Leave Room for the Angels to Dance...

"LEAVE ROOM IN THE GARDEN for the Angels to dance" 

This  plaque was  a joyful surprise that awaited my return from a three-day spiritual retreat in Saint Augustine, Florida.  I have yet to discover the thoughtful messenger who placed it by the driveway gate, but the sign was a reminder to save room and take time to enjoy yourself in the busyness of life.   Maintain a balance between work and play. 

Enjoy your day with the Angels, and look for ways to lighten up and enjoy your journey.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen

Zinnias Growing in Outer Space!

Imagine flowers orbiting the Earth! These zinnias are part of the Veggie System, an experiment in growing plants in micro-gravity aboard the International Space Station.  

These cheerful bloomers began from seeds in "pillows" in November 2015.  
Curious, I looked up the symbolism of a zinnia:
  
Maintain childlike sense of humor; have courage.  "The beauty of the world is about to be rediscovered."

Enjoy your day with the Angels!

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen  




(photo: web article)
(zinnia ref. Nature-Speak by Ted Andrews)

George Washington and the Angels

George Washington's signature on the wall at the Visitor Center at his home, Mount Vernon is above the inscription: To Keep Him First. 

In his book The Bulletproof George Washington, author David Barton writes, “George Washington took part in the French and Indian War at the age of twenty-three. In one particular battle Washington’s life hung in the balance for two hours. The general assigned Washington to take orders to the officers in the field. The Indian sharpshooters caused sixty-three of the eighty-six officers to become casualties. After the battle George Washington recounted that four bullets went through his coat. The Indians shot two horses from under him, but he escaped hurt though companions fell on every side.

Fifteen years later the Indian chief in charge of that battle met Washington. The chief recounted, "A power mightier than we shielded you. Seeing you were under the special guardianship of the Great Spirit, we immediately ceased fire at you. . . the man who is the particular favorite of Heaven, and who can never die in battle.”

Today we celebrate the birthday of our country's first president.  His story is a powerful testimony to the unseen celestial help that are in our presence.  May we always remember that we are never alone, but always in the company of His angels.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen 

Egg of Creativity: An Angel Message

The strong smell of paint fumes drove us to the park for a breath of fresh air.  The living and dining room were freshly painted "Clarified Butter".  And I was about to get clarity in a lesson from nature. 

At the lake, I discovered an egg, an ordinary white egg alone in the grass near the water's edge.  At first glance, I thought it was a smooth rock, but apparently a duck had abandoned her mission.  

Its perfection evoked a sadness as that forgotten egg became a metaphor for my own lack of focus in seeing a creative idea through to  its completion.  The lake was calm as I let the cool breeze stir my thoughts.  A lone duck quacking paddled up to join me. 

"Is this your egg?" I asked, pointing at it.  "Don't you want to keep it warm so it can hatch?"

Staring intently at me,  I caught a reflection of my own shortcomings in her gaze.  The many projects I'd abandoned, wandering off to begin something new. 

I returned home inspired to give what creativity I've been gifted time to hatch a life of its own.  To just do my best so it can develop.
  
The sun was shining so brightly at the lake, I wasn't sure what I'd taken with my cellphone camera, but I was left with a vivid image to finish what I begin.  How about you?

Enjoy your day with the Angels.  They encourage us to share our creativity with others by expressing gratitude for the inspiration that comes our way.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen



   

Iris Rainbow: An Angel Message

When the angels want you to see something, you see it.  That's what happened on February 14th. I was relaxing on the porch when I saw colorful rays coming through the white curtain eyelets.  Curious, I got up to take a look.  To the west, I saw a rainbow.  An uplifting omen.  Later when uploading the pics, I noticed the synchronicity of the rainbow appearing through the window by my Iris stained glass. Iris was the word for rainbow centuries ago.  A rainbow is a sign of God's promise!

 But there was more. The 5 o'clock sun, with its golden light, had now created two rainbows!  They were too far apart to capture in one photo, but I was so thankful for that angelic message. 

                                   

Remember that you walk with Angels.  Spend a happy day feeling their loving presence enfolding you, guiding you and protecting you.  Celebrate the day with your Angels and look for ways to be  spontaneous.  That's when you'll notice them the most.  They wait on welcome, so invite them to be with you.  

Love and joyful blessings,



Rae Karen.

Love Socks: An Angel Message

A complimentary gift arrived in the mail from the Humane Society.  A pair of LOVE socks. I loved the nature design with its furry animals. At first glance, they were for a child, but like real LOVE when stretched, they fit my large feet.

After enjoying a day walking in LOVE, the socks were tossed in the wash with a load of white king size sheets and pillow cases.

