From time to time folks question about power animals in their lives.  A common question is often posed after a power animal appears during a meditation.  "How do I connect with my power animal? What message does my power animal have for me?"

This is an example for the importance of connecting to mother nature.  Let us consider the eagle. When one considers the eagle what is the image that the eagle brings to you?  What emotion does he instill in your heart?  There is no wrong answer here.  As a psychic, I am able to connect with helping spirits around my client.  It is up to the client however, to connect with their message. Feel the eagle, the energy.  Watch eagle rise to the sky, a great leap of power.  Be like the eagle. Rise to meet spirit.  Feel the force of your rising energy.  Eagle is there to help.

If you would like to have a Power Animal Reading, contact me at www.integrativeshamanism.com for more information.

Every time I think of  a Soul Retrieval, or I remember a Shamanic Journey for a client, I am reminded of the line from the Beautiful Hymn Amazing Grace, "I once was lost, but now am found."  There return of light in each soul retrieval client that is indescribable.  Part of the Shamanic experience for me is the privilege of bearing witness miracles, both small and large. In fact, there are no minute miracles.   

Soul Loss is a scary sounding word for a common spiritual condition.  Each one of could benefit from a Soul Retrieval. When one experiences a trauma, the parts of the whole that cannot process the trauma are fractured.  I like to say that the soul pieces that that cannot handle the trauma take a vacation. The Shamanic view of illness indicates that when pieces of soul are missing, there are energetic gaps.  The object of the soul retrieval is to bring the soul parts home and complete the whole, thus giving the client access to missing energy. 

In Shamanic practice, Soul Loss is indicated by a several symptoms.  In Soul Retrieval, Mending the Fragmented Self,  Author Sandra Ingerman shares the symptoms as follows:

1.  Difficulty feeling in body.

2.  Apathy, feeling "numb."

3.  Chronic depression.

4.  Immune system issues; chronic illness-often with no diagnosis

5.  Addictive behavior

6.  Significant memory gaps. 

There are many paths to regaining soul parts.  I am not saying Shamanism is THE way.  Shamanism is a way that I have found healing and effective with the client. Within my practice, I have found that ceremonial soul retrieval is a beautiful, sacred way for my clients to reconnect with  self. In the next part of this series, I will discuss what to expect during the soul retrieval ceremony.  If you would like to talk with me about Shamanic Ceremony for your healing experience, please feel free to contact me to set up a consultation.

Lovely beautiful morning, my friends! Today's weekly reading is brought to you via my wonderful Bev and Jim at  Ohm Sweet Ohm.  Last week, I attended a festival so in Lexington and saw this deck.  This reading is from The Guilded Tarot, by Barbara Moore. We begin the week with the Emperor.  In this context, Emperor tells me that although you are ready for action, remember every action has a reaction.  The emperor never reacts out of emotion, he reacts from a state of balance.  Although action in your situation is necessary, make your action deliberate and avoid the repercussions of rash behavior.  If you react in balance, the outcome will be to your benefit. 

Midweek brings us the Three of Wands.  In this context, this is an emotional card.  If you have had a conversation with a loved one, they are sitting on it processing the conversation.  The man is waiting for his ship to come in and so are you, dear reader.  I know it is hard to watch and wait, especially if the conversation was a hard one.  If you played your cards right, (remember The Emperor?) your sincerity and balance will pay off in the end.  There is nothing you can do to control the situation, this is a time to allow the other person to sit with there emotions and a time for you to practice patience and step out of the need for control.  In the context of The Emperor, you have made your action, and sent the energy out.  Now you await the results. Patiently, you await and there is no action that can move things now.  Patience is an art that we can all use practice in!  Sometimes it's hard to sit and wait things out.  Wait is often the answer we get when we implore Spirit.

We end the week with The Queen of Swords.  Your patience has served you well, my friends and you will reap the benefits of your careful choices.  Queen of Swords is deliberate in her actions and speaks with a connection to the Divine.  Remember, the outcome depends on your careful choices.  When we act with a deep connection to spirit, we move with ease and without attachment to outcome.  Here the queen sits in the results of her hard work.  Allow yourself a little time to rest and give yourself a pat on your back.  You deserve it!  Have a great week, folks!

