A Radiant Single Heart: An Angel Message

 This morning's heavy rain didn't stay around for long.  The skies cleared in the afternoon, and to my surprise, LOVE was in the forecast.  From the sun-room window, I happened to look out. Above our neighbors' roof, something unusually wonderful caught my attention.   

Was there really a golden heart leaf clinging to a naked vine? 

I grabbed my camera to zoom in, not trusting my vision.  It may seem strange, but the sight of that lone golden heart radiating a message of love on such a gray day was uplifting.  Later, I noticed the heart was perfectly positioned on a vine directly below the thick communication cables. 

I was thankful for the angel message from nature that love makes all the difference.  Why not let love underscore all of our communications with each other, and ourselves today.  The world is in need of tenderness and healing. 

Peace and love to you all,

Rae Karen

Relying on Spirit: An Angel Message

 On my morning walk yesterday, I was deep in thought about our nation, and the great need for healing prayers.  Up ahead, an unusual sight caught my eye.  A young white egret was foraging on the lawn and bushes in search of sustenance.   I sent out a blessing for him to find food.  

Around the bend, the bench by the community lake was so inviting, I sat down to rest in the sunshine to reflect on yesterday's sad events.   

To my surprise, an American flag, on a tall pole on the other side of the lake cast a reflection on the clear waters.  The red, white and blue stripes waved in the ripples. 

To my surprise, that young egret, on the path, soon waded right by me in the shallow waters at the lake's edge. So focused on the goal, he didn't pay any attention to me.  I watched those golden eyes narrow as he spotted something beneath the surface.  In record speed, his sharp yellow beak speared the waters. Breakfast--in one gulp. 

I could see the stringy water weeds, snagged on his dark stick-like legs, as he slowly waded on, one step at a time. Focused on the water, he stopped to wait.  Soon, another opportunity appeared.  Vigilance and patience had paid off. 

As he stood still in the warmth of the sun, his feathery white neck turned to stretch into the letter "S", glistening in the light. "S" for Spirit.

 I was thankful for the timely message to rely on Spirit, and to assert ourselves when opportunities appear.

This morning, the angels must have wanted to make sure I got the message.  A baby white egret, with soggy feathers from last night's rain, ventured close to the sun-room.  I'd never seen one so young.  Soon, her wings opened and she took to the sky on a quest. 

I was thankful for yet another angelic message from nature to rely on Spirit, and keep our thoughts and prayers on-high.  The best is yet to come.

 

 Love and peace,

Rae Karen

(photo: from Lake Helen last fall)

 

 

 

A Sunshine Rose: An Angel Message

 Yesterday while sitting outdoors, the old straggly rose bush by the garage had one glorious yellow rose bursting out on it.  I was so taken with its cheerful and unexpected sunny disposition that I took a photo to share with you.    An old-fashioned yellow rose of such sweet fragrance, I was surprised to see it in bloom after the recent cold snap.  But there she was, bursting open, her perky self, encouraging me to do the same.  These trying times are not here to stay, but hold the stuff we need to bloom.

The rose is the queen of flowers.  All roses speak of healing, new birth and new love at hand.  The yellow rose can teach us how to recognize and express truth.  Yellow is the color of faith. 

Love and peace,

Rae Karen

A Hawk on High: Angel Message

 

This juvenile hawk landed on the old tree across the road.  A wise choice to perch on high and bask in the warm morning sunshine.  I was thankful for the reminder, to keep my thoughts on high and stay in the light of a new day.  Hawks bring messages of spirit vision and guardianship.  Be patient and observe.  You will see the opportunities.  Signs are clear.

If you're reading this, the message is for you today. 

It's wonderful to know that we are never alone.  If only we could see the hosts of God's angels watching over us as we go about our day, what a difference that would make to those who doubt.  Angels are a real presence.  We live and move in an atmosphere of Divine Love as they help us to awaken and rejoice in our own divinity. God is Love.

Love and peace,

Rae Karen

The Remnants of Christmas: An Angel Message

Early this morning, I got busy taking down our Christmas tree.  All of the ornaments were soon packed  in boxes.  The 6-foot pine was easily separated in two large sections.  Folding up the top green leafy branches all went well until I reached down, and grabbed hold of the clump of  bottom branches. 

As I started to fold them up, LOL what a surprise.  A little brown lizard leapt out of the branches, and sprang onto the floor.  

Had he been there all along, enjoying the lights of Christmas?  His spirits were high as he scurried around the sun-room, escaping a chance to be released outdoors.  Oh well, the slider is open, he can go as easily as he came.

Lizard represents detachment, and also a sign to pay attention to our dreams.  

The story didn't end there, though... 

