Perelandra

Tornado Warning – ND #115

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Ominous Arrival – ND #115

Tornado Warning

Happy very blustery first day of April. The post I started writing last night began with how we were under a tornado warning. Literally, here in eastern Pennsylvania, my cell phone began blaring a very abrasive sound and the words that popped onto the screen warned that I should immediately retreat to a cellar or basemen, or short of that, take shelter in a place devoid of windows or in the center of the house.

Karl was asleep on the couch, although the noxious noise did rouse him a little (although not enough to get up). The wind was wild and there was a lot of lightning, which felt ominous. (I can’t explain it, but it didn’t feel like a normal thunderstorm.) I was vigilant – monitoring the way the air felt and the way the wind sounded – and had already rehearsed in my head the tenor of voice I’d use to get Karl on his feet in a split second and how we would each scoop up an animal or two to get them into the cellar with us.

For about ten minutes, I kept saying out loud, “That doesn’t sound right.” I’d mute the tv so I could track the storm even better. And yet through it all, I kept hearing my own train of thought telling me there was no way we’d be hit by a tornado.

Guess I was wrong. (This was only a couple miles from our house.) Or maybe my intuition was right to make a plan in my head as to the quickest way to bolt into the cellar – in spite of my skepticism!

A Bouquet of Crocuses from the Spirits of the Land – Photo: L. Weikel

Had a Conversation

I had a little chat with the Spirits of my land today while I performed my EoP Biodiversity Process. It always warms my heart to have a heartfelt conversation with the Spirits of our land. I think it’s because I sense that it still surprises them to actually have a human paying attention to them and speaking to them with specificity, intention, and gratitude.

I’d hoped to have a new moon fire today, but it was far too windy. Maybe tomorrow. Just in case you haven’t yet given yourself permission to sit quietly and contemplate the opportunities you’d like to pursue (or perhaps even more powerfully, the feelings you’d like to bring into your life) over the next month and two plus years, you still have time. Everything doesn’t have to be set in stone by the moment the sun and moon conjunct each other. No, the energies of a new moon begin shortly before the astronomical occurrence and last for a few days afterward.

So I encourage you: get real with yourself. Have a think this weekend. How do you want to feel at the end of this month? What would you love to manifest in your life by June of 2024?

(T+115)

1st Day of April is Approaching – ND #112

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Potato Dragon – Photo: L. Weikel

1st Day of April is Approaching

Here are a couple of bibs and bobs that are floating around in my head and need to be written down so, collectively, we can remember them. Importantly, the 1st day of April is approaching and – if you choose to participate – we should all be making sure we’re ready for the Perelandra EoP (Essence of Perelandra) Biodiversity Process. For me that mostly means making sure I remind myself of what day it is! I also keep my EoP drops out on my porch, along with a spoon, so I can pop out there in the spur of the moment (in other words – when it pops into my head on the 1st!) and take the two minutes required of me to engage in the process.

It really is quite simple. And yet when I engage in this process, the most profound feeling I get is one of gratitude from the Beings with whom I share our property (both seen and unseen). If I accomplish nothing else through participation in this process than connecting with the Nature Beings and letting them know I’m part of a network of humans who care about the Earth and all who live upon her, then I feel my time and energy is well spent. They notice; and that matters.

That’s why I invite all of you to participate as well. Sometimes we look around and see all the…stuff…going on in the world and we don’t have a single clue as to what we can do about it. This is but one teeny tiny drop in a bucket of maelstroms, but it works on a myriad of levels.

Whimsy

And the other thing I wanted to write about was to remind you to pay attention to your whimsy. Indeed, the name of my Potato Dragon, featured as the lead photo of this post, is Whimsy.

And you have to admit, she is a pretty photogenic little dragon. It felt like a harbinger of great new experiences, opportunities, and people entering my life when I encountered this creature springing forth from a potato this afternoon. And if you look closer, it almost looks like she has a little friend hitching a ride on her back.

