My Power Blanket

The Story of How A Blanket Helped Me Gain My Personal Power.

I have a special blanket.  It is not one that I use a lot but it has very special significance.  It represents my freedom.  It represents the permission I gave myself to be "Me".

In my first marriage, I was emotionally subdued.  What I wanted or needed did not matter, it was always what he wanted.  I entered into this relationship as it is a direct path from my upbringing.  What my mother and step-father wanted was always first, I was not even on the list - not even last.  I never did anything for myself - only for others, to make them happy.

One day, not long after I discovered Shamanism and began to understand that I did have the right to be me and not only have the right, but that I must, I saw this blanket.  It was beautiful!  It depicted my Power Animal and it just called to me - and it was on sale!!  I wanted it so badly but I could not justify the money as it was somewhat pricey, even with the sale.

I walked away from it and it kept calling to me.  I told my friend how much I wanted it and she encourage me to buy it, that I deserved it. I was afraid of how my husband at the time would react to such a trivial purchase (although he did it all the time).

So, I breathed in deeply, went to the store and bought the blanket!!  Then I freaked!!  I was afraid to take it home and get into to trouble, so I sent it home with my friend for a few days.

Finally, I realized, that I deserved that blanket!  I worked and earned my own money, the blanket was special to me and I loved it, so why not have it!  So, I brought it home.  Now, funny, thinking back to this, which is over 20 years ago, I cannot remember what his reaction was!  I just remember the fear of getting into trouble and feeling as though I could not do something for me.

I learned a valuable lesson through that blanket, one that I needed to learn and changed the course of me life......

Blessings,
Angela

End of August Musings.....

The end of August is upon us. Although it is technically still the season of Summer, the energy changes when September arrives. The weather changes, the air feels different, the colours around us change. The relaxed aloofness of Summer returns once again to an organized and productive schedule.

No doubt our ancestors felt this too. Although their lives were not as complicated as ours, it was still a busy time. They concerned themselves with preserving and storing food for the winter and stacking wood for heat and cooking, returning their animal stock to their winter homes .

Our ancestors felt another shift in the energy, one most of our society has forgotten. It is the change in the Veils between the Realms. This is the time we can feel our Ancestors energies, the deceased will talk to us. Additionally, as we head into the darkest time of the year, this is a time in which we can look deep into ourselves and search for our own Inner Light.

As much as I am sad to see the end of summer, the hot days and summer fun come to an end, deep down I always look forward to this time of year. It calls to the core of my being, awakening my every sense.. I feel the most alive, ironically, in this time of dying and death.

As we say goodbye to Summer, I once again embrace the Autumn with the usual anticipation of exploring the depths of living and dying. Once again this Autumn, I will allow death to show me the way, so that I may re-emerge in the Light of Winter renewed and very much alive!

A Back Ended Message

A few days ago, I went on a walk with a friend.   We met at a coastal boardwalk in my community.  It is a quiet, peaceful spot, for most of the year.  It attracts a lot of tourists in the summer which is great the local artists set up in little shops nearby.  It is a quaint spot, full of natural beauty, and one I go to frequently when I want to think or just take a break.

     We were talking about all the changes that I have been going through lately, when I suddenly spotted something right in my path on the boardwalk. It was a grasshopper! I stopped only a couple of steps before it, expecting it to jump away.  But it did not go anywhere.  I noticed that its back end was in a groove in the wood.  My first instinct was "Is it having a poop or is it laying eggs?"  Odd time of year for laying eggs....isn't it?

     I crouched down to get a closer look.  I could see something being pushed out the back end, but I still was not sure "what" was being pushed out. Again, I expected the grasshopper to jump away, with this large human hovering above it.    So I decided to leave it be.  As I stood up, it slowly walked to the edge of the walkway, dragging its tail behind it.

     We pondered the significance of this sign.  How many other people passed by and never noticed it?  There were quite a few people on the boardwalk that day.  And not exactly knowing what it was doing, the message was tough to decipher. Was there something I had to "purge" to leap forward again?  Or were new things being laid out for me? I was disappointed I did not bring my camera, which is unusual for me, so my friend took a photo with her phone.  Off we went, and the discussion eventually moved to other topics, as they do.

