Everytime I have undergone a spiritual expansion, I think it of no coincidence that without exception I will see three black crows. Three (trinity) is a number that speaks to me loudly as communication from higher consciousness, and appears frequently when I am being guided by spirit (which would 'ideally' be all the time, ahem!).

The crow symbolises mastery of the illusion and the power of the unknown (that which is beyond this world). The crow is the guardian of healing and offers the opportunity to explore the light by fully embracing the darkness. . They are the ultimate omen of change (which is probably why they always appear for me in three before and after I have gone theough a profound shift in consciousness).

Crows are thought to be messengers from the spirit world, residing in a place beyond time and space. They are master shape shifters (an ability possible through other dimensions), an experience that many begin to experience as they transcend this place of illusionary time and space. Quite insightful and helpful guiding creatures if we open our hearts to their gift.

By embracing crow medicine (or any other animal wisdom that comes along), I experience a greater expansion of consciousness and insight that helps me understand our true nature.

During my awakening, I had a very powerful affinity to the bear, which can be read elsewhere in this forum. I found it a bit weird at first, but in the surroundings of a retreat, it seemed perfectly fitting.

Since then, I have had to make a decision about the direction my life was going in. During this time, I saw a single rabbit, sometimes followed by a fox. Which actually made sense to me at the time.

However, what I've now started to see are 2 rabbits together (and no foxes). But, these rabbits are literally everywhere! I have no idea what this is relating too, but I see real rabbits, pictures with 2 rabbits in it, I've seen them on car registration plates (playboy rabbits admittedly!), in photos, on adverts. It's like, spiritually speaking, there are a plague of rabbits in my life. But there are always two of them.

I know that rabbit medicine can be about fear and drawing what you are afraid of towards you so that you can then deal with it rather than running away, but I'm confused by seeing two of them the whole time. As I start to see more and more, I'm clearly not getting the message. Quite often it's a very simple message so if anyone can offer any enlightenment on this then it would be gratefully received! I cant see the truth for the fur...!

I've done some work in groups on analysis of subconcious images, and have consistently found that it is very hard for a person to analyze their own images while another person can often do it for them easily.

I think that in a person, the subconcious is almost by definition being blocked by their concious mind and consequentially provides an obstacle for them. Hence sharing images and dreams with other people is often a good way to get some insight into them.

Anyway, S, the "two" aspect of your post was what struck me. When I hear of "two" now, I automatically think of duality and similar bipolar divisions. So, here's a few possibilities.

• The duality is between the time before and after your awakening. Both these very different worlds have to go around together for a bit, and it will take time to integrate them. Or maybe one, the past, will have to be let go of over time.
• Could there be a duality in your makeup which is as yet unresolved? A model of the whole person I like is body/emotions/intellect/spirit, sometimes known as the quadrinity. Is a part (or parts) of you split off and not fully alive and active? Often the ego(=emotions+intellect) rules, and the other parts are neglected, and suffering ensues.
• Maybe the two rabbits symbolize the fertility of new possibilities now arising in your life. The phrase "breed like rabbits" is not just a cliche, ask any Australian!

Thanks for sharing!

Interesting reply Liberation, likewise - duality springs to my mind also when 'two' of anything come into awareness. It especially highlights the unity between the physcial 'third dimension' and the etheric, and of bringing the gifts (insight and knowing) of the divine into the world.

It also speaks to me of polarity. We cannot know darkness without the light, up without down. As relative opposites unite, they become seamless. Right and wrong become judgements of the mind. Two of anything speaks to me of an invitation to unite all things.

Rabbit's everywhere. How exciting. I notice that rabbits are ultra sesitive to their surroundings. Yes do seem a little wary (invitation to confront our fears as you say). But I see their sensitivity as a wonderful blessing. Their senses are very accute, always listening and feeling what is going on in the environment around them.

I read somewhere that rabbits help us to reaveal our hidden talents.... we'd better watch out then

In my animal medicine book (Sams & Carson) they key note is

"What you resist persits! What you fear most you will become".

With heartfuls of Love
Trin
x

Yes I agree with you Liberation - it is notoriously difficult to interpret our own images although I've found things improve with practice.

The key is to release the first thing that comes into our head. Have you ever tried the Shamanic 'Talking Stones' process? I've found its helped me a great deal.

Basically when you are next out walking, pick up a fist shaped stone which you find appealing. Then look around its surface locating three animal features. Allow a question to arise and ask it of the animals. Then reply straight away - so "Fox says..."

Using this technique the mind is distracted long enough for an intuitive response to flow. If we practice this, intuitive answers begin to flow more easily.

One basically begins to notice the first thing that arises rather than trying to analyse - a sure way of moving back into the mind.

Then it becomes easier to interpret all kinds of things from dreams, to images to patterns of synchronicity.

Following on from what Trin said, two things about rabbits came to mind.

Firstly, rabbits burrow deep into the earth, and thus have a very good connection to it. It's always good for us to similarly connect to the earth as a source of energy and a way to ground ourselves. So, maybe a reminder there to stay in touch with the earth.

Secondly, in rabbit burrows there is complete darkness. Yet they thrive there and I'm sure feel deeply safe. The lack of visual cues means their other senses are acutely developed of course. So, this adapatation of rabbits might be a lesson for those to whom the dark has been a challenge. We all need to develop our inner vision, our inner light, in any case.

There's no end to these interpretations!

Hello everyone and a big thank you for all your suggestions on the message the rabbits have been bringing me!

There is certainly a considerable amount of duality in my life at the moment - from integrating recent experiences to learning how to handle expanded consciousness versus the ego to new ways of seeing relationships. I find sometimes I'm living 2 lives in polarity at the same time! Maybe this is a message about dissolving the polarisation and becoming one inside again...

And in view of my awakening, I dare say there's a message there about 'burrowing into the earth' to go inside to find the answers.

I liked the advice about the stones which I haven't had a chance to try yet, but fully intend to. I can struggle to silence the mind sometimes so it sounds like a good technique to have.

Thanks again!
Sx

Ahhhha! Brilliant thread. Thank you all for sharing. Even if I don't comment always, I do find these forums great to read.

My favourite animals are turtles. They spent most of their time in the sea and only come in, once in a blue moon to lay their eggs. They are nomadic and carry their home with them at all times (their shell). When turtles feel threatened they retreat into their shell for protection (a great way to distance ourselves from negative influence). Sounds like me - I am a turtle :

Hi Turtle

I'm glad you enjoyed the thread and felt moved to comment. I just wanted to say that I was lucky enough to be in Mexico during the season when turtles were laying eggs on the beach. I sat out one night for about 3 hours just waiting to catch a glimpse and was rewarded by the most magical experience of watching a turtle come into shore, find a suitable spot, then lay eggs, before returning back to the sea. All under cover of darkness, sprinkled with stars, as clouds danced across a bright moon that lit up the ocean. It was simply stunning - turtles are very beautiful creatures for sure.

I also wanted to say, aren't we lucky to be in a world where so many amazing creatures live in the wild still? I think sometimes we forget that not all animals are domesticated or live in some kind of containment. Turtles, like some bears, are still able to roam free in their natural habitat despite what we're doing to the earth which I think is something for us all to be grateful for. Whenever I see a wild animal in it's natural habitat (like all the rabbits I've been seeing lately) it always makes me a little sad that they can't all be like that, but also makes me smile to see that there are still some animals out there that are. Not sure I'd want to be face to face with a tiger in it's natural habitat though! ;0)

Turtles everywhere. Sounds like and awesome experience S. Do you know which kind of turtle they were? I heard once on a David Attenborough video that turtles will swim thousands of miles to the exact beach that they were born in order to lay their eggs. So, Turtle, that may mean that you are being guided or invited 'home'.

I LOVE turtles too!!! A few years ago, the first time that I went snorkelling in a coral reef off the coast of Maui, an enormous green sea turtle came out of nowhere, and brushed right passed me. A big dose of turtle healing. I still can't believe how blessed I am.

"First, the turtle is the oldest symbol for planet Earth. It is the personification of Goddess energy, and the womb of Earth, and to her soil our bodies will return. In honoring the Earth, we are asked by Turtle to be mindful of the cycle of give and take, to give back to Mother as she has given to us.

If you have chosen the Turtle symbol, you are being asked to honor the creative source within you, to be grounded to the Earth, and to observe your situation with motherly compassion. Use the water and earth energies, which represent Turtle's two homes, to flow harmoniously with your situation and to place your feet firmly on the ground in a power stance.

Turtle is a fine teacher of the art of grounding. You may even be able to overcome some of your "space cadet" tendencies if you align with Turtle medicine.
Turtle warns of the dangers of "pushing the river," as evidenced by the plodding pace it keeps.

