inner journey

Simple Tasks Guide Us into the Natural Rhythm of Life and Create More Peace

Posted by Barbara Techel

The question I asked for all of us this week: What is it we need to know as we continue to pause in this time of unknown right now?

Chop Wood #42: How symbolic to see the broom on the card with the buckets as we are all being encouraged to continue to sweep away what we no longer need. We’ve had a few weeks now of following the ‘safer at home, sheltering in place’ and being with a myriad of feelings that have come to the surface. This may also include areas of our homes we are quite literally going through, cleaning out, and getting rid of what we no longer need.

While we can’t control what is going on in the outside world, we can continue to do what we can within our own spaces of our homes and minds. “Chop wood, carry water” is a saying I’m sure you’ve heard of. While it may seem tedious at times and we may find ourselves vacillating back to wanting ‘more’ this is an opportunity to pause and shift our perspective because we have nowhere to be right now. 

It’s these simple tasks we practice that will continue to help ground and center us. As we ‘chop wood’ not only will we feel lighter in spirit within the current moment and what is right here, right now, but it is also what we can then take with us as we move into a new world— which is still unknown right now. In other words, this time of pausing, learning to be with all that is coming up for us, then hopefully finding your way back to peace, is something we will come to see as a gift and how fluid life is and how so much of what we perceive as a struggle or the unknown is really just temporary. “This too shall pass.” We are learning to go with the flow even more now.

This line from the guidebook jumped out at me: “There are times when the big dream is meant to lie dormant in your consciousness so that you can pay attention to simple chores in your life.”

When I pulled the Chop Wood card I actually sighed and my body melted into my chair. There really is nothing else for us to do right now, but be with and care for what is right in front of us, which includes our inner world, and what is around us within our homes. This is what carries us to the next step – whatever and whenever that will be.

I know the reason I moved into feeling peace is because of my love of home has always been a value of mine. I love to tinker around my house, creating a cozy and sanctuary-like atmosphere. I enjoy the feeling I get after cleaning a room also – though there are times I dread having to do it – but then the feeling I experience after I’m complete makes me coming back for more. There is really something so satisfying in it.

My inner world is also something I’ve learned to appreciate and nourish over the years. The more I do, the more I find I can flow through uncertain times with more ease.

The animal guiding us as we continue to ‘chop wood’ is Octopus. When I think about Octopus I’ve always marveled at the beautiful fluidity of which they move through the water. The way all their tentacles seem to effortlessly glide through the water is so mesmerizing and calming to me – such an exquisite dance to witness.

We may not know where we are going or what all of this is about right now, but we can still participate in the dance of life by learning new ways in which we move through our days.

I appreciate the words on the card of ‘calm clarity, control over emotions, and self-compassion.’ The fact that we’ve all had to put many parts of our life on hold – or what we knew of life to be before the virus – if we are open to it and not struggling against it – we can discover and feel into the fact that this is what can actually guide us each into a more peaceful place within ourselves.

As emotions arise for each of us we each have the choice to practice self-compassion instead of perhaps falling back into old patterns of berating ourselves for thinking things should be different or judging ourselves for what we think we could have done differently.

We are truly all in this together. The more we can each be with what is coming up for us individually, working through it, and integrating it, not only will we be better off for ourselves, but for those around us. That self-compassion we practice floods our hearts with understanding and love, which then helps us to extend that outward to others.

Much love and peace to you this week.

xo,

Barbara

One-to-one intuitive guidance sessions available here.

Cards used: Wisdom of the Oracle by Colette Baron-Reid and The Ark Animal Tarot and Oracle by Bernadette King

Boosting Our Confidence During Times of Fear – Lion Energy

Posted by Barbara Techel

This week’s animal wisdom comes from Lion and the question I asked for us all of is “What is it we need to know to stay grounded this week?” 

With so much being reported in the news that can have us sink into doom if we let it, I felt this is such an important question to work with as we move through our week.

This card comes from a new-to-me deck by Sarah Wilder called Animal Kin Oracle. I say new-to-me because a friend gifted it to me as she no longer needed it (thank you, Connie!).

The Lion holds a special place in my heart because two years ago I gave myself the gift of a reading that was based on my birthdate. The reader started off the reading by sharing with me what animal came in with me at birth and it was Lion.

I remember being surprised, while at the same time I felt a welcome positive shift of determination within me. While I didn’t fully feel the strength and confidence of this powerful animal, I knew this is what I wanted to embody within myself and was working on that.

The lion is all about leadership and while many have shared with me they see me as a leader, I didn’t always feel that way. But I can say today I feel so much more confident in who I am than I have ever felt before. Yay!

