Freedom

When the heart leads, we find perfect freedom.
Enjoy the day with your Angels.

Blessings,
Karen

Look ...Listen...Live!

A great message on the wall of an old pioneer schoolroom. Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Blessings,

Karen

Archangel Raphael

"And to Raphael, God said, "Heal the earth, and proclaim the healing of the earth."
-1 Enoch

Today my angel card is Archangel Raphael. In the Zohar, Raphael is charged to heal earth and "through him the earth furnishes an abode for man, whom he also heals of maladies." He is also the angel of science and knowledge. Raphael is the keeper and guardian of the most sacred symbol of Christian mysteries, the Holy Grail. He works to awaken the Great Quest, the quest for our true spiritual essence. He works with a group of light beings known as the Malachim.

He is also the overseer of the season of spring. The sun sometimes symbolizes him. He is the angel of brightness, beauty, healing and life. His name means, "God has Healed." Often he is shown with a caduceus staff and his finger pointing upward, a reminder of where all prayer is answered. He helps us to link the heart and mind in the healing process.

One of the best ways to open the energies and rhythms of Spring is by reading or meditating on stories of resurrection and renewal and imagine yourself as the hero/heroine of the story.

Some suggestions in Nature-Speak, are:

Biblical events in the death & resurrection of Jesus
Egyptian tale of resurrection of Isis.
Native American tale of White Buffalo Woman
Chinese tails of Kwan Yin
Hassidic tale, "The Healing Tree"
European tale, Snow White and Rose Red
European tale of Rumplestiltskin
Japanese tale, The Ugly Son
Goethe's Faust

Many blessings,

Karen

More on Guardian Angels

I found a neat little booklet on guardian angels at our Lady of LaLeche bookstore. I liked what it had to say about not only practicing a tender devotion to our own Guardian Angel, but to practice acknowledging the Guardian Angels of others. When we meet people we should at the same time we greet them, also lovingly silently salute their Guardian Angel.

Also when we enter a church or any other place where numbers of persons are gathered, it is good to remember to salute all the Guardian Angels present. When we walk the crowded streets of a city or town, let us silently or inwardly contemplate the Angels who accompany all in our presence. It's a wonderful transformation when I can remember to do this.

I've been practicing on our trip by thanking the Guardian Angel of each town or city we pass through. Now I am giving thanks to the Guardian Angel of Deland. It is comforting to know that wherever we go our angelic partnership is never interrupted. Our own Guardian Angel is with us through all our experiences.

May you day be filled with the joy of the Angels.

Blessings,

Karen

The Sacred Tree, I am a Child of God, Just as You

Yesterday Elliot and I couldn't find a parking place in Saint Augustine. We had called out to the angels for help, but it just wasn't happening. The weather was warm and sunny and everyone was down town. It was so busy that we decided to head back to the hotel and return on Sunday morning. We had driven a few blocks from the congested area when I saw street parking in front of a large church. It was in a park with oaks and cedars near the water. We decided to stop.

In the courtyard of the Prince of Peace Church, we came upon an old tree standing alone.

I wondered if it was a cedar of Lebanon?

Elliot looked at the plaque. "What does it say? I asked backing up to take a picture.

"It's a message from the tree," he smiled.

I thought he was kidding me.

But when reading the beautiful words out loud, my eyes began to well up and goosebumps tingled my arms. For I have always felt this way about the trees, but having it confirmed in such a loving, touching way melted something deep inside me. Just the day before I had sent up a prayer for a forest of trees felled behind the hotel in Savannah.

This powerful message is meant to be shared.

Here's what the old cedar tree had to say:

"Behold me! The silent witness,

I have known it all,
Listen to me as I speak
through the wind.

I am a child of God, Just as you.
He sends me water from the clouds.
He sends me light and warmth of
the Sun to nourish me.

It is my responsibility to
provide you with clean air and
shade.
I shelter you and keep you.

Beneath my boughs, deer have grazed,
and Native children played.

Beneath me I have seen the vices of men:
greed, ambition, deceit,
And the virtues of Faith, courage,
compassion, heroism,
Even self-sacrifice

I am a child of God, Just as you.

