The Feast of Mary Magdalene - July 22

Today marks the celebratory Feast of Mary Magdalene in honor of the first woman apostle also known as the Apostles' Apostle.

I've often wondered about the symbolism of the Magdalene looking up at the heavenly realm as she is pictured with a skull and an open book.  Is it symbolic of transcending the hardheaded skull of human reasoning in order to open the Book of Life?

The human brain is not the key to eternity. The answer lies beyond the physical into the realm of Infinite Divine Mind that cannot be confined to gray matter in a finite skull.  Interesting that Golgotha, the crucifixion hill, was shaped like a skull. 

In the book, The Gospel of Mary Magdala, Jesus and the First Woman Apostle, Karen L. King writes:

 

As the Savior said, "Where the mind is, there is the treasure." (Gospel of Mary 7:4)   In the Gospel of Mary, the mind is the most divine part of the self, that which links it with God.  The mind rules and leads the soul, so that when the mind is directed toward God, it purifies and directs the soul toward spiritual attainment."

The unborn chick pent up in a tight hard shell must peck its way out of the dark. And when it does, the view is like nothing it has ever seen. An expanded awareness takes hold as it evolves to spread its wings, and take flight toward the heavens.  

So, it is with us. We are being birthed into a higher consciousness that always has and always will be. Our identity is spiritual, not physical. Each adversity can become an impetus to peck harder on the shell of materiality to break free from physical limitation. 

We have help. Angels hover near bringing God's pure messages of Divine Love.  In stillness, we can feel their peaceful, loving presence, as shown in the painting of Mary Magdalene in the desert. How reassuring to know that when we feel most vulnerable and alone, exiled from the world, provisions are already in place.  God's angels abide with us.  They are only a thought away, ready to comfort, protect and guide.  

Like Mary, in great despair that Easter morning, she stooped down low to look inside the tomb. It was empty. His body gone. In deep despair, she stood up and turned around to see the gardener in hopes that he may answer her question about Jesus' body.  

 

It wasn't until he calls her by name...Mary  that she recognizes her beloved Rabboni, the risen Christ! 

 

What unfathomable joy!  

 

Her darkest hour had suddenly burst into the brightest dawn, and she is changed forever. With living proof of Christ's victory over death, she is now strong enough not to cling to him, but to let go and follow his command. To go and share the good news with the other disciples. 

At the height of summer, The Feast of Magdalene's Day is a wonderful time to spend in the "garden"  and reflect on how our darkest hour may unexpectedly unfold into a joyful resurrection, the dawn of a new day unfolding a higher view of Life.  

 
Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen



(Artwork: Wikimedia Commons:  Piola, Magdalene in the Desert
Mary Magdalene with the egg, Richard Stodart)

Handling the Bull: An Angel Message

This old farm snapshot of mom in her teens brought a smile today.  I could see she had the stubborn old bull by the reins. A reminder to take the reins of my life or someone else would.   Often mom found humor when faced with a challenge. Rather than let fear take hold, she would take the bull by the horns, and hold her ground.  Her faith that things will always work out for the best brought wonderful demonstrations.  Mom always had great enthusiasm for life...

 

When life takes a turn, it's easy to lose enthusiasm, especially when things taken for granted lose their grip.  Our world is accelerating at such a warp speed, our heads are spinning. The Angel of Enthusiasm advises that enthusiasm is a choice.  So don't let ego fear, doubt, and despair block the good available now...today.  This moment will not come again, so make friends with it. Find some little jewel of joy...be grateful for all you know and have learned.  You are not alone but in the presence of holy angels.  

 

I'm reminded that ENTHUSIASM is a choice. 

 

Even when we don't feel like it, we can choose to be helpful, positive, and flexible. We can  pray to have more strength, courage, endurance, and peace.  Scripture teaches in all circumstances to give thanks.  Take time to remember how God delivered you from trials in the past, and speak favor over your current situation. Your word will not return void to you. Nothing is impossible with God.  Keep on expecting the best and stand in faith.  This too shall pass.  

 

May the Angel of Enthusiasm inspire you today with a word, an idea, a touch of nature, or the loving-kindness of those around you. May you become an Angel of Enthusiasm for others.

