Following My Dream

I have wanted to paint the sacred sites in England, Ireland and France for over 20 years.  So, now, here i go.  I really didn't think this was going to be possible for several years, as I have a daughter - now 15 - that I am totally committed to...  I would have NEVER asked her to stay with her father to enable me to go on this journey this summer, but she moved out on her own about 9 weeks ago.  After I was over the shock of that - and it wasn't easy - I became present to how much I have been struggling to afford the expensive neighborhood I live in, so that she could go to the best schools...  and now that she doesn't want to live with me, I had to ask myself why was I holding up this house?  Once I saw that the cost of a plane ticket to London was less than a month's rent, I knew that now is my time to go, and follow my heart's desire.

I am selling everything I can sell, and am going to buy my ticket this coming week.  I am scared and excited.  I am beginning this blog to chronicle my preparation and obstacles that I am having to overcome.  the biggest thing now is just the huge amount of 'doingness' that has to be accomplished to break my house down and let go of everything.  I was amazed today that my exhusband agreed to help me get things to my storage unit this weekend. that is huge.  so, here i go...  stay tuned.  :()

Bats are a Symbol of Rebirth

At dusk, the bats come out around the park to feast on insects.  They swoop silently and low overhead, it is startling sometimes to see them all of a sudden.  

Bats are symbols of death and rebirth.  They sleep upside down like a baby in a womb. Their preference for sleeping in caves is another symbol of the womb, this one of Mother Earth.  Each evening as the day transitions to night, they emerge as if being born once more.  They fly into the void of darkness and use sound to navigate their path.  Bats hold the archetype of death and rebirth.  In order for new things to come to us in our life, a release of the old must occur first.  We must surrender to the old and be reborn to a world in transition in order to embrace the new we wish to create.

The tan ran reiki symbol in this drawing is 'Seh Gah Nah'. It means 'breathing community'.  As a society we are in a community transition of rebirth.  We are in the throes and pain of a birth process that is uncomfortable, especially as we enter into an unknown arena.  The bat reminds us that surrender to the old is part of the process that is necessary to create something new and better.  Bless you, bat.  I am renewed to the level I release the old.

To see more samples of my art that has to do with healing archetypes from nature, click here to see my soul paintings on my website.

Horses Symbolize Personal Power

I went riding the other day, one of my favorite things to do.  The horse is owned by a friend of mine - she doesn't always have time to ride him.  It is so exciting to me to be around horses.  It is wonderful to feel their strength beneath me and the wind kiss my face as we gallop along the trail.  I love their gentleness and how powerful they are all at once.  I came home and drew this animal totem to remind me of the empowerment they uphold.

Spiritually, horses represent personal power - the ability to get things done and to get where you want to go.  Mentally, they embody the willingness to be of service to humanity. Their physical strength is apparent, and their large size belies their grace and sensitivity. The clock-wise spiral in the sky represents the uplifting energy of their gifts for us.   

For more examples of animal totems and empowerment through nature, visit my website and check out my Soul Painting page.

Silver Fox Totem in Suburbia

I love to go on walks in my sleepy neighborhood.  The trees have grown large and shade the streets in summer tunnels of green.  The squirrels are numerous and so are the rabbits, and Daisy, my collie dog loves to chase them all when she gets half a chance.  It is rare to glimpse any other wild animal in this suburban setting but just last week near sunset, I saw a slender grey fox trot through the growing shadows at the side of our middle school park.  Slight as it was, it was unmistakably a fox. I stood as still as the trees in awe of this tenacious being who dared to live amidst its adversaries.  I actually saw it long before my dog, who had her eyes on a squirrel that she thought needed chasing.

The animal totem of Fox is always motivated by the idea of protecting the family, first and foremost. All of their craftiness is to keep their loved ones safe. I had never seen a silver fox in the wild before and I felt blessed by the experience.  It was a sign from Nature that perfectly reflected where I was at that moment and offered a path of solution too.  I have been concerned with details of keeping my family safe during these changing times.  The fox reminded me that sometimes it is better to slip safe and unseen at the edges than to reveal my position to those who would not have my best interests at heart. In addition, the fox reminded me that I can be crafty and smart to survive as well as thrive.  I don't always have to put everything out in broad daylight for all to see, as is my usual style.  Thank you dear silver fox for reflecting to me what Spirit wanted me to see today.

The illustration above, is of a red fox and it is an excerpt from a soul painting I did a while back. The symbol that looks like a double figure 8 is called, 'Teh Gah'.  In summary, it means 'Choosing Wholeness in Heart', it is from the Tan Ran Reiki system. You can see more samples of this type of spiritual art, called Soul Paintings by Susan Tower on my website.