The Magic of Animal

Soulsbillie dean

PaST liVeScryShell magic

are you a karmic yogi?creaTure Teacher medicineanimal WiSdom in The arTS

www.inspiritmagazine.com

animal totems, paganism, shamanism, giveaways & more...

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Australia’s most comprehensive spiritual magazine

5 th BIRTHDAY ISSUE!!

AUTUMN/MAR 2013 RRP: $7.50 AU

The Key To CreaTing MagiC William WhiTecloud

aniMal MagiC issue

In This Issue4 TheKeytoCreatingMagic

ProducedbyKerrieWearingandinSpiritPublishing,inSpiritMagazineisdesignedtoprovidearespectfulforumforlike-mindedsoulstoshareinacommunitywhichaimstoprovideinformativeviews,opinionsandeducationregardingtheexperienceoflivingwithSpirit.Disclaimer:Whileeverycarehasbeentakentoprovidethereaderwithaccurate,inSpiringandthought-provokinginformation,thePublisherstakenoresponsibilityfortheaccuracyofinformationandviewsexpressedbytheContributors.TheviewsandopinionsexpressedbycontributorsarenotnecessarilysharedbytheEditorPublishers.

CREATIVETEAMKerrieWearing,NicollePoll, NicolaMcIntosh,AlexCayasEDITORNicollePollREGULARCONTRIBUTORSKerrieWearing,NicollePoll,NicolaMcIntosh,SusanneHartas,BillieDean,JuliaInglis,BrendanD.Murphy,Gem~mer,MeadowLinn,NatashaHeard,LauraNaomiGUESTCONTRIBUTORSScottAlexanderKing,WilliamWhitecloud,KyeCrowGRAPHICDESIGNNicolaMcIntoshCOVERARTWORKNicollePoll

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MANAGING EDITORKerrieWearing

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Editor’s Note Autumnheraldsthecomingoftheseasonofchange.Itisthetimeinnaturewhentheleavesbegintofall,theanimalsprepareforwinterandweslowlystarttoprepareforourownwinterhibernation.WhobettertoguideusthroughthistimeofpreparationandchangethantheAnimalsthemselves.

Thisissuewe’vetappedintotheenergyofnatureandthewisdomofanimalstogiveyousomeinSightintothemagicofanimalsandhowworkingwiththemcanprepareyouforwhatistocome.Withavarietyofinspiringarticlestochoosefrom,I’msureyouwillfindsomethingthatworksforyou.

Inaddition,wearealsodelightedtobeabletofeatureaninterviewwithWilliamWhitecloud,authorofTheMagician’sWayandmorerecently,TheLastShaman.Hegivesushisuniqueviewsonlivingintuitively,andoffersussomerealinSighttoleadusforward.

Thisisour5thBirthdayeditionandtocelebrate,weareexpanding.Thisissuewewelcometotheteam,AlexCayasasScience&SpiritualityContentEditor.LauraNaomiisournewShamanismContentEditorandNicolaMcIntoshjoinsusasPaganContentEditorandisournewGraphicDesigner.PleasejoinmeinwelcomingthemalltoinSpiritandI’msureyou’llrevelintheirwisdomandcontributionsoverthecomingissues.

Onalittlesadnote,wesaygoodbyetoRitaMaherfornow.RitahasbeenwithinSpiritMagazinesinceitsinceptionandhasbeenavaluablecontributorandguidingforceoverthelastfiveyears.Ritaisfocusingonsomenewdirectionsrightnowandwewishhermanyblessingsforallshehasplanned.BestwishesRita,thankyouandwewillhavethecampfirelitforyoualways.

MaytheSpiritinyouseektobeexpressed!

KerrieWith love & gratitude,

3 TakingtheLeapofFaith

6 AnimalMagickConnectingThroughtheArts

8 TheMagicofAnimalSouls

10 GettingInTouchWithYourAnimalTotem

12 Sedna’sJewelsoftheSea

13 CreatureTeacherMedicine

14 HowtoReadYourAnimalTotems

16 PastLife-VowsSeries

17 PastLives-WhatAreTheyAllAbout?

18 AreYouAnUnwittingKarmaYogi?

20 WhatisShamanism?

Regular Columns15 GoddessinSpiration

19 FortheLoveofAngels

21 inSpiritSoulFood

22 inSpiritReviews

23 inSpiritDirectory

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Taking a leap of faith can be very hard, I know. Believing in yourself enough to let go of everything that’s safe, trusting in the path that unfolds even though it travels close to the edge, and doing it, despite the ridicule or fears of others. These were all things I had to deal with.

WhenmypartnerGillandIwereguidedtosellourhome,letgooffallourpossessionsandinsteadofbuildinganarklikeNoah,buildawagonthatcouldbepulledbycamels,quitefrankly,Ithoughtitsoundedinsane.WhilstGillthrewhimselfintothisnewadventure,allIdidwasresist.

Thethoughtoflettinggoofmynewlyrenovatedbeautifulhometoheadoffonajourneyintothedesert,destinationunknownseemedlikeanightmare.IfIhadbeentruthfulwithmyselfIwouldhaveacknowledgedthatIwasfarfrombeinghappy.Ifeltsafeandcomfortable,butcompletelylackinginjoy.NothinginmylifeexcitedmeandyetIstillclungtoeverythinginmylifethatwasworthless,mypossessions.Onedaylifegavemeapowerfulmessage.

ItwasNewYears’Eve;thedesertearthglowedredinthesunslastlight.GillandIweresittingaroundafirewithababycamel,ourdogsandaparrot.ItwasamagicalsceneandyetIfeltwornout.Iwastotallyunabletoenjoyit.IthadbeenthehardestyearIcouldrememberandallIcouldseeintheNewYearwasmoreofthesame.

Allofasuddenwenoticedourcamelssniffingsomethingdanglingfromatreejustoutsidetheirfence.Whenwewalkedovertohavealook,weweresurprisedtofindacrow.Itslegswereboundtogether

sotightlywithtwine,whichhadgotsnaggedonabranchandleftthepoorbirdhangingupsidedown.Gillracedtogetthescissorsandbetweenuswecutthecrowfree.

AsIwatchedthatcrowflyfree,IknewtheUniversehadgivenmeapotentmessage.Ihadboundmyselfupwithsomanycommitmentsandobligations;Iwasunabletoflyfreemyself.AsIwalkedbackovertothefireIknewexactlywhatIhadtodo.Itwassosimple.Letgo.

Kye Crow recounts this extraordinary telling of faith embraced, and how bravely leaping into the unknown can be so life changing in the best of ways…..

usincludinggoats,camels,parrots,dogs,adonkey,doves,ourmuchlovedchooksandourbelovedrooster,TheColonel.Wewereguidedtorescuemoreanimalsalongtheway,eachonemakingthemselvesknowntousenergeticallybeforewemetthem.

Wetravelledoverthreeyearsalmost2,200kilometresfollowingourguidance,whichmoreoftenthannotcamefromtheanimals.Theywereourteachers,ourguides,ourfamilyandfriendsandourdepthofcommunicationdeepenedwiththesewisebeingsthemoreweletgo.

Iknowfrommyown“LeapofFaith”thatchallengesarelikelytoo,butthat’sthewaywegrowandlearnandunveilmoreoftheSacredbeingsweare.

AsIsatquietlythenightbeforeweleft,ourlastnightofsafetybeforewefacedtheopenroadandtheunknown,Iwastryingtostillmymindofallthefearsthatconsumedit.Wouldwebeabletocopewiththesheersizeofourvision?Wouldalltheanimalsbesafe?WhenIfinallyfoundthesilenceIheardavoicetellmethateverytimeweneededhelp,itwouldbethere.Itwas.

Therearenodreamsthataretoobigwhenweletgoandlivefullyineachmoment.Likethemessagefromthecrow,tangledinthetree,lifespeakstousthroughthebirdsandtheanimals,therocksandthetrees,lettingusknowweareheadingintherightdirectionorwhatwecandoifwearenot.Whenweliveourliveswithanopenheart,believinganythingispossible,wewillbelookedafter.

Ittookusayeartoprepareforourjourney,tosellourhome,andfinishbuildingourwagon.Manyofourfriends,alreadypuzzlingoverhowwewouldtravelwiththeanimalswealreadyhadwereastoundedwhenwecontinuedtowelcomeeveryneedycritterthatcameourway.GillandIjokedthatwhennewsgotoutaboutourtrip,animalslimpedinfromeverydirection.Whenwefinallyleft,wehadoverfiftydifferentrescuedanimalswith

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PhotoCredit:ArgneshRoseVisionaryDigitalArtistspecialisinginfantasyandtotemportraiture–www.givethemwings.com.au

Kye Crow is the Creatress of Wunjo Crow, a range of Goddess clothing that’s sprinkled with love and sewn with magic. Kye and her partner Gill live with over a 100 rescued animals and teach Sacred Journeys into the Animal Realms, the power of Love and how to live on planet earth as a sensitive.