Hmm. Maybe I should interpret that as the entrance of Whimsy2 in my life?

Sounds good to me.

It’s spring. Let’s play a little. Talk to the trees. Laugh with the bees. Make friends with potato sprouts.

(T+112)

First of March – ND #83

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Last Sunset of February 2022 – Photo: L. Weikel

First of March

Tonight is the last night of February, so by the time you’re reading this, it’ll be the first day of March. Time does march relentlessly forward, doesn’t it? But you also know what it means to be the first day of the month! It’s Perelandra time! I want to remind us all to take those fewer than five minutes or so required to engage in the Perelandra EoP Biodiversity Process tomorrow. You have all day to do it.

Goodness knows, any effort to reach out and work with like-minded people who care about the environment and want to promote balance and minimize the effects of climate change is a worthwhile activity. And in truth, I am sure it’s the only way we’re going to instigate change.

Indeed, we’re seeing the goosebump-raising power of countries linking hands and declaring Putin’s actions as 100 % unacceptable. The manner in which almost the entire world is rising up to show solidarity with Ukraine is heartening. It’s certainly giving me hope for humanity. I love when I see people rise up spontaneously on behalf of what is right.

Brutus – Photo: L. Weikel

Time

Speaking of time whizzing by, I think it’s time for me to give a Pupdate. It’s hard to believe these little munchkins will be seven months old the day after tomorrow, but it’s true.

They are such a joy – even when acting like the equivalent of teenagers! But the greatest gift of all is probably the cuddles and unconditional love.

It was so wonderful to hear that Poland opened its borders to Ukrainian refugees and lifted the restrictions on bringing pets. What a profound act of love and understanding. I can’t imagine having to leave my puppies (or kitties – even Cletus) behind if we had to flee. Allowing people to bring their pets feels incredibly compassionate. The horrors that Ukrainians are dealing with right now are hard enough to imagine. But to have to leave your beloved pets behind?

It seems we’re seeing a lot more surprising instances of kindness in the way most people are behaving in this conflict. Kindness, compassion, solidarity, ferocity. In many ways it feels like we’re seeing the absolute best of humanity.

Sadly, we’re also seeing – I’m not sure what. Madness? If it weren’t so horrific (and unpredictably precarious and uncertain) Putin’s behavior would be tragically sad. Perhaps it is both anyway.

Sleepy Pacha – Photo: L. Weikel

All Over the Place

I realize this post is hopping from one thought to another. I hope you enjoy my photos of Pacha and Brutus. And I urge you to engage in the Biodiversity Process tomorrow.

I wonder what the Crossroads from yesterday will bring to us this week…

Brutie – notice the ears – Photo: L. Weikel

(T+83)

Halloween – Day 1084

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Spooky House! – Photo: L. Weikel

Halloween

My family was in a pumpkin carving mood this year and I’m the richer for it! I adore the look these translucent gourds bring to our old house. We look the part of the spooky haunted house for Halloween. Bwahahahah!

I’m simply going to offer the bounty of carvings that were created this year to entertain you in your morning perusal of my post.

My Contribution

My job was roasting the seeds that we extricated from the pumpkins. Yum. It’s a simple task, actually. First, of course, separating the seeds from the stringy orange innards, then rinsing them in cold water. I then line a cookie pan with foil and spray it with olive oil. I spread the seeds out onto the pan and sprinkle either sea salt or Spike on the glistening seeds. I’ve occasionally been known to sprinkle cayenne pepper on them as well. I put them in the oven at 350 degrees and roast them for about 10-15 minutes. I then stir them and flip them and swirl them all around, and then pop them back in the oven for another 10 minutes or so.

While I know they’re absolute calorie bombs, I’ve been sneaking them nonetheless. There’s something inherently powerful in the act of ingesting something that’s filled with the potential for growth and new life. It feels especially powerful to both eat the seeds in a sacred manner (i.e., when not sneaking them), consciously focusing your awareness on the creative energy latent in that tiny package, and engaging in this deliberate ingestion of energy at the time of the new moon.