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Better Late than never, here is your weekly forecast! This week is Messages from Your Angels, by Dorreen Virtue.  I want to start out by saying, Okay, who's been the over achiever here?  The first card I prove is about self care-  Teresa: time-out! You've been so busy taking care of everyone else's needs, but now it's time to stop and take care of yourself. This feels more to mee like someone or someones are work-a-holics.  The grind is getting to you and you are forgetting to eat well and get some sleep.  This card poses a call to your health.  Slow down and pay attention to your body or your body will get your attention.  Get some colorful fruits and veggies into your system and boost your immunity.  You need it!

The second card is Bridgette: Caution is warranted.  Look deeper into this situation before proceeding further." If you are getting ready to sign on that house, make sure you have it thoroughly inspected.  Take care of yourself by taking care of your personal business.  Get that second opinion and save yourself grief later.  The investment you make in a professional opinion will definitely pay out in the end.  Slow down and take care. There is more to this situation than meets the eye.  Midweek is definitely a time that should be spent in moving slowly and with great care.  

The weekend brings in Archangel Uriel: "Your emotions are healing which enables you to open to greater love.  I will help you to release anger and unforgiveness from you heart and mind."  Seems like the last month has been one of healing and processing for everyone.  This weekend is a good time to get a cup of chamomile tea and allow the herbs to do the work.  This is about stepping out of the way and asking spirit to gently help you release that which no longer serves you.  Get a massage or reiki session.  This is about getting out of your own way and allowing spirit to balance and work. Through you.  A good crystal for the weekend is Angelite.  This is a powerful stone that promotes deep rest and soothes the soul by connecting one to the angelic realm. 

Have a great week folks!

I have had a very busy week this week and the last two days have been spent inward, so writing has not been on the fore front. I awoke this morning and the air was cool and crisp.  I picked up my drum and drummed in each of the four directions.  The mornings are so beautiful here in Kentucky and it is a wonderful heart centered thing to connect with my drum first thing. I join  with the birds and the breeze and the sun to connect with the beauty of all that is.  In this, I am gifted with tremendous peace.

I have been reading Black Elk Speaks, and he beckons me like an old friend.  As I read his book, I feel his presence all around and the sound of his voice is palpable.  Much of the book is of his life as a warrior, however; he was also a medicine man.  I have learned much from him and hope to continue a working relationship with him on my healing path. 

With that, I would like to leave you with this quote from the book, Black Elk Speaks: "....the voice of the drum is an offering to the Spirit of the World.  It's sound arouses the mind and makes men feel the mystery and power of all things."

Aho, dear friends.

Good Evening folks, hope you had a fabulous Monday!  Today's weekly reading is taken from Doreen Virtues Ascended Masters Oracle Cards.  The Beginning of The week I pulled the card Hina: Freedom.  This card is about connecting with your feminine energy (Yes, that means YOU too Men! )  Soften yourself up a bit and mind your words.  It seems as if you might be a little harsh the beginning of the week, and you don't want to face the consequences of rash words.  Remember, words have power! 

Midweek, We have the card Health and Healing: Hilarion.  With this card, Spirit is making reference to yourself.  Midweek is time to be a little softer to yourself and give some love to your heart chakra. Crystal people, Emerald would be a good stone for you to work with right now.  Also eat deep green heart chakra colored foods-Spinach and Kale will boost your energy and help you get over that hurdle of midweek.  Summing it up, do something good for YOU midweek!  Take a walk or give yourself a pat on the back...you deserve it!

We bring the weeks end with Lakshmi: Flow of Prosperity.  Remember folks, work mirrors life.  This is about being connected to Spirit during your off time so you can have the ongoing connection during your work hours.  If you are off balance and not connected at home, you will feel it at work.  Want to increase your job satisfaction?  Start with a good look in the mirror :-)

Remember to, if we are disconnected, the flow of abundance will slow.  So relax and connect in the best way you know how, and your life will thank you for it!

Hope you have a wonderful and joy-filled week!