Contact Kye at: www.camelcampsanctuary.com & www.facebook.com/Wunjocrow

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Choosethoseandthenthisallowsustostepoutsidetheparadigmofouregoandyoubecomecreativelyorientated,certainlyyoubecomecreativelyempoweredseeingconnectionsyouwouldn’tnormallysee,youseepossibilitiesyouwouldn’tnormallysee,youattractresourcesyouwouldn’tnormallyattract,youenterintoawholenewparadigmofcreativepower.Geez,ifIonlytoldpeoplethatonethingandtheyundertooktobecomeendresultorientated,iftheytookthattoheart,theywouldhaveadynamicallydifferentandempoweredlife.

Secondly,anothermisconceptionweoperateunderwhengoingthroughlifeistotryandunderstandeverything,tohaveeverythingfiguredout,inotherwordstobeintheknow.Theproblemwiththatisthepartofyouthatiscraving,thatisthepartofyouthatismadeupofyourbeliefsystems,yourrationalmind.It’sthepartofyouthat’soperatingonpastexperienceandthedefinitionsandassumptionsyou’veassignedfromthepast.Thenitprojectsthoseontoyourworldviewandprocesses.

Thenagain,thewayoutofthatistonottohavetoknoworunderstand.Andwhenyoudo,youenterintotheworldofintuition.Youenterintoinnocence,whichthenisthebridgetoyourintuitionandyoubecomeinspiredandseeeverythinginamuchmorecreativeway.Sothecombinationofbeingendresultorientationandinnocence,insteadofbeingintheknowisthebedrockreallyofthecreativeorientationofwhatwelovinglycallMagic.

Iwouldsaythethirdthing,andthisisreallyimportant,istohaveavaluetolivewithadeeperunderstandingofyourselfandselfawareness.Toknowwhereyouarecomingfrombecausetherearebasicallytwoplacesyoucancomefrom,fromyourheartoryourhead.Youcancomefromyouregooryoursoul.

Withalotofpeople,whentheyaremakingchoicesanddecidingwhattheywantinlife,whattheyarereallydoingiscompensatingtheirbeliefsand

Kerrie Wearing talks with William Whitecloud, author of The Magician’s Way, and he reveals many surprising

William Whitecloud,authorofthehugelysuccessfulTheMagician’sWayhasbeenweavingmagicintoourheartsforthelasttwentyyearssincehisownmagicaltransformation,andunderstandablyhasaninSightfulviewontheprocessofcreating.

HislatestbookTheLastShamantranscendstheboundariesofourhumannesstoinspireanunderstandingoflivingintuitivelyandcreatingconsciously.WeaskedWilliamtosharehisunderstandingswithyou,onhowwecanallmovetoamoredynamic,empoweredandMagicallife.

WilliamexplainedtoKerriethatinstricttermsMagicistheabilitytoliveyourlifeguidedbyyourintuition.Whilethisisasimpledefinition,whatitisnotsayingiswhatsuchanamazingprocessitis.Theprocessofconnectingwithyourintuitionandapplyingitisaprofoundexperienceandajoy.Followingyourownintuition,unfoldsthatyouareguidedbymysteryratherthanworkingoutyourownlife.Whenguidedbyintuition,thingsworkoutinwaysthatyouwouldn’texpectandcanneverpredict,soitbecomesmagical.Muchlikeamagicshow,youdon’tseetheprocessesorwhatgoesonbehindthecurtainbutyoudoseetheendresultand

areblownaway.

Kerrie – What three things would you say would be the most helpful for someone who wants to consciously work towards creating a life of Magic.

William-Straightoffthebatthefirstonewouldbetohaveawillingness

toliveyourlifedifferently,andoperateinlifeina

differentwaythanwhatwehavebeenconditionedto.Itruly

believethatfundamentallythereareafewmisconceptionsthatweare

encouragedandtrainedin,withoneofthembeingwhatIcallProcessOrientation.

Withwhatweundertakeinlife,whatdrivesus,whatmotivatesus,whatwetakeonandthewayweoperateissuchthat,wefirstlookatwhywearegoingtodosomething,whenitisgoingtohappenandthenitbecomesaboutthewhy,thewhenandthehow,andprincipally,thehow.Thenwefocusonthehow,needingtoknowhowsomethingwillhappenandonlyproceedingwhenweknowthesethings.

Firstly,thiscausesalotofpeopletoneverproceedalotofthetime,becausetheydon’tknowhowtheycanhavewhattheywant.Thenwhenweassumeweknowhowandgoforitbasedonthis,weattractourbeliefsystems,becausethepartofusthatneedstoknowallofthisisourrationalmind.Inlookingatthehow,thewhyandthewhen,ouregothenpresentsthesolutionsbasedonourbeliefsystemswhichwillrecreateourlimitations.

Yetwhenwegofromaprocessorientationtoanendresultorientation,there’savaluethatyouhaveinyourlifewhichistoknowwhatyoureallywantandwhatreallymatterstoyou,insteadofthehoworwhen.Withthisyouallowyourselftoacknowledgeandgetintouchwithwhatyou’dreallylove,whatmatterstoyou,whatyouloveinlifeandletthatbeyourstartingpoint.

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compensatingfortheirlimitations,therebytryingtoresolvethat.Sayforexample,withsomeonewhoiswantingalotofmoneyandischoosingwealth,whatyouwillseeistheyaredrivenbythefacttheyhaven’tgotanyortheyscaredofnothavingany,ortheyarechoosinglovebecausetheyarelonelyintheirlife.Sothemotivationthatdrivesthemhasthepower,andthatkindofmotivationisanegativemotivationandthatwillthenjustreinforcethatnegativity.Sotherewon’tbeapowerfulexperienceofMagicandofcreatinglife.

Whereasfromtheotherorientation,the

Kerrie Wearing is an internationally recognised Medium and Soul coach, specialising in coaching and mentoring people in developing their own unique connection to Spirit. She is the author of A New Kind of Normal: Unlock the Medium Within and has a strong passion in educating others about Spirit. Kerrie is managing editor of inSpirit Magazine, executive producer and has recently established inSpirit Publishing, an organisation invested in bringing education and inspiration for the Soul. She works regularly in the US and has been featured on Australian and US radio.

To learn more about how Kerrie can help you, visit: www.pyschicmedium.com.au or www.inspiritmagazine.com Email: kerrie@psychicmedium.com.au

soulorientation,thecreativeorientation,theMagicorientation,whatyouaredoingisyouhaveadeeperawarenessofyourselfandyourecognisewhereyouarecomingfromegoisticallyandyoudon’tallowthattoinformyouchoicesinlife.Thereforeyourchoicesinlifearenotbasedonwhatyoufeelinadequateabout,whatyoufeelshortofandlimitedby,theyareformedbywhatreallymatterstoyouandwhatyoureallylove.

Itisinterestingtalkinginthesetermsbecauseifsomeonejustappliedthesethreethings,theirlifewouldabsolutelybetransformed.

William Whitecloud’s near twenty-year search to discern the essence of what it takes for people to connect with and live from their creative spirit forms the basis of his work, first revealed in the top personal development book in Australia, The Magician’s Way and now evident in his new release The Last Shaman. He now lives in San Francisco, where he devotes his time to coaching, writing, enjoying his family and letting life unfold by magic.

William can be contacted at www. williamwhitecloud.com

inSights into creating your own kind of magic, challenging and changing common perceptions along the way.

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Journey with Nicolle Poll as she takes us into her intriguing world of Animal Totemic Art and discover how our Animal Messengers use Art as one of their many ways to connect with us…

I reconnectedwithmyartisticsideinmymid-twenties.Sittinginthatwonderfulartclassforthefirsttime,nervousandexcited,IknewdeeplywithinmyselfthatthiswaswhereIwasmeantto

be.Iwastheretolearn,developandevolvewhatwouldbecomemycraft,mycallingandlifelongpassion.Myteacherwasaverywiselady,andherapproachtomewastodrawandworkwithwhatIwantedtodo.Itwasn’tastructured‘howto–stepone’styleofclassandtheteachingsofmycraftwerewovenintothepiecesIwasworkingon.Artchallengedme,excitedme,mademefeelmyemotionsandstilldoes.Idiscoveredalovefordrawinganimals;Icouldbringthemtolifewithvibrancyanddetail.Oneofmyearlyartworksfromthistime,nearlytwodecadeslaterstillremainsmyfavouriteartwork,closetomyheartandcraftedwithsomuchpersonalmeaning.IdiscoveredwiththisartworkIcouldweavethemagickofthevisionsheldwithinmymind,mytoolscreating,blendingandmergingimagesthatarevisuallyconnecting,symbolicandmostimportantly,speaktothesoul.

