December 9th, 2016
Christmas is fast approaching, there are clues everywhere from the music blasted over the shopping mall speakers, the parcels piled up a the post office, the grumpy, rushed people pushing through the crowds, two-fisting their bags of gifts (which they can't afford) and the decorations on the homes and store fronts.
Before I had children, I hated the commercial garbage that came with this holiday. Seeing the Christmas decorations next to the Halloween costumes in October or being bombarded with gift ideas at each commercial break in early November, it all seemed in such poor taste.
I always had a good time at Christmas. When I was younger, my mother and I would head over to my aunt and uncle's house for Christmas Eve where we would celebrate my uncle's birthday until midnight. Then, we would dole out Christmas gifts after midnight. We would eat and have dessert all over again in the wee hours of Christmas morning. Then we would sleep until it was time to go to my grandparents' home for Christmas. We would see all the cousins and their growing families. I didn't see many of them the rest of the year but we would catch up at my grandparents' home. My mother and I never had much money and my aunt, uncle and cousins would always buy us gifts even though they knew we couldn't buy them anything. It felt so good the first year I was able to surprise everyone with a gift. I was working full-time and able to splurge. It was the best!
When I married and had children of my own, we started new traditions. We stay in our pyjamas and lounge around the house, all cozy. The girls play with their new toys, my mother, husband and I linger over coffee and read from our new books. It is mellower but oh so cozy. I still call my aunt and uncle, they live in Aylmer and I in Kemptville so we generally don't see each other but it wouldn't be Christmas without talking to them. My cousins are at their house so I talk to them too.
We decorated the tree as a family last weekend. I enjoyed it, the girls are still young enough to be excited about Santa and the pretty tree. Each year I wonder if this is our last "magical" Christmas. It's not the same when they stop believing. I know the holidays are not about gifts and spending money but, I always get into the spirit when I start shopping. I am just so excited when I find the perfect gift, something my loved ones will love but would never buy for themselves.
Today was the best. I have already bought a gift for each of my daughters. Santa's gifts are on the way. My mother wasn't able to find anything in her many excursions out to the stores. She gets confused by the names of various dolls from multiple kids' shows. I told her I would get something on her behalf today. I drove out into the sunlight , my favourite music blaring and, found some perfect gifts. The girls will love them and my mom will be happy to have caused so much joy. Then, I visited a store and purchased some awesome gifts for my husband. I just know his face will light up when he sees them (no pressure or anything).
I am not a materialistic person and we only buy the girls a few gifts each. I think it's my inner child that is making up for lost time. Growing up, I would have these awesome ideas what to buy for people. I paid attention to what they liked and knew that my gift ideas would make them so happy. I just couldn't buy those things; for my mom, for aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and boyfriends. It feels so good to be able to buy something special for my loved ones now. It truly puts me in the Christmas spirit, not the commercial aspect of it but the spirit of giving, of thinking of others and creating special moments.
We have the cozy home, the fireplaces, the food, the people we love and the fun traditions. The gifts are just the cherry on top. Merry Christmas everyone!
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Showing posts with label spirit. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spirit. Show all posts
Friday, 9 December 2016
Friday, 21 October 2016
Book of the Week-Living an Inspired Life
October 21st, 2016
I just finished reading Wayne Dyer's, Living an Inspired Life. I always enjoy his books, they make me think and, sometimes, after his book has changed the way I see things, my life is better. Every improvement of my mind, leads to a higher quality of relationship with my loved ones and with the state of my life in general.
In this book, Wayne shows us what an inspired life looks and feels like, providing examples from his own life and from other mentors. You take some time to be quiet and to connect with your Source, every day. You have a plan for your life and you are open to signs and synchronicity that steer you in the right direction. You value your health so you make time to nourish your body, rest and spend time with other high energy individuals. You hold onto your vision for your life without becoming attached to outcome or led by your ego. You know that your Source knows what you need and you search for the clues to the next step. You also recognize that all people and experiences are intended to move you forward on your path.
