clouds

Mixing It Up – Day 547

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Nothing But Swirls and Fenceposts – Photo: L.Weikel

Mixing It Up

If you’ve been reading my posts for any length of time, first of all thank you, and second of all you probably realize that you never know what I’m going to write about from one day to the next. It’s the old “keep ‘em guessing” strategy. You know: mixing it up so you never know if you’re going to miss one of the good ones – making every day’s offering an adventure of discovery.

Yikes. I’m dredging from my college days now, making whip-smart use of that psychology degree by employing intermittent reinforcement to the readers of my blog posts. B. F. Skinner would be proud.

Actually, it’s not intentional. Not in the nefarious way I’m alluding to, anyway. It is intentional in respect to the fact that I try to stay away from writing too much about any one subject. My thoughts do bounce around from one topic to another.

A Niche

I think maybe I thought, or was hoping, I’d have discovered a niche by now. But no. Five hundred forty seven days into the 1111 Devotion project and no discernible niche has revealed itself. I guess I’m just a jack-of-all-subjects and master-of-none.

If you were to take a gander at the photos on my iPhone, though, you might come to another conclusion. You very well might think, “This chick should’ve become a meteorologist. Clearly she has a thing for clouds and other weather events.” And you would not be wrong.

Clouds

I adore clouds. I’m confident this comes as no surprise to any of you. And I particularly love letting my gaze soften when I look to the sky and allowing myself to simply see what’s up there. Like the angel’s wings I wrote about last week, and any number of other posts I’ve share about clouds that have appeared to me in intriguing shapes.

Just a day or so ago, I caught this one:

Fox Chasing Bird – Photo: L. Weikel

In my imagination, I easily see a fox chasing an oversized bird right across the sky.

No, I don’t feel there’s any particular message associated with that image. It’s simply a delight. A whimsical interlude punctuating one of our walks.

And that’s an important aspect of what I do as well, or perhaps how I approach life, that many people don’t realize. I don’t try to wring a message or a lesson out of every single thing that happens to me or that comes to my attention. I know it may seem as if I do, but in truth, there’s a unique sense of significance that I sense deep within when I encounter a ‘message.’

Cultivating that sense is something that comes with practice. But first things first – which means, you have to do a lot of noticing and paying attention to realize which experiences coming your way are messages and which are simply interludes of beauty, or pain, or something else in your life that are ‘only’ important in that moment.

 

(T-564)

Didn’t See That – Day 538

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Angel’s Wings – Photo: L. Weikel

Didn’t See That

Walking this early evening was a particularly spectacular treat. The setting sun toyed with the clouds that cascaded across the sky and created moment after moment that demanded our attention. I would try to swear off taking any further photos, only to relent to the temptation time after time. One particular effort, though, yielded a photo that simply didn’t resemble what we were observing. “I didn’t see that, did you?” I asked Karl when I showed him the photo on my iPhone’s screen.

We both looked up at the sky, the clouds arcing across the sky before us. Then we looked down at my iPhone. Nope. Not the same.

Angel’s Wings

There a chance that even transferring the image to a larger screen (such as a laptop or desktop) will wreck the effect of what we both saw within moments of each other – and that’s the angel’s wings.

To both of us, the photo seemed to clearly reflect wings high above us, holding, protecting, and shielding us (and all our neighbors – indeed, the entire world) from harm. But when we simply looked at the sky, all we saw was the initial beauty that had warranted taking the photo in the first place.

We kept looking back and forth between the actual sky and the photograph. It was as if an angelic or higher force is trying to keep us protected and centered, but chooses to remain anonymous. And it was only through the perspective afforded by the camera’s unique lenses that revealed the support hidden in plain sight.

And regardless of the objective ‘truth’ of unseen protection, it is a comforting thought sometimes to think that it might occur, especially when so many people are refusing to take responsibility for themselves (and all of us). When everything else has failed, there is a power in allowing our imagination to ease our stress even just a notch or two, simply by bolstering a sense that a higher power is protecting us from the most dangerous among us.

