oracle cards

Embracing the Gifts of In-Between

Posted by Barbara Techel

Embracing the Gifts of In-Between

Nestled snug in my writing cottage, with my dachshund, Gidget snug in her pocket blanket (it opens at one end so she can climb right in), the cloudy and dreary skies from the morning have opened to an ocean of blue for as far as my eye can see out the half-moon window that faces west.

Before the sun had even risen, I’d meditated and pulled my oracle cards for the day – Flamingo Spirit from Spirit Animal Oracle deck, Exchanging Gifts from Wisdom of the Oracle, and Rest from Bright Souls deck.

I pondered what message this had for me for the day. In the beginning stages of a not-really-planned kitchen remodel with the drywall stage that began today, I knew right away what this reading was inviting me to do.

In all honesty I was resistant to the remodeling project. I’m someone who likes everything in its place as it helps calm my energy and soothes my nerves if I’ve had a challenging day. My home or as my dear friend refers to it as, my nest, truly is my sanctuary. My zodiac sign being cancer, I fit that to a tee as I’m all about the beauty and comfort of home.

Part of me worried about the financial part of the remodel also. Should we really be spending the money? The “what-if’s” swirled in my mind. But mostly, I didn’t know if I was up for the temporary disarray it would cause. This soon began to diminish as I picked out new counter tops, a new kitchen sink and faucet, and a new range that would replace the microwave I’ve been wanting to get rid of for a long time now.

But before I can get to the fun part of having this all installed and my kitchen back in order, this reading is inviting me to embrace the in-between. Just like anything in life, there are gifts during anything transitional if we open our perspective to invite it in.

BEFORE
Half-wall comes out
Two cabinets come out while inspector Gidget supervises
Drywall in progress

I see Flamingo Spirit as encouraging me to find peace during this time of transition from old to new.  Exchanging Gifts is that by being present with things as they are, even when things are not as I’d like them to be, there was a gift last night in seeing my kitchen empty awaiting its new look. The wide open space was inviting in many ways as my imagination plays with how it will all take shape over the coming weeks. The Bright Souls card, Rest asks me to simply be with each stage of the remodel and take each as a gift for what it is.

And so it is with the changing of season’s and of life, too. This reading fitting for the season of winter here in Wisconsin, as we move through January. The holiday season behind us and all the energy that brought, to a much quieter time now. Both season’s a gift in their own ways.

I think about how the winter months are my favorite to write as I continue to work on my newest book, I’m Fine Just the Way I Am. Which had a season of its own today as I came to the point in my writing process where it was time to print the manuscript out so that I can see the typed pages before me and begin shaping it from this vantage point. This will lead to the next step, and yet another, and another until I hold it complete in my hands at some point.

Part of writing for me also that I’ve gotten better at embracing are the in-between places such as when I’m not actively sitting at my computer and writing, but allowing what needs to simmer and move through me before it can come to the page.

January, I see as such a prime example of in-between as I keep my focus on my current writing project, while capturing ideas for future projects that are coming through me right now, with only the intention of writing them down. So too must they go through their own simmering and pondering stages – that liminal space of dreaming and wondering what it could eventually be.

Flamingo Spirit rests her sweet pink head within her soft wing, just as the roots of perennials and trees lie dormant, but with much life in them, in the cold of the earth, blanketed by the snow. All these in-between’s of the world, that lead to growth just as it is meant to unfold.

And just as I finish writing this, the clouds have rolled back in, and so this space of in-between is here sooner than I anticipated, but I know the sun will come again.

XO,

Barb

On Grace Becoming – My Words for 2019 and My Vision for How I See It

Posted by Barbara Techel

On Grace Becoming - My Words for 2019

Like last year, I couldn’t pick just one word for the year and chose abundant depth. Part of my intention with abundant depth was that I wanted to have deeper conversations with others. Whenever I have the opportunity to have deep and meaningful discussions with friends and family, and also experience with my clients and my oracle reading and guidance sessions, I feel so uplifted!

What I realized this past year was that in order to continue to have meaningful conversations, I had to first begin with having those conversations with myself. Now, not like talking out loud to myself, but I do that too. ha! But about really focusing inward and tapping into what really matters, which I did quite a bit of in 2018.

As 2018 drew to a close and the thought of what I’d like to invite into 2019, I was given some poignant signs recently. From receiving a book as a gift earlier this fall (which I’d read years ago) called, A Return to Grace by Cheryl Richardson, to receiving another book as a gift I’d not read before called, The Way to Grace by Miranda Macphearson, to being nudged awake at 2am one morning two weeks ago by that magical, unseen force that supports us, and hearing the words, Grace Becoming.

When I heard those words I knew this was it as I felt a rush of excitement run through my whole being. It was as if I sank into a warm, swirling pool of water. I just felt it. 

Grace Becoming for me is about trusting there is a divine purpose in guiding me to evolve with a deeper understanding of myself when I experience difficult times, while appreciating that this is part of living a full and meaningful life. Every day I have the opportunity to flow like I imagine grace does.

So then I thought, what would Grace Becoming look like in terms of an image? What oracle card would represent it? What animal oracle card would it be? What number is Grace Becoming? And what color?

This is how I came up with what I guess you could say is a type of vision board. I’ve never really cared all that much for vision boards, or rather those that are done with the intention of material things. Not that I don’t like material things cause I do! But what I created digitally using Canva and this collage is more about how I want to feel, how I want to move through my days, and how I want to be in the world.

Grace is not reacting, but rather allowing a natural flow and why I chose water as how I see it and also in the image of the woman depicting all the many facets of who we are. The bluish green color of water which is calming and how I imagine the color of Grace Becoming. The number 8 I feel represents Grace Becoming beautifully in its fluid and continually movement.

