One More Week

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. Yeah, 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

Craze & Co.

The Shaman

The Pillar

F’n Bob

The Warden

The Entire Putt-Putt-Putter Clan

FaeriePrincess

Professor Siggy Chong

Hoagie Snowflake

Sparky Wentz-eclaus

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

The Messengers of The Galactic Federation

The Looch

The Bassett Hound

Bert-On

The Baker of the Cornbread

Andy Pandy

The Mudder

Zason

Oh, Danny Boy

St. Diane & You

Brother John

Thing 1 & Thing 2

The Nameless One

Good Man, Charlie Brown

‘Jim’

The Rox

CCPA

Senoll #5

Superstar

Sir Richard Slouch

The Wix-ians

The Socialite

The Village of Idiots

Piz-Niffer

Dancing Queen

Downtown Encyclopedia Brown

Baby-Mama Rabbit

My Belle

The Babes

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

It is…Sunday, April 26, 2020. Time...Escalating.

Theme - Bittersweet

Oh my, has this come up a lot since last week’s post. It is like it has permeated the whole of my life. For instance, last week’s example - quitting smoking will be bittersweet. It will be good for me on so many levels. But, the process will be difficult and uncomfortable.

Much like working on sorting through things in The Cave this week. It was very difficult and sad in a way. Not only to see what is left of my life just strewn about and discarded, but all the work I put into The Cave to make it a decent outbuilding and it is all going to waste. It was for nothing. Just like The Garden. Still, as with any End, it can only signify a Beginning around the corner. Perhaps it is a bigger and better life.

It is how I am feeling about The Job. It is nice to have the routine and the stability, and yes, even the pay. Still, I am giving up so much of myself to maintain it.

Lesson - Shine the Light Where the Light Can Be Shone

This one actually comes from the wedding I officiated on Saturday. I was looking over things and preparing on Friday night when I had an inspiration. I figured I had to wear a mask. However, the actual mask that I have would have been uncomfortable and make it difficult to be heard. Instead, I would wear a bandana. Then I could hear myself saying, “Dearly beloved...stick ‘em up.” In my head, I immediately apologized, “I’m sorry. I couldn’t resist. I’m just trying to make light of a difficult situation.”

Then I realized there was a message in here - not just for a couple about to be married, but for the congregation as a whole. This is what life is made of. It is so many situations that are difficult, challenging, frustrating, defeating, out of our control, scary. But, if we simply Shine the Light Where the Light Can Be Shone we can make it a little easier, a little better. That is how we will lift each other up. That is how we will prevail.

Incidentally, I even have a piece of wood that is shaped like a little gun. Yes. I used it.

Observation - Simple Little Moments

That’s all it really takes to find peace, harmony, happiness. We can spend so much time pining for those bigger, more splendid, moments. Those moments that so obviously matter and make a difference. The ones that change the course of things. Who doesn’t want those? But, every day 1,000 simple little moments pass before us. All we have to do is see them, feel them, acknowledge them. It can be a friendly smile or the sun reflecting off of a building. It can be something like a slight sense of satisfaction as a chore or a task is completed. Every day we are given so many opportunities to catch a glimpse of perfection. When we find them and acknowledge them we give thanks for them. That gratitude multiplies and brings more moments. And suddenly, a Simple Little Moment becomes a string of blessings.

The Experiment -

I wanted to touch on this, because I feel like it has kind of gone by the wayside as other aspects of life have grown and developed. It shouldn’t. The Experiment is, right now, the very core of these experiences.

When this year began, I was at the lowest I have ever known myself to be. At that moment in time I truly had nothing left. The MattMobile wasn’t running. I had no money, no job, no income...no home.  My daughters were drifting further and further away, forced by circumstance.

As the year got off to a good and proper start things were slowly rebuilding in my life. One of those things was the continuation of this Blog. I figured, as long as I was recording the journey, I might as well throw all caution to the wind and throw all of my cards on the table.

