Thursday, December 22, 2011

Goose Medicine: Valour


Imagine you’re a flier, a goose. You can soar where you will, wherever your instincts guide you. You’re not fettered by arbitrary boundaries, such as those dividing lines between territories that humankind constructs for political ends. On the other hand, physical boundaries are a bit of an issue. You can likely only thrive (/survive) in locations and climates of a certain temperature, for instance, and – for the fact that you’re not built for mobility there – you’re particulary vulnerable when on the ground (to predators that would love some of your yummy goodness).

Why would you do it? Why set foot on terra firma at all? Well, for one, there’s nourishment there. You can feed while enjoying the security that a body of water affords, sure, but it’s not always an option. Ponds can freeze over, or there just might not be a water body available on the stretch of flyway you’re on at a particular moment.

One of the other times a goose will choose to stay on the ground is when another goose cannot fly itself. It’ll stay there to protect the other, either until it can fly (again), or until it dies.

Because of this self-less attribute, Goose medicine is often described as being symbolic of valour. Many of the people engaged in vocations that help the disadvantaged have Goose medicine: aid workers, philanthropists and people in the medical profession, to name a few. In that light, it’s our tendency to attribute them special status (not that they don’t deserve it). As ever, though, there’s a flipside to viewing the medicine (after all, Goose does fly in both directions, south and north)...

Consider for a second (as difficult as it can be to wrap our heads around) your other manifestation as a flier, as the unhindered being you are aside from the one you now see yourself as, squeezed into your tiny physical form. Why would you have come down to this physical reality? Why would anyone? After all, how much of our lives down here do we spend having to deal with feelings of vulnerability in one form or another? ...emotionally, physically? ...spiritually?

We don’t come down here just to be Goose Valiant, to be the hero (at least, not every time). Instead, we oftentimes put ourselves here in the position of the ‘wounded goose’, in a position of sacrifice as it were.

If you can for a moment imagine yourself ‘flying’ in your pre-incarnation existence: unhindered, infinitely expansive, boundlessly Loving, it isn’t much of a stretch to imagine others in the same light, even other souls whom you perceive as a challenge to you in your present lifedream. Ask yourself why they would have come down here. Why would they have chosen not to remain as they were, without subjecting themselves to the pains and fears that they’re left trying to mitigate (and attempt to pass off to others in the process)? Why subject themselves to the pain that comes from, say, self-loathing, feelings of being unloved and unloveable? Why subject themselves to the pain of abuse that might instigate a hurtful demeanor? In other words, why come down to be the wounded goose?

Some souls do this lifetime after lifetime after lifetime. It isn’t because there’s something they’re not ‘getting’. It’s actually because some of us are strong enough as souls to do that – we’re strong enough to be that hurt, as it were. Not only that, but we’d keep doing it over and over again, for the sake of our collective flock.

It’s been said that our greatest fear is realisation of our own true power. It may be more to the point to say that – on a soul level, at least – our greatest fear is that others will not realise theirs. Challenges have the potential for great transformation, provided we can go down to where they are. The wounded goose is there to illicit awareness, just as importantly as the hero is there in its role. As when a flock is flying its ‘V’, the weaker geese behind also join in to honk encouragement. Together, they act as a wedge, cutting their way through the air as one unit. All are essential. Everything is happening exactly as it should.

As Goose, you’re not built to physically pick another up; they’ll do that on their own, once the intended healing occurs. Just respect their sacrifice enough to stand vigil for them, and hold their space. And on your ‘return’ flight (when you yourself are the wounded), respect the sacrifice you’re making. Oh, yes; you do, indeed, Love that much.

Big Medicine Love to You

~ Black Feather

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Shaman's Earthwalk: Moth's pilgrimage

Before venturing out, as I considered enlisting a guide, I noticed a framed (specimen) moth on the way to the door. Hmmm... what would you do with that information? You guessed it; I started heading towards 'the light'...

I'd wanted to go to a woods that I'd seen in the distance when I'd arrived at this new location (in Austria) the previous day, but I picked up on little signs as I was making my way there that suggested otherwise, starting with a white stone in a farmer’s field - in the late-day sun, it looked as though it were glowing against its earthy background. Once I got there, my attention came to a white, round sign fallen down on the other side of a nearby creek (you can bet I took that as a sign. Ha!), and a bird flew by in the direction the creek was flowing from. In the dimming light, I couldn't really see it except for the fact that it had a patch of white feathers that gave it a really bright rump. I looked - and then headed - in the direction it had gone, towards the setting sun (~ the big light!).

