Month: June 2020

Strategically Holding Space – Day 586

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Nighttime Messenger – Photo: L. Weikel

Strategically Holding Space

There’s so much happening in the cosmos this weekend. Well, not just this weekend; we’re not out of the thick of things for quite a while, actually. But this weekend feels huge to me, and the best recommendation I can make (that I will be following as well) is that we engage in strategically holding space. We must hold this space for each other and ourselves. Our country and our planet.

There’s no other way to describe what’s happening in the U.S. right now but to say we’re being bombarded. Information, revelations, lies, conspiracy theories, a pandemic, isolation, fear, sickness, death. We’re being confronted with irrefutable proof that people of color do not share the same freedoms as white people. And we’re seeing a huge majority of our brothers and sisters (or perhaps for a lot of us, our sons and daughters) stand up and say, “The system is broken. It doesn’t stand for what we’ve been taught it does and we won’t pretend or allow it to persist any longer.”

Some of us will join in the protests continuing to unfold all across our nation in support of Black Lives Matter. Some of us will lend our support in other ways. Each as they are able, as they say. But as we witness injustice, as we begin to see with clear eyes the ugly parts of our history that have conveniently been left out of most of our educations, I do believe we will unite to create the ideal we all, deep down, want to believe is possible.

New Moon

We have so many indicators of a new paradigm coming to the fore, and a new moon (coupled with all the other major aspects) is, as we know, the time to set in motion the dream we wish to manifest.

As a result, I feel in my heart and soul that we are also being confronted with radical hope. Deep within our souls, thousands – perhaps millions – of people of all skin pigmentations are resonating with a seismic shift that will change our country forever.

Perhaps, just maybe, we are witnessing the birth of a new world.

Opossum Reminds Us

This opossum was just visiting me only minutes before I sat down to write this post tonight. I felt like its appearance was fortuitous. It’s urging us to use strategy to accomplish the change we demand. We need to expect the unexpected; be clever in seeking our goals. And above all, we’re being reminded to use our brains and sense of drama and cleverness to change the world.

We don’t need to stoop to the level of violence. We’re smarter than that. All of us.

We need to strategically hold space for each other to get this done. We can do this. It’s time. Time for an evolution.

A Heart in the Center of the Fire – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-525)

The Other Side – Day 585

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The Other Side

I thought for sure last night that I had a satisfying topic to write about. It was pleasing to my sense of relaxation that evening, as I sometimes feel – or at least sense – the whirr of mental gears spinning deep within, trying to light upon something interesting or entertaining to share with you. Of course! I would make a point of showing you the other side of perfection.

While the whole point was to show you the other side of perfection, the lack of photographs was distinctly disturbing. Yes, I could’ve wielded my keyboard as an artist wields palette and brush, but no. I wanted you to see what I was writing about.

As I ended up mentioning in my post yesterday, I never know when Verizon Wireless is going to decide to strap to a snail’s back photos I’ve sent via email from my iPhone to my laptop. It’s clearly a random decision by VZ Wireless. But please allow me to confirm that it did indeed take over 12 hours for the photos to make said monumental trek last night.

Nevertheless, I Persisted

And yes, I’m sacrilegiously using that phrase associated with Senator Elizabeth Warren when she insisted upon speaking when Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell tried to shut her up several years ago. Because, why not? It’s important to remember how dismissive he was to Senator Warren. He’s only become worse with age and power, for the power he’s been wielding truly has corrupted him.

But I digress.

What I simply wanted to share with you last night, and intend to share with you this evening, is the view of the other side of what I recently deemed ‘perfection.’

Pretty idyllic, huh?

With competition like this, it’s no wonder that lovely, wonderful tree I featured the other evening beamed with pleasure at being noticed and appreciated.

All I can say is that I am incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by such beauty and diversity. I want to pay attention to all of it; which is why, every day, I try to share with you a snippet of what almost feels like heaven.

(T-526)

Change of Course – Day 584

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Change of Course

It’s extremely rare for me to have an idea ahead of time as to what I’m going to write about on any particular night. Tonight, though, I actually did. But now I’ve had a change of course.

In the past 584 posts, I’d say I knew or had a good idea of what I wanted to write about when I sat down with my laptop fewer than ten times. And that may be an overstatement. So of course the photos that are actually a necessary element to what I wanted to write about tonight have not yet arrived.

Pony Express

The photos have not yet arrived on their journey of approximately 18” or so, leaping pixel by pixel from my iPhone to my laptop. At this point, I’m sure they won’t arrive for hours, perhaps not until close to noon tomorrow.

