Messages and Gifts

I am in the midst of a deep clean. A purge, a clearing of sorts. Both internally and externally.  It is as if I am making way for something new. Giving gratitude and thanks for all that has served and supported me in getting here, seated here typing these words to you.

Last week, I unearthed these two pieces. Pieces that were written by the request of Beloved Lydia Mae when I was supporting her with her remote schooling in the fall/winter in 2020. Reading them now gives me pause. So I am sharing them here with you.

Untitled

Sitting on a rock beside the stream Sara pondered her path, the path she was walking on. She has walked along streams before. She has stepped over rocks and roots, carefully placing her foot on solid ground. This part of the path felt familiar and unknown at the same time. There were rocks. There were boulders. The was the sun. There were trees. While new, she was familiar with them. Sara was alone, at least she felt alone. She was surrounded by sounds that were familiar, the water rushing over the rocks, the birds communicating with one another, the wind traveling around the leaves. While she felt along, she knew she was in nature, enveloped by living beings. The leaves were breathing. The grasses were growing. The ant was crawling. The snail was creeping. The bird was singing.

She reminded herself, while I have not been here before, while I have not sat on this rock, next to this stream, I have sat on a rock, streamside. I have pondered which route to take. I could continue up the path to look for the waterfall. I could turn around and return to where I began.

Sara began the journey, the journey to the waterfall. She heard folks talking about this magnificent waterfall and she wanted to see it for herself.

*I find this piece speaking to me today. There was a time when I heard about folks arriving at a waterfall. I was a part of the group, originally. My slower, cautious pace had separated me from the group and I was unsure where to go.  Weeks later, Alessia and I embarked on a journey to “find” the waterfall. We walked and walked and walked. We looked and looked and looked.  We had a certain image, an idea of what the waterfall looked like and that is what we were searching for.  Unable to locate the waterfall, we turned around and made our way back. Learning upon our arrival, that yes, in fact, we had found and had been to the waterfall. We were there, without our even knowing!

Here is a picture of me searching, seeking to see the waterfall:

A Brave Girl’s Life

Sara had a feeling that there was something in the bush. There was a piece of her that was unsure because she didn’t know what it was. There was also a piece of her that was curious. She wanted to know what it was. She walked closer to the bush and bent down.

She did not know what to expect.

Her mind was full of images. Would it be something scary? Would it be something she wanted to see? Would it be something she would avoid? She didn’t know. Sara did not know what she would see.

Once her knees and hands were supported on the ground, she was able to tilt her head.

There, under the bush was a squirrel. The squirrel was eating a seed. The squirrel stopped eating. Maybe the squirrel thought Sara would take its food. Maybe the squirrel through Sara would scream.

They, Sara and the squirrel glanced at one another. The squirrel began eating again. Sara watched quietly, observing and noticing how it held the seed in its paws, while it sat on its hind legs. It’s tail was curled up behind it. The seed moved as the squirrel rotated it in its hands.

Then, as if the squirrel was done, it dropped the seed to the ground and scampered off.

Sara smiled. She was grateful she bent down to look.

*I am smiling now with the birthing of The Auspicious Octopus on Monday the 30th, yes, yes, yes!… Last night I read this from David Carson’s Animalscopes. His Medicine Card Reading for October 2023, available here https://medicinecards.com/monthly-animalscopes/

EAST. Card number 26 Squirrel—Gathering. The medicine wheel is an ancient paradigm of the unity of the cosmos, holding ancient wisdom handed down to us from Native America. The East color is yellow on the medicine wheel–sun and fires of the heart are in the East. East is the beginning of our sacred journey and we have this opportunity each morning—the possibility of walking on the red road of spirit. We have entered into October country now late into the year. It is a witchy time, October—a time of magic, the time of colorful and beautiful leaves falling from trees, a time of transition into winter. Squirrel has a great understanding and knowledge of trees. Consider the tree—often called a standing person in Native America. The tree is rooted deep in the Mother Earth and there are more roots than branches. Trees are lofty and stretch high into the Father Sky. The tree was once an important communication device. If you could imagine a person’s image and give it to a tree it would reach that person and they would know you were thinking about them. Every single tree is connected energetically to all other trees.

If you are starting something new and you need to give it a boost, it is a good idea to go and stand in the East in front of a tree that you are drawn to. Put your left hand on the bark and ask the tree to help you start from scratch with any new starts you are making. The East itself is a beginning—the dawn of new possibilities. Get a new lease on life. Be like Squirrel. Have lots of fun. Be nimble, adaptable, and resourceful. Be busy-busy all the time. Be active. Get ready and prepared to meet any contingencies and be able to handle them all with ease and comfort. The message of Squirrel in the East is simple. The first message is spiritual. Find your highest guidance and follow it. Be in touch with the little medicine spirits all around you. Ask for and accept help from Squirrels. Know that changes are coming so be ready for them. Squirrel says to Gather necessities you might need in the event of a harsh winter or any other challenging situation. Plan for the unplanned. Squirrel medicine is nudging you to be practical, creative, adaptable, and prosperous. Simply analyze future needs and Squirrel those items away until needed. This is Squirrel medicine in a nutshell.