Baby Rat Scarecrow

We need Rat. I need rat. He’s devious, yes, but (more than that) we need to value him for his Cleverness.

Why do we need him (more than we've realized)? ...because 'Rat!' leaves the sinking ship…

…and he survives. He survives anywhere and (every) where.

We treat him as though he's the plague (we needed that, too, by the way, but I’ll get to that, later). The Plague used him because of his cleverness; it attached itself to him.

He is, indeed, clever. It's one of the reasons we enlist him to sniff out landmines. In that respect, he’s a better companion to us than is Dog. We don't think otherwise about our canine friend, but our general perception is that we're using Rat, and not that He's actually giving himSelf to us in compassionate service. We think he does things for the treats we promise him (but only if he does it right). Those treats are his nourishment, in the same way that Love is Ours. On the flipside (and there’s always a flipside), we use him for cancer research. We inject him with our own pain.

And I’m here to apologize; most importantly, for not recognizing your gift of Love to us. You, also, have a heart. You were created from the same source...

…Love.

My promise to you: should cancer inhabit my own (personal) body, I will keep it for myself… No drugs… because that is how much I Love you. I didn’t see that before.

On one of my first shamanic journeys, I failed to ask Wolf to come with me. In hindsight, it was the best thing, because I needed to teach mySelf. And, besides, Wolf eats Rat. In the past, they haven’t made for very good travelling companions (but I’ll get to that, too).

I’m sorry, Rat. I didn’t see the lesson until now. You flew me to the yellow planet and left me in the dark. I wondered, “What will happen next?” I could hear them laughing, up and behind me, doubled over, holding their (cancerous) bellies.

…Payback! …and it was DELICIOUS, wasn’t it? Hahahahaha!!! I can appreciate, now, how your Laughter sung Me.

I couldn’t have survived there, or gotten off by myself (…no, that wasn’t a metaphor, but enjoy it that way, anyway; consider it payback). Wolf had to come and get me. I’d never seen him mad before. He told me to Never go anywhere by myself again. He asked me how I got there, and I said Rat flew me, that I (thought/felt) that it would be OK. I just kinda shrugged and acted dumb.

I didn’t understand, then, why you came to me. You think that I’ve carried you on my ship to save Myself from the plague, but – in reality – I’ve hung onto you, injected myself into your belly. Laughing was the only thing that would help your pain.

I need you now. The ship is sinking, and I need you. I need you more than you need me. Please stay. You know what to do when the ship sinks. I don’t want you to go, because – even if I have to go down tied to the mast of this ship –  I’m STAYING. This is My centre of the Überverse, and I wish you would stay with Me.

I       Need    YOU!

You’ve seen how stupid I am on the computer.

(…oh, yes; I believe you can see where my finger is pointing.)

How do I know that, with the ‘gap’ in my signal? …because my Heart tells me so. And I’m going to every. Single. BOTTOM, until it gets Big enough for us ALL.

“What’s that? I dunno why I’m saying it. Actually, I can’t compete with your cleverness… I do know why… it’s one of the gifts I’ve promised myself. Dancing to Your Spirit is also a gift I’ve promised myself. And no, I haven’t done it yet. Don’t strain yourself over that one.    …you’ll catch (up)”

I need you to forgive me, infinitely more than I need it from you. I wasn’t fully conscious. I’m still not allowing it for myself. And You are the only one other than myself who knows what that means. You have taught me how to teach myself, and I LOVE you for it!

I’m staying, and my belly hurts already. I’m just going to have to try to laugh it off when the rest of it comes, without using anyone(-’thing’) else to do it. I’m tired of being the Scarecrow. Never again. Together, we CAN survive anywhere… (and you know where the rest of that goes, don’t you? Why am I asking? …yes)

Big Medicine Love to You

~ Black Feather

Rat responded with, " Give me cheese. For me, that's what Love is, that, and the fact that Your hand gives it to me."

I thought that I was the one to teach Rat what Love was. I'm obviously not as smart as I thought. We do need each other, and I know that with ALL my heart, now. Thanks for the lesson. I hope you're enjoying that cheese, my Friend.