Turle buries its thoughts, like its eggs, in the sand, and allows the sun to hatch the little ones. This teaches you to develop your ideas before bringing them out in the light. Look at the old fable of the tortoise and the hare, and decide for yourself whether or not you would like to align with Turtle. Bigger, stronger, and faster are not always the best ways to get to a goal. When you arrive, you may be asked where you've been and you may not be able to remember. In that case, arriving prematurely can make you feel very immature.

If you choose the Turtle Totem, it augurs a time of connecting withthe power of Earth and the Mother-Goddess within. This is reminder of the ally you have in Mother Earth. It does not matter what situation you have created: ask her for assistance and abundancee will follow."

Shared from:
"Medicine Cards" - Jamie Sams & David Carson

Since my own awakening to the unity consciousness residing in all things, I am frequently overwhelmed by the shear beauty, perfection and awesome simplicity of animals. They were surely put here as our teachers revealing in us how our beingness can wonderfully manifest itself when not constrained through thoughts and perceived limitations.

How is it that the 'right' animal, be it the real thing or just an image, miraculously appears when we need guidance most?

My own realisation about such 'animal medicine' came whilst exploring an inner pull to examine (of all creatures) termites! To many, termites are known as pests particularly in the US where they destroy many homes. Paradoxically it is the way they build their own nests which reveals the deepest truth - coincidence or synchronicity?

Termites build complex nests sometimes forming huge overground structures. But it is what is undergroung that is so fascinating. Interweaving webs of chamber systems are constructed incorporating intricate networks of tunnels and air conduits designed to channel air flow for the perfect management of internal air quality, temperature and moisture levels ensuring optimum environments for their offspring to grow.

So perfectly do these nests serve their function, I have heard it said that even the best human architects using the most sophisticated computer programs, could not reproduce a design to match them for purpose. In fact termites nests are now being studied to create our own environmentally friendly and self sufficient housing (it seems some are prepared to consider them as our teachers rather than pests!).

But how is it that a creature with such a small brain capacity manages to design something of such profound beauty? How, with no language, can they coordinate their actions perfectly and harmoniously together?

To me the answer lies in having ONE guiding consciousness for their species. In other words, they are one being but separated in form. This one being is highly evolved - much more so than ourselves. The guiding consciousness - a 'deva' of unfathomable proportions - can project her consciousness through zillions of tiny creatures. As this consciousness descends through the density of our plain of existence, it forms 'elementals' - super intelligent building blocks containing all the 'code' required for 'right action'. These building blocks form together to create individual termites.

So the termite does not have to think what to do next, KNOWING is inherrant in every cell of its being. It simply knows the best solution - in fact it is BEING the best solution.

So talking to animals is not nearly as difficult as it may seem. We are certainly not speaking to a 'poor dumb creature'. Through the individual animal, we are speaking with a highly evolved being far in advance of ourselves.

That's why if we really want an answer to a particular question in life, one of the best ways is to ask an animal. Because they have no ego, no individual thought "this is what 'I' want to do now", the guiding Deva can coordinate synchronicity through animals to bring us the answer we are looking for.

In fact the Deva already knows both the question and the answer before they arise in us. That's because at the centre of her consciousness, she is not constrained by linear time, rather she is in the place of 'all-knowing' - the cosmic library. That's why synchronicity involving animals is so omnipresent - they ARE here to be our teachers.

So we can all be Doctor Dolittles if we choose to!

Happy talking with animals

Chris

Two rabbits is a new relationship to come or if in a relationship, marriage or if in a marriage the pitter patter of little feet...thats my 2 cents worth...

Turtles...I have never seen a turtle in my life...I think our waters are too cold down here and tend to attract whales, dolphins and penquins....but it would be wonderful to watch any creature laying their eggs...

I am Maori from New Zealand. Animal totems are unknown to me however most maori families have a creature normally a native bird who alerts us in times of death, danger or need. When the creature arrives or knocks on our window we know to start packing our bags for a journey and check the well being of our kids and extended family. I also have a huge moth who comes when I do something really well or need to take the opportunity.

Naumai (No-my)
Koha te uira it te ra
Lightening gathers and flashes through the sky
Translation: In nature all is significant and everything has mauri (life force) and mana (character)...

I love the sound of that! The creature warns you of approaching danger... Are Maori families in general at one with the earth? It takes great sensitivity (and oneness) to notice the subtle cues of nature.

Sounds like you have a great affinity with the Moth.

The first thing that I notice about moths is they come out at night, and and are uncontrollably drawn towards the light! They are really into change, metamorphasis and transformation... I mean they do the whole caterpillar - crysalis - emergengence into a moth journey. So delicate, yet powerful indeed.

What an insightful guide to have join you.

Trinity
x

Hi there
Of course how clever of you Trin. Everytime the moth comes it is to light my way or tells me I have learnt something important. Amazing....

Only in the last three generations has the Maori race joined the western world. Up to the 1950's we grew our own food, fished in abundant waters, killed our own meat. Money was rare and I remember it bought flour, tins and that was about it. Spriritually we just know as it has not been breed out of us yet. So much of our old ways are still in us however the culture is fast eroding as our young ones are raised in a different world. Thats life huh...My father was born during the war. He speaks a dialect that is not written, his mother (now gone) remembered eating people in the late 1800's, his first memories was feeding chiefs with sticks as he was not allowed to touch them due to their sacredness, and washing them by spitting water onto them. Imagine a three year olds view of an old bottom as he was obliged to spit wash the bum. Lol not a pretty sight....

We are close to nature becuase we are part of nature. As each generation passes some of the magic leaves with them. It will happen with my father and it will happen with me. I was born with knowing that skipped a generation and as such had no one to show me the way, learning only now what I should have known as a child...

I do however have a good life, a blessed life and for that I am thankful....

Naumai (No-my)
Practise strength of mind and soul
Speak with wisdom, walk with confidence
and beneath the whole
is knowing and protection

It does bring sadness to my heart when I hear how cultures that were self sustaining, living at one with the earth, become tainted and influenced by the modern world. It is wonderful to hear that you reconnected with your innate inheritance, and began to remember your roots. It's a very interesting story, and I really appreciate your sharing.

I was brought up in a conventional family in the western world, but for some reason began to feel a real affiliation with animals and the natural world from as a young one. At one point I spent years doing environmental conservation work as a volunteer, helping to look after and protect the local countryside. I began to really feel a oneness with Mother Earth, and sought to tred as respectfully as possible upon her soft green carpet. I also tuned into natural fertility cycles, and felt (for a while) sooooooo cheated that this was not passed down through the generations from mother to daughter.

Now I am raising my own child, but with the values I have come to learn with my own spiritual unfolding and affiliation with Mother Earth. It can be incredibly difficult in a society where everything is geared to lower our vibration and remove us from our connection with Mother Earth and our 'natural' state of being. It takes enormous strength of commitment to guide children to override the 'mind pollution' that is rampant in our world.

I too have a blessed life, and am so thankful. I feel that as long as I follow through with what sincerely flows through my heart, it doesn't matter what happens, there is still peace within, and I experience eternal gratitude.

With Love
Trin
x

I feel like singing Mary Poppins "Getting to know you"

Where are you from Trin. Can you tell me a bit about your life and your upbringing. It sounds very different from my life though I do believe like attracts like, scratch the surface and we are all similar underneath. I get the same feeling with Chris...do you know each other?

Naumai
Kia here tonu
We gather and bind together

Hi Naumai,

Yes, I do think that when we peel back our layers, dissolving the illusion that imprisons us, we are all ONE beautiful being.

I wouldn't know where to begin with my upbringing , although you might find an awakening experience that I had about 12 years ago of interest.
Click here: Awakening To Reality

You are so right, Chris and I do know each other very well! We are the best of friends.

With Love
Trinity

Hi S,

Just thought you may like to know that early in the morning, the day after the sweatlodge on the summer retreat, I went down to through the walled garden and on into our fire field. As I came through that narrow gap, the first thing I saw was two rabbits running away from the lodge area across the grass and off into the surrounding foliage. I thought, "Ah yes, fear has gone" and there was a great feeling of a balance of male and female energy to do with the scene.

Much love,
Lesley x

I have been seeing a single isolated shark in my dreams and meditation. It seems out there and alone and of the fierce sort, yet, oddly enough protective towards me.

Any thoughts? I am deducing that either I am in in danger, or someone else is

Oceanic hugs
Angel

To me sharks are incredibly fascinating creatures. They have remarkable sensitivity. They can smell one drop of blood in 50 million times as much water, and
have a deep sensitivity to electromagnitic currents. They sense distressed and struggling sea creatures.

Sounds like it may be an invitation to harmonise your sensory abilities. I sense that you are already deeply sensitive?

Sharks have no swimbladder and must keep moving continously otherwise they'd sink to the bottom of the sea! Those with shark wisdom often find that if they loose their purpose in life they begin to sink or lose themselves in the depths of darkness.

