Animal Totem Energy - Week of May 29, 2011

              A-Z Animals

In the long, cool spring we've had here in Colorado, I'm reminded of Praying Mantis as well of Fox, both of whom have been with us lately. This weather has put on hold some of our warm weather planting and forced us to wait and be still until the temperatures rise a bit more. With Praying Mantis we're reminded again to wait, improve our skills, practice to make them perfect, and act later when the time is right. This energy has come to us in different ways for quite some time, and until it changes, we're best advised to be very patient, because it's still possible that nothing will come of our efforts if we try to push ahead too soon.

Right now there can be false starts, which can lead to unnecessary time wasting. Instead, practice the basics of your skill sets, find anything you might have missed that could help you to master your craft on a higher level. Research new ways of doing things and incorporate them into what you already know. The time for actively moving ahead will come. Patience and optimism are the mantras for now.

For more insight into these energies, please look again at the previous Praying Mantis and Fox postings.

Blessings, Val

Animal Totem Energy - Week of May 22, 2011

A-Z Animals

Fox brings his energy to us again this week. Magic is in the air if you can discover how to use it for forging new directions and creations as well as developing more eloquence in your powers of manifestation. Many things are now in potential, waiting for the proper moment to emerge. In the mean time, you can practice your skills, whatever they may be. Whether in the arts, finance, athletics, or anything else for which you're passionate, this is the time to work on refining your abilities. This will probably require that you work in solitude for the time being, but it shouldn't be for too long.

Take advantage of Fox energy to watch closely what is going on around you, because the time to act will come and you will want to be ready. You may discover new ways of doing old things, or there could come to you resources to add to and enhance what you're already doing. Expect the unexpected, practice acting as if magic is the most ordinary and commonplace of things, and then you'll be ready when Fox shows up to lead you on your way.  

Blessings, Val

Garden Hose Dilemma

If you have a garden & need a new hose or two for the summer, please read the label it comes with. We just tried to replace all of our hoses with some from Black & Decker & thankfully Tom read the message on the back of the label. There was a warning not to drink out of this hose, as it "contains lead & other chemicals that are known to cause cancer." This means of course that we shouldn't water our vegetable gardens with it, nor allow our children or pets to drink from it or play in it. Who knew? Please pass this along to all of your gardening friends.

Blessings, Val

Animal Totem Energy - Week of May 15, 2011

             A_Z Animals

Praying Mantis gives us space to stay still, as stillness is the key to everything with this elegant creature. Now is the time to start a new meditation practice, sit quietly beneath the trees & just listen to their voices, take up Tai Chi, or anything that appeals to you  which will take you closer to your inner world. Watch & listen, really process what you're taking in, then be prepared to do something with the insights you receive. Even if you find yourself sitting alone at a coffee shop, turn off the cell phone & really look at what is going on around you. Ask for wisdom from your surroundings.

In relationships make sure you're retaining your autonomy, remaining true to who you are - your beliefs, ideals & ethics. Don't allow anyone else to derail you from your dream path, because at this time you may find yourself being consumed by a partner or lover. Deceit & betrayal could be part of the action right now since you may not be aware of all of the elements of the situation. It may be time to pull a stealthy move away from this affair.

Mantis tells you that you may be out of step, too hasty or not paying enough attention, or maybe just spread out too far in too many directions. By cultivating stillness, reacquainting yourself with  your own inner world, free of the influences of the outer chaos of our culture, you will gain power over the things that obstruct your way. There is nothing wiser than your inner self, no wisdom greater than that which you give to yourself, so be still & listen. 

Blessings, Val

Animal Totem Energy - Week of May 8, 2011

A-Z Animals

The energy for this week may put us into situations where we find that only sharp or aggressive responses to difficult situations seem appropriate. Gecko will attack to protect himself, so be prepared at this time to defend your space, whether it's an ideological position, moral stand, or something more mundane like some sort of a competition or threat in the everyday world. There's strife in the air & Gecko's energy will help you to know whether it's appropriate to fight or to cut & run. 

