Spider Medicine

 The theme for me this month is Spider Medicine.  Two mornings in a row I saw a little spider in the corner of the bathroom.  At first I thought it was a little black dot and then I saw it move and realized it was just a sweet little spider.  I said hello and went about my day.  The second morning I was soaking in the tub and I looked up to see if the spider was still there.  As soon as I looked up it, it moved.  It did not move much, just enough to let me know it was still there.  While I soaked in the tub that day I remembered my first Monsoon Season in Sedona, Arizona.  The spiders were coming out everywhere.  I had one in my RV that scared the begezes out of me.  I went for help as I was so freaked out.  Then there were Tarantulas all over the place, or so it seemed.  I quickly became determined to move beyond my fear. 

I was living in a different land. There were many scary creatures, the Tarantula, Javalina, and Rattlesnakes!  We did not have these creatures in my homeland of Minnesota.  I researched the different types of spiders and found that they do not want to attack us, they become startled and scared just like we do.  With the help of my neighbors and friends I faced that fear, I examined a Tarantula who was captured in a glass coffee pot and watched it crawl on a woman’s hand.  There was nothing to fear.  I also learned how delicate all spiders are, especially Tarantulas.  If you drop one it will break and likely die.  I was in a new place with different animals then I was accustomed to.  So I was also learning about the animals that live around me as well as animal medicine and how an animal may appear with messages for us.  It was a wonderful learning experience.

This month, I had a few other spider incidents, so it’s pretty clear that Spider is trying to talk to me.  During a healing session out in nature a little spider came to say hello to me and then. . . 

When I was walking into the pantry after dinner one night, I saw this yellow brown spider on the wall.  The spider saw me at the same time I saw it and the spider jumped, and so did I!  and then I screamed and very quickly backed out of the room and in to the kitchen, I startled my partner as he was cooking dinner and the cat raced into the other room, rug flying behind her.  I also went into the other room, and peered into the kitchen over the bar, and took numerous deep breaths.  My Sweetie looked for the spider and found it, he identified it as a wolf spider, assured me that there was nothing to worry about and attempted to capture it.  He was not successful;  I am clear it is time to look at spider medicine again.  I began my study that evening.  A few days later, that spider appeared on the wall of the counter beside the garbage can as we were finishing dinner.  I looked at the spider, no fear, and told it my blog was going to be about spider medicine, that I had already begun writing it.  My partner easily captured it and released it outside.  

So what is Spider Medicine?

When I think about Spider Medicine, I think about weaving the web of my life and writing, and I ask myself a few questions.  Should I be writing more?  Am I consciously creating my life?  Am I weaving the web of my life, in concert with my dreams?  When I first started working with Spider Medicine, it was about writing.  When a spider appeared to me the main question was; Are you writing?  My "job" at the time was to write and heal.  There is a story about spider creating the primordial language in both of these books, Animal Speak, Ted Andrews the Keynote for Spider is Creativity and Weaving of Fate.  In the Medicine Cards by, David Carson and Jamie Sams, the key word for spider is Weaving.  

Contemplating these questions and taking a Shamanic Journey with spider during meditation; the message from spider for me this time is:

Look at your life from a larger expanse.  The first image I saw in my journey, was the spider looking beyond his web into the rest of the room; Than walking from one edge of the web to the other.  I felt it was a message to look at the expansiveness of my world.  Do not be limited by what is right in front of me because there may be something just around the corner waiting just for me.  Then, I saw the image from, Charlotte’s Web, when the baby spiders hatched and decided it was time to leave the web, how they let go of the web attached to their silken thread and flew in the wind.  How does that relate to me?  Like Charlotte I have given birth.  For me it was a new blog, entitled Wonder Filled Moments.  I write every day and imagine the strands of my words connecting to those who may enjoy reading them.  A year ago I was struggling and I remember saying, “I am in charge of my life and I can create my world however I want it to be!”  Looking back at this last year I can honestly say, “I am weaving the web of my life in concert with my dreams.”  And Yes, I am writing on a daily basis!  Something I have not done in many years!

The final image from the Spider was close up of its body.  “Unlike insects, spiders have a two section body instead of three, often giving them a figure eight kind of appearance.  This in conjunction with its eight legs (unlike an insect’s six) links it to all the mysticism associated with the geometric form of the figure eight.  On it’s side, this is the symbol of infinity.  It is the wheel of life flowing from one circle to the next.”  “The spider found within the web reminds us that we are the center of our world.”  Ted Andrews, Animal Speak.  