Black Panther's Embrace

Our shadows are called shadows because they follow us around like shadows do. For most of us, they’re a scary thing, because we can’t very well see what’s in them. We like a certain level of predictability. If we can see what’s coming, we feel that we can prepare ourselves for it – it helps us to feel safe. So, starting from infancy, we instinctively start putting stuff into our shadows that doesn’t jive with that theme. The thing is, though, that we don’t just put ‘bad’ stuff in there; we pitch the ‘good’ stuff, too. Here’s an example…

There’s a little child that really Loves coloring. Anyone watching them can see that s/he’s totally in their element doing it. With the picture you have in your mind already, you can likely imagine how their creations would bring light into the world. Oftentimes, though, the  parents of this particular child argue in the background, and s/he begins to associate their creative activity with people being upset, and people being hurt. It happens on a subconscious level (and deeper, even), but pretty soon the child decides it just doesn’t feel like being creative any more. For the sake of their own safety and their loving desire for others close to them to be happy, it gets relegated to their shadow. It’s still theirs, but it’s been pushed out of their awareness, seemingly inaccessible.

Many people considering ‘shadow work’ focus on it as an ordeal to be undergone for the sake of conquering fears, as though there’s a badge or trophy to be had at the end of it. I prefer to think of it as releasing an attachment to what’s keeping you from realizing your Divine self (in effect then, I suppose there is a trophy, but you won’t necessarily feel the need to impress anyone with the fact that you’ve attained it! Ha!).

So, you feel that you have something in your shadow, but your subconscious fears are holding you back? Black Panther sees much better in the dark than we do. Enlist her medicine to hunt your shadow for you…

I’ll do a vision quest or a psychic drawing for a medicine image to use, and suggest where the design should go on your body (where whatever’s stuck needs to be released from). Get the image transferred/applied as a temporary tattoo (i.e. 'vanishing').  Most professional tattoo shops provide this service, using either henna or markers. While the tattoo remains visible, it serves as a gentle, living meditation to bring forward what you need at this time to move forward. It will last anywhere from one to three weeks (as long as you require). You’ll release what needs to be released as the tattoo fades, and be left with the gifts that were there, previously hidden from your awareness.

You’ll either receive a tattoo description/suggestion  for an artist to design an image from or a completed image ready to transfer. With either option, I’ll also provide guidance on what the image references, and a follow-up consultation (once the tatt has faded).

There’s also a third option that might be even more helpful for you: commission me to do a Lifedream Illumination for you, and your Black Panther work will be included. After doing the portrait consultation, we can discuss what you’d like Black Panther to hunt first, and you’d have the portrait available as a reference on your next foray.

~ Black Feather

blackfeathermedicine@gmail.com

Goose Medicine: Valour

Imagine you’re a flier, a goose. You can soar where you will, wherever your instincts guide you. You’re not fettered by arbitrary boundaries, such as those dividing lines between territories that humankind constructs for political ends. On the other hand, physical boundaries are a bit of an issue. You can likely only thrive (/survive) in locations and climates of a certain temperature, for instance, and – for the fact that you’re not built for mobility there – you’re particulary vulnerable when on the ground (to predators that would love some of your yummy goodness).

Why would you do it? Why set foot on terra firma at all? Well, for one, there’s nourishment there. You can feed while enjoying the security that a body of water affords, sure, but it’s not always an option. Ponds can freeze over, or there just might not be a water body available on the stretch of flyway you’re on at a particular moment.

One of the other times a goose will choose to stay on the ground is when another goose cannot fly itself. It’ll stay there to protect the other, either until it can fly (again), or until it dies.

Because of this self-less attribute, Goose medicine is often described as being symbolic of valour. Many of the people engaged in vocations that help the disadvantaged have Goose medicine: aid workers, philanthropists and people in the medical profession, to name a few. In that light, it’s our tendency to attribute them special status (not that they don’t deserve it). As ever, though, there’s a flipside to viewing the medicine (after all, Goose does fly in both directions, south and north)...

Consider for a second (as difficult as it can be to wrap our heads around) your other manifestation as a flier, as the unhindered being you are aside from the one you now see yourself as, squeezed into your tiny physical form. Why would you have come down to this physical reality? Why would anyone? After all, how much of our lives down here do we spend having to deal with feelings of vulnerability in one form or another? ...emotionally, physically? ...spiritually?

