personal transformation

Our Wise Self Knows How to Move through Chaos and Conflict – Animal Wisdom and Oracle Guidance

Posted by Barbara Techel

Here we are in the last week of April. We’ve certainly all gone through changes we’d not anticipated along with what I hope you’ve gained which is a new way of seeing the world and also hope for what is yet to come.

For this week’s reading, I pulled both cards in reverse which means protection in these two particular decks. This is a message from Spirit/Divine/God really wanting us to understand this teaching while at the same time giving us a hug and gentling nudging us to get on with it.

Chaos and Conflict: No doubt just hearing these words you may be finding yourself cringe. I know I sometimes do when I pull this card for myself. It can conjure up a negative thought and perhaps you are feeling a tightness somewhere in your body just reading the words. This a beautiful clue to explore further.

The fact it is in reverse means we have to ask ourselves the question of where aren’t we opening our minds and hearts to finding the gifts in what appears to be a time of chaos or conflict?  It’s during these times we may have to ‘work’ a little harder to understand, but this is where the true reward lies. This is what will advance us forward in a much quicker, fulfilling, and lasting way if we can ‘see’ past what appears to be a disruption or may feel like things are falling apart.

We humans don’t like change. I’m just as guilty of this at times. Especially when it feels like things are going smoothly and life feels like it is all roses. In the middle of chaos and conflict, we may yearn for the good times of the past or pine for what we hope the future will bring.

But it’s in the middle of turbulent times that we can glean the greatest teaching that can change us in a profound way. I can’t help but think about my own life and what felt like a tornado that moved through me in the winter of 2018. How that chaos and conflict of wrestling with all those feelings I knew had to be dealt with regarding a childhood wounding felt like the pain would never end. Times of chaos and conflict doesn’t always go in a straight line, nor does it exactly outright share how everything will turn out. But what’s important to remember is that it is only temporary.

The Chaos and Conflict card is the exact one to help us deepen our faith and expand our trust in a way we’ve never done before. As we continue through these times of uncertainty and while hints of what may all come from this is beginning to appear in different ways, we still have unanswered questions too. Lean into what you know is certain, like the fact that Zebra do indeed have stripes, even though the card shows only partial stripes. But they are there. Trust that.

Owl Spirit: When we are in times of confusion and worry we can often lose sight of our own wise inner compass. Did you notice the owl on the card has a crown on her head? This is a message for us to tap into that energy center within ourselves to gain insight and understanding. When we open that chakra – our crown – and connect with not only our higher self but also with the Divine, we find that in time we can gain the clarity we are seeking. 

Times of chaos and conflict can have us getting stuck in our minds where we go round and round with what are just thoughts of what could or should be and this just keeps us spinning our wheels. 

As I shared at the beginning of this reading when we find ourselves in what feels like chaos and conflict it’s a beautiful clue to explore further. So take time to drop into your heart space. Do something that feels grounding to you – such as meditation, walking, getting out in nature, painting, journaling —whatever it may be—because this is what will help that monkey mind to rest.

And as your mind begins to quiet, your wise self will feel more comfortable in coming forward and you’ll be surprised at how the answers you seek will more easily float right on up to the surface. 

Wishing you much love and peace this last week of April!

xo,

Barbara

One-to-one intuitive guidance and oracle readings available here.

Cards: Wisdom of the Oracle and The Spirit Animal Oracle by Colette Baron-Reid

Courage On My Altar

Posted by Barbara Techel

This is an altar in my bathroom. Normally I pull an oracle card each Sunday from The Wild Offering by Tosha Silver. It’s guidance for the week of which I’m reminded every time I have to sit for a few moments.

I love having these altars and reminders around my house as a way of keeping me grounded in what matters. But ever since the virus crisis began I’ve not changed out the card. This card just feels too fitting to let go of it quite yet.

COURAGE

“Divine courage is not the absence of fear but a nudge that says, “Keep going. Do it. Don’t worry. All will be well.” You have to get quiet enough to hear it. Dear Divine, may I feel your courage and Your will.”

We have all been tested to walk with our fear for quite a few weeks now. I appreciate this card as reminding us of our human spirit and the resilience we truly have within us if we face the fear and still continue to move forward, albeit with more deliberate thought and consideration.

It’s been my experience that in the quiet is when I’ve heard wisdom bubble to the surface that I needed at the time. Within those moments of stillness is when hope has shown itself to me and gave me the courage to take another step forward.

I’m reminding of how my mind can race to a conclusion because I don’t want to look at what is causing me fear or pain. And I’m reminded how this takes courage to stop the cycle because as a society we haven’t put enough value on slowing down and just being with what is in the moment. Not to mention we have been taught to run from those feelings.

But here we are, all discovering new courage within us as we’ve collectively had to slow down and listen, ponder and percolate in how we will move forward not only individually, but together as one.

I don’t know about you, but that feels so good in my bones and soul. And so it’s my wish that we all be blessed with this courage as we continue to learn to live in a new way.

xo,

Barbara

 

Honoring the Nudge and the Leopard Speaks

Posted by Barbara Techel

I can’t even tell you how long I’ve been feeling the nudge to do some art journaling. But I kept ignoring it, thinking other things were more important.

But on Easter Sunday, which felt odd in one way, but also comforting in another, I finally sat down in my writing cottage and got my art supplies out.

I really didn’t know what I was going to do, but just began gathering images and colors to work with. Staring at the blank page of my sketchbook it reminded me of how sometimes as a writer I just sit and stare at the blank screen not knowing what to write, but knowing that I need to write something because I can feel that something needs to be expressed even though it may be hidden from me at the time.

And the photo above this is what came from my art journaling session. Sharing it with a friend, she was curious the meaning behind it. I told her that I didn’t yet know. But while brushing my teeth this morning it came to me.

Using the ‘I Am One Who’ prompt used in the SoulCollage® process and speaking from the image this is the insight that came to me:

I am one who will no longer be held in the shadows. I am strong and confident as I continue to walk through this new portal of empowerment.

You know who you are that tried to keep me small. But you were actually the catalyst to help me step into the light of my strength and say, “No more.” I know you see me and I believe in my heart you are cheering me on. You are my mirror and I am yours.

In many ways you gave me the wings to fly because it was the determination steeped deep within me from what caused me pain and suffering that finally gave me the courage to step forward and claim my power.

It just flowed right out of me. Thank you Leopard for this powerful message.

xo,

Barbara

P.S. Thank you to the photographers for the beautiful images.