Remember, you are the center of your world.  Is it time for you to look at how you are weaving the web of your life.  If an animal is stalking you, showing up in your space or thoughts, ask it If it has a message for you? and then become quiet and listen.  Or look it up on line or in one of the books mentioned above and see if the message resonates with you.  Or ask me, I am available for Medicine Card Readings, Nature Readings and more.  www.healinghandsofsedona.com 

In gratitude,
Linda G

HAPPY 2013 !!! 10 Keys to Happiness

My original plan for this blog entry was to reflect on 2012.  Upon re-reading what I wrote, it just didn't feel right, I couldn't post it.   When I asked, "What should I write about? the 10 Keys to Happiness popped into my head."   A few days ago, I came upon this posting from the Chopra Blog.  

In summary of 2012 for me personally.  It was an intense  year.  I released a lot of old beliefs, I re-connected with nature, I began to trust my intuition and higher guidance and I accepted that I have unique healing abilities. The most important thing I achieved this year was my connection to myself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  Deepak's posting from 7 years ago supports what I've done and best describes my aspirations for living a happy balanced life.  I think they can be a helpful reminder to us all.  

Happy New Year and much success in 2013!
Linda G

10 Keys to Happiness

Posted by Deepak Chopra, M.D. on Tue, Dec 27, 2005, 3:01 pm PST
Provided by: Chopra Blog

Physical well being is inseparable from emotional well being.  Happy people are healthy people.  The wisdom traditions of the world tell us that happiness does not depend on what you have, but on who you are.  As we begin the new year, it may be worthwhile to reflect on what really creates happiness in us.  The following ten keys, gleaned from the wisdom traditions, may give us some insight.

1. Listen to your body’s wisdom, which expresses itself through signals of comfort and discomfort.  When choosing a certain behavior, ask your body, “How do you feel about this?”  If your body sends a signal of physical or emotional distress, watch out.  If your body sends a signal of comfort and eagerness, proceed.
    
2. Live in the present, for it is the only moment you have.  Keep your attention on what is here and now; look for the fullness in every moment.  Accept what comes to you totally and completely so that you can appreciate it, learn from it, and then let it go.  The present is as it should be.  It reflects infinite laws of Nature that have brought you this exact thought, this exact physical response.  This moment is as it is because the universe is as it is.  Don’t struggle against the infinite scheme of things; instead, be at one with it.
    
3. Take time to be silent, to meditate, to quiet the internal dialogue. In moments of silence, realize that you are recontacting your source of pure awareness.  Pay attention to your inner life so that you can be guided by intuition rather than externally imposed interpretations of what is or isn’t good for you.
4. Relinquish your need for external approval.  You alone are the judge of your worth, and your goal is to discover infinite worth in yourself, no matter what anyone else thinks.  There is great freedom in this realization.
5. When you find yourself reacting with anger or opposition to any person or circumstance, realize that you are only struggling with yourself.  Putting up resistance is the response of defenses created by old hurts.  When you relinquish this anger, you will be healing yourself and cooperating with the flow of the universe.
6. Know that the world “out there” reflects your reality “in here.”  The people you react to most strongly, whether with love or hate, are projections of your inner world.  What you most hate is what you most deny in yourself.  What you most love is what you most wish for in yourself.  Use the mirror of relationships to guide your evolution.  The goal is total self-knowledge.  When you achieve that, what you most want will automatically be there, and what you most dislike will disappear.
7. Shed the burden of judgment – you will feel much lighter.  Judgment imposes right and wrong on situations that just are.  Everything can be understood and forgiven, but when you judge, you cut off understanding and shut down the process of learning to love.  In judging others, you reflect your lack of self-acceptance.  Remember that every person you forgive adds to your self-love.
8. Don’t contaminate your body with toxins, either through food, drink, or toxic emotions.  Your body is more than a life-support system.  It is the vehicle that will carry you on the journey of your evolution.  The health of every cell directly contributes to your state of well being, because every cell is a point of awareness within the field of awareness that is you.
9. Replace fear-motivated behavior with love-motivated behavior.  Fear is the product of memory, which dwells in the past.  Remembering what hurt us before, we direct our energies toward making certain that an old hurt will not repeat itself.  But trying to impose the past on the present will never wipe out the threat of being hurt.  That happens only when you find the security of your own being, which is love.  Motivated by the truth inside you, you can face any threat because your inner strength is invulnerable to fear.
10. Understand that the physical world is just a mirror of a deeper intelligence.  Intelligence is the invisible organizer of all matter and energy, and since a portion of this intelligence resides in you, you share in the organizing power of the cosmos.  Because you are inseparably linked to everything, you cannot afford to foul the planet’s air and water.  But at a deeper level, you cannot afford to live with a toxic mind, because every thought makes an impression on the whole field of intelligence.  Living in balance and purity is the highest good for you and the Earth.

