Today Bear steps back in to the card throw… and tells me that today for all is about rolling with life. Take it as it comes and relax. Bears live in the moment and enjoy the simple pleasures of their days. So it is time to do the same, stop enjoy the flowers, the sky, the sunlight on your face, the rain on your skin… Whatever comes your way today, seek out the good in it, for there is a message in there somewhere that will ligt up your day!
Make your steps count as you walk through the day…grab the extra cup-a of whatever you need today. You have this and life is good we simply have to believe in it. All things will be in time as they are meant to be…. ENJOY YOURSELVES! At work, put music on , let your spirit rise above it all and be who you are meant to be!!!! Let them all see the bear in you …
Bear is all about fertility (creative and manifestation), instinct, protection and solitude. Those that walk with Bear are often somewhat reclusive requiring a great deal of personal space to renew and create. Bear people will often “disconnect” for awhile as they pursue projects becoming deeply involved in what they are working on. Deeply protective and territorial, Bear also is extremely loyal and dependable.
Bear teaches us when healing of any sort is needed to use that time for introspective work in order to grow Spiritually, Emotionally, Mentally and find answers to problems within yourself. Travel deep into your soul find the purpose in your own path and journey and walk ahead in positive steps.
Bear shares with us that in this time hibernation is not only good but needed, yet respect our natural hibernation cycle and remember to reawaken in the spring, in doing so awaken the potential within ourselves and the power of our unconscious mind.
Bear teaches us there is a time for playfulness and a time to be assertive, and perhaps a time for both in balance.
Mitakuye O`yasin
bear Medicinewalker
“Orange Dragonflies” from Cross Roads: The Beginning of a Brand New Day by Jonny Lipford. available on Itunes and at http://www.jonnylipfordmusic.com/
Today is about the Magic that is all around us! but in order to see it, in order to experience it, we must understand that we must open to it! Once we do that we will see how limitless our dreams, desires, needs actually are and in order to do just that we must trust in the Creator, the Universe and mostly in ourselves! Have Faith in the fact that everything happens for a reason, that synchronicity to all that is Sacred occurs if we again allow it to deliver the positives to our lives.
We need to listen to the Whispers of Spirit as it guides us through the little obstacles of the day…fighting off the negativity that breeds and thrives in the world, trust that little inner voice, those small red flags that pop up. That all occurs for a reason, that reason is that the Ancestors, those that have walked before us, with us and beyond us are assisting us as we walk our human paths. Believe, Trust and have Faith that they are hearing your thoughts and prayers that you put out…. and pay attention to all creatures great and small, for they share the secrets of here and beyond with us as they go about their days… just simply open the door to the magic of it all!
Dragonfly is all about transformation and adaptability. It is messenger of the in between, of here and there and everywhere at the same time. It is beyond time, before time. It is about darkness to light and back again.
Dragonfly tells us that everything is in a cycle, so remember and allow more joy to fill your soul. To help you understand that all things are as they should be, and that life itself is magical beyond belief. For our souls do not hold form, and our human self just helps them to experience our earth walks before continuing to the next part of our journeys.
Dragonflies begin their lives in water and then as they grow they move into the air learning to fly. It teaches us to balance the present time and accept it so we may once again move forward, listening as Spirit shares with us all the secrets of here and beyond.
Today focus on your own rhythm and how it connects and flows with life and the journey you are on. It’s time to make adjustments and take care of your Sacred Hoop so that it can move about more freely with the world you are walking. Make an effort to breathe in the clean clear air around you and renew your spirit for we often forget to do just that as we get lost in the busy of being human.
Horse brings with it the joy of wide open spaces and the ability to move freely about. It shares that it is time to open the barn doors and venture out into the world to experience what the Universe is offering for all of us if we are willing to open to it in positive ways. They help to guide us swiftly and sure footedly to the next part of the path we are to reach.
However in doing so Horse also shares that the herd is important. The ones that are within our Sacred Hoop…family…friends… that they are there to assist us as we move forward and not stay in the old ways, with things that need to be let loose. Mend fences and move forward with everything, but truly mend them do not just go through the motions, for if you don’t take the time needed you will loose the positives that are part of that same Sacred Hoop.
Horse tells us to awaken our souls and honor our true self, our true dreams and aspirations. Feel the wind, feel the earth beneath you, feel the sun share its warmth and energy, feel the water as it nourishes and cleanses. Allow your senses to be in a place of all that is Sacred.
Nurturing… the first thing that shouted at me this morning is a sense of nurturing and duty. The Seahorse is so delicate and yet so fierce with its protection and care of its family and young. So Today they are shouting to nurture yourselves and be fierce in the way you walk through the hours and moments of your day… surrender to the flow that carries you to the new and amazing places in life, but as you do…make sure you are mindful of those little places that we can get stuck in if we are not careful. It is time to be both Sensitive to needs of self and others, yet at the same time show strength in how you participate in life by making positive motions that take care of the framework of our souls.
