Luminous Sheep

Karl and I were approaching the last leg of our walk as we followed the road up the hill. The field that’s lain fallow throughout the winter (such as it’s been) and last was home to an entire tribe of adorable pigs and piglets is now being grazed upon by sheep. And lambs! And not just your everyday sheep, I’ll have you know. No, they are luminous sheep.

Oh sure. Smile to yourself. “There goes Lisa, aggrandizing the mutton.”

But you forget. I was a girl scout. Always prepared. (Or was that the boy scout motto?) Anyway, it didn’t matter.

Thrusting Sheila’s pink plastic leash into Karl’s hand, I leapt into action. “I have to get a shot of those sheep! Look at them! They’re luminous,” I swooned.

The Approach

We were eyed warily as we edged closer and closer. The older, wiser sheep had no intention of losing sight of the two approaching Boston Terriers for even a second, not realizing one of them is deaf and blind, and the other fondly remembers the chase but is rarely inclined to give it any longer.

In fact, the elder sheep wasted no time making their way away from the barbed wire fence that parallels the road, self-herding themselves and their progeny to the far safer climes in the center of the field. The lambs protested plaintively as their mothers bleated commands to ignore me and head for the anonymity found in the midst of the herd.

In spite of me using my best baby/small animal voice on them, trying to coax them to remain near the edge of the field closest to me, they turned up their tails and took off.

But that’s when I appreciated even more just how luminous they appeared, the setting sun bathing them in a brilliant light that honestly made them look like clouds with a silver lining.

Seeking New Beginnings

A moment ago, I looked up the spiritual attributes associated with sheep in Animal Speak* by Ted Andrews and was pleased to see the keynote being: Seeking New Beginnings.

This paragraph leapt out at me:

“If the ram (sheep) has come into your life, do some examination – but don’t take too long with it. It is usually an indication of a time to make some new beginnings, to initiate new endeavors – rather than just think about it. Are you taking advantage of opportunities that are presenting themselves? Are you staying balanced as you make new leaps and climbs? Are you initiating things appropriately? Are you acting on your ideas or just talking about them? When the ram (sheep) shows up, it will teach you to bring forth the power of the mind and imagination and use them to seek out new heights and new adventures.”

Hmm. As we take the first tentative steps toward spring, I’d say these are some great questions for all of us to ponder. What say you, my luminous friends?