A few days later while doing another laundry, I opened the dryer door to toss in a load. What a surprise to find the pair of LOVE socks.  The only items that had been overlooked in the bundle. 

I'm always losing a sock in the wash, so finding these "sole" mates together seemed like an angel message. Feet are symbolic of dominion and discipleship.  And I had learned that by stretching my LOVE quotient that I, too, can keep my act together, and walk in gratitude each day. 

Enjoy  your day with the Angels.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen 

     

A Valentine Memory from Bella Luna

                               (Almost Full moon - Feb. 13th 2014 in the meditation garden out back)

 

                                 (Almost Full moon Feb. 13, 2014 in the meditation garden)


I’ve always had a special bond with the moon and its many phases.  There is something tender about gently being stirred awake by the soft glow of moonbeams on your pillow.  I’m reminded of a favorite quote about the moon from that classic movie It’s a Wonderful Life when George Bailey, played by Jimmy Stewart offers to lasso the moon for his sweetheart Mary, portrayed by Donna Reed. Mary follows by asking George, then what?

            "Well, then you can swallow it, and it'll dissolve, see...and the moonbeams would shoot out of your fingers and your toes and the ends of your hair..."  

I love that healing imagery.

An experience with the moon that touched my heart happened by chance, but as we know, one thing leads to another in the realm of giving and receiving. On a cold winter Florida evening several years ago Mom called to report the weather: frost was in the forecast.  It was almost dark when I hurried out to the garden, arms piled high with blankets and quilts. Theo, our feisty outdoor tabby, playfully circled round my legs as I tried to keep my balance along the garden path.  In the cold night air, I quickly made the rounds, tucking in the azaleas, irises, ferns, and bushes.  Afterwards, that rascal cat took my work as a blanket invitation to curl up on a soft comforter and settle down for the night.

Pausing to watch his gray striped body snuggled up by a tree, I noticed the beautiful moon shining brightly through the treetops in the yard.  It was so beautiful, in fact, that I ran for my camera. Gazing up at the bright full moon, the lens magnified until something amazing happened that gave me a new vision.  The moon grew so magnificently big and full that to my eyes it looked like a cosmic gazing ball!  The imprint of leafy branches blended earth and heaven together in a moment of powerful embrace. Heavenly light and earthly trees captured a fond memory for me, and I was reminded that tomorrow was Valentine’s Day.  I was so thankful for the valentine from Bella Luna.

Happy Valentine's Day!  I'll close with a favorite quote from A Course in Miracles:

Love waits on welcome, not on  time.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Love & joyful blessings,

Rae Karen

Wild Peacocks on High: An Angel Message

The resident healers at the local rehabilitation center are best known for their beautiful exquisite wings.  It's always a treat to drive by in hopes of catching a glimpse of a peacock or two.  But everything depends on divine timing. 

Yesterday the winds were favorable as I found these exquisite beauties raring to put on a show in the courtyard.  Complimenting them on their beauty, this young one opened her wings and proudly pivoted.  I loved it.

Another one on the roof gave me a shout, wanting to get in the picture, too.  Peacock is a sign to be watchful.  Keep your thoughts on high.



Enjoy your day with the Angels.  And look for ways to spread your happiness with others.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen

An Orchid: Trust in Divine Timing

After our recent cold snap, I looked out the window, wondering how the garden had fared.  During the long, cold night, the constant drone of the heater made me ask the angels to protect the flowers and plants as I had not covered them.  

Looking out the window, all seemed well.  Then something unusual caught my eye on the floral rack.  A long forgotten potted orchid had a pod on it!  A rescue from a friend, it had already bloomed once several years ago. I marveled at the hopeful sign, and was grateful to the angels for the protection.  A new bud was swollen ready to burst out. I hurried outside to bring it into the warm house.  To my delight, I saw another bud had formed on the spindly plant. 

Soon two exotic orchid blossoms were gracing our mantle.  

I loved the message.  Never give up.  Just when you think something is over and done, way past its prime, miracles can happen without any help from me.  

I had to laugh as I'd been to an orchid farm asking how to propagate these beautiful flowers, but it was too involved and so I let it go.  I couldn't throw the plant out, instead I tucked it on the flower stand with other plants and forgot out it.  Even in the severe weather, it bloomed.   

Now, if only I can let go of other things, and let it all be as it is.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen

The Donkey Duet: An Angel Message

(Katie)

The voice is a channel to express our emotions and ideas. If we really wish to know a person's feelings, we should listen to the tone of their voice as well as their words. We influence our world by our every utterance. Something amusing happened one Sunday afternoon at the Norfolk Zoo parking lot. We were waiting in the car until it was time to admit the public for free the last hour. A favorite outing, it fit nicely with our limited budget at the time.  

