S4EP2: Mad World

Hey, gang! Welcome to my life – where anything is possible and nothing is as it seems. I’m Freedom and I’ll be your host, coming at you from within the depths of Geistopia.

DOC: Velcum To My Life ees a prochect, un experiment in Life unt ART. A living storyboard, if you will. Its premise ees zat life ees experiential, unt zat you can, unt do, experience ze life you choose. It ees based on Ze Veel of Life unt Ze ARTs for Ze New Millennium as life building tools. Ja, it’s true!

WALT: Welcome to my Life is an I T.V. Studios/Geist…House Players Production, in association with the Center for Creative Inspirationalism. JustUs Productions, the parent company, would like to give a ‘Shout-Out’ to the following for their ongoing, and oft-times unknowing, inspiration and support:

Princess Cuddlebug

Princess Sunshine

Company

The Shaman

The Pillar

F’n Bob

The Entire Putt-Putt-Putter Clan

The Warden

FaeriePrincess

Professor Siggy Chong

Sparky Wentz-eclaus

The VanMan and General Ralph Glossop, and Craze (may they R.I.P.)

The Messengers of The Galactic Federation

Looch

The Bassett Hound

Bert-On

The Baker of the Cornbread

Andy Pandy

The Mudder

Zason

St. Diane & You (3)

Brother John

Spooky Queen

Boom-Boom Snuffbox

The Nameless One

Tim-Bo

The Cousins

The Rox

PDT

Sir Richard Slouch

The Wix-ians

The Socialite

The Village of Idiots

Piz-Niffer

Dancing Queen

Downtown Encyclopedia Brown

Chicken Witch

Dick Pointer

Soup, the Son

The Legendary Pink Elephants

Baby-Mama Rabbit

Wisconsin Belle

The Babes

Aaaand, of course, a very generous sponsor who (not-so-much) wishes to remain anonymous.

It is…Sunday, February 31, Two-Thousand and Twenty-New. Time...Redundant

Theme – Commitment

I suck at this. On all levels. But, let’s stick to a personal level at the moment. I do things. I try things. I set out with plans often. It is my follow-through that can lack. Sometimes it is by choice – laziness, lack of motivation, distracted by other things. Sometimes it is a frantic life that takes priority and pushes everything else to the side. This is how it has been with rituals, journaling, the blog. These are things that get pushed aside. I have shown a lack of commitment in making the Delivery Driving work. Not that it wasn’t working, but there were always things I could have done differently or more of. [Of course, Delivery Driving was coming to an end, temporarily at least. So, I’m not sure those efforts would have mattered.] Nonetheless, I now have a gauge for the future and I must remain committed to the things that I feel are important to me.

Lesson – Don’t Panic

This is definitely something on which I need to work. Yes. Things can get bad. They can even become life [existence] threatening. But, panic will do nothing. It will keep things from getting done. In panic, the head is not clear. IN panic we can no longer see what is right in front of us because we are projecting ourselves ahead to what may come. In the worst of times, it is best to keep your head up – and on straight. Deal with what is directly before you. Use whatever resources are placed within your grasp. Strive and try to make the most of every moment.

Observation – By Design

I sit and look at where I am at in life at the moment, and the things that are going on around me, and I can’t help but notice how perfectly certain things [almost everything] falls into place or lines up. [Specifically dealing with my current issues.] In fact, I look over the past several months and realize that they have been lining up, slowly, all along. It is all By Design. All of it – every moment, every fragment of existence, is strictly By Design.

The Post

The weekend was pretty much as I had expected – active and full of good times.

I met the girls at a rock shop nearby. It’s not actually close to The Nest. It’s just within The Region and therefore not out of the way in any direction for anyone. Anyway, I met them there early on Friday afternoon.

I have mentioned several times that I am in ‘Quest Mode.’ [I question this less and less with every passing day.] Quest Mode is so very different from the rest of life. [It shouldn’t be, but it is.] It’s all about flow and vibration. [Leave no stone unturned.] I had the thought on Thursday night that I need a pendant. All of my Quests have had pendants. The WhooDoo Tour had the one I wear in videos now. When I left Olde Geistopia one came as a gift. The Re-Discovery Tour had The Eye. The Second Quest had a collection of native chokers and such. I even recently found what I believe to be the pendant from The First Quest. It was a quartz piece wrapped on blue and white hemp. I had made it. [If it wasn’t for that it was certainly for one of them.]

Anyway, I decided that since I was going to The Rock Shop I would look for a pendant piece there. I found one, along with two stone beads to accompany it. I spent less than $20 and that money came out of the cash from The Special Fund. It really didn’t take me as long to find the pieces as I thought it would. Cuddlebug actually commented on this later, “You found what you were looking for so fast. I have to look at everything.”

I didn’t know what items I was looking for, but I did know the vibration. That makes it a little easier. I looked at several pieces first. None of them made me stop. This one did. It is a Kyanite and Amethyst piece. The beads were a little more difficult. Now I had colors to work with as well. Plus, I needed to envision them laying [at least somewhat] proper on the hemp piece. What I found is Dumortierite. [I know absolutely nothing about it.]