Happy Monday Ya’ll!
Card of the Day – Seahorse
Seahorse brings for us lessons in persistence as we move towards our goals. Leave our stubbornness at the door and all things will move much smoother with our inner circles. It is time to take a closer look at things and get a fresh view of all things in your Sacred Hoop, physically, emotionally, spiritually for something has been out of balance and it is time to reset with purpose and unconditional.
Seahorse also speaks of serving others and caring for their needs, but while we are in that role we must not forget to nurture self as well. Slow down and do not over exert yourself for that will not assist in anything or anyone if you are too tired and/or worn out. Our purpose is not to serve others and loose ourselves in the process; it is about the Sacred balance.
Life is all about perspective and we must remember to approach with open eyes, mind and soul to stay balanced within the positives. Seahorses teach us how to move in and out of situations seamlessly, teaching us how to move through the currents of life and emotion and stay in a healthy state while doing so.
Be Bold! Adapt when the situation calls for it! Be colorful and enjoy Life! most importantly allow your souls to flow with the energy and waves of life around you allowing it to feed your spirit!
Long ago there were three sisters who lived together in an endless field. To look at them one could see that they were very different from each other in every way, yet they were Sisters none the less.
The youngest of the three was very young and was only able to crawl. They had dressed her in the bright and beautiful color of green.
The middle sister could be seen to wear a bright yellow dress and she often would run off to play when Father Sun shared his light and gentle winds raced the lands.
The oldest sister could be found standing straight and tall above her sisters in order to keep watch over them. She was dressed in a pale green shawl and her hair that was a soft pale yellow could often be seen gently blowing across her face as she stood high upon the field.
The one way in which they were all the same was how they were connected. They loved each other with all their hearts, they were family and they stayed together as such. This created a bond that made them very, very strong.
One day a stranger happened along and came to visit the home of the Three Sisters. It was a young boy from the nearby village. They watched him as he spoke with the winged ones, the four leggeds and others that were Sacred to the Sisters. This warmed their hearts and made them smile.
That summer the young boy returned, spent the day and when he was gone the youngest sister had disappeared. Her sisters cried and didn’t know what had happened to her. In the days to come the young boy of the village returned to gather the sacred sweetgrass that grew at the water’s edge. The two remaining sisters watched as his feet left their trail in the soft earth back towards his village.
That evening as Grandmother Moon spread her blanket across the sky, the oldest sister discovered that her middle sister had disappeared as well. She stood and wept for her loss. Now the older sister was left alone but she continued to stand tall in the field.
Soon the young boy came back and upon seeing how much she missed her sisters he gathered her up and took her to be back with her sisters, understanding that together the love they had for each other was strong and it was what created family.
The Three Sisters are represented as… Sister Bean
Sister Bean is dressed all in green. At first when she was young she could only crawl. Now as she grows, she clings to and leans on her Sister Corn for support. In return, Sister Bean gives her sister the nutrients she needs to grow.
Sister Squash
The middle sister is Sister Squash although sometimes she is called Pumpkin. She wears a bright, sunshine yellow dress and a golden crown and sits at the feet of her older sisters. She is much shorter than her sisters and her large leaves help keep the weeds away and the soil moist. Her vines are prickly and help to keep unwanted animals away from her sisters.
Sister Corn
The eldest is Sister Corn. She wears a pale green shawl and has silken hair that rustles when the wind blows through it. She grows tall and strong and allows her sister to lean on her for support. She keeps watch over her sisters, looking for danger and warning them.
This also creates a strong foundation for our gardens, the mainstay staples that will provide nutrition to our families.
Mitakuye O`yasin
~ bear Medicinewalker
Three Sisters by Jonny Lipford available at and from Rhythm of the Rain Horse CD
In Long days past, a poor Ojibwa man and his his wife lived with their children in a small and remote village located in Wisconsin. This man did not hunt very well making it difficult to provide for his family. His wife was kept busy with the small children which made helping him difficult. He was a good man with a good and kind heart, full of gratitude to the Creator even for what little he could manage for his family. This quality was passed down to his eldest son, who upon reaching the age of adulthood was ready to walk his vision quest. It was a time that every young tribal boy looked towards for it helped them to find and understand their Spirit Guide that would walk with them through their lives. It was a time that they would receive their spirit name and the sacred gift that would be shared with them of the path they were to walk.
Eldest son had been obedient since early childhood. He seemed pensive, thoughtful of others, mild in manner, and always a joy to his family and to his tribe. At the first indication of spring, tradition told him to build a hut somewhere in an isolated place. There, he would not be disturbed during his dream quest. He prepared his hut and himself and went immediately to begin his fast for seven days.