I had a case of the Mean Reds that day. (In the movie Breakfast at Tiffany's, the mean reds are when you're out of sorts and don't really know why.) I told Elliot I just didn't feel like myself. He was lucky to be a man and not have to deal with hormone issues.  Blab blab blab. 

In midstream I was suddenly silenced by a loud piercing noise from a nearby animal pen!  The timing seemed to imitate my mood, chasing away the mean reds. Laughing, we hurried to see what it was.   

Our donkey friend was braying.  "Katie!" we called.  She hurried to greet us. The nylon netting had pulled away so she could easily poke her nose through the chain-link fence. We showered her with love. Then Elliot got inspired. He began singing The Donkey Serenade to her. A song he had learned in the fifth grade.

There's a song in the air
but the fair senorita doesn't seem to care
for the song in the air.
So I'll sing to the mule,
if you're sure she won't think that I am just a fool
serenading a mule...

Elliot sang, "And all that the donkey can sing..."

He stopped. "This is your part," he said, looking Katie in the eye.  "This is where you come in!" He bowed like a showman, giving her a cue, "EEE AW"

To my surprise, Katie's big nostrils flared, her ears pent back, she brayed loudly and long,  "EEE AW AW----" 

The angels of laughter must have been having fun.  Music is a bridge. The Donkey Serenade brought a gathering of giggling children to hear this odd duet at the fence. But Katie didn't miss a note. She kept on singing like a star until Elliot finished the chorus with her.

Everyone agreed that something special had happened.  Katie's singing had cleared the air, restoring childlike joy in the spontaneity of the moment. And I had learned a humorous lesson on how our inner world is reflected outwardly.

In Animal-Speak, donkey represents the approach of new opportunities to do even greater work. "Don't be stubborn and refuse to move with the flow." Step forward like Katie and give it your all.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen

Our Lady of the Broom: An Angel Message

From time to time an unusual image would come in my morning meditations. The Blessed Mother would appear with a broom making a clean sweep.  I was doubtful as it seemed demeaning to her divinity.  Once she appeared with a broom to shoo mice out of a house. And, yet another time she was sweeping a dirt path.  I was beginning to doubt the validity of my inner guidance.

I know mice represent being myopic, unable to see the forest for the trees.  Fearful, mice look at the world through a microscope.  Maybe Our Lady with the broom was uncovering any of my hidden fears that had been swept under the carpet.  There were a few.

Before long, the sweeping images stopped and were soon forgotten.  Many months later while visiting Saint Augustine at Christmas time, what a surprise to discover a statue of Our Lady with a broom at Our Lady of LaLeche Mission gift shop.  One look at her grace, swept any lingering doubts about my own sanity.  There was a good reason I'd seen her in my meditations. 

I asked the cashier about the significance of the broom. Turns out,  Our Lady of the Broom, also known as the Kitchen Madonna, brings grace to the mundane tasks of tending family and home.  Mary swept the floor of her humble home in Nazareth. The broom represents cleanliness in the home, in our thoughts and in our actions.  

Thank you, Mother Mary, Queen of the Angels, for all your earthly help.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen   

Geese: An Angel Message

Sometimes Nature will lend a helping hand.  I fondly recall a memory while living on a farm in Virginia Beach.  Elliot and I took a break from work and went for a drive in the countryside exploring new territory.  I brought my camera and set an intention that we were on a photo safari.  Nature would reveal the animals along the way. Although a peaceful ride by farms and open pastures, there was no sign of any wildlife. Time passed and my prospects looked dim. 

Randomly turning down a long narrow country road, we hit pay dirt. Amazed by hundreds and hundreds of  large white birds that suddenly drifted out of a gray sky. They dropped like manna from heaven, blanketing a barren field as white as snow. But I had missed a perfect action shot. Watching them gather, we listened to their loud cacophony, enjoying their noisy convention from the roadside. 

With a special love for geese,  I decided to slowly cross the wet field to take a photo, from a respectful distance.  The nearer I came, the louder the chatter. I stopped and sent love. Suddenly a blizzard of thunderous wings flapped upward at once stirring the air in flight. What a rush as I stood still in the field lifted upward by their dynamic momentum.  

Later I learned that geese are a totem to help in communicating through the use of stories, like Mother Goose. Their feathers were also used as writing quills in the past. When geese appear, they can help us move through any creative blocks, and they did. 

Geese also invite us to heed the call to the quest.  

Enjoy your day with the Angels.  Pay attention to the messengers that come your way.

Love and joyful blessings,


Rae Karen