Constant movement in our human sense is not necessarily about being a workaholic or constantly filling in the time for the sake of it, but rather by continually flowing with the divine inspiration of the universe.

Sharks can undoubtably be fierce, and scare off anything that enters their field. Those who work with shark medicine may are being offered protection from invasive and negative energies (especially beneficial if we have an overwhelming heightened sensitivity to eveything that is going on around us).

So as I see it... trust your sense of "smell",embrace the protection that spirit is offering, and keep a contant flow with the divine.

Heartfuls of Love
Trin

Well, that makes perfect sense. It explains a lot. How easily we can miss the obvious when it stares us right in the face. As has been said here many times spirit speak to us in a multitude of ways.

I am so sensitive to EVERYTHING, and totally need to harmonise that (lest I go crazy). 'Tis a gift, yet carries untold responsibility. And I DO start to sink in to what feels like hopelessness when I deviate from the divine flow. How perfect that I get this animal totem.

I will never look at Jaws in the same way again

Thank you spirit. Thank you Trin.

Kindly
Angel

I saw a brilliant white horse in my mediation today, with white feathered wings, (like angel wings). It was as if it hovered beneath me, waiting for me to take a ride into the ether. Could anyone expand on this? It felt incredibly powerful, although, I am a little baffled about the meaning of it.
Love
Angel

I do believe that this is 'Pegasus' the white winged horse, or the cosmic horse.

It seems that Pegasus represents the elevating powers of inspirational creativity. The pegasus is able to help raise us above the trials of distorted behaviour patterns, taking us to sublime levels beyond the conundrum of the earthly plane of attachments. Pegasus is known for helping to unleash spiritual creativity.

I have heard that the white winged horse represents immortality of the soul and serves as the carrier and protector of the spirit in its journeys to the astral plane (especially to the Moon - the emotional plane).

Some rate the white winged horse as revealer of the new age...

During the Apocalypse, Pegasus represents the "white horse" whom the conqueror rides in the Book of Revelation in the Bible. Aside from being a general symbol of creative inspiration and poetry, the flying horse is an expression for speed, power and swift transport.

Interesting animal totem indeed!

Love
Trin

Awesome! Sounds like a very powerful animal guide. Thank you for the insight.
Love and Blessings
Angel

p.s. apocalypse? with all this climate change and war, it doesn't seem like a far fetched idea anymore.

Through friends, I have recently met a lady who has been a Pegasus to me. She has enabled me to reconnect with many past lives (some of which we shared) which has allowed me to understand why people can react to me in certain ways. A great deal of it has been around influences of energy that has transcended a past incarnation and come with me to my current one.

Through just speaking with her and remembering, I have pieced together more of my true soul in one afternoon than I have in the last 3 lifetimes! And, in this knowledge and truth I feel lifted from a number of patterns of behaviour and can also understand why certain things happen now.

I just wanted to share this as a posting to say how blessed I feel I am and with each new day, what incredible experiences I am now having. The world (of all dimensions) is such a truely amazing place to live in, if we are only able to stop, pause, breath and truely see. Our eyes are the windows to our souls, but have you ever thought, if that's the case, we need only to allow the cataracts of our conditioning to lift and our souls have direct contact to all that is beautiful and true and possible. I feel so moved today from my encounter with this other soul and feel connected to unity consciousness in a way that transcends time and space. Wow, what a lovely surprise and what a lovely afternoon. It came as no surprise that her power animal is a white unicorn.

I do have to say though, since meeting her I have suddenly realised my flat is now teeming with an adorable pack of wolves that certainly make the place feel crowded! Am I going mad? I don't know. It feels too lovely to be scary so long may it continue. At least they don't all need to be fed.

Love, laughter and lightness to everyone who reads this.
Sx

What a beautiful experience you describe S - thanks for sharing

I know it can be deeply moving when we taste essences of past lives - its that recognition of a core essence of being that stirs deep within.

If it helps, I've always found it beneficial not to become too attached to them however. I've noticed how many seem to get sucked into unravelling details leading to all kinds of distortions.

You mention you now understand why certain people react in certain ways to you - I would say this is the best way to approach the situation. In other words what restriction or tightness in my way of being is influencing my environment in a way which no longer serves me.

If you remember on "Way of the Heart" we looked at how these are generated by an attachment to a desired outcome - the attachment could be one carried over from a past life which in turn becomes a conditioned behaviour pattern - a distortion.

If you remember we looked at how each distortion conceals a gift of beingness. The soul in each of us is a harmonic of seven rays of light - if you like unity consciousness is manifested as seven key characteristics of beingness (see 7 rays). I believe our purpose here is to unfold our particular harmonic and express that in the moment.

We do this by being in the place of the observer of ourselves, noticing when distortions arise (we loose inner peace) and instead choosing to express the gift not the distortion. The distortion - a conditioned neural pathway in the brain - then dissolves over time as we cease to activate it.

As to your endearing pack of wolves - what a wonderful experience! To me all such experiences are symbolic of something within - again there is an aspect of consciousness waiting to emerge that somehow the wolves represent. What could that be I wonder? I do have an intuition about it which I'm happy to share.

Perhaps they represent your soul family - a conscious life force vibrating closely on your natural harmonic assisting in your unfolding through life energy attunement (see what is attunement).

Maybe the purpose of the wolves is to invite you to find your soul family in terms of an inner vibration as opposed to the denser vibrations of our biological family. The experiences of the soul family are more subtle and etheric - perhaps your being invited to unfold new levels of beingness by connecting with them etherically in greater stillness?

Maybe that's what your soul is yearning?

Chris

Chris again, thanks for your post. It's incredible, all that I have experienced again in the last wee while. I don't wish to bring words like 'recall' or 'remember' because I don't wish to bring any negative connatations to this post, but I have experienced a taste of past lives and influences.

But also as such, as you say, I pay no attachment to the experience as such, just maybe some attention. But, it actually feels like I have a history and a path I knew not of, but now, can understand some behaviourial patterns I have in this life which might have been influenced by an imprint of energy from the last lives I've realised.

I do really struggle with language sometimes. Having studied language at a philosophical level I realise it can be incredibly restrictive in trying to encompass meaning and reference to a particular happening, especially when trying to describe it to a current way of life. Language is fluid and as such, moves with each way of civilisation that is current, but will always to me, be sadly lacking. And that's what I feel here. It is as though I have found a window through which I can see things from the past and can understand things now that may have happened and why certain behaviour patterns have influenced what I'm now doing. But, I cannot put their specific influence into words. Maybe because I don't need to....

But, in a wonderful way, I can also see essences of something that I utterly relate to, brought to me in ways I have never experienced. Yes, from the past (and sometimes from quite a wee while ago) but they are essences of myself I recognise in a fabulously positive way, even thought they may have been from a time that wasn't so. Whilst I may have been under duress when I experienced a certain way of living then (past life), I know recognise it as something incredibly positive in the way I conduct myself now. What seems to be a little lacklustre (for want of a better word) is that I should have had such a fierce experience of being in the past, but translated to how we behave / act in this day and age is so....and the words fail me except to say lacking.

We once lived as such incredible creatures, attuned, closer to how instinctually creatures lived and were better people for it. I also understand that each age brings its own restrictions and transitional phases. I guess it's just, remembering (there, I've said it now!) all that I have, this life seems so intent on destroying itself with things that mean nothing, I feel I can do nothing sometimes except stand back and watch people destroy them themselves.

I really don't mean this post to sound apocalyptic in any whatsoever because the way I experience life in myself doesn't feel like that, but when standing back and looking at the much, much bigger picture, I can only wonder where this madness and greed will all end!

As you say, distortions and gifts...it's such a wonderful place here and now if only we.... or others may see it. This land of visions, beauty, magic, truth, light is not exclusive. How could it be? It's fundamental to what it is to be human.

My question to you is, in your experience, why can so few feel it, let alone see or hear it?

Also, I loved your forum topic on the seven rays of light. It really resonates with me as I unfold and is certainly an area of learning for me.

And finally, the wolves? I feel as though they don't need defining! They are here in my life and I love having them around. Sometimes the meaning is in the receiving and whilst it also reminds me of lives past, it's also part of who I am to have them around. Absolutely barking (pardon the pun ) and something I might not share with my family, but I know they are there and that's just fine with me! Ane maybe that's the point, maybe they are defining a different soul family. I love my family so much, they define what I was until this point in this life and for that I am ever grateful. I also am meeting other souls along the way though, with whom I have experienced so much, so immediately, who are here right here, right now in this life. That's an utter surprise. But what is so lovely is that with all these things, I have never once gone looking for these people, but in a lovely, gentle way, each has revealed themselves to me. It's a wee family just now and I'm not sure (and I could be wrong) we're all that inter-connected, but as the unfolding takes place, I'm meeting so many souls who I knew before it's increible. What sometimes sorrows me is that I'm not recognised. Not for me, but for them. Maybe not this time then?

