greater good Archives - Owl Medicine: Shamanic Healing

Baby Bud and Mommy Thistle – Photo: L. Weikel

Thistle

I didn’t get a chance to walk yesterday. We went to the powwow and by the time we got home, a walk simply wasn’t going to happen. So I was determined to log some miles today. In fact, I walked both the long and the short routes (walk about and walk around). And the upshot of both was that thistle was demanding my attention.

If I’d known I was going to write about it this evening, I would’ve taken even more photos of this phenomenal beauty. Thistle is blooming in most fields and along the roadside all along both of my usual circuits. The stunning lavender-leaning-toward-pink blossoms kept grabbing my attention the entire afternoon.

Spiny, almost weapon-like leaves appear on some of the plants, appearing like fireworks splaying out in a manner that yells, “Get back!” And yet other plants seem to shyly downplay those very same needle-like weapons, toning them down and making a point of calling all our attention to each stage of their floral explosion.

Something to Think About

Most times when something, be it flora or fauna, persistently insists on catching my attention, I take it to mean that it’s bringing me a message of some sort. I honestly didn’t feel that today.

Every time I took one of the photos that are accompanying this post, I had a conversation with the plant itself, thanking it for sharing its particularly lovely self with me today. It almost felt like the Spirit of Thistle was showing me herself in every aspect of her blossoming, encouraging me to appreciate each stage for its particular loveliness.

When I realized I was getting the nudge to share these photos tonight, I wondered if perhaps the Spirit of Thistle wanted to reach out and speak with one of you. It’s possible some of you aren’t getting outside enough or frequenting venues where Thistle can get your attention, and this is a way to get the message across. I’m not saying the attributes of Thistle don’t have application in my life. I’m just saying they don’t feel as personal to me as many other ‘messages’ I receive on my walks.

Teenager Thistle – Knows it all; Photo: L.Weikel

Keynote

In checking with Nature Speak* by Ted Andrews, I discovered that Thistle’s keynotes are ‘keep a sense of pride; and protect yourself against criticisms of others.’ In reading the actual discussion of the plant, I got a sense that Thistle is best known and most respected as an aid to the function of our liver. It sounds as though Thistle can be used to both cleanse and tone one’s liver. (Again, as I mentioned in this post, always use the utmost care when working with the medicinal qualities herbs. They are every bit as potent as prescription medications and should not be used carelessly or cavalierly. Ideally, you should seek the input of a trained herbalist.)

Our liver does a ton of work inside our body, cleansing our blood and helping us eliminate toxins. The toxins it confronts are not always on the physical level, either. Our liver can suffer from exhaustion or toxicity from prolonged exposure to anger, rage, criticism, and other ‘negative’ emotions. It stands to reason that sometimes our liver needs a rest, a chance to catch its breath (metaphorically) and recover its mojo. Thistle can help with that.

Scottish Connection

Thistle is the national flower of Scotland. It’s said that a Danish marauder was trying to sneak up on a Scottish camp and stepped on a thistle, causing him to shriek out in pain. This served to warn the Scots that an attack was imminent and permitted them to defend themselves appropriately.

It’s plausible that Thistle’s appearance in our life is suggesting that we may need to protect ourselves. It may be appropriate at this time to express our upset at the way we’re being treated by others.

It occurs to me that we’re hearing a lot about how so many people are in each other’s faces about this, that, and the other thing, but primarily (lately) about masks, vaccinations, and our responsibilities to ourselves and each other. From my observation, the most vociferous declarations seem to be made by those who feel they owe no one any deference; that the only righteous concern is adherence to their own beliefs and choices for themselves.

Maybe It’s Not OK

Crone Thistles – They’ve seen it all; Photo: L.Weikel

I’m wondering if perhaps Thistle is suggesting that it’s ok to stand up for the collective. It’s ok for people to express some of the anger they’ve been swallowing. Many have patiently waited for those demanding respect for their personal space and ‘freedom’ to realize there are other people sharing this planet with them, and sometimes we have to do uncomfortable things or sacrifice a bit for the benefit of us all.

