animal wisdom tarot

Please Don’t Look Away. Invitation to a Different Perspective.

Posted by Barbara Techel

Please Don't Look Away. Invitation to a Different Perspective.

I thought about whether or not I should share this SoulCollage® card I finally made this past weekend. I know so many have a fear of snakes – and I worried I may upset others or that they may judge me for sharing this – and the thing is, I’ve had a fear of snakes for a long time, too. 

And then I recall last year having shared the wisdom of Wolf from the Animal Wisdom Tarot card deck and how a reader of my newsletter was so upset with me. She couldn’t understand how I’d advocate for wolves when they have attacked and killed livestock on her farm.

And this is the thing, I guess ….there are many different perspectives – and I meant no harm in the Wolf card I shared, just as I mean no harm or discomfort in sharing this card – my only intention to help us see past our fears and look a bit deeper….for I do believe that all animals have wisdom to share with us.

And I truly can’t say I would have said this about Snake five years ago. But I’m learning to open to animals that are often not deemed as cuddly and cute. Not that it is always easy. But as I often say, I am a work in progress.

Honestly, I’m thrilled with this card I made of Snake. It’s been in the making for over two years…simmering in my mind…waiting to be born onto this card as a reminder of the healing that snake brought to me over two years ago.

It was seeing a mama snake, in beautiful shades of iridescent greens and blues, lying dead a few feet off the end of my driveway behind my car, and her unborn, dead babies beside her, and two a few feet from her, that I couldn’t look away…even though I couldn’t understand at the same time why I felt compelled to look.

In sharing this occurrence with my friend, Dawn, an animal communicator, she helped me to look deeper into what the message might be that Snake had for me.

It wasn’t an easy one to look at – though Dawn guided me by gently suggesting that I imagine as if I was in a dream and what it may represent that I came upon this dead snake and her babies.

While it is a personal healing that took place from working with snake in this way and not something I wish to share… I will say that it was a vital shift that needed to take place – one that had been begging to be addressed for a very long time.

It helped in many ways to set me free of something I’d carried as a deep wound that wanted desperately to be released. And honestly, if someone would have told me that by seeing a dead snake and her dead babies, then working with it as a dream while opening myself to a message of healing, well, I’d have thought they were crazy.

But I no longer think that. I feel truly grateful for the experience. Working with the images as seen on the card above came together so easily for me. And when I look at it, I feel a kinship with Snake and think of Snake as my friend.

And one last bit of honesty here:  I don’t know if I could actually pick up or hold a snake… though I think I could maybe do so with my friend Dawn’s sweet snake, Chloe. She has really grown on me.  🙂  And Chloe is great at recommending good books such as this one in the photo with her, of which I had to order.

So there it is…if you made it this far… and accepted the invitation to read about a different perspective regarding snake….BRAVO!!

Photo credit: Dawn Brunke

Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.

New Year Guidance from Llama and the Angels

Posted by Barbara Techel

New Year Guidance from Llama and the Angels

As promised, I mentioned in my post yesterday, Moving into the New Year with Ritual, I said I was going to randomly draw an animal and angel card as my guidance for the New Year and share with you.

I chose to draw from Daily Guidance from your Angels oracle cards by Doreen Virtue and The Animal Wisdom Tarot card deck from Dawn Brunke.

I first chose an angel card and wasn’t at all surprised that I got Change in Direction.

The need to want to focus on doing more workshops in 2017 has been growing steadily this past year. In some ways it wasn’t an easy decision, because I know I want to keep balance in my life, which means I decided to let go of a book project. But once I realized I could just simmer in it and that I wasn’t completely letting go, it became easier for me to set it aside and concentrate on what feels like the right path for me. By doing so, it opened a space within me, like a feeling of ahhhhh, and a vast open place to which to explore.

The card itself reads:

The changes you’re experiencing are Divinely directed by your newborn willingness to open your heart to love and our guidance. You are protected now and in the future, so follow your path to the happy outcomes you desire.

In reading further from the booklet, what resonated with me was that it also said “the angels are guiding you through this transition. The Law of Attraction insures that you’ll manifest wonderful new opportunities and relationships. You’re starting a new phase of your life.”