Love and joyful blessings,

Rae Karen

Believe! A Messenger of Light: Angel Message

 Angels speak softly at times catching our vision in surprising yet illumining ways--a flash of insight.  It happened early this morning.  After setting up the lawn sprinkler, I was on my way back to the house.  Passing by the Marian butterfly garden, I stopped and smiled, feeling my heart fill with light.  Ha! The welcoming wings of the prayer angel were shining like a beacon of hope illuminating the shadows. Then I was shown that the prayer angel's foot, filled with light pointed to the word Believe etched on the blue butterfly stepping-stone at her feet. 

 Believe. 

Don't be fooled by appearances.  Trust that more is happening than you can presently understand.  Believe.  

I'm so grateful for these timely angel messages.  Believe.  Feet represent dominion and discipleship. Where you plant your feet is holy ground.  Angels accompany you. You are a holy child of God.

Psalm 91:11-12  tells us, "For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.   They shall bear thee up in their hands lest thou dash thy foot against a stone." 

Believing is seeing....  According to our faith we will receive.  May our faith be strengthened today so that we may embrace the infinite divine wisdom, power, and love everpresent waiting to shine through and lighten the way.  God is Love.

You are the light of the world. 

Love and peace,

Rae Karen  

Little Joyful Blessings: Angel Message

An angel message came to me early this morning. 

 Expect many little miracles today--touches of heaven--smiles of angels--look for them in earnest.  You will not be disappointed.  Keep your thoughts so full of God's goodness for all.  Bless...Bless...Bless...See all as a perfect child in God's Kingdom.   

Soon  I saw a tiny little tree frog quickly leap  across the steamy sun-room window.  And, so the day began with a little leap of faith--to Fully Rely on God (F.R.O.G.) and not to lean on my own understanding. It has been a time of heavy testing.

Things began to happen unexpectedly.  The entire house got power-washed, gutters, window awnings, siding... spic and span like new.   A surprise bouquet of red roses...turned up from the grocery store. 

And, then this afternoon, a joyful  tender-hearted surprise!   I happened to be at the window in time to glimpse our black-bellied whistling duck couple.  No time for a photo.  They were making tracks across the lawn...with their new little family!  I barely counted all nine ducklings.  Adorable little fuzzy balls clipping through the green grass in single file.  Little baby ducks all in a row.  (A sign hopefully that our ducks are in a row.) And, then they were gone...disappearing around the corner, only leaving my heart full of grateful smiles.   I hope to get a picture soon to share with you. 

 New life...out of the blue.  Expect the unexpected. 

I love that these ducks can't quack. They were designed to whistle.  A sign of harmony....And, the black-bellied whistling ducks represent fertility, transformation, and abundance.  

Have a blessed day with your angels.  Remember you are never alone.  Watch for the little signs and wonders that pass your way.  God is Love. The best is yet to be.

Love and peace,

Rae Karen  

    

 

 

 

Weebles Wobble But They Don't Fall: An Angel Message

This smiley apple girl Weeble on my desk is a playful reminder of a catchy phrase Playskool used for an egg-shaped toy in the 1970's.    

 "Weebles wobble, but they don't fall down."   

 

Sometimes having little keepsakes close by help to lighten challenging moments.  Like the Weeble, something may suddenly rock my world, and I may wildly wobble, but I won't fall down.  I'm designed that way made in the image and likeness of God.  

 

A weighted bottom-center retains the Weeble back to its upright position based on gravity.  An angel illustration that if I stay centered in Spirit, I may wobble out of control, reeling at first, but will automatically return upright thanks to God's Law of Love.  

 

Just as athletes must endure physical training to be the best at their game, the angels remind us that we, too, could benefit from in-depth spiritual training. Over the years, meditation has been key to building up my spiritual strength.   

 

Some other training suggestions:

-Spend some time alone in silence praying and talking to God first thing.

 

- Practice the presence of God with you as you go about your day.

 

-Take an inventory on how God has come through for you in the past. 

- Practice random acts of kindness.

- Spend time reading a daily devotional and spiritual material.

- Surrender to God's will something you feel He is calling you to do. 

-Seek to understand rather than to be understood.

-Keep a journal of angel insights you receive during the day. 

-Take a fast from negative thinking and social networking for a day. Turn off the TV or cellphone and spend a day doing nothing but being.

-Be of service. Look for ways to be helpful in your community, friends and family.  

 
-Spend time appreciating  nature around you. A sunrise, a flower in bloom, the song of a bird. Cloud formations.

 

-Make a gratitude list. 