     When I got home, I researched when grasshoppers lay eggs.  The grasshopper and its activity was stuck in my head, I had to figure out what it was doing so I could figure out the message.  Egg laying seemed to stick with me, almost nagging at me, more than the idea it was purging waste.  So I Googled when grasshoppers lay eggs.  Sure enough, they lay eggs in late Summer, and typically in sand, not boardwalk grooves.  I saw photos of grasshoppers laying eggs and it was exactly what we saw that afternoon.  Ok, now I have the activity, all that is left is the message.

     Grasshoppers message is about taking leaps of faith.  I am no stranger to that.....I have done that several times in my life. So what is the message?  It was laying eggs and could not leap away.  Ok, I think I have it...have faith that all the 'eggs" I am laying will be successful, and continue to lay more eggs.

     The next day, I found out that an "egg" that was laid about a year ago, may be ready to hatch!  So, I am remaining open to see what happens with that, along with other things that were started and had to be set aside.  I am also open to new opportunities that may lay before me!  Thank you Grasshopper, and thank you for teaching me something new about you, and thus myself at the same time.

With Gratitude,
Angela Jeffreys

 https://www.facebook.com/AngelaJeffreysTeacherHealer

Copyright - Angela Jeffreys - 2013 all rights reserved.

The Whispering Willow's Message

     Walking on the path along the canal, bag full of groceries in hand, the Willow Tree calls to me, whispering "Come on in......."

 I enter the tree, standing under the canopy, in awe of its beauty. What is the message the Willow holds for me? I look around. Nope, no feathers or sticks being offered.  Standing, wondering, a gentle breeze passes by. 

     Am I to go more with the flow, I ask, is that the message? No, it is not the message. I continue to stand and look, opening up to allow the message to flow. 

     Then I notice the branches hanging inside are perfectly still while the outer branches sway in the breeze. The message I receive is "No matter the chaos and busyness outside, remain calm, peaceful and steady inside and all will be well".

     I place my hand on the trunk of the Willow and we exchange energy,giving it my gratitude.

Angela Jeffreys

Need a New Perspective?

     I was standing on the balcony of my 5th floor apartment the other day, enjoying the beautiful sunny day, singing birds, and admired the beautiful gardens below.  The apartment complex we live in, here in the Netherlands, has a beautiful garden court yard filled with shrubs, trees, many varieties of flowers and thus many birds.  As I was standing there looking down admiring the beauty before me, a pigeon flew by.  I saw the pigeon from the top and could see it in its full glory, wings spread, all colours and patterns showing.  I could not help but think how beautiful it was!  Then I realized something.

View from our balcony.

     Most of us only see pigeons from below and cannot see how beautiful they are.  I was then reminded of the Power Animal of the Week post I made on my Facebook Page only a couple days prior, which just happened to be about Pigeon!  I commented on how pigeon is not a desired Power Animal like the highly revered eagle, bear or wolf.  I wondered, would we think differently as a society if we could see their beauty? Or would they still be seen as a pest?  I pondered over how sad it is more people could not see the beauty a pigeon holds and if only they could see what I see, and how lucky I was to live in this apartment to give me this perspective.   Then it hit me.

     I realized, how where we live can change our perspective on things, giving us an entirely new light on life, our environment, and sometimes, our belief systems and way of life.  I began to reflect on my own life and how the different places I lived during my life has helped me to see completely different things, places, and ways of life.  All of these have helped shape who I am, help me appreciate what I have, and believe it or not, what I believe in.  Let me share a couple of examples with you.

     When I was 16 years old, I suddenly found myself living in Seoul, South Korea.  How I got there is another story for another day.  While I lived there I experienced an entirely different way of life than I was used to in North America.  I arrived with armed Korean Military Police all over the city and at the gate of my house to protect the foreigners from potential attacks by the North Koreans.  At that time Ronald Reagan, the President of the US was coming for a visit to Korea so extreme precautions were being taken.  Imagine how a 16 year old who never experienced military presence like that before and one who was highly sensitive would have felt?  It was overwhelming and terrifying!  It took some getting used to the fact they were there to protect me.  That was my introduction to life in South Korea.