For decades I have spoken of the Principles and Themes And Lessons. I waxed on about the beauty and magick of the Universal Spirit. Of course, through all of this I would also reference many of the Divination ARTs. But what did it all mean? Does it all really work? I mean, there I was at 47 years of age and no clue as to what my life even was anymore.

So...why not find out?

And, thus, was born The Experiment. An opportunity to detach from the experience and just let the moments happen. I was going to just let life happen and then share it, along with the coordinating spiritual references. Overall, I am happy with what came next.

Life began to unfold - slowly at first. Each week brought something new. The pattern of numbers followed precisely the course they should have. In the first week - The Void, the 0 - I knew nothing, I was nothing. All that existed of me was vague thoughts and notions - hopes and dreams. Then, in Week 1, things started to happen. Momentum built, step by step all the way to Week 11, when I would find myself in a completely different state of existence. There was a job and income. There were plans for The MattMobile to be fixed correctly, once and for all. Some semblance of life and being seemed to have formed around me. Still, this would only be the beginning, for I remained far from those notions and dreams.

It all became a little more complicated when we started counting the Weeks for The Job, and down right confusing when we added the same for the pays. Yet, each time, in every scenario, the patterns remained.

In the beginning, there was nothing. Then to emergence. And, on to balance. To Creation and foundation. All until there was a knowing - a sense of being. Then there would always be a week I cannot yet define, nor describe. Then a level of healing, followed by the touch of Divine and abundance. Finally, there would be completion of a cycle, The Void, and it would begin again.

After the Numbers were flowing, Messages were introduced. There were messages with specific time markers -a week, three weeks, six weeks, nine...May. So far, each of those markers have proven themselves to be significant in some way to some arena or another of my life. Now, we are just waiting for May.

Along the way, Fellow Travellers, you may or may not have noticed that several of those markers have been aligned with certain Holi-days, The Wheel of the Year. Interestingly enough, the next Holi-day is Beltane, on May 1st.

I am even more convinced today that the systems work, if you know how to follow along.

For instance - Totems. It’s not so much about how they appear. It can be the animal itself, or an image, or the word, or whispers in the ear. With Totems it is more about When and Why and What. When did the Totem appear? Which, in turn, leads to the question, “why did it appear?” The answer to that is in the what. What happened, what was said or heard or thought or done in the moments just before...and sometimes after. Whatever it is that called the Totem is what will help you understand why it came.

Though it is not discussed as much lately, we are still in the throes of The Experiment. Truly, it is far from over. However, right now we are waiting to see just what it is that May brings, as well as Week 22, which begins on June 3rd.

The Post -

It was a strange week for me.

It was a strange week for me.

That should tell you something right there. I can feel things, sense them, but I am having a terrible time truly gauging anything lately. Each day seems to exist in and of itself only touching on the next, or the one before, ever so briefly, like the crossfade of audio tracks - there, but not quite. I have been trying to keep notes as I go and have found myself only mildly successful in the effort.

The Job is going well. It is what it is. Both the GM and the District Leader seem pleased, so I’ll call that a win. The work isn’t terrible. I enjoy the challenge. But, I realized this week that I also like the rhythmic nature to it all. It doesn’t matter what position you might be working, each has its own rhythm, system, pattern. When you find it everything flows smoothly. It’s not necessarily easy, but it flows even when there is a glitch. Also, once you have the pattern, should you lose it for some reason, it is easy to get back into. I love patterns and rhythms and routines. The whole of my life seems to thrive on them. Everything I do is systematic and geared towards ease and flow.

I still don’t feel particularly attached to it. I can’t envision a long term career path. Yet, I can’t see a future without it. [Of course, I only seem to be able to see 3 months ahead these days.]If I could say anything about this course, this experience, at this time, it would be that this is one of those moments. Whatever this is it will be a tale to tell, a yarn to spin. Whatever is transpiring, one day will be ‘Once Upon a Time…’

The other areas of my life still seem to be scattered to the four corners of the earth...but, I’m getting there. Little by little. Bit by bit.