Thanks too Chris - I always find your comments really insightful and interesting. Sx

Well, I don't know if this is important, but anyway...it happened to me last Sunday and it was unusual: I was at home in the morning making some research in these very interesting subjects (Qi, vibration, ascension and so on) and a white butterfly enter through the window and stay flying right in front of my face for almost 30 seconds. And in that afternoon while listening to a soccer game on the radio, a hummingbird came right to my face and stood flying for approx. 10 seconds and about 30 minutes later it came again !

I don't know if it means something or they came only
to say "hi" !

Best wishes,
Aline.

Hi Aline,

To me the butterfly and the hummingbird both represent the lightness of the soul 'hovering'. I had a similar experience with a kestral once (a bird of prey).

I asked how could I stay in the place of Universal Consciousness in a world that seems so perfectly designed to take us out of it? I spent a week meditating on the question on a cliff overlooking the sea. At the end of the last meditation as I opened my eyes the bird rose up in front of me and hovered just a few feet in front, its eyes fixed on something down below.

I was completely fixated by the bird as it seemed to 'hang' majestically in the air. I knew this was the answer to my question. I realise that if I attuned to the lightness in all circumstances then I would automatically feel the right order in all things - I would know what was 'right action'. It depended on connecting all the time with my feelings through inner awareness.

After a while watching the bird, it suddenly dived to catch its prey way down below me at the bottom of the cliff. The message was that if you stay in awareness of your soul, it will become clear when to act.

I feel the butterfly and the hummingbird were saying something similar - attune to the lightness, mainatin awareness within at all times, feel right action and then act. This wil ensure you always follow your destined pathway.

Lots of love

Chris

Hi Chris,

thanks for your reply!

What an interesting experience you had with the kestral!!!

I will meditate about the signs I had.

Take care,
Aline.

Dear Friends - All of Nature is trying to give us messages for our ascension, and not necessarily their 'symbolic' truths (or their core truths)... and generally not what we surmise or guess.
Even our dreams are messages, many from the Nature Realms, but mostly from our Nature Guide and EarthMother.

.. and these messages are for some specific action they require us to do/make/change.
We then have to inquire the exact specific action - and this is where it gets difficult

To get to the truths of these messages one requires a pendulum or muscle-testing.
Is there a message here?
And then start your questions.

Chris my pendulum is revealing the kestral was telling you something quite different than what you surmised.
Something was/is 'preying' upon you my friend.

Do you muscle-test or pendulum? - this will authenticate or not.

Blessings
Relik

Hi Relik,

I have worked with many people and been taught well by spirit over many years and lifetimes. The over-riding lesson I have been continually given from the very beginning is that truly Benevolent Consciousness would NEVER say this is right and this is wrong. It works by holding up a mirror and asking the question "this is what you are now being, does that serve you?"

In my truth, whenever we see some external synchronicity, there is only ever one meaning for it - what my soul discerns in the moment.

If we continually tune in to all seven bodily vehicles of expression (not just the physical), then from the place of absolute inner stillness and knowing, we can develop a sophisticated, intuitive, multi-dimensional language with higher consciousness way beyond what something such as a pendulum might provide.

Here at Openhand our approach is to hold up a mirror and to empower people to find their own understandings and experiences directly from within themselves. This is something I would encourage for all Lightworkers.

With Love and light

Chris

Over the course of many years I was very impressed by both pendulum use and muscle testing in medical situations and searching situations etc. I have seen very high quality healing work carried out using these techniques.

Since becoming familiar with Openhand, I feel that by reading synchronicities and observing my own energetic flows I have a steadily evolving guiding hand, in any situation. The constant dissolving of the ego throughout my more recent unfoldment also makes me less in "need" of "knowing" in general. This then leads to the acceptance that not necessarily all things are to be understood in the moment, sometimes the moment to understand arises quite a while later and is still entirely appropriate. (In fact sometimes the genius of these "advance" experiences, which enable a "delayed" recognition of truth, in the predestined "receptive" moment of the future, can indeed carry an added dimension of beauty, as the truly miraclulous nature of the web of life into which all things are woven is magnified in our experience).

In using divinatory tools (such as pendulums) it is my impression that one can become reliant or dependant on "knowing everything" and one can be unwittingly feeding ones ego, to the detriment of feeding ones soul. There is also the constant possibility of a misunderstanding arising both during the formation of the question, or through the expectation of the questioner, both of which can make an apparently simple question lead to a "skewed" answer, or one which has more than one possible meaning. When the questioner does not recognise that possibility, they may not see the fallability of an "answer". When it does recognise an ambiguous answer, a disgruntled ego may carry on asking more and more questions as it tries to satisfy its craving to know.

Obviously these are my own observations and do not represent Openhand opinions.

In delightful wonder and awe of the web of life,
Lesley x

Well said Lesley!

I agree that in the beginning muscle testing techniques can be of great value and at the same time to me they are always pointing to the importance of a greater, more comprehensive inner feeling and pure inner knowing. Its kind of like learning to ride a bike with stabilisers. They can be of value in the beginning but if we rely on them too much we can retard our ability to just feel the right balance.

In my view you also rightly point out the danger of feeding the ego. How do we know what is the right question to ask? If we begin with intention then there is the likelihood that our distortions - hidden wants, perceived needs and illusionary desires - can skew the questioning.

Personally I found that all my early questions kept coming back to the same one..."what would you have me do now?" Of course this question presupposes that there is something outside of myself from where I can get the answer. This tends to happen until the inner questioner dissolves completely into the Seer. Then even the question "what would you have me do now?" disappears. There is simply inner knowing - "this is what the universe is revealing now". This is what I understand as "Right Action". Such Right Action is way beyond simple muscle testing to discern. The physical body has billions of cells all interacting to provide guidance of Right Action. And then there are the other 6 bodily vehicles too - all of which can form an immaculate orchestra of activity.

Of course there is a challenging journey for each of us to unfold this full compliment of skills - what it truly means to be human. And yes we have to take many steps getting there. The purpose of Openhand is to help catalyse a rapid re-aquaintance with who and what we truly are. To continually surrender into complete self acceptance by completely accepting of the learning journey provided to us by the Universe. Is there anything else worthwhile than being in truth?

I believe anyone can quickly drop into truth if they have the courage just to let go - to give up the need to question other than "what would you have me do now?" until even that dissolves into "what is the Universe revealing to me now".

If you feel like me that the ONLY worthwhile place to be is in truth, then the place to begin is within by getting to know our feelings as comprehensively as possible. If you consider for a moment just how many external skills we humans develop in a lifetime and how much attention we give to these (learning languages, sports, work, IT, the arts etc etc) and compare that to how much we listen and examine the simple gifts of beingness that are ALREADY present, its truly amazing how little we really know about ourselves and the miraculous beauty of which we are capable.

The flow of Right Action will reveal all this when we abandon the questioning of the small "I".

Carpediem!

Chris

I can only share what i have experienced and what i know to be true in my Ascension.
Especially in the Ascension of others.

I coach karma clearing and Ascension, and we need many tools - intuition is not enough my dear friends.

Many messages are being missed all the time.. we are getting them daily, but most cannot interprete these messages.

Those who cannot interprete the symbology in the dream correctly
Cannot interprete the symbolic nature of lucids and visions.
Cannot interprete their kineseology correctly.
Cannot interprete the EXACT message from a Nature REalm

Lesley it is not about 'feeding the ego' - it is about feeding the consciousness. Raising the consciousness with little increments of spiritual information.
Universal Truths are revealed when the initiate uses tools.(by the Nature Realms, EarthMother, Elementals, etc etc.

In fact, many higher dimensional guides will only commune THROUGH the use of spiritual tools.
Because of the interference of the lessor vibrational, non-ascending beings - that jump into our awareness (and conscious mind) at the mere thought of 'ascension'.

In Ascension, everything must be authenticated, interpreted and fully understood - and it was EarthMother that led me to the use of the pendulum and muscle-testing.
For another who i am working with (who also was iffy about tools) had a vision from the Frog Realm, who also showed him 'ascension is acquired with the use of tools'.
And the few crop circles that indicate the pendulum is an essential tool for Ascension.

In short, we are all being guided to acquire more tools than the limited intuition.

Blessings and Namaste
Relik

Mother Earth has taught me that humility is one of the greatest tools on our journey of ascension.

Warm Regards and blessings
Trinity

"Gently eliminating all obstacles to his own understanding,
he constantly maintains his unconditional sincerity.
His humility, perseverance, and adaptability evoke
the response of the universe and fill him with divine light.
Lao Tzu

Synchroncity works in marvellous ways. I believe that we are sent messages through nature to help guide our evolution. Yesterday I as I walked on the eastern shores of Kauai, I was given "Jelly Fish animal totem".