I’ve been at it a long time. I wouldn’t consider myself an adept by any stretch of the imagination. But, over the years, I have gotten fairly good at being led.

So, Sunshine’s friend couldn’t come and that made me sad. Still, we had a good weekend. Friday night we made alfredo sauce. The Princesses made me get the recipe from The Theatre. They absolutely love that stuff. So, I did. I gathered the ingredients. That’s what we made for dinner. It was accompanied by some leftover cheddar biscuit mix we had found in the cabinet.

Because it was The Theatre’s recipe it made a large amount of sauce. I sent large containers home with both Cuddlebug and Stringbean and still have a large one for myself. But, no one was comfortable messing with the recipe and trying to cut it down.

Later that night the three of us had our Ben & Jerry’s Fiesta and watched The Princess Diaries. That is until we started nodding off one by one.

On Saturday morning Cuddlebug and I met Stringbean and his mom at the mall, while Sunshine stayed home to make cookies for her class. The objective was for them to find prom clothes for him that would match Cuddlebug. Then we were going to bring him back to The Nest until Sunday.

We started at a big name store. They looked at Sport coats, which were in the hundreds. Then they moved to vests, which were still over $100 each. I looked at them and said, “Why are we hear and not at The Big Box?” [You know – the one at which I once worked.] So, we headed off in that direction. Cuddlebug rode with them because I was making a side stop along the way.

Here’s a story of the Stupidity of Me. One of my quaint anecdotes that usually ends with my daughters saying, “This is why we can’t let you go out alone.”

Friday night and Saturday morning I had been making blueberry coffee for the three of us. We drank 2 pots of it. I had commented that the blueberry wasn’t as potent as it was the last time. Cuddlebug had even accidentally added peppermint mocha creamer into her first cup. Surprisingly, she wasn’t disgusted by the taste.

On Saturday morning, I was making a pot for Sunshine before we left. I looked at the bag. It was only then that I remembered that I was going to get blueberry and decided that we should try something different. So, instead, I was holding in front of me a bag of cinnamon hazelnut coffee.

The reason for my side stop was to get some blueberry coffee, because now I had a hankerin’.

I met up with the crew and they were already doing fitting rooms. In the end, I understand, they got almost a complete outfit for less than one of the vests at the other store. So…success there. We said our pleasantries and headed back to The Nest. Sunshine was not quite done with her cookies.

We basically just hung out all day. Sunshine finished her cookies. We played a game. Watched some TV. For dinner we had Chinese and I introduced them to Clockwork Orange. I forgot how slow that movie is. None of us really had the attention span to follow along that night. We made it through all but the last 45 minutes. No one could take it any longer. I get that. It’s a tough movie to follow, but so worth it if you do. None of them said they disliked the movie. No one had the brain power for it that night.

Later that night, we made Dad’s Hot Chocolate. This is a thing for us. This is a serious thing for us as a family. The Hot Chocolate tradition began with Christmas Eve. Every year, I would have The Princesses for Christmas Eve into early Christmas Morning. Every year, I would have Santa come and visit.

One year I did not and Sunshine later called me out on it. Lo and behold, that June, I found a guy at a flea market who played Santa on the side. I whisked a little Christmas Magick and before you knew it, The Princesses and I were celebrating Christmas in July. We talked about how it was ‘s thing.’ We made creative Christmas desserts (ice cream sugar cones turned upside down, iced, and decorated to look like Christmas trees.) And, that magickal July Christmas, Santa would come by for a visit. I imagine he was on his way back from the beach because he arrived in his Christmas shorts – fur trim and all. I used this guy every Christmas Eve until the end.

Once he started coming regularly, the tradition became for Daddy to make hot chocolate for everyone to share on Santa’s visit. Over the years we had so many. There was regular hot chocolate and white chocolate. We had flavors from syrups and extracts and one year I even mixed some herbs to try a gingerbread hot chocolate. The tradition has continued and, when appropriate, we like to make it when we are together.

Over time we have begun to tweak at the recipe. At first it was so basic – whole milk, sugar, milk chocolate. We started by doing some extract/syrup flavors, like raspberry. The white chocolate, of course, was mixed with peppermint.

In those days, every cup was topped with whipped cream and some appropriate decorative piece – sprinkles, crushed candy canes, syrup, or even an Andes chocolate mint. We still do the whipped cream but we haven’t focused on the topping in some time.

We have also slowly made changes to the recipe. For instance, we switched to semi-sweet chocolate. We have also cut out the sugar, but we have added marshmallows – for both sweetness and thickness.

This weekend we tried some herbs. We added an experimental mixture of cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom. This was a hit. It was precisely what the recipe needed. Now, I need to hone in on amounts for each and play around until it is perfected.

