Wagons

Spark to My Imagination – Day 864

Posted on by Lisa Weikel Leave a comment
Photo: L. Weikel

Spark to My Imagination

I recently had a chance to spend some time near a tributary to Lake Nockamixon, and – shock of all shocks – it wasn’t my favorite creek in the whole world, the Tohickon. I forget the name of the one I visited, and I apologize for not researching it before settling in to write this post. Despite not knowing its name, however – I do want to pay homage to its soothing, rippling presence and spark to my imagination.

Even though the photos I’m including in this post aren’t capable of conveying the ‘live’ feature that I so enjoy on my iPhone photos, I hope you can sense the gentle rolling waves (if you can even call them waves) that I saw. They were so mellow, they created no sound as they rolled to shore.

Perhaps it was the reflection of the blue sky on the surface of the dark water; I don’t know. It just felt…different.

Photo: L. Weikel

A Magical Tree

There was a tree nearby that seemingly grew out of the water – yet also seemed to be hovering above the rolling undulations of the lake. Long, sinewy roots grew parallel to the water’s surface, yet were protected by the grass above them. Darkness was the only thing visible between the roots and my imagination conjured turtles, snakes, and perhaps even an errant duck’s nest.

But in the crook of the tree was a dimple that called to me. It looked like a perfect potential portal – an opening that could be a viable entry point into another realm of reality. (You never know until you try.)

For whatever reason, the placement of this tree on land coupled with its hovering relationship to the water beneath it beckoned even more seductively than many other potential portals I’ve noticed recently. I’ve not yet had a chance to give it a try and see if it takes me somewhere…fecund.

Journeying

Of course, when I talk of portals and traveling to other realms of reality, I’m speaking of the practice of shamanic journeying. If you’ve ever journeyed  and would like to become more disciplined, join me – and kindred spirits – and hop on a ‘Wagon’ in my Shamanic Caravan.

Follow the links if you’re curious.

Potential Portal – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-247)

Wolf Moon – Day 809

Posted on by Lisa Weikel Leave a comment
Full Wolf Moon – Photo: L. Weikel

Wolf Moon

Tonight’s full moon is known as the Wolf Moon. It’s also known as the Cold Moon, which for obvious reasons is teeth-chatteringly appropriate this evening. At least that’s true for here in eastern Pennsylvania.

It’s been a while since I wrote about the stars, moon, or planets. I’m not sure why; the past several nights we’ve marveled at how the stars look almost telescopically closer due to the heightened clarity of the winter atmosphere. My Sky Guide app has been getting a workout.

And the moon – as it’s grown from the tiniest sliver over the past two weeks to the blockbuster beacon it is tonight, we knew she’d practically be blinding in her brilliance as long as the clouds held off. Even the smallest crescent this month threw moon shadows. It’s frustrating when the best nights to stargaze (even with the floodlight of a full moon drowning out the paler of the pantheon) are so bitterly cold.

Funny Coincidence

As I may have mentioned the other night, tonight’s full moon is occurring in the sign of Leo. Aside from bringing a bit of drama into our lives and emotions, I discovered a literal connection to tonight’s Leo moon.

Tonight we had another Wagon in the Shamanic Caravan. As I’ve mentioned before, I conduct these Wagons on Zoom. Most people when they’re journeying lay down or get comfortable in a chair, so during the time that they’re actually journeying, they’re usually out of my line of sight.

It took all I could not to burst into laughter, then, when I looked at the video feeds from all the participants on my laptop and all but one had a cat looking right at me. Seeing them all looking at me – looking right into the camera, so to speak – was just a little bit spooky! And then I glanced to my left and there was Cletus, at first just sitting there (like the rest of them!) looking at me. Then he mrrrowed and threw himself on the floor, squirming on his back in playful half-moons, assuming a submissive position that I know full well would result in bloodshed if I actually reached out to pet him.

Yes…I know his tricks. Luckily for me, though, I was rattling, so I wasn’t tempted.

Guardians

The fact that all the cats were especially attentive to the journeying this evening was interesting. They definitely appeared to be in serene guardian poses as their humans ventured off on adventures of consciousness.

One thing I will say: the moon had some fascinating messages for all of us this evening.

(T-302)

Astral Magnificence – Day 806

Posted on by Lisa Weikel Leave a comment
Photo: L. Weikel

Astral Magnificence

If you read my post from last night, you know I was hoping to write about photos I’d taken during the walk Karl and I took last night. Sometimes circumstances all dovetail perfectly to create a moment of such astral magnificence that your breath catches in your throat and you wonder if your heart can hold it all. That’s kind of what we felt last night.

And it’s also why I talked about the Wagons of fellow journeyers (Travelers) I’m setting up each week as part of my Shamanic Caravan. One of the participants last night tried to describe the ‘space’ she’d experienced and it was obvious to all of us that the experience bordered on indescribable loveliness.

Over the years I’ve had a few journeys in which I’ve traveled to places that reminded me of being in the middle of a photograph from the Hubble Spacecraft. They sort of gave me an exquisite sense of being immersed in infinity.

