Thumbelina

(The old 45 record of Thumbelina)

Vinyl records are making a comeback.  Synchronicity was at play recently when Elliot and I answered an ad in the local paper and bought a turntable.  To our delight, the seller tossed in his entire collection of over ninety great albums from the 50's and on up. In his little box of 45's, I found Hans Christian Andersen's merry tune, Thumbelina sung by Jimmy Boyd, that also happens to be the name of my guardian angel!

Listening to  upbeat music is a wonderful way to keep a smile on your face.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Love and blessings,

Rae Karen

Sing A New Song

Something kind of funny happened this morning when I'd decided to write the blog about music and was interrupted by a phone call.  On my way back to the desk, I selected an angel card, it was, of course, Harmony, picturing three angels singing together.

It was also timely as  I'd learned a new musical descriptor earlier that was a perfect key.  "Ripieno" which means filling up or filling up with harmony. 

 In order for this to happen, we must become empty and still, present in the moment.  In emptiness we are now open to being filled with harmony and light.  What came to mind was a need to stop singing the same old tune.  This can be scary, especially if we have a need to be in control. As we become clear in our own true song, others can more readily join in with theirs. A natural harmonic resonance is set up.

On another note, excuse the pun, music is a wonderful way to make a connection to the celestial realm.  Nothing can change a gloomy day into a brighter one like playing music can.  Sometimes we are too busy to stop and listen and enjoy this universal language of melody that shifts our spirits to higher ground.

Enjoy your day in harmony with the Angels.

Blessings,

Karen

 

Angel on the Keyboard

Music is a bridge to the Infinite and I've often read how Angels hover nearby whenever a musical instrument is played. This morning our cat, Angel, jumped up on the keyboard and somehow turned it on. Then she hit a few notes with her paw. This timely "recital" added emphasis to something important just said. For an encore, she laid down on the auto play and Twinkle Twinkle Little Star filled the room. A wonderful reminder for all of us to keep on shining!

Enjoy your day with the Angels,

Karen

I Feel A Song Coming On...

This U-Haul truck was parked on my brother's street this summer when we stopped by for a visit. I was fascinated to learn how musical sounds are released from the sand on the beaches of Prince Edward Island in Canada. It got me to thinking about the power of music. It is everywhere when we tune in to listen, some of it less soothing in the cacophony of life.

In the Edgar Cayce readings, a suggestion was made. When you have an important decision to make, try listening to music to help you tune in for an answer. Music related to soft natural sounds and finer types of music with reed instruments were recommended for this client.

One of my favorite flutists is Carlos Naki playing Amazing Grace. I remember the first time I heard it. I was in Banff, Canada, looking out the hotel window at the snowy peaks of Sulphur Mountain. A friend had gifted me with the tape and what a surprise to hear my favorite hymn.

We watched a video last week that I found at the ARE Library on Paneurhythmy. A mandala dance performed outdoors in Bulgaria. Peter Deunov, the founder of this powerful dance to connect with nature likened each musical note as a living energy, like an angel, being birthed through our instruments. Hearing this description took music appreciation to a whole new level for me. I never thought of music as being alive. Not versus Memorex, but a living entity unto itself. It explains how sometimes we are so moved by a song, goosebumps ripple down our arms and legs, or our hearts well up with tears.

Music can be a powerful transforming agent to break out of a funk. I recently read the book Excuse Me Your Life is Waiting by Lynn Grabhorn. If you want to get out of the vibrational gloomies, she suggests start dancing around the house and singing some silly song like "Happy Days Are Here Again." Or make up a song of your own. The wild dancing literally cracks open the stuck low energy to where she can eventually click back into feeling much better.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Karen

Angels and Music

In the her book Rediscovering the Angels, Christian mystic and author, Flower Newhouse writes that wheneverHandel's Hallelujah Chorus is sung, the angels of the astral and mental worlds join the chorus and their accomplishment is a thousand times more joyous and victorious than the human parts. Handel experienced a rare religious exaltation during the composition of the Messiah. For 24 days he was completely withdrawn from the things of this world so that he "dwelt in the pastures of God." When the Hallelujah Chorus was completed, a servant found him at the table with tears streaming down his cheeks. Afterward, Handel explained, "I did think I did see all heaven before me."

The Hallelujah Chorus has always been a favorite. I recall a fond memory of one special Christmas morning at church. My father-in-law was playing that piece at the beautiful pipe organ. The congregation was invited to come upfront and join in the singing. A blind woman joined the group. I decided to come along, too, in spite of my voice. A cloudy Sunday, as we sang and the tempo heightened, suddenly the sun burst through the clouds and poured through the window, flooding the area where we gathered.

Ever since then I was convinced of the power of that beautiful music. Years ago,I listened to it on my walks, inspired to keep moving to the rich melody that did indeed seem to make the heavens open up. Several years ago, a hurricane hit Virginia Beach. Elliot and I stayed at home to weather the storm. As the winds blew, we turned up the volume full blast on the boom box. The Hallelujah Chorus filled the room, no competition for the storm. Jayne Howard-Feldman, author of Driving Under the Influence of Angels, recommends playing that music while standing with your arms in the air, making a "V" chalice for the heavenly host to pour down their blessings upon you.

Married to a wonderful composer and musician, I know that when music is being played, the room is transformed as these heavenly beings come close to join in the celebration of song. Music is the bridge.

Many blessings,

Karen