‘TheEagleandtheMountainLion’isthispieceandIcallitmyturningpointartwork.Theenergyofthisartworkspoketomegentlythroughitsentirecreation.Fromtheinitialknowingofworkingwiththeseanimals,theoriginalsketchedconcept,thewhisperingofextradetailsemergingasIprogressed.Allalong,Iknewthisartworkwassymbolictome,thatsomehowTheEaglewasurgingmetoembracemycreativenatureandsoarwithit;TheMountainLionwassymbolicofcomingintomyownpower.Iwasinmymid-twenties,Ihadatthattimeconsciouslyacceptedandembracedmyneedtoliveaspiritualbasedlife,Iwaslettinggoofawayoflivingandpersonalviewsthatnolongersupportedmeonmanylevels,experiencingongoingchangesandadeepunrelentingrestlessnessthatIwasn’tlivingmycalling.TheEagle

andMountainLionenergiesmadetheirpresenceknownthroughmyartandIbegantolivetheirenergies,sometimesconsciouslyandwithawarenessandatothertimes,intuitively.

ManyunderstandingsIgainedfromthesetwoanimalguides,andIcametolearnovertimethattheyareanimaltotems.Some

ofmyknowledgeofmyanimaltotemsIunderstandintuitively,someIhavelearntthroughresearchorbyconnectingtowisesoulsknowledgeableinthisarea.Whenyouconnecttoananimalinwhateverwayitpresents,taketimetodiscoverwhatthisanimalmeanstoyou,whatyouthinkandfeelaboutit.Everyanimalwillhaveapersonalmeaningtoyou;somewillbemorethanothers.Thenifyouwanttoknowmore,researchyouranimaltotem.Forme,Foxrepresentsautumn,dawnanddusk,shapeshifting,beauty,cunningandovercomingdiversity,forsomeoneelseitmaymeanapredatorthatisathreat.

Overmanyyearsofdevelopinganddiversifyingmyartskillsandstyles,IfindIdon’twanderforlongastherearemanyanimalenergiescallingmetobringtheirownuniqueenergyintothephysicalvisualworldintheformofanartwork.Theycomeinallforms,furred,feathered,scaled,winged,shelledand

carapaced.Somearemytotemsthatcallformewhenitistheirtimefortheirinfluenceinmylife,other’scometomethroughcommissionsandprofessionalwork.Igettojourneytheirwisdomandteachingsbybeinginvolvedintheircreation,andtheirkeeperhastheirownuniqueexperiencewiththem.

Whetheritispersonalorprofessionalcapacity,Iamalwaysgiftedwhenworkingwithananimaltotem.Throughoutthecreationlifeofanartwork,Ilivetheenergyofthattotem.Irecentlyworked

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Nicolle Poll is a regular contributor and part of the inSpirit creative team. Nicolle works as an Artist specialising in Oracle Cards, Totemic Animal illustrations and Portraits of the Souls’ Journey, also having studied and practiced a wide range of modalities in her personal and spiritual development.

Contact Nicolle at: www.inspiritmagazine.com / Email: artworkbynicolle@bigpond.com / Facebook: nicolle.poll@facebook.com

withSnake,Ihadbeenthroughagruelingtwoyearcyclethatliterallyturnedmylifeupsideandchallengedmedeeplywithmyvaluesandmycurrentplaceintheworld.MypersonalsecurityformyfamilyandmyselfhadbeenthreatenedandmyhusbandandIchosetofightforit,wefoughtlongandhardtoretainwhatwehadbuilttogether,bothinthebricksandmortarsensebutalsoforwhatwehadlovinglycreatedandnurturedovermanyyearsforourfamilyunit.Wewonthatbattle,andaswithallbattles,therearescars.Snaketomespeaksofsheddingtheskinandreleasingwhatisnolongerneeded,outgrowingofoldways,bringingforthanewlayerofselfandfreshperspectives.IhavesincediscoveredwhenSnakeappearsasatotem,itissymbolicofdeathandrebirthhappeninginsomeareaofyourlife.WithSnakeinmylife,oneofhisgiftstomewasofperspective-stillhealingfrompersonalchallengesthathadrockedmeinthepasttwoyears,IhadtherealisationwhichIfeltdeeplywithin;howfortunateIwasfortheseparticularchallenges,inthetimelineoflifeIcouldrecoverandgrowfromthem,comparedtotheharshnessofsomeoflife’sotherchallengesthataredealt.WiththisfreshperspectiveIfeltashiftwithinmyself,Ifeltreleased,Ifeelthehealingthatishappening,andwiththiscomesasenseofpeace,beingabletomoveonandacceptancewithmylotinlifenow.

Ouranimaltotemsconnectwithusinmanydifferentways.Ifyouareinexplicablydrawntoananimalimageinanartwork,whetheritissubtleorthat

zestyzingyoufeelwithyourheartandsoul,thiscouldbethewhisperofyourownpersonaltotemconnectingtoyoursoul.Payattentionandlisten,itswisdomisjourneyingwithyou…

Available now at www.brendandmurphy.net

BILLIE DEAN’S ANIMAL SHAMANISM

online course

• IncludesAnimalTelepathy

Contact:www.billiedean.cominfo@billiedean.com

Transform your lifethrough

deeperconnectionswith

Animals&Elementals.

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I’m sitting at the old wooden kitchen table, laptop in front of me, pondering a question about animal souls from one of my students. On the surface it seems an easy question, but it required a framework of magick and myth, because both are the misty landscape of the animal shaman.

AsIsatthere,myfingersflyingoverthekeyboard,dogsdrapedoncouchesorlyingatmyfeet,catssittingonthetablebesideme,Ishiftedgearsfrommyconsciousmind,totheOtherworld.

ThepartedveilrevealedaroomfullofOtherworldguests.Faefolkandanimalsofalldescriptionshadcometooffertheiradviceandwisdom.Someoftheanimalswerespirit-helpers,andsomejustspirits-amongthem,ourdog-in-spiritCedar.

Onthesurface,Cedarhadbeenaworriedredheelerwhowassensitive,smart,fullofadesiretoplayball,andwhohadbeenabandonedwhensomeonemovedhouse.Shelivedwithusforfourteenyears,andwhenshepassedpeacefullyandnaturallyathome,herfreedspiritsuddenlyleaptovertowhereIwassittingcrossleggedonthefloor,andgavemeahug.Shewasafaechild,alittlegirlwithlongblondehairandanelfinface,cheekilyetchedwithagrin.Myheartlurched.Ohmy.I’dbeenholdingittogetherforCedar’shospicecareandpassing,butthelittlespiritchild’sarmsaroundmyneckdidmein.

“Don’t cry”shesaid “we have so much to talk about.”Ireachedforatissueandmyjournal,wipingthetearsfrommyeyes.Ihadfeltthestrengthofherloveinthathug.

Iwonderedwhatafaechildwasdoinginadog’sbody.“I wanted to experience death” shesaid“because we don’t have to do it that way.”

Shewantedtospeakaboutthefifthdimension,theworldanddimensionwhereshesaidshenormallylived.Andshespentthenexthourtellingmehowtolivetheretoo,andwhatitwaslike.

Interestingly,Ihaveanotherdogfromthefaerealm.Willowiswhite,majesticandsweet.ShetoldmethatinthepastIhadbeenherteacher,andshe,mine.Andnowshewas“mychild”.

TellingmewewerefromtheTribeofDanu-theTuathadeDaanan,shesentmeofftofindaspecialcodeoffaeriehealing,inanadventurewhichledmetobecomea‘faeriedoctor’.HersoulisDruidicinnature,andIreallydon’tthinkofheras‘mychild’.SheisoneofthewisestpeopleIknow.Sheismyconsultantforallthingsfaerie.

IhavetwootherpetitekelpieswhoIcallfaeriedogs,butoneofthem,Tusuque,isthesoulofSuki,adogwehadwhopassedover.Beforesheleft(naturallyand

peacefully),shetoldmetowatchoutforabrownkelpie,andtoldmethepupswouldbeprobablyatavet’s,andto“watch out for the one with the floppy ears.”