Even the most cynical among us cannot dispute the research that establishes that stress makes us more vulnerable to illness and other maladies. Surely feeling that there’s some unseen protection can bolster our immune systems even a little bit?

At the very least, it made us smile.

Sunset Spectacular

About a mile of our walk later, we crested a hill and encountered a sunset of epic beauty. Perhaps it’s a result of all the rain we’ve had lately, but wow. In spite of the reality of the astonishing number of deaths occurring in our country and across the world, it is indisputably easier – at least for a few short moments – to disengage the clutch that always has our minds in gear and allow ourselves to simply get lost in the unspeakable beauty of a moment.

Everything about this evening has been exquisite. The song of the frogs and peepers, the brilliance of the first quarter moon and Venus, the darting and dives of bats freeing themselves from the confines of their homes (perhaps our attics?) as they lunge after mosquitos and other winged morsels.

Yes. For just a moment or two, or maybe even an hour or two if we were lucky, it was possible to imagine that this pandemic was a very grotesque dream. Of course, indulging in such an imaginary experience is only possible if we are lucky enough not to be in the throes of grief; of feeling the oppressive loss of someone we love to this killer virus.

But if we can, if we can find those moments when we can immerse ourselves in the magic that may be accidentally revealed to us every now and again, then maybe we can also find the grace to carry on one more day of ‘physical distancing’ while embracing ‘spiritual union’ with All That Is. You may initially think, “I didn’t see that.” But when it’s revealed, you’ll know; and feel all the stronger for it.

Sunset 2 May 2020 – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-573)

Enjoy the Clouds – Day 470

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Photo: L. Weikel

Enjoy the Clouds

Some evenings I sit here and struggle to come up with a topic that might be even remotely interesting for you to read. And sometimes the best I can come up with is to suggest that we all just enjoy the clouds.

Tonight, for instance, I thought of a handful of subjects that have been running around in my brain like squirrels being chased by Spartacus, but decided, for one reason or another, were not places I really wanted to ‘go.’ It feels like the only way we can avoid absolutely every day being a challenge to our equilibrium is to almost become hermit-like. And that’s darn near impossible for most of us.

Sometimes, as you well know, I can’t keep my passions under wraps, particularly if I’ve been watching tv (like I will be tomorrow night, watching the last debate before a large swath of our country weighs in on who will be the Democratic nominee for president). And while I know it’s ok for me to ‘let it rip’ on whatever I choose, I do try to be mindful of the diversity of my readers and refrain from poking my stick into too many eyes (at least not that often).

Photo: L. Weikel

 

Look Up

I’ve been lucky enough to have a chance to walk a lot this winter. I’m not loving the mildness of the weather this winter, but it has made walking every night at least somewhat less of a hassle. Especially over the past three days, it’s been easy to average a bit over 4 miles each day.

Tonight’s walk, though, just begged us to “Look up!” At first, the sun simply looked particularly exotic as it started sinking in the west, rays bouncing off and squinting out from behind clouds. But later, those same clouds took on some fascinating and varied shapes all within the same small area of sky.

Without doubt, the performance by the cloud brigade as our walk approached its last stages this evening left Karl and me in silent appreciation of just how lucky we are in so many ways.

I even fancied seeing wings in the clouds. I’ll admit it; the simple beauty of these meteorological wonders lightened the load on my heart.

Wings – Photo: L. Weikel

So I offer them to you. Because that’s the tone I wish to set at this new moon: An intention to look up, witness the natural beauty that surrounds us, and smile at the hints that, despite appearances, we must make the effort to enjoy the clouds – and hold on to our hope.

February sunset – Photo: L. Weikel

 

(T-641)

Cloud Goblin – Day 225

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Cloud Goblin – Photo: L. Weikel

Cloud Goblin

If you’ve been hanging with me and reading my daily posts for a while, you’ll undoubtedly agree that I have a thing for clouds.