Sunday morning was Dad’s Famous Breakfast. This is a long standing Geistopian tradition. Once upon a time, Big ‘D’ would make a big breakfast almost every Sunday morning. Eventually, it would become once a month/ Then one day it would stop altogether. When The Princesses came along, and were of an age to appreciate them, I would start the big breakfasts once more. I would make them on mornings when no one was around or it wouldn’t interfere with anyone who was. Once or twice I was even able to manipulate them into breakfasts that included everyone.

We have carried on this tradition as best we could over the years. Whenever we house sit, there is usually a big breakfast involved. We had one at New Year’s [which was also our Christmas] to celebrate being in The Nest. I thought it only appropriate to have one on one of our last weekends together to celebrate having been in The Nest.

I make eggs – this time scrambled with cheese. There are always potatoes, diced fresh and seasoned, this time, by Cuddlebug’s hand. [to perfection, I might add.] Toast, of course. And there were two kinds of bacon. [Because apparently one of my uncivilized children doesn’t like regular bacon.] On a good day you may catch me also making French toast or pancakes…or both. [I would make bacon, sausage, and ham if they would let me.]

“Make it all, throw it on the table, and let people eat.”

I am this serious about big Sunday breakfasts. In the perfect world of my imagination I have a home and, every so often, on a Sunday morning, it is open for family and friends to come and share in a big country breakfast. I believe it is a foundation for living and think it is a most excellent memory to have…and to share.

Also, on Sunday morning, I made a package of cinnamon rolls. Just as I believe a good home always has fresh coffee available, I also believe that a good home, every so often on a weekend morning, is filled with the aroma of something baking. I’d prefer something made from scratch, but life just hasn’t moved that far at this point.

Having The Princesses here is always a pleasure. I cannot express just how much it has meant to me to be able to share these moments and experiences with them. We have never had a life that allowed us this degree of relaxation and comfort and freedom. At Olde Geistopia there were three others in the house. Everyone dictated time and space except us. So, se learned to sneak things in during the In-Betweens. It’s been nice to see my family functioning.

After a little more relaxation time, I returned all to the respective places and came back to The Nest. It was time to get myself ready to face my week. It was sure to be an intense week…and it certainly has been.

I am still very much caught in this vortex of trying to take care of day to day business, prepare for and cushion my unknown future, and all the while projecting positive vibes and belief in miracles out into The Universe.

Let me just tell you that these things all work against each other. They all require different types of focus and each has its degree of importance.

Day to day is always a hustle and bustle. This is the mundane and the routine. It’s meals and dishes and working and laundry and groceries and finances and communications. It’s projects and plans. So, I set out each day, to just keep doing what I have been doing.

But, I also have to do my best to prepare for an unseeable future. What I know of it [Right This Moment] is that I will mostly be without a vehicle for some amount of time. This will also cut off my income for some amount of time. Until something else is figured out I am limited to what I can do from The nest and every Friday and Saturday night when I will walk to The Theatre, do dishes, and walk home.

I will have shelter in this time. I am making sure this week that I have groceries and supplies. This has all become part of my day to day. It is all about preparing and planning and tying up loose ends wherever I can.

The Shutdown is inevitable. I have accepted this. I can see it. I can feel it as if it is already happening. I would love to say that it will only be a week, but I think that it will be two. [And I fear that it will be more.] Quite frankly, I would be happy with three days.

I get The Shutdown. I do. Based on all current factors, it makes perfect sense.

I’ve commented on some forum or another that there was a meditation – ‘Change.’ I don’t know exactly what it said – Things, You, Life…something. Something was going to change.

“…and you won’t even see it coming.”

Well…

I think we’re here. No matter what, somehow, someway, life is about to seriously change.

Through this whole process, I have been seeing subtle changes. Some of them have just happened and others have been slightly forced. My smoking habit has changed due to restrictions in The Shuttle and The Nest. I’ve slowly started drinking some water. [If you know me, you know how big of a change that is.] It’s been in The Nest for The Princesses. I started taking a bottle every day on the road. It took me several weeks of doing so, but eventually I would open the bottle and drink it. Now I am making sure I drink at least that one before my day is through.

I have also been tackling other distractions that have long been an issue. It has only been about a week since I faced it, accepted it and pushed beyond it. I do not miss it or the time it stole from my days. I hoping to one day transpose this same feeling to cigarettes.

With the recent run of Tarot Readings my spirit has changed slightly.

So, it only makes sense that, as my life transforms itself into whatever future is mine, that I should find myself in retreat. “Know thyself and the world shall surely know you.” Lately there has been an emphasis on slowing down and taking time. In this, I have realized that over the years I have lost very much of myself in my pursuit for existence – to live, to be, to do, to achieve, to have.

It only makes sense that before Life can create my future that I should have to know who I am first.

There is plenty of work ahead of me – car hunting, income raising, perhaps job hunting. I have odd jobs on the table to work out and manipulate. My taxes still need to get done. Bills and correspondences must still be juggled and managed. Above and beyond that I have all sorts of systems to tweak. I even have a great number of files [hardcopy and cloud] that can be cleared and organized. I have plenty to do in order to keep myself going and at the same time try to build a stronger foundation for my future.