I’ve felt this coming for a very long time. Writing and publishing my second memoir last year, Wisdom Found in the Pause – Joie’s Gift was important to me in “doing the work” I want to teach and what would lead me with more confidence to this new direction.

And just like Through Frankie’s Eyes and the work and mission I had with Frankie, it was all about “walking my talk.” It’s how I feel about Wisdom Found in the Pause that taking time for oneself, going within, and listening is what I did during my sabbatical, and will continue to do by doing my best to stay grounded and centered in small practices of ritual each day.

And while I didn’t really look at this New Year and my new direction as transition as the angel card says, I see now that it is. It’s new territory for me and will no doubt have learning curves. But I keep in mind how I will grow and evolve from this.

The next card I chose was an animal card and received Llama. I must first say, that Llama has been showing up often, as on many days I draw an animal card as part of my grounding rituals.

What stands out and resonates for me in Llama’s wisdom is this:

While most Seekers enjoy fast-paced travel and action, Seeker of Fossils prefers a solid foundation, steady movement, and consistent growth. With stamina and dedication this individual proceeds prudently and honors personal convictions. Persistent, persevering, and dependable, Llama guides steadily, helping us to keep our goal in sight.

The blend of air and earth elements suggests a grounded ability to understand abstract, metaphysical concepts. As a bridge to higher dimensions, Llama offers freedom and safety while traversing the expanse of space and time.

I’ve come to a time in my life that hurry isn’t what I want. I want to be sure that my foundation of rituals in my yoga practice, meditation, working with oracle cards and my SoulCollage® cards, and practicing self care in other ways is core to my days. In doing so, I can open my mind to new ways of thinking and understanding. I’ve experienced this by staying grounded, and now wish to open to it even more, while also wanting to help and encourage others to do the same.

So, wow. I love the magic of how oracle and tarot cards can help with guidance in our life and a tool that if we really sit with the messages can serve us in such a positive way in living a more fulfilling and meaningful life.

Thank you for sharing and subscribing to my blog updates.

Animals Can Be Sneaky!

Posted by Barbara Techel

animals can be sneaky

This morning when I looked out my bedroom patio doors, I noticed that what started out as a square block of suet a few days ago, now appeared to be in the shape of a rabbit.

I wondered if perhaps the Woodpeckers that feed from it daily are sculptors? After all, we are all artists in our own way aren’t we?

But I love being open to how animals can appear to us. It does not always have to be in the form of the “real” animal in order to gain wisdom from them.

In fact, just like I believe in humans in spirit when on the other side, who can have fun playing with us, and a sense of humor, I think this of animals, too.

Right now I’m teaching an online class with author and animal communicator, Dawn Brunke, sharing with others how you can not only invoke animal guides, but how to be open to the signs of how animals show up in your life. We are having great fun and it’s exciting to see and hear what is coming up for those in our class.

Seeing the rabbit shaped suet I also thought about the morning last year when doing my yoga practice, standing in tree pose, and gazing out the window that a section of bark on a tree was in the shape of an owl. But the next day I didn’t see it.

I don’t think I’m crazy for seeing these things — though years ago I’d have dismissed it. Now I enjoy paying attention and giving thought to why these things occur.  There are messages and teachings in it!

As for the rabbit shaped suet, I thought about what it was I was just thinking about before I looked out the patio door. I’d been thinking about how excited I am about so many good things in my life right now.

And sometimes when that happens, I feel this rush come over me, and that time is going to be too short on this planet for me to do all I yet want to do. I don’t feel sad that I know I won’t likely get to everthing, but rather, that there are so many possibilities — and I look so forward to getting up every day — there is joy in being filled with all this wonder.

After I gave that thought I turned to the Animal Wisdom Tarot card deck to see if it provided any confirmation.  It said, rabbits keynote is: magic, wonder, reflection, insight and inspiration. And message of rabbit? “Be open to mystical marvels, but keep an eye on your path.”

Well! I’d say this was all right in line with where my mind was this morning and why rabbit showed up in a different realm of sorts in the suet. Magic, wonder, reflection and insight absolutely at play.

Now I have goosebumps.

Thank you for subscribing to my blog updates.