Raven Funeral

Living in a pine forest in the mountains, I have witnessed many animal behaviors that I have thought to be strange and wondrous.  What the ravens shared with us that day was definitely high on that barometer.
 

It was the middle of a Spring day.  It was quiet in the neighborhood, the kids not home from school yet.  My dining room has a view of the cemetery across the street.  It’s the town cemetery that was established in the 1800s, so it’s been around longer than the houses on the road.  As I walked through the dining room to the kitchen, something caught my eye.  I couldn’t quite wrap my head around what I glimpsed outside.

A wave of glossy black, completely covering the road, was moving up the hill.  

I went outside, as quietly as I could, still not quite being able to grasp what I was seeing.  The roadway was covered in ravens, shoulder to shoulder, walking calmly and silently, together up the hill.  There were so many ravens, they filled the roadway from one side to the other.

I had to get a better look.  I quickly and as quietly as I could, went inside and then ran up the stairs to my mom’s apartment which has a deck overlooking the street and the cemetery.  I grabbed her on the way, wanting a witness and to make sure it was not a figment of my imagination.  We both stood there, our mouths agape (good…she saw them, too!)  We watched this wave of ravens marching to the top of the hill.  We tried to count them, but there were just too many.   We lost count around 40.  

As we watched, more ravens flew down, landed towards the back of the group and joined in the march upward. 

 

We must have stood there watching in silence for several minutes.  When the front of the group reached the top of the road, next to the end of the cemetery land, they spread their massive black wings and flew up towards the surrounding pine trees.  As the others reached the same spot, they too, flew up, some to join the first group in the trees, others just flew away.   Then, all of a sudden, as if by some invisible cue to the rest of the masses, they all flew away.   The sound they made as they took flight has stayed with both my mom and myself.   I believe we heard it with not only our physical ears, but with our soul ears, and felt it deep within our hearts.

After all the ravens were gone and the roadway was once again, a normal country road, my mom turned to me and said “I think we just witnessed a Raven funeral.”  That was what came to my mind, too. 

 

We’ve lived in our house for 24 winters now.  We have never seen anything like that again.   

We have never forgotten, either.

Raven in Weaverville Joss House Tree, photographer: Paula Masterman 

 I have a challenge for you, that is, if you are brave enough to try it...

The Dandelion - the little yellow flower that most think of as a weed that spoils the green carpet of their lawn.  I think of them as something quite different - Mother Nature's solution to unhealthy soil.  That's the irony.  If Dandelion has shown up in your yard, it's because the soil needs repairing.  Yet, most people, when they see Dandelion, pour chemicals on them to destroy them, hoping to "fix" their green lawn, when all they are doing is damaging their soil - and calling more Dandelions to appear next season!

Here's the challenge = what if (and it's a biggie for some of you big-time lawn-lovers) you allowed the Dandelion to grow for one whole season, and let it repair the soil naturally?  That means no chemicals, no pulling out the Dandelions - just let them be.

We did it and now we have a luscious meadow in our front yard, where the deer come to feast on the grasses that grow.  We've gained Yarrow, Rose Campion and Chamomile that have appeared all via the magic of the birds and the winds.  We have a safe environment for the Mason bees and honey bees that are feasting on our flowering Oregano.  

Now, I understand not everyone wants a meadow for their front yard, with such a variety of wild flowers and wildlife, but what it does tell me is that our front yard is a safe place for all life to flourish.  

Give Dandelion a chance to do their job, what Mother Nature intended them to do.  Your lawn could be just as safe a place for your family to play upon - healthy, green and safe from chemicals and poisons, all thanks to the Dandelion.

 

Things we can forget when we're in the midst of sadness...

You will laugh again.
You will feel happy again.
You will hope again.
You will be inspired again.
It's okay to be mad.
It's okay to be sad.
This is temporary.

Give it a minute, take a breathe and remember you are supported by your Angels, Guides and loved ones in spirit - always ~

 

Today, I heard this statistic again: 
 Heart disease is the # 1 killer of American women.
This time when I heard those words though, this thought ran through my mind faster than I could type it here:

That makes so much sense because 

women carry their burdens in their hearts.

Here are some affirmations for your heart health courtesy Louise Hay's Heal Your Body:

I lovingly allow joy to flow through my mind, body and experience.

I bring joy back to the center of my heart.

I breathe freely and fully.

I am safe.

I trust the process of life.

So, along with the recommendations from your physician to take care of your heart, please consider including heart healthy affirmations in your health plan.  Let's turn this statistic around.  It's our daughters' future, too.

 

This is what I posted on November 16, 2010.  Today is National Wear Red Day to show one's support and awareness to women about their heart health and they are still quoting that statistic.  Yes, it's important to understand the physical signs of dis-ease within our physical bodies and to address them.  My Angels and Guides have taught me that it's also important (and I personally feel the first priority) to address what is happening emotionally and spiritually, because our bodies are simply a reflection of this.