How powerful (and delicious) it will be to infuse whatever projects, ideas, or intentions you set at this new moon (arriving this Thursday, November 4th) with the power of Mother Earth’s pumpkin seeds.

One Other Thing

Finally, please don’t forget to join me in our one small act to counteract the effects of climate change. Yes, believe it or not, November will be upon us in the blink of an eye. Don’t forget to engage in the Essence of Perelandra (EoP) Biodiversity Process sometime during Monday, November 1st. It’s only five minutes (at the most) out of your life and yet it promotes our unique relationship with and awareness of the forces of Nature and manifests an intention to keep it all together and functioning in balance by counteracting the effects of climate change.

Wishing you all a sacred Samhain.

T’s Cauldron – All photos: L. Weikel

(T-27)

Odd Ducks – Day 1054

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Mergansers? Odd Ducks – Photo: L. Weikel

Odd Ducks

Another month is over. Only three remain in 2021. Campaign signs are sprouting up on lawns and proliferating in the ‘unoccupied territories’ of weeds near stop signs. It seems like nothing changes. And yet, at the same time, we know everything does. We know it and yet a part of us works overtime to remain in denial. We humans are odd ducks indeed.

One thing that’s changed dramatically since last week is the weather. Suddenly it’s fall. There’s an unmistakable shift in the air. It’s crisper. And the light? It’s gone by 7:15 p.m.  All of which means it’s time to start thinking about hunkering down.

Photo: L. Weikel

Quick Reminder

Since we’re starting a new month tomorrow (today by the time you read this), it’s incumbent upon me to remind you of your opportunity to enter into active relationship with Nature and the spirits of your land (no matter where you live) to create balance and minimize the effects of climate change.

Yes, I’m reminding you to whip out your Essence of Perelandra bottle and engage in the Essence of Perelandra Biodiversity Project. It literally takes no more than five minutes to employ this process yet the impact is profound. And it has a cumulative effect, so no matter when you start, know that every time you do it, you’re reinforcing your connection with the appropriate nature spirits and making life better for all Beings.

It amazes me to realize I’ve been writing about the EoP Biodiversity Project for over two years. Perhaps it’s because it’s so simple, people are inclined to think it’s not powerful. And yet…

Handsome Young Buck – Photo: L. Weikel

They Need Us to Care

I ran into this guy the other day (luckily not literally). I just love his antlers. They seem so young and tentative, and yet he is the model of virility. I was pleased he allowed me to get so close to him.

It’s time to use our power for good. If we see dithering elsewhere, we need to get to the point. We’re being asked to walk our talk. It’s time.

(T-57)

A Sports Metaphor – Day 1024

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Falcon on my walk today – Photo: L. Weikel

A Sports Metaphor

Happy 1st day of September! I find it a bit unsettling to realize that 2021 is in the last inning of the third quarter. (How’s that for a mixed sports metaphor!?) It’s almost sort-of accurate – and besides, you know what I mean.

I did in fact get a chance to take a walk this evening, while simultaneously getting in some last-day-of-the-compliance-period CLE credits. I have to admit, this was one of the more enjoyable legal seminars I’ve ever attended, at least with respect to the milieu.

Last night I was concerned that the remnants of Hurricane Ida might arrive here early enough to preclude me from walking this evening. Luckily for me, ‘she’ held off. But her torrential rains are expected to arrive within the next several hours.

Obviously, there’s no chance our area will sustain anywhere near an impact even remotely as catastrophic as parts of Louisiana and Mississippi are experiencing. And I’m not trying to draw an analogy to that devastation. But our area is already saturated, so the forecast of possibly 6” of rain falling in a short period of time is not insignificant.

Biodiversity Process

Just thinking about the flooding that will inevitably occur in our area tomorrow, as well as the plight of millions of households and businesses in Louisiana and Mississippi (and elsewhere) due to Hurricane Ida, and the most recent wildfire threat to the Lake Tahoe area (the Caldor fire), I’m reminded of one simple thing we all can do.