And yes, for those of you who have a modicum of tech knowledge, I tried just sending the photos by AirDrop. This method worked in transferring the photos, but they came through too big and I cannot get them to upload into my WordPress document.

So, obviously, even though it was a good idea for a post (or so I thought), it is not meant to be.

Realization

Just as I was typing the last two paragraphs, above, I realized what’s going on. It’s Mercury Retrograde!

Ha! Yes indeed, Mercury is just today (the 18th – now that it’s past midnight) joining the seeming fifty million other planets that are retrograde right now. So it shouldn’t be a surprise that the photos are stuck somewhere in the ether, struggling to make their way from my iPhone to my laptop.

And it shouldn’t surprise me that the only expression of the photos I can get to send via AirDrop are so huge that I can’t use them.

It all just reinforces the idea that we need to be aware of how very easily communication efforts can break down when Mercury is retrograde. And that goes doubly or triply so for electronic communications.

I’ll just need to make adjustments over the next several weeks to accommodate for such potential delays.

It will be interesting, though, to see what’s coming next.

Blue Jay’s expression says it all.

(T-527)

Perfection – Day 583

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Perfection

Nope. This blog post is not about my desire for perfection. In fact, while I pretty relentlessly strive to do the best I can at whatever I’m doing, I would not call myself a perfectionist.

In fact, I think I have just enough, “Who gives a sh&*” of an attitude, to keep me honest (if not humble).

No, the title for tonight’s blog is ‘Perfection’ because of the remarkable beauty of the tree I photographed the other day.

Looking a Different Direction

Usually when Karl and I are walking along the particular stretch of road that this tree stands beside, our attention is almost always directed away from this tree. We’re almost always looking in the opposite direction.

When we look to our right as we walk along this road, our view is of vast open fields and a panoramic sky, usually occupied by at least a handful of clouds and almost always a breathtaking sunset.We are often distracted by the ever changing vista. The colors of each sunset are captivating in the variety of their unique palettes. Sometimes it’s hard not to see at least three different figures at a time in the clouds.

It’s not uncommon for us to see herds of deer grazing, flocks of geese or ducks stomping around in puddled water, and even occasionally a fox or two darting into the underbrush.

Appreciation

But the other day, I happened to look to my left. I should be clear: I happened to make a point of looking to my left and really seeing what was there. And wow.

Here it is:

An example of perfection – Photo: L. Weikel

I exclaimed to this tree how absolutely perfect it is. I gushed over its beauty and apologized for not noticing it sooner. Actually, I have given it a glance a handful of times over the years, but I don’t know that I ever had as extended a conversation with it as I did the other day.

Then I took its photo.

I do believe this tree is an example of perfection – and I told it so. But it was only when I got home and really had a chance to look at the photo that I realized it had swelled with pride and delight itself. I’m telling you: this tree responded to my compliments and appreciation, and its joy was captured in this photo.

This is a photograph of one happy, loved, and appreciated representative of the ‘standing tall people.’

Find a tree in your neighborhood. Maybe look in a different direction than you normally do. Or see with fresh eyes. You might be surprised by what you discover.

Give it some love – and see what happens. Watch it flourish. Notice how giving that appreciation to another Being makes you feel.

(T-528)

Peace – Day 582

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Peace – Mystic Art Medicine Cards by Cher Lyn

Peace

This evening, I got out the set of oracle cards I wrote about some time ago, Mystic Art Medicine Oracle Cards, by Cher Lyn. I asked for a message or a concept that we would benefit from contemplating and reflecting upon this week, as we approach the solstice and solar eclipse. The card that presented itself for us is Peace.

We all have our ideas of what “Peace” means. The obviousness of how beneficial it could be for all of us to be holding this concept in our minds this week is inescapable. But I want to share with you the uncanny words that the author wrote to accompany this card. Her words are, in my opinion, even more essential to contemplate than the image.

Peace – “Mother Mary”

(…)

In the aftermath of a war zone, its devastating effect brings to mind one question: What could have been so important to cause such violence and bloodshed? Everyone’s soul wants Peace, everyone wants love; so what’s the problem? The minds of our civilized culture are programmed with dysfunctional information. Beginning at birth you undergo cultural programming, indoctrination and subtle brainwashing. Your mind has been the domain of your parents, teachers, and preachers; you’ve given rights over to psychics, authors, and television politicians to mention a few. In other words, you’ve allowed others to think for you, without thinking.

Be cognizant, protesting for Peace while unleashing force will most likely create more anger, more war. Everyone around you has emotional wounds. You can’t fix anyone else. Your responsibility and power is within to change ‘you’ and only you. Transform that which is in you. Release attempts to solve, as judge and jury, the anger of the world. The only functioning place to truly propagate Peace is within your conscious mind and open heart.