Learn from those who have gone
before.
Bend, but hold your truths; stay
strong and persevere, as I have.

Come, don't be shy; place your hand
upon me.
I will share my strength with you.
God has given us all many gifts.
Rejoice in them, share them.

I am a child of God, Just as you.
We are all God's children."

Elliot and I both touched the tree, grateful that we were guided to come to this wonderful place.

The Church is on the sacred grounds of the Shrine of Our Lady of La Leche. And is the birthplace of Christianity in America, dating back to September 8, 1565.

I am learning the more I can let go, the greater the blessings. This is a time of amazing synchronicity. Have you noticed it, too?

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Karen

Heading South...

(photo from the web)
I counted 32 in a large flock of Canadian geese flying by this morning. The call to heed the quest. I found myself sensing their freedom as they headed in a new direction. An opportunity has come up for us to spend the winter in Florida, hopefully in the warm sunshine. We are stepping out for a new adventure and it's kind of funny how it all came together with the help of the Angel of Risk no doubt. I know the Angels are guiding us and so we'll stay open to see how everything unfolds "down south."

"The Holy Spirit teaches that you always meet yourself,
and the counter is holy because you are."
(A Course in Miracles)

Many blessings,

Karen

P.S. I plan to keep up the blog, so I hope you'll check in
from time to time. Remember your Angels are with you
wherever you go and when traveling Archangel Raphael
is the one to help.

Happy New Year! 1/1/11

At first glance 1-1-11 peaks one's curiosity. In Healing with Angels, Doreen Virtue tells us that the meaning of 111 is "to monitor your thoughts carefully, and be sure to only think about what you want, not what you don't want. This too is a sign that there is a gate of opportunity opening up and your thoughts are manifesting at record speeds."

Did you know that 2011 begins a 4 universal year of a nine year cycle? This year it is important to build the inner foundation in preparation for the expansion that will come with the universal five year in 2012. There is lots of heavenly help to achieve that goal.

What a beautiful thought to imagine that this year I will be accompanied by the angel of whatever virtue I feel would help me the most. The idea comes from Anselm Gruen's book Angels of Grace. Spending a year with an awareness of that angel can be life changing. You may want to try it. Choose a particular angel to accompany you in 2011. One you believe would do the most good and watch for the results.

Last week I selected the Angel of Risk to be with me in 2011. "The Angel of Risk may give you courage to be daring in your life and to risk new ways for yourself and the people around you. May the Angel of Risk strengthen your backbone and keep your back free, so that you are free to risk yourself and trust your innermost impulses without constantly needing assurance and support. The world will be grateful to you if you dare something new."

Several days later I had a good laugh when I opened the mail. I found a large magnet. "Be a RISK TAKER!" with the verse "...Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." (Joshua 1:9 NLT)

Wishing you a joyful, peaceful and prosperous New Year with your Angels.

Blessings,

Karen

What a Christmas!

When we first got our cat Angel from the shelter, I loved taking pictures of her. I had joined ourhappycat.com and posted many photos for her cat hut. I guess she got used to being in the lime light. Life got busy and the photos stopped. Yesterday while taking pics of the squirrel, Angel jumped up on the bookcase by me and meowed. I didn't realize she was jealous until later when I sat down on the sofa to relax. "Look at Angel," my son said.

"Who could resist that pose?" I grabbed the camera and she waited for me to snap away.

Like Santa Claus, many feel this way after the holidays. Bowled over from all the festivities. The snow storm slowed things down and it was wonderful to have time to reflect on God's beauty in the stillness of nature.

Enjoy your day with the Angels,

Karen

Snowstorm

The old apple tree.

The meditation garden.
The Brazilian Nut Feast


Our cat, Angel, is on my lap as I write. What a winter wonderland outside the window. The old apple tree dressed in white fluffy snow looks so graceful with bended soft white powdery boughs. The snow on the bird bath is stacked like a white birthday cake in honor of Jesus' birthday. Everything is transformed into purity.

