individuality Archives - Owl Medicine: Shamanic Healing

Diversity

It’s amazing to me how siblings can have the same parents and yet have utterly divergent personalities and proclivities. I guess it shouldn’t surprise me, though – not when I consider the nature of my work and the things I’ve seen. But the astonishing diversity of life’s expression, whether it be human or animal, always holds a certain mystery.

Pacha and Brutus have been bringing this concept home for me lately. I know they are litter-mates. I saw their brothers (Pacha was the only female of the lot), and I played with their parents. And while they didn’t seem like clones of each other, you could definitely tell they were all playful and loved.

Right off the bat, though, Brutus wanted to be cuddled. He practically ran into my lap when I crouched down to sit cross-legged on the family’s front lawn. And while he couldn’t resist popping up and scurrying around to tumble and tug with his siblings, he would occasionally (and endearingly) touch base with me by running back and hopping into my lap again.

Pumpkin Scarfer

Pacha, on the other hand, seemed intent on ripping into a slightly smashed pumpkin that was under a bench at the side of the yard. She furtively snuffled her little piggy snout into the soft orange flesh and clearly relished scarfing it up. She joined in on the sibling tumbles too – and made a point of currying favor with Karl – but she was also definitely more independent.

Carrying that attitude forward, she continues to be a free-thinker. She eschews the limits we place on her and gives us the paw at every opportunity.

Most recently, she’s begun bending into a ‘down dog’ yogic position and barking at me when I call to her and ask/coax/command her to ‘come’ to me. A most defiant little pup. Not to worry; I’ve spoken to some who know what they’re doing – and I’m cautiously optimistic that she’ll soon realize I’m a bigger dog than she is. But it does make me wonder at their seemingly almost opposite personalities.

Puppy Pile (Pacha on top) – Photo: L. Weikel

Unique

Ultimately, we’re all unique. Only some of the diversity of our ‘selves’ can be explained by genetics. At least that’s my opinion. Yes, genes can combine in a vast array of different sequences, all creating different combinations of characteristics, etc. But I also think there’s something to be said for the individuality of our souls. And yes, I do believe animals have souls. They may not be quite the same as human souls, but there is something there when you look into an animal’s eyes that has a distinct essence to it that goes beyond skin, bones, and brain function.

I’m just scratching the surface of what I think about sometimes when I watch these pups interact with us, each other, and the other beings that inhabit this household.

But for now, all I’m saying is, there’s a reason why sometimes there may seem to be more photos of Brutus than there are of Pacha. He hangs around with me and gives me more photo-ops. Pacha would rather be out raiding a pumpkin patch or gnawing bark off our maple tree. (Sigh.) Or just giving me the paw.

Brutie helping me bake a Carol’s Chocolate Cake – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-16)

First Watchers – Photo: L. Weikel

Watchers

Yesterday and especially today I began seeing evidence that ‘watchers’ and ‘witnesses’ are arriving on the scene. My sense is that the purpose underlying their presence is at minimum two-fold and quite possibly manifold.

First of all, the couple of small watchers that appeared above me as I sat at on a boulder in the middle of the Tohickon yesterday felt playful. The one on the right appeared to be diving down toward me, sort of emulating a person doing the frog kick of a swimmer doing breaststroke. I don’t know why, but it conveyed to me a message of, “Hey! Don’t stay down. Lighten up! Release your overwhelm into the flow of the creek and play. Know that we’re here. You’re not alone.”

Simply sitting at the creek the way I did and allowing myself to drink in the serenity of that place for half an hour was precious and restorative to my sense of well-being.

Getting Closer – Photo: L. Weikel

Getting Closer

Then we walked tonight and the sense of more beings making a closer inspection was palpable. Not only was I aware of the difference in size and demeanor of tonight’s visitors as compared to yesterday’s, the sense of scrutiny (perhaps both of being scrutinized and being asked to view circumstances with greater attention) was dramatically different.

There’s a lot going on right now. We’re hearing warnings – especially over the past few days – that have not been expressed since the midst of the Civil War, and some would argue, not since the inception of this country.

I do believe we’re being watched to see how we will react to these times of unprecedented choice. Of course there may or many not be interest in whether the grand experiment known as the United States of America will survive now that someone is basically refusing to abide by long-established ‘norms’ of behavior that most people never thought needed to be codified.

Universal Implications

But I get the feeling that the interest goes well beyond interest in the survival of our baby country. It’s the impact our survival as the beacon of ‘free and fair elections,’ of the champion of the ‘rule of law’ and ‘peaceful succession of power,’ will have on the rest of our planet. And the reason this survival issue is of interest to beings that may be viewing from ‘above,’ if you will, is because whether we choose to apply the underlying principles of love, justice, fairness, compassion, and responsibility to each other will literally ripple out into the Universe.

Do we choose our personal freedom to say, do, and be whatever we want without any thought to the way our choices impact others? Or do we recognize a higher octave of freedom? The higher octave that demands that we exercise our freedom to protect and ensure the rights of all?

Choices Matter

Right now, the choices we make have monumental consequences. Our responsibility to ourselves, each other, those with whom we share this planet, the planet herself, and sentient beings existing beyond our usual perceptions is being tested by fire.

They’re watching. We need to watch ourselves.