animal speak

Frog on the Window Brings Welcome Reminder Message

Posted by Barbara Techel

This morning when I woke I rolled over in bed and something on the window caught my eye. Upon closer inspection, I saw this teeny frog who was suction-cupped to the outside of the window.

Just the night before I attended an online class about the sacred agreements we hold with our pets and also with the animals in nature, so it was still at the forefront of my mind the reminder that animals in their own unique way are here supporting us.

I stopped to give thought to what had been on my mind when I awoke just a few moments earlier. Many of my thoughts worrisome ones, and I was frustrated to have let them enter into my mind the moment I had opened my eyes.

Ted Andrews’ book, “Animal Speak,” says of frog that their wisdom is “transformation through water and sound.”

The line that caught my eye in the description of frogs was, “Emotions are often associated with water. Individuals with frog totems are very sensitive to the emotional state of others…”

There was the wisdom for me and the thoughts that had been running through my mind that I’d been worrying about someone I care about.

This is something I became aware of about myself many years ago and have become much better at recognizing it so that it does not exhaust me. But there are times I forget. And here was this teeny, sweet frog with a reminder that I have to allow others to move through their own process. That it is not my responsibility to take what they may be struggling with or even my perceived idea of what I think they are feeling challenged by.

Frog reminded me that the song I choose to play inside my head is up to me. And with that, I was able to shift my thoughts to a more peaceful place after saying a little prayer for the one I was concerned about and then let it go and trust it would all work out.

Thank you little frog with the big message that helped me on my way for the day!

xo,

Barbara

Opening to All Animal Wisdom. Not Just the Cute and Cuddly.

Posted by Barbara Techel
Opening to All Animal Wisdom. Not Just the Cute and Cuddly.
Gidget posing with my new intuition doll made by artist, Maria Wulf

It isn’t my intent to creep those out who are a bit squeamish.

But here’s the thing. I’m really grateful for being willing to open myself to the wisdom of a creature, who I thought would be one of the least likeliest ones that I would have.

This creature, according to Animal Speak by Ted Williams, is one of rebirth, resurrection, initiation and wisdom.

He also says that out of maybe even all the animals, this is the one of great controversy and paradox.

But a series of events happened to me which really started last winter and escalated this summer.

I’m going to share the last event that happened, because I was somewhat surprised to have felt compassion for this animal that many do not care for (including myself and my fear of them).

I was strolling down my driveway early one evening to take Kylie and Gidget for a walk after dinner.

About two feet off the end of my driveway was the most brilliant emerald green snake. She was coiled up and dead.

For some reason, I wasn’t afraid to approach her, though I kept the dogs at a distance.

There were two baby snakes beside her, and two further away from her. They were all dead.

I was overcome with sadness. It felt so tragic that this whole family was wiped out in a matter of what may have been seconds.

Then I felt awful, being that they were just feet off the driveway, behind my car, that perhaps I had hit and killed them. I don’t recall hitting them, but yet, I really don’t know.

I couldn’t get it out of my mind and ended up sharing this with my friend, Dawn, who is an animal communicator.

It was with her skillful and gentle guidance that she taught me to approach this as if a dream, and to dance within the wisdom of what this may be trying to convey to me.

Most interesting is that she is writing a book about snake and the wisdom snake has for us if we are open to it. Again, I realize this may be difficult for some and I understand.

I hesitated writing about this, only because of my own fear that others may judge me and think I’m weird or have gone off the deep end. But I also realize I don’t wish to judge others who are still afraid of snakes.

But the dance I was able to do with Dawn seeing this as perhaps a dream which made it easier to approach and look at, offered some profound gifts for me.

When I think about snakes wisdom of rebirth, this has been very much a place I’ve been moving toward for the past three years or so. I’m in the process of birthing a new book I’m currently writing and also birthed a new role as a SoulCollage(r) facilitator which helps to encourage others to listen more often to their own intuition.

But I’ve also birthed a new awakening of understanding and the willingness to open myself to opening to all of the animal world. I’m also birthing myself as a woman now in my mid-life years and all that that brings.

While I feel excited about these new ventures, some of these teachings haven’t been easy to look at. But I will say, it has been very healing. I’ve definitely felt a shift within that wasn’t there before.

It has now led me to more curiosity of what other animals may have to offer me and which I want to continue to be open to.

Then just the other day I saw an intuition doll, which artist Maria Wulf makes. I knew I had to have it.

There are no coincidences and that doll was meant to be mine. She’s a reminder of the wisdom gained this summer and wisdom yet to come.

I welcome it. I welcome it all.

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