The decisions you make now will be important in disengaging from people & situations that are immobilizing you, taking your energy, & sabotaging your efforts. There might be things that have been going on that are simply nuisances, but which must be gotten rid of.  Some people stick like glue to you, trying to live through your life instead of their own. Now is the time to speak sharply if you have to in order to reclaim your own space & energy. If you can do this, you will be able to get free &, better yet, avoid entangling yourself with that kind of energy again. Resolving these conflicts peacefully is always to be hoped for, but if you're not being heard, then disengaging completely may be your only option at this time.

Gecko, being nocturnal, invites you to enjoy the nourishment of the nighttime hours when peace & relief from the ambient day time energies can be found. With all of the electronic gadgets in use in the world, all of that static is in the air all of the time, but is lessened at night. With the clearing of the energy, you can take nourishment from the environment & restore yourself for the coming day. Listen to the night sounds, hear your own thoughts, send prayers of gratitude, ask for guidance or whatever seems to be what you need now. Dreams will be important this week, as they will show you where you need to clear obstructions from your life. Detach & feel more serenity.

Blessings, Val

Taurus New Moon, Mars Conjuncts Nodes May 3, 2011

 

NASA

Tuesday's New Moon in Taurus (12:50 am MDT) allows us to reconnect on deeper levels in our personal relationships.  Old issues may come into clearer focus and perspective, and finally become resolved. You can forgive those involved and return to loving them compassionately and unconditionally.  Karmic and past life breakthroughs are also possible. You may realize old difficulties and situations differently in order to gain new psychological and spiritual insights and understandings, which cause you to relate more meaningfully and fully with those you love. You may even touch more profoundly your loved ones in the spirit world with whom you may have felt disconnected lately.

Along with creating relationship breakthroughs, your material resources may begin to improve which can be one of the new beginnings tied to new moons. Think bigger and feel all that you want to manifest now.  Speak openly to your inner guides and helpers, realize that having abundance means aligning yourself with Spirit and knowing that Spirit provides for all of us.  Every need is always met lovingly and easily.  Letting go of the old paradigms for making money may give you opportunities and creative ways to find greater successes and resources now. Still affecting us are five planets in the fire element which add inspiration, passion, generosity and the belief that anything is possible (Uranus, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter & Mars are all in Aries). What constitutes action relies on this Aries energy, although it may take time, persistence and patience to realize the results we so need today. So, baby steps are appropriate for these times, but babies grow up to take giant steps eventually.

You may realize an even greater awareness of who you are spiritually and psychologically now while Mars contacts the middle of the Milky Way, our Galactic Center, and the north node during this New Moon. The Galactic Center is an energy source of gargantuan magnitude that affects the earth's electromagnetic field as well as our own.  This massive energy input may affect communications, computers, the weather, travel, as well as mechanical and electrical devices. Caution and patience are advised in any of these areas. With these astrological influences, the main focus is on self and group development in consciousness and awareness, which brings about transformation and regeneration of who we are, and makes the possibilities for growth limitless. You can reconnect with the center of your being,  recommit to individual and global change, and visualize a better state of consciousness and well-being for everyone, including the animal and plant kingdoms. Creating a better place for all of us is an individual responsibility, more necessary than ever in these amazing and challenging times.

How this change manifests depends on what lessons and realizations will allow you to grow spiritually. What you most need to change will surface if you become quiet and introspective. Take the time and practice going within to find answers, and follow your intuition.  It is far easier or more comfortable to look outside ourselves or to project onto others what we need to change; however this is not what is asked for now. You may be a new journeyer in inner processing, and it takes courage to trust what you get and feel rather than your old ways of seeing. Always remember that you are only given what you are able to process at one time, so dive in with the intent to succeed and move yourself forward.  Adjustments and changes in what you are doing, how you are ending things and beginning new stages are all encouraged by for these influences.  Remember that healing and your inner place of being are undergoing transformation.  Time, courage and faith lead your inner process to your next stage of development.  Have a wonderful journey of discovery.

Ask for guidance from the six of Pentacles in the tarot to help in bringing a generosity of spirit for yourself, as well as for tithing to people or institutions which inspire you at this time.

Blessings, Tom