The horse, such a large animal, but moves with such ease and grace, feels like Grace Becoming to me also. And when we adopt more grace into our lives, freedom for how we want our lives to be seems to come more naturally. It’s those challenging times that when we embrace them as opportunities that we become poised (represented by a card from The Wisdom of the Oracle deck) for the life we envision by being more often here and now in this moment, soaking up all that it has to offer, and that by default is a stepping stone, that leads with grace to yet another and another, and to a life well lived.

XO,

Barb

 

Just For Fun – Animalscopes – 2019 Animal Wisdom For Your Zodiac Sign

Posted by Barbara Techel

Animals central to guiding me to new perspectives is something I continue to feel grateful for. What better way to honor them than to tap into their wisdom and allow them to guide us. For when we open our hearts to their messages and allow their beautiful teachings into our lives, we ALL do better.

While I know you’ve heard of horoscopes and possibly tarotscopes, I thought, why not Animalscopes?

While I’m not about predicting the future with my oracle readings, but instead working with the cards as reflection, intuitive insight, and personal growth, these Animalscopes  I put together below are really just for fun.

As I move toward 2019 with my two words I chose as Grace Becoming, it’s with the utmost depth of love and gratitude to my sweet and wise dog Gidget and what she taught me this year, that tears well to my eyes as she is my inspiration.

May we each move with grace into 2019 as we renew our commitment to living a life full of wonder, magic, gratitude, and meaning…

XO,

Barb

2019 ANIMAL & ORACLE GUIDANCE

I pulled two cards for each Zodiac sign using the Spirit Animal Oracle and The Wisdom of the Oracle as a way to discover what 2019 may hold in store for you.

It’s interesting to note that Whale Spirit showed up three times in succession for the zodiac sign that begins in May and the signs that take us into summer. I see this as an invitation for all of us to bring ancient wisdom back into our lives, not perhaps exactly as it was then, but what we learned from it, and how we can incorporate it in a new way to serve the planet in a beneficial way for all.

CAPRICORN

Brown Bear Spirit invites you to let go of what no longer serves you to allow in the new. Staying grounded and connected to your heart, Brown Bear reminds you to take time in daily stillness, meditation, walks in nature, or anything that allows your mind to rest and brings you into a state of just being.

AQUARIUS


Bee Spirit invites you to see relationships and/or friendships from the perspective that each connection, past, present, and future serves as a vital part of your journey. Bee Spirit reminds you that they all matter, whether you remain physically connected or not and that connection is important to your well-being.

PISCES

Wolf Spirit invites you to look at the wisdom you’ve earned that brought you to a new way of seeing your life and new opportunities. Wolf Spirit reminds you that it’s the trusting of the mystery and mystical of life, and that you don’t have to have everything figured out right away, that deeper and true wisdom will continue to serve you well.

ARIES

Porcupine Spirit invites you to bring attention to areas of your life that need cleaning up, even though it may feel painful and prickly.  Porcupine Spirit reminds you that just like their quills that are full of air which makes them float, so too can you learn to go with the flow through times that feel difficult, and remember that they are only temporary. Porcupine encourages you to not see something as a burden, but rather, from beginners mind and with curiosity.

TAURUS

Armadillo Spirit invites you to allow those you love and care about to walk their own journey without the need to feel you need to rescue them.  Armadillo Spirit encourages you that like their tough outer shell that protects them, to protect your own heart by setting heathy boundaries in relationships and/or friendships. Not only will that serve others in a positive way, but will also benefit you greatly, and allow you to enjoy your life more fully.

GEMINI


Whale Spirit invites you that when faced with a decision you are unsure of to tap into the wisdom you’ve gained along the way, plus trust in the Universe/Spirit/Creator/God, that you will be divinely guided and in just the right time. When presented with a fork in the road, remember you don’t have to know an answer right away, but instead allow life to flow to you.

CANCER


Whale Spirit invites you to stay connected with what truly matters to you instead of chasing after shiny, new objects.  Whale Spirit will gently nudge you to trust and tap into the wisdom that is already within you. Take time to be with all of what you are feeling, the joy and the sorrow, so that what really matters to your heart can bubble to the surface as the truth of who you are.

LEO

Whale Spirit invites you remember that as you continue to build upon the momentum of what you are creating for your life, one action at a time, that those actions first began with a spark of thought that came from your intuition. When you feel stuck, it’s times of going back to marinating inwardly that the next step in your journey is allowed to make itself known in an organic way.

VIRGO


White Raven Spirit invites you to set yourself free from what you know in your heart no longer serves you, but you hold onto for fear of speaking your truth.  White Raven Spirit is your reminder that nothing is coincidence and within each synchronicity there is a message that will guide you to align with what is true for you. Follow that light of truth and you will be supported.

LIBRA


Brown Bear Spirit invites you to bring more balance into your life.  With Brown Bear Spirit as your reminder that when you feel out of sync, experience fatigue, or are feeling a loss of which way to go next, it’s a clear signal to take time to rest. Pushing forward for the sake of trying to force an outcome won’t work.

SCORPIO

Otter Spirit invites you to look at where you may have felt, or feel, you aren’t enough or feeling you are alone. Otter Spirit is your reminder that staying in connection with like-minded people and reaching out to those that matter to you are just what you need as gentle nudges that others do care and love you, and are here to support you.

SAGITTARIUS


Bat Spirit invites you to look where your life may be out of balance and what it is that you are afraid to let go of. Bat Spirit reminds you that within all dark times and uncertainty that when you allow what no longer feels right for you that you must let it go so that a new perspective is allowed to come in which will guide you into the light once again.