Wayne reminds us that we are each a piece of that Source, that we are connected, powerful and creative. He warns against judging others, dismissing their role in our life and holding back the forgiveness that may set us free. He suggests that we protect our vision for our life from the scrutiny and criticism of others. We also need to avoid media, entertainment and people who expose us to violence, hatred and fear. This pulls us away from our Source.
We are also guided to see our bodies as healthy because that is our normal state. We are bombarded with messages by media that encourage us to worry about our health. There is a pill for every ailment and we are told that 1 in 10 or 2 out of 5 will get this ailment, leading to fear and dis-ease. As we align with Source through time spent alone in silence, we may need to make changes in our lives. In order for our life to bloom, we may need to correct some of our behaviours (addiction, negativity etc) and end some relationships or change employment.
We can move in the direction of our inspired life by noticing what excites us and taking action in that direction. We don't always know how we will get there but if we say yes to life, follow our intuition and simplify our life, we will be moving in the right direction. Wayne encourages us to retrieve our child spirit: joyful, trusting, playful and full of hope and surrender our ego. The ego restricts us because we are working for the payoff, we want the reward and acknowledgement. In order to get out of our ego and into spirit, we can practise giving generously to others without any expectations. We must declutter our schedule as well as our space because there will be no room for inspiration if our minds are full and our life is hectic. That is why it is wise to slow down, do what we enjoy, spend time in the service of others, connect in nature and take small steps, recognizing opportunities as they come your way.
Obviously, this is an ideal way of life but, just making any adjustment in this direction can lead to more joy, peace and fulfilment.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
I just finished reading Wayne Dyer's, Living an Inspired Life. I always enjoy his books, they make me think and, sometimes, after his book has changed the way I see things, my life is better. Every improvement of my mind, leads to a higher quality of relationship with my loved ones and with the state of my life in general.
In this book, Wayne shows us what an inspired life looks and feels like, providing examples from his own life and from other mentors. You take some time to be quiet and to connect with your Source, every day. You have a plan for your life and you are open to signs and synchronicity that steer you in the right direction. You value your health so you make time to nourish your body, rest and spend time with other high energy individuals. You hold onto your vision for your life without becoming attached to outcome or led by your ego. You know that your Source knows what you need and you search for the clues to the next step. You also recognize that all people and experiences are intended to move you forward on your path.
Wayne reminds us that we are each a piece of that Source, that we are connected, powerful and creative. He warns against judging others, dismissing their role in our life and holding back the forgiveness that may set us free. He suggests that we protect our vision for our life from the scrutiny and criticism of others. We also need to avoid media, entertainment and people who expose us to violence, hatred and fear. This pulls us away from our Source.
We are also guided to see our bodies as healthy because that is our normal state. We are bombarded with messages by media that encourage us to worry about our health. There is a pill for every ailment and we are told that 1 in 10 or 2 out of 5 will get this ailment, leading to fear and dis-ease. As we align with Source through time spent alone in silence, we may need to make changes in our lives. In order for our life to bloom, we may need to correct some of our behaviours (addiction, negativity etc) and end some relationships or change employment.
We can move in the direction of our inspired life by noticing what excites us and taking action in that direction. We don't always know how we will get there but if we say yes to life, follow our intuition and simplify our life, we will be moving in the right direction. Wayne encourages us to retrieve our child spirit: joyful, trusting, playful and full of hope and surrender our ego. The ego restricts us because we are working for the payoff, we want the reward and acknowledgement. In order to get out of our ego and into spirit, we can practise giving generously to others without any expectations. We must declutter our schedule as well as our space because there will be no room for inspiration if our minds are full and our life is hectic. That is why it is wise to slow down, do what we enjoy, spend time in the service of others, connect in nature and take small steps, recognizing opportunities as they come your way.
