Shamanism
To The Beat Of My Own Drum
I am in the process of moving home. While going through years of stored stuff in the attic of my old home, I found a Christmas gift that my parents gave me around the age of four. It was a little drum, intact, with sticks to play to the beat of my young heart. I am sure there were many times my parents thoroughly regretted buying a four-year-old a drum to bang on!
To my surprise, throughout the house, I also found a total of eleven more drums. All different sizes and kinds. And it is safe to say I can still make a joyful noise with each one (although my family might consider this debatable).
In the summer we spend a lot of time at Camp Etna, one of the spiritualist camps here in Maine. We have two small cottages here – one that we live in, and another I use as my office. Some of the drums I found are kept in the office cottage, for my clients to enjoy.
Why the obsession with drums, you may ask? Well, drumming has always been a form of great stress relief for me. You can release pent up emotions, by beating the drum as hard or soft as you wish. It feels good to express yourself through the primal beat. Moving to the sound of the beat seems to make doing most tasks easier. Drumming is just plain old-fashioned fun, and people around the world have been moving to the sound of drums since the beginning of time.
Drums are also a very useful spiritual tool. In energy work, for example, I use drums to get in touch with the heartbeat. We also host a drumming circle here, at least once a week. Young and old come out to participate, and everyone in the area is invited. It is a spiritual activity that helps to unite the community. One person sets the intention, and the beat for the circle, and then all join in. It is wonderful to see the smiles and joy the drumbeat brings to faces.
Anyone can learn to play the drum. With people being at home much more these days, if you have always had the desire to learn to play and instrument, it is a good time to try the drums. With all the information technology we have these days, there are many courses and tutorials available online for one to learn drumming techniques in the comfort of your home.
‘Space Clearing’ Is Actually Rescue Work
In my earlier days of doing psychic mediumship work, I used to get many requests from homeowners and businesses, requesting that I do a space clearing in their premises. Typically, these clients would complain about strange things happening onsite and disturbances by unwanted spirits, which negatively impacted their daily activities or lifestyle. Some people would refer to this work using terms like ‘ghosthunting,’ but prefer to call it ‘rescue’ work.
When someone passes, they can either go to the Light, back to the realm of Spirit, or they can remain in the Earth plane dimension. Sometimes a person dies suddenly, from a murder, for instance, or in a robbery or some other controversial way where they were somehow wronged. Their spirit may then choose to remain here, in some attempt to claim justice. They may also choose to remain here because they don’t feel a sense of completeness with this life. Or sometimes they are simply just confused.
‘Clearing out’ the spirits disturbing the occupants of a home or business premises, has taught me the most about death, and what really happens when we die and leave our physical body. For instance, one time I was clearing a pretty large antique furniture store. As I made my way through the shop, I asked the owner who Norma was? She was sitting in one of the antique rocking chairs in the front corner, and she was scaring people away.
The Mythical Mysteries Of Crows And Ravens
Crows and ravens are common in the superstitions of both the ancient Greeks and Romans. Both cultures considered these mysterious birds highly significant in the practice of augury, an ancient divination practice of interpreting omens or prophecies from the observed flight patterns of birds.
In the Greco-Roman world, the soothsayers, known as augers would predict future events by examining the behavior of birds, which was known as ‘taking the auspices.’ Crows and ravens were considered especially significant, both for their ominous black feathers, as well as their flight patterns and eerie behavior. It was believed that if a crow or raven flew in from the east or south, for example. It was considered an omen of good, positive fortune.
Ravens and crows mythology is also found in the native cultures of North America. In addition to being portrayed as tricksters, the intelligence of these birds is often a prominent feature in their characterization. In one Native American story, the raven is described as a shapeshifter who stole a box of light owned by the chief of Heaven, and flew away with it. The raven dropped the box, and light broke into many pieces, creating the stars, the Moon, and the Sun.
A Feather From Spirit
Our spirit guides, angels and ancestors communicate with us in many different ways, and send us various signs to remind us they are with us. They give us these signs in the way they know we will recognize them.