The jelly fish, who are are related to coral and sea anemones are largely transparent invertebrates without a skeletal system, eyes or ears. Instead of a brain they have an elementary nervous system, or a "nerve net", consisting of receptors capable of detecting light, odour and other stimuli and co-ordinating appropriate responses. They detect and sting prey (mainly fish) venturing their way to both eat and protect themselves. Despite their vicious reputation, it's nothing personal but rather essential for survival.

If I delve a little deeper I see the beauty in the message that the jellyfish bring us in our own journey of evolution.

They are unable to swim and therefore entirely dependent on the oceanic currents and winds to carry them to their destiny. Likewise they are unable to seek out their prey by hunting and rely on fish brushing past their tentacles to obtain their sustenance. Interestingly they have light-sensitive organs and respond to sunlight, which tells them which way is up and which way is down. Simplicity at its finest!

The show us the importance of surrendering to the natural flow of the universe. Not only that, they teach us about trust and acceptance as we are invited to trust that we shall be given exactly what we need in order to perform our role in life. Despite being made of only 5% solid material and unable to swim or hunt, these creatures have thrived on our planet for millions of years. To me this suggests and incredible versatility and ability to survive. It suggests that even the most vulnerable of creatures are able to shield themselves from external influences.

This leaves one last note, as I am drawn to the transparency of the jelly fish. I see that true knowledge is contained within the space between the spaces of translucency. The jelly fish reminds me of the importance of being translucent. Translucency and lack of solid form is essential if we are to flow with and trust the natural flow of the universe.

Pretty awesome animal totem!

The wild boar is one of the most fearless, aggressive and ferocious fighters of the animal kingdom. They hold the teachings of courage, assertiveness and protection. Since the boar is fearless many ancient cultures believe the boar holds magical healing powers. If fear is absent good health prevails.

These fascinating creatures are deeply connected to the energies of the earth and all it holds. They are often seen rooting and foraging in the undergrowth of plants and trees and show us how to efficiently uncover things that lie beneath the surface.

People with this medicine are continually asked to stand up, have faith and move forward without fear. Once fear is overcome life is experienced in a new and more joyous manner. The boar asks us to look at our fear face on and choose to let it go. If we allow this animal to guide our footsteps fear becomes a distant memory rather than a present reality.

Although boars have poor eyesight their excellent hearing and sense of smell helps them remain alert and ready for anything. Boars are extremely aware of everything around them even when they appear to be totally oblivious to their surroundings. Whenever a boar enters into our life it is asking us to fine tune our senses and pay attention to what's around us. If something is amiss boar asks us to correct it "now". Order and efficiency in all we do is a main part of boar medicine.

Very vocal and communicate with others through a series of grunts and squeals the boar demands attention and gets it. For example, when frightened or alarmed they blow loudly through their nose creating a snorting sound. When hurt they squeal and when content they 'rumble' quietly. They show us how to use our voice to communicate our needs.

Boar teaches us to use all of our senses efficiently and effectively. It assists us in strengthening and developing our character and the quality of our lives. Boar initiates transformation and self-discovery through pushing and prodding us into change. This is a powerful totem to have but not an easy one to work with. Those with this totem would be wise to follow boar's lead without resistance. The more you resist the more wild boar will challenge you.

From the "The Cycle of Power"
by Sayahda...

seems a good one to have on your side methinks. "the more you resist the more wild boar will challenge you" - I was looking at the Tao te Ching yesterday and it reminds me of what it says about yielding overcoming efforting -

"Nothing in the world is softer than water
but against the hard and the strong
nothing excels it
for nothing can change it
the soft overcomes the hard
the weak overcomes the strong
this is something everyone knows
but no one is able to practice
..."

(I think the last line implies that to fully embody this principle of yielding/flowing one can't try to implement it, but rather gives up the trying and just 'is').

Following on with the water theme - Like a mountain stream, I like the sound of the boar rumbling quietly when content! powerful stuff.

B
x

It is an awesome animal totem to have on your side, indeed. Can get a little bumpy whilst learning to integrate it (I say whilst the wild boar charges full throttle ahead, being lovingly, unwaiveringly invited to stand my ground ).

Great quote Ben. I stand in absolute respect of the qualities and strength of water!

With Love
Trin

It seems to me that all animals share one thing that always seems so extraordinary to me... As much as man hoards, saves builds reserves, etc. has anyone noticed the way animals have no pockets. They dont have pockets with possessions in them. They dont wear clothes, they come into the world and live and then leave all with nothing more than what they are. It is so incredible to me. They do exactly every second what I hear alot of you saying we should do, which is trust in yourself and your guidance to live, and to obviously experience what you TRULY ARE...and that is what animals have always impressed/expressed to me, it seems that they have much more courage in the way they live while the whole time being so much at the mercery of man...They set the example...as we blindly dismiss them and still they continue to serve us with their example...
Love
-Bill

Powerful comment Bill. Thank you for sharing. I feel so inspired by animals and their resourcefulness too. They set an amazing example in so many ways and I so often look to them as a profound example of something missing within humans. So often I feel that we humans are just not from this place as we have tried to deny nature in just about every way possible.

Hi guys - very interesting series of posts. I posted up rather a long article (sorry) about my bird spirit guides a while back - http://www.openhandweb.org/spirit_guides Seems relevant to this discussion if you haven't seen it..and, yes, the birds are still looking after me....Seagull

I've seen so many egrets lately. My flat is overlooking a lake, so it's been very easy for me to notice them outside my window since I moved in here half a year ago. But recently I've started seeing so many of them. From a rational perspective this may have to with the change of season and that I've been spending more time walking in the park. I really admire these beautiful white birds, they hover so elegantly and effortlessly in the air. This afternoon I was suddenly drawn to look out of my window, I saw few big egrets hovering above the lake. A few moments later I decided to take a nap, when I closed my eyes, I saw the egrets in my minds eyes, and suddenly one of the birds flew into my room and grabbed my hair to lift me up, then I saw my spirit body flew out of my body and merged with the bird. I wasn't very present at the time, so wasn't sure if this was all mind created imagination or something bestowed by benevolent consciousness. My attention has also been frequently drawn to butterflies lately whenever I spent time in the park.

Lei

I really enjoyed reading your egret sharing - I've been out of action for a few days, otherwise I would have responded sooner.

I feel a particular affiliation with white birds and feathers which echo the angelic realms to me

I had a powerful egret experience in Hawaii a couple of years ago too. I was mesmerised by its presence, transfixed and up very close. Their ability to both fly and stand perfectly poised in the water mirrors to me the ability to span different worlds. They seem unique and most certainly act as a bridge. They seem quite direct and definite too with their plunging beak.

Butterflies to me are symbolic of emerging through different stages of evolution - particularly enlightenment. Such delicate little beings too. Delightful.

Thank you for sharing Lei.

Hi Trinity, thanks for the reply!

I've seen so many animal signs in the past few days. On one occasion while walking cross a bridge I saw a butterfly hovering in front of me, I then slowly walked behind it for few minutes, it felt magical as if it was guiding me somewhere.

I've also seen two separate chickens crossing a road, and two dead rats on two separate occasions, one was actually flipped upside down.

Also on one occasion I asked the universe to show me 'how i can get out of the stagnation of my life as I've been feeling so paralyzed and unable to take actions on anything', I then found my attention drawn to look at two butterflies dancing with one other, or sometimes it was two birds or a group of birds.

There was another time while sitting next to a pond a puppy suddenly jumped in the water, and after a few moments of splashing it got out of the pond and quickly running past me.

Lots of interesting synchronistic experiences like these, but i have to say it's hard to make sense of them!

Hi Lei,

The key is that at least you're noticing the signs - that's the first most important step. These things are happening to people all the time but most are so in the mind about what they think they should be doing, they don't notice a fraction of what's really going on.

The next step is to ask "what could that mean?" Then to simply open and wait for something to happen: to watch and hold the question in your consciousness. Observe.

You're messages speak loud and clear to me. You're seeing pairs of creatures on the path. One represents your higher self, the other one the lower self. One is turned upside down - that's what needs to happen - you need to turn your lower self upside down and inside out!

But then you get it, you ask the right question...

Also on one occasion I asked the universe to show me 'how i can get out of the stagnation of my life as I've been feeling so paralyzed and unable to take actions on anything'

And you're immediately answered, first by the dancing butterflies and then by this...

"There was another time while sitting next to a pond a puppy suddenly jumped in the water, and after a few moments of splashing it got out of the pond and quickly running past me."

The puppy represents your lower self. You have to jump into the 'water of your emotions'. You have to explore what really makes your soul ache. What brings you joy, what brings you pain, what cuts you emotionally and what uplifts you.

Start the inner inquiry, but not with the mind, instead with your feelings. Explore them in every moment in relation to everything you see, touch, taste and hear. Go deep into them, unveil them, unravel them.

