animal medicine
Navigating The Sacred Journey Of Grief
As a psychic medium, I have spent decades bearing witness to the immense and complex journey of grief.
Over the years, I’ve learned that grief has many faces and forms. It is not only about death and dying. It can arise from various types of loss, such as the loss of a pet, the end of a relationship, a change in life path, the loss of a job, or moving away from a beloved home.
My clients often tell me, “My heart has a hole in it,” or “It feels like my heart has been torn apart.”
These aren’t just metaphors. Grief can feel so intense that it seems like a physical injury — like a ‘heart attack’ of the soul. Grief reverberates through our heart, mind, body, and spirit, leaving no part of us untouched.
One of the most important truths I’ve learned is that grief is deeply personal. No two people experience it in the same way. There is no “normal” way to grieve or a fixed timeline.
Some people begin to feel a little lighter after a few weeks or months, while for others, the sorrow lingers for years or even decades. And that’s okay.
Grieving means you loved deeply, cared sincerely, and connected profoundly. It is not just about saying goodbye, but also about building a new relationship with their absence — one that carries forward the love in a different way.
The Joy And Wisdom Of The Hummingbird
Mother Nature is a wonderful place to retreat to when we are seeking clarity, inner peace and a return to balance. This is especially true when we have the opportunity to watch animals in the wild.
Each animal, bird, insect and living creature affords us a special magic or spiritual wisdom, which it carries to remind us of a part of our own spiritual being.
Birds in particular carry wisdom from a higher perspective. One such bird is the mystical hummingbird. The energy of the hummingbird first emerged in my artwork in 2016, when he appeared in a painting I titled Grace.
When the hummingbird first appeared in my artwork, he came as a sign or symbol of hope and joy. He appeared on the path of the angel in this artwork, and he has since appeared in numerous of my sketches and paintings.
Hummingbird may be tiny, but he is mighty in so many ways. His medicine or spiritual symbolism reminds us of our true spiritual nature and our ability to experience personal transformation, by transcending our burdens and finding freedom in expressing who we are as individuals.
Just as the hummingbird suspends himself in flight, to reach for the nectar of the flower, when we hold true to our own values, our experiences are in alignment with the desires of our own hearts. We are then open to experience the sweet nectar of life. The nectar of life is contentment, inner peace, being valued, and the ability to find fulfillment. It is the feeling of joy!
Feeding The ‘Good Wolf’ Changes Everything!
Since childhood, I have been fascinated by parables, folk tales and fables. I realized at a young age that there is something truly inspiring about a story that not only entertains, but carries a deeper message or spiritual lesson and speaks directly to the heart.
This love of meaningful stories hasn’t diminished over time. I still find myself drawn to stories that offer wisdom, healing, and perspective.
A few years ago, I came across a beautiful Cherokee story — one that spoke volumes to me and offers guidance to many of us as we navigate the emotional terrain of modern life.
The story goes that a young Cherokee boy found himself in a dispute with a friend. The boy felt that his friend had treated him unfairly. Hurt, and burning with anger, he stormed off to find his grandfather, a revered elder of their tribe who was known for his wisdom.
Sitting with his wise grandfather, the boy poured out his frustration, sharing the injustice he felt and the fire of anger that burned within him.
The old man listened patiently, his eyes pensve and kind. Then, with a nod, he spoke:
“I too have felt great anger at those who have taken from me what was not theirs or who have treated me unjustly. But anger wears on the soul like fire on dry grass. It consumes you if you are not careful.”
He paused, then continued, “You see, it is as if two wolves are fighting within me. One is full of anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. This is the evil wolf. He lashes out, trusts no one, and isolates himself from the world.”
The Mystical Year Of The Yin Wood Snake
As we settle into 2025, the energy of the Yin Wood Snake begins to take shape, revealing its unique rhythm and influence.
While the excitement of the Chinese Lunar New Year celebrations may have faded, the true essence of the year is beginning to unfold.
Now is the perfect time to align with the energies of the Wood Snake, harness its mystical power, and set a clear, intentional path for the months ahead.
The Year of the Wood Snake brings a harmonious fusion of intuition, mystery and steady growth.