The same can be said of my personal self. There is plenty to do, but as I have been learning recently there is only ever so much that can be done in any one given day. There are only so many hours to a day. [And they are just not enough for a guy like me.] So, as I move through The Shutdown I must also put a focus on my own self.

This will be a most perfect time and opportunity to establish who, what and how I am. Over my life I have been many things. I have seen many faces and aspects on my journeys. But, they have always come in bits and pieces. They come and they go. I’ve only done a little bit of this for a time or perhaps I have done that here and there as opportunity presents. This can be said of hobbies, and work interests, and ritual, and recreation – movies, reading, puzzles, etc.

Everything has always been staggered and static. I see The Shutdown as the perfect opportunity to bring together whatever fragments remain and see how they fit themselves together. I can let the lack of needing to go anywhere give me the freedom to just let myself be and see how my routines and habits and functionings happen.

That being said, as I prepare for The Shutdown, part of my Day to Day has become gathering from, and also returning to, The Cave. For three years my life has been packed up, unpacked, repacked, shifted and adjusted over and over again. The Cave has been in chaos and I have been slowly cleaning it up and organizing it.

There are some things there that I can make use of, or potentially anyway, during The Shutdown. I have been making frequent stops to grab whatever I can think of that day. Some things are WTML related. Some are projects of the past. Some are things like seasonal clothes which it is soon time for.

But, at The Nest, I have also gathered a collection of things that can return to The Cave. Such as…seasonal clothes. [Different season.] There is also my collection of tools. This is another area of my life that became scattered over time. I found tools of all shapes and sizes in multiple boxes. I wanted to organize them into some sort of collection that I could keep with me as well as a collection of ‘Go-tos’ in The Cave. I still have some sorting to do, but I want to return the unneeded items to The Cave. I figure this is less that I have to ask someone else to help me move, should the that time come. And, if it doesn’t, at least this will be done. It has been on the list for quite some time.

I have random other things to return as well. Winter auto supplies such as brushes, and kitchen supplies and old laptops. I also have some random boxes and storage containers to bring back from The Cacve, so I have them when the time comes to pack up.

So, all the while I am grappling with all these things, watching my life implode on itself and doing my best to soften the blow, I am also doing my best to project a positive outcome. That Which You Feed Energy Into Grows.

This has also been a change. This is a terrible position I find myself in. At one time, it was precisely the kind of position that would make me feel defeated to the point of truly giving up. But, in this, I see only good. I have seen good since it has begun. I have said all along that there have been too many “Thank G-ds” along the way to think it could be anything but good.

Also, along the way there have been little moments of affirmation. Such as my moment at The Park. [Which I will not comment on until I discover if there actually is footage of it.] There have also been meditations and visions. Or, even moments like Tuesday.

I was driving along, doing my thing – moving from here to there as I do all day, every day. It was nothing out of the ordinary. The GPS was guiding me, I was following the flow of traffic and, of course, I was deep in thought on my current situation. In fact, I believe I was struggling with balancing the reality of my current circumstances with the spiritual approach to them.

As I came upon a red light, I slowed down to a stop behind a white pick-up truck. The license plate read ‘LUK 1-49.’ It seems as though I no sooner acknowledged this and the truck was gone. I can’t even tell you where it went. Needless to say, I did not waste time in looking up Luke Chapter 1, Verse 49.

“for the Mighty One has done great things for me – holy is his name.”

This is cross-referenced with Psalms 71:19…

“Your righteousness, G-d, reaches to the heavens, you who have done great things. Who is like you G-d?”

…and also Psalms 111:9

“He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever – holy and awesome is his name.”

I cannot help but see a Divine hand in all of this. With that, I must believe that – no matter what happens – it all works out in the best possible way for me. It may not be what I want or perhaps it will even be more than I can imagine. At this point, Only Time Will Tell.

It is, Right This Moment, somewhere in the middle of the week. I have done things. I have balanced and tweaked and arranged. I still have much to do. Of course, there is work – both driving and at The Theatre. There is some last minute time with The Princesses. I have one more basic grocery trip to make on Sunday night when I can see what I really need at that point. I have a trip or two to The Cave…and those tools to sort.

I have to return a call to a car dealer. [Or at least a text to start.] I must crush some cans and get them to the yard.

I want to wash and clean The Shuttle, which includes [apparently] making my homemade cleaners.

I think there is need for one more Ritual Bath.

I will need to tweak this post a bit just to round it out and finish up The Trinity and The Totems.

There is also one last Safety Meeting scheduled. This may seem a frivolous spending of time and energy, but I assure you it is not. This is a long-standing tradition. The Safety Meetings are not just about bonding or relaxing. There is also growth and support. It becomes a Sacred Circle and I have witnessed many magics within. They are my brothers and it will be good to spend time with them before I am isolated indefinitely. This is also one of those loose ends. The Putter always sponsors the Safety Meeting. From time to time, every member take his turn donating refreshments. With the craziness of my life it has been some time since I have made a contribution. With the uncertainty of when I will be able to return to a meeting or make a contribution – I have done so. I wanted to leave that square and on the level. And, so I will.