It may be slow at first, but just keep looking for the first thread, then pull on it, and keep pulling until another thread appears - then explore that one. This is the way to unravel the blockages of the lower self and unite with the higher self.

I would say you need to turn your world upside down and inside out - metaphorically speaking!

Chris

Hi Chris,

Thank you so much for the reply, I do feel that message was what my soul wanted to communicate with me.

Turning my world upside down inside out, does that mean taking drastic actions to change the way I live and going into the unknown territories to explore my emotions? That's going to require a lot of courage, I had a bit of warrior spirit in the past, I'd been trying to turn my life upside down countless times in the past but every time I got burnt. Probably I was overambitious every time, there were also a lot of egotistical drive involved. Over the past year, I've lost much of my old ambition, I've been wanting to just live life with ease. How do I summon the energy to break the gravity pull? How can I succeed this time after I've failed repeatedly in the past?

Few days after my cockroach incident (which I posted on the soul's journey thread) my ceiling light broke. As cockroaches come out in the dark, without being able to suddenly turn on the light it's difficult to notice them anymore. I haven't really bothered to fix the lighting and I also don't have a lamp, so I've been living in the darkness every night. A couple of days ago I realized I've been able to go to bed at regular hours since the light broke, whereas with the light I used to sleep very irregular hours sometimes staying up the whole night. I always felt the incident was particularly meaningful, I wonder what the message is. Could it mean that I should embrace the darkness, live with it rather than trying to run away from it by turning on the light?

Today as I was walking on a bridge and suddenly my attention was drawn to look at a big egret flying across the bridge above me. What could it mean? I have to say I do find it very hard to interpret these signs!

Lei

Maybe someday I'll be able to understand everything I see, here and feel, i.e. to see the underlying message and be able to translate it to the language the lower mind can understand.

But I came to accept, that not everything going on around is there to be interpreted by my mind.

Our brain receives and processes millions of pieces of information, filtering the major part as junk. But still all those pieces make their effect, I think.

So rather than spending most of the day trying to find a proper rationalization/interpretation, I personally focus on feelings caused by any thing that pulled my attention, and then work with it.

Sometimes things make sense, sometimes they don't.

For example, yesterday Dani's hand was resting on his chest with one of the words on his t-shirt being 'PACIFIC...'. It hided the letters "pa", giving a symmetric CIFIC...Interesting - yes. I have no idea what it might mean, if at all. Maybe it's a Zen joke by BC, like here is something, but let the mind break itself, because it doesn't mean anything

Like some kind of an exercise to free myself from my mind's intervention in everything, trying to control and manipulate everything, including my spiritual evolution.

But I know for sure what I felt - like a small child looking at unknown object, not knowing what to do with it. Dumb, confused and being unable to find something tangible to hold. After a moment of trying to find anything, I accepted that I have no clue, giggled and accepted it all as it is - without any meaning.

To conclude with..Please somebody correct me if I'm wrong
As I see it it's not about processing everything in my mind, but to attune more to feelings. This is how I become more sensitive to signs and pulls, by paying attention to everything and seeing how it makes me feel.

Hi Yulia,

I'd say you're absolutely right: we can process synchronicity without it going through our conscious thought processes. So we may notice, feel and integrate without necessarily knowing the meaning behind the signs.

Personally, I derive great pleasure and joy in reading them and being able to understand them - maybe that's just me!

Chris

Hi Lei,

You asked what I really meant by "turning your world upside down and inside out" and how to do it. I was of course speaking metaphorically, but in any case, it sounds like your soul is guiding you in the right way and that you're beginning to listen...

"Few days after my cockroach incident (which I posted on the soul's journey thread) my ceiling light broke. As cockroaches come out in the dark, without being able to suddenly turn on the light it's difficult to notice them anymore. I haven't really bothered to fix the lighting and I also don't have a lamp, so I've been living in the darkness every night. A couple of days ago I realized I've been able to go to bed at regular hours since the light broke, whereas with the light I used to sleep very irregular hours sometimes staying up the whole night. I always felt the incident was particularly meaningful, I wonder what the message is. Could it mean that I should embrace the darkness, live with it rather than trying to run away from it by turning on the light?"

Indeed I would agree with your interpretation. So what does 'embracing the darkness' mean to you? In our approach, it means becoming awesomely okay with it by feeling it fully. Going physically into the internal tightness it may generate and feeling it. Explore any mental imagery with inquisitveness, from the place of the non-attached observer - even if you feel fear in your body. Over time, the reactions will dissolve and the energy dissipate.

Chris

Thank you Chris, that's very encouraging!

I have a very saddening event going on.

Now it's the season of ants flying through Binyamina. I found it out by seeing them falling from the 'sky'. In my place they are falling from somewhere up, I guess from my under-the-roof bed down. And then, since the place I live in was obviously insecticide sprayed, I see them dying very slowly, begin to lose direction, become confused, then begin to have cramps, I guess, move in a very 'suffering' manner and die :'0

I feel guilty and sad and cry collecting them, and there is nothing I can do.

So I only go inside and try to do my best and at least to get the lesson they came to give me from it, so they don't die in vain. But I feel I run away from it, to light-mindedness, to short-memory (as if pushing it away), to ignoring. It's really hard to go into for some reason. It seems I REALLY don;t want to see it.

What do you do in such cases? :S
Does this resistance protect me so I feel only as much I can stand? Or is it just friction which to overcome by perseverance?

I've been in such circumstances before. It is heartbreaking. All I could do was go within and feel Love. This sends out an inevitable beacon on Light - sometimes this is all we can do.

The dying ants are are reflection of what is going on in our world. The most valuable thing we can do is awaken ourselves fully. It is this that will change everything.

As we hear so often it's about 'Being the change'...
xxx

Is the ladybird showing up in your life? What message is she bringing?

Ladybirds and their larvae are one of the gardens best friends. They eat many of the insects that would tend to weaken the garden produce. They also help to pollinate plants by moving from flower to flower.

If the ladybird message beckons you perhaps you are being invited to look within and clear away any of your 'inner pests'; those things that would thwart your growth and retard your evolution.

The lady bird usually has a vibrant red shell. Quite a contrast to the nurturing green foliage that it frequents. The red symbolises the powerful 'Ray 1' energy that bursts forth into action to accomplish any given task. These adorable, sweet little creatures are actually quite tough, holding their own quite successfully. They are undeterred by attack giving any predators the 'back off vibe' by emitting an unpleasant toxin. If the lady bird is showing up in your life, perhaps you are being invited to find the courage to do what you need to do, even in the face of those who may seek to undermine or attack you.

Rather interestingly, the name 'lady'bird is said to originate from Mother Mary. Many people feel inspired and supported by her energy. If the lady bird is showing up in your life, perhaps she is whispering echoes of encouragement as you find the courage to dispel you inner demons.

Trinity
xxx

Hi Trin
I've also considered the strength of the ladybird, quite well defended/contained with her wings, and also she seems to me 'mysterious' within, as if the shell contains hidden potential somehow. Also in a way they seem quite spontaneous and decisive or unpredictable (from sitting quietly on a leaf, suddenly they'll take off and fly etc).

The fox is an interesting animal as well. I’ve been watching one recently (playing in the building site outside the window!) It seems to delight in it! I hadn't realised they were so playful before!

thanks

Ben

I've never had a squirrel just walk up to me before. My experience has always been deep appreciation from a respectful distance.

Camping in Dartmoor, I was just returning to my tent to find a squirrel busying about playfully. He then dotted and skipped over to me as close as you could get without actually climbing onto me. He raised in curiosity on his hind legs and we gazed lovingly into each others eyes for an eternity.

This is happening more and more with various creatures. A couple of weeks ago the biggest ever green dragonfly clasped onto my finger... a moment ago a chaffinch just joined me right next to my laptop here. This is so heavenly. I feel so humbled that they would choose to share my space. I wonder if they have any sense of how much this stirs my soul and touches my experience of being human.

They really do speak - a universal language that defies words. Each bringing with it a message. If only we listen, we really can hear!

With Love
Trinity

Further to my above squirrel story. Here is a photo that I took of my little squirrel friend on the same morning.

He brings me a message of resourcefulness. Something I have been embracing ever since I remember.

Yet this message beckons 'preparedness' ever stronger as we approach times of great global uncertainty.

Noone can exactly predict what we need to do to prepare. But in being profoundly honest withouselves and taking action as we are guided by the soul, we can trust that whatever we are being guided to do is the right thing.

For many that may simply invole unravelling our inner blockages so that we can feel the flow. Even if this is all we do, that alone could make all the difference.

Trinity
x

Oh goodness! I love him so much!! )

This is an amazing photo, there's so much going on, the detail is incredible, his eyes, whiskers, tail fluff, little mouth..he looks so wise..and there's perfect stillness, the light is beautiful; and he's just really looking at you..i can't stop staring at him..