Namaste

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I find myself writing in the wee hours of the morning today!  As I have to work later, then head over to my good friends house, I will be very busy!  There is not much in my heart today, but perhaps a small request. Today, the Shaman requests something of you.  As I write this, a dear friend of mine is preparing for surgery to have a double mastectomy.  Like her entire experience with cancer, she gives the mastectomy the same consideration.  "It is what it is."  She has moved through this entire process with a grace that is unmatched.  So, this morning there is little on my heart but my love for her-a fellow spiritual warrior, a sister, a friend. Today I ask that you do what you do....say a prayer, light a candle, send healing, or pick up your drum with me.  But I don't want you to stop there.  No, that's not what my friend would want!  Let the love you create take action and move into the far corners of the earth, finding the hearts of those in need.  Today, let's remember my fellow healer by sending her our love and healing and by allowing this action to spread like wildfire to all those in need.  It's the shamanic way <3

Yesterday it was the unicorn; today's ally is the breathtaking dolphin.  There is a wisdom to Dolphin, a  mystery that is found in the depths of the ocean.  Dolphin is ready to share that magic, if only you ask. Feeling the need to go deeper? Dolphin will take you there. dolphin wants to to connect to the music of your soul as you discover your authentic self.  Dolphin is the master of breath, and is a good power animal for those with asthma or anxiety issues.  The image of a dolphin breaking water is a perfec to help break stagnant solar plexus issues. So go and dance with dolphin and discover a freer, energized you!

It was a very busy week and I didn't make time to post my weekly reading. Shame on me!  I love that this card came out of an angel deck and it's a power animal.  It ties in nicely with another animal I will share with you at a later point.  Unicorn is a lovely power animal who reminds us to connect with our magical self.  This weekend it is suggested that you do two things: first and foremost, we have a continuing pattern of the inner child work that we discussed two weeks ago.  Now that you have begun the work, it's time to take that inner child to the park.  Notice the magic around you!  In my yard, my zinnias bloom a beautiful violet hue!  I bet there are fairies about :-)  Secondly, this is the time to move forward with any ventures you have been working on!  although it seems an uphill battle, don't give up! Procrastination is not your friend. BTW, young men who are going to pop the question, the timing appears to be right!  This is the go ahead for you. (I feel as if this will resonate with someone reading this)  Have a great weekend of sunshine and joy my friends.

The modern day shaman faces a conundrum unique to our ancestors who walked before.  The need to have a day to day income and to make a balance to pay the bills. We have the same need as our mothers and fathers before us to go out into nature, connect with our guides and learn.  We must spend our time studying and working in spirit.  The village healer in the days long ago was cared for by society, or paid in chickens :-) In this day, we have the added stress of producing income.  The green kind.  The kind that pays the electric bill and puts braces on our children's teeth.  We are faced with the desire to live in a cabin, but the truth is we must survive in our society.

The result?  Many of us take day jobs.  Sure we accept money for our services, and we dream of spending each day in service to others, not having to go in and live the grind of society.  Truth be told, we signed up for this walk and it's challenges.  How do we do this?  We embrace the lessons we came here to do.  

I have become clever and determined.  I find the shamanic walk in the everyday life.  I do ceremony at 12:30 in the morning after a  full eight hour shift at my day job.  I light the sacred candle at the midnight hour...literally!  I drum whenever I have five minutes too pick up my drum and sound it.  I drink my coffee in the early morning, outside.  In doing this, I feel all that is around. I hear the birds, I great cardinal and crow.  Each Sunday, I wake up like a child out of recess...I shower, and rush to the nearest park where I walk among my tree brothers and hear the call of hawk. 

The walk of the shaman is a blessing and a challenge.  I have learned friends, never to let go to my heart's calling.  I work and pay bills, take clients on a moment's notice, and drum on!  That is what I chose, and that's how I roll.  My friends, today I would like to challenge you to take five minutes and devote yourself to spirit.  When you walk outside, don't rush to your car with your nose in the phone.  Instead, look up to the sky and thank great creator for the beauty of the sun on your face.  listen to the son of the robin.  If you begin to make a practice of hearing the world around and seeing with open eyes, you will open yourself to new dimensions!  Modern day shamanism does not mean becoming an armchair shaman!  Feel life to the fullest, your heart will thank you for it.