As you are addressing any health issues, I encourage you to include exploration of your emotional state of mind, too.  Include some affirmations to shift your perceptions.  I believe you'll find your journey to a healthy well-being will be quicker, easier and more thorough.

 

I did.  And it was amazing!!!  

 

Image courtesy of http://bestvalentinesday2014.com/valentines-day-2014-gift-ideas-for-boyfriend-bf/

 

 

 Tiger Lily in Paula's garden

I decided to begin my morning by checking on my flower garden.  It's been a hot June - unusual for us - so I wanted to make sure they had enough water to get through the heat today.  That's when I noticed - my Tiger Lily had buds on them!  There they were, ready to produce those beautiful orange blossoms and my heart skipped a few beats.  I was really happy to see those buds!  I felt such a sense of joy and comfort wash over my heart.  Wait...why would this simple act of noticing these buds bring such a physical and emotional reaction to me on such a quiet morning??

And my ever-attentive Guides said: Renewal, rebirth.  With your attention, it came through the rough spell (Winters) and is now about to blossom.  Congratulations!!

You see, I have a confession about this particular plant.  After it's initial blooming, it's never produced a single flower.  I've had it for 2 years now and the most it's produced is a few leaves that died back both Winters.  When I was clearing away Winter's debris earlier this year, I contemplated dumping it in the compost, but thought I would give it one more try to flower.  I sprinkled some plant food, told it I would love to see some blossoms this year and continued to water it along with all the rest.

Result?  Rebirth, renewal, new beginnings...or in Tiger Lily's case - flowers.

With a little attention (focus), you can get through a harsh time (Winter), and find yourself with new opportunities, new choices, a new perspective. 

Such a simple thing, we almost discard or miss it...and yet, so powerful.  Don't discard your chance to blossom, ok?

Sunflower... I was once told the Native Americans consider this flower to be the Grandmother of all flowers, as it grows tall over them, protecting them, watching them blossom.  I love that idea.  This particular Sunflower was shimmering in the sunshine at a Farmer's Market.  I couldn't take it home with me, but I brought the next best thing - this image snapped on my phone-camera (how bizarre is that...and yet so common place, now) as I was headed to meet the family waiting for me in the car.

Emerson's words ring true -  a much more elegant way of saying "get out of our own way" which works for me, too.

Hope you take the time to admire some beauty every day ~ 

              Don't stand in your own way of your own progress ~

                     and if you do, it's okay...ask your Angels to help you~

Remembering to Breath through it ~

Are you feeling pulled in different directions?

I don't know exactly where or what the planets are doing right now, I only know that the result here on Mother Earth is one of extremes - chaos, confusion and clarity.  Sometimes the clarity feels worse than the chaos but that's because sometimes it's a shock to the system.  What's going on?

Our guides are saying this - the veil of energy that lies between all of us living in physical form and spirit form, has gotten so thin during these past years, that we are feeling more in our subtle energy bodies than ever before.  If we are not aware of this, we can interpret it as feeling raw or tender, confused and hurt.  We lose our patience quicker, we make assumptions based on emotional responses, we are sensing more information in a faster "download" than we are able to process!  This makes us feel vulnerable, defensive and just plain grumpy.

The bright side (and yes, there is one!) of this thinning veil is that we are also seeing things with fresh eyes - and eliminating that which doesn't serve our highest good because we don't have the patience for it hanging around us anymore.  Taking care of old business, clearing the clutter, speaking your truth like never before are direct results of this thinning veil.  We are taking care of business so we can move to our next step of clarity and understanding and a happier YOU living in your truth and passion!

I noticed in the astrology blogs, that Mercury is now in Retrograde... I know you've heard this expression but what does it mean,
or more importantly, how does this effect us???

In astrology lingo, it's about the planet Mercury having the appearance of spinning backwards in the night sky.  Mercury is the planet that symbolizes communication and travel - so when it's in retrograde, we experience breakdowns of any kind of communication and troubles with modes of travel, transportation.  The day Mercury went into retrograde, the internet in our little town went ka-fluey for several hours.  No one for miles could get online...perfect example.  Having car woes?  Mercury retrograde.  Computer acting up?  Mercury retrograde.

What can you do?
Be gentle with yourself.
Give yourself a time out so you can choose your words carefully to avoid any confusion on everyone's part.
Remember this is temporary - we are all in this together and as much as you would like some compassion shown to you, so would the other person in this scenario.
Ask Archangel Michael to protect your car.
Ask Archangel Gabriel to help you communicate.
Drink more water.
Remember to Breathe...

Here's an affirmation I find myself repeating lately:
I easily eliminate that which no longer serves my highest good and comfortably receive the infinite supply of abundance from the Universe.

Here is a picture I took while I stood on a footbridge in town, watching the creek flow under me, and thanking the Fairies for helping me surrender to the flow of life.  I hope you also feel the power of Mother Earth's healing energies as you gaze into Her waters, Her lifeforce.


Hang in there ~ You are loved by us and supported by the Universe!
Many blessings to you,
Paula