Thanksgiving – Day 1110

Posted on November 26, 2021November 26, 2021 by Lisa Weikel Leave a comment

Pacha’s Cone of Protection – Photo: L. Weikel

Thanksgiving

I’ve started and deleted this Thanksgiving post so many times, I’ve lost count. Having snagged only four hours of sleep last night and then wedged in a five hour round trip holiday visit, I’ve also dozed off between attempts write something meaningful. Alas, even these simple introductory sentences deserve to meet the same fate as their predecessors: to be deleted and rewritten. Nothing I write feels right tonight.

There’s so much I want to say, and at the same time, it just all feels heavy. Or said already. And you know how sometimes you can say something too many times and the magic just goes up in a puff of smoke? I guess I’m facing one of those moments.

Thanksgiving Bluebird – Photo: L. Weikel

In Spite of Everything

Yes, I started this day on only four hours of sleep. That’s a big contributor to my current state of fogginess. It’s catching up to me. But in spite of everything, Karl and I still managed to embrace the day’s sunshine and balmy temperatures to fit in a walk-about – our four mile sojourn through local hill and dale. This was a special treat because Karl hasn’t been able to walk with me as much over the past several months.

But today he did. And for that, I’m grateful.

Watchers – Photo: L. Weikel

So Many Witnesses

It almost felt as though we were in a Thanksgiving Day parade. Our walk was lined with local fauna stepping up and waving to us as we passed by. So many of the creatures about whom I’ve written in these past 1109 posts seemed to show up – or in some cases, simply let their voices ring out in greeting.

First was a bluebird, so strikingly beautiful in the late afternoon sunshine.

The pups had their first encounter with the Hounds of the Baskervilles – which left them a bit trembly, even though Pacha had a cone of protection.

A pileated woodpecker called out to us incessantly and flew alongside us from tree to tree as we climbed a steep hill. On the other side of the road, a herd of deer monitored our progress navigating the hill and conversing with the massive woodpecker.

About a mile later, coyotes howled in the bowels of High Rocks while a Great Horned owl’s hooting added another layer to the message.

Gratitude

The very fact that I can write about all these creatures sharing in and contributing to our walk on this gorgeous November day (and having Karl to share it as well) gives me more to be grateful for than I can ever express.

Another exquisite sunset – Photo: L. Weikel

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Ladybugs and Katydids – Day 1094

Posted on November 10, 2021November 10, 2021 by Lisa Weikel Leave a comment

Amazing Ladybug – She’s blowing a kiss! – Photo: L. Weikel

Ladybugs and Katydids

The weather over the past several days has been achingly lovely. I’m probably yearning to soak up every drop of warm sunshine and immerse myself in the sound of fallen leaves shushing and crunching underfoot because I’m all too aware of how quickly this idyllic time will end. At the same time, much to my surprise and delight, ladybugs and katydids have joined me as companions and visitors.

I did a shallow dive into ladybug habits and learned that they ‘congregate’ in the fall to hibernate together. Swarming in the transitional month of November seems a little late to me, like they could easily get killed in a cold snap.

Anyway, it seems as if a bunch recently decided to ‘fly through’ our area (if they even do that), and have decided to hang out on our property for a few days – especially on our porch. Maybe they’re scoping things out for a good place to hibernate. Most of the ladybugs visiting in the past few days have alighted upon me or my clothing, often running up my arm or hanging out on my hand, or buzzed amazingly quickly across the porch to land on one of my plants. They’re fast flyers!

Look at that ladybug’s shield – Photo: L. Weikel

Unique Markings

All the ladybugs I’ve seen over the past several days have been the ‘usual’ kind – red with black spots. So I was super excited to make the acquaintance of this amazing creature. I’ve never seen a ladybug with these markings, especially the way the two small black spots and one oddly shaped red spot give the appearance of a lady’s face with pursed lips, as if to give a kiss.

It makes me wonder: where in the world would this be effective camouflage?! But those odd markings are only the start. The rest of her shell was covered with a wonderful pattern of 14 hash tags around the outside of what appears to be a yellow shield. The three wavy lines in the center of her shield are intriguing as well.