So when I think about the question for all of us in staying grounded this week amidst all the news that can feel scary and chaotic Lion is perfect for us to lean into and work to embody.

Lion is about the masculine and the deck creator also included the elements with each card of water, fire, earth, air, and spirit. Lion is the element of fire and fire is all about movement.

WhenI think about staying grounded and lion and fire as our symbols I see this as taking charge of what we believe in, tapping into that space within each of us that knows what is truth and what isn’t. It’s about being the leader of our own lives and not following the fear of what the media may have us wanting to believe.

I’m thinking about my own situation and applying this as John and I have been getting our R-pod camper ready for our next excursion. Last night we had a discussion if we should really leave on vacation considering what is being shared in the news in regards to the Corona virus.

But like many, we believe we aren’t being given all the facts. While yes, it’s important to be cautious and take precautions, we feel confident we will be fine. 

So for all of us, I believe Lion is inviting us to move forward with confidence no matter our fears. Each time we take a stand in what we believe we build a new strength within ourselves. The more we then see this play out in a positive way and it helps build our self-confidence. This, in turn, is what helps us move through these times of uncertainty with less stress and fear.

Right after I got done writing this post came more confirmation of Lion. I saw this quote and photo on Facebook and feel it goes right along with what I just shared.

“Whatever the struggle, continue the climb. It may be only one more step to the summit.”~Diane Westlake

Artwork by Jody Bergsma

So we lions need to stick together— and walk forward united in strength, conviction, and determination that we will get through this and we do it by tending to the nurturing of ourselves and those we love and taking pride in who we are and what we know in our hearts to be true.

Have a good week everyone!

xo,

Barbara

HAPPY TO HELP
It is an honor to serve as an intuitive guide and oracle reader for women who wish to embark on an inner expedition and evolve into living in alignment with what matters most to their soul and live a more balanced, gracious and peaceful life. I’m happy to help so feel free to reach out or learn more by clicking on the banner.

 

 

Being at Home with the Dark Says Wombat Spirit

Posted by Barbara Techel

This Monday morning found me meditating in the corner of my writing cottage with the window to the left of me open a crack and the sun streaming in on the right side of me. I loved the feeling of the cool, soft breeze caressing one side of my body while the other half was being warmed by the sun on the right. 

As I closed my eyes the light I’d been savoring became darkness. I chose not to have any music to listen to today, but yet there was sound all around me from birds chirping, to the humming of cars on the highway in the distance, to the tick-tick-tick of a small clock on the table next to me.

There is a real sense of spring in the air today and as I continued to sit in meditation I felt like I was floating on a cloud.

Today’s animal wisdom comes from The Spirit Animal Oracle deck. After taking a picture of the card of Wombat and it came up on my computer appearing a bit dark I thought I should lighten it. But then I realized, no, the light in the background and the card shaded in darkness was perfect for the message today.

Wombat, a nocturnal creature is able to find their way in the dark and their livelihood depends on it. They are also solitary creatures and love to burrow.

So this week, Wombat is encouraging us to also be at home in the dark. Thinking about how the sun was streaming in through the window as I meditated today, I also was holding the space of darkness with my eyes shut and my time devoted to just going inward.

During the day and our eyes wide open paying attention to our to-do lists and where we need to go and what we need to do, can sometimes create a dizzying array of light darting around in our overly busy minds. At least that is how I can feel at times.

But it’s in the darkness, even in difficult times or challenging situations, that we give ourselves the opportunity to slow down, catch our breath, and release our mind from the lightening bolts of constant thoughts.

It’s in those times of slowing down and just being with what is our eyes closed and sinking into darkness, that if we trust that the light will still be there, it always is.

Time and time again I find that in the darkness is when the richest and most impactful wisdom has come to me. It is what sustains me, fills me with an abundance of understanding, and helps propel me forward in a more peaceful way.

Thinking of Wombat being solitary and one who also loves to burrow is our invitation to take time to do that this week. I’ve found so often that many are afraid of being alone with themselves – afraid of what they may feel or perhaps hear from their soul.

But Wombat reminds us that this is where the real sustenance is for living a fulfilling and meaningful life. And the more we can practice this in our every day lives, that even when far from home, this daily nourishment of our inner landscape will help us to feel safe and at home no matter where we are.

Have a beautiful week everyone!

xo,

Barbara

HAPPY TO HELP
It is an honor to serve as an intuitive guide and oracle reader for women who wish to embark on an inner expedition and evolve into living in alignment with what matters most to their soul and live a more balanced, gracious and peaceful life. I’m happy to help so feel free to reach out or learn more by clicking on the banner.

 

 

Card from: The Spirit Animal Oracle deck by Colette Baron-Reid