(…)

The beloved Mother Mary is here, full of compassion and understanding. Whatever it is you are seeking, for all that you need ask the Mother. Allow inner Peace and receive.”

Worthy Goal

Given everything we are witnessing at the moment, I was moved by not only the serenity of the image but especially the uncanny applicability of Cher Lyn’s words at this specific time in our lives – and the life of our nation.

No matter what else we do this week, it feels wise and worthy to contemplate our own inner transformation – to allow inner Peace and receive.

(T-529)

Big Week Ahead – Day 581

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Photo: L. Weikel

Big Week Ahead

We have a big week ahead astronomically and astrologically. Our week is going to culminate with the Solstice (Summer in the Northern Hemisphere, Winter in the Southern) and a Solar Eclipse.

Technically, for those of us on the East Coast of the U.S., the Solstice will occur at 5:43 p.m. on Saturday, June 20th, 2020. Of course, for us here in the Northern Hemisphere, the Summer Solstice is the longest day of the year, and is considered the first day of summer. Conversely, it will be the shortest day of the year and considered the first day of winter for those living in the Southern Hemisphere.

The solar eclipse will occur at 2:41 a.m. EDT on Sunday, June 21st. Obviously, due to time zone differences, some areas will be able to say these two significant events will be taking place on the same day (Friday the 20th).

Regardless of whether they technically fall on the same calendar day, the significance is that they’re taking place only six hours apart. In cosmic timing, that’s nothing; and the confluence of these events will undoubtedly be powerful and have long term and far-reaching effects.

Some Links

I’ll probably write about this again in the next few days and provide you with some interesting links to perspectives on what you might encounter this week on a mental, physical, emotional, or spiritual level. For instance, Kaypacha’s Pele Report for June 10th (which takes us into the middle of the coming week) gives us some insight into what the entire world is confronting – as well as some helpful suggestions for what we might want to focus on to learn more about ourselves and how to navigate through it.

As I come across other interesting perspectives, I’ll share them with you. If you take the time to read or listen to them, notice what aspects resonate with you. Simply recognizing how the ‘big picture’ of what’s going on in the sky is affecting how people are acting here on Earth can be remarkably soothing. Even when we’re living through hellacious experiences, having even the inkling that there’s a much grander scheme at work influencing the way people are reacting, etc., can give us the perspective we need not to take it all too personally.

Different for Everyone

While these planetary aspects are obviously affecting all of us – it’s important to realize that they tweak us all in different ways because of the unique location the planets were in at the time of our birth (our ‘birth charts’). Where they were located in our chart when we were born dictates where they are now (in our unique charts) as they make their journeys around the sun.

Into the Weeds

It’s funny. When I started this post this evening, it was my intention to pick a couple of cards for us to focus upon and use for guidance as the week unfolds. It feels important for us to engage in some reflection as we approach the solstice and eclipse because, chances are, some big stuff is coming our way. Clearly, though, I got lost in the weeds of astrology again.

We’re in the midst of major upheaval and transformation. We can either go through it consciously or have it broadside us and send our lives into even more disarray than we’ve encountered already this year. Given the choice, I’m always interested in navigating life’s storms with as many maps and tools as possible.

Obviously, instead of just choosing a couple cards and talking about them, I wanted to explain why I felt it was important to for us to be especially aware right now. But alas, I’ve run out of time.

Stay tuned. Tomorrow’s another day.

(T-530)

Correction and Clarification – Day 580

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Nascent Wild Raspberries – THE REAL THING! – Photo: L. Weikel

Correction and Clarification

Thanks to an eagle-eyed reader of this blog, it is essential that tonight’s post be one of correction and clarification.

Yesterday’s post, Prickle of Hope, was a musing about my love for the wild raspberries that flourish in the woods and along the roadsides near our home. They usually burst onto the scene in all their juicy goodness during the first week of July.

The impetus for last night’s post was my spying what I carelessly mis-identified as my precious wild raspberries, when actually what I photographed was an invasive species called wineberry. I saw the fecund bushes I photographed yesterday calling to me, like little sirens, albeit in a place where we don’t usually stop to indulge. So I wasn’t being discerning. Instead, I got caught up in my own memories.

I hang my head in shame, as I definitely know the difference when the berries are fully formed. Wineberries are deceptively akin to wild raspberries at first blush – but only if you’re not paying attention. Not only do they have lots of distinctive little red hairs all over them, but also trust me when I say it’s highly unlikely you’d willingly stuff handfuls of them in your mouth once you’ve tasted just one of them.