She’s utterly lovely. And unique.

Checking both Animal Wise* and The Shaman’s Guide to Power Animals* (SGPA), I’m intrigued by the possibility that she might be a protector of some kind, and of course the shield on her back lends a lot of credence to that interpretation. But given all of the messages we seem to be receiving collectively to let old ways, structures, and relationships that no longer serve us die so we can welcome in the change we seek (or that seeks us), including new relationships, I’m intrigued that the intention suggested by the SGPA is: “Help me let go of the past and embrace the future.”

I wouldn’t have associated ladybug with anything other than the rather generic ‘good luck,’ had I not noticed this strikingly unique specimen.

Katydid crossing the road – Photo: L. Weikel

Katydids

The other creature I’ve been noticing over the past few days are the handful of katydids that still manage to “crik-crik-crik” out their (seemingly) throaty call – even though it’s not their voices but rather their legs rubbing together. Once again, just like with the ladybugs, hanging around at this point in the fall season seems particularly risky.

Just last week we had two days of a good frost greeting us in the morning hours. It makes me wonder how the katydids I’ve been hearing during my walks the past few days survived. Did they did far enough under some leaf cover to avoid the worst? Sure seems like the few that are left are a resilient bunch.

About five minutes after I heard a lone katydid scritching out its call, I actually ran into one crossing the road in front of me. What an odd occurrence! Katydids are – at least in my experience – quite elusive. They have big, loud voices, but hide amongst the green leaves, playing the game of throwing their big voices out into the world but keeping everyone guessing where they’re really hanging out.

There’s precious little information out there about katydids – and what little I found didn’t particularly ring true to me. For me, I’m feeling my own perception of their lessons, gifts, and attributes are just below the surface of my consciousness. Indeed, scritch and maybe I’ll discover them for myself.

Weird. I can hear a katydid calling right this moment. It’s nearly 1:00 a.m.

Lovely Katydid – Photo: L. Weikel

Grateful

The intricate designs of the mystery ladybug and the bold resilience of the katydid(s) feel like precious gifts. They’re bringing reminders that things change and we insist on static continuity in our lives at our peril. Or at least at the peril of utter boredom and disenchantment.

I can’t take my eyes of that ladybug blowing me a kiss. And every single time I hear, “Katy did; katy did,” I smile and feel oh-so-very grateful for the enchanting Beings frequenting my life.

*affiliate link

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Full Moon in Aquarius – Day 985

Posted on July 24, 2021 by Lisa Weikel Leave a comment

“Protection” – Mystic Art Medicine Oracle Cards by Cher Lyn

Full Moon in Aquarius

Today’s full moon in Aquarius took place when the Sun was at 1 degree 26 minutes of Leo and the Moon was at 1 degree 26 minutes of Aquarius. Interestingly, in August the full moon will take place when the Sun is at 29 degrees 37 minutes of Leo and the Moon is at 29 degrees 37 minutes of Aquarius.

That means that there will be two full moons taking place in the sign of Aquarius this year. If these two full moons were taking place within the same month, the second one would be called a ‘blue moon.’ I have no idea whether there’s a special name for a second full moon in the same sign. But it seems like it should be significant; perhaps the qualities of the sign the moon is going through to complete an entire ‘full to full’ cycle are especially important to integrate.

I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know.

But if that might be the case, here’s a thought: Aquarius is the 11^th sign of the zodiac. (I won’t even go into the significance of the number 11 as a ‘portal.’) The 11^th house of the zodiac is associated with groups, social reform, social causes, global awareness. Some key words associated with Aquarius are innovation, originality, and social change.*

Two Aquarius Full Moons

It would seem to me that the presence of two consecutive full moons in Aquarius, highlighting the 11^th house of the zodiac, will mandate we focus a great deal of our attention upon circumstances and issues that have greater societal importance than personal relevance. Certainly we will all be impacted personally by the collective realities that unfold on a societal level – but our primary focus will be on the bigger picture facing society itself.

