In following the guidance offered a few weeks ago - to educate people on developing deep and meaningful relationships with nature - two workshops were offered this past weekend in Orlando.
'Getting to Know Your Neighbors' - held in the morning, provided multiple experiences for people to connect with various members of our extended 'family'. Students learned to quiet their minds and then invite communication with some aspect of nature. At first they chose from a variety of objects - trees (bark, stick, pinecone, palo santo essential oil), feathers from a variety of birds, shells from around the world, plants (violet, rose petals, rose essential oil), crystals, stones and rocks, and also fire. The students meditated for 5 minutes each with 3 or 4 different items, writing down impressions and/or messages from each. We discussed each experience before moving on to the next. This experiential process helped them practice moving into the right state of being to communicate, and to experience how different each object was from the others.
Then we moved outdoors where they could choose anything in the yard to communicate with. One tree asked the student to do a healing on it, a cactus told another how to arrange her plants at home for best effect.
To say their eyes were opened would be an understatement. It truly is like flipping on a switch and seeing so much more of the world around us. Or like Dorothy, when she got to Oz (going from black and white in Kansas to technicolor in Oz). I received follow up calls afterwards from the students thanking me and telling me that their plants also thanked me. :) how fun!
The afternoon class was 'Gardening with the Faeries'. More focus was placed on the nature of faeries and nature spirits, and how we can partner with them to create wonderful gardens (and really create much more magic in our lives in general).
They learned who is in charge of a garden project(the Faeries!), how to know what they want you to do, what they typically like and don't like in their gardens, and what the incredible benefits are to undertaking such an adventure. Again, the class was amazing - beyond my expectations!
The funny thing was that I wasn't really permitted to prepare for the workshops. It was clear that in this too, they were in charge. I am just the messenger, and I'm ok with that. Very fun, very life-changing...what a gift to share this experience with others!
If you are interested in attending one of these workshops, please contact me at ankaahneeka@aol.com or visit
for current class schedule.
In peace
AhneeKa
Monday, March 23, 2009
Blue Whales Speak
Last week the NatGeo channel had a two hour special on the blue whales. Excellent photography and they always weave a good story. One of the concerns raised was the increas in large ship traffic in the whales' migration path. Collisions and the resulting deaths of blue whales is apprently on the increase.
Two members of the Council contacted the whales after the show and asked what could be done to assist. The suggestions were rather practical and straightforward:
1) Slow down the ships on those routes during migration season
2) Re-route the ships to avoid the migration paths during those times
3) Add a unique sound to the ships that would alert the whales to their presence (apparently the engine noises are in the same frequencies as the whales songs). Perhaps a 'ping ping' sort of sound
4) From a higher vibration perspective - those who care for the whales could envision a tunnel of white light surrounding and protecting them as they migrate.
This would be lovely for all whales as they migrate. The issues faced by the blue whales are similar to other whale populations around the world. The first few suggestions are similar to actions already being considered in Hawai'i, Washington and Alaska.
Two members of the Council contacted the whales after the show and asked what could be done to assist. The suggestions were rather practical and straightforward:
1) Slow down the ships on those routes during migration season
2) Re-route the ships to avoid the migration paths during those times
3) Add a unique sound to the ships that would alert the whales to their presence (apparently the engine noises are in the same frequencies as the whales songs). Perhaps a 'ping ping' sort of sound
4) From a higher vibration perspective - those who care for the whales could envision a tunnel of white light surrounding and protecting them as they migrate.
This would be lovely for all whales as they migrate. The issues faced by the blue whales are similar to other whale populations around the world. The first few suggestions are similar to actions already being considered in Hawai'i, Washington and Alaska.
The Beloved
I received a message from the earth the other day, one that I have shared in my workshops and with others I've chatted with recently. The message said that when we approach nature, we are to do so as though we were greeting our Beloved. To be in that state of happy excitement to be with the other, to think of little special things that the other would find pleasing, to be grateful for every moment together... For truly that is how nature, the earth, her children, Spirit and our Higher Selves, sees us. We are their Beloved.
And the more we see ourselves as the Beloveds as well, the more we heal and have the courage to stand beside the High Beings, adding our strength, energy and love to help others make their shifts, helping the earth ascend by pouring out our love.
And the more we see ourselves as the Beloveds as well, the more we heal and have the courage to stand beside the High Beings, adding our strength, energy and love to help others make their shifts, helping the earth ascend by pouring out our love.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
From the Faeries
Hello and good day!