Fall/Winter and the Medicine Wheel

For the last few weeks I’ve been thinking about creating a schedule, so I have time for painting, and hiking, and reading, and writing; things beyond working & caring for our home.  However, we have had such a beautiful fall season here in Sedona, and with temps near 70 degrees today I decided to go for a walk by the creek instead. I figured two hours at the creek, come home work on schedule and write blog.  I spent 5 hours at the creek.  Talk about a lesson in going with the flow.

While at the creek I meditated asking:  “What should I write about this month?”  I saw an image of myself creating a schedule and then realized I could not follow it.  It is not how I live my life anymore.  It is not how I want to live my life.  I shook it off and listened; to the water flow in the creek, the rapids a bit down stream, the soft breeze flowing through the trees; and I felt the sun caressing my face with it’s warm rays. 

Then I began hearing words, I heard a voice say “Talk about the seasons, the 4 directions, the flow of life.  We are transitioning from fall to winter, talk about what impact the change in season may have on how we feel, think and spend our time…”  Whoa, okay, I'll do my best. 

FALL, as the days get shorter and colder there is a tendency to slow down.  It is the time of the West.  It is the place where the sun sets, the home of the Bear, the keeper of the sacred dream.  “The Bear goes to into her cave and hibernates, taking some time to digest her year and her life so far.  So it is with our lives.  We must stop and see where we’ve been, receiving the lesson before we begin again.” Desert Tuesdays, David J. Davis

This is the time for us to quiet our mind, as we quiet our bodies.  The days are shorter indicating a natural tendency to spend more time at home, indoors, away from others.  Our need for sleep increases and our entire system really wants to slow down.  This is the time to look back at our goals, our accomplishments, our disappointments; it is a time of self-reflection, examination, hibernation.  The West, the Bear, says slow down, go with your flow of energy, do not allow the outside world to dictate what you do and when you do it.

December 21, is the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, this occurs annually between Dec. 20-23 when the sun reaches its most southerly declination.  This is the time we move into the North to winter. 

In the North we have, the White Buffalo and the Hummingbird.  It is about wisdom, prayer and gratitude.  It is the place of our ancestors, Grandmothers and Grandfathers, ancient memories, ancient wisdom.  The White Buffalo, representative of prayer and gratitude. The Hummingbird, who drinks directly from the nectar of life, not built for flight yet accomplishes the impossible journey. 

WINTER, beginning around December 22^nd, the days slowly begin to get longer.  While still in hibernation like the Bear, White Buffalo says, it is a time to connect with your Spirit, your ancestors, your inner wisdom.  Hummingbird says it is the time to imagine the possibilities and dream the future into being.  It is the time to build on what has been working for you and let go of what hasn’t.  It is the time to prepare for the spring, when we plant our seeds and begin anew. 

This is the natural cycle of life. The seasons change and so should the expectations we have of ourselves of others.  Fall and winter are a time to slow down, assess where we’ve been.  To relax and be who we are.  It is a time to look inward for higher guidance and to begin the preparation for a new year, a new life, a new time. 

During this season of long nights and short days take time for you.  Time to remember who you are and what you desire.  Then prepare for the spring when life is new and fresh.  What do you want to plant in your future?  Take the time, listen to yourself, your higher guidance, your dream.  

Have Happy Love Filled December.

Linda G

Wake-up Call

A wake-up call from “Spirit”

It has been two years since I wrote in this blog.  I hadn’t realized how close it was to that time until I finished what I wanted to write.  I decided to post on the exact date two years later.  The goal is to write once per month.  This month I will talk about what happened to me this year.

When you do not listen to Spirit, something will happen to get your attention.  Usually, it is not something you desire, but it is something you have created.