For the first few days, he amused himself walking in the woods and over the mountain trails. He examined trees, plants, and flowers. This kind of physical effort in the outdoors prepared him for a night of sound sleep. His observations of the day filled his mind with pleasant ideas and dreams.
More and more he desired to know how the trees, plants, flowers, and berries grew. Seemingly they grew wild without much help from the Indians. He wondered why some species were good to eat, while others contained poisonous juices. These thoughts came back to him many times as he retreated to his lodge at night. He secretly wished for a dream that would reveal what he could do to benefit his family and his tribe.
“I believe the Chief of Sky Spirits guides all things and it is to him I owe all things,” he sat thinking to himself. “I wonder if Chief Sky Spirit can make it easier for all Indians to acquire enough food without hunting animals every day to eat.”
“I must try to find a way in my dreams,” so he stayed on his bed the third day of fasting, because he felt weak and faint. Sometimes he thought that he was going to die. He dreamed that he saw a strong, handsome young man coming down from the sky, advancing toward him. He was richly dressed in green and yellow colors. He wore a plume of waving feathers on his head. His every movement was graceful.
“I have been sent to you,” said the Sky Visitor. “The Sky Chief who made all things in the sky and upon the Earth intends for me to be your Guardian Spirit and I have come to test you.
“Sky Chief has observed all that you have done to prepare yourself for your Quest. He understands the kind and worthy secret wish of your heart. He knows that you desire a way to benefit your family and your tribe. He is pleased that you do not seek strength to make war. I have come to show you how to obtain your greatest wish. First, your spirit name shall be Wunzh.”
The visitor then told Wunzh to arise and wrestle with him. This was the only way for him to achieve his sacred wish. As weak as he was from fasting, Wunzh wondered how he could ever wrestle the stranger. He rose to the challenge and was determined in his heart to die in the effort if he must. The two wrestled. After some time when Wunzh felt nearly exhausted, the Sky Visitor said, “It is enough for today. I will come in tomorrow to test you some more.” Smiling, the visitor ascended in the same direction from which he came.
Next day at the same time, the stranger appeared. Again the two wrestled. While Wunzh felt weaker than the day before, he set his mind and heart to his task. His courage seemed to increase, however, in reverse proportion to his waning physical strength. The Sky Visitor stopped just in time before Wunzh dropped to the ground. “Tomorrow will be your last chance, so I urge you to be strong, my friend as this is the only way for you to achieve your heart’s sacred wish,” said the Sky Visitor.
Wunzh took to his bed with his last ounce of energy. He prayed to the Sky Chief for wisdom and enough strength to endure to the end of his Quest.
The third time they wrestled, Wunzh was so weak that his arms and legs felt like rubber. But his inner determination drove him forward with the kind of endurance necessary to win. The same length of time passed as in the first two wrestling bouts. Suddenly the Sky Visitor stopped and declared himself conquered by Wunzh!
Then the Sky Visitor entered the lodge for the first time. He sat down beside Wunzh to instruct him in the way he should now proceed to achieve his secret wish. “Great Sky Chief has granted your desire. You have wrestled manfully. Tomorrow will be your seventh day of fasting. Your father will come to see you and bring you food. As it is the last day of your fast, you will be able to succeed.
“Now I will tell you what you must do to achieve your final victory. Tomorrow we will wrestle once more. When you have prevailed over me for the last time, then throw me down and strip off my clothes. You must clean the Earth of roots and weeds and make the ground soft. Then bury me in that very spot, covering me with my yellow and green clothes and then with Earth.
“When you have done this, leave my body in the Earth. Do not disturb it. Come occasionally to see if I have come to life. Be careful to see that no grass or weeds cover my grave. Once a month, cover me with fresh Earth. If you follow what I have told you, you will succeed in your Guardian Spirit Quest. You will help your family and all the Indians by teaching them what I have now taught you,” the Sky Stranger concluded as they shook hands and the Sky Visitor left.
On the seventh morning, Wunzh’s father came with some food. “My son, how do you feel? You have fasted long enough. It is seven days since you have eaten food. You must not sacrifice your life. The Creator does not require that of you.”
“My father, thank you for coming and for the food. Let me stay here alone until the sun goes down. I have my own special reasons.”
“Very well. I shall wait for you at home until the hour of the setting sun,” replied his father walking away.
The Sky Visitor returned at the same hour as before. The final wrestling match began. Wunzh had not eaten the food his father brought. But already he felt a new inner power that had somehow been given to him. Was it Spirit Power from his Guardian Spirit? Wunzh grasped his opponent with supernatural strength and threw him to the ground. Wunzh removed the beautiful clothes and the plume. Then he discovered his friend was dead. He remembered the instructions in every detail and buried his Guardian Spirit on the very spot where he had fallen. Wunzh followed every direction minutely, believing his friend would come to life again.