Threeweekslater,therewasapictureofthreeblackkelpiepupsatthevets,andwhenIwenttovisitthem,Ifoundthemumwasabrownkelpie,andshehadanoddrelationshipwiththeonewhowasmakingabeelineforme.IimmediatelyknewthatthiswasSuki,whohadspirit-walkedintoafiveweekoldpup,whichiswhythemumwasactingstrangely.Thiswasnotherdaughter.Allthepupswereindangerofbeingkilled,soItookthemhometojoinourpack.Theothergirlpuphadfloppyearsandbecamemyconstantshadow.

HersoulwasthereincarnationofadogI’dhadcenturiesago,whowaswithmeinalifetimeIhadbeenstonedtodeathforspeakingmytruth.Shetoldmeitwasn’tverynicetobeleftalone,andshedidn’twantittohappenagain.

The high shaman of ancient times, and wise people like the great philosopher Pythagoras, understood the transmigration of souls. It is why many indigenous peoples refuse to eat certain animals. They might be family members.

Billie Dean gives gentle insight into her deep bond and truths learnt from our animal friends, showing us how to regain our sacred connection and re-discover the animal magick we once had

– with the knowing that this is what our animal friends want us to do.

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Ananimalsoulmightcomefromthestars,andjustbevisiting,likemanycatsoulsdo.OthercatshavehadpastlivesinEgypt,andbringthroughanelegantmysterytraditionfortheirhumantolearnfrom.

Animalsalsotravelinsoulfamilieswithus.Sothatheartrecognitionyoufeelwhenyouseeafaceinthepound,couldeasilybethetelepathiccallfromonesoulfriendtoanother.I’vemetanimalsoulswhohavebeenaclient’spastlifeteacher,father,friend,child,grandparentandevenafuturechild.

Fromancienttimesourlivesandthatoftheotheranimalshavebeendeeplyintertwined.Animalsandhumansaresointerconnected,thattheirattributeshavewovendeepintothearchetypalfabricofourconsciousness.

AccordingtoPhilipandStephanieCarr-GomminTheDruidAnimalOracle,anumberoftribeswereevenreportedtobedescendedfromanimalssuchasthe‘cat-people’inScotland,andthe‘wolf-tribes’inIreland.Somefamilieshadanimalancestor,liketheseal,andotherfamilieshadtheiranimaltotems.

Inancienttimestheanimalsweresacredandthe‘companionsofthegods’.Theywereguides,muses,healers,teachers,companionsandfriends.ThelossofthisreverencetodayIbelievehascreatedawoundinourcollectivepsyche–our

Billie Dean is an internationally recognised animal shaman, an award winning animal advocate, and a professional filmmaker and writer. The author of Secret Animal Business, she also runs a shamanic school, Rainbow Fianna.

Contact Billie: www.billiedean.com and www.wildpureheart.com / Email: info@billiedean.com

Photo Credit – Billie Dean

disconnectionrenderingmostpeoplenumbtothetruebeautyofanimalsouls,andournowsevered,sacredbond.

Togetbackthemagicinlife,weneedtorememberthemagickofanothertimeandplace,whereanimalswerenotconsideredbeneathus,andusedandabusedlikeslavesforourentertainmentandfood.

It’sgoingtotakeaparadigmshift,butIbelieveitcanhappen.AndIknowtheanimalsthemselvesarehopingforit.Ilivenextdoortoacattlefarm,andlastwinter,sixsteerswanderedthroughthefencetovisitmedaily.Theywerevitalandfunnyandmagical.SomenightsI’dwakeuptofindatleastonesleepingoutsideourbedroomwindow.Hewouldmakemefeelincrediblysafe.CowsareconsideredsacredinsomecountriesandIbegantohaveadeeperunderstandingofwhy,themoretimeIspentintheircompany.

Onedayastheywanderedaround,exploringthestables,theytoldmetheyweremonks.Theywereonaspecialmission.Notlongafterwards,thefarmertoldmehewassellingthemtomarket.Naturally,Ihadtobuyall40ofthem,andfreethemtoroamonmyplace.Themonkswerenotonlygratefulbuttheyledmetobelievethiswaspartofabiggerplan.

Notlongaftertheyhadsettledin,wewereinspiredtopitchanewideaforafeature

filmcalledTheFarmer,thescriptofwhichwonaccolades.Itstarredourrescuedcowsandiscurrentlyindevelopment.Ofcourseitwillhelppeoplegettoknowcowsbetterwhileitentertainsthem.Next,thecowshelpeduswinagrant,tomakeawebseriescalledWisdomfromthePaddock.Andthentheyhelpeduswinpublicityforthatgrant,andourvisionforamorecompassionateworld.IntheworldofafilmmakerIfeltasifIwasbeinggiftedthehandofgrace.Themonksjustsmiledknowingly.

Myexperienceofgoingtheextramileforanimals,becauseofmydeepreverenceandrespectforthemandtheirmagickiscertainlypayingoffforourcreativecareer.Andmyadvicetoallanimal-lovingpeopleistoreallystepbackandseeyouranimalfriendswithfresheyes.Theycouldbeanyone.Ifeveryoneunderstoodthis,perhapstheworldwouldbeakinder,gentlerplace.Peoplewouldbehappierandhealthieraswewouldn’thavethecollectivesadnessthatcomesfromthelossofoursacredconnections.

Solet’sgotheextramiletore-discovertheanimalmagickweoncehad,andcanhaveagain,bylovingallanimalswiththerespectandreverencetheysorichlydeserve.

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ByScottAlexanderKing

Artwork Credit: Karen Branchflower

An extract from Earth Mother Dreaming by Scott Alexander King (published by Rockpool Publishing)

To visit Scott: www.animaldreaming.com / Facebook: www.facebook.com/scottalexanderking Upcoming Events: Join Scott for his 6th Annual 3-day Intensive Animal Dreaming Practitioner Course at Taronga Zoo, Sydney in July (26th - 28th). To find out more, visit: http://www.animaldreaming.com/index.php/workshops/taronga-zoo-3-day-practitioner

I’vehadmanyanimalscomeintomylifeovertheyears.Somehavesimplyturneduponmydoorstep,others

havebeengiventomeandsomeIhavebought.IhavealwayssurroundedmyselfwithanimalsandhavealwaysfeltmuchmorecomfortableintheircompanythanIhaveeverfeltwithpeople.Tonamejustafewofthecreaturesthathavesharedmyhome,therehavebeenHorsesandPonies,Alpacas,Cattle,Sheep,Goats,Pigs,Geese,Turkeys,Chickens,Ducks,Guineafowl,Peacocks,Rabbits,Guinea-pigs,Possums,Lizards,Ferrets,RatsandMice,Bats,Pigeons,Doves,Parrots,LorikeetsandParakeets,Cockatoos,Galahs,Partridges,Quail,Pheasants,FinchesandCanaries,Tortoises,Frogs,DogsandCats.

I’velovedthemall...buttheonesthathavehadthebiggestimpactonmylifewerethetwohand-tamedFoxes(aboyandagirl)thatgrewupalongsidemydaughter,Rosie.Shewouldwrapthemuptightlyintowelsandcarrythemaroundlikebabies.Theylookedsocutetogether,hercuddlingthemtightlyandthemhavingnochoicebuttoallowherto!Todd(namedaftertheFoxinthe1981Disneyanimatedfeature,‘TheFoxandtheHound’thatwaslooselybasedontheDanielP.Mannixnovelofthesamename)cameintomylifefirst.Hewasatinylittlecubthathadbeenscoopedupanddeliveredtoalady’shouseintheYarraValley(inVictoria)inaloadofcompostshehadorderedfromthelocalgardensupplycentre.Shehadcomeacrosshim,allwetandconfused,whenshebeganshovellingthemulchontohergardenbeds.Notknowingwhatelsetodo,shetookhimto

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WhileIunderstandwhatitmeanstohaveonenow,mylongingtohaveaphysicalfamiliarhasbeenwithmesinceIwasaverysmallchild.Notapet,mindyouthatIwouldhavetotakeplaceswithmeinabasketoronalead,butaTRUEfamiliar;ananimalfriendthatwouldaccompanyme(bychoice)whereverIwent,helpingmewithmychoresandschoolwork.Howwonderfulwoulditbetohaveaconstantally,wholovedyouforwhoyouareandwhatyoudoandwaswillingtolendahandnomatterwhat,Iwondered.

