The Other Side

Where do I begin to tell a story of my visit to the other side?

This past weekend I had the privilege of attending the Experiencer's Speak 2015 Conference. This was held in Portland, Maine, just fifteen minutes from the beautiful Casco Bay.  At once, I was greeted by the cool, salt air and raised vibrational energy of the Portland, Maine area.

Almost immediately, when I entered the hotel the day before the conference was due to begin, one warm and friendly smile and wide, 'hello' after anoather welcomed me. One by one, one person after another as the attendees filtered in from California and from the United Kingdom.  Their smiles were radiant; the vibrational frequency palpable.

One by one, the speakers told of feeling a presence, seeing a ship or alien once, twice or throughout their lives.  Their credentials of each speaker were impeccable.  Scientists, biologists, wilderness guides, writers, contractors, accountants, professors, young people, older folks.  Some saw orbs, some had photos of space ships, some looked worn and distressed because of their abductions. Some like me, had animal totems come to them over the course of years.  Some were screen savers, or what we affectionately refer to when alien and/orspace ship turn into knowable, less traumatic beings.  Owls were one form of messenger.

One academic spoke about the importance of understanding neuroscience.  That the right and left brain have separated functions.  We know the left brain has long held a more esteemed presence since it is the analytical/storyteller portion.  It tries to make sense of what the right brain, the oneness, non-judgmental and synchronious, connected portion of our brains tell us.  We remote view in the right hemisphere where the NOW lives.  We understand the great importance of the right brain and work hard to explain its value.

We also know we live in a patterned universe. Nothing is random.  We've seen worms, segmented worms become complete bodies, trees and vegetation grow itself again, sometimes in the same space, sometimes in another.  It is anything but meaningless.  My right sided hemisphere remembers.

I was chosen.  Chosen to see a spaceship.  Chosen to tell a story.  A mere messenger charged with the task of helping humans understand that their destruction active or passive of our environment is destroying the universe.  Earth, the densest planet in our solar system is rich in metals.  Unidentified foreign objects or UFOs are here to observe. They don't want anything more.  They have what they need.  The worry about our child-like emotions, our ability to soil the land we occupy, our incessant need and choice to acquire more.

How do I tell you what I downloaded this weekend?  It is tantamount to being on a retreat.  You are instantly loved and understood.  There is no judgment.  There was a huge vibrational change in my frequency.   The first revelation was when my son-in-law was entered into a raffle for a $2500 paddleboard.  I knew he would win and he did.

What A Difference

What a difference we can make in the lives of others.

A simple phone call, note, or surprise anything.  It is the little thoughtful things that make the heart smile.  Sing.

This morning I saw a really moving video on spiritual conspiracy by Ricardo Ferrari.  There was no link for the video so I cannot insert it here for you.  A four and a half minute film spoke about the silence of caring.  This underground connection so many of us are feeling.  It doesn't appear in the media - tv, radio, newspapers.  It is a powerful movement.  There is no centralized leader.

When people meditate together, work together, feel a connection with one another, the cells tell the body everything is okay.  Cells open to receive nutrients.  DNA ungnarles.  Peace is assured.  The body is homeostatic.  It is a wonderful feeling!

I wonder if the trees, animals and plant life feel this connection.  This joy.  I suspect they do.  More and more we are seeing videos of animals making a deep human connection.  Even territorial swans.  the hummingbirds flying over me as getting less timid.  I will be ecstatic should they sit on my arm or shoulder.  We are all part of a living universe, passive or active.

Now hummingbirds encircle me.  Any time now!

Anticipation

Anticipation.  The song by the same name sung by Carly Simon plays in my head.  I like anticipating things.  Looking forward to them.  Surprises.

I could use a surprise right about now.  Feeling out of sorts and I know why.  Thinking things too deeply, this way, that way.  What the heck does it matter anyway.  The universe corrects when necessary.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average goes up and down and up again and way down today. A barometer of human emotions.  Lack of leadership.  Too much greed, destruction and not enough caring.  It goes that way.  Until it doesn't.  It doesn't say much for emotional human growth.

Once again, at my perch on the front porch a pair of hummingbirds fly close to my head.  They minmic the world.  Territorial.  The weather is hot, with humidity.  The sky is a soft blue with clouds sprinkled about.  Another rush of cool air fills the space.  I am grateful.

My neighbor is now getting the windows washed on their home.  It was quiet for a while.  It is a day long event and I am ready for it to be over.  This is my office!

I wonder if the birds are annoyed.  We all anticipate things being different at a certain time.  I remove the large spider web that covers a section of my porch near the steps again.  It has become a morning task.  The web is getting thicker and we all know the temperatures are changing.  Living things want things to be as they want.  I watch as the ant coexists with the worm.  And the worm with the spider.