And, all of this must be done by the close of business on Monday. My day will end with me returning The Shuttle and an associate returning me to The Nest. At that point it is anyone’s guess. Anything is Possible and, hopefully, Nothing is as it Seems.

I do not know exactly how things will go – what will happen, when, or how. I do know, however, that the first 24 hours is all mine. If I am going to go through this, then I am going to take a day to decompress. I imagine there will be a ritual bath involved in there at some point. And, I am planning on gaming Monday night. There will be no business to which I can attend. There will be nowhere to go [or any way to travel if there was.] There will be nothing to do that is of utmost importance. The world can wait and I can take some time to just escape before facing the black-hole like reality of The Shutdown.

This is where I must leave you. There really are only so many hours in the day and today’s are almost expired. I will write again next week. Until then, Fellow Travelers, remember…

The Lesson of The Journey is Faith. [I have said this for over a decade.]

Perhaps this is the beginning of the story we have been waiting to tell.

If you’re not already there, go to the Welcome to my Life Facebook page – WTML. Or the YouTube channel – WelcomeToMyLife08. You can also find me on Facebook under Rev. Matt.

Wherever you are and whenever you are – Like, Comment, and Share – we’re on a Journey and it takes you to get there.

So, without hesitation, for now and for always, from here in Geistopia, this is your beloved Rev…

WALT: And Walt…

DOC: Unt Doc…

JOHNNY: Aaaaand Johnny…

And those guys, saying, “Stay Tuned-In, Fellow Travelers,” and wishing you Peace, Love, Light…

WALT: And Freakishness, Baby.

The Totems & Archetypes

**from Ted Andrews’ Animal Speak**

Goose - The Call of the Quest and Travels to Legendary Places

A totem reflecting a stimulation of the childhood thrill and belief in stories and legendary places. These stories either reflected an imprint for this life or they may have even imprinted you with certain seed ideas. Also be a totem to aid you in communication especially through the use of stories. Individuals wishing to write - be it stories or anything - can facilitate this process by working with the goose as a totem. It will stimulate the imagination and help move you through creative blocks. Also a symbol of fertility and marital fidelity. It may reflect a need for more vegetables in the diet, and maybe even becoming a vegetarian for a while. It reflects an ability to move forward or backward. It reflects movement, and a call to the spiritual quest. Stirs our imagination and makes us want to seek out new worlds and dimensions. Calling us to follow them on the great spiritual quest. It speaks of the fulfilled promises that great quests bring. Epitomizes the mystery of migration. Reminds us that as any one individual mass his or her quest, it becomes easier for others to do so as well. Reminding us that we should not undertake any quest in life without having a full view of what it entails. In this way the journey is facilitated for others. Reflects an opening to new possibilities. New directions and new possibilities. Reflects an openness to new ideas. Usually indicates we are about to affix ourselves to a new path. Reflects great fertility that should be acted upon if growth is desired. Greater vision, physical and spiritual, will occur. Can reflect that you are about to break free of old childhood restraints and begin to come into your own. You can expect to have the imagination stirred towards new travels to distant places - whether in the body or mind.

Duck – Emotional Comfort and Protection

Linked to the feminine energies, the astral plane, and to the emotional state of humans. Can remind us to drink from the waters of life as well as to nurture our own emotional natures. Reminding us we can find sustenance in our emotions. May reflect an inability to feel comfortable with most people in your life. It may reflect a need to find comfort in your own element and with those of life mind and spirit. Can remind us that we are going to have such an opportunity. May reflect past-life connections. They can help you to handle your own emotions with greater grace and comfort. Teach you how to maneuver through various waters of life.

Hawk - Visionary Power and Guardianship.

Messengers, protectors and visionaries. Visionary power and leading you to your life purpose. There is a message coming. What you eat, you become. Kundalini. Childhood visions are becoming empowered and fulfilled. The ability to soar and glide upon the currents. Great Heights while still keeping your feet on the ground. Attacks by people who won’t understand you - attack your ability to soar. Teaching of higher expression of psychosis and vision. Beauty and harmony in moderation. Lead you to using your creative energy in manifesting your soul purpose. Hope and new ideas. A need to be open to the new or shows ways that you may help teach others to be open to the new. Be observant. Life is sending signals. Careful in expression. Comments and actions will be strong and powerful with the ability to tear and/or kill.

Cardinal - Renewed Vitality through Recognizing Self-Importance

They remind us that, regardless of the time of day or year, we always have the opportunity to renew our own vitality and recognize our own life roles. Whistles are often reminders to listen closely - to pay attention to what is blowing on the winds. Reflects that we should be listening to the inner voice (the feminine) more closely for our own health and well-being. Almost always reflects a need to assert the feminine aspects of creativity and intuition more strongly. Can reflect a need to b more careful about your diet, that what you are eating may be injurious to yourself and affecting your overall vitality. Reflects the rhythm of 12 that is going to become more predominant within your own life. Reflects lessons associated with responsibility and the recognition of the task at hand. May reflect past-life connections with the church, or even a reviving of more traditional religious beliefs, regardless of denomination. Remind us to add color to our lives, and remember that everything is of importance.