Well,thisiswhathavingafamiliarmeanttomeandIdesperatelywantedtoknowwhatitwaslike.IwouldasktheanimalsIcameacrosstobemyfamiliar.IaskedtheRabbitsthatranaboutinthefields,theFoxesthatskulkedintheforest,theFrogsthatsatproudlyontheedgeofourcreek,butnoneofthemseemedtounderstandawordIwassaying.IcalledtotheRavensandtheOwls,theHorsesandtheCows...butnoneofthemtookanynoticeofme.Iwassoconfused.Icouldn’tfigureoutwhythenotionoffamiliarswas‘invented’ifitwasimpossibletogettheanimalstotaketheideaseriously!Iofferedtheanimalsgiftsoffood.Imadethemlittlehouses.Ievenofferedtobrushthemiftheywantedmeto.ButnothingIsuggestedmadetheslightestbitofdifference.Theyalljustignoredme!Andthenitdawnedonme.PerhapsIwasn’tsupposedtofindmyfamiliaratall.PerhapsIwasn’tsupposedtoask,bribeorbeguilemyfuturefamiliar.PerhapsIwassupposedtowaitforthemtoapproachme;tocometomewiththeidea?

SoIsatandwaited...andwaited...andwaited!AndthenIforgottowait.AndthenIjustplainforgot!AndthenIfoundmyfamiliar:abeautifulwhiteBarnOwlwithcaramel-colouredwings,backandneck,hugewiseeyes,strongclawsandapowerfulbeak.Apparentlyshehadalwaysbeenwithme,butbecauseIhadbeenlookingforherwithmyphysicaleyes,Icouldn’tseeher!Myfamiliarhadfoundmeontheethericplaneanditwasonlywithmy‘subtle’visionthatIcouldseeher.Bylookingthroughmythirdeyeratherthanmytwo‘actual’eyes,Icouldseeherclearly.Andeventothisday,shecontinuestogoeverywhereIgo.

IcalluponmyBarnOwlwhenI’mmeditating,writing,ponderingorofferingreadingsandhealings.She’swithmewhenIgogroceryshoppingorwhenI’mpreparingdinnerformyfamily.She’stherewhenI’moutfeedingmyanimals,gardeningormowingthelawn.Infact,she’swithmeallthetime,evenwhenI’msleeping!MyBarnOwlhasbecomemyprotectorandguide,mymuse,friendandconfidant.Shekeepsmecompany,balancedandinpeace.ShewarnsmeofdangerandshowsmewheretofindlightwheneverIfindmyselflostorconfused.Shegivesmeadviceandanswersmyquestions.SheoffersmestrongerconnectiontomyguidesandtoSpirit,assistingmeinmyjourneys,manifestationsandvisualisations.Butmostofall,shekeepsmeinmyintegritybywarningmewhenI’mbeingliedtoandwhenIneedtokeepmymouthshutsothatsilence,truthandwisdommayprevail.

hervetandfromthevethecametolivewithme.

TheotherFox,anearadultfemale,cametomeviaafriendwhohadfoundhersniffingaroundhisrubbishbin.Sheworearedcollar,soitwasobviousthatsomeoneelsehadalreadyraisedherfromacub.Butbeingthatshewasskinnyandtimid,itwasalsoobviousthatshehadbeenlooseforsometimeandthatshedidn’tknowhowtofendforherself.IcalledherMoonlight,becauseitwasinthemoonlightthatshewasfound.ThoseFoxesweresomagickal.Theyweresoproudandunapologetic.Theylovedtofrolicandsing,yapandplay.Theygroomedtheirtailsconstantlyandsleptallrolleduptogetherinawarmlittleball.Theyneverbitornipped,despitethefactthattheyhatedbeinghandledandtheynevercausedanounceoftrouble.Ilovedthembothsoverymuch.IwouldcalluponthemenergeticallywhenIengagedinritualorceremonyandIfelttheirspiritwithmewhileIworkedorwentaboutmydailychores.IknewtheywerewithmewhenIsleptandIalwaysknewwhentheywantedtobefedorwateredbecauseIwouldheartheircallinmyheart.Theywereveryspecial.Butdespitethisclosebond,Ialsofelttheirforever-wildnatureandtheirstrongdesiretobefree.Nomatterwhat,theFoxesweren’ttame.Theyweren’tmine.Theyweretheirownbeings.Andtheyalwayswouldbe.AnditwasforthisreasonthatIknewinmyheartthatneitherwouldeverbecomemy‘familiar’.Notinthetruestsenseofthewordatleast.

Scott is the author of the best-selling, internationally recognised Animal Dreaming (a shamanic reference book and field guide that offers spiritual insights into over 200 native and introduced Australian animals and birds), the Animal Dreaming Oracle Cards and the newly released Earth Mother Dreaming and World Animal Dreaming Oracle Cards (Rockpool Publishing). He is also a husband (he met his beautiful wife in a pet shop!) and father of three. He and his family – along with a huge menagerie of animals – live in the breathtaking Northern Rivers where he endeavours to write every day. Scott is available for workshops, seminars, readings and interviews.

Scott Alexander King was born to love animals. He spent much of his childhood observing, drawing and writing about the animals he experienced in the small, tattered journal he always carried in his pocket. He would record every animal he saw: where he saw them, what they looked like and what they were doing at the time. This was an activity he never tired of ... so much so that, in essence, he’s still doing today!

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Asweexploretheunderwaterrealmsofthedeepbluesea,wecomeacrossmanywell-knownandunknownseacreatureteachersthatcanguideusonourpersonalpathsofdiscoveryandtruth.Onecanchoosefromthemanytypesoffishes,seamammalsandevenseamonsterstoconnectwith,todiscoverwithandjourneywith;particularlythroughemotionaltimes.Onecanevencallonthemermaidsofthisenchantedsearealmfortheytooareimbuedwithanimalmedicineastheyare,afterall,halffish.

Butwherediditallstart,theseseacreaturesinthedeep?HowdidtheycometobeinthesaltladledbellyofOcean’swomb?Therearemanystoriesofcreation,ofocean’screationandthecreationofallherseacreatureteachers;andallareamazingintheirownbeautifulrightbutitisSedna’sicycoldstoryofdeceptionandturmoilthatmustunfoldinourunderwaterjourneytodayforshewishestocomeforthtosharehertruthwiththosewhoarereadytoacceptheranimalmagicks.

ThetaleofSednaisasadandwoefulonethatleadshertoalifeatthebottomoftheicycoldseasoftheArcticOcean.

Asabeautifulyoungwoman,Sednaencounteredmanyaprospectivesuitor,allofwhomsheturnedawaysothatshecouldremainwithandcarefor,herwidowedfather.Thatis,untilonedaywhenaRavendisguisedasahandsomeyoungmanpromisedtoprovideforSedna’sfatherandsharehishomeofluxurywithher.Tohisproposalsheagreedbutwassoontodiscovershehadbeencruellydeceived.

Onedayherfathercametovisit.Hegrewangryatthesightofhisonlydaughter,cold,hungryandindespair,begginghimtotakeherhome.Sohedidwhatanylovingfatherwoulddo,heplacedherinhiskayaktotakeherhome,butsoonaftertheirjourneybegan,Ravencalledforthahugestorm,thusscaringSedna’sfather.Toher

dismay,inordertosavehisownlifehecastSednaoverboard!

DearestSednaclungforherlifeontheedgeofthekayakthatdayandwhenherfatherwasunabletobreakhericycoldgrip,hecutoffallofherfingers,leavingthebeautifulSednatosinkslowlyintothebrinydepthsofocean’sbittersweetembrace.And,asherfingerssankwithher,theytransformedintothefishes,theseals,whalesandallseacreatures.

ThedemiseofSednasawthebirthofallseacreatures,asacrificethatseesherrulingoverallseacreatures,greatandsmallasshesitsupontheflooroftheoceaninatangledmessofseaweedandhair,painfullydeformedbyherordeal.Sednaholdsapowerfulconnectiontoseaanimalmagickasshecallsuponthemalltocomfortandeaseherpainheldwithinherheartandinhermisshapenhands.Thecreaturesoftheseagatheraroundtheirruler,theirqueen,theirmothertocareandnurtureherasshehasdoneforthem,astheyareheronlyfamily.

Sedna’sgifttousisthegiftofseaanimalmagick,amagicktoharnessandembraceincompassionandcompletebalance.

So,thenexttimeyouconnectwithseaanimalmagick,pleasespareathoughtforSedna,QueenofTheArcticSea’sandwhatsheendured,bothbeforeandafter,tobringseacreaturesintoourunderwaterrealmsofdiscovery,tobringforthSeaAnimalMagick.