Edification

Besides being sneaky little devils that trick those who are unaware or inattentive into believing they’ve snagged a sweet treat, wineberry shrubs are also nasty invasive buggers. They’ll proliferate rapidly and choke out the indigenous raspberry and black raspberry bushes, and the tangled and dense thickets woven by wineberry bushes also pose a threat to wildlife and other native plants.

Chastened by my former self-described (in another life – in this lifetime) wingman, Bill, I was determined to take photos of the bushes and nascent berries forming in the areas I know 100%, for sure, are wild raspberries. I was appalled at the thought that I’d been consuming wineberries in vast quantities. I couldn’t imagine I had, so I could only hope I’d misidentified yesterday’s shrubs.

And I can confirm here and now that the raspberries Karl and I indulge in every year are, in fact, wild raspberries. Following are photos to help you see the difference for yourself.

(Above) Wineberries – notice the tiny red hairs on berry buds and stems! – Photo: L. Weikel

 

Wild raspberries – Photo: L. Weikel

Bottom Line

The bottom line, my friends, is to beware the red hairy ones! And don’t let wineberry shrubs proliferate on your property if you can help it.

Thanks again, Bill!

Here are photos of the baby berries of both, for comparison’s sake:

(Above) Wineberry – Photo: L. Weikel

Wild Raspberry – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-531)

Prickle of Hope – Day 579

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 Wild Raspberry Wineberry Bushes – Photo: L. Weikel

Prickle of Hope

Given my recollection from years past, I’d give them three weeks at the most. Although it’s possible we’ll only have to wait two-ish, if we’re lucky. One thing I know for sure: I felt a prickle of hope this evening when they caught our attention.

All of a sudden, the wild raspberry bushes lining the sides of our country roads are announcing their presence. I could feel them calling to us as we walked – it almost felt like the bushes with their burgeoning berries were like spectators at a parade, calling and waving to us as we walked past them, life energy surging through them and rippling out to us in waves.

Perfect Timing

I think I can speak for Karl when I say that one of our favorite hedonistic indulgences takes place approximately one week after our wedding anniversary every year. (Hence my ability to pinpoint with such self-assured accuracy when they’ll be bursting into perfection.)

There are few things in this life more sensually pleasing in so many ways as taking an early summer walk and coming upon a thicket of ripe wild raspberries so plump they practically jump off their delicate yellow spindles into the cup of your palm, prodded only by a simple brush of your fingertips.

It’s hard not to feel dizzy with gratitude and appreciation for Mother Earth as we pop these sweet juicy treats into our mouths, laughing and savoring their sweet magic. I always try to take just one berry at a time – at least at first – doing my utmost to do justice to this annual ritual. Of course, this doesn’t last long. Within moments, I am thanking the berries over and over as I fill my palms and drop the nuggets into my mouth by twos, threes, fours – or more.

In addition to honoring that first raspberry of the season by noticing its shape with my tongue, from the hollow cave where it was attached to the bush to its tiny plump components, I close my eyes and feel my saliva responding to what I know will be a rush of sweetness. Unless, of course, I happen to have chosen impatiently – taking a berry that didn’t just drop into my hand but might have held on to its home with just the slightest cling. Ah yes – that can make for a little bit of a pucker, when the sugar inside hasn’t quite reached its peak.

But the occasional tart one only makes the sweet ones all the more delectable.

An Entire Experience

While some of the berry bushes flash their wares in the brilliance of direct sunshine, we’re usually able to take shelter from the hot summer sun under the leaves of the many surrounding ashes, oaks, and shagbark hickories that stand watch over these patches. The air is often thick and humid when the berries are at their best. As I write these words right now, I can imagine the aroma of the grasses we sometimes trample to gain access to these prickly patches. There’s usually a backdrop of crickets humming in the heat as well – or the buzz of bees that are also happily sampling the feast.

There’s plenty for all of us, including the deer, who are our usually our greatest competitors for these tasty treats.

Sweetest In the Moment

Over the years, when we used to come upon the ripening berries, we’d indulge in stuffing a few in our mouths and then vow to bring a container the next day to harvest some for dessert. Most of the time, we’d forget to bring a container. Once or twice, though, we’d remember – and I have to confess: they never tasted as good at home. They’re ok; don’t get me wrong.

But standing in the middle of a thicket, surrounded by prickles as well as gobs and gobs of berry clusters, birds singing in the trees, bees and crickets humming and thrumming, the smell of Mother Earth filling your senses, and then stuffing your mouth with handful upon handful of blood red, juicy berries?