Obviously, this is an ideal way of life but, just making any adjustment in this direction can lead to more joy, peace and fulfilment.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Monday, 27 June 2016
Jean Sebastien Charron
June 27th, 2016
On Saturday, I took my eldest daughter, Molly, to her dentist appointment. My mother was at home with my youngest so it was nice for us to have some time alone. As the dental hygienist was preparing the station for Molly's appointment, I noticed a tattoo on the back of her neck. It said 11:11. I asked her about the meaning of her tattoo. She said her grandma used to tell her to make a wish each time she saw 11:11 on the clock. Her grandma was very superstitious and after she passed away, the dental hygienist had that tattooed on the back of her neck.
I told her the story I have written about in a previous blog:
After my 17 year old cousin, Jean Sebastien, passed away, I saw 10:10 on clocks everywhere I went. I also heard the same songs we were listening to during our visit at his parents' house after his death-Hotel California and Stairway to Heaven. We had listened to a cd of Jean Sebastien trying to master these songs on the guitar and singing along. I asked my Godparents, his parents, if 10:10 had any significance. I was thinking maybe October 10th was an important date. They said it wasn't. From the moment I asked that question, I started to see 11:11 everywhere I went. I realized it wasn't the number itself, just the repetition. It became a symbol for me that I was not alone.
Whenever I had something important planned like my wedding, a surgery to have cysts removed from my ovaries or a court case (after we moved into this house and the lady who bought our old property sued our real estate agent and us because she wanted our furniture) it was always scheduled at 11 on the 11th. I didn't plan this. It just happened that way.
A week ago, I was sitting outside with my family eating a delicious BBQ supper on the deck. After supper, my youngest daughter, Stella, was eating dessert. The others had gone in but I sat next to her. She looked over to the right side of the yard, passed me. She smiled and waved. I asked her who she was waving at. She said: "An angel". I asked her if the angel had waved at her. She replied: "No, the angels don't have bodies. They are like moons. They glow and they're blurry." I sat there, silent, taking in this information. Stella added: "I see them all the time" in a no big deal tone of voice.
After Molly's dentist appointment, I came home and told my mother about the 11:11 tattoo. She told me that day, June 25th, was the 25th anniversary of the accident that took my cousin's life. All the hairs stood up on my body. Was that his way of saying hello and reminding me of this anniversary?
Jean Sebastien was 17 years old, riding his bicycle over to a friend's house when an older man who had already lost his licence for impaired driving hit him. He was hit so hard that his shoe was later retrieved from a nearby tree. His body had been flung from the bike. The drunk man didn't even stick around. He may have not even noticed he had killed someone. My Godparents never got to speak to their son again. He was brain dead after the impact. They sat by his bed at the hospital, holding his hands. His organs were harvested and he was taken off life support. A family and an entire community had lost a soul.
I was never close to my cousin before this point. He lived five hours away and he always visited his mom's side of the family when they came to town so I didn't get to know him. As my entire family went to see my Godparents, I learned that Jean Sebastien planned to be a lawyer. He was involved in his community. He was a member of a local theatre group. He sat on a St-Jean Baptiste float just a day before the accident. I discovered that he had a great sense of humour and that he was learning to play guitar. He had several girlfriends and they all grieved together. He was popular. Lots of youth joined us for the ceremony. All I can remember from his funeral was that the priest kept getting his name wrong-really annoying.
After his death, my Godparents offered to help me pay for my studies. I was in university and relying on OSAP to help me cover student loans. Initially, I wondered if this was a goo idea. I was grateful for their offer but I didn't know them very well. I felt guilty that I would get the money they had set aside for their deceased son. We were staying in their home during our visit. That night, we slept in my cousin's bedroom. I was trying to complete some homework in an adjacent office space and the lights in the room kept flickering. The computer wouldn't work properly. I strongly felt a presence next to me and I was sitting in the dark. The only light came from my computer. I freaked out and told my mother about it. As we spoke, the night light in the bedroom flickered.