Sedna: Queen of The Arctic Sea’s, she is the collector of taboo’s and sins and will cause great storms when her pain of harbouring all our mortal sins is not eased. Her pain is eased by dancing a dance of contrition and singing remorse. She is the ruler of the Arctic food chain, provider of food and sustenance and when her pain is so severe, she will restrict hunters and gathers with storms and by attracting all sea creatures to her. Sedna teaches us that family is not blood ties, family are those around us who are loving and respectful. Teaching us to delve deep into dark places, cold places, those places we fear to go. She guides us through the darkness, illuminating the riches and just rewards that lay beyond the darkness. Sedna reminds us that despite our infirmities, our insecurities and mistakes, we still deserve love and respect.

Mermaid Gem~mer delves into the creation of Sea Animal Magick in this article that is as beautifully haunting as it is intriguing…..

PhotoCredit:ArgneshRoseVisionaryDigitalArtistspecialisinginfantasyandtotemportraiture–www.givethemwings.com.au

Gem~mer is an intuitive artisan of crystal and seashell jewels, talismans, amulets, connection and healing tools. A messenger for the mermaids, sea spirits and sea creature teachers, passionate about sharing her love and beautiful connection with all who wish to dive deep into the watery realms of ocean magic. Creatress and intuitive of Cryshell Magic, embracing and spreading ocean and mermaid magic.

Contact Gem~mer at: www.cryshellmagic.com.au & www.facebook.com/cryshellmagic

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My animal totems have always been strong guides in my life, helping me on the right path, showing me signs and teaching me valuable life lessons...

AsachildIhadaninnerknowingofBear-IwouldfeelmyselfawakefromdreamsgrowlingandstretchinglikeIhadbeenhibernatingforthewinter.Iwouldfeelmyselfshapeshiftfrombearbackintoalittlegirl!Bearmedicinehasalwaysbeenstrongwithmeandaprotectiveguide.

Spiderwasanotherchildhoodtotem.Ijustlovethemandwouldcollecttotaketomybedroomwindowsill,theirnewhome!Spidermedicineisaboutcreativity,alsosymbolicistheirsilkywebconnectingmanylives,bringingkarmiclessonstolight.

Owlcametomeinmyteens,wakingmeinthemiddleofthenightbytappingitsbeakagainstmywindowandstaringatmewiththosehugeeyes.Owlisknownforgreatwisdomandmagic-abirdthatownsthenightandstronglylinkedwithGrandmotherMoonandhercycles.

Aswegrowandevolvethroughlife,ourtotemanimalsandguideschangetoo.WhenmyfamilyandImovedtothecoast,IfeltastrongconnectiontoSeaTurtle,findingitsshellandboneswashedupontheshorewasasuresigntome!

Ilovetouseanimalbones,furandfeathersinmymagicalcraftsasitisthenaturalorderofcreationforme.Ifeeltheyarebeinggiftedformetocreatewith.Idonotseekoutthesesacredgifts;Isimplycomeacrossthemnaturally-magicallyeven!

IkeptbeingtoldIwasn’tallowedtousethesegiftsbecauseofpoachersandpeoplewhosellanimalitemsontheblackmarkets.Myheadandheartwereatwar.InmyheartIfeltusingthesenaturalgifts,sofullofpower,isabeautifulthing.Yet

saddenedbyman’scrueltyandlaws,Iwaslostinconfusion.IfeltthecloserIgottotheEarthandusingthegiftsIwasgiven,themoreIwassquasheddownbyhumanlawsandfear.

Thenadreamcame,Iwasintheoceancuddlingaseaturtle,feelingmuchloveandpeace,hisflippersholdingmeandthenhefadedawayleavingonlyhisshellinmyarms.Saddenedbythisturtle’sdisappearanceIlookedoutandsawhundredsofseaturtlesallnoddingtheirheadsatme.

OneofmybiggestlessonsfromanimaltotemscameduringtherecentSummerSolstice.EachnightonmybarefootedwandersdownmyquietstreetIwasgreetedbyanightcreatureteacher.Onenightitwasacalmbrownsnakeslitheringalonginthegutterbesideme,shemovedlikewater,sosmoothandflowing;herteachingsweretoleavebehindtheold,shedmyskinandberebornintothenewyearcoming.

ThenHarewashoppingalonginthedarkness,quicklydisappearingonceitsensedmypresence.Harehasastrongconnectiontothemoon,femininecyclesandasavegetarian,lookingintoyourdietforwaystoimproveyourhealth.

Thenextcreatureteacherwasmuchunexpectedindeed.Ileftmyhomeandenteredthedarkness,mypersonalspacetoconnectwithmyinnertruth.Istoppedtofindacan.IpickedituptoputintoourbinonmyreturnandfounditwasafullcanofunopenedSalmon.Thiswasmycreatureteacherthisnightwithaverypowerfullessontoshare.MyfirsttotembeingBearanditsfavouritemeal–salmon!TheteacherwastellingmeitistimetograbwhatIdesirewithbothhands,alsoteachingmetoswimagainstthecurrentandnottogowiththeflow,forincreasedcreativity.Myheartsankrealisingoneofmybelovedcreatureteacherswasdeadinacan,yetstilllovinglyguidingme.IfeltdeeplyinmyheartIknewitwastimetobecomevegetarian,formyloveofthecreatureteachers,forgoodhealthandforMotherEarth!

Natasha Heard’s special kind of magic comes from the natural world, and the medicine she has learnt from the creatures we share it with is natural medicine for all…

Natasha Heard is a creatress of all things magical! A natural witch ~ her magical life and connection to the Earth flow into all her creations. Specialising in Wands, Sceptres and Staves; and creating with her horticulturalist husband Michael, Blessed Rune sets and Tree of Life Bind Rune Talismans. Her innate connection with all aspects of the natural world and passion for magic is what makes her a true creatress of powerful, magical tools.

Natasha can be contacted at: www.blessedbranches.com / Email: blessedbranches@gmail.com or flowerlove@live.com.au Facebook: Blessed Branches…magical tools by Natasha Heard.

PhotoCredit:ArgneshRoseVisionaryDigitalArtistspecialisinginfantasyandtotemportraiture–www.givethemwings.com.au ArtworkCredit:MyamazinglytalentedSistarVickiLiddellpaintedmydreamformeandisaconstantreminderofmyconnectionandloveofmySeaTurtletotem.

IseethisdreamasasignfromSpiritandtheseaturtlesthatusingthebones,shellsandfeathersofanimalsandinsectsiswhattheywant.Ifeeltheirmedicineandenergiesaresomagicalandaddmuchtothetoolsweuseinhealingandmanifestingmagic.Icreateagainwithoutfear-Ihonourandrespectallcreaturesandtheenvironment.SeaTurtleisasacredsymbolofMotherEarth,remindingusthatweareapartofMotherNature.

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So,youmayhavedoneameditationtofindoutyourtotemanimal.Youmayhaveseensomeonetofindout,oryoumayhavenoticedaparticularanimalre-occurringinyourlifethatyouhaveaspecialaffinityto.It’sveryeasytosay,“Ohyesmyanimaltotemisthis...”Butwheretofromthere?Whydowehavetotemanimalsandwhatpurposedotheyserve?

MytotemanimalsaretheBlackPantherandtheAustralianTawnyFrogmouthbird(sometimesreferredtoasanowl;howevertheyarenotpartoftheowlfamily).Imettheminaguidedmeditation.Thetawnyfrogmouthflewontomyleftshoulderandtheblackpantherstealthilywalkedoutoftheforesttogreetme,bustleagainstmeandcometorestinmylap.NowwheneverIdoanyShamanicJourneying,IcallthemtomebeforeIventureoff.Myfrogmouthoffersmeguidanceandmypantherismyprotector,soIfeelIamjourneyingwithguidanceandsafety.

Sohowdoyoufindoutwhatmessagesyourtotemhasforyou?WhenIknewIwasgoingtowritethisarticle,IcalledformytawnyfrogmouthandlethimknowthatIwishtocommunicatewhattheirmessageisandifhecouldcomebackattherighttimetoletmeknowwhatthatwas.Spiritcommunicatestomemainlythroughimagesandthisismyinterpretationofwhatmyimagesshowedme:

Isawmyselfwalkingalongapathandfeltthathewastherewithme-thisshowedmethatheiswithmeonmyjourney.

Thenwesuddenlyhadtorunandhidefromsomesortofdanger-showingmehowtohideorremainunseenbyusingcamouflageortheabilitytosinkintoone’senvironment.Heshowedmehowtheysitun-moving,beingstillandquiet.Itnotonlyallowsyoutoseeandheareverything,butitallowsyoutofeeltheenergyofyour

environment.Yourenergiesmelduntilyoufeelacompletepartofyoursurrounds;likeatreebendinginthebreeze,youmoveandswaytotheenergyaroundyou.

