each can shine our own light, even in a world that often has much darkness – but how important it is for us to each continue to shine our special light no matter what.

Cards used: Wisdom of the Oracle and Spirit Animal Oracle by Colette Baron-Reid

XO,

Barbara

P.S. I offer personal one-to-one oracle readings and guidance sessions. If you are feeling stuck and need some support, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me. You can learn more about my oracle reading service here.

New Life in Our Backyard – Video

Posted by Barbara Techel

As I write this blog post there is an Oriole and Robin splashing in the bird bath. First time I’ve ever witnessed that!

Today around 8:15am I was listening to one of my mentors do an oracle reading. The card she pulled was about evolution and new life. It had the image of a sweet baby on the card.

Within moments after she pulled the card and was talking about it, I looked up to see a mama deer and her fawn come into our yard. More new life. I don’t remember in the 32-years that we’ve lived here seeing a fawn. It was such a treat!

I thought about how the oracle reading of new life and seeing the fawn connects with my life right now. 

It’s been a little over one month since my doxie, Gidget passed away. Some moments have been sad as I miss her sweet and loving presence and cuddling with her. But as the days flow by, I’m finding my way. And one thing that has been so beautiful is that my love is deepening even more for her. And I know she feels that. I feel it. And that feels incredibly good.

I’ve been practicing staying in the moment and trying to not let my mind race ahead of me wondering what is next, but just being open to allowing life to flow to me, instead of forcing it. 

My life is already anew in many ways just with how I move about my days now. It’s bittersweet at times, but I’m reminding myself to appreciate the gift of this time for myself now.

Moving through loss is a form of evolution as I reflect on what Gidget brought to my life and what I’ve deepened into with her teaching since she has moved on. This in itself has brought new life to me.

John and I are also going to go look at something tomorrow morning….though I can’t say right now what that is. But in case you are thinking it’s a dog, no, that’s not what it is. 

But it’s something that may bring another aspect of new life for us if it all works out. If not now, I believe it will manifest soon and I’ll be sure to share with you. I have to share it with you now that I’ve teased you, right?  😉

At any rate, I wanted to share this adorable fawn and her dear (deer!) mama with you. Life is always evolving and there are so many gifts in that.

P.S. Tomorrow I’ll be sharing the interview with my friend and new author, Lori Helke and photos of her adorable renovated vintage camper named Beatrice. Stay tuned!

XO,

Barbara

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