WALT: I was really hoping you would say “Step by step”

DOC: Inch by inch

JOHNNY: Slowly I turned…

Oh good lord, you have them all doing it now.

JOHNNY: We’re bored, Reverend. What the boys need is expression. A chance to get out and stretch their legs a bit, as it were.

Oh, Johnny...Ball Man….

WALT: See, now you’re doing it. Things must be bad.

It’s true. The World is in Covid Chaos and I am doggy paddling my way through it the best I can. Just like everyone else. Which was the point I was going to make Mr. Whiteman - I think we all need to get out and stretch our legs a bit...as it were.

Now, could one of you explain to me your fascination with that particular routine?

WALT: Vaudeville was the bomb, man.

Did you just say it was “the bomb”?

WALT: Well, yeah. I couldn’t say it was “the shit.”

JOHNNY: Walter!!

WALT: See. Legal issues.

JOHNNY: It’s my opinion that Vaudeville is the foundation on which contemporary entertainment is built. It gave way to so many great and powerful talents, whose work still influences us today.

Fair enough. I would have to agree. All of the greats, including the likes of the Marx Brothers and The Three Stooges, began their career on those stages. But...you guys know you are working that skit backwards?

WALT: That’s kinda how your brain works.

*blank stare.* Yeah...I got nothin’.

WALT: My point exactly.

Folks, it’s a sad thing when the voices in your head think you’re an idiot.

WALT: I don’t think you’re an idiot…

Please don’t finish that statement.

WALT: Apparently, I don’t have to. Hey, maybe you ain’t so dumb after all.

Oh no. I’m an idiot. Tried and true.

DOC: Freedom, ve should talk about zis self-deprecating attitude you prochect.

Oh good fuck!!

JOHNNY: REVEREND!!!!

I’m sorry!!! This is totally out of control? Where’s my guy yelling, “Focus and discipline”? You’re screaming, “Reverend,” but you’re not giving me what I need.

WALT: You hear that, Johnny? He needs those two balls. Whip ‘em out. Give ‘em to him…go on...go ahead...do it, do it, do it…

JOHNNY: Walter, that is enough!

WALT: Hey...that’s probably the first time anyone needed Johnny’s balls.

Oh my god. Please, folks, don’t remove the voices from my head. Remove me. Calgon...take me away. Far, far away from them.

WALT: *sings* Wherever we go…

DOC: *sings* Vhatever ve do…

ALL THREE: *singing* We’re gonna go through it together!

*groans* Okay, folks, seriously...legit...I am going to stand up now. Go fill my coffee. Maybe even smoke a little cigarette. But, I’m going to take a break and then when I get back we can see if these animals have settled down.

……..

Okay. I’m back and it certainly is some time later.

Anyway, as I was saying, The Job is what it is. It is serving its purpose at the moment. But, I am feeling restless. I am wanting something more. All I can do is keep working at it - Day by Day, Step by Step.

And, yes, even inch by inch.

WALT: Ni-aaaaaaa-gara Falls!

Feel better?

WALT: Much. Thanks.

So, here is my week, the best that I could capture it. The thing to remember is that my mind doesn’t ever really stop gauging the experiences. It is in constant motion. I am only, recently, realizing how much so - how many thoughts, images, notions, feelings, etc course through me in a day, or in just a moment. Don’t Think, it turns out, is a very difficult thing.

Tuesday was the keeper of a Simple Little Moment. Hoagie and I were going to try to sit down and watch some Titans on DC Universe. Unfortunately, I cannot sit still that long without something else to do. I had some stuff I could fiddle with, but I needed a table space of some sort on which to work.

So, I headed out into The Workshop to find a piece of wood. I looked at the pile and there was nothing there that quite fit the bill. The pieces that were long enough to reach the arms of the chair were not wide enough to work on and the reverse was also true. I sighted as I thought to myself I would have to search for something else.