When I scan the photos I’ve stored on my phone, the vast majority are of clouds. Sunsets are probably a close second, although they would probably vie for that position with my totally cherished and unabashedly spoiled pets.

My particular fondness for capturing images of clouds is connected to how these images almost always reveal shapes or faces or images that I didn’t even see when I snapped the shot. I’ve shared a number of unique clouds with you already.

Honestly, in many ways they feel like a readily available and nearly endless supply of inspiration. And with the prospect of at least another 886 posts ahead of me, my appreciation for this atmospheric support group is monumental.

Cloud Readings

There have been times when I’ve been known to give ‘cloud readings.’ The only time I’ve ever given them in a somewhat formal fashion was when I was appearing at the Tinicum Arts Festival in my role as the WiseWoman of Wormansville.

It’s funny, because I actually offered ‘Cloud Readings’ as an option specifically because I own a wonderful divinatory set called Cloud Dancing – Wisdom From the Sky, which I intended to use.  But when people approached me and were more interested in receiving a “Cloud Reading’ than in a Medicine Card reading (gasp!), the look of disappointment on their faces when I pulled out the cards took me totally by surprise.

As a result, I decided to plunge headlong into the unknown. I trusted myself and simply looked up. I told them what I saw.

Judging from their reactions, the risk was worth it.

Some Surprises

Occasionally, when I start scrolling through my cloud photos, I’ll see something entirely different or new than what I saw when I snapped the photo. Many times, I just whip out my phone and take a photo because I love the colors, or because I see something that – in retrospect – I can’t for the life of me see again.

Tonight, for instance, Karl and I found ourselves walking with our heads tilted upward a great deal of our walk. (I’m probably going to have a sore neck tomorrow!) The ripples of the clouds were rather fascinating to observe, but I couldn’t seem to capture the effect that was so mesmerizing to us.

Nevertheless, when I started to write tonight, I quickly took a glance at the photos I took. I became intrigued by one in particular. Suddenly, and completely unexpectedly, a face made itself obvious to me. Once I saw ‘him’ I couldn’t unsee him.

I call the photo Cloud Goblin.

I share him here, without an interpretation. Just a face in the sky. And an inspiration I didn’t see coming – for which I’m nevertheless grateful – for yet another 1111 Devotion blog post.

(T-886)

Best Weekend Ever – Day 224

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Clouds – 20 June 19; Photo: L. Weikel

Best Weekend Ever

When it comes to weather, this past weekend has to rank up there in the category of ‘best ever.’ We just had two of the best days I can remember in a very long time.

Every now and then some ethereal clouds would pass across the backdrop of blue that dominated daylight both Saturday and Sunday. But they were really only decoration. Or perhaps visible cues that perfection is sometimes more perfect when disrupted by something unexpected.

And the breezes, oh my. It was warm out – in the 80s – but throughout both days, cool breezes would kick up bringing perfect relief before the warmth had a chance to sink in too deeply.

It’s trite, I suppose, to ‘talk about the weather’ when I don’t have much else to say. But really and truly, just as I mentioned in yesterday’s post, sometimes the best experiences or the most beautiful things or maybe even simply the most amazing people are available or happening to us right here, right now, right in the midst of our very own lives.

This reminds me of an article I just read the other day about, yet again, the healing power of nature and the value of being in nature. The article is about a hospital in Norway where patients can experience the joy and other benefits of being in nature while reveling in a cabin built in the woods and located within several hundred feet of the hospital.

Imagine if we could offer such access to Mother Nature to most patients. Heck, imagine how much everything could change if we could just get everyone in our culture to reconnect with the natural world. We would experience such a shift in perspective; I just know it.

 

Back in the Saddle – Day 176

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Breathtaking Beauty – Photo: L. Weikel

Back in the Saddle

We managed to get back on the proverbial horse today, Spartacus and I. We walked. Gratefully. Without incident.