To that end, I decided to ask for a ‘watchword’ for us to keep tucked in the back of our minds as we navigate the next 28 days. The deck I chose to consult was the Mystic Art Medicine Oracle Cards by Cher Lyn. The card I chose was Protection, which I will excerpt here:

Protection

“Archangel Michael is Spirit of Fire.

His sword of light offers energies higher.

His shield of Protection,

Averts illusion and deception.

(…) In the painting of “Archangel Michael’s Fire of Transformation,” Hi aura/wings are golden light. You see an Eagle emanating through his sword of fire, no longer choosing to be depicted killing, as His essence is Love and Protection. The medicine of Eagle flies high into the heavens and moves easily between worlds, bridging earthly and spiritual power. He serves as the mediator and bearer of a new creative force. A Dove at the foot of His robe is the symbol of prophetic vision, balance, and peace within the maternal feminine. The winged Pegasus splashing in the waves of consciousness lifts you into higher realms of awareness. A cosmic stairway guides you on your journey to higher perception. The transformational fire blesses you as healing waters flow, blessing from the heavens above.

Archangel Michael is a powerful protector. When the card of Archangel Michael shows up, rest assured His energy is surrounding you… Should you ask, Archangel Michael will protect and assist you with the transformation of negative agendas or forces otherwise not of your highest good by connecting you to higher spiritual truths.

Choosing the Protection card could be a sign to step back and take inventory of whom or what you may be letting into your personal space. Perhaps He is inspiring you to enlist Him to cut some cords. Most likely He is inspiring you to raise your consciousness and connect you more with your spiritual essence. (…)”

My Take

It seems to me that there will be some major transformational energies at play over the next 28 days, energies that could easily cause major shifts in our perceptions of who we are and where we’re headed societally. Especially considering the first paragraph and the reframing of the Eagle, we could experience some major growing pains this month. The Eagle could easily be interpreted as the United States, or possibly even the ‘Western world’ in terms of how we think of societies on our planet.

It can’t hurt to call upon Archangel Michael or whatever Beings of similar protective intention we work with to help us raise our energies and protect ourselves, each other, and our highest intentions and ideals. Simply setting the intention of invoking protection and aspiring to create a higher expression of balance, awareness, and peace could shift the forces that we’re going to be called upon to collectively face.

I feel this card is yet again reflecting our year-long challenge of radical transformation posed by Saturn squaring Uranus (three times this year). We’re not out of the woods yet.

We can do this. We must not be afraid to cut away that which no longer serves us – yet we would be wise to invoke protection.

*Astrology for Yourself – Demetra George and Douglas Bloch (Note: affiliate link)

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Timely Reminder – Day 578

Posted on June 12, 2020June 12, 2020 by Lisa Weikel 2 Comments

Turtle Girl – Photo: L. Weikel

Timely Reminder

Many of us are encountering opportunities to reflect upon our beliefs, review the paths we’ve taken to arrive where we are, and potentially take steps to restructure our lives if they no longer suit us or reflect who we are (or aspire to be). We’re contemplating the seeds we choose to plant for our future. In that regard, I was given a timely reminder of something we should all bear in mind as we take steps to cultivate our futures.

I, for one, am rarely fully satisfied with all aspects of my life. Sometimes I’m happier with my life choices than others. But usually I’m reflecting in my journal on what I could be improving or where I’d like to be heading as far as my next challenge. I tend to thrive when I both love what I’m doing, but also have a challenge on my horizon; something new to learn or an idea to develop.

Often, such aspirations need to be planted and allowed to grow at their own pace, fed by research and reflection, connections and inspiration. Another analogy that can be made to this process is building a nest and laying an egg (or a couple of eggs). Actually, the eggs are only (or maybe I should say ‘all’) potential. They require time and tending to become something new and of substance.

Teacher-by-example

The other day, Karl and I happened upon our first Eastern Box Turtle of the season. As you can see from the photo above, she’s a beauty.