We would encourage you this year to consider planting vegetables where in the past you might have only planted flowers and ornamentals. To eat food grown on your own land, even if is only an herb plant or two, will nourish you in more ways than filling your stomach! :)
It will also get you out in the garden a little more this year. We can chat more often with you, and you can enjoy watching all the little things that happen as your plants grow and mature. It will be like watching small children grow and develop - always fun and exciting. You will learn many things about yourselves too, just as all parents do.
You will get to know the birds, the squirrels and butterflies that frequent your yard. They each have their own personalities, if you notice closely and long enough. You may also find that the bird calls increase when you are out in the garden, or that the hawks circle over your head, bestowing their blessings on you.
So, on this fabulous spring day of Daylight Savings - a sure clue that warmer days are coming, consider planting a few vegetables, and hanging out with us in your garden this year!
We would encourage you this year to consider planting vegetables where in the past you might have only planted flowers and ornamentals. To eat food grown on your own land, even if is only an herb plant or two, will nourish you in more ways than filling your stomach! :)
It will also get you out in the garden a little more this year. We can chat more often with you, and you can enjoy watching all the little things that happen as your plants grow and mature. It will be like watching small children grow and develop - always fun and exciting. You will learn many things about yourselves too, just as all parents do.
You will get to know the birds, the squirrels and butterflies that frequent your yard. They each have their own personalities, if you notice closely and long enough. You may also find that the bird calls increase when you are out in the garden, or that the hawks circle over your head, bestowing their blessings on you.
So, on this fabulous spring day of Daylight Savings - a sure clue that warmer days are coming, consider planting a few vegetables, and hanging out with us in your garden this year!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Grandmothers Speak
February 2009: Why this Imbalance on Earth?
(Sent from Blue Thunder, a Shoshone elder)
“Your question has to do with the flow of yin and yang. The way they push, one against the other,” they said. “And the flow of energy is changing now. Enjoy what is taking place at this time. There is a great swelling of yin. The energy of the Feminine Principle is flowing into all the crevices on your planet, flowing also into the hardened hearts of the people here on earth. Yin is truly infusing the atmosphere of your planet. Enjoy this time,” they said, “you've waited a long while for it.
“This is part of the divine play, designed so that love may grow, expand and fill every inch in the universe. And your very own planet is awakening at this time as its people awaken. Each of you who opens her heart and his heart is making a place for the energy of the Great Mother - She who loves, supports and cares for all life, to live,” they said. “This is what we have spoken of as the return of the Great Mother. She is coming back now, returning within each of you who opens to this message and becomes part of this work. To each one who chooses to become part of this generous giving and receiving, giving, and receiving,” they said as they swayed back and forth. “This flow!” they pronounced.
“It is the time for this,” they said. “Let yourself receive and don't worry about the past,” they said. “Don't screw your head on backwards, looking behind you to examine what has been. If you do this, you will only further confuse yourself. Instead, come forward with us.
Wouldn't you rather have this joy than spend your days tied up in knots while you try to figure everything out? Figure it out so you can parse it, box it up, tie the bits together to store them away somewhere? ” And as soon as they said this, the Grandmothers cracked up, doubling over in laughter.
“The example that we gave you of what is happening in America now is a good one. It illustrates our point and will satisfy your mind. So when you begin to wonder, ‘Why, why, why, why? ‘look at what is happening now as the world makes this turn toward compassion, honesty, integrity, and generosity. You are making the turn toward dharma, toward living the right way.
“We have told you many times of the qualities of the Great Mother,” they said,
“The time we are entering now is Her time. You are part of Her work. You are part of Her mission. Enjoy yourself,” they said, beaming happily at me, “And give thanks.”
http://www.gramdmothersspeak.com/ [Feb 2009]
(Sent from Blue Thunder, a Shoshone elder)
“Your question has to do with the flow of yin and yang. The way they push, one against the other,” they said. “And the flow of energy is changing now. Enjoy what is taking place at this time. There is a great swelling of yin. The energy of the Feminine Principle is flowing into all the crevices on your planet, flowing also into the hardened hearts of the people here on earth. Yin is truly infusing the atmosphere of your planet. Enjoy this time,” they said, “you've waited a long while for it.