It is cooler inside.  Quieter.  I anticipate a nice afternoon shower.  Cooling off. Now.

Trump This!

Are you like me and so tired of seeing The Donald's name on the computer, or television or radio?  Enough of him.  Pfftt!

I will take this anyday:

From 29 August Venus conjunct Mars brings relief from the heavy energy we’ve experienced throughout August as Jupiter, Venus and the Sun all squared Saturn. With Saturn ruling over authority, contraction, limits and rigidity, it’s likely that for many this last month has felt a bit like walking through wet concrete.

Jupiter squared Saturn on 3 August just as the wise teacher stationed direct at 28 degrees Scorpio. With Jupiter in Leo this was a bit like someone putting the brakes on your ability to express yourself. Personally it felt like I was operating from inside some kind of bubble; I could see out but trying to make an impression on the world was not easy. I also felt a lot of negativity and loss of confidence in my dreams. Keeping the faith seemed nigh impossible!

Retrograde Venus conjunct Jupiter in Leo on 5 August, joining the square to Saturn and putting the squeeze on relationships. For me, connecting with others became a strain, especially when there was a sense that one person in a relationship was not taking full responsibility. Socially many people probably felt somewhat inhibited with a tendency to avoid social interaction. Kudos to those who resisted the urge to crawl into a hole and feel lonesome!

Just as Saturn, Jupiter and Venus moved out of orb, the faster moving but more powerful Sun moved into square aspect with Saturn, a transit that although exact yesterday will affect us for most of the coming week. If my own experience is anything to go by, this transit may seriously bend your self-confidence out of shape! Be sure to keep a close watch on your self-talk; a few positive affirmations would not go astray over the next few days!

Today the Moon in Scorpio is conjunct Saturn and square the Sun so don’t expect this weekend to be overly jolly and carefree. In fact you may find yourself ‘doing the work’ so to speak, dredging up long buried emotions. With Saturn heading back into Sagittarius on 18 September this will be the last conjunction of the Moon and Saturn in Scorpio for 28 years. Make the most of it and don’t shy away from getting down and dirty – it will be worth the effort.

Venus conjunct Mars – reward after the heavy Saturn work!

From 29 August Venus conjunct Mars at 15 degrees Leo will bring much needed relief as these strong masculine and feminine energies combine in Leo to create a passionate, sexy and creative energy. Connection between lovers is especially favoured and if your natal chart aligns well you can expect fireworks in the bedroom!

Although a fast moving transit Venus conjunct Mars will bring a very pleasant few days where you are likely to feel outgoing, social and attractive. Both physical and creative energy will be heightened so engaging in a group activity such as dancing, sport or performance will bring out the best in you. In fact physical activity of any kind will probably feel great!

With Venus conjunct Mars in Leo making a wide trine to Uranus in Aries this is a fiery, passionate energy that could have you jumping into a new relationship without thinking. If you choose the right person this will probably result in a pleasant though ephemeral connection, but if you’re not careful you could end up in a messy liaison with someone you don’t really trust or respect, especially as Venus is still in retrograde motion.

Venus conjunct Mars will last until 6 September when Venus stations direct, moving back into her active, outgoing mode. The effect of this transit will then begin to taper off, however the trine between Venus and Uranus will strengthen and will impact us through most of September. This is a great time for meeting new people and making connections that could change your way of looking at the world and open up new possibilities. 

How will Venus conjunct Mars affect you?

Depending on the unique configuration of your natal chart, Venus conjunct Mars could have a strong impact or very little at all. Those with planets between 12 and 18 degrees of the fire (Aries, Leo or Sagittarius) or fixed (Taurus, Leo, Scorpio or Aquarius) signs will feel Venus conjunct Mars particularly strongly. Look also to see through which house transiting Mars conjunct Venus is passing, as this will tell you which area of life will be most affected. 

For example in my natal chart 15 degrees Leo is in the 3rd House of communication making this a transit that will probably have an inspired affect on my writing and help me to articulate my ideas with fervour. However with Venus conjunct Mars squaring my natal Uranus at 15 degrees Scorpio this is probably not the best time to take on difficult conversations that are not absolutely necessary.

http://www.insightastrology.net/current-transits/venus-conjunct-mars/

Things are, looking up;)

Do You Feel It?

Do you feel it?

There is a clearing happening now.  A clearing of things that no longer serve your highest good. You have been feeling that for some time.  This you know.  It isn't necessarily a time of new beginnings, although we begin anew with each breath.  Discernment is key.  Trust your intuition.

It is a hot and humid day in the Nantahala National Forest.  Two pair of hummingbirds fly back and forth.  The cardinals cling to their respective branches as an elusive breeze passes by.  I want more coolness, more breeze.  