I turned 180 degrees to begin my search and there it was, sitting eye level on the shelf in front of me - my cane holder. This is what I use when I widdle away or paint my walking sticks. It was actually quite perfect. If I turned it over, the holders would reach over the arms and it was just wide enough to make use of it. Truly, such a Simple Little Moment - almost unnoticeable. Still, I found myself thinking, “Ask & It Is Given; Seek & Ye Shall Find,” and, “Thank you.”

Tuesday night there would be Dreamtime activity. I mean, there is always Dreamtime activity. I know this. But, every so often, I get to remember a glimpse of it. Tuesday there was something going on. I cannot recall any single detail about the moment. But in it, I looked around and said, “I’ve seen this before.”

This might stick out to me, because lately I have been having more and more moments just like that. I can’t call them Deja Vu. It’s not the feeling that I have done or lived something before. It is more the realization that I have seen it at some time before. Whether it came in a dream or a vision or whatever. In fact, most recently, I will have one of those moments. I will recognize a moment in time and think how I have seen it before. Then, I find my mind somewhere in the past. Very often, it is an obscure moment. Sometimes it is a moment that has stood out to me before, popping up ever so randomly.

For instance, when I was younger, I would visit my mother’s family in Delaware every summer for a week or so. One year, and I was young, my cousin and I were dropped off at her aunt’s house. She ran a daycare/babysitting thing from her home. They lived in a rather rural area and there was a large yard, maybe even some fields. When I flashback on that day I am walking/running towards some trees. In the image there is a bridge of sorts. I cannot say if that was really there r not, but it seems to make sense.

I remember this day. I remember it happening. But, that is the only image I have of it and it only pops up at certain times. It happened this week. I noticed, too, it had a certain ‘vibe’ to it. A familiar one. It was the same as Dreamtime or meditation. It’s the feeling one has just before going down the rabbit hole. Then I thought about some of my other recent flashbacks. They have all had that same feeling.

Could it be that the flashback I have when I have an, “I’ve seen this before,” moment is the moment I saw it?

Could this be what is meant by - Remembering then, remembering now [the when, the where, the why, the how?]

Anyway, I was feeling strange on Wednesday morning. [Or, so my notes say.]

“Feeling strange. Mellow/peaceful, but anxious. Like something is not right (shifting.) In a good way though. Feel ready [wanting] the next stage/phase.”

Wednesday there would be a manager’s meeting at The Job. The tone of it was that we want to set it up a notch. There was a focus on policy and procedure and goals. I do not know how the other managers are going to handle all of this. I am going to do what I always do and run with it the best that I can.

When I can do my job, I like my job.

In exchange for The Punk, we gained a new manager. I have only worked with him twice and very briefly at that. Personally, I have not had any real issues with him. He has some ways about him that can frustrate me a bit - all work related - but that’s everyone. So, I haven’t given it much thought. However, returning to work today, I learned that just about everyone else is having a problem with him and rumor has it that he had problems at his last store.

I’m just ever so curious how this new character will turn the story.

Now, Friday was a strange day. It was my first day off of the week. So, that made it the errand day. It was time to do things like laundry and shopping. But, Friday held something special as well. Friday, The MattMobile would go to the garage for some much needed care.

I started that day so strong and ready. It was raining but that didn’t bother me. I didn’t have arrangements for a ride after I dropped the car off, but that didn’t phase me. It’s only a mile back to Geistopia where I would pick up the pickup.

WALT: you just had to, didn’t you?

Of course. I love words.

In fact, I’ve made that walk once before. I had to pick the car up at the garage and had no ride down. So, I walked. I chuckled to myself Friday morning, because as I drove the stretch between the garage and Geistopia, I realized that it was wining that day as well.