Blue Jay - Proper Use of Power

It can reflect lessons in using your own power properly. It can also reflect lessons in not allowing yourself to be placed in a position in which power is misused against you. It has the ability to link the heavens and the earth, to access each for greater power. This is a totem that can move between both and tap the primal energies at either level. Higher knowledge that can be used. The main problem will be dabbling in both worlds, rather than becoming a true master of both. Usually have a tremendous amount of ability, but it can be scattered or it is often not developed any more than is necessary to get by. Not unusual to find individuals with the Jay totem being dabblers - especially in the psychic and metaphysical fields. They know a little bit about a lot of things and they use that knowledge sometimes to give the impression that they know more. Wear the crown of true master ship requires dedication, responsibility, and committed development in all things in the physical and spiritual. A reminder to follow through on all things - to not start something and then leave it dangling. A time of greater resourcefulness and adaptability is about to unfold. Going to have ample opportunities to develop and use your abilities. Look for ample time to develop and use your energies to access new levels. Actually a member of the crow family, most crows have no fear. It is because of this the Jay can help you connect to the deepest mysteries of the earth and the greatest of the heavens. This sense of seeking pleasure - often at the expense of others - can reflect an imbalance. Sometimes jay shows up when this is happening in your own life. A tremendous ability for survival with the least amount of effort. They reflect great talent, but that talent must be developed and utilized properly. It indicates that you are moving into a time where you can develop your innate royalty that is within you, or simply be a pretender to the throne. It all depends on you.

Skunk - Sensuality, Respect, and Self-Esteem

Teaches how to give respect, expect respect, and demand respect. It helps you to recognize your own qualities and assert them. Can teach you how to be more self-assured and how to assert yourself. The owl should be studied as it is a contrary medicine. Teach us how to get more attention without being arrogant and irritating. Sometimes it shows up to help us deal with those people in our life who are outrageously irritating. The sense of smell has ties to sensuality and sexuality. The use of fragrances will elicit dynamic responses in those associated with. Can usually expect to experience stronger sexual responses to others and in their response to you. A greater ability to attract people will begin to unfold. Cycles. Must learn to balance the ability to draw and repel people. There is a natural cycle. Solitary animal. There are times best for drawing people and there are times to avoid people. Indication of the active flow of the Kundalini or life force (ties to the sexual energies and the life force active in every aspect of the life process.) Kundalini is usually already active. Time to amplify and teach the use and control of this life force more effectively. The ability to be able to turn on and off the creative force and direct it along several lines. Good for those people with this totem not to blow their own horn. Sit back and let others do the noticing for you. Teach you when it is best to be noticed and how o go about it most effectively. Going to have opportunities to bring out new respect and self-esteem. Lessons and times associated with increased sensuality physically, sexually, psychically, and spiritually. Examine your self-image. People are going to notice you. How they notice and remember can be controlled by you.

Butterfly – Transmutation and The Dance of Joy

The process of metamorphosis should be studied closely. Make note of the most important issues confronting you at the moment. What stage of change are at in regards to them? You may have to examine and determine what you wish the outcome to be, and how best to accomplish it. Was a symbol of the soul. Was a symbol of conjugal bliss and joy. A symbol of change, joy, and color. There has long been an association in folklore between those of the Faerie Realm and butterflies. They remind us not to take things so seriously within our lives. They awaken a sense of lightness and joy. They remind us that life is a dance, and dance, though powerful, is also a great pleasure. Can be reminders to get up and move for if you can move you can dance. Look at how much or how little joy is within your life. Lighten up. Look for change. Don’t forget that all change is good. Reminds us to make changes when the opportunities present themselves. Transformation is inevitable. Growth and change does not have to be traumatic. It can occur as gently, as sweetly, and as joyfully as we wish.

Fox - Feminine Magic of Camouflage, Shapeshifting and Invisibility.

New world opening up. The process of creation is beginning. Guide to enter the Faerie Realm. Unless a male can recognize the magic of the feminine - in himself or others - and learn to use it to Shapeshifting his own life, it will ultimately lead to destruction. The Kundalini, and the freeing of the creative life force. Practicing and using camouflage. Working to blend in with surroundings, to come and go unnoticed, moving silently about without revealing your intentions. Learning to control the aura. Adjust its frequency and intensity so that you harmonize more with others. Levels of energy and fertility. If the focus stays on the creative energies, any sharp turn in the individual’s life will be handled with ease. Fox people have the ability to insulate themselves from anything that may seem cold, especially in relationships. Can appear larger than they are - for personal protection or for making greater impressions. Establish a trotting pace. Ability to move into new directions. Call upon new resources instinctively. Excellent ability to hear what is not being said. The ability to hear spirit. Size people up accurately. Develop the ability to see spirit. Aromatherapy. Awakening of the Kundalini. Higher forms of discrimination and discernment. Capture any prize.

Eagle - Illumination of Spirit, Healing, and Creation.