What a year 2012 has been.  It all began when I was fired last February.  I knew it was time for me to go, I had been feeling it for weeks, but I never expected to be fired, nor for it to hurt so much.  I consider myself a responsible person, a valued employee, a person with integrity, someone who can be trusted.  But being fired, when I helped open the business and build the business and was thought of by the customers as one of the owners, was unthinkable to me.  I was devastated, I needed time to recover.  It was not my business.  It was not my dream.  It was time for me to let go and find my dream, my desire.  

During my grieving process I looked over each of my astrology reports, my human design system, my destiny reports and any other thing about my psyche I could find to better understand what had been going on.  If there was anything wrong with me?  What my roll was in all of it? And what did I need to do to break the pattern, if there is a pattern.  What I learned is that I did not want “just a job,” I wanted to do something that felt good, that felt right, something that I would love to do and support myself doing it.  Of course I had no clue as to what “it” was.    While at the afore mentioned job, I met many people, however, I took only one person’s phone number with me.  After a few weeks of grieving I called her.  She offered me part-time work that in a very short period of time became very prosperous.  This part-time position allows me the time and energy to build a business with my spiritual/healing work, be out in nature and to get back to painting again.  Spirit led me to take that number and to know when to call this person.  I could not have guessed how important it would be to me.  

Being blessed with a wonderful supportive partner, I had time to explore the possibilities.  I tried to look very deeply into myself and to figure out what it is “I” wanted to do.  I love to paint, but I do not want to rely on that for my income.  I am fairly smart and can do a lot of things, but what is it I want to do.  Then one day I saw an ad for “The Reconnection” with Dr. Eric Pearl.  He was going to be in Sedona, for one evening and then he would be in Phoenix for a weekend seminar, the following week.  I had seen his book before, but there was something about him I didn’t like, that kept me away from buying his book.  This time it was different, I felt a draw to attend his weekend seminar.  After some contemplation I decided to go ahead and get his book, Heal Others, Heal Yourself.  I was instantly enthralled.  I knew I need to go to the weekend seminar.  I did not see him in Sedona.  As it happened, my partner had just received a bonus and we had the cash to pay for the seminar.  I reserved my space, booked a room and began reading the book.

During one of the lectures Dr. Pearl talked about how people chose to attend these seminars.  How things in their life just fell together and allowed them the opportunity to be there.  All of a sudden they have the money, the time and the desire.  “You may have even been fired, thus, opening up the space for you to attend this seminar.”  Wow! That was me.  What a trip.  Was this Spirit led?  I think so, I would not have looked into it if I had not been fired.  While at the seminar, I met a woman, who is now a friend.  She introduced me to a number of other people who are friends as well.  I had been praying for female friends, and now I have them.  

It is now November.  I completed The Reconnection training on April 1, 2012.  Since that time I have remembered I am intimately connected to Spirit.  I realize, that if I quiet my mind and listen, I will have a much clearer idea of what the next step is.  Spirit is always there guiding me, nudging me and when I really don’t listen, allowing me to fall so I can pick myself up.  

I now meditate on an almost daily basis.  I feel like I am more conscious and aware of what is going on in my life.   At times it is difficult to deal with the outside world, with the drama.  Yet it seems important that I get out and share my love, my energy, my “being-ness” with others.  This is the way I can share in the healing of the planet and humanity, by being me, filled with all the love and light I can receive.

I have finally been able to see that I truly am the creator of my life.  That if I take the time to be quiet I can get clear messages that help guide me in ways I had not even thought of.  I have learned how to be still again, I re-kindled my love of nature and my connection to the Earth.  It has been quite a learning process.  First was the Reconnection and Reconnective Healing.  I was guided to rent space to provide these services.  This was only for a few months, just long enough to meet people from my soul family, people who are an important part of my life and learning.  Then I remembered the workshop I had designed and began offering a shorter version of that.  Next G.U.S. showed me how to do intuitive readings using the medicine wheel and gem stones.  Lastly, I was introduced to Munay-Ki, Mayan Rites of Empowerment and Protection.

I am so blessed, so grateful that I have had the opportunity to experience so much.  It seems Spirit knows what the next step is, even when I do not.  As I state this I think, what is it I truly want?  I want to be love, to share love, to give love, to know love…  It’s what I have been saying for years.

I now work at home and have time to paint, play and be.  I give Munay-Ki rites one night per week, offer Reconnective Shamanic Healing, Spiritual Counseling/Coaching and provide Intuitive Nature Readings and  Sacred Stone Medicine Wheel Readings.  

My website is www.healinghandsofsedona.com.  Until Next time, Many Blessings.