Anyway, I stopped at Old Geistopia and dropped my stuff [laundry, etc] into the truck. I headed to the garage and dropped off the car. It was getting the gas tank replaced and a long overdue oil change. This has been on the table for a year now. The price I had been given included the labor and a used tank. Now, that quote was given a year ago. They were able to find a tank, but it was a new one. Fortunately, it was actually less than the used one they had found a year ago. The Quote was about $450. I budgeted $600.

The boys offered me a ride back to Old Geistopia and my day was off.

First, I stopped by The Putter’s. It was a good, and necessary, part of my day. Had there been one more present it would have been a Safety Meeting. From there I went and started the laundry. Normally, I would go to the dollar store during the wash and then run to Wally World after switching it over. For whatever reason, I decided to skip the dollar store.

So, off to Wally World I went. My day took a bit of a turn here, but I don’t know what happened. I went in with a list of things to get. I had a list and a plan. Somewhere along the way, I lost the list. [That’s about when my day got screwed up. I spent so much time trying to find that damn list.]

My main priority was getting clothes for the wedding on Saturday. I suddenly realized that I don’t really have any nice clothes, nor do I have a tie. I found pants and a shirt. I spent more than I would have liked, but certainly not a fortune. [Honestly, I tried to go to Goodwill first, but they were closed.] I did not find a tie.

Then I piddled around looking for the other things I wanted. I walked in circles for a bit actually. I didn’t have much food to pick up. In fact, I think the only actual ‘grocery’ that I bought was butter. Everything else was made up of miscellaneous things. For example, I bought colored pencils and crayons for working on my Bullet Journal. The gel pens are nice but they are not quite right for the task. I also allowed myself to be distracted by movies. Incidentally, this is where I lost the list.

Anyway, I found 6 movies for $9. I got 4 Will Smith movies - 2 good ones, a decent one, and one I never heard of - and both Crocodile Dundee movies. Unnecessary purchase, but fun and worthy.

I finished my shopping and headed back to the laundromat. I switched the laundry over and then waited in the parking lot. I was feeling so off. I had been feeling off since I lost that list. But now, something was playing on my head. I don’t know if it was the rain or Spirit or what. Nonetheless, I crashed out in the truck for a bit. I awoke to State Troppers in the lot and rather close to me. It was funny because I could hear the voices for some time before I decided to awaken. I just figured it was the mall maintenance guys, who have their shop right there.

The cops were of no concern to me, nor I to them. There was something going on between two gentlemen. I folded my laundry and watched the drama in the lot. Then, I headed back to Old Geistopia. There was another stop at The Putter’s.

This was an awkward day because I would have normally killed time somewhere anyway, but now I was killing time until the car was done...and, I had no place to go. The parks are closed. So, I had made arrangements to work in The Cave that day.

I did eventually get to it. I didn’t get as far as I would have liked but I did realize that I need to adjust my plan for doing it anyway. And, it is something that must get done now. It makes me sad, as I said. It’s not going to be an easy thing, but it could be refreshing.

I am going to go through everything. Things with no purpose can be thrown away or recycled in some other way. Things I want to keep can get boxed up and stored properly until I know what I am going to do with them.

The efforts at The Cave were not without reward. I found a tie. In fact, I found two. I found my paint caddy, and some supplies within. I iWork in groupings. So things like boxes and bags are a common thing for me. I have a box that was built for storing paints for projects. It was buried in The Cave and I felt a little lost and disorganized without it.

I found some little bits of metal for recent ling and a few other odds and ends.

Then, it would come time to pick up the car. The Putter dropped me off and I wanted a bit.

In the end it took more work that could have been known, I suppose. The first neck broke and he showed me that. But, she also needed a new fuel pump and sensor. What was quoted as $450, my $600 budget, suddenly became $940. I did not have this much. I had $600. So, they let me pay that and I owe them the rest this Friday on payday.

This is one of those Bittersweet things...and on many levels.