HethenshowedmemanytawnyfrogmouthsallinthetreesthatIhadnotnoticedbefore.Theywerealllookinginthesamedirectionandsmiling.ThisshowedmethatIamnotasaloneasIthought.Therearemorelikemeoutthere-silent,observing,beingonewiththeirsurroundings.Therewasnojudgment,theywereatpeaceandlovingandsmilingdownwithknowing.

AfterthatIwasshownanotherbirdintheairmakinglotsofnoisewithbigbrightshowyfeathers.HeremindedmethatIdon’tneedtogaintheattentionofeveryonearoundmetogivememyselfworth.IamcomfortablewithwhoIamandlovethefeelingofpeacethatcomeswiththat.Iamnotoutspoken,IamveryquietandIlovetimetomyself.

ThenIreceivedthewords‘There is much wisdom in silence’.IthinkIreadthosewordsinaNativeAmericanbookalongtimeagoandeverynowandagaintheyre-surfaceinmymind.Ibelieveittobeaverypowerfulstatement.Youcanlearnsomuchfromobservingandfeelinginsilence.OneofthestatementsIcameupwithyearsagoremindsmeofit-

Spirit is everywhere, it comes in many forms. Be still, be quiet and allow yourself to see the beauty of something unnoticed. - Nicola

SohowdoIusethisinformationnow?IneedtorememberthatIcancallonthesequalitiesatanytimeinmylife.Mytotemanimalisalwaysthere,allIneeddoisaskforitshelp.Everyone’sinterpretationswillbedifferent.Whatisyouranimaltryingtoshowyou?Whatfeelingsdoyougetifany?Youmaygetsignsbywayof

hearing,smelling,images,words,colours,sensingorjustknowing.Youarethebestsourceofyourinterpretations.Takesometimeouttodiscoverforyourself.Ifinditisalwaysimportanttogroundandprotectbeforedoinganytypeofspiritualworkormeditation.Italwaysensuresyouarecenteredandreceivingtherightinformationinasafemanner.Alsohaveanotebookonhandtowriteeverythingdown.Sometimesyoumaynotunderstandituntilyouwriteitandthenitallcomestolife.

Youcanalsocreateyourowntotempieceifyouwish.Ihaveafeatherfromatawnyfrogmouth.Ifyoudon’thaveafeatherfromyourfavouritebird,ask!Youwillbeamazedatthewaysinwhichyoucanreceivesomethingyouaskfor.Iwishtowearmyfeatherinmyhair,sohereisasimplewayofcreatingafeatherwrap!

FirstlyIreceivedsomeleatherthatsomeonedidn’twanttothrowawayandIpickedupsomeseedpodsfromawalkbehindmyhouseintheconservationparktouseasbeads.Iliketousefounditemsformycreations,onebecauseobviouslythereisnocost,butmoreimportantly,itisalwaysgoodtorecycleanduseitemsfoundfromaroundyourownhometohelpyoutoconnecttoyoursurroundings.Youarealsogivingbackbycaringforyourenvironment.

Theintentionisformetobeabletotiemyfeatherwrapintoasmallplaitinmyhair.It’sgoodtotieitintoaplaitsoitdoesn’tslidedownyourhairandfallout.

Journey with Nicola McIntosh as she invites you to further explore your animal totem connection, and how creating a totem piece can further bond you to your animal helper…

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FreyaisoneofthemajorGoddessesofNorseMythology.‘Freya’means‘mistress’andfromhernameourdayFridayisderived.SheistheGoddessofLoveandBeauty,andalsoa

greatWarriorGoddess.Sheisalover,healerandasourceofloveandpeace.Freyaisusuallyseen

ridingachariotpulledbytwocats.CatsaresacredtoFreya,oftencarryingmessagesforher.

AlthoughFreyaislargelyportrayedwithindulginginlove,romanceandlovemaking,ifyoucalluponFreya,shemayalsoshowyouhowtofindyourownpassioninamongstthecomplexitiesofmodernlife.Shemayaskyoutoslowdown,beinthemoment.Listentothewonderfulsoundsofnatureoutsideyourwindow.Shemaybringyourattentiontowhatyouarecurrentlycreatinginyourlifethatisdivertingyourattentionfromthethingsyou

byNicolaMcIntosh

Nicola is an Artist, Herbalist and Pagan. As she is learning to walk the Shamans Path she is ever learning and evolving, acquiring knowledge from many faiths and origins. She has a special affinity with Celtic lore and everything Faery. Her connection to Nature and Spirit is what drives her to grow and motivates her to teach.

Please contact Nicola at: www.nicolamcintosh.com / nicola@nicolamcintosh.com

love.Whatareyoupassionateabout?Areyoudoingthingstomakeyourselfbusyandnotreallygettinganywherebutstressedandtired?Sheasksyoucutthesetiesandfollowyourpassion.Allowthethingsinyourlifethataren’tnecessarytotakeabackseatandputyourfocusandenergyintowhatyoutrulywant.Whereattentiongoes,energyflows.Reclaimyourinnerfocusandstrength,andchannelthatintowhatyouwant.

Bydoingthethingsthatyoulove,youcreatemorelove.Bydoingthethingsyoulove,youaregivingbacktoyourself.YouaresayingIloveandrespectmyselfenoughtoputmefirstandlovemyself.Iwillnotweighmyselfdownandforfeitmyhealthforthingsthatarenotnecessaryandarenotinmybestinterest.

Whenyoufeeloutoflovewithyourself,yourpartnerormaybeyourcareer,callonFreyatohelpyoufindyourway.Butalsorealiseonceshehashelpedyoufindyourway,youneedtotakethereinsofthechariotandmoveforwardwithfocus,determinationandaboveall...love.

Step One

Ineedenoughleathertotieintomyhairandforthefeathertobestuckto.Justcut2goodlengths,youcanalwaystrimitlater.

Step Three

Ifyoucouldn’tfindanyseedpods,youcanusebeads.Justmakesuretheholeisbigenoughtothreadyourleatherthrough.Idrillaholethroughthecentreofmybead.

Step Four

Threadyournewbeadontotheleatherandbringitdowntositoverwhereyougluedthefeatheron.Putacoupleonifyouwish.Minefitsonniceandsnugsoitwon’tgoanywhere.

Datestoremember- SAMHAIN April 30 - May 1

(SouthernHemisphere)Time to get out your Obsidian, Onyx and

Smokey Quartz crystals and celebrate those who have passed. A time to also

let go of that which no longer serves you.Headtoourwebsiteforritual

informationonSamhain! www.inspiritmagazine.com.au

Thentieitintoyourhair!Thereissuchabeautifulenergytosomethingyoucreateyourselfandeverytimeyouwearyournewfeatherwrap,youcanberemindedofyourtotemanimal–enjoy!Step Two

Gluetheverytipofthefeathertoyourleatherwithagoodglue.EitherAquadhere,E6000,Selly’sClearLiquidNailsoranyotherstrongglue.

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Artwork: Serpentarium by Patricia Ariel - www.patricia-ariel.com

In this fascinating series of freeing the binds of past life vows, Julia Inglis brings understanding as to how the Vow of Obedience taken in previous times can affect your current life, and most importantly, how you can release this binding.

VOWOFOBEDIENCEBinding:Fearof-Rejection,BeingOutcastandAlone,Authority,InstinctsandIntuition,Persecution,Death.

Blessing:Joyfulselfexpression,acceptanceofyourownuniquegiftsandwisdom,trustinyourownauthority,instinctandintuition,acceptanceofothersandtheirdifferences.

‘I found myself within a tribe of teepees. A fire, a Father, a Chief at the door of his teepee. And a Mother, and more children (my siblings) sitting at the door of her teepee. I stood by my Father, the Chief as he asked me again if I would do what was expected of me. And again, the 12 year old HER (me) said NO. I would NOT.

I was banished from my tribe for being who I was. For speaking who I was. For saying NO to what was not true for me. I caught the eye of my mother and she caught mine, sadness but understanding I saw there and in my father too, not as chief, but as my father a sadness and again an understanding. And away SHE went, alone, to live a life of isolation, to be herself.’- Kristan’s Swan Blessing Story, 2012

ManyofushaveexperiencedastorylikeKristan’sinapastlifeandhavetheSoulMemoryofbreakingtheVowofObedienceandbecomingtheOutcast.Manytimesinpastliveswe’vehadtorepressavitalpartofourspiritandObeythetribejusttostayapartofit.The‘tribe’mayhavebeenrepresentedby:family,village,society,temple,religiousorder,classor

gender.IntheriseoftheDivineFeminine,weareunderstandingthatthese‘tribes’orinstitutionsofoldandtherulesthatwentwiththemdonotbringustogetherbutkeepusseparatedandfocusedonourdifferences.WhenweclearthebindingenergyoftheVowofObediencewelearntotrustinourownDivineAuthorityandNaturalInstinctswhilststillexperiencingtheunityofbeingapartoftheUniversalwhole.