A bushy tailed squirrel had been coming to enjoy his breakfast several mornings last week. It was a breakfast for champions because he deserved a gold medal for his daring feat.

A thin straggly branch high up in a tree right outside the slider had a long sprig of wild berries. He took some strands of berries by stretching as far as he could on the limb. Then bent the spindly branch so he could curl it toward him to eat.

The last strand of black berries hung way down. Far beyond his grasp, he would scamper off. I wanted to help, but Elliot suggested leaving it to nature.

The morning before the snowfall, we watched him as he stretched so far it was a miracle. What determination. Hanging upside down by the very tips of his claws. Straining farther and farther to grasp the last fruit of the season. Fearing for his life, I silently imagined an angel holding him up.

Then somehow he grabbed that single sprig of berries, broke it off and hurried away. Elliot repeated that old adage. "See, you have to go out on the limb to get the fruit." A good reminder for us all.

With the worst snow storm in 21 years to hit the beach, I decided to reward the little fellah with a big Brazilian nut. He savored each nibble, twirling it between his little paws. "This little guy will be speaking Spanish in no time," Elliot joked, as we watched him eat. The squirrel's diet had been bird seed and sunflower seeds.

So nature is the best way to understand life at times. It speaks to us in parables of seasons through the antics of our animal and bird friends.

Many blessings,

Karen

A Belated Christmas Gift

I remember the excitement of our first Christmas at Virginia Beach in 1999. Snow flurries on Christmas morning! I grabbed the video camera and took a walk in a winter wonderland. I was so surprised. Snow at the beach?!

Now, many years and several snowfalls later, it hasn't lost its wonder. What joy to wake up this morning to a wintry snow scene. A belated Christmas gift from the snow elementals.

Watching the beautiful snow flakes, I got to thinking how amazing that no two are alike. Each one is unique. Just as each of us is a one of a kind creation of God. We each have a gift to share with the world. The gift of our divine Presence. Today the Angels are asking that we celebrate our gift and spend the day in joy.

Many blessings,

Karen

The Spirit of Christmas at the DMV

(clipart Doverpublications.com)

Recently we gifted our trusty blue Buick to a young family in need of transportation. So today, we found ourselves at the DMV transferring the license plates ANGLZS to our other car. The last place you want to go this time of year is the DMV. Walking into the building, we asked the Angels to be with us.

The Department of Motor Vehicles was packed, but the holiday spirit ran high. Jolly holiday tunes on the sound system. A young man behind us began bopping to Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, much to the embarrassment of his girl friend. So we danced a little and sang to lighten the wait. The place was festive. Poinsettias on the counter tops. Brightly wrapped packages trimmed the walls. Clerks in bright red Santa hats were busy waiting on customers.

A commercial came on the radio. Elliot and I listened not sure we could believe our own ears. "What God wants is for you to love one another. If we loved one another, there would be no more war. We are all one." During the holidays, the announcer said, "Reach out and hug someone. Share love with one another."

Earlier I had watched a shy woman approach an elderly man in line. He looked like her grandfather whom she missed very much. Teary eyed, she asked if she could give him a hug. He smiled, giving her a warm hug and some reassuring words.

At 12:12 we were at the counter, listening to Ave Maria as our tags were being transferred. I looked to my right. At the next counter, an old friend was being helped. We hadn't seen her in over a year. We reached out for a hug in the middle of our transactions. The spirit of Christmas was alive at the DMV. We were surely in the presence of Angels. And I'm not talking about the cherubic stocking holder at the front counter.

Wishing you a loving, joyful Christmas season. And remember to invite your Angels to be with you wherever you go.

Blessings,

Karen

The Peace of Christmas

Be at peace just now. Rest and still the mind. Avoid the angst of crowded malls and spend time in quiet stillness in nature. Whether it be admiring a beautiful sunset or watching the surf roll in. Or gazing at the flickering flames of a warm hearth. Enjoy the moment in gratitude for all the wonderful gifts of the Creator. The message of Christmas is simple. A child is born in a lowly manger to be the Light of the World. May the Christ be born in each of us as we draw close to His presence during these holy days.

Many blessings,

Karen