“This is part of the divine play, designed so that love may grow, expand and fill every inch in the universe. And your very own planet is awakening at this time as its people awaken. Each of you who opens her heart and his heart is making a place for the energy of the Great Mother - She who loves, supports and cares for all life, to live,” they said. “This is what we have spoken of as the return of the Great Mother. She is coming back now, returning within each of you who opens to this message and becomes part of this work. To each one who chooses to become part of this generous giving and receiving, giving, and receiving,” they said as they swayed back and forth. “This flow!” they pronounced.
“It is the time for this,” they said. “Let yourself receive and don't worry about the past,” they said. “Don't screw your head on backwards, looking behind you to examine what has been. If you do this, you will only further confuse yourself. Instead, come forward with us.
Wouldn't you rather have this joy than spend your days tied up in knots while you try to figure everything out? Figure it out so you can parse it, box it up, tie the bits together to store them away somewhere? ” And as soon as they said this, the Grandmothers cracked up, doubling over in laughter.
“The example that we gave you of what is happening in America now is a good one. It illustrates our point and will satisfy your mind. So when you begin to wonder, ‘Why, why, why, why? ‘look at what is happening now as the world makes this turn toward compassion, honesty, integrity, and generosity. You are making the turn toward dharma, toward living the right way.
“We have told you many times of the qualities of the Great Mother,” they said,
“The time we are entering now is Her time. You are part of Her work. You are part of Her mission. Enjoy yourself,” they said, beaming happily at me, “And give thanks.”
http://www.gramdmothersspeak.com/ [Feb 2009]
Monday, March 2, 2009
That Which Sustains You
March 2, 2009
That Which Sustains You
Home and Land Meditation
From Daily OM.....It was so perfect to share on this blog!
Just as we take care of our friends and families, our homes and Mother Earth take care of us. Our homes give us a place of refuge—a sanctuary that stands between us and the elements of nature and the rest of the world.
The earth is an unselfish giver of life and the steward of our physical and spiritual needs. The earth’s bountiful plant life nourishes us, gives us air, and offers us cooling shade. Her waters quench our thirst, and her beauty stirs our souls. Yet it is easy to take both of these wonderful sources of our blessings for granted. Expressing the gratitude you feel toward your home and the earth for the blessings each provides you can help you stay conscious of where many of the gifts in your life come from. Each time you give thanks, you’ll be reminded of the importance of caring for your home and for Mother Earth.
There is a simple and beautiful meditation you can perform to show your gratitude. Begin by finding a quiet place where you can be alone. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply until you feel relaxed and then read the following out loud: "Thank you, home, for allowing me to live within your walls. Thank you for giving me shelter, warmth, and security. Thank you for allowing me to live my life in your womb, for staying strong and sturdy, for supporting me, and for your beauty. Thank you, earth, for the land that I live on and for allowing me to steward life with you. Thank you for allowing me to walk upon your soil, cultivate you, and live in partnership with you.
Thank you for supporting my home and my family. Thank you, plants, minerals, and animals that dwell on the land that I steward. Thank you for allowing me to experience your beauty, share in your wonderment of life, and for the honor of living with all of you on this earth. Thank you for the wisdom and joy you bring to humanity. I honor you."
You can perform this meditation as often as you like and anytime you feel particularly thankful for the many blessings that you have received. Each time you do, you’ll reaffirm and strengthen your connection with all that protects, supports, and sustains you.
That Which Sustains You
Home and Land Meditation
From Daily OM.....It was so perfect to share on this blog!
Just as we take care of our friends and families, our homes and Mother Earth take care of us. Our homes give us a place of refuge—a sanctuary that stands between us and the elements of nature and the rest of the world.
The earth is an unselfish giver of life and the steward of our physical and spiritual needs. The earth’s bountiful plant life nourishes us, gives us air, and offers us cooling shade. Her waters quench our thirst, and her beauty stirs our souls. Yet it is easy to take both of these wonderful sources of our blessings for granted. Expressing the gratitude you feel toward your home and the earth for the blessings each provides you can help you stay conscious of where many of the gifts in your life come from. Each time you give thanks, you’ll be reminded of the importance of caring for your home and for Mother Earth.
There is a simple and beautiful meditation you can perform to show your gratitude. Begin by finding a quiet place where you can be alone. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply until you feel relaxed and then read the following out loud: "Thank you, home, for allowing me to live within your walls. Thank you for giving me shelter, warmth, and security. Thank you for allowing me to live my life in your womb, for staying strong and sturdy, for supporting me, and for your beauty. Thank you, earth, for the land that I live on and for allowing me to steward life with you. Thank you for allowing me to walk upon your soil, cultivate you, and live in partnership with you.