First, it sucks that it cost so much, but I was blessed enough to have it. [Not to mention the car is in much better shape now.] However, the only reason I was blessed enough to have it was because the trip with The Princesses needed to be postponed. It was sad when we had to do that, but Everything for a Reason - Precise & Perfectly Placed.

So, I had the money, or most of it, and I can get the rest. It will make things tight for a bit, especially with the way hours at work have been. But, I should be able to manage. I have built a decent base and foundation and my needs should be few beyond the usual bills and obligations.

However, this leaves me needing to rebuild the trip fund. I fear that will be no easy task. Still, I do have a bit in that savings I started and I have an opportunity in a few weeks for a bit of something extra. In the meantime, I just keep on keeping on. I am still collecting metal in bits and pieces. I have a few projects almost finished that can be sold, plus a few items I can try to sell online. As for the holistic stuff, all I can do is keep posting my availability.

I’ve also been contemplating some other options. One industry that is working hard right now is the new app delivery services - Grubhub, Doordash, Instacart and others. I’ve been thinking about looking into them. I had done so previously, but at that tie, one of them came back and said there wasn’t any available work in this area. Boy, has that changed. The other thing I was waiting on was for the car to be fixed. I didn’t want to take on gigs that would have me driving when I couldn’t keep gas in the tank. It’s fixed now, at a cost, and I can expand my horizons.

Bittersweet.

All things considered, I could probably run a Numbers Experiment on The MattMobile. So, in that case, this would be Week 0, The Void. This is where things exist but have no form. This week I have ideas on how to use the car for betterment, but I am not quite prepared to take those things on yet. I can look at that this week. Also, this week I am waiting to gauge my gas is have/expense.

The past several months in particular, but the last all most year as a whole, has been challenging with fuel. No matter what I did I was always losing some. So it didn’t matter if drives were long or short or if I was parked, I was always losing some gas. Of course, the longer the drive, the more I would lose. I realized along the way that it would always start better with more gas in the tank. There were more first time starts and a lot less, “Let me walk away for a few minutes.”

So, for months now, I have been keeping my tank at ½ full or more. I didn’t want the hassle of starting troubles, nor did I want to risk that moment when I thought I had gas only to have had it all leak away. Better safe than sorry, I say.

This will be the first time in a long time that I can just go through my week and see how it goes. I can gauge better what kind of gas I am actually using as a whole, but also in particular ways - like going down Old Geistopia’s way, or to The Princesses. Or, even to work.

Saturday would be the wedding. This, too, was Bittersweet. Much like the day I did Reiki for Wisconsin, this was the perfect morning. I got up, did my thing, ate a breakfast, relaxed, got ready and in the groove. I then went and performed my duties and got paid. I received the remainder of my fee, and then some. For that I am grateful. Again, I had that almost sad and frustrated feeling. In what would turn out to be about two hours of my day, I took home the equivalent of two 8 hour work shifts at The Job. It just, sometimes, makes me feel like I am doing something wrong.

The wedding also presented me with a predicament. At The Job, they are taking temperatures and asking questions before a person can start a shift. If you answer yes to any of the question, you cannot work until approved by HR. One of those questions is, “Have you been in a gathering of 10 or more people in the last 14 days.”

Hmmm.

I don’t lie. This is a thing with me. However, telling the truth without saying everything is almost an ART form for me. I managed the situation well enough that I remained as socially distanced as I could. The wedding was outside and during the ceremony there were only 4 people near me. I did not stay for dinner. The largest group of people within 6 feet of me that day was 7.

My answer is ‘No.’

Crisis averted.

I do so enjoy my work as a minister. I’ve talked on and on about how I love doing readings and reiki. The experiences are always so intense and beautiful. But, I haven’t done a ceremony in quite some time. It is beautiful as well. I love the groove that goes with it and the experience. I like the connection it brings.

I don’t know why but I was very aware of myself during this ceremony...and not in a bad way. I was just kind of paying attention and taking note. I noticed that I have a distinct pattern of rhetoric to my ceremonies. It is not mundane nor boring, but it certainly has a tempo.