I want some things to be different than they are.  I also know my wanting isn't always the best outcome.  Mostly, I am content with how things are.  At least I was until the brillant cardinal moved out of my close camera range.  It is time to invest in a lens that will provide me with the intimate detail for which I yearn. 

My frustration continues with this Mac.  It insists upon locking on blue squares and rectangles upon words which I just typed.  It has a mind of its own and I don't much care for it.  The hummingbirds do another fly by.  They are curious about my nutty fruity salad which I eat between putting words on paper.  The Mac must have heard me because it stopped that irritating function.  At least for a time.  

Sometimes I feel as though I am on a mountainside in Africa.  The film, Out Of Africa is always in my mind.  I am grateful the temperatures here in the forest do not compete with those in Africa.  Perched in the high Adirondack chair, I think of the people in my life for whom I am more than grateful. That I can share, request silly things.  That they laugh with me because they are doing the same.  I love the humanity we share.  That we can talk of our own cleansings and letting go.  That all the parts of ourselves are loved and cared about.  

Do you feel it?

Small Foot

It is dark outside.  The continual thumps in the rafters, as well as in the foundation and even the support posts from the sunroom cry out.

For a while I have suspected an animal in the side yard near the retaining wall.  The area is newly seeded and strawed.  It gets raked after a downpour to ensure the seed is just a quarter of an inch under the soil.  Especially along the new steps.  Today, I saw child-like footprints, the size of a five or six year old.  I also saw smaller footprints but without claws or toes.

Without realizing what I saw were footprints, I began to rake the area of three or four such prints.  There has been another downpour last night and some areas have washed away. Noticing some kind of pattern below, I stopped cold in my own tracks.  These footprints were all similar.  

The interesting thing about this is that there were no hind paw prints. Apparently, it was a bi-pedal mammal.  As you can see, the photo below is depicts moist, freshly laid top soil with grass seed sprinkled atop it.  On top of that is straw. The hole is mid center toward the bottom.  Again, I evened the topsoil, so there is not much trace of the footprint.

To give you a sense of why I believe this footprint was here, take a look at where this area abutted.

                                                                before topsoil/seed

This area just under the steps has not been stained yet.  It  is open and allows for water to enter through the landing and lattice skirting.  A medium grade mil plastic covers the ground inside the little enclosure so that weeds and grass can not grow.  I suspect whatever was present last night was looking for a water source.

Throughout the yard, especially on the cliff side (near the peach Adirondack chairs) I saw a few small sized holes.  They could have been from the abundance of rabbits of all sizes, or perhaps even raccoons or skunks.  I will set the trail camera tonight to see if anything returns.

Small, Black Letters

Write! Right!  The opened new document is the color of new fallen snow.  The clouds continue to roll in and the sky darkens.  The hammering of the handyman outside is a reminder that life is not static.  Not static like the empty page in front of me.

The snow continues to mound and the canvas is whiter than ever.  So much to say.  But nothing really.  That broad leafed tree is still elusive.  It doesn't fit in the southern Appalachians.  Maybe it is also a transplant.

The snow disappears and small, black letters fill the once empty space.  It is becoming more fluid now.  Like the people coming here for more reasons that they know.

It has been a large influx of folks from all over these past few years.  Many are escaping their once homogeneous lives in the burbs. But unlike the southern Appalachians, their communities are multi-cultural.  Their lives are filled with engine sounds, fluorescent lights, ambulances rushing in one direction or another.  Beeping cars.  They can't remember the quiet and they yearn to know it.

Mornings in the forest are filled with birdsong, insects hoping for breakfast, squirrel sounding alerts, branches swaying.  It is anything but quiet.  It is a different kind of quiet. There is no need to speak for all that is needed is to go within.  Quiet the chatter.  Storylines.  Labels.

A baby bird is seen on the ground.  Alive.  Nothing learned in graduate school prepares you for that moment.  Or on Wall Street.  You want to help.  To save it.  To be a part of its continuance if even in some small way.  Gently, you lift the bird to join its nest mates.

A triumphant feeling warms your heart.  Better than any Dow Jones Industrial Average soars.  You feel connected and wonder why you stayed away so long.  You are glad to be here.

You missed the Queen Anne's lace that doesn't grow along the concrete jungle floor.  The rushing water that twists and turns over the cascading rocks.  The feeling of the waterfalls splashing your face and back.

You missed the chipmunk scurrying across the forest floor, hoping to find a morsel of something to eat.  You remember the time you had all of this just behind your house.  You wonder why you left the forest.  No reason makes any sense any more.  You are grateful.  Peaceful.

You are glad to be in the forest.  You are home.