Thank you for supporting my home and my family. Thank you, plants, minerals, and animals that dwell on the land that I steward. Thank you for allowing me to experience your beauty, share in your wonderment of life, and for the honor of living with all of you on this earth. Thank you for the wisdom and joy you bring to humanity. I honor you."
You can perform this meditation as often as you like and anytime you feel particularly thankful for the many blessings that you have received. Each time you do, you’ll reaffirm and strengthen your connection with all that protects, supports, and sustains you.
Gardening with the Faeries
This past weekend I started working in my garden, preparing it for a new season of growth.
It has been a year or so since I really worked closely with the faeries and nature spirits in tending and enhancing a garden. It was great to re-connect!
During the past few weeks, as I've had time to work on yard, it's been all about clearing the space - physically and energetically. Shrubs edging the yard on two sides had to be severely trimmed. Not the 'hack it down by 2 feet' type of trimming...this was more the 'climb behind and under the canopy, hand trim out all the dead wood and thin the congested areas' type of trimming. Specific, methodical. This is how my faeries like me to work.
All the clinging, strangling type vines had to be completely cleared, roots and all, out of the shrubs and off the fence. All of it, every stem, even the dead ones. Dead leaves that have collected underneath had to be raked out and removed. Weeds pulled. When they ask for a clearing - they aren't kidding!
Next came trimming back the crepe myrtles - these twin trees have never ben trimmed, but they were starting to compete with the live oaks for air space.
Sunday morning I was instructed to be out back at sunrise, with cornmeal, sage and cedar. I sprinkled these on every bush, tree and plant, and on the grass, sending blessings and gratitude to all for their presence and friendship in my life. Next I took my Tibetan tingas (bells) and cleared the entire space with their sweet sound. I discovered certain areas of the yard that did not clear,sounded strange and knew there was something odd energetically going on there. I got out my dowsing rods and started tracking the anomolies.
What I discovered was a vortex of energy emanating from the edge of the garden. It was lovely. I stood in its center and lost track of time. I felt my body gently spiral in a circle, around and around as the vortex turned around me. Nearly two years I've been here and only now am I finally connecting at a much deeper level with my natural companions. I've spent entirely too much time indoors painting these past months!
As I returned to the bigger task at hand, I was instructed to use manure this year to enhance the soil, rather than worm castings. I borrowed a friend's SUV to pick up some bags at Lowe's and found I had turned into WalMart instead. Sure enough the manure there was almost 60 cents cheaper per bag. I love how the faeries are so practical and economical! Made me smile. I am not much of a WalMart kind of shopper. I had enough dealing with them in my old corporate days, but in this case, it was all good. I later ended up at Lowe's for a few other items.
I turned the soil of the whole garden, removing many roots from neighboring trees, shrubs and weeds. This too, is classic faerie fussiness. New or newly revitalized gardens must have all the roots out out out! I turned in the manure and raked it smooth. The volunteer impatiens that survived the freezes earlier this year were saved and placed in a new hanging basket, to create a bowl of beautiful color in the weeks and months to come.
Afterwards, the faeries had me journal all the things they like and don't like. How they like to interact and so forth. I think a little book or e-book may be forthcoming to those of you who would like to experience the honor, joy and pleasure of creating your own faerie garden. I was also asked to offer my coaching services to help you get started. (I asked if the faeries in my yard would be teachers for others, and the reluctantly said yes, but that it would be much, much better if people got usedto working with the faeries in their own yards and spaces. Who can argue with that logic?)
We've been having a cold snap for the last few days, and so have curtailed any further progress (except for cleaning gutters) for the moment. I learned that the garden I've been preparing is to be used for heirloom vegetables this year. That should be fun. I haven't done vegetables since I lived up north!
Also, garden art will be an important element to the overall space. When I moved here, there was already some pieces in the garden...not really my taste but it was clear that the residents liked them. I was given several faerie gifts as I was working this past weekend...one being a conch shell that had been completely buried in the soil for some time. I found it in the same place where I had planted flowers the past two years...! Now this might sound a little blase, but my family ALWAYS had a conch shell. My mother used to call us kids home from the neighbors house when dinner was ready.
I also get very excited and happy when I am gifted a feather. When a feather shows up for me it is like receiving a love letter, or a pat on the back from my angels, guides, Spirit to encourage me or let me know I am on the right track. Saturday I found TWO blue jay feathers. And Blue Jay has always been a special bird for me. I raised one from a pup when I was a kid... taught it to fly and everything. And, blue jay is the symbol for Archangel Michael, one of my beloved mentors.