I’ve written about it before – lots of times, in fact. It’s the Perelandra EoP Biodiversity Process. I first described the Process here, just over two years ago. Hopefully a few of you are joining me in spending five minutes on the first day of each month engaging in this very simple process. The experience of working directly with the nature spirits of your land with the explicit intention of countering the effects of climate change and restoring balance is remarkable. (And by ‘land’ I mean the land for which you are responsible – either owning or renting – which can even be an apartment in the middle of a city.)

The best and most sincere endorsement I can give is from my own experience. I can feel the response of the Beings with whom we share this land. Not only can I sense a greater overall harmony since beginning this process two years ago, I also see it in the abundant fertility and coherence of the trees, grasses, wildflowers, birds of all sorts, insects of many persuasions, and animals that either live here or pass through routinely.

Giving Back

I’d like to think that my five minutes of devoted attention and intention contribute to the overall strengthening of the biodiversity on our planet. And even better? I love the opportunity it gives me to give back to Mother Earth for the cherished gifts she gives me – and all of us – every day.

If you don’t have your Essence of Perelandra (EoP) to engage in the process this month, I urge you to buy a bottle today so you’re ready on October 1st. Stay safe everyone. And balanced.

(T-87)

Collective Action – Day 993

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Luna Moth Caterpillar – Photo: L. Weikel

Collective Action

It’s been a long time since I wrote about one of the simplest ways available to engage in collective action to combat the effects of climate change. Participating in the Perelandra EoP (Essence of Perelandra) Biodiversity Project is easy, simple, and – from my perspective – effective.

I’ve only reminded you of this project once in 2021! But I have to say, after the intense weather events we’ve been experiencing lately, it’s crossed my mind a number of times that this process could very well be shifting something ever so subtly so that the ravages of climate change are felt just a little bit less on our land.

Some Observations

One thing I’ve noticed since I began engaging in the EoP Biodiversity Project has to do with rainwater. Specifically, the effects of the massive rainstorms we’ve been having seem to have lessened a bit. Our cellar still gets wet, but the water doesn’t seem to reach the inordinate depths it used to. (Thank goodness.) Funny thing is, I think there’s been more rain than there used to be when the cellar would flood worse.

Another example of the possible balancing effects of engaging in the EoP Biodiversity Project on the 1st of every month is the health of our birds. I’ve been keeping a hawk eye (ha ha) on our songbirds and so far so good. All my winged ones seem to be enjoying robust good health.

I’m also cautiously optimistic about the Spotted Lanternfly’s apparent (hopefully) dwindling population. I hope I’m not feeling too confident too early, but the signs (or lack thereof) seem auspicious.

So Easy

It occurs to me that it’s possible that the five minutes I take on the 1st of every month to walk outside, set the intention (the exact words and steps are provided on the Perelandra website), put drops in a spoon, shift the energy to the intention, and give thanks is bringing all the elements and life forms associated with our land into better balance between each other. As balance is achieved between everything that lives here, the land as a whole has an opportunity to heal itself and make adjustments to deal with the rapidly changing climate.

A cool part of this process is that I don’t act all ‘top of the food chain’ know-it-all when it comes to dealing with the rest of the Intelligence that exists on and in this land. Nope. I simply set the intention to ask for and provide strength and support to counter and reverse climate change stress and the resulting loss and extinction of (my personal environment’s) biodiversity.

Ultimately, it seems to me that I’m basically just getting out of the way and facilitating Nature taking care of Herself. This process may very well just be ‘busy work’ to make the human feel like she’s doing something. But you know what? I appreciate that.

I want to be part of the solution instead of wasting time feeling guilty for being part of the problem. Engaging in the monthly Project is such a simple way to give back to the land that supports you every day of your life.

Give it a try! Engage with your unique Nature Spirits.