There’s nothing like it.

And it’s our unique ritual to celebrate the beginning of another year of life together. Considering all the peculiar challenges and circumstances all of us are facing this year, perhaps this is why the nascent berries called out to me so distinctly today. They want us to feel the prickle of hope and promise of abundance; they call us to know that Mother Earth is always with us, feeding and nurturing us. They want us to remember the profound joy to be found in the moments of simplest pleasures.

Nascent Wineberries* Wild Raspberries – Photo: L. Weikel

*See next post

(T-532)

Timely Reminder – Day 578

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Turtle Girl – Photo: L. Weikel

Timely Reminder

Many of us are encountering opportunities to reflect upon our beliefs, review the paths we’ve taken to arrive where we are, and potentially take steps to restructure our lives if they no longer suit us or reflect who we are (or aspire to be). We’re contemplating the seeds we choose to plant for our future. In that regard, I was given a timely reminder of something we should all bear in mind as we take steps to cultivate our futures.

I, for one, am rarely fully satisfied with all aspects of my life. Sometimes I’m happier with my life choices than others. But usually I’m reflecting in my journal on what I could be improving or where I’d like to be heading as far as my next challenge. I tend to thrive when I both love what I’m doing, but also have a challenge on my horizon; something new to learn or an idea to develop.

Often, such aspirations need to be planted and allowed to grow at their own pace, fed by research and reflection, connections and inspiration. Another analogy that can be made to this process is building a nest and laying an egg (or a couple of eggs). Actually, the eggs are only (or maybe I should say ‘all’) potential. They require time and tending to become something new and of substance.

Teacher-by-example

The other day, Karl and I happened upon our first Eastern Box Turtle of the season. As you can see from the photo above, she’s a beauty.

When we encountered her, she was directly underneath the mailbox of one of our neighbors. And while I was relieved and delighted that she wasn’t on the road when we discovered her, I was a bit dismayed at what it appears she was doing.

It looked to me as though she was digging a hole in which to lay her eggs. See for yourself in the photo below.

Of course, I didn’t disturb her at all or dissuade her from her task. That’s not for me to decide for her. (OK, perhaps I did annoy her a little when I stuck my phone in front of her face to snap her photo; but I maintain this was but a minor irritant!)

But it was in her choice of where to build her nest and lay her eggs that got me thinking. It’s important how we take care of the ideas we have. It’s critical that we take care of those nascent thoughts and not-yet-developed seeds of inspiration. She brought me a timely reminder to be careful with the results of all the reflections we’re engaging in and the choices we’re making. These are precious realizations and aspirations. They need to be protected and nurtured until just the right time arrives to introduce them to the world.

Making a nest? Laying her eggs? – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-533)

Lightning Bugs – Day 577

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Lightning Bug – Photo: L. Weikel

Lightning Bugs

Two nights ago, on Monday evening, Karl and I took a good long walk that extended into the magical time of twilight. Much to my delight, we were welcomed along the way by lightning bugs rising from their slumber and peeking their heads above the tall grasses that fill the fields and line the roads around our home.

With my sense of time rather hopelessly distorted as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, it felt early to be greeting these harbingers of summer. But I guess it’s not. I see I first wrote about them last year on June 3rd, when I discovered a lone firefly hanging out on our porch one morning. I then wrote another post on June 9th – when I reported seeing a grand display as they rose from the forest floor near High Rocks.

Come to think of it, then, it would appear that they’re pretty much right on track. Practically to the day, since it was June 8th when we saw them this year!

Wow. Bug time. You can set your calendar by it.

First Heat Wave of the Season

We took a walk this evening that bumped up close to twilight, but wasn’t late enough, apparently, to witness my favorite luminescent creatures. I have to wonder if they weren’t sleeping in, tucked into the cool shade of the matted undergrowth of the meadows and forests. They may have been tempted to hunker down a bit longer than usual tonight, as the heavy blanket of heat and humidity today made all movement feel like a major, sticky effort.

The heat index was up to 100 degrees today. That’s oppressive. It means that the heat and humidity weren’t bad enough on their own, but they decided to work together to add a little oomph to the punishment being meted out to the humans. But I also think these are prime conditions for firefly eggs to hatch.

I’m optimistic that a post-twilight walk later this week will yield tremendous firefly activity. Or maybe we’ll have to wait until July for the best natural pyrotechnics. In the meantime? I just looked out the window and a wink of light acknowledged my glance.

Lightning bugs. They’re one of the little joys in life that keep me going.

Fireflies – Photo: Stocksy United

(T-534)