spirit animals

A Piece of Advice I’ve Really Taken to Heart

Posted by Barbara Techel

An astrologist I’ve come to enjoy listening to, Pam Gregory, offered a piece of advice I’ve taken to heart.

The world around us is going through massive changes and at times it can feel overwhelming. And perhaps like me, at times you’ve asked yourself, what can I do?

Pam’s advice? Create, create, create. This really struck a chord with me. So much so that I emailed myself this advice in capital letters so I see it every day.

It can be easy to fall into the trap of negativity and feel frozen at what is transpiring around us – or – we can add a positive vibration to the world from where we are by simply, and with conviction, holding the light of hope within our hearts and connecting with what brings us joy. This absolutely adds value to the collective to help make a positive shift.

And keep creating, creating, creating. While that looks different for each of us, for me it’s been about expanding my love of the animal kingdom through the mixed media art I’ve been creating.

As I work on some new art for my Etsy shop, it’s Lion that is on my art table. Lion, powerful and stable in presence is also gentle, while also at the same time lovingly demanding with encouragement that we each step into our power.

As I work on this piece and what I’m observing transpiring all around the world, I sense that Lion is offering us the message to stay strong. But even more important is to open our hearts to what we’ve perhaps not been able to see and be willing to observe things through a different lens.

These are extraordinary times we are living through – nothing like we’ve seen before – and I believe Lion is inviting us to move beyond how we once resolved conflict and instead really lean into faith and be that light, peace, and hope we wish to see in the world. Each of us will do this differently – no right or wrong way – just what feels right for you.

And Lion is cheering us all on every step of the way! Whether you roar loudly or roar in a gentle way, it all matters.

XO

Barb

                  

Staying on the Well Worn Path with Donkey

Posted by Barbara Techel
 
The writing of a message for each animal in my Animal Reflections Oracle Deck continues. So far I’ve written a message for Kingfisher, Horse, Fox, Rabbit, Eagle, Elephant, Penguins, and Buffalo. I’ve posted a few of the cards along the way on my Facebook and Instagram pages.
 
Sometimes I feel nervous as I begin to write a message for one of the animals. In part because I want to do them justice in sharing their messages.
 
It’s how I’m feeling about Donkey today because – well – if you know me, you know how I adore this sweet creature so much.
 
Not many animal oracle decks (or books) I have as part of my collection have Donkey represented, so I’m honored to have Donkey as part of my deck.
 
Three of my inspirations for Donkey are the ones who live on Bedlam Farm. There was Simon – a special needs Donkey who passed a few years ago (and I loved the book about him), plus two current donkeys on the farm, Fanny and Lulu.
 
One thing I noticed about the donkeys at Bedlam Farm from the videos Maria Wulf shares about them is the same path they walk day in and day out. It’s a very well-worn path!
 
Observing them do this is like a meditation to me. I appreciate the teaching of how often we humans can get caught in the trap of thinking we have to create a new path. What about the path we walk consistently and with mindful intention? That one seems to be the one that flows with more ease than one of forcing or trying to make happen.
 
I’m thinking of that now as each morning I sit down to write 1-3 messages for the animals in my deck. It’s this setting out each day, on the same path, doing the same thing, until all 52 messages are written instead of thinking about the whole big task and picture of it. But trusting each day writing what feels in flow and before I know it, all the messages will be written as they are exactly meant to be.
 
UPDATE: After I wrote this post and then wrote the message for Donkey I was reminded by this thought that ran across my mind – that the cool thing about sharing the message of each animal is that each person that wishes to purchase the deck will also have their own personal message and connection with each animal. How beautiful is that?! I really appreciated this reminder I was given!
 
XO
Barb

                  

Impromptu Animal Wisdom Reading – Owl – On Making Sense of Things, Inner Wisdom, Kindness

Posted by Barbara Techel

I was so inspired by a poem I read this morning in my friend, Dawn’s, newsletter, that I felt called to do an impromptu animal wisdom reading. Who (no pun intended!) shows up, but Owl! The collage above is one I created and was the first piece to sell when I announced the opening of my Etsy shop a little less than two weeks ago. It just so happens owl is the last one on my art table that I need to write a message for before I give it to the person who purchased it. So definitely a confirmation personally for me.

But also owl is about trusting our wise inner self and making sense in a world that sometimes just does not seem to make sense these past eighteen months. So may Owl, the poem, and this message serve as some healing as you, and we all, journey forward.

Click on the owl collage above or on the video below to listen. I’ve also copied and pasted the poem below if you’d like to have the words to save.  🙂

 

XO

Barb

BE KIND…
when the world
goes mad
be wildly kind
to everyone
everyone
everyone
everyone
~ you can’t control much
but you control how
you treat others
in these breaking news
heartbreaking times
when nothing feels
certain
let your raw kindness
be a certainty
allow your compassion
to become a North Star
stamped up in
the sky for
others to follow
back home
 
~ John Roedel