And when the hoped-for epiphany regarding generosity of spirit and sacrifice never arrives? Maybe it’s time to express some righteous anger. Perhaps in as beautiful a manner as possible, but express it nonetheless (before it poisons us all).

*affiliate link

(T-96)

“Protection” – Mystic Art Medicine Oracle Cards by Cher Lyn

Full Moon in Aquarius

Today’s full moon in Aquarius took place when the Sun was at 1 degree 26 minutes of Leo and the Moon was at 1 degree 26 minutes of Aquarius. Interestingly, in August the full moon will take place when the Sun is at 29 degrees 37 minutes of Leo and the Moon is at 29 degrees 37 minutes of Aquarius.

That means that there will be two full moons taking place in the sign of Aquarius this year. If these two full moons were taking place within the same month, the second one would be called a ‘blue moon.’ I have no idea whether there’s a special name for a second full moon in the same sign. But it seems like it should be significant; perhaps the qualities of the sign the moon is going through to complete an entire ‘full to full’ cycle are especially important to integrate.

I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know.

But if that might be the case, here’s a thought: Aquarius is the 11^th sign of the zodiac. (I won’t even go into the significance of the number 11 as a ‘portal.’) The 11^th house of the zodiac is associated with groups, social reform, social causes, global awareness. Some key words associated with Aquarius are innovation, originality, and social change.*

Two Aquarius Full Moons

It would seem to me that the presence of two consecutive full moons in Aquarius, highlighting the 11^th house of the zodiac, will mandate we focus a great deal of our attention upon circumstances and issues that have greater societal importance than personal relevance. Certainly we will all be impacted personally by the collective realities that unfold on a societal level – but our primary focus will be on the bigger picture facing society itself.

To that end, I decided to ask for a ‘watchword’ for us to keep tucked in the back of our minds as we navigate the next 28 days. The deck I chose to consult was the Mystic Art Medicine Oracle Cards by Cher Lyn. The card I chose was Protection, which I will excerpt here:

Protection

“Archangel Michael is Spirit of Fire.

His sword of light offers energies higher.

His shield of Protection,

Averts illusion and deception.

(…) In the painting of “Archangel Michael’s Fire of Transformation,” Hi aura/wings are golden light. You see an Eagle emanating through his sword of fire, no longer choosing to be depicted killing, as His essence is Love and Protection. The medicine of Eagle flies high into the heavens and moves easily between worlds, bridging earthly and spiritual power. He serves as the mediator and bearer of a new creative force. A Dove at the foot of His robe is the symbol of prophetic vision, balance, and peace within the maternal feminine. The winged Pegasus splashing in the waves of consciousness lifts you into higher realms of awareness. A cosmic stairway guides you on your journey to higher perception. The transformational fire blesses you as healing waters flow, blessing from the heavens above.

Archangel Michael is a powerful protector. When the card of Archangel Michael shows up, rest assured His energy is surrounding you… Should you ask, Archangel Michael will protect and assist you with the transformation of negative agendas or forces otherwise not of your highest good by connecting you to higher spiritual truths.

Choosing the Protection card could be a sign to step back and take inventory of whom or what you may be letting into your personal space. Perhaps He is inspiring you to enlist Him to cut some cords. Most likely He is inspiring you to raise your consciousness and connect you more with your spiritual essence. (…)”

My Take

It seems to me that there will be some major transformational energies at play over the next 28 days, energies that could easily cause major shifts in our perceptions of who we are and where we’re headed societally. Especially considering the first paragraph and the reframing of the Eagle, we could experience some major growing pains this month. The Eagle could easily be interpreted as the United States, or possibly even the ‘Western world’ in terms of how we think of societies on our planet.

It can’t hurt to call upon Archangel Michael or whatever Beings of similar protective intention we work with to help us raise our energies and protect ourselves, each other, and our highest intentions and ideals. Simply setting the intention of invoking protection and aspiring to create a higher expression of balance, awareness, and peace could shift the forces that we’re going to be called upon to collectively face.

I feel this card is yet again reflecting our year-long challenge of radical transformation posed by Saturn squaring Uranus (three times this year). We’re not out of the woods yet.

We can do this. We must not be afraid to cut away that which no longer serves us – yet we would be wise to invoke protection.