 

- Pray for family, friends, community, country and the world.   

Have a peaceful day with the Angels, and remember you're on the "A" Team.  As we strengthen our spiritual understanding, it will become easier to meet challenges with grace and inner peace rather than fear and anger.  We may roll around, wildly wobbling back and forth, but we're centered in something greater than ourselves and return quickly to balance. Upright. God has sent his angels to help us.  We may wobble but we won't fall down.  

 

Keep me as the apple of the eye,

hide me under the shadow of thy wings,

                              Psalm 17:8  KJV 

 

 

Love and blessings,

Rae Karen 

 

 

 (Angel Stadium photo: wikimedia commons)

Don't Let Them Get Your Goat: Angel Message

 It never ceases to amaze me how everything I value can be used as a communication device for the angels. The ordinary becomes extraordinary with a personal touch of wisdom, a heads-up piece of helpful advice, a watch-word or a warning that an obstacle looms up ahead, so lighten up.

Yesterday, by happenstance, this old crossword puzzle book turned up tucked under a sofa pillow. The playful goats on the cover made me laugh as I recalled the angel lesson from last year... It was about keeping my goat tied and not reacting, but going within to listen before responding.  It had worked to get a comical image of my goat tied fixed in my mind. The angels' advice helped me over a big hurdle with patience and grace, a win-win discussion.  

Now opening the forgotten goats' Crossword book, what a surprise. I had deliberately scrawled on the cover page,  Keep your goat tied!!   

I laughed, amused by the young goats--but not heeding the Crossword angel guidance as a heads-up. As the day wore on, so did I.  Then somebody got my goat! And, off she went... I reacted in anger rather than poised and patiently listening for inner guidance.       

This morning another piece of angel advice came up for reinforcement:   It's our attitude towards anything that determines how it will affect our progress.  If we whine, complain, or wonder why God is picking on us, then we will get little spiritual growth.  If we learn to maintain our spiritual thought under all human difficulties and problems, we will endure to the end. Try to see these challenges as spiritual gifts designed to bring inner strength and endurance training. 

My hope is this angel thought for today will help you.     Don't react...and butt heads.  Keep your goat tied.  Be still...listen for inner guidance.  Keep your attitude at a high altitude.  Smile and try your best to welcome it as a sign that you are growing in wisdom and spiritual power.  You are made in the image and likeness of God.  Angels are with you.  Watch and expect their helpful hints along the way today.   Keep your goat tied.  The best is yet to be. 

Love and peace,

Rae Karen   

Oh, Thank Heaven for 7/11: Angel Message

 

The summer season has been an amazing time of communications from nature.  Most mornings, six squirrels, four bunnies, and a regular pair of black-bellied whistling ducks stop by to munch.

But this morning, 7-11,  a special delivery made me sit up and take notice! While watering the meditation garden, a family of hump-backed critters moved quickly through the tall green grasses inside the pasture fence.  A young family of raccoons, I smiled.  But just then, the sunlight revealed four armored-bodies glistening as they scurried away in tandem, moving as one.    

Armadillos! 

What was the angel message? It was magnified as several years have passed since one was sighted, and here there were a family of four.    

I knew it had to do with protection and the inner child.  Armadillo is a Spanish word meaning little armored one. It has bony protection plates covering its head, back, legs, and even the tail. When threatened, it covers up all the vulnerable parts by rolling itself into a ball.  (They are most vulnerable when they expose their soft underbellies, or inner workings.)  Armadillo teaches how to carry your protection with you, and when to let your defenses down.

 When a little armored one appears, you may need to set up healthy boundaries for yourself and others.  You don't have to isolate and curl up in your protective shell.   Speak what's true for you.   

The armadillo also signals: "Sensitivity and susceptibility to outside influences are increasing, so use discrimination and protect yourself." 

Ask yourself, When it is beneficial to be unyielding? When would being more flexible best serve you and others? Then follow your inner truth.  It's wonderful to have empathy, but balance is needed when helping others.   

An opportunity for a new birth is coming within the next 8 or 9 months.  It will be important not to roll up and hide from the opportunity in fear we may be vulnerable.  Armadillo teaches how to adjust our rhythms so that what we wish to create will occur at the safest time. 

 A fascinating fact about the nine-banded armadillo is one of adaptation to change.  By gulping air it can inflate itself and float across rivers to reach its destination.  This reminds me of going within when faced with uncertainty and let the breath of the Holy Spirit fill you up so you can float to where you need to be.