My life changed that day. I was able to graduate with a BA in Psychology four years later. My grades improved because I knew I could actually do this. I went on to get more degrees. Most of all, I felt like we were doing it together. I would see 10:10 or 11:11 on days when I had an important assignment, exam or presentation. I would hear Hotel California or Stairway to Heaven everywhere I went. I actually had a conversation with Jean Sebastien as I slept on the bus going to Montreal for my studies one day. In my dream, he was sitting next to me on the bus and we had a long conversation. I don't remember the content, just that he was there and we were enjoying each other's company. To this day, I mess up computers. Whenever I try to do anything with technology my energy or our combined energy makes the system go haywire. Every time I am alone, driving the convertible, enjoying the sensation of the wind whipping through my hair and music blasting from the speakers, I feel him sitting next to me, enjoying every minute of it.
I am so grateful to my Godparents who believed in me and invested in me at the most challenging time in their lives. Without them, I would have graduated with debt. I would never have pursued anything beyond my BA. Now, thanks to my education and the hard work that comes from believing that anything is possible, I have broken he cycle of poverty. I live comfortably with my family. My daughters have never been hungry or frightened that we couldn't afford our bills. They have warm coats, boots, hats and mitts in the winter and I get to work from home so I can enjoy our summers together.
I am learning to invest my money in order to generate more wealth for my later years and, to contribute to my community. My Godparents' generosity has inspired me to help others any time I can. I would not be the person I am today if I had not been supported by them.
Thank you Jean Charron!
Thank you Pierrette Rozon!
Thank you Jean Sebastien Charron!
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
On Saturday, I took my eldest daughter, Molly, to her dentist appointment. My mother was at home with my youngest so it was nice for us to have some time alone. As the dental hygienist was preparing the station for Molly's appointment, I noticed a tattoo on the back of her neck. It said 11:11. I asked her about the meaning of her tattoo. She said her grandma used to tell her to make a wish each time she saw 11:11 on the clock. Her grandma was very superstitious and after she passed away, the dental hygienist had that tattooed on the back of her neck.
I told her the story I have written about in a previous blog:
After my 17 year old cousin, Jean Sebastien, passed away, I saw 10:10 on clocks everywhere I went. I also heard the same songs we were listening to during our visit at his parents' house after his death-Hotel California and Stairway to Heaven. We had listened to a cd of Jean Sebastien trying to master these songs on the guitar and singing along. I asked my Godparents, his parents, if 10:10 had any significance. I was thinking maybe October 10th was an important date. They said it wasn't. From the moment I asked that question, I started to see 11:11 everywhere I went. I realized it wasn't the number itself, just the repetition. It became a symbol for me that I was not alone.
Whenever I had something important planned like my wedding, a surgery to have cysts removed from my ovaries or a court case (after we moved into this house and the lady who bought our old property sued our real estate agent and us because she wanted our furniture) it was always scheduled at 11 on the 11th. I didn't plan this. It just happened that way.
A week ago, I was sitting outside with my family eating a delicious BBQ supper on the deck. After supper, my youngest daughter, Stella, was eating dessert. The others had gone in but I sat next to her. She looked over to the right side of the yard, passed me. She smiled and waved. I asked her who she was waving at. She said: "An angel". I asked her if the angel had waved at her. She replied: "No, the angels don't have bodies. They are like moons. They glow and they're blurry." I sat there, silent, taking in this information. Stella added: "I see them all the time" in a no big deal tone of voice.
After Molly's dentist appointment, I came home and told my mother about the 11:11 tattoo. She told me that day, June 25th, was the 25th anniversary of the accident that took my cousin's life. All the hairs stood up on my body. Was that his way of saying hello and reminding me of this anniversary?
Jean Sebastien was 17 years old, riding his bicycle over to a friend's house when an older man who had already lost his licence for impaired driving hit him. He was hit so hard that his shoe was later retrieved from a nearby tree. His body had been flung from the bike. The drunk man didn't even stick around. He may have not even noticed he had killed someone. My Godparents never got to speak to their son again. He was brain dead after the impact. They sat by his bed at the hospital, holding his hands. His organs were harvested and he was taken off life support. A family and an entire community had lost a soul.
