Elk reversed Archives - Owl Medicine: Shamanic Healing

Uncomfortably Highlighted

Man, I have to tell you, these days of interrupted walking are devastating to my 1111 Devotion. My reliance on my walks for inspiration, usually photographic but sometimes simply related to the creatures I encounter or the images I see in the sky, is uncomfortably highlighted. I need my walks – both on the physical and the creative side.

Today’s weather frustrated me. Initially I sat outside on our porch to do my work. It was chilly out first thing, but the cool breeze was refreshing and a welcome reprieve from the gross heat that felt inescapable the past few days. But the temperature barely got over 60 degrees today!

I realize now I should’ve walked early in the morning. But that window of opportunity slammed shut way earlier than I expected. I checked my weather app and thought I had sufficient time to take a quick walk after an early afternoon appointment. Sadly for both my weekly walking average and me, the rain arrived earlier than predicted and lingered far longer than expected.

Spartacus is unamused – Photo: L. Weikel

Time to Go Inside

I tried gutting it out. In fact, at first the cool air was legitimately refreshing. At least I told myself it was. The temperature was at least 30 degrees cooler than it was only a day or two ago – but then the dim, overcast clouds decided to drop a steady, relentless, chilled, and soaking rain on us (Spartacus was ever at my side). It was time to go inside.

Speaking of Spartacus, he was not amused. But as I mentioned, he never left my side. As long as I kept the blankets piled on top of him, he was content to gut it out in a state of slumber.

My only consolation as far as my walking goes is that I mowed the lawn yesterday. In doing so, I managed to walk the equivalent of 1.8 miles. Thank goodness I did! Because today I could practically see the grass growing with my naked eye.

Elk Reversed

I’m going to leave you with some of the clouds that began rolling in late yesterday afternoon. They heralded a massive thunderstorm that just brushed past us.

This is the best I can muster, folks. Not sure why I’m feeling especially tired this evening. It doesn’t make a lot of sense; but maybe sometimes we just need to listen to our bodies. And since I chose Elk reversed squared today, it’s probably best if I just all it a night and hit the sheets.

(Elk’s keyword is stamina. And when it’s upside down, it’s usually taken as a warning that you’re stretching yourself so thin that you just might snap.)

I’m looking forward to tomorrow.

(T-168)

When We Become Saturated

Earlier today, I was sitting by my Sacred Tohickon, trying to ‘make effective use of my time.’ I’d brought my laptop with me, forgetting that I don’t have access to the internet when I’m at the creek.

How could I forget such an obvious and essential bit of information?

I think sometimes we forget things when we become saturated. At least I do. Saturated with thoughts, feelings, worries, to-do lists; internal chatter that runs the gamut from small anxieties to existential concerns.

And I have to wonder what internal trigger finally needs to get reached that pulls the emergency cord.

Perhaps it isn’t an internal trigger. Maybe it’s external. External – but not visible. Or at least not self-originating. And by that, I mean maybe we have guides or guardians who, when they see us approaching meltdown, pull the emergency cord on our behalf.

I do know that I chose Elk reversed today. So on some level, somebody (perhaps my own soul) was yanking on the cord that triggers the emergency brake. Indeed, I chose Elk reversed with Blue Heron underneath: Self Reflection.

The key word for Elk is “Stamina.” Thus, while Elk reversed can be interpreted a couple of different ways, it usually means (again, for me anyway) I’ve been burning the candle at both ends and I need to stop. I need to stop before circumstances knock me down.

Specifically, the words that jumped out at me from the Medicine Cards^®book are:

“If Elk has appeared in the reverse position, you may be stretching the rubber band to the breaking point. Be careful of undue stress levels, or you might just create an illness to force you to take a break.

(…)

In all cases, Elk is telling you to look at how you choose to create your present pathway, and how you intend to perpetuate it to reach your goal. Your best weapon is the same as Elk’s: to stop when you need to, to persist when you need to, and to allow room for change and exchange of energies.”

And as I said above, underneath my Elk reversed was Blue Heron, whose keyword is “Self-Reflection.”

The very first line of Blue Heron is as follows:

“Heron medicine is the power of knowing the self by discovering its gifts and facing its challenges.”

Facing My Challenges

I readily admit, one of my greatest challenges is learning how to take true quality time for myself. And I think that’s because it’s rarely ‘convenient’ to do so. And by convenient, I don’t necessarily mean ‘easy.’ But I do mean ‘it won’t make me feel like I’m selfishly taking time away from someone who does not have the luxury of choosing what they’re dealing with.’

For all my laughable travails with cars that flash the RT of D, or whose back ends come off in my hands, I feel profoundly grateful for the abundance of love, great health, and opportunity that I enjoy in my life.

And yet…I know I need to stop. I need to take a breather. I need to gather up my energy, consolidate it, and decide where I want to focus it next.

So – here’s the deal. For all that I just wrote above, I’m being challenged once again (quite literally) in this very moment:

The Gifts – and Challenges – of Sticky Wet Snow

I was going to write about how the gorgeous wet snow, which is piling up on all the branches in exquisite outlines of every crook and twig, is reinforcing within m the essential nature of stopping and consolidating myself and my energy. And I was going to include two beautiful photos I just took as I was standing on my porch.

But no. The electricity just went out. I can feel the cold seeping into the house – and this room in particular – already. And I am thwarted from uploading my photos as well as publishing this post in a timely fashion.

So I will take this time to honor my self and my allies. It’s time to step back from the grind and give myself permission to be tired. And as soon as I am able, I will reconnect with you, my precious readers, my fellow devotional travelers.

Wishing you peace – and the gift of self-reflection and understanding.

Night Snowfall -Photo: L.Weikel

(T- 999) P.S.: It’s been almost 13 hours now (1:03 p.m.) and I’m at a Starbucks. We still have no electricity at home. Hoping to have it restored by 8:00 p.m.