God will always make a way.   I've found that  praying Psalm 91 each morning brings protection and assurance when I abide in the Secret Place of the Most High.  For he shall give his angels charge over you to guide and protect you in all of your ways.  (Psalm 91:11)

Love and peace,

Rae Karen  

Animal-Speak, Ted Andrews

Animal-Speak Pocket Guide, Ted Andrews

 

Picture: armadillo in our neighborhood many years ago 

Angels are Here

"For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways."
                                                 ~Psalm 91

I fondly remember one morning I woke up and saw something unexpectedly wonderful.   The sunlight peeking through the gap in the door had transformed an ordinary angel statue on the dresser into something wondrously surprising. She quietly stood as a towering portrait of light made manifest in the dark.  Her countenance was greatly magnified by a column of golden rays!

 

My spirit lifted!   I welcomed the divine message. Unseen help is always available although not readily apparent. 

 

What were the odds?  The bedroom door left ajar, just wide enough.  The angle of the sunlight shining into the room.  The timing of my awakening...  God is in the details. 

 

Peace washed over me and I felt a  renewed sense of hope and faith.  My spirit was at an all-time-low, and that spiritual boost was what I needed. 

 

Expect the unexpected was the loving angel message. My heart was grateful for the reminder that more is happening than I know so do not fear.  You are never alone.  Keep having faith and expect the best to be.

 

Angels are  here.  Our loving guardian angels, although invisible, surprise us with moments of light-filled perception. Unseen, but not unnoticed, let us crack open the door of unbelief, just a little so they may enter in Light. Through their tender guidance, we begin to see life through the lens of divine love.  After all, it only takes a little willingness to crack open the door...  Divine Love will always make a way.

 

Love and peace,  

Rae Karen

Cardinal Singing on High: Angel Message

The smoke from last night's town fireworks show had cleared.   Early this morning on a neighborhood walk, the loud trill of a bird caught my eye. I looked up. On the overhead utility wire sat a beautiful red cardinal. 

Bright red feathers glistened in the sun as he belted out, Preeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeety girl. Prettttttttttttttttttttty girl.  I laughed. Pretty girl... 

I'd never seen a cardinal sing before, and had ignored an angel nudge to bring my camera.  Our walk continued down the quiet lane, sunshine on our backs,  pasture green from yesterday's booming thunderstorms. The cardinal's voice rang through the air.

I didn't expect to see the cardinal again.  But on our return, there he was still singing, perched on high. I thanked him for his cheerful visit.  It seemed important to get a photo to capture this rare moment.

And, suddenly I recalled ...what's yours to do, you will have time to do it, so go ahead planning for success. Time is not a factor in your life.  With that thought in mind, I hurried home, grabbed my camera, and returned down the driveway.  

He had moved down the wire...but was now clearly in view, striking a pose in a more visible blue sky. A perfect opportunity.  I zoomed the shaking lens upward, trying to focus... snapping away, I asked the angels for help to get a photo to share with you.  

And the angels delivered. 

 

When a departed love one is near, a red cardinal appears.  A wonderful reminder to begin the day.  We are never alone.  God has given His angels charge over us.  And, also, whatever is ours to do, we will have the time to do it.  We are never alone... And, the best is yet to be.

Love and peace,

Rae Karen  

 

America's 250th Birthday

God bless America, land that I love

Stand beside her and guide her 

Through the night with a light from above 

 

From the mountains to the prairies

To the oceans white with foam

God bless America, my home

sweet home.   (Irving Berlin)

 

These lyrics came to mind while thinking about our country's 250th Independence Day.  "Stand beside her and guide her through the night with a light from above."

 

God knows that America needs light from above during these pivotal dark times in our nation's history. On Memorial Day last year, this turquoise dragonfly landed on the new US flag we'd planted in the flower bed.  A heavy rainstorm had passed, and when I looked out the window, what timing.  I watched a lacy winged dragonfly flit in circles round and round the golden tip of the flag pole. Finally, she made a landing and rested on the point.  

 

Dragonflies are symbols of light. And, her shimmering wings were folded forward as if in prayer.    

 

 Prayers are needed for America and the world.  The consciousness that created our problems is not going to solve them.  We need the "light from above".  God bless, America. 