I came upon a nativity scene, complete with a guiding star. There was a (plinth) beside it with a double-barred cross on top (sometimes referred to as a patriarchal cross, apparently) and scenes with figures painted on each side. One showed a depiction of Christ with an aura/halo on a similar (double) cross. A dove (with a halo of light as well) flew towards me from below him, and God supported the cross that he was on from above (and - you guessed it - a light encircled his head as well). On the side of the plinth opposite this scene, a figure casually stood on a demon, crushing it underfoot.

As I continued after the sun, a seed (~ thoughts,ideas, beliefs, plans, goals, visions) on its little parachute floated alongside me, suspended in the air. I walked on and on (and on). I started wondering, "Am I really supposed to continue in this direction? What am I doing out here anyway? The sun's almost gone, and I'm not even sure I can find my way back as it is!" I was about to turn on my heel when I saw: a white lighter on the ground in front of me. Well, as far as confirmations go, I figured that was about as specific as a sign could get!

Just ahead, I came upon a carved wooden bear. It held a sign that read “wilkommen holzbau” (‘welcome, wood construction’ ~ a suggestion that something is being built, from your raw potential). It was quite dark now, and in the distance I saw a Christmas light decoration in the shape of pie wedges (like in the game 'Trivial Pursuit' ~ some pieces of information are being brought together at this time that'll bring about a completion of some sort).

I walked past some old apple trees that had the odd shriveled apple on them, past their harvest. I couldn't help but think of how this might relate to the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. I believe this sign was suggesting that it's time for a rewrite (or a re-do, anyway!).

Off the side of the road, there was a waterworks structure. Some of the pipes had red (~ passion) accents, and seemed to me to be in the shape of a woman’s (alluring) form. Her outstretched arms gave the impression that she had the same shape as the double cross I'd seen earlier.

I saw a double-steepled church (~ your spiritual beliefs/body) in the distance (on the other side of the valley) that was lit up from the inside. I thought to head towards it as well, but my guidance strongly suggested that - for now, at least - this walk was complete. The clouds parted, and the moon shone through. I got a little disoriented ('lost' is more like it) along the way back, but eventually found my way by following its light like a beacon.

Post-script: I want to mention something about 'Bear' here. Upon first sight, the carved bear had piqued my attention especially because - in healings I've done - I've shared medicine with a lot of people who seem to all be connected to the same bear (energy/clan/constellation?). The sign the bear was holding suggested to me to be aware that - at this time, especially - Spirit is working us into a new form. Bear is symbolic of accessing your untapped potentials through other levels of consciousness, as in the Dreamtime. Even though you may largely feel unaware of it on a conscious level, you are in your own 'healing cave' at this time, preparing for your upcoming springtime.

From what was revealed in this walk, I suggest a couple of specific medicines. One, we're rewriting/re-doing previous versions of what our spiritual beliefs/realities are, on a collective level. Keep in mind that there is no external 'church' to head towards, no point asking someone else for a description of the consciousness that you are coming into through your experience;  head to the light within. And two, your passions - whether devilish or divine - hold a clue to what it is that you're actually wishing to connect to. Again, don't look to some external image in the hopes that you'll be satiated by it. Call upon Bear medicine to show you the reason (and release the need) for those outer projections so that you can know the medicine you're actually after, and then allow that Sacred union to be made manifest!

Big Medicine Love to You

~ Black Feather

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Wanna know some Secrets?...


...how about secrets that you've hidden from your self ?

Would you like to know, for instance, why you have a certain anxiety? ...the reasons behind why you're sooo stressed? ...information about a challenging relationship or illness? ...and how about being able to know how to get past it??

---> blackfeathermedicine@yahoo.ca

As most of us do, when you incarnated into your present life, you likely forgot about all that came before. Your past lives and the spirit energies accompanying you in this one have a tremendous influence on your relationships, circumstances, feelings and behaviours!

In truth, we don't come into this life for 'easy' (the majority of us, at least!); we come here to learn, and to grow as souls. Truth be told, in this particular physical experience, we actually learn best through adversity. That said, is this your time to receive a little help? Is this your time to enlist a hand up so that you can move forward?

A clairvoyant reading is a GREAT way to access treasures previously hidden to you.

Move into your personal power by revealing essential things that you've 'forgotten' about yourself !

Contact Black Feather for an insightful, illuminating psychic reading to reveal your own unique secrets now!


---> blackfeathermedicine@gmail.com

Come with questions, leave with answers!

Big Medicine Love to You!!