If you don’t have any Essence of Perelandra on hand, please consider investing in a small bottle now so you can join me – and those across the world who are participating – next month.

(T-118)

May Day – Day 901

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ET or Kermit the Frog? – Photo: L. Weikel

May Day

Tomorrow (aka ‘today’ by the time you read this) is the first day of May, i.e., May Day. April was unceremoniously escorted off the premises by the aforementioned Wild Winds I warned of last night.

I’ll admit it; the intensity of the wind and the sound of it roaring through the trees exhilarated me. Blasting away the heat of the past two days, which was oppressive in its sudden onset, it felt like the last vestiges of 2020 were finally being whisked away.

The first order of business this morning was bringing in our wind chimes. We’d slept with our bedroom windows open last night and it was hard to hear myself think when I awoke. The chimes’ normally mellifluous tones quickly devolved into a clattering tangle of tubes.

Perelandra

I mention that tomorrow (today) is May Day because, as always, the first of the month is the day I join thousands of people across the world in engaging in an extremely simple, five minute (if that) act called the Essence of Perelandra  (EoP) Biodiversity Process. I’ve written about this many times over the past 900 posts and encourage everyone to participate for a variety of reasons.

First and foremost, I respect the work of Machaelle Small Wright and Perelandra, the center she established decades ago in Virginia. It is not unlike the work engaged in at Findhorn, in Scotland, in the manner in which the consciousness of Nature is respected and engaged with directly.

Second of all, this process couldn’t be more simple, yet it is uniting people across the world in setting an intention of bringing balance and healing to our biosphere. This process enables each and every one of us to take one small step toward healing ourselves and bringing strength and support to our personal environment in order to counter climate change stresses.

Beyond our compulsive commitment to carrying a bag everywhere we walk in order to pick up trash, engaging in the EoP Biodiversity Process on the first of every month feels like an opportunity to make a difference that’s just too simple to pass up.

Clouds

Because the atmosphere was so volatile today, the wind was driving a tumult of clouds into a variety of intriguing shapes and aspects to each other. As Spartacus and I walked, we didn’t even need to worry when fat drops of water started splatting down upon us. Almost as quickly as the billowing slate gray cloud started spilling over onto us, it stopped.

At one point, though, I wasn’t sure if I was looking at Kermit the Frog or ET. I still can’t make up my mind.

But the presence of The Mystery was both palpable and undeniably visible in a couple of the photos I took. My wish is that we awaken this first day of May eager to embrace the freshly scrubbed face of Mother Earth. The Winds of Change have arrived.

Sunset Clouds – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-210)

Window of Orange – Day 751

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Weighted Blanket – Photo: L. Weikel

Window of Orange

Karl and I took a walk today in what I would consider late afternoon. It was early for us, but we sensed the shift in temperature from yesterday and didn’t want to get even colder walking in the dark. From the look of the clouds, the potential for precipitation was significant – at least a possible snow squall – although my Weather Channel app said otherwise. (We both felt some flakes sweep our cheeks, but they never attained the momentum of even a decent flurry.) Covering the sky with billowing shades of dark slate gray tinged with the slightest edges of purplish black and ashy white, the cloudbank felt like a weighted blanket. But there – far across the miles of fields and farms and forests – a window of orange light appeared.

It almost looked contrived, as if we were in some sort of huge space ship and a rectangular door on the far horizon whisked aside, opening with a swish just like in Star Trek.

While I took a photo of the rectangular doorway of light that appeared, I was definitely more interested in trying to capture the magnificence and personality of the dark, swirling threat of pent up weather-rage manifesting before us. The darkness felt familiar. The light of the sunset peeking through that doorway felt like a false promise. It’s hard to explain.

“Window” closer up – Photo: L. Weikel

Evolution of the Sunset

We watched the cloud cover and setting sun dance with each other and sort themselves out as we walked. By the time we got home, a significant portion of cloud cover had either dissipated or moved on.