That does remind me, though. The next chance I get, I’ll have to take a photo of the Wolfhounds that now bark at and chase us aggressively all along their masters’ property line (as it follows the road). They live on our road but are only now on our route when we take ‘the longer way.’

These dogs are massive and there are five of them. All appearances would indicate that they would all enjoy an evening snack on some tasty Boston Terrier. Honestly, I can’t tell if they’re just big talkers or if they would try to eat him for lunch. But they sure do bark a good game.

Recent Days Have Felt Distorted

It felt great to be walking again today. Although I did walk on Saturday (I’m pretty sure I even posted a photo of the lonely empty path before me – without Spartacus or Sheila leading the way), it’s felt like I’ve been away from my ‘habit’ a lot longer. I can’t quite explain it. The last few days have felt like they passed through a thick jelly-like atmosphere. It’s sort of felt like I was trying to run in a swimming pool.

The clouds were particularly magnificent this early evening. They caught in my chest, filling my heart with awe.

And you are all probably on to me by now: When I run out of words, I post photos.

Some Days Silence is All One Can Muster

Karl and I were silent during most of our walk today. The majesty conveyed by the clouds felt like it would be profane to make small talk when surrounded by these massive intermediaries between the Upper World and the Middle World.

And with practically every step we took, these Beings shifted and parted. Danced and obscured. Pretended they were bringing wild winds and whipping rain.

It’s at times like these that I feel so small.

Bank of Clouds – Is that a Silver Lining? Photo: L. Weikel

 

(T-935)

Sunset Dakini – Day Seventy Six

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Photo by L.Weikel

Sunset Dakini         

We took a walk late this afternoon. I’m including a few photos I took of the western sky as we crested the hill about half a mile from our house. This is the place where we’re wowed most often by the artistry of our atmosphere.

When I took the photos, I knew the designs in the sky were remarkable. But sometimes it’s not until you get home and you have a chance to look at them in a different context that the images make an even greater impression.

When I saw the first wispy squiggles taking shape, I almost ignored them. My attention was much more powerfully drawn to the burning brilliance of the sun’s rays blazing through the gaps in the clouds just above the horizon.

But something called to me. Those much paler clouds that looked like a feeble attempt at calligraphy asked to be noticed.

And as I did indeed start paying attention to that seemingly less dramatic part of the sky, those strokes of water vapor seemed to coalesce into a face of startling ferocity. Indeed, it appeared to be swooping down toward Earth in a fiery whoosh.

The word that came to mind was dakini.

mayumioda.org

Photo by L. Weikel

I honestly had no idea I was going to write about these photos – nor, especially, of my thought, “Dakini,” that had whispered in the back of my mind when I first looked at the photos I’d taken on my iPhone. Consequently, I’m a bit astonished that my Dakini – my “sky-goer” or “space dancer” which is what the Tibetan word for dakini, khandro, means, is asking to be acknowledged.

But here she is. And this is the little bit I’m finding in my brief search of the word. I refer you to the website from which I’m offering a few quotes, Dakini Power.

Dakini (Sanskrit): A Female Messenger of Wisdom

“A female embodiment of enlightenment is called a dakini. In the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit. (…) “‘The dakinis are the most important elements of the enlightened feminine in Teibten Buddhism,’ says American teacher Tsultrim Allione. ‘(…) Sometimes the dakinis appear as messengers, sometimes as guides, and sometimes as protectors.’”

I don’t honestly know why I’ve written this post. Perhaps the Dakini (it feels right to capitalize this, I’m not sure why – probably out of respect?) simply wanted to be acknowledged.

I’d like to think perhaps she is acting as a messenger to me. Perhaps she is bringing me some wisdom, perhaps tonight in the dreamtime. Or maybe simply by spurring me to look her up in this way and write about her ever so briefly, I will receive some transmission.

Who knows?

From what I can tell, I’m no further along in my understanding of what the message that I described in yesterday’s post is about.

But I saw a dakini in the sky tonight. That’s something.

(T-1035)