Hiding Yourself from Others?

At the lake, an orange moth flitted by and landed near my bright green canvas chair where I sat on the boat ramp.  With her wings spread wide, embracing the warm sun, I could see each glistening wing had an opened eye painted by nature.  I inched closer for a photo to share, but she flew away.  An opportunity was lost.   

Curious, I looked on-line. 

Moth is the master of disguise. A reminder to be aware that you could be hiding from yourself.  Are you using your emotions to keep yourself hidden from others?  If so, it's time to transform your emotional energy away from drama, and into something closer to your heart.  Have faith in your journey, and trust, that although things seem to be complicated right now, you will eventually see the light.  Let your  heart guide you.

Soon after the reluctant orange moth departed, something popped up in the middle of the lake. The only sign of life on the water.   

I hoped it was a turtle, this little ball merrily bobbing up and down in the ripples. Turtle is always a positive sign, to keep on keeping on.

Snapping away, I asked for angelic help, and was amazed by the detail.  When the photos were uploaded, I could clearly see the turtle's uplifted head peeking out of the empty lake. Bobbing in sunlit ripples, its yellow-racing stripes, and matching yellow-striped eyes were up for a photo op.  

I was grateful for the message:  What has been hidden from you, will now be revealed so pay attention.    

 

And, also a willingness to pop up and be counted on, when needed.  The best is yet to be. 

Love and peace,

Rae Karen

New Vision at Blue Springs: Angel Message

With a cold front in Florida, and the promise of a sunlit day, angelic inspiration struck and we were off on an early morning visit to see the big beautiful manatees. When the temperature drops in the St. John's River, the pod swims into the warm blue springs to rest and relax. It's not unusual to find hundreds of these gentle creatures marinating in the natural heated aqua waters. 

It was just the remedy I needed, a change of pace.  The cool air.  The gentle giants.  The calming lull of rippled waters created a living picture of ancient beauty and grace as I watched the palm trees dance in the moving springs. In the cool fresh air, I stared out at the shimmering palette of rich blue and green colors at play and was reminded of the Master artist.  It was a special memory in the making.   As sunlight splashed on the peaceful springs, the large gray form of a manatee would take shape! Sometimes large gray nostrils peeked up out of the depths to take a breath and submerge again.

I learned that these gentle watery mammals see well. A special membrane helps to clean their eyes.  Manatees are a reminder for us to do likewise.  To step back and clear our own vision from time to time.  Are we looking at things too closely? Or not closely enough?  Do you trust your own feelings? Is it time to seek gentler and warmer environments within your own life?  Trust your heart.  Examine your trust in others and follow your own sense of what's right.

As the sun rose higher, the manatees were easier to find.  Here's a mama and her baby.

A fallen tree made a natural bridge for catching some rays.  Room for one more?  A lone turtle gazing up at the sun was soon joined by a mate. Turtles are a  symbol of Mother Earth and it lives in the Mother's harmony.  The shell suggests a hemisphere, and the structure upon the shell, a mountain.  Its movements are slow and calm. When you encounter a turtle, it is time for a turnaround in your life.  It could be a sign to loosen your protective shell and come out of hiding.  

 

Another special messenger was drying out, spreading her black and white wings in the sun. The cormorant is an ancient bird named in the Bible. An aquatic bird, it speaks to the world of watery emotions.  Is there a prayer deep within that you are repressing?  If a cormorant is seen drying its feathers it is an invitation to open yourself up to yourself, look into your deepest being that place where the divine enters.  Pray for answers, guidance, courage, and strength.

It was a joyful spontaneous outing and a wonderful blessing to connect with the angels in nature.  May your day be filled with peace, and expect the happy things of God to come to you.  The best is yet to be.

"For he has given his angels charge over you..."   (Psalm 91)

Love and happiness,

 

Rae Karen

 

 

Getting Closer to Nature: An Angel Message

Tuesday evening, Elliot and I took a drive to the local lake to enjoy the cool air in nature.  With our foldout chairs parked between two cypress trees, we sat at the water's edge, ready for the show. The fountain was flowing, making concentric circles in the lake. A turtle popped up out of the water, paddling by in the rippled pond.  Before long, he joined up with another turtle for a swim.

Ducklings at Earl Brown Lake 9/4/18

To our delight, a mama duck showed up on the grass.  Her cute little ducklings waddled along behind her in single file. A little yellow fuzzy baby had lagged behind.  Now, his frantic chirp was like a shrill whistle as he ran to catch up. Soon, the adorable family had set sail, in tandem, paddling to the far side of the lake.  It was amusing to watch.  Mama led her crew by a chain link fence out in the water.  The little ducklings had no problem with this man-made barrier.  They simply swam through the wide chain links.  And, big mama swam around it to join them.

In the midst of all the fun-filled activity, a loud flapping of wings startled me.  A rather large bird had landed in the cypress tree above us.  I thought it was an odd duck out of water.  Curious, I got up to take a look.

 A cormorant had perched on one of the branches, wings spread open,  drying off  after a swim in the lake.  Knowing cormorants are experts at deep diving, I found his behavior strange.  It's not unusual to find these waterfowl drying out on the shore or a fence or a barricade.

Although, one up a tree was a new move.  I quietly tried to take a pic, but he was shrouded in the leafy branches. And, I wasn't guided to come around the tree to get a closeup of him preening.