I saw one remaining ornament hidden underneath the branches.   An angel in flight holding a heart, with a perfect message for the whole year long:  

Love is what dreams are made of.

But there was even more...

 Elliot soon returned from carrying the tree sections to storage.  He handed me the last ornament. "This fell off the tree as I went through the door to the garage."  

 Ah...it was the peace dove carrying a laurel branch marked PEACE AND JOY.  

I loved it!

 

 

Believe it or not, while typing the blog, the little peace dove flew off the desk by my laptop.  It landed on the floor.  I laughed, maybe it got caught up in my shirt sleeve, but I got the message:  Remember to offer Peace and Joy this year.

 

Love and peace,

 

 

Rae Karen

A Masked Visitor: An Angel Message

When I sat down to put on my socks this morning, what a surprise to see this masked visitor from the window.  Hungry, he scoured the ground for sunflower seeds that had spilled out of the bird feeder.  Since raccoons are nocturnal, his appearance in the sunlight made him a good year-end messenger.

In Animal-Speak, raccoon's appearance signifies: "that transformation comes from putting on a proper mask.  Masking is going on for good or for bad.  Disguising intentions may be necessary."

The raccoon seemed like an appropriate animal guide to appear on the last day of 2020.

Wishing you a Happy 2021, with the Angels.  The best is yet to come.

 Love and peace,

 

Rae Karen

 

 

Hidden Potential: An Angel Message

Christmas cactus were featured at the orchid warehouse last week, all holding a promise of blooming.  My sweet step-father Bob had such a green thumb; his front yard was hedged with beautiful fragrant rose bushes.   Once he gave me a Christmas cactus, but it never did bloom.  The idea that a cactus could bloom was remotely possible to my mindset.  

Fondly remembering Bob, I looked over the many potted Christmas cactus for sale.  I picked the one with the most red tipped ends, in hopes of increasing any success.  

I was not disappointed.  The next day the first tight little bud produced a single red flower.  I thought that was it.  But it was only the beginning...

To my surprise, an expansive shoot of red petals popped open from the first flower.  When the show was over the center looked like a long tapered white candle of light! Soon, the other little buds began bursting with their own light show.  

The light of Christmas brings hope.  Hope that even in the most difficult and desolate conditions, like the dormant Christmas cactus, we, too, have hidden potential.  A light within waiting to blossom and shine out in the world.    

Remember God loves you.  I'm so thankful for the reminder to not judge by outer appearances...what is hidden will be revealed.

Love and joy,

Rae Karen

Merry Christmas filled with Grace

 

 Heavy winds gusted here last night bringing rain.  The tall palms swayed low, the temperature dropped, and winter was suddenly upon us, closing the door on a warm summer Christmas Eve. 

This morning was met with a brilliant sunrise and bright blue sky in spite of the dreary forecast.  Although Christmas may look very different this year for most of us, absent from the warm closeness of friends and family, the Christmas spirit is ever-present. The JOY of Christmas is in the heart. With God's amazing grace, we can reflect on the year and find the hidden blessings in each offset. God is Love.

Wishing you all peace, joy, love and grace.

 Merry Christmas!

Rae Karen

 

The 2020 Winter Solstice Today: An Angel Message

 

Today we welcome the Winter Solstice. Archangel Gabriel is the governor of the winter season.  His name means "God is my strength".  Archangel Gabriel is the heavenly Annunciator who brings glad tidings of new life. He was the angel who announced to Mary the role she would play in birthing the Christ child. According to scripture, he also appeared to elderly Zechariah announcing God's plan for his barren wife Elizabeth to conceive a baby. Their precious child, John, was the forerunner, preparing the way for Christ Jesus, the Light of the World. 

Archangel Gabriel helps to stir a greater appreciation for the divinity within each of us as the angel of Love and Hope. The winter solstice is a time to kindle our inner Light in spite of the outer darkness. By spending quiet time in contemplation and meditation, we can awaken to our true divinity.

December 21st is the shortest day and the longest night of the year.  This winter solstice of 2020 comes with a brilliant light.  Tonight a "Christmas Star" conjunction can be seen in the southwestern sky. Two planets, Jupiter and Saturn, will have their finest conjunction in hundreds of years.  The two will be so close as to appear as one brilliant Christmas Star.

During this holy time of year, the entire angelic hierarchy draws close to the earth, basking the world in rays of divine love. This celestial outpouring brings an expansion of consciousness beyond the physical world for those who will still their minds and attune to it.

Happy Winter Solstice to all as we welcome Archangel Gabriel.