Angela at the  Korean Folk Museum, 1983

     I spent the summer of 1984 with a Canadian missionary nurse who worked at the local hospital.  I traveled with her and a medical team to nearby villages, giving them access to doctors and medicines.  I would wrap the prescribed medicines in paper for the villagers.  What I saw and experienced in those visits opened my eyes - wide!  Most of these villages did not have electricity, many did not have running water.  Houses were not insulated and were made from rice paper in wooden frames joined together to make walls.  They were mainly farmers that worked hard long days, most not educated.  These people had tough lives, none of the conveniences we are used to (such as plumbing, washing machines, a solid house) but they had the biggest smiles on their faces!  They were happy, and truly happy!  As a 16 year old, that deeply impacted me and even 30 years later, I have never forgotten that.  Nor have I lost appreciation for the comfortable living the Western World provides us.**

     Jumping forward years later, I find myself learning and living a Shamanic way of life.  Being connected to Nature, observing the cycles of the Sun and the Moon, paying attention to the signs given to me to help guide me along my path.  I found myself leaning into Celtic Shamanism.  My heart sang, my Soul danced, and my face smiled as I walked deeper and deeper along this path. I learned that Beltane, which is celebrated May 1 was considered the first day of Summer, and June 21 was called Mid Summers Day.  Living in Nova Scotia, where summer actually did begin on the Solstice, this made no sense to me at all, but that was what I learned, so I followed along trustingly.  Then I found myself living in the Netherlands, the heart of Celtic country.

     Living in Celtic country showed me why Beltaine was considered the beginning of summer - it was!  It was hot in April and May.  I also began to see that June 21st certainly was mid summer.  As soon as August hit, one of the hottest months in Nova Scotia, it was already cooling down here in the Netherlands and the nights were very chilly. The Celtic Sabbaths certainly made sense once I actually lived it.

     I also learned why certain animals and trees were so prolific in the Celtic spiritual way.  I could now understand why the Druids tools and rituals were centered around trees and animals that were not overly common in North America (or at least to any great extent, depending too on where you are), such as swans, rabbits, reindeer (for the more Northern parts of Euope, not so much the Netherlands), Oak, Holly, and

Willow.  These are everywhere!  Willows line all the canals, oaks fill the forests,swans swim the lakes and canals.  Rabbits! Oh the rabbits!  They run across the walking and bicycle paths in the country, and even in the city.  Next to our apartment complex there is a small green area and every evening they scatter as we walk through.   Everything I learned about Celtic Shamanism now made sense.  Perfect sense!

     Now of course, I realize I have had some amazing opportunities to live in these countries and live the culture to gain these perspective,  however, you do not need to move across the Atlantic or to the other side of the World to gain another perspective.  There are many ways to see things differently. They are all around you.  I have heard from many people that moved from the ocean to the mountains, and miss the ocean so much.  Did they realize before how much they appreciate the ocean or did it take the move to show them?
What else is there?

     Are you frustrated your car needs servicing again and you have spend another afternoon at the service center?  Look at all the people that don't own cars standing at the bus stop or train station.  Do you think your boss does not pay you enough?  Look at all the people that work at hard labour jobs for minimum wage.  Do you wish you could be outside at the beach instead of being stuck in a stuffy office? Look at all the people in the Food Bank line ups because they do not have a job at all.  These are only a couple of suggestions, but there is so much more!  Do you live in the city and wish you could live in the country?  Visit your local park and enjoy it!

     We get so caught up in the daily grind we do not think to actually see the world that is around us.  I only saw the pigeon flying below me because I stopped to take a short break from working to be outside to enjoy the beautiful day.  "Stop and smell the roses" the philosophers say!  And they are right.  Stop to smell the roses and you will see how delicate the petals look but in fact are a little hardier than you think.  You will see the amazing sacred geometry in the arrangement of the petals and be amazed how Nature arranged that. You will enjoy the beautiful fragrance that will lift your spirits giving you the desire to keep going....

Need a change in perspective?  Change where you stand...and use your eyes..............

Angela Jeffreys
https://www.facebook.com/AngelaJeffreysTeacherHealer

**Please keep in mind this experience was in 1983 & 1984.  South Korea has changed a lot in the past 30 years.  It is no longer just the cities that have running water, electricity, etc, the countryside has been modernized too.  It is also a very technologically advanced country, being the country with the most mobile phone usage.

**All photos are the property of Angela Jeffreys.**

**You may share this blog freely as long as the author and blog address is given full credit**