We don’t come down here just to be Goose Valiant, to be the hero (at least, not every time). Instead, we oftentimes put ourselves here in the position of the ‘wounded goose’, in a position of sacrifice as it were.

If you can for a moment imagine yourself ‘flying’ in your pre-incarnation existence: unhindered, infinitely expansive, boundlessly Loving, it isn’t much of a stretch to imagine others in the same light, even other souls whom you perceive as a challenge to you in your present lifedream. Ask yourself why they would have come down here. Why would they have chosen not to remain as they were, without subjecting themselves to the pains and fears that they’re left trying to mitigate (and attempt to pass off to others in the process)? Why subject themselves to the pain that comes from, say, self-loathing, feelings of being unloved and unloveable? Why subject themselves to the pain of abuse that might instigate a hurtful demeanor? In other words, why come down to be the wounded goose?

Some souls do this lifetime after lifetime after lifetime. It isn’t because there’s something they’re not ‘getting’. It’s actually because some of us are strong enough as souls to do that – we’re strong enough to be that hurt, as it were. Not only that, but we’d keep doing it over and over again, for the sake of our collective flock.

It’s been said that our greatest fear is realisation of our own true power. It may be more to the point to say that – on a soul level, at least – our greatest fear is that others will not realise theirs. Challenges have the potential for great transformation, provided we can go down to where they are. The wounded goose is there to illicit awareness, just as importantly as the hero is there in its role. As when a flock is flying its ‘V’, the weaker geese behind also join in to honk encouragement. Together, they act as a wedge, cutting their way through the air as one unit. All are essential. Everything is happening exactly as it should.

As Goose, you’re not built to physically pick another up; they’ll do that on their own, once the intended healing occurs. Just respect their sacrifice enough to stand vigil for them, and hold their space. And on your ‘return’ flight (when you yourself are the wounded), respect the sacrifice you’re making. Oh, yes; you do, indeed, Love that much.

Big Medicine Love to You

~ Black Feather

Shaman's Earthwalk: Moth's pilgrimage

Before venturing out, as I considered enlisting a guide, I noticed a framed (specimen) moth on the way to the door. Hmmm... what would you do with that information? You guessed it; I started heading towards 'the light'...

I'd wanted to go to a woods that I'd seen in the distance when I'd arrived at this new location (in Austria) the previous day, but I picked up on little signs as I was making my way there that suggested otherwise, starting with a white stone in a farmer’s field - in the late-day sun, it looked as though it were glowing against its earthy background. Once I got there, my attention came to a white, round sign fallen down on the other side of a nearby creek (you can bet I took that as a sign. Ha!), and a bird flew by in the direction the creek was flowing from. In the dimming light, I couldn't really see it except for the fact that it had a patch of white feathers that gave it a really bright rump. I looked - and then headed - in the direction it had gone, towards the setting sun (~ the big light!).

I came upon a nativity scene, complete with a guiding star. There was a (plinth) beside it with a double-barred cross on top (sometimes referred to as a patriarchal cross, apparently) and scenes with figures painted on each side. One showed a depiction of Christ with an aura/halo on a similar (double) cross. A dove (with a halo of light as well) flew towards me from below him, and God supported the cross that he was on from above (and - you guessed it - a light encircled his head as well). On the side of the plinth opposite this scene, a figure casually stood on a demon, crushing it underfoot.

As I continued after the sun, a seed (~ thoughts,ideas, beliefs, plans, goals, visions) on its little parachute floated alongside me, suspended in the air. I walked on and on (and on). I started wondering, "Am I really supposed to continue in this direction? What am I doing out here anyway? The sun's almost gone, and I'm not even sure I can find my way back as it is!" I was about to turn on my heel when I saw: a white lighter on the ground in front of me. Well, as far as confirmations go, I figured that was about as specific as a sign could get!

Just ahead, I came upon a carved wooden bear. It held a sign that read “wilkommen holzbau” (‘welcome, wood construction’ ~ a suggestion that something is being built, from your raw potential). It was quite dark now, and in the distance I saw a Christmas light decoration in the shape of pie wedges (like in the game 'Trivial Pursuit' ~ some pieces of information are being brought together at this time that'll bring about a completion of some sort).