I love the animals so much. I do think they can sense our energy and that's why they come to you in particular I'm sure:) Reminds me of the exchanges of energy between people and nature in the Celestine Prophecy, so pure..

with love,
L

Hey L,

I am so pleased to see that you connected with my little squirrel! These experiences move me so deeply and it brings profound joy to share in that. These animals have such a profound honesty refelecting back to us a whole world of communication.

I have long since feel a strong affinity with St Francis. The connectivity portrayed in the Celestine Prophecy makes my heart melt. I recognise it so much.

with Love
Trinity

Tonight I've taken a little kitten home with me. She looks about two months old with a mixture of yellow and white hair. (very much like the one on this page though a bit smaller http://luckydogwms.typepad.com/lucky_dog_blog/2009/09/little-yellow-kitt... ). I met her while taking a walk tonight, and I saw her on the pavement looking incredibly weak and seemed to be shaking a bit. It's been raining during the day, so it's likely she'd been hiding in the wood and had gotten completely wet earlier. She's not afraid of people at all (apparently a domestic cat) and was even crawling closer around my feet (probably trying to get some warmth to sleep). I must stayed with her for over half an hour undecided if I should take her home with me. I'd be happy to raise her if I now live on my own but right now I'm sharing a flat with my parents and will probably leave very soon. She even followed me if I stood up to leave. Then I met an lady told me that she's a domestic cat and had problems with the owners dogs and was thus abandoned and encouraged me to adopt her. As soon as I took her home she went to the back of out sofa to sleep, she seemed incredibly exhausted. It's interesting I came cross this kitten at this point in my life as I've not had a pet since my childhood, it seemed like a particularly meaningful encounter. I wonder what message is behind it?

Hi Lei,

You said you stood with the cat for over half an hour "undecided if you should take it home". This is most likely the purpose of the event and the 'medicine'.

What were your authentic feelings? (possibly the ones that first happened), then what were your thoughts and emotions? (potentially distortions).

I note that you came across the kitten whilst 'walking the path'. How much might sympathy have diverted you from it? How might this situation be a general effect on your spiritual path?

Chris

Hoi Lei!
My initial instinct is that what drew you was what brings you joy, and a connection to your inner child and natural sense a paternal nature---and your undecidedness to keep it i.e your distortions of your feelings in openhands view were ceratainly showing your sense of responsibity, i.e of maybe moving somewhere else and not being in your own space- which in my view is not a distortion of your initial feeling!You still maintained the feeling.....

I love cats, they are amazingingly telepathic and independent, so if you keep her she will show you a lot, and if you let her go she will survive..

But most of all what do you id the message behind? That's all what counts, the voice of your own soul.

What a cute kitten!

For me it's all about "right action"

I mean right as in "In-line" With the universal flow, only then can we be coming from a truly compassionate, loving place, where we have the interests of the whole universe in our heart.

David

So I have given that the kitten to an animal hospital close to my home. Much as i'd love to keep that cat it's really not possible because my parents simply wouldn't let that happen and also I'll likely to leave soon for the UK (though still waiting for my visa).

The sympathy issue is something I wouldn't haven't spotted on my own if I hadn't posted the question. I've actually always believed that I've lacked empathy. That's what I've been told by my mother constantly since a child and have been conditioned to believe. I was an rather introvert, introspective child and could never fit in my family environment, also had problems observing social rituals and fitting in the conventional society, and for that I had been constantly accused by my mother for being uncaring, selfish, lack of feelings and sympathy for others, but I really didn't feel to express my affection for people in such a controlling and suppressing environment. It's interesting that after I brought the kitten home my stepdad didn't even bother to take a look at her, although my mother showed some sympathy, she's a clean freak she'd get infuriated if she saw the cat got on the sofa. and For that reason I had to keep the cat in the kitchen over the night. It made me think how much empathy they actually have for the animal, but I truly saw the cat as my equal (not some sub-human creature like most other people do). I felt tears running in my eyes when I think of this.

Hi Chris, I got your point about sympathy and half truth. I actually knew from the beginning that it's impossible to keep that cat and that I will have to find another way for the cat to live. I wouldn't normally do things like bring a homeless cat home even if I had a lot empathy for it. I know you're not suggesting whether I should help the kitten, but somehow I felt I had to bring her home knowing my parents would be against it. It's interesting because I would definitely not post the question on the forum if I didn't bring her home in the first place, and by posting it it helped me to reveal the sympathy issue I still have and connect to the deeper truth again. I do know that my sympathy (also feeling of guilt, and unwillingness to hurt my family members feelings) has held me back from walking the path, and my relationship with my family is incredibly disempowering, yet I don't feel I could just walk away from it (for example by cutting the ties with my family members) because there could be serious consequences for other people. There are things I can't discuss openly on the forum, but right now I feel to simply wait. Lots of things could change in a couple of years. Probably if the matrix collapses the entire dynamics could change.

This is wonderful Lei. You brought the cat home and its inspired all of this inquiry and feeling. That's the important thing - that we truly go deep into the arising feelings to see where we get emotionally attached or 'blinded' in some way. To work with the emotions no matter how painful. And then to find the truthful response that is aligned with what the universe is inviting.

It feels like you are very empathic. But being asked to explore where sympathy might get in the way. And I'd say the synchronistic mirror here is the reaction by your parents - totally without emotional content. I'm not saying of course their approach is right (you explain they're quite asleep), it just seems like the universe is offering you a metaphorical objective mirror to see something.

Chris

Hi,

Just felt to share my recent synchronicity with snake. Just before moving from Glastonbury to Edinburgh to embark on a new phase of my journey, I encountered my first snake in natural surroundings. I was picking blackberries and s/he was sitting high in the brambles. When s/he realized I was there s/he gently slid away.

It way a lovely message to me regarding moving on and letting go of old identity. I felt comforted by the way in which the snake didn't seem that disturbed by my being there or the change in outer circumstances, s/he appeared to take it all in his/her stride. I can see the mirror provided by snake with the gentle transition of my move and letting go of old patterns (particularly since I returned to a familiar environment in Edinburgh).

With love and gratitude for animal magic, Fiona

There's a scene of two horses in the introduction part of the 5 Gateways movie. It seemed incredibly symbolic to me, yet I have difficulty in fully understanding its meaning. It seems to be related to transition, change and shift.. Today I climbed up a hill near the farm I'm working for. I got on the top of the hill there standing two magnificent horses almost exactly like in the movie, the view was also spectacular from the top of the hill, I felt it was clearly saying something to you.. though Im not sure what it is. Very interesting..

Also yesterday on my way back to my farm I was led to go under a bridge (out of curiosity to see what is behind it). I was then led to walk a grass lane until I saw a small Christian church (called the Lawrence Castle) at the top of a small hill. The church looked quite tall with big cross symbols on it, it seemed uniquely divine to me, it became very clear to me I had to go there. After I got on the top and walked to the front the church, there was a green lawn and as I was standing there the sun suddenly came out from behind the cloud, it lit up everything.. I was standing in front of the church with big cross bathed in the sun, it was purely magical! I was clearly guided to be there to experience that moment.

PS the castle was closed to visitors at the time, I would definitely not go there if I knew that in advance. By going under the bridge i went into the place through the parking lot at the back. I only discovered it was closed to visitors when I got back down to the entrance.

Hi,

I pay a very close attention to every animal crossing my way. Lately, these have repeatedly been Geckos, lizards, frogs, not long ago a snake and yesterday my attention was drawn to strange noises and I saw a big colony of squeaking bats under one overhang.

I find it all very powerful as the symbolism of these animals have similar traits.
Gecko - can teach how to maneuver in this transition phase of mental, spiritual and emotional death and rebirth - pay attention to dreams and visions
Lizard - teaches listening to intuition in dreams, visions and perceptions, listen carefully to your inner guidance of feelings and emotions.
Frog - is also strongly associated with magic and transformation.
Snake - can teach about shedding what is not needed.
Bat -was considered a symbol of intuition, dreaming and vision.

I really feel something profound is going on under surface and I get easily overwhelmed by emotions.
I keep checking my dreams and I noticed that I have repeatedly seen waves of water very close to where I live in these dreams.

Any suggestions what these waves are? Are they the waves of my overwhelming emotions?

Thank you,

Reni

Hi,

On Sunday night i went outside of my flat to get some fresh air. I saw 3 cats. I was surprised because you dont see cats in Sunderland and especially here, there are no neighborhoods and there's concrete almost everywhere. After a while i saw another one and i tried to approach it. It was too big to be a cat and it was actually a fox.. That was too wired. A fox? in the accommodation yard! It kept staring at me for a while and then continued walking. i was standing there not able to move, i couldnt believe it!! Yesterday i was in the kitchen near to the window and another cat came near to the window and kept staring at me. I went outside, we played for a while and then it left...
Is there any message here?