Love and peace,

 

Rae Karen

 

 

(Archangel Gabriel Artwork by Nanette Crist Johnson)

 

On the Outside Looking In: An Angel Message

Instead of opening an advent calendar door, it's been interesting to watch what animals may pop up to celebrate the coming of Christmas.  Yesterday was a squirrelly day.  It began early in the morning when a young gray squirrel struck a pose outside the window.  Clinging to the tall tree trunk, instead of being right-side-up, he was unpredictably spontaneous.  Upside-down, stretched to the max, he looked at me with a nut in his mouth.  

Lately, a family of playful young squirrels has been busy, scampering about the yard, burying their acorns.  Sometimes it's hard to tell if they are looking to dig up the old, or plant the new.   Squirrels have a keen sense of smell and can eventually find their cache if they forget where they hid them. 

Later, something amusing happened, a unique hide-and-seek game.  

A little squirrel bravely came up to the sun-room slider.  On the narrow rocky ledge, he stood on his haunches, determined to look inside the house.  His little paw was raised against the glass as he curiously peered inside.  Wide-eyed, he stared up at the Christmas tree, wondering how did THAT grow in there.  An added touch is a bushy life-like squirrel ornament on a branch, a gift from a friend in Christmases past.

It's not everyday a squirrel peeps in your window, so I took the hint and looked up the symbolism.  Squirrel teaches about the need for balance between work and play.  It's important to prepare for the future, but don't get lost in the preparations and miss out on the spontaneity of  today.  Now is the time to find ways to gather and to gift. 

His playful curiosity brought a helpful reminder; it was time to fill up the empty bird feeder.  

  

Love and peace,

Rae Karen

 

Inspiration in the Wings: An Angel Message

 

Yesterday the spirit of Christmas filled the air. After a drive to the post office to send out some holiday cheer, an angel prompt guided,  Go shop for stocking stuffers for friends.  

Rolling my cart down the aisle at Tuesday Morning, a surprise was waiting in the wings.  A pair of writer cherubs caught my attention on a top shelf at the back of the store.  It was just what I needed.  Feather quills in hand, journals open--listening and waiting for inspiration.  

 The store manager happened to come out of the backroom, and saw me admiring the two.  

Which angel do you like? I asked her.  

She studied the celestial pair for a moment, and pointed to the cherub in my hand. (The angel with her finger by her mouth, pondering what to write next.) "They're like book-ends." She smiled.   

Undecided, I looked back at the other cherub high on the shelf, her little face filled with divine inspiration.  It was hard to decide. 

"You know, they're 60% off, the manager smiled, checking the discount list.   

At that affordable price, I could get both!  Smiling, I thanked her for being my angel.  

She went on to say, yesterday a woman had come into the store looking for angels, but there were none to be found.  So these two were meant for you.

Now with my writing cherubs on the desk, I'm grateful for the inspiration to keep writing.   Be willing to open up and listen.  

We all experience these angelic touches that sneak up on us and fill our souls with delight. A loving reminder that there is more going on in the wings, so keep the faith, do our best, and share the love. Even though we do not see angels, there is no doubt that these loving messengers from God are here with us along the way, guiding, protecting, inspiring and loving us through it all.  We all need encouragement, and with a little willingness, we can help to build each other up during these challenging days.  The best is yet to come.

Enjoy your day with the Angels.

Love and peace,

 

Rae Karen

 

 

Last but not least: An Angel Message

The last shall be first...

Remember the slow-growing brown amaryllis bulb that seemed like a dud?  All three plants had been planted at the same time in early November.  But this one (a striped variety) appeared to be cold and aloof to any loving care to help it grow up and bloom.

A lesson was unfolding about the wisdom of divine timing, and the power of faith when there is no evidence to keep on going.  The slow-growing floral apostle, dwarfed day-by-day, could have lost hope if comparing its success to those around her.  A lowly stub, alone, in the shadows of a rich red profusion of trumpeting velvety flowers in the pots on either side of it could be challenging. It could be easy to lose hope. Why not give up, it's not going to happen to me. I don't have what it takes... 

 Rather than quit, the faithful bulb teacher quietly worked within herself, doing her best one day at a time.  A work in progress, steadily her stalk grew stronger, rising up. 

Then, something amazing happened.  A rapid robust acceleration brought her to new heights, high above the other beautiful trumpeters.

There in that expansive view, she had room to stretch out and bloom.  Triumphant, orange-and-white starry petals opened wide, crowning the festive Amaryllis flower-box with a gift of Christmas JOY!    

I'm thankful for the lessons from the amaryllis this season.  The angelic reminder not to give up, no matter what.  For everything there is a season, so keep on having faith and doing the inner work, the best is yet to come.  We are all flowers in the Master's Garden.

 

In the Victorian Age, an amaryllis indicated success after a struggle. It is a flower that represents a job well done.  :-D

Love, joy, and peace,

Rae Karen