I walked past some old apple trees that had the odd shriveled apple on them, past their harvest. I couldn't help but think of how this might relate to the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. I believe this sign was suggesting that it's time for a rewrite (or a re-do, anyway!).

Off the side of the road, there was a waterworks structure. Some of the pipes had red (~ passion) accents, and seemed to me to be in the shape of a woman’s (alluring) form. Her outstretched arms gave the impression that she had the same shape as the double cross I'd seen earlier.

I saw a double-steepled church (~ your spiritual beliefs/body) in the distance (on the other side of the valley) that was lit up from the inside. I thought to head towards it as well, but my guidance strongly suggested that - for now, at least - this walk was complete. The clouds parted, and the moon shone through. I got a little disoriented ('lost' is more like it) along the way back, but eventually found my way by following its light like a beacon.

Post-script: I want to mention something about 'Bear' here. Upon first sight, the carved bear had piqued my attention especially because - in healings I've done - I've shared medicine with a lot of people who seem to all be connected to the same bear (energy/clan/constellation?). The sign the bear was holding suggested to me to be aware that - at this time, especially - Spirit is working us into a new form. Bear is symbolic of accessing your untapped potentials through other levels of consciousness, as in the Dreamtime. Even though you may largely feel unaware of it on a conscious level, you are in your own 'healing cave' at this time, preparing for your upcoming springtime.

From what was revealed in this walk, I suggest a couple of specific medicines. One, we're rewriting/re-doing previous versions of what our spiritual beliefs/realities are, on a collective level. Keep in mind that there is no external 'church' to head towards, no point asking someone else for a description of the consciousness that you are coming into through your experience;  head to the light within. And two, your passions - whether devilish or divine - hold a clue to what it is that you're actually wishing to connect to. Again, don't look to some external image in the hopes that you'll be satiated by it. Call upon Bear medicine to show you the reason (and release the need) for those outer projections so that you can know the medicine you're actually after, and then allow that Sacred union to be made manifest!

Big Medicine Love to You

~ Black Feather

Wanna know some Secrets?...

...how about secrets that you've hidden from your self ?

Would you like to know, for instance, why you have a certain anxiety? ...the reasons behind why you're sooo stressed? ...information about a challenging relationship or illness? ...and how about being able to know how to get past it??

---> blackfeathermedicine@yahoo.ca

As most of us do, when you incarnated into your present life, you likely forgot about all that came before. Your past lives and the spirit energies accompanying you in this one have a tremendous influence on your relationships, circumstances, feelings and behaviours!

In truth, we don't come into this life for 'easy' (the majority of us, at least!); we come here to learn, and to grow as souls. Truth be told, in this particular physical experience, we actually learn best through adversity. That said, is this your time to receive a little help? Is this your time to enlist a hand up so that you can move forward?

A clairvoyant reading is a GREAT way to access treasures previously hidden to you.

Move into your personal power by revealing essential things that you've 'forgotten' about yourself !

Contact Black Feather for an insightful, illuminating psychic reading to reveal your own unique secrets now!

---> blackfeathermedicine@gmail.com

Come with questions, leave with answers!

Big Medicine Love to You!!

Return of Innocence

When requested, I do Shaman's Earthwalks for specific people, but this one (done in the countryside near Budapest, where I am at present) may have been more of an 'open message', if you will. For the fact that you're reading this, though, my suggestion is that you consider that you co-created it as a 'message to self '...

Before heading out, I asked for a guide to accompany me, and Salmon presented. Because salmon have that amazing natural ability to return to the waters in which they were born, I took its appearance as both a reassurance that I would intuitively know which way to go, and that keeping my eye out for bodies of water wouldn't be a bad idea, either.

Having never been in the area before, I asked my hosts if there were any creeks or rivers in the vicinity. My (lovely) neice pointed me in the general direction of a local lake, and I headed out. After just a couple of blocks, though, I caught sight of the village water tower looming through the fog... 'Water from above', I thought?

I continued on, making mental notes of the signs I saw along the way. As per usual when I do a grouse walk (and as much as I could), I left off interpretation until after the walk was completed.