Today I went for a walk, it was very peaceful and i was thinking about things that happened lately.
while i was coming back i heard something. I looked down and there was a crab and i literally stepped on its first leg and it was crashed There was a fisherman there and he caught it but forgot to put it back in the water. I was worried that the crab wouldnt be able to live but he told me that it will be fine and it will grow a new one. I was so relieved.
I am trying to understand whats the message
Any idea what a crab represents?

Thanks
Vaso

cats to me are highly independent, among other things. They live in the world but also have their own 'worlds' as well. Perhaps there's an invitation to unfold that?

^^
± ?

Hi Vaso, my feeling is that you're being guided into the spirit world. The cats are very otherworldly, they exhibit strange behaviors, so is the fox, a very mysterious animal. New doorways are opening up for you, probably.

Vaso wrote:Today I went for a walk, it was very peaceful and i was thinking about things that happened lately.
while i was coming back i heard something. I looked down and there was a crab and i literally stepped on its first leg and it was crashed Tongue There was a fisherman there and he caught it but forgot to put it back in the water. I was worried that the crab wouldnt be able to live but he told me that it will be fine and it will grow a new one. I was so relieved.
I am trying to understand whats the message
Any idea what a crab represents?

Couple of things here that spring up.

"Second chance".
Something seemingly unfortunate happens, but something else will come in it's place. It's a message of trust that when we lose something, we can trust that something else will always come along, perhaps something even more evolved.
x

Hi Vaso,

Firstly it's awesome that you're having these 'animal medicine' experiences and noticing them. They happen to everyone but alas, most people simply pass them by.

There are always many interpretations for animal medicine - of course whole books written about them. What they actually mean can only truly be interpreted by the person experiencing them. Although a relatively open and clear person - a mirror - can help call forth the feelings within you.

It's something we're quite often looking at on the Openhand courses as you know. So the I'd invite you to reflect back on the incidents again. Put yourself right in the events, summon the imagery and feelings and then ask yourself... "What did I notice most about the creatures?"

What you're really looking for, because what's really being reflected, are aspects of beingness. The animal world is providing a superlative mirror of how to be.

So what did you notice and feel?

Chris

Agreed. Just to support that here is something I shared here too.

I wrote:"Animal medicine is about noticing the way that spirit communicates with us through animals. Each creature has particular traits and patterns that can offer us insight about something we need to learn in that moment. It may be helpful to read books on the subject, yet I do feel that the most import thing is to listen within and tune into what a particular animal speaks of to us personally. We find that each animal has countless lessons for each of us, depending on where we are at in life at a particular time and what we need to learn.

It can be liberating to really empower ourselves to really feel ourselves. It can be an interesting process to share here too. Your observations may strike a chord with someone else... like it did with me and your crab! I have a particular affinity with regrowth and felt you calling

with Love
Trinity
x

Hi everyone

Thank you very much for your replies.
It's very interesting for me to try and interpret the messages.
Thanks for your post about the crab Trinity. What you suggest makes sense to me.
At first i felt very sad that the crab wouldnt live but i was so relieved it would grow another one. I also felt lucky it happened to be a crab which has the ability to grow another leg.
what happened next i think is a message about beingness. when i found it the fisherman told me to put it back to the water my self. i was afraid it may bide me. So he put it in the water. i felt wired it was just a crab and it was lovely. I felt a bit coward in the essence that when i was younger i would swim in the water with it not just take it and now i felt i was afraid to take it. i told to my self that i should have taken it and if i had the chance again i would do it. Its amazing what happened, after my post here i went for a walk and i found the leg of the crab, it was still there. Almost near to it there was another crab. Thank god, I didnt step on that one too That time i took it and i put it back in the water. im not sure if it was alive though but i wanted to take it this time

For the cats and the fox i was just very surprised. i didnt know much about animal medicine so next time i will observe better. Generally there was some magic in the air. the cats i saw the first night weren't friendly, they were a bit scared and i couldnt approach them, but the next day the cat that came near to the window was very friendly and so cute.

I can pretty much see the messages from all these. Im not completely sure how they apply in my every day life though.

Thanks xxx
Vaso

HI vaso

I’d agree with Chris and Trinity’s posts. I feel like its so important to feel and intuit the message for yourself. What do you associate with those animals? what do they mean to you?

recently I’ve been getting some ladybird medecine for example. While a book may tell me its about one thing, one of the first things I notice about it are a beautiful shell containing the wings. I can see for me its about being a little enamoured with the 'shell' of the false self. obviously the shells enclosing the wings, and as such, if it stays in place, perhaps limiting full and authentic expression. The shell can seem so attractive sometimes though that to take the step of breaking through it can seem quite daunting, or even feel unnecessary. We might not even notice its there. I didn’t really. And after all when its closed, we can’t see what’s inside! and so the ladybird is pretty happy sitting on the leaf. so the question arises how much do I want to break through it? So I notice there’s fear there as well, and an invitation. This has come to me powerfully recently and I feel like in seeing these mirrors I can really start to work with it more consciously. It feels so magical how the universe speaks!

So the ladybird is showing me likely attachments, the potential for expansion and how I might work with that. and I didn’t even need to look at a book to tell me!

Ben

Hi Ben,

Thanks and Wow is great the way you interpreted the ladybird medicine.
When i was in the park right before the incident with the crab i realised something. I was feeling resistance and still feel for letting go of something.
If i had chosen to leave uni and not come back i wouldnt be in this position now and i wouldnt have the opportunity to see the landscape changing and experience my feelings about it. It would have been easier for me in a way. I didnt think i was so attached to the way other people perceived me but that day i realised i was resisting to change some things in the way i live and in the way i am being because the way other people see me and i myself is changing too. I was attached to my 'image' because i liked it. Many people tell me you have changed so much and a day before the incident again a girl told me that and i found my self trying to convince me that i havent changed that much. But i have.
I also have a trouble letting go of a few people near to me that i love very much. I can see the distance getting bigger between us because the way i am being is changing.
So that day i realised i have to let go of some things and then i crashed the leg of the crab. If i didnt crash it then the crab wouldnt need to grow a new one.
I felt sad and now trying to really put my self right in the events and remember how i felt as Chris and Trinity suggest i felt a bit fear and i got quite upset. Maybe the message was that if i dont 'crash' my old way of being completely then there is no reason for a new one to 'grow'. I also felt fear and insecurity or doubt that the crab wouldnt be able to survive in the water with one leg only until it grows another one. I think this is me(false self, ego?)feeling fear, vulnerable and insecure about this process of changing and letting go of my 'image' and the way i see my self.
Thats why i felt fear throwing the crab (me) in the water with having one leg only.?

Vaso

hi vaso
it feels really powerful that you're interpreting the signs in that way, and being honest about what they really mean to you. I understand that sometimes the mirror can feel challenging to look into! and I guess it can be easy to imagine how things will be received or evolve for example, but from my experience you may be surprised if you follow your heart what arises from that and where it takes you!

You suggest feeling you have to let go of part of your old shell to grow a new aspect of your self/beingness, then how do you feel to do that? You might have to throw yourself into the water, what does that mean to you? Also I think its natural that you might feel fear, emotions etc around making those changes, and it feels good that you recognise that. If it feels right can you do it anyway? It feels great how the day you realised you had to let go of those things, that it was confirmed by the synchronisty soon afterwards.

It feels powerful! keep going!
with love

Ben

Hi Ben,

Thanks for making these questions.
I didn't realise i was attached to it, because i wouldn't try to do something or be someone i didn't want to. And i liked the result so before it start changing i didn't know i was attached to it. So is already changing and i can see things happening around me to put me in an awkward, vulnerable position. So i put my self in these situations and i push my self to be in these situations, so i can feel the awkwardness or feel whatever emotion arises. I guess that's what it means To throw my self into the water. To throw my self in these situations that make me feel vulnerable or insecure or fear. It also means to let go of those things that i feel resistance to and feel the insecurity or fear like i felt the crab would feel in the water. I imagine it as being naked in the crowd.
It was challenging before because i didn't want to admit some things. It's like i had put things in an order in my mind the way i wanted and then i had to see that things are not so convenient as they seemed to be. (not only about this situation). A while ago, when i consciously started observing my self i found it quite funny at some point because i was trying to 'cover things up' in my mind. I guess i was always doing that i just didn't notice it before. But its the same as everyone says. It was more difficult to look into the mirror and admit it. I feel is easier now than it seemed at the beginning. Just things are not as ideally as they seemed to be.
I said to my self that i will do whatever it takes in order to feel free so it doesn't matter if i feel fear, the sooner i face it the better.

Much Love
Vaso

wow vaso that feels very positive. It seems to me, from your sharings, that you have your own answers already within you, and the mirrors are there to remind you!
I sense a commitment to more self honesty. which feels inspiring! So I see an invitation to keep going and doing what you're authentically doing. For me I find maintaining 'momentum' through it can sometimes feel challenging, but I know its there to work through!