One of my favorite signs is finding a feather on the ground. If we think in our mind that we would love to see a feather show up, to let us know that we are on the right path, we will naturally be looking out for that sign and will find it. Knock and the door will be opened, ask and you shall receive, is something I strongly believe in.
When I ask for a visitation from a departed loved one, they will show up in some way, shape or form. For example, when I need my Grandpa or Grandma to guide me, by having a conversation with them in the astral realm, they often show up in my dreams at night.
If I need confirmation that a new endeavor I have embarked on is a good decision, and want to get a sign in the form of a feather, I usually receive it. Just this morning, while walking out to my car, there was a feather on the ground. It was lovely.
The Lightworker’s Mission – New Assignments In New Places
With so many people currently working from home, the business world as we know it will be changing exponentially. More and more companies are recognizing the benefits of having their employees work remotely, for numerous reasons. This scenario may very likely create a greater change on a grander level – a shifting of consciousness from one city to the next, and from country to country.
What do I mean by shifting of consciousness? Well, someone residing in New York City, for example, who has to live there for work, may in future have the ability to work remotely from anywhere in the world, using the Internet, and they may therefore choose to relocate. Smaller towns and cities could potentially see a welcome increase in its population, after decades of urbanization and economic decline.
Many professionals may in future choose to live in smaller towns, because the pace of life is calmer, the air and environment is cleaner, or because it’s a safer place to raise children. Smaller towns and rural communities offer various desirable lifestyle qualities.
Furthermore, city dwellers moving to smaller towns will bring with them the energetics of the metropolis. They will attract new products and services based on demand, or may choose to open a business of their own that didn’t exist in the area before, which in turn will draw more city-minded people to the area. Their everyday wants and desires may shift somewhat when living in this smaller town, but they will also bring with them the mindset of big city life. The same holds true for remote workers migrating to other states, countries and even continents.
The Spiritual Symbolism Of The Pelican
When a bird flies directly onto your path, or you see images or photos of the same bird repeatedly, within a relatively short space of time, this is often a spiritual sign that the energy of this bird is calling or guiding you.
I live on the coast and I am lucky to be able to watch various seabirds, and encounter other birds drawn to the local water ways. The pelican is one bird that has specifically caught my attention. The day I was inspired to paint this amazing bird, he literally strutted down the hallway of my home!
Even to this day, pelican continues to literally soar into my experience whenever I need to draw on his wisdom. Even though they seem large and clumsy, there is something gentle and caring about their nature. If pelican has waddled or soared onto your path, let his wisdom and symbolism guide your way.
I started building my connection with the pelican’s energy by observing and sketching the local birds. Through the process I found a sense of awe for the pelican’s beauty, which was a shift in my perception, as I had never before considered them to be very attractive birds.
I also noticed they followed a set routine, and similar flight paths, depending on the weather. It inspired me to become more aware of my own patterns and habits. At this time my work schedule had become somewhat unbalanced and dysfunctional, without me being aware of the impact. Pelican taught me that it is vital for my self-care to ensure that I work within a routine and structure that better supports my creative outlets and energy levels.
The Spiritual Symbolism Of The Peacock
The masculine energy of the peacock emanates self-assurance and confidence, and also represents pride and vanity. In the spiritual context, masculine energy is understood to be the active and doing part of nature – it is the force that compels us forward.
Given the uncertainty we are currently facing our world climate, we could all call on the energy of this spirit animal to provide us with the courage to step forward in new ways.
The peacock was the first bird to every appear in my artwork. Each time I was drawn to paint the peacock, I experienced major changes in my life, which involved either moving home or relocation, or taking another step to progress in my career.
The peacock (Pavo cristatus), also known as the Indian peafowl, has a long tradition of spiritual symbolism in many cultures and belief systems. The peacock (in contrast to the peahen) is known for the beautiful array of iridescent colors in his tail feathers, featuring the well-known mystical designs that look like eyes. Some of the key spiritual messages of the peacock include:
Confidence
As the vision for the peacock came to life on that first canvas, I gained a renewed sense of confidence with my own artwork. He reminds us all of the need to feel free, joyful and confident in how we express ourselves. When we have appreciation for our abilities, it gives rise to self-confidence.