Balance of being of the Earth, but not in it. The soul, the spirit, and warmth of life. The resurrection. Punishment and reward. Greater sight and perception. Reflects an awakening ability or the need to learn to walk between worlds. Heroic nobility and divine spirit. The rediscovery of the inner child. Alchemy. Involvement with creativity. A willingness to experience extremes in a controlled condition. A willingness to use your passions to purify and to use your abilities, even if you get scorched a little in the process. The need to stay connected to and use things of the Earth. Important to know when to speak, how much, how strongly. New vision will open. The ability to hear - spiritually and physically - may also increase. Cooperative responsibility. A healing role. Opportunities (even those thought long lost) will arise - learn to see and snatch them up. A new sense of timing and movement will begin to develop Primal force inherent and easily awakened. Take on the responsibility and the power of becoming so much more than you now appear to be. Events will now fly faster, repercussions for everything you think, do and say (or fail to) - positive and negative - will be both stronger and quicker. A powerful new dimension to life and a heightened responsibility for your spiritual growth. Touch all of life with healing and become the mediator and the bearer of new creative forces within the world.

Panther – Re-building One’s True Power

A symbol of ferocity and valor. They have over 500 voluntary muscles that they can use at will. It reflects the ability to do a variety of tasks at will. As a whole panthers are loners (solitary) although they do associate with others, they are most comfortable by themselves or within their own marked territory. Those who have a panther totem will find greater power in silence as goals are pursued. Revealing too much or speaking too much about pursuits can counteract some of the effectiveness. Those with a panther totem must learn to pace their work, allowing time to rest and play. They must not push too hard or too far on any one task. If they do, they are more susceptible to imbalances. In times of trouble – in any environment – those with panther totems are often the first and the fastest to respond, and especially in the work environment they respond effectively to deadlines and pressures. Anyone who aligns with the panther will develop greater depth of vision – of their life, of events, of other people. This is more than just psychic sight. It is inner knowing. They should truest their thoughts and inner visions (imaginings) for there is probably a strong foundation in reality. To those with whom the panther links comes the ability to develop clairaudience, to hear the communications of other dimensions and other life forms. Those with a panther totem will find their own sensitivity to touch increasing. Rather than holding and “reading” an object’s vibrations through the hands, placing it against one’s cheek or forehead will bring strong impressions. The arrival of the panther initiates a time of awakened sensuality and passion, two powerful tools of the feminine powers. The lunar cycle most powerful is The Dark of The Moon through the New Moon. Those with a panther totem who are angered will not confront another individual head on – and are better off not doing so. They must stalk patiently, waiting until close enough to strike strong and hard. They don’t play when they hunt. These individuals will go for the throat, so to speak. Because of their sensitivity, individuals with the panther as a totem know instinctively how best to attack if placed in such a position. – and they can do so lethally whether in defense or in response to anger. Because of this natural ability, individuals with this totem must learn to temper their responses, or they may unintentionally wound others more deeply than they mean to. The black panther has the greatest mysticism associated with it. It is the symbol for the life and power of the night. It is often a symbol of darkness, death, and rebirth from out of it. When the black panther enters your life as a totem, it awakens the inner passions. This can manifest in unbridled expressions of baser powers and instincts. It can also represent an awakening of the Kundalini. The panther always brings a guardian energy to those to whom it comes. The panther often signals a time of rebirth after suffering and death on some level. This implies that an old issue may finally begin to heal, and with the healing will come a reclaiming of power that was lost at the time of wounding. Symbolizes moving from mere poles of existence to new life without poles or barriers. The panther is a symbol of awakening to the heroic quest. The heroic tales tell us that no matter the depth of degradation – whether self-inflicted or inflicted from outside forces – there is always promise of light and love to lead us back. When panther enters your life, the path leading back is about to begin. Dionysus had to overcome many years of wandering, plundering, destruction and suffering before he could take his place within the heavens. His is the lesson of overcoming negative tendencies and sufferings inflicted on ourselves by ourselves, or by others, to obtain out divinity. We must recognize and learn the transforming nature of the sexual energies and how to direct them consciously. This often means we may have to face offending malignancies of our life, those aspects of ourself or our life that we have painted over, glossed over, shoved to the back of the closet or pretended didn’t exist. Sometimes this means we must suffer the loss of what we think we love most. The panther holds the promise of rebirth and guardianship throughout. It is the symbol of power reclaimed from whatever darkness within our life has hidden it. The panther is the promise that whatever is lost will be replaced by that which is greater, stronger, and more beneficial. There awakens within the individual on this path and with the panther as a totem an ability to cause people to see and think as you desire them to. Like the panther, you can blend into your surroundings with ease and to whatever degree you desire. It is a symbol of mastery over all dimensions. One who can become a jaguar [panther] is shorn of all cultural restrictions. The alter ego is free to act out desires, fears, aspirations. The panther marks a new turn in the heroic path of those to whom it comes. It truly reflects more than just coming into one’s own power. Rather it reflects a reclaiming of that which was lost and an intimate connection with the archetypal force behind it. It gives an ability to go beyond what has been imagined, with opportunity to do so with discipline and control. It is the spirit of imminent rebirth.