The Snake, known for its wisdom and transformation, merges with the nurturing and grounding essence of the Wood element this year, fostering patience, adaptability, and a deep connection to our spiritual and emotional roots.
Unlike the impulsive Fire Snake or the analytical Metal Snake, the Wood Snake encourages thoughtful progress and long-term vision, making 2025 an ideal year for meaningful evolution.
In many cultures, the Snake symbolizes rebirth, wisdom and mystery. Its ability to shed its skin represents the release of outdated beliefs, limitations, and habits, clearing the way for renewal. This year invites you to embrace transformation, trust your intuition, and align with the subtle yet powerful energy of the Snake as you enter a year of profound personal and spiritual growth.
A Spiritual Calling To Serve The Animals
My psychic awakening began early, at the age of five. My first extrasensory experiences involved listening to animals and intuitively understanding their needs and concerns. Once I realized that I could communicate with the animals in this way, I began to listen more often to how I could help and support them.
One day, I was playing outside when I sensed an animal calling to me for help. When I turned around, I saw a beagle at a neighbor’s house, shaking his head violently and whimpering. I could feel its distress.
As I approached, I immediately saw the cause of his discomfort. His ears were covered with parasites to the point that he was bleeding from repeated scratching.
Intuitively I instantly knew I had find an ointment, and with the simplicity of a child’s solution, I applied petroleum jelly to his ears. To my surprise and joy, it worked! Relieved, the beagle expressed immense gratitude, and tending to his ears became my daily mission.
My parents later adopted a retired German shepherd from the military. Because of his special training and many years of service, he was highly alert to things around him. His name was Argo, and I was told that he only understood formal commands, so it would be difficult for him to adjust to living as an ordinary “civilian” with our family.
Little did the adults know that I had my own way of talking to the animals. Soon I found myself sitting with Argo for hours, secretly communicating with him. He told me many amazing stories about his adventures as a military service dog. We became inseparable.
My Spiritual Encounter With A Bear
Imagine venturing deep into the forest, sunlight streaming through the ancient trees. The air is crisp, alive with the gentle whispers of nature. Suddenly, a colossal bear emerges from the underbrush, its presence a primal force in the serene scene.
Well, chances are this isn’t just another wildlife encounter – it’s a potentially powerful spiritual experience, imbued with profound symbolism.
My psychic mentor and I once had such a remarkable encounter with a bear that brought me some deep spiritual insights.
The forest has always been a happy place for me, and for this particular long-term retreat, I rented a cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. One crisp fall evening, while my friend was visiting me and we were enjoying the tranquility of twilight on the back porch, a large black bear wandered into the back yard.
At first, we were both gripped with fear. Seeing such a powerful creature up close is both awe-inspiring and very intimidating! Fortunately, the bear paid us little attention as he calmly foraged for food, his movements deliberate and unhurried.
After the initial shock, we found ourselves mesmerized by his presence. I am always on the lookout for signs and synchronicities from the universe. Decades of spiritual work have taught me that nothing is accidental or random, especially when you are in the wilderness.
I Am Soaring Free
When I do readings for clients to help guide them through the struggles or confusion they face in their lives, I understand what they are going through. I can relate on a deeply personal level, because I have been there myself, and I have experienced more than most.
Back in 2004, I had reached a devastating point in my life where my confidence, happiness, courage and self-worth were essentially non-existent. Fortunately, I was able to overcome those challenges with the guidance of spirit, and I now know from hard-earned experience that we can overcome much adversity.
As part of this journey of growth and healing, one of my guides gave me my spiritual name: Soaring Free.
Everyone has at least three guides in their lives. There are other guides and guardians that come and go in our lives, but the primary three stay with us throughout our lives to support and guide us.
It was my main guide who gave me my spirit name in a dream. I was to be known as “Soaring Free.” When I asked what this meant, I was shown that my life was to change direction significantly and that I was to live it as if I were soaring free like an eagle every day. I received several profound messages to awaken me at that time. It brought me to a higher level of understanding (and much confusion at first) than ever before.
What was the meaning of all this, I wondered? Why did I need a new name? Were these guides coming into my life real or just my imagination? Was I losing my mind? Was I really hearing and seeing these things, or was it just my own subconscious playing tricks on me? I had many questions at the time, and so began my journey of awakening and transformation.