I was never close to my cousin before this point. He lived five hours away and he always visited his mom's side of the family when they came to town so I didn't get to know him. As my entire family went to see my Godparents, I learned that Jean Sebastien planned to be a lawyer. He was involved in his community. He was a member of a local theatre group. He sat on a St-Jean Baptiste float just a day before the accident. I discovered that he had a great sense of humour and that he was learning to play guitar. He had several girlfriends and they all grieved together. He was popular. Lots of youth joined us for the ceremony. All I can remember from his funeral was that the priest kept getting his name wrong-really annoying.
After his death, my Godparents offered to help me pay for my studies. I was in university and relying on OSAP to help me cover student loans. Initially, I wondered if this was a goo idea. I was grateful for their offer but I didn't know them very well. I felt guilty that I would get the money they had set aside for their deceased son. We were staying in their home during our visit. That night, we slept in my cousin's bedroom. I was trying to complete some homework in an adjacent office space and the lights in the room kept flickering. The computer wouldn't work properly. I strongly felt a presence next to me and I was sitting in the dark. The only light came from my computer. I freaked out and told my mother about it. As we spoke, the night light in the bedroom flickered.
My life changed that day. I was able to graduate with a BA in Psychology four years later. My grades improved because I knew I could actually do this. I went on to get more degrees. Most of all, I felt like we were doing it together. I would see 10:10 or 11:11 on days when I had an important assignment, exam or presentation. I would hear Hotel California or Stairway to Heaven everywhere I went. I actually had a conversation with Jean Sebastien as I slept on the bus going to Montreal for my studies one day. In my dream, he was sitting next to me on the bus and we had a long conversation. I don't remember the content, just that he was there and we were enjoying each other's company. To this day, I mess up computers. Whenever I try to do anything with technology my energy or our combined energy makes the system go haywire. Every time I am alone, driving the convertible, enjoying the sensation of the wind whipping through my hair and music blasting from the speakers, I feel him sitting next to me, enjoying every minute of it.
I am so grateful to my Godparents who believed in me and invested in me at the most challenging time in their lives. Without them, I would have graduated with debt. I would never have pursued anything beyond my BA. Now, thanks to my education and the hard work that comes from believing that anything is possible, I have broken he cycle of poverty. I live comfortably with my family. My daughters have never been hungry or frightened that we couldn't afford our bills. They have warm coats, boots, hats and mitts in the winter and I get to work from home so I can enjoy our summers together.
I am learning to invest my money in order to generate more wealth for my later years and, to contribute to my community. My Godparents' generosity has inspired me to help others any time I can. I would not be the person I am today if I had not been supported by them.
Thank you Jean Charron!
Thank you Pierrette Rozon!
Thank you Jean Sebastien Charron!
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
Thursday, 4 February 2016
Book of the Week-Messages from Spirit
February 4th, 2016
I would like to share a book I have read and consulted many times. Colette Baron-Reid is an author, spiritual intuitive, radio personality and motivational speaker. I like her style of writing because she writes as if she were speaking to a friend. Her entire book is devoted to connecting to the spirit world.
One of the points she makes that I like is that all spiritual traditions have their own way to connect with their Source. Therefore, regardless of your religious or spiritual inclinations, you can dialogue with your Higher Power. The way you do it may be different and, certainly, your name for it can vary but the end result is the same.
Colette warns that her clients must not perceive predictions as a guarantee that things will happen just as they wish. A prediction is set in the present, as things stand right now but, this is based on experiences and actions on your part. If you simply sit back with the information from a psychic reading and assume that all will happen as predicted you may be in for some disappointment.
My favourite part about this book is the tools section. You are introduced to a variety of tools to help you communicate with your Source. She presents ancient systems of divination such as Astrology, I Ching, Norse Runes, Sacred Numerology and the traditions related to Kabbalah.
