inner child

How Animals Helped My Inner Child. Join Me for An Interactive Online Event Honoring Your Inner Child.

For over 25 years I consciously carried a vision of trauma from my childhood I just couldn’t shake. Every time it presented itself to me, I’d push it away into the dark recess of my mind.

It was too painful to look at. I also questioned my sanity at times. Where was this coming from, I’d often wonder. It can’t be real.

Over those years I’d share in the love and teachings from many dogs, each mirroring for me a lesson that helped me grow in my evolution. In 2014 I’d welcome into my heart a tiny grey and black dappled dachshund with special needs named Gidget. I knew from the moment I set eyes on her she was a Buddha in a dog’s body.

She was the catalyst with her unshakable persistence who would eventually shake things up for me and help me to face this trauma.

It wasn’t easy. At one point, I wanted to die instead of facing this because it was painful. But along with the love and support of Gidget, I’d have other animal guides along the way that walked the path with me.

One I’d never have “expected” and one many fear, Snake, was potent in her teaching that I knew I just had to finally shed what was haunting me. Horse who would guide me to stand in my power and Wolf who encouraged me to keep my heart open even when it feels pain.

Even sharing with others how animals have guided me felt scary for me at the beginning of my journey. Would people think I’m crazy?!

Snake Goddess Doll to honor Snake – made by Maria Wulf of Fullmoonfiberart

But the love, compassion, and peace I feel from the animal world is what brought me to where I am today.

I was never alone, though at times I felt that way.

In their honor and honoring who I am also, is why I love helping others connect more deeply not only with their pets, but also connecting to the wisdom of all animals, in conjunction with loving all aspects of themselves. Because we truly are all connected and there is so much to gain in our evolution and it’s how we can live in harmony with all that is.

At my deepest core I know that animals want us to live with inner peace. They are here to help guide us and as we heal, they too heal. How cool is that?!

NOVEMBER EVENT

November 4, 2023: Honoring Your Inner Child through the Wisdom of Animals and Oracles – An Interactive Online Event and Workshop

I’m honored to be hosted by Christine Noble Seller of Conversations with Animals for this special event to not only share my story, but to also invite you to honor your inner child during this workshop.

I’ll be picking cards from my new Animal Reflections Healing Oracle deck and providing prompts to journal and reflect on the teachings from the animals.

You will also have the opportunity to take part in a drawing for a 1:1 oracle reading session with me, plus a special discount for a reading for those attending or watching the replay.

35% net proceeds from the live event and replay will be donated to Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf & Wildlife.

I’d welcome big and little YOU to join us for this special event!

XO,

Barb

    

New Moon in Leo. What Do We Individually and Collectively Most Need to Know Right Now?

I just received a new deck in the mail yesterday called Inner Light Moon Oracle by Elizabeth Lee. Elizabeth and I are in a class together and the card above is the one she just shared in our recent class. It’s also one of the cards I personally pulled when I did a New Moon reading for myself this morning.

Then it showed up yet again when I pulled a card to share with all of you today. It is definitely calling us to pay attention.

Elizabeth’s cards combine the Chinese 5 Element Theory, the 12 animals of the Chinese Zodiac, and Asian Archetypes and Symbols. This is unlike any deck I have in my collection, so I’m looking forward to the wisdom I’ll glean from it.

Ojizosama is a Japanese diety we can all call upon during trying times. We are definitely in that right now more than ever. Elizabeth’s guidebook shares that “He is a protector of children and travelers, babies hide in his robes as he shuttles them to paradise. Offerings are made to Jizo for safe childbirth and to aid in souls in their passing.”

There is so much to be said in regards to what Jizo is about. I encourage you to simmer and reflect on your own meaning.

For me, it speaks powerfully to how we are each being called to protect the children that are here now and the ones coming into this world. But it also speaks to me as protecting our inner child.

In a world that is in turmoil, now more than ever, I believe we are being called to heal those traumas we’ve carried for far too long. How important it is to look at those traumas, understand their patterns, and then heal them in order to move forward into a space of less fear in order to experience more joy despite the outside world chaos.

Ojizosama is reminding us that we are our own protectors. We are the ones that must take that inner child by the hand, the one that was wounded, assure him/her that we are here to deeply listen and acknowledge the pain of the past, assure him/her that this need not define us and that together we can experience happiness by our choosing. 

I chose the rose quartz and black tourmaline stone, plus a dried Queen Anne’s Lace flower to accompany this message and for extra support.

Rose quartz to be gentle and compassionate with yourself as you heal what needs healing and to also deeply lean into and listen with the utmost of tenderness what your heart is sharing with you.

Black tourmaline is a stone of protection from the negative energies of the world. I wear a bracelet that is all black tourmaline when I go out in public. Being a sensitive person and an empath helps protect me from the energies that are quite potent right now. But I do wish to share also that while crystals are a great tool, it’s even more important to continue to do our own inner work of healing and also set intentions for what we wish to see in the world, and then be that as much as we can.

Lastly, I’ve been foraging for Queen Anne’s Lace the last few weeks and drying them for future art projects. I learned that it is a symbol of purity of intentions. It’s also about safety and refuge. Also when the head of the flower curls under it often looks like a bird’s nest – this is a great reminder of what it takes for each of us to build a happy home – physically and within ourselves.

I believe this is really a time of healing shame that we’ve all faced in one form or another – and often stems from something in our childhood. We can rise above that! Ojizonsama and his wisdom are what we can lean into when we are scared and remember that we are protected and that we can do the protecting of what is right for ourselves and our hearts. We can do this.

Keep shining your light!

XO,

Barb

                  

Video Book Excerpt Series: Animals, Oracles, Healing & Love

When I look into the eyes of an animal I don’t see an animal. I see a living being. I see a friend. I see a soul. ~A.D. Williams

Today, May 11th marks the two-year anniversary of Gidget’s soul passing on to greater adventures.

As a tribute to Gidget, my desire to help others understand how animals are these incredible, noble beings of light guiding us, and along with my desire to continue to encourage and inspire others to walk their own healing journey, I’ve put together a series of videos with an excerpt from each chapter of my book, I’m Fine Just the Way I Am – Healing Emotional Pain through the Wisdom of Animals and Oracles.

The gift of this tiny dog with the heart of a Buddha walked ever-so-lovingly and patiently beside me on a self-healing pilgrimage during the time we were together. This continues to be one of my greatest treasures and stays with me as one of the most profound and positive impacts on my life.

Each day I’ll release a new video until the afterword conclusion has been reached (though disregard I’ve stated in the earlier videos I’d be releasing them weekly. A girl has a right to change her mind!)  🙂

You can follow along with the daily excerpt videos right here on my YouTube channel (by subscribing and clicking on the bell you’ll be automatically notified when a new video goes live).

Other social media areas I’ll be posting a link to the videos are:
Instagram
Facebook

We are never alone on our journeys though at times it can feel that way. So again, I hope the sharing of the healing journey Gidget and I walked, shared in these bite-size pieces will be of value and benefit and encourage anyone who needs these messages…

and that we may all begin to really know and trust that we are all fine just the way we are.

So without further ado click here or on the graphic to the preview kick-off to my book excerpt series:

XO

Barb