vultures Archives - Owl Medicine: Shamanic Healing

Some Days

Some days are harder than others, and some days are more interesting.

For instance, today I had the honor of serving on an arbitration panel at the Bucks County Courthouse. Few things thrill me more than fulfilling my annual obligation to serve on an arbitration panel.

Arbitration panels in Bucks County are comprised of three attorneys each, and hear cases that have been certified by the parties as having a jurisdictional dispute amount of up to $50,000.00 (fifty thousand dollars).

Their Day In Court

Aside from their desire to win their case (whether that means winning an award of monetary damages as a result of a car accident or enforcing a contract or resolving a dispute with a neighbor), it’s pretty obvious that the single most important service we provide as arbitrators is giving citizens their day in court.

If a panel does their job well, each party should, ideally, leave that arbitration room feeling heard and respected – regardless of whether they win or lose. They should feel both as though they had the opportunity to calmly explain their position and that they were listened to.

Photos

I had a couple of photos from nature that I intended to add to this post (yes, I felt they were oddly relevant), but alas, they’re stuck somewhere in the ether. It’s a little frustrating, as I thought I’d sent them to myself early enough in the evening to avoid this old trope. But no dice.

I’m just going to tell myself that this only frees up more creative options to use those photos in a future post. It also just means I need to go to bed.

Let’s hope tomorrow yields even greater opportunities for thoughtful reflection and the sharing of photos.

Role Models of Reflection; Photo: L. Weikel

(T-647)

Weird sunset (No filter) 4 October 19 – Photo: L.Weikel

Wild Sunset

The sunset in the above photo was not tonight’s. It was taken Friday night, while Karl and I were taking a walk.

I have to say, I was thrilled when the colors of the evening sky actually came through accurately. I’m always trying to snap at just the perfect moment when the automatic focus is hitting the sweet spot, usually ever so briefly. It’s an elusive game I play with myself. And to be honest, I rarely win.

But Friday night? Yeah. I won the lottery. Take another look at that photo and really take in the exquisite manner in which the colors segue into each other not subtly, as is often the case, but dramatically. Blue sky here – and boom – yellow/orange butting right up to it. No gradual or subtle blending or shading.

Next Night

After experiencing that amazing sunset roughly halfway through our walk, I have to tell you: we were also enchanted by the night sky as the stars became more and more brilliant the longer we walked. Alas, you’re all spared my rather hackneyed attempts at trying to share what I see in that regard, since shots of the stars and moon are notoriously difficult to take. The beauty of the constellations, though, was exquisite.

Then, during yesterday’s walk, we crested one of our hills along our circuit and came upon a feast in the making. It turned out that someone nearby had lost one of their chickens. And from the looks of the carcass, it was quite obviously a fine, healthy layer-of-eggs.

Photos: L. Weikel

Nevertheless, I was surprised at how bold these vultures (which we were taught to call ‘peace eagles’ years and years ago) were in hanging close to us. If you look closely, you will see a number of them lurking on the branches of surrounding trees, as well as out front,

Once again, I took a bunch of photos with my iPhone, and all in all, I think they turned out pretty well. I can assure you, none of the five or six peace eagles were all that off-put by our presence; at least, the delicious morsels this sacrificial chicken was providing them were more than worth the choice to stick their ground and not fly off in a frenzy of fear.

Personally, I’m feeling their appearance this weekend was all about encouraging both Karl and me to allow the old ways of thinking and resisting to die. It’s time to recycle those old thoughts and limiting beliefs so that new experiences can be seen, experienced, and celebrated. And finally, it’s all worth the time it’s taking to bring in the new.

Here’s to a new and improved week of exploration in all that’s possible!