Prior to entering into communication with your Higher Power she suggests that you become clear about your intentions, that you search for a "higher view" of current situations (as opposed to asking that all your wishes be granted) and, that you approach this process with respect. Depending on your beliefs, you can pray for protection before you attempt any of the tools described below and ask for "the Will of God to be revealed" or, you can meditate to help you slow down, become receptive and eliminate barriers to your communication.
In the tools section of the book, Colette says we all have themes and lessons we are meant to learn during our lifetime. She recommends that we view these as a map. There are times in when we meet certain people or undergo experiences that change our life. These intersections are planned. We also get "wake-up" calls when we need to get back to our journey and we have gone off the path. Our life is determined by how we react to the opportunities and challenges that are presented to us. Therefore, we are encouraged to explore this map. The more informed and aware we are regarding our themes and lessons, the better prepared we are to navigate life's challenges and make wise decisions. I received a gift from a friend when I was in my mid-twenties. It was an astrological life map. It described my husband, my children and my career path way before I knew who I would marry and what I would become. It also described my childhood (in themes) quite accurately.
Tasseography is the practice of reading the symbols left behind by coffee grinds, tea leaves, thick hot chocolate, pureed vegetable soup or leftover oatmeal from a cup or a bowl. There is a separate chapter about reading messages in the bath using medicinal herbs or milk powder. I am determined to find Turkish coffee and experiment with a group coffee grind reading. I love coffee and this sounds so different. I bet it would be lots of fun.
Animal Totems are also messengers to guide us, becoming familiar with our various animals can help us understand the way we are as well as our interactions with others. You have seven totem animals. One for your physical health, the second for emotional health, the third for your purpose or ego, the fourth for your heart which reflects your ability to give and receive love, the fifth is about communication, the sixth represents your intuition and the seventh is the link between the mortal and spiritual worlds. She proposes activities to meet our totem animals. Someone once told me that the Owl was one of my totem animals. When Stella was just a toddler, we went to Build-A-Bear because Molly wanted a stuffed Hello Kitty. I was showing stuffed puppies and rabbits to Stella. She chose an animal that was high up and far from where we were standing. This was her first teddy and she chose an owl. :)
There is an entire chapter devoted to signs by numbers. This caught my attention because, after my 17 year old cousin passed away, I saw 11:11 all the time and I asked my uncle if this had some meaning. I was thinking it may symbolize a date like November 11th or the time he was struck by the drunk driver. The day after I asked him, I started seeing 10:10 all the time and I realized it wasn't the number that was important, it was just a hello. It gave me chills. I still get this signal from him when something significant is about to happen. There is a helpful exercise to complete in this chapter to calculate your Life Purpose number based on your date of birth and your Destiny number which uses your birth name. The descriptions of these numbers blew me away. They confirmed that I was meant to use what I have experienced in my relationships to help others. Wild!
There are several activities you can use to learn from the 27 archetypes describing various ways of being in the world. These include baking 27 cookies, each with an archetype on it or drawing the signs on 27 stones which you can cast for information about your past, present and future. The 27 archetypes are listed and described at the end of the book. There is also a listing of animals and their assigned meanings. This helps you as you complete the totem exercise but it is also useful if you notice an animal and you feel that it is appearing in your life for a reason, to communicate a message to you.
This is such an interesting book, you'll want to keep it in your bookshelf to consult many times in the years to come. I hope you are able to read this book and enjoy it as much as I have.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
I would like to share a book I have read and consulted many times. Colette Baron-Reid is an author, spiritual intuitive, radio personality and motivational speaker. I like her style of writing because she writes as if she were speaking to a friend. Her entire book is devoted to connecting to the spirit world.
One of the points she makes that I like is that all spiritual traditions have their own way to connect with their Source. Therefore, regardless of your religious or spiritual inclinations, you can dialogue with your Higher Power. The way you do it may be different and, certainly, your name for it can vary but the end result is the same.