So, all in all, a happy time playing in the garden, discovering, and laying a solid foundation for a beautiful, bountiful year to come! More later....
Ahneeka
It has been a year or so since I really worked closely with the faeries and nature spirits in tending and enhancing a garden. It was great to re-connect!
During the past few weeks, as I've had time to work on yard, it's been all about clearing the space - physically and energetically. Shrubs edging the yard on two sides had to be severely trimmed. Not the 'hack it down by 2 feet' type of trimming...this was more the 'climb behind and under the canopy, hand trim out all the dead wood and thin the congested areas' type of trimming. Specific, methodical. This is how my faeries like me to work.
All the clinging, strangling type vines had to be completely cleared, roots and all, out of the shrubs and off the fence. All of it, every stem, even the dead ones. Dead leaves that have collected underneath had to be raked out and removed. Weeds pulled. When they ask for a clearing - they aren't kidding!
Next came trimming back the crepe myrtles - these twin trees have never ben trimmed, but they were starting to compete with the live oaks for air space.
Sunday morning I was instructed to be out back at sunrise, with cornmeal, sage and cedar. I sprinkled these on every bush, tree and plant, and on the grass, sending blessings and gratitude to all for their presence and friendship in my life. Next I took my Tibetan tingas (bells) and cleared the entire space with their sweet sound. I discovered certain areas of the yard that did not clear,sounded strange and knew there was something odd energetically going on there. I got out my dowsing rods and started tracking the anomolies.
What I discovered was a vortex of energy emanating from the edge of the garden. It was lovely. I stood in its center and lost track of time. I felt my body gently spiral in a circle, around and around as the vortex turned around me. Nearly two years I've been here and only now am I finally connecting at a much deeper level with my natural companions. I've spent entirely too much time indoors painting these past months!
As I returned to the bigger task at hand, I was instructed to use manure this year to enhance the soil, rather than worm castings. I borrowed a friend's SUV to pick up some bags at Lowe's and found I had turned into WalMart instead. Sure enough the manure there was almost 60 cents cheaper per bag. I love how the faeries are so practical and economical! Made me smile. I am not much of a WalMart kind of shopper. I had enough dealing with them in my old corporate days, but in this case, it was all good. I later ended up at Lowe's for a few other items.
I turned the soil of the whole garden, removing many roots from neighboring trees, shrubs and weeds. This too, is classic faerie fussiness. New or newly revitalized gardens must have all the roots out out out! I turned in the manure and raked it smooth. The volunteer impatiens that survived the freezes earlier this year were saved and placed in a new hanging basket, to create a bowl of beautiful color in the weeks and months to come.
Afterwards, the faeries had me journal all the things they like and don't like. How they like to interact and so forth. I think a little book or e-book may be forthcoming to those of you who would like to experience the honor, joy and pleasure of creating your own faerie garden. I was also asked to offer my coaching services to help you get started. (I asked if the faeries in my yard would be teachers for others, and the reluctantly said yes, but that it would be much, much better if people got usedto working with the faeries in their own yards and spaces. Who can argue with that logic?)
We've been having a cold snap for the last few days, and so have curtailed any further progress (except for cleaning gutters) for the moment. I learned that the garden I've been preparing is to be used for heirloom vegetables this year. That should be fun. I haven't done vegetables since I lived up north!
Also, garden art will be an important element to the overall space. When I moved here, there was already some pieces in the garden...not really my taste but it was clear that the residents liked them. I was given several faerie gifts as I was working this past weekend...one being a conch shell that had been completely buried in the soil for some time. I found it in the same place where I had planted flowers the past two years...! Now this might sound a little blase, but my family ALWAYS had a conch shell. My mother used to call us kids home from the neighbors house when dinner was ready.
I also get very excited and happy when I am gifted a feather. When a feather shows up for me it is like receiving a love letter, or a pat on the back from my angels, guides, Spirit to encourage me or let me know I am on the right track. Saturday I found TWO blue jay feathers. And Blue Jay has always been a special bird for me. I raised one from a pup when I was a kid... taught it to fly and everything. And, blue jay is the symbol for Archangel Michael, one of my beloved mentors.
So, all in all, a happy time playing in the garden, discovering, and laying a solid foundation for a beautiful, bountiful year to come! More later....
Ahneeka
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