Make a Pearl: Angel Message

 I needed this message from a recent lecture. I'm a visual person so a picture helps anchor the lesson deeper within.  It was about a pearl.  A helpful hint on what to do when someone rubs you the wrong way.  The advice was to do what oysters do.  

A natural pearl is made from an oyster's defense mechanism.  The oyster combats an irritant that has worked its way into the shell.  The oyster gets busy and uses a fluid to coat the "intruder". Over time, layer upon layer of this coating forms a lustrous pearl.  

It may feel impossible at times to take our irritations and use them for healing and good.  When someone rubs you the wrong way, are you the one willing to give a coat of divine love, patience, and forgiveness. In the long run, it's far better to create something beautiful within.  This process can help to give up resentments, anger, sad memories, destructive thinking. 

Rather than rubbing you inside out, get busy and silently add a coating of gratitude.   A layer of appreciation for all of God's love for you and your family.   

 

God loves all, including the someone who is rubbing you the wrong way.  Divine Love corrects and governs man.  Divine Love is governing the relationship, and God's law of Love is already in operation.  All these layers of truth make a pearl and you will be transformed by the power of your thinking and your actions. 

Divine Love is ever present in the Kingdom within you.  See beyond appearances.  Human hatred has no legitimate mandate.  Divine Love is on the throne within your consciousness now and always.   Only our thinking so can separate us from God's love. 

What we need most is to draw on Divine Love for all that we need in our personal relationships, relationships with our community, our nation, and the world.  Divine love is ever present. 

So the pearl is a good example on how to take the irritants and create something beautiful within us. We have help and can call on the Holy Spirit and the angels.  

 

Before I go, I wanted to add an amusing layer to this pearl. This photo popped up on-line with an angel coating of humor.  Would you believe it's called a gold-lipped pearl. Really?! 

 

The angels want to make sure we understand the power of our words.  They never return to us void.   So think of a pearl the next time someone tries to annoy you.  Smile, and add a layer of gratitude, peace and harmony to the little piece of grit. You know just what to do...you're making a pearl.

 

Remember you are never alone.  God has given His angels to watch over you and protect you in all your ways when you abide in the Shadow of the Almighty.   The best is yet to be.

 

Love and peace,

Rae Karen 

Half In or Half-Out, Gecko Angel Message

This older angel blog resurfaced today thanks to a teeny, tiny baby lizard. He caught my eye when watering a hanging basket of fuchsia periwinkles this morning.  His itsy-bitsy body looked like an insect at first as he clung to the shepherd's crook, resting in the warm sunshine.  So small and trusting, he didn't run away as I spoke to him. 

 Lizards are about dream time.  In 2023, I was surprised to see this gecko  in a rare predicament... At dusk, I'd gone out to retrieve a delivery on the front porch.   I grabbed the box off the bench and happened to look down.   

I had to look twice.  What was up?!

 A little gecko appeared stuck in a hole under the bench!  His head and upper body were swallowed up in a deep hole in the concrete.   

Wanting to help, I somewhat panicked.  Was he stuck? Half dead? Hiding out? What was the angel lesson?

Usually lizards are sensitive to vibrations, but he hadn't moved. A hint of guilt at the reflection of my own behavior at times. Half-in?   Or half-out?  Neither here nor there.  

A funny thought occurred to me.  If the little fellow were hiding, burying his head, he wasn't fooling anyone.  

I remembered that a lizard is about letting go of old fears. Sometimes a lizard must willingly snap off its tail to escape from a predator.  It has to lose its tail to get ahead.

Expecting the worse, I was afraid to pull him out. Afraid of what I might see.  Elliot got a paper napkin and reached down. That little movement brought quick action. 

Instantly, the helpless looking lizard disappeared down into the deep hole.  He never had been stuck-- maybe that was his home?  

I was grateful for a happy ending! 

Curious, I read up on the visit.  "When you encounter a lizard, it's most important to observe what it was doing at that moment. 

 I laughed. Was it a sign for me to face my own fears?  Years ago, I was so frightened of lizards...now they are a natural part of life. 

Or, maybe the lizard's creative pose was a sign that concrete-thinking has loop holes in dream-time. There's a hidden hole to find refuge when willing to commit to greater depths in your spirit. A reminder that we are spiritual beings, full of grace now and forever, there is nothing to fear.  The Holy Spirit and the angels are here to help us have a happy dream when we trust God completely.  

Love and peace,

 Rae Karen