Wunzh returned to his father’s lodge at sundown. He ate sparingly of the meal his mother prepared for him. Never for a moment could he forget the grave of his friend. Throughout the spring and into summer he visited the grave regularly. He carefully kept the area clean of grass and weeds. He carefully kept the ground soft and pliable. Soon he saw the tops of green plumes emerging through the Earth. He noticed that the more care he gave the plants, the faster the green plumes seemed to grow.
Wunzh concealed his activity from his father. Days and weeks passed. Summer was drawing to a close. Then one day, Wunzh invited his father to follow him to the site of his Quest. He showed his father the graceful-looking plants growing there. They were topped with yellow silken hair and waving green plumes. Gold and green clusters of fruit adorned each side of the stalks.
“Father, these plants are from my dream friend,” explained Wunzh. “He is my Guardian Spirit, a friend to all mankind, named Mon-daw-min, meaning ‘corn for all Indians.’ This is the answer to my Quest, my secret heart’s wish. No longer will we need to hunt animals every day for our food. As long as we take care of our corn gift, the Earth will give us good food for our living.”
Wunzh pulled off the first ear of corn and give it to his father. “See, my father. This corn is what I fasted for. The Chief of Sky Spirits has granted my Quest. He has sent us this wonderful new food of corn. From now on our people need not depend entirely upon hunting and fishing to survive.”
Wunzh talked with his father, giving him all of the instructions he had received from his Guardian Spirit. He showed his father how the corn husks should be pulled off the stalks, and how the first seed must be saved for future plantings. He explained how the ears of corn should be held before the fire only long enough for the outer leaves to turn brown, so that the inside kernels remained sweet and juicy.
The entire family gathered for Wunzh’s feast of corn. The father led a prayer of thanksgiving for the bountiful and good gift from the Chief of Sky Spirits. Wunzh felt happy that his Guardian Spirit Quest was successfully completed.
This is how Wunzh became known as the father of Indian Corn as shared to me by the Chippewa/Ojibwa Indian Peoples.
Spring is Here! It Is Time to Step Out from The Closet!
I can hear you all now, eweeeeeeee what closet is bear talking about? Well I hate to disappoint you all but I am speaking of the many closets that exist out there…Why, because many of us are there hiding in them and if we really look closely and were really honest about it we would see ourselves peeking out from some form of a closet that we have been hiding in.
Each closet may be a bit different but the purpose remains the same… fear…and once we settle in that place of fear, hiding there seems easier than stepping out into the light where everyone can see us as imperfect. And the thought of that is terrifying; I know I have been there many times throughout my life.
Is it hard to come out, sure it is…
How hard is it to come out and tell people you are in bankruptcy?
Or looking your family in the eyes and saying I am gay?
How hard is it to hide in a closet if you cheated on your partner?
Or looking at your kids and telling them you are divorcing their dad or mom?
How hard is it to tell your parents something you fear will disappoint them, no matter how old you are?
It is not that one or the other is harder…for they are all hard.
So why is it we compare our closets without looking in our own?
All closets are hard… one is not better or worse than the others…one is not easier than another…for they are all hard…
At one point or another we all jump into the closet and hide, because they feel safe for us…at least for a little while. We can hide from what is on the other side of the door of that closet. No matter what our reasons are however, it is not a healthy place to live.
So why is it so hard, because we make it so, we worry about what others are going to think how they are going to react and I get that I truly do. We worry about loosing people over the issues, what is going to happen when the cat is let out of the bag.
Why? Because they all cause stress, it is normal and it is something that our brains do and is absolutely normal. Yet what happens when we choose to stay in the closets for long periods of time, not sharing the worries, concerns or secrets we have been holding on to so tightly? We play havoc with our own bodies for holding stress in can bring on illness, disease, heart attacks, it throws us off balance emotionally , physically even sometimes socially.
So what places us in there, what makes us step into that dark space behind the closet doors? Fear…fear puts us in the closet and we continue to feed it by hiding in the closet.
Okay so take a deep, deep breath and turn the knob on the door and step out of the closet.
Be real positive about it, be ready to get real back when you do. Take a step to release the fear. Authenticity…Be Direct, apologize if you need to for something you have done. However be unapologetic….do not apologize for who you are, never for who you are, for you are human like the rest of us, perfect in your imperfections.
Write your own story. Remember, if you feel scared in that closet you are not alone. It is hard but no matter what your closet is made of or where it is… there are others just like you waiting to do the same… so step out into life, and remember closets are not made for living… but the World is.