I walked past the tower (north: the direction suggesting completion of a cycle in life, wisdom to be gained, and guidance) and up a narrow dirt road running alongside a massive field of (harvested) corn stalk stubs. I saw a couple of kill sites, likely where a resident hawk had taken pigeons, and some blue-coloured (discarded) items, both of which are - for me, personally - reassurances that I'm on the path intended.

I saw corn in small, spilled piles that I presumed had fallen off farming/harvesting equipment as it had turned onto the road from the adjacent field. Corn can represent gold, wealth and riches. By the fact that it was spilled and left, the suggestion was that something valuable (and 'sustaining') had been lost along the journey. Whose journey, I wondered... mine? yours? ours?

I actually saw quite a few discarded items, only some of which my inner knowing suggested were relevant. There were empty drink/water bottles, for instance (~ a thirst for spiritual connection, for the answers from spirit that will quench that thirst and restore energy and creativity), and a vacuum cleaner (~ attempting to clean up a mess, likely involving someone who has hurt you - your vital energy having been sucked away).

Then there was the sound of a pheasant. I heard it, but couldn't see it (through the thick fog). Pheasant most often represents issues associated with 'ego'. I usually take Pheasant's appearance as a sign of (a need for) movement through who we're taught to believe we are to a realisation of who/what we actually are.

A woodpecker came from the direction of a transmission line that ran through the cornfield. It flew along the road a short ways and then into the woods. That made it pretty clear which way to go!

As I'd mentioned, I'd never been to the area before, but I knew I needed to head into the woods that were in front of me. Just to be on the safe side, I took a compass bearing to get an idea of which way the road ran, and then headed in. Not far along, I found two (white) plastic bags with what looked like dark, bloodied forms inside. I opened them, and found five tiny, 'discarded' black puppies. As much as I recognize a responsibility to be non-judgemental as a messenger, I had to fight to keep my heart from dropping through my chest. I stayed for a while, sending energy and a prayer, including gratitude for the sign I was given. It seemed to be calling attention to lost innocence and playfulness, and perhaps a conditioned loyalty that (obviously) wasn't/isn't serving. Moving on...

...an underground den. Woodpecker's appearance did suggest looking beneath the surface of things...

...and an old, crumble-down homestead (a suggestion to look to the influences from a childhood home, I wondered?).

To be honest, I don't have all the answers as to the full relevance of the messages that presented on this particular walk. Partially, I believe, it's an issue of 'permission'. It seems to me that these were intended as pieces of a bigger jigsaw, the missing pieces of which you yourself may (or may not 'yet') want to investigate. If you feel that you'd appreciate some help, though, I'd be more than delighted to accompany you on the journey you're undertaking, shapeshift your old reality, and help you move into awareness of your future self!

For the moment at least, I'll pass on the two signs that followed...

...I caught a brief glimpse of a running deer: a note to be gentle with yourself...

...birds singing, and (late-season) pink flowers. While I have much to say about those as a signs, I'll leave it in your BigMedicine hands (for now, at least). No need to look for an other angel to drop out of the sky; the messages, the encouragement, the Love you seek... it's all around you. It is you.

Big Medicine Love to You

~ Black Feather

contact: blackfeathermedicine@gmail.com

Stag Medicine: the call of Your nature

This is a truly magical time of co-creation. It's autumn (here), and the rut is on. I can hear stags calling out, day and moonlit night.

As majestic as Stag is, it doesn't do its bellowing for the sake of its ego; that's a human motivation, based on judgement and an unrequited (and impossible) desire for external approval. Stag calls pro-creative opportunities to it for the simple fact that - in its relationship to source - it's a naturally creative being.

The message I take from Stag is to loudly ('provocatively', even) communicate what emmanates from source through you, but not to worry about whether you (or I) will be heard or not.

Perhaps you feel that you've tried oh so many times before and never got anywhere. As it is for the young bucks that hang around at the fringes hoping to 'get some', maturity on a soulful level comes in divine timing. All the previous seasons' efforts have added depth to your voice, substance to your Being.

Don't work for what you see someone else has. Be at your own centre. Express what's inside you that demands expression. You will call what you need to you, but only by being genuine and true to your own nature. (Oh, and throwing a little 'flair' in won't hurt anything - tell me that bit of grass in the antlers doesn't just scream 'stunning'!)

Big Medicine Love to You

~ Black Feather