I noted just how into it I get. Not only do i deliver with a certain passion and flair, but I get super focused on the words. It’s like reading from a script. I think I noticed it so much this time because the couple had taken my base ceremony and tweaked it with their own flair. I wasn’t as familiar with it and I did not get a chance to commit it to any kind of memory. Still, I read it and kept up with it and delivered it as a professional.

I chuckled at how my acting experience was paying off.

[See, what I mean about the mind. All of those thoughts were during the ceremony.]

Anyway, that was my week. I have some totem notes here that I would like to share before I sign off.

First, Crow/Raven. I really cannot tell these two creatures apart at this point in time. I would really need to see one of each next to the other. They are all but the same bird except in size. So, I am never really sure which I am dealing with. The ones I encounter seem larger to me, like Ravens. But, they very often display such crow-like behavior. So, my resolve is just to always accept both.

The next three all came on the same day. I have to be honest, I’m not sure which day, but I imagine it was Friday. They all happened on a drive.

First it was the Herons. [And, yes, that is plural.] That is actually what stands out to me the most. Heron is not a common find to begin with, but to find them in multiples or pairs is extremely rare. I don’t know what my thoughts were at that moment. I believe it was on the drive down to Old Geistopia in the morning.

The other two, then, would have happened on the drive home.

The first was Vulture and I am pretty certain that I was thinking, once again, about cigarettes. This is nothing new, nor is their appearance at such a time. What made them stand out this time was that they were actually in the road and delayed me for a moment. I believe they had been picking away at something.

Shortly after that, I would pass a sign. Again, I am not 100% clear on what my thoughts were. I believe I was thinking about the future - a better brighter one, perhaps even a home. I believe I was thinking about just finding my place finally.

Then I passed the sign and on it was a Pheasant.

If you’re not already there go to the Welcome to my Life Facebook page - WTML, or the YouTube Channel - Welcome to my Life.

Wherever you are, and whenever you are, Like, Comment and Share. Let us know you’re 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: Aaaand Johnny…

And, those guys, saying, “stay tuned in Fellow Travellers,” and wishing you Peace, Love, Light…

WALT: ...and freakishness, baby!!

TOTEMS:

**from Ted Andrews’ Animal Speak**

Heron - The Call of The Quest andTravels to Legendary Places.

Reflects a stimulation of the childhood thrill and belief in legendary places. [The story(s) we most loved in childhood often reflect the life quest we have come to take upon us in this lifetime.] Can also aid in communication especially through the use of stories. Individuals wishing to write can facilitate the process by working with a goose totem. It will stimulate the creative process and help to move through creative blocks. Also a symbol of fertility and marital fidelity. May reflect a need for more vegetables in the diet. An ability to move forward or backward. Reflects movement. A call to the spiritual quest. It reminds us that as any one individual makes his or her quest, it becomes easier for others to do so as well. We should not undertake any quest in life without having a full view of what it entails. Opening to new possibilities. Affix ourselves to a new path. 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 from old childhood restraints and begin to come into your own. You can expect to have the imagination stirred toward new travels and distant places - whether in the body or in the mind.

Raven - Magic, Shapeshifting, and Creation.

Bird of birth and death; mysticism and magic. Messenger of the great spiritual realm. Bring forth life and order. Can help you shape shift your life or your being. Knowledge of how to become other ‘animals’ and how to understand their language. Teach how to stir the magic of life without fear. Strong creative life force. Can be used to enter The Void and stir energies to manifest what you most need. Expect Magic. Somewhere in your life, magic is at play. Activates the energy of magic, linking it with your will and your intentions. Teaches how to take that which is unformed and give it the form you desire.

Vulture - Purification - Death and Rebirth - New Vision.