When we encountered her, she was directly underneath the mailbox of one of our neighbors. And while I was relieved and delighted that she wasn’t on the road when we discovered her, I was a bit dismayed at what it appears she was doing.

It looked to me as though she was digging a hole in which to lay her eggs. See for yourself in the photo below.

Of course, I didn’t disturb her at all or dissuade her from her task. That’s not for me to decide for her. (OK, perhaps I did annoy her a little when I stuck my phone in front of her face to snap her photo; but I maintain this was but a minor irritant!)

But it was in her choice of where to build her nest and lay her eggs that got me thinking. It’s important how we take care of the ideas we have. It’s critical that we take care of those nascent thoughts and not-yet-developed seeds of inspiration. She brought me a timely reminder to be careful with the results of all the reflections we’re engaging in and the choices we’re making. These are precious realizations and aspirations. They need to be protected and nurtured until just the right time arrives to introduce them to the world.

Making a nest? Laying her eggs? – Photo: L. Weikel

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Didn’t See That – Day 538

Posted on May 3, 2020May 4, 2020 by Lisa Weikel Leave a comment

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

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Turtle – Day 453

Posted on February 8, 2020February 8, 2020 by Lisa Weikel Leave a comment

Turtle – Photo: L. Weikel

Turtle

Over the past five days, Turtle has shown up in my ‘picks’ for the day three times. Sixty percent of the time. Given that there are 56 cards from which to choose (four of those being blanks), it’s pretty obvious that Turtle was trying to bring me a message.

On those days, especially, I made a point of paying attention to my connection to Mother Earth by getting and staying grounded. No matter how crappy the weather, I committed myself to walking at least two miles – and on two of those days, I managed to sneak in the entire four mile ‘walkabout.’

Staying Connected

To be honest? I assumed Spirit was counseling me to get grounded, to refrain from flights of paranoia or thoughts of unkindness or intrigue or backstabbing. I took solace in Turtle’s advice to get and stay connected to Mother Earth – knowing in my heart that She would never forsake me – and remembering it’s the times of greatest stress and challenge that ask us to remember from whence our strength and comfort is generated.

So I walked. I walked and watched and listened. I noticed the changeability of the weather and listened to the wind whooshing through the very tops of the pine trees lining the road. I paid attention as flocks of birds responded to the shifts and adjusted their trajectories in order to make the most of the changing conditions they encountered.

Is It the Shell?

I wondered, as I walked, “Is it Turtle’s shell I’m being called to notice?” That’s such an obvious aspect, the protection afforded by its shell, its home; the ability to withdraw, tuck in, retreat. Yet, I wasn’t sure.

Yeah, I could withdraw. I could. But as tempting as that was, the message felt less a call to withdraw as it was a demand for connection.

“If you have chosen the Turtle symbol, you are being asked to honor the creative source within you, to be grounded to the Earth, and to observe your situation with motherly compassion. Use the water and earth energies, which represent Turtle’s two homes, to flow harmoniously with your situation and to place your feet firmly on the ground in a power stance.”*

Gratitude

And then it dawned on me. Two of those three days I chose Turtle, it appeared reversed. I realized I needed to pay particular attention to what the reversal of Turtle could be trying to convey to me:

“The idea of a Turtle helplessly trying to right itself after it has been flipped upside down can also symbolize contrary Turtle. You are not a victim, and you are not helpless, no matter how much it may see like this is the case in your present situation. To right the ill-dignified Turtle, you need only list the things you are grateful for, and from that grateful place in your heart, look for the abundance of alternatives that Mother Earth gives.”* (emphasis added)

Ah yes.

It’s essential to make the effort to be present and aware of my life, my friends, my connection to Spirit, including the amazing array of blessings my life offers me every single day. It’s important to feel snowflakes flecked with sleet nick my cheeks only a day after hearing peepers prematurely sing their spring songs.

In embracing my connection to Mother Earth and realizing the protection the shell of my blessings provides me, I realize: She really does provide us with an abundance of alternatives.