The moon rose, powerful and so clear, like the beam of a klieg light. Noticing this full-on brilliance gave me pause when I again contemplated the moon that had awakened us at the very moment of its fullest expression. Perhaps her brilliance was so great that she’d appeared brighter than expected even though she was being eclipsed by the Earth and traveling through her shadow.

Where to place my attention? – Photo: L. Weikel

Starry Night

I came inside from doing my Perelandra Biodiversity Project process right before starting this post. It’s the 1st day of December and, as I’ve written about many other times, the first of every month is the day people from all over the world take about five minutes out of their lives to consciously join in the effort to shift the energy of the land or property over which they have control (own, rent, have authority over) in order to combat the effects of climate change.

It’s a simple process, a means of having a brief chit-chat with the Spirits of the land on which you live during which you show them you are aware of climate change and how the stress of it may be resulting in loss or extinction of biodiversity. It’s a tiny opportunity to communicate appreciation of Nature and express a willingness to co-create a healed environment.

I was moved almost to tears as I engaged in this conversation. (I tend to talk a bit more after reciting the ten or so words the actual process calls for. I enjoy expressing gratitude and asking if there’s anything else I can do to show it.) The stars were blinking in the cold clear air and it seemed almost too great a leap from the weighted blanket of dark and ominous clouds that had hung over our heads only hours earlier.

I’m not even sure what it is I was marveling at as I stood on the edge of the porch and chatted with the Spirits of our land. Perhaps it was the astonishing rapidity with which everything can change.

That’s where the door cracks open to invite miracles into our lives. Realizing that everything can change – <<snap>> – just that fast.

Photo: L. Weikel

(T-360)

Turtle – Day 597

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Tohickon Green – Photo: L. Weikel

Turtle

Well, the post I wrote last night pretty much revealed the simmering concerns I have over the trajectory we’re on. There are so many threats being waged – daily – on our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being. And these threats are being experienced by all of us, both personally and collectively as a nation and even as a planet. So it was comforting when Turtle showed up as my ‘pick’ today.

Of course, I’m referring to the tradition Karl and I have of starting our mornings by choosing Medicine Cards*, and chatting over a cup of coffee about how our selections might apply to the day ahead of us. Sometimes we may only discern the relevance of a particular selection after the day has unfolded. And sometimes a pick is obviously a direct response to something we’re thinking or feeling or worrying about at the moment we chose our cards.

In fact, sometimes I have to laugh because I realize that a card I’ve chosen is directly addressing something I’ve not even spoken of out loud – and barely admitted to myself. That’s one of the gifts of opening ourselves up to exploring our intuition and the unseen guidance that’s merely waiting to be ‘asked.’

Mother Earth

The message I received when I chose Turtle this morning was that my day would be enhanced if I reconnected with Mother Earth. I took that to mean consciously. Quietly. Introspectively.

And with Black Panther underneath, my sense was that in choosing to consciously root or ground myself, by giving myself an opportunity to step away from my laptop and phone (other than to take photos so I could share my experience in some small way with you), I very well might literally ‘embrace the unknown.’

I chose to pay a silent visit to my Tohickon, my source of sustenance and rejuvenation, and I was amply rewarded. A blue heron greeted me, bringing joy immediately to my heart. But it was my immersion in a holographic cocoon of hundreds of shades of abundant life force that filled my senses and helped me remember: there is so much more.

Grandmother Moon

And just now, right before I’m posting this, I took Sheila outside and was dazzled by the brilliance of Grandmother Moon. A catbird singing reminded me of my discovery of that beautiful gift last year.

And all I wanted to do was run inside and share all of this abundant sustenance with you.**

Night Shot – Photo: L. Weikel

*affiliate link

**One other thing? Don’t forget, tomorrow is the first day of July. If you’ve been making the effort to bring diversity and balance to the land on which you live (big or small) by participating in the Perelandra Biodiversity Project, make sure to set aside the five minutes it takes to engage in the very simple yet powerful exercise described here and here.

(T-514)