The cormorant's deliberate actions seemed like an angel message. At home, I learned: "Dive deeper for answers and solutions.  Trust in your methods.  You will accomplish things now in unique ways what others cannot." (Animal Speak Pocket Guide)

Hmmm...Not sure how this applies, but I do know time spent in nature soothes the nerves and clears any congestion in our energy fields.  Nature is a tranquil healer. It's good to break away from media and just be still.

Oh, and I just learned that duck represents emotions soothed.  "Stay in a comfortable environment.  Difficulties will be handled easily."  How perfect...

That's how the duck family illustrated that joyful lesson.

Enjoy your day with the angels.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen

Blue Springs: A Gift of Christmas

Yesterday's spontaneity brought us to nearby Blue Springs State Park for a walk in nature and hopefully a glimpse of a manatee or two.  We were in luck; the cool weather brought these gentle creatures into the springs for a close up look.

Manatee

Then this unusual sight--a trio of cormorants were joined by a large turtle sunbathing on a fallen limb.

Cormorants and A Turtle

At home, I looked up these three special messengers.

Manatee symbolizes trust; trust in others to do the right thing; gentleness.  The manatees use all of their senses and as such remind us to do likewise in our daily lives.  Are we relying solely on one input and not taking in as much info as we should. These gentle watery mammals see well. They have a special membrane which helps to clean their eyes.  A reminder to step back and clear our vision from time to time.  Are we looking at things too closely? Or not closely enough? When you spot a manatee ask yourself if you trust your feelings?  Is it time to seek gentler and warmer environments within your own life?  Trust your heart.  Examine your trust in others and follow your own sense of what's right.

The turtle is a symbol of Mother Earth.  Its shell suggests a hemisphere, and the structure upon the shell, a mountain.  Its movements are slow and calm.  If you encounter a turtle, it is time for a turnaround in your life.  The turtle is old and wise, and lives in Earth's harmony.  If it happens to enter your life, it could be a sign to loosen your protective shell, in which you may be hiding.

The turtle as the messenger of Mother Earth is also a messenger of love.  The power that nourishes all life.  This power gives your life new direction and makes new creation possible, but slowly.  Do not rush into anything, but keep solid ground under your feet.  This one is basking in the light.

The cormorant, an aquatic bird, speaks to the world of emotions.  Is there a prayer deep within that you are repressing?  If a cormorant is seen drying its feathers in a prayer-like position, it is an invitation to open yourself up to yourself, look into your deepest being that place where the divine enters.  Pray for answers, guidance, courage, and strength.

Christmas day can bring a special blend of friends and family in nature and at home.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen




References:  Animal-Wise, Ted Andrews; Animal Messengers, Regula Meyer

Love is Letting Go of Fear...

 Elliot came up with an idea to spend time in nature yesterday, so we headed for Blue Springs.  A beautiful fall day, we took a walk on the wooden trail bordering the Springs.  At one of the look-out points, Elliot saw a lone fish in the clear water and waved.  It struck me as funny.  I jokingly asked him why he was waving to the fish. "Do you think he sees you up here on the deck?" 

He assured me that the carp could feel the love vibration.  I had to smile because in a matter of minutes a large school of the same fish swam over to join in the energy.

I must say I did think he was carrying it a little too far when sending love to a smiling gator.  But it was Yom Kippur a high holy day and love was in the air.

                                                (Smiling gator at Blue Springs yesterday)

On the way home, I lovingly tried to rescue a large turtle.  I feared for his life. He was leaving the woods, heading toward a residential neighborhood on the other side of the road. Elliot pulled over and I hurried to help.

As luck would have it,  I picked up a long stick to shepherd him back to the woods. Defiantly, he ducked into his thick shell as if to say, "I wish this woman would get a life!"  I must confess I talked to him about the wisdom of not crossing the road, but he paid me no mind. 

 I knew then, I was learning a lesson on letting go.  I snapped a photo and wished him well, by the side of the road.  He had to follow his own rhythm.  A young woman driving by, saw me taking a picture.  Getting out of her car with her camera, I asked, 'See what you can do to keep him safe?  As we pulled away, I sheepishly thought,  Okay...so letting go happens in degrees, but I'm learning.



My turtle friend trying to cross the road.

I'm also learning about healing.  During all the excitement,  fire ants were biting my toes.  Rather than tend to the ants, I kept my focus on the turtle, gently prodding him along.  The bites were really nothing, I told myself choosing to recognize only the perfection of being in God's image and likeness.  This little bit of conviction brought amazing results--instead of the red swollen fiery welts I usually experience, I had only a few dots that soon diminished as well as the flame. 

I looked up the symbolism of turtle in Animal-Speak:  Keynote:  Motherhood, Longevity, Awakening to New Opportunities.  "...A symbol of the turtle was an invitation for the blessings of both heaven and earth."  I read on..."If turtle has shown up, it is time to get connected to your most primal essence.  Go within your shell and come out when your ideas are ready to be expressed.  It is time to recognize that there is an abundance out there for you." 

A wonderful message for each of us.  The Autumn season is proving to be a time when Angels communicate their messages in nature.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Blessings,

Karen





 

There's Nothin' Like A Good Soak

We had a heavy thunderstorm yesterday afternoon, with torrential rains. When the skies finally cleared, I was hoping to see a rainbow after so much turbulence. I went to the window to look out. Instead of a rainbow this beautiful turtle was stretching his neck in the grass as if to say, "There's nothing like a good soak."

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Karen

P.S. A symbol of the turtle is an invitation for the blessings of both heaven and earth.