A guardian to the mysteries of life and death and the road of salvation. A coming time when you will be noticed more for what you do than how you appear. You will probably start to see auras and energies around people and things. Distributing one’s energy so that gravity does not weigh and hold one down - be it the actual gravity of the earth or the gravity of mundane situations and experiences. Associated with higher forms of discrimination. Assist you in developing your own sense of ‘smell’ that you can use effectively in all areas of your life. Aromatherapy. Changes in the digestive system. Pay attention to how you feel physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually after eating various foods. Acting rather than talking. May take as much as three months before an individual begins to truly move past the death stage to rebirth. A promise that the suffering of the immediate was temporary and necessary for a higher purpose was at work. Reflects that no matter how difficult the life conditions, rescue is imminent in your life.

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.

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.

Crow - The Secret Magic of Creation is Calling

Magic and creation are potentials very much alive during the day. Alchemy. Represents “ingredients,” the initial state of substance - unformed but full of potential. A reminder of what an happen if we are not looking for magic and creation every day. Magic and creation are ‘cawing’ out to us every day. Health, home and respect. Working with crows can help you to see how the winds are going to blow into your life and how to adjust your own life flights. Finding a dead crow was a sign of good luck. Wherever crows are there is magic. Symbols of creation and spiritual strength. Look for opportunities to create and manifest the magic of life. They are messengers calling to us about the magic that is alive within our world everyday and available to us.

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.

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.

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.

Owl - The Mystery of Magic, Omens, Silent Wisdom, and Vision in the Night

Symbol of the feminine and the night. Ties to fertility and seduction. Bird of magic and darkness, of prophecy and wisdom. Symbolically associated with clairvoyance, astral projection and magic, both black and white. Hints of the light of the sun, alive in the dar of night. Meditation on this alone will reveal much about the magic of Owl within your life. Will be able to see and hear what others are trying to hide. What is not being said. See what is hidden or in the shadows. Detect and pinpoint the subtleties. Unique ability to see into the darkness of others’ souls. And life. Their medicine can extract secrets. If your neck is stiff and inflexible, you are hindering your perceptions to a great degre. Often reflects that you were born very perceptive - with a vision of others that you may or may not have recognized or acknowledged. Unique ability for seeing into the eyes and souls of others. Keep silent and go about your business. Eliminate those aspects that are up beneficial and unhealthy.

Pheasant - Family Fertility and Sexuality

Would do well to also study the Grouse and the Chicken. Linked to energies of family fertility and sexuality. Tail plumes have long been associated with sexuality and the greater expression of it. Pheasants are good teachers in how to set romantic moods through the warmth of colors.

Grouse - Sacred Dancing and Drumming

Dancing and drumming are both powerful ways in their own right to invoke energies. They create opportunities to be drawn into higher states of consciousness. Movement is a part of life. Rhythmic movement creates life. Sacred dance and drumming was a means of transcending humanity. The dancer can gain control over normally automatic responses by evoking emotions and energies. In this manner, transcendence over these lower energies could be achieved. Not to force movements, but to follow the natural rhythm and spiral of life. The neck and shoulder area is the point of connection between the head and the trunk, the upper and the lower. It is the bridge between the two. All bridges enable crossing over and an opening to new realms. Reflects that working with new rhythms and new movement will be beneficial to opening a new flow of energy into your life. Dance and drumming would become wonderful tools to open new realms for you. Practice and develop your free form expressions. Use the dance. Focus on something you want to change, manifest, or desire, and create your own movements that reflect it. Perform it to some drum music. Performed with the right intention you will see results in less than a week. There should be a marking off of sacred space in your life. Make sure there are territories and areas you do not allow others. This enables your own natural rhythms and movements to create for you without too much outside influence. The ability to perform as needed, to change the rhythm for appearances. Rhythm does not have to be audible to be effective. Expect new rhythms and new teachings in dancing and drumming your life to new dimensions.

Chicken - Fertility and Sacrifice

Associated with fertility. Sacrifice has ties to the ancient mystery of sexuality. Forms of divination