Colette warns that her clients must not perceive predictions as a guarantee that things will happen just as they wish. A prediction is set in the present, as things stand right now but, this is based on experiences and actions on your part. If you simply sit back with the information from a psychic reading and assume that all will happen as predicted you may be in for some disappointment.
My favourite part about this book is the tools section. You are introduced to a variety of tools to help you communicate with your Source. She presents ancient systems of divination such as Astrology, I Ching, Norse Runes, Sacred Numerology and the traditions related to Kabbalah.
Prior to entering into communication with your Higher Power she suggests that you become clear about your intentions, that you search for a "higher view" of current situations (as opposed to asking that all your wishes be granted) and, that you approach this process with respect. Depending on your beliefs, you can pray for protection before you attempt any of the tools described below and ask for "the Will of God to be revealed" or, you can meditate to help you slow down, become receptive and eliminate barriers to your communication.
In the tools section of the book, Colette says we all have themes and lessons we are meant to learn during our lifetime. She recommends that we view these as a map. There are times in when we meet certain people or undergo experiences that change our life. These intersections are planned. We also get "wake-up" calls when we need to get back to our journey and we have gone off the path. Our life is determined by how we react to the opportunities and challenges that are presented to us. Therefore, we are encouraged to explore this map. The more informed and aware we are regarding our themes and lessons, the better prepared we are to navigate life's challenges and make wise decisions. I received a gift from a friend when I was in my mid-twenties. It was an astrological life map. It described my husband, my children and my career path way before I knew who I would marry and what I would become. It also described my childhood (in themes) quite accurately.
Tasseography is the practice of reading the symbols left behind by coffee grinds, tea leaves, thick hot chocolate, pureed vegetable soup or leftover oatmeal from a cup or a bowl. There is a separate chapter about reading messages in the bath using medicinal herbs or milk powder. I am determined to find Turkish coffee and experiment with a group coffee grind reading. I love coffee and this sounds so different. I bet it would be lots of fun.
Animal Totems are also messengers to guide us, becoming familiar with our various animals can help us understand the way we are as well as our interactions with others. You have seven totem animals. One for your physical health, the second for emotional health, the third for your purpose or ego, the fourth for your heart which reflects your ability to give and receive love, the fifth is about communication, the sixth represents your intuition and the seventh is the link between the mortal and spiritual worlds. She proposes activities to meet our totem animals. Someone once told me that the Owl was one of my totem animals. When Stella was just a toddler, we went to Build-A-Bear because Molly wanted a stuffed Hello Kitty. I was showing stuffed puppies and rabbits to Stella. She chose an animal that was high up and far from where we were standing. This was her first teddy and she chose an owl. :)
There is an entire chapter devoted to signs by numbers. This caught my attention because, after my 17 year old cousin passed away, I saw 11:11 all the time and I asked my uncle if this had some meaning. I was thinking it may symbolize a date like November 11th or the time he was struck by the drunk driver. The day after I asked him, I started seeing 10:10 all the time and I realized it wasn't the number that was important, it was just a hello. It gave me chills. I still get this signal from him when something significant is about to happen. There is a helpful exercise to complete in this chapter to calculate your Life Purpose number based on your date of birth and your Destiny number which uses your birth name. The descriptions of these numbers blew me away. They confirmed that I was meant to use what I have experienced in my relationships to help others. Wild!
There are several activities you can use to learn from the 27 archetypes describing various ways of being in the world. These include baking 27 cookies, each with an archetype on it or drawing the signs on 27 stones which you can cast for information about your past, present and future. The 27 archetypes are listed and described at the end of the book. There is also a listing of animals and their assigned meanings. This helps you as you complete the totem exercise but it is also useful if you notice an animal and you feel that it is appearing in your life for a reason, to communicate a message to you.
This is such an interesting book, you'll want to keep it in your bookshelf to consult many times in the years to come. I hope you are able to read this book and enjoy it as much as I have.
Anne Walsh
www.artnsoul.org
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