Horse - Travel, Power, and Freedom

Associated with burial rites and birth. Associated with appeal and persuasiveness. Symbols of freedom. Powers of divination. Can express the more magickal side of humans. Can represent movement and travel, or maybe it showed up to help you with movement. Symbol of desire - especially sexual. May be time to examine aspects of travel and freedom in your life. Feeling constricted? Need to move on or let others move on? Time to assert your freedom and your power in new areas? Doing your part to assist civilization in your environment? Are others? Are you using what this civilization has given you? New journeys. Teach you how to ride into new directions to awaken and discover your own freedom and power.

Ant - Industriousness, Order, and Discipline

Symbol of work and industry. Wisdom and intellect in their endeavors is often acclaimed. Social. Community activity. Gathering, hunting, growing. May find that the cycle of industriousness and building of goals may increase over a period of twelve years. Cycle of twelve - days, months, years - will be of significance. Teacher of how to build, how to be the architect of your own life. Show you how to construct our dreams into a reality. Greatest success occurs with persistence. Examine your own industriousness. Are you disciplining yourself enough to accomplish the tasks at hand? Are you or those around you looking for the quick and easy way? Are you neglecting important activities? Are you laying a good foundation? Are you adding new structures to your life with each passing year in some fashion - education, jobs, hobbies, etc? Are you being patient with your efforts? Are you being patient with yourself? With others? Are you making things greater and more difficult than they need to be? Are you missing the opportunity to initiate new creativity and endeavors? Can teach how to harness your own power to design and recreate your life. Can show you how best to work with others for the good of everyone. Regardless of circumstances, if the effort is true, the rewards will follow - in the most beneficial time and manner. The promise of success through effort.

Mouse - Attention to Detail.

It is either time to pay attention to details, or an indication that you cannot see the forest for the trees. You may be getting so locked into details that you forget the big picture. Are you taking care of the trivial, yet necessary, things of life? Are you getting so lost in big dreams that you are neglecting other aspects of your life? Are you becoming so focused on one or two activities that you are neglecting other opportunities? Are you missing what is right in front of you? Is there something obvious that you are missing or need to focus on? Are you trying to do too many things at once and therefore scattering your energies? Mouse can show how to pay attention to detail; how to attain the big things by working on the little things. Lessons associated with attention.

Dragon (thesecretofthetarot.com) –

The dragon totem brings magic and balance into your life. When the dragon spirit guide comes into your life, it wants you to get in touch with your psychic nature. The dragon asks you to view the world through the window of mystery and wonder. The dragon presence in your life calls your attention to your primordial strength. This spirit guide is the master of the Earth, Air, and Fire. As such, the dragon is a powerful ally to have by your side. It makes your daily life amazing. The dragon spirit empowers you with potent and restorative characteristics. When the dragon spirit guide arrives into your life, you can get in touch with it by looking into your inner being. There you’ll find the spiritual dragon hidden deep within your souls. Once you unearth it, the dragon enables you to find peace. You may have to do some spiritual preparations to achieve this goal. The purpose of the dragon spirit guide in your life is clear-cut. It stands for the transformation that your life has to take. This transformation relates to emotional and physical change. Also, it can be as simple as changing jobs or shifting houses. This change can be so drastic that it affects the core of your existence. In this case, it’s important that you summon the dragon within you to guide you in your tough times. The dragon spirit totem enters your life to enable you to reach your true potential. It provides you with the metaphysical knowledge and insight you need to be pure. The dragon presence in your life means richness. This could mean an increase in material wealth or richness in happiness. The dragon spirit guide brings true wealth into your life.

Kyanite (from thespruce.com) - Kyanite is a powerful stone with many helpful applications. It has a calming, grounding energy, making it useful for balancing emotions as well as accessing meditative states. It can also help us connect to our intuitive abilities and recall dreams, and it opens the third eye chakra. Kyanite helps us find clarity

Amethyst (charmsoflught.com) - Increases nobility ♥ Spiritual awareness ♥ Psychic abilities ♥ Inner peace and healing ♥ Healing of body, mind & soul ♥ Positive transformation ♥ Meditation ♥ Balance ♥ Relieves stress ♥ Communication

Dumortierite (thecrystalcouncil.com) - Dumortierite is a very high vibrational stone that unlocks your third eye chakra, as well as activating unique psychic abilities. These abilities can range from simple actions such as remembering one’s dreams better, too lucid dreaming, astral projection, connection with higher realms, synchronicities, channeling, and even forms of ESP. Dumortierite’s powers raise one’s intuitive side, as well as their intellectual capacity. Simply carrying or wearing this stone will attune one to the higher knowledge they will soon be receiving.

Cinnamon (Scott Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs) –Spirituality, Success, Healing, Power, Psychic Powers, Lust, Protection, Love

Clove (Scott Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs) – Protection, Exorcism, Love, Money

Cardamom (Scott Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs) – Lust, Love