Trust me, the vast majority of journeys that I’ve experienced have been far more mundane. Just writing that sentence sort of makes me laugh, though. What’s mundane – ever – about a first-hand experience of another reality?

Winter Night Sky – Photo: L.Weikel

Last Night’s Sky

The first set of photos I sent to myself last night never arrived. By the time it got to be 4:30 this afternoon and they still hadn’t appeared, I re-sent them to myself. Voila! But a short hour later (eye roll), they arrived in my inbox.

The sky this evening was overcast and the moon, which is waxing to reach fullness by this Thursday, was barely visible behind a thick layer of wooly clouds full of winter wetness. The look and feel of the two nights, while back to back, could barely have been more disparate.

No.

Tonight we were closed in. Colors all around us were muted and bleak. The murky sky admitted a moon existed but gave it no respect.

Last night? We witnessed majesty. Shadows, although sharply defined, weren’t at all scary. They simply offered refreshing clarity. But the greatest gift was when we looked up. Up and out and drank in the stars and the light catching wispy forms of…something.

One of the photos gives me the unmistakable sense of the presence of Great Beings. And perhaps we were. Or are. Maybe last night we were peeking behind the curtain of the Wizard of Oz and seeing the truth of what’s actually the foundation of the journeys we’re taking.

All I know is, I want to share this magnificence with all of you.

Astral Magnificence – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-305)

Thwarted – Day 805

Posted on by Lisa Weikel Leave a comment
Photo: L. Weikel

Thwarted

It’s been a while since the last time this happened. I emailed myself a handful of photos from our walk this evening and intended to focus my post on them tonight. Alas, it’s been over an hour and they still haven’t made the journey from iPhone to laptop. But, there’s still another hour or so before the ‘witching hour’ to hit the <publish> button arrives, so my intentions for this evening’s missive may or may not, in fact, be thwarted. (Turns out – they were. Guess I’ll have to wait until tomorrow night…)

But I have a feeling.

Post-Wagon

Instead of walking during the sunshine of this afternoon, Karl and I took our daily walk tonight, after our Sunday early evening Wagon. You may recall, I’m offering 60-90 minute ‘Wagons’ on various days and times, as part of my Shamanic Caravan. These Wagons are opportunities for people interested in shamanic journeying to gather together in Sacred Space while I rattle and hold space for them. Everyone journeys for themselves, setting their own intentions, but with the power of a group of like-minded individuals sort of super-charging the efforts of the collective.

So far, we’ve settled into a routine of three Wagons a week, offered at various times during the day. Tuesdays at noon, Thursdays at 7:00 p.m., and Sundays at 5:00 p.m., all ET. I just moved the Sunday Wagon from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. to give everyone a little bit more time to enjoy as much daylight as possible before settling in for the evening.

Our Wagon today yielded some very clear and practical guidance to the Travelers participating. What’s especially fascinating (and very cool) is how my fellow journeyers are discovering newfound allies who are providing insight and perspectives on questions asked on previous journeys. It’s as if Spirit is paying attention to everything (I know, why should this surprise me?) – and providing conduits for answers and insights as we are ready to receive them.

Or who knows? Perhaps additional answers are forthcoming because journeying on a regular basis is displaying a sense of commitment and discipline to the process that Spirit appreciates (and rewards).

Whatever it is, I’m personally thrilled at the results being experienced by my fellow ‘Travelers.’ I feel like we’re just scratching the surface of understanding the rich expanses of inner wisdom we all have available to us.

Night Sky

I wanted to share the photos I took on this evening’s walk because I felt they were reflecting at least some of the majestic grandeur displayed by Spirit as some of the journey details were shared. Sometimes it feels like words only limit the actual experience being described, which I know from my own experience happens all too frequently. Sometimes it’s almost impossible to find the words to even scratch the surface of the multi-sensory experiences that can occur on a journey.

Give It a Try

While I didn’t initiate this post as another invitation to join in on our Shamanic Caravan, I guess that’s what it ended up being.

If you’re interested in participating, drop me an email (lisa@owlmedicine.com) with Shamanic Caravan in the subject line. I’ll include you in the weekly emails of dates and times of journeys – although, as I mentioned, there’s almost always one every Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Price is $20 per individual, $35 for couples. If interested, an email with weekly offerings and payment instructions will be sent, with a Zoom link following upon payment.

Do you need journeying experience? No. If you’ve never journeyed before, I will send you some simple “Rules of the Road” beforehand. I’ll go over them with you and answer any questions you might have before your first journey.

The great thing about the Wagons in the Shamanic Caravan is, again, the power of the group energy. It supports and buoys you as you gain confidence in your own unique abilities.

Journeying is not unlike yoga for your spirit. (I know yoga is a spiritual practice as well. But for many it is mostly physical.) Engaging in a Wagon on a regular basis is a form of flexing and building up your spiritual muscles, enhancing your ability to engage in and cultivate relationships with your inner guides, allies, and wisdom-keepers.

Rattles and mesa – Photo: L. Weikel

(T-306)