OneofthestrongestbindingbeliefsattachedtotheVowtoObeyisthatwewillbeforeveroutcastandaloneifwestandupforwhatwebelievein.Primitivecircumstancesofpastlifetimesoftenhavestrongsoulmemoriesofbeingunabletosurviveonourownwithouttheassistanceofourtribe.Thedeepestfear,theSeedoftheVowofObediencebindingisactuallytheFearofDeath.Thisiswhywecometothealtarofourownspiritwithgreatreverenceandlovetoconsciouslyreleasethesedeepandancientfears.Fearsthatatfirstwemaythinkaredramaticandirrationaltousinourcurrentlifetimecanstillfeelveryreal.ConsideringthatmanypeoplestilltaketheVowtoObeywhentheybecomemarried,andthatthisVowisstillapartofOathstakenbyparentsandgodparentsinbaptismsandothercommonplacereligiousceremonies,wecanbegintoseethatthebindingoftheVowofObedienceisactuallyanissuethatstillverymuchaffectsustoday.

AnotherbindingbeliefthatcanbecreatedfromtakingtheVowofObedienceisthattotrulybeourselves,toexpressourselvesfullyandwithoutcensorshipbyoutsideforces,wemustjourneyalone.Wemayhavedeep-seatedbeliefsthatourtrueandnaturalnaturewillsomehowbedeemedugly,shocking,unacceptableorevendangerous.Whatwemayactuallyfearisourownwildandinstinctualnaturethatisourbirthrightalongwiththedivinepowerofourownauthority.

‘AnimalMagick’isaveryimportantelementofourshamanicworkwithTheSwanBlessing.FirstlywejourneywiththeWildSwan,atotemwhobringsgraceandfreeexpressiontohelpustorecallthewordsthatwehavespokenwhenmakingPastLifeVowsandOaths.Attheendofeachsessionwejourneyforeachindividualtocallforthapersonalanimaltotemfromthespiritworldtoactasaguide,oftenalreadyknownandbelovedtotheperson.Agifttousfromthespiritworld,theyteachushowtobemoreauthentic,instinctiveandhonestinourlives.Theyarepowerfulguidestoshowuswhereandwhenitissafeandrighttofollow‘therules’,whenitistimetohonourourownspirit,andsayNO,andwhentocreateourownnewpathways.Mostimportantly,theyaskustocometoknowourownpersonalmoralcodeandactaccordingly.

Aswelearntotrustourownauthority,wereclaimourancestralteachingsandsharethemagaininourpresentlivesinanewexpression.Forthoseofyouwhoarefeelingfearaboutexpressingandsharingtheirwiseways,hostilityorcontrollingbehaviourfromothers,lettheanimalofyourownWildHeartguideyouinyourchoices.ChoosetosurroundyourselfwiththosewhosimplyletyouBE,andthosewhocelebratewhoyouare.Havecouragetolivebyyourownmoralcode.Bycomingtounderstandandrespectourownauthority,werememberthatweareallcreaturesoftheearth-asindividualandnecessaryaseveryanimalandplantinthewheeloflife.

Julia Inglis & Tony Esta are husband and wife creators of Sacred Familiar, a shamanic practice based in Sherbrooke Forest, Victoria. They are dedicated to clearing the binds that tie in the wave of change being felt in the rise of the Sacred Feminine.

www.sacredfamiliar.com / Phone: 0421 249 183

Events: Femmina Unbound - Clearing Past Life Vows Binding the Sacred Feminine in Love and Relationships. Shamanic Journey clearing past life binds guided by the Animal Spirit of our Wild Hearts. Seven Sisters Festival, April 12-14th 2013, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria

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PastLifeRegressioniscommunicatingwithyoursoulalsoknownasthehigherself.Thesubconsciousiswhereallofourmemoriesarestored.Therearetwosignificantexperienceswhichmayhappenwhentheconsciousmindisquieteneddownthroughrelaxing,meditationorhypnosis.Oneisviewingyourselfinpastlivesandtheotherishavingaspiritualexperiencesuchashearingfromapassedoverlovedone,avisitwithyoursoulfamilyorameetingwithyourguide.

The soul is immortal, our body is not, it is merely a vehicle to navigate the soul through its

lessons.

Eachtimethesoulreturnstoearthitcomesinacarefullyselectedbodyandaplanoflifecircumstances,whichhavebeenagreedtobyyoursoultoenablelessonstobelearned.Nooneisavictim;weareallvolunteers,heretoadvanceoursoulandtohelpotherstodothesame.Yourlifehasablueprint;itseemsatangledwebbuthasactuallybeenstrategicallyplannedwithclaritybeforeyouarriveinthewombtobeginalife.

Somesoulmemoriesfrompastlivescantriggerfeelingsinyourcurrentlifethatmaykeepyoufromlivingthislifetothefullest.Aphobialikefearofdrowningmay

beanissueforsomeonenowbecauseinanotherlifetimetheydrowned.Sufferingclaustrophobiaoranxietynowcouldbefrombeingsuffocatedinapreviouslifetime.Anunreasonablefearoflosingapartnerorchildmaysubconsciouslysurfaceinacurrentlifebecauseinapastlifeyoudidlosethemtragicallyorunexpectedly.Youmaycarryweightinthislifetimebecauseyoustarved.Perhapsyoufeelunabletospeakinfrontofothersbecauseyouwereridiculedorpersecutedforstatingyourbeliefs.Youmayfeelunnoticedanddisempoweredfeelingvictimised,alltheseissuescancomeaboutfromincidentsinotherpreviouslifetimes.

Exploringpastlifememoriescanhelpyoutorealisewherethesefeelingsandfearsstemfrom.Understandingtheeventwhichcreatedafearcanclearphysicalandemotionalsymptomsthatplagueyounow.Thereismuchmoretoregressionandsomeemotionalreliefoccursbyunderstandingwhywechosetoexperienceadverseorpainfulcircumstanceslikelosingachild,sufferingaterminaldiseaseorwhywehaveaself-centered,cruelordistantparent.

Pastliferegressionopensthepathwaytoaccessyoursoulandinturnunderstandyourself,likewhyyoubehaveinacertainway,traitsyouhavewhichareachallenge

suchasimpatienceorashorttemper.Maybethislifeistolearnpatience?Ifthatisthecaseyoucanbesurethateventsandexperiencesthatappearthroughoutyourlifewillprovidethecircumstancestoallowyouthechancetolearnthepatiencelesson.

Andwhataboutanimals?Dowereincarnateasanimals?Ihavenotcomeacrossanyonebeingananimalbutcertainlytherehavebeenclientswhoexperiencebeingindifferentschoolsoflearningotherthanearth.Soifanimalsreincarnatedotheycomebacktoparticipateinliveswiththesamesouls?Itwouldseemtheanswerisyes.Ihaveencounteredclientswhorecountedduringregression,seeingadoginapastlifeandrecognisingtheanimalastheircurrentlivingdogorpetoronewhomwasimportanttothematsomestageoflife.

Pastliferegressionisfacilitatedandguidedratherthansuggestedbythetherapist.Onlyanindividual’shigherselftrulyknowswhattheiragreementsareandhowtheyarebesttoreactinordertolearnthelessons.Gettingintouchwithyoursoulopensupapathwaytotrulyunderstandwhoyouareandwhyyouarehere.Ouranswersarewithineachandeveryoneofusandpastlifetherapyisabrilliantandgentlewaytoaccessthem.

Toni Reilly is a Past Life Therapy teacher and facilitator; she trained with Dr. Brian Weiss in New York. Toni is the founder of the Toni Reilly Institute to provide courses and workshops that allow people to grow and become self-aware through modern spiritual development. She facilitates Private Sessions, Training and Workshops in Australia and Internationally.

See the website for a schedule: www.tonireillyinstitute.com / Email: info@tonireilly.com.au / Phone: 0413 088 970

If you have ever felt confusion about Past Lives and what they entail - Toni Reilly shines the light on this fascinating area, as well as demystifying what happens when

you experience a Past Life memory or choose to journey through Past Life Regression.

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Aspersonalities,wewereall“born”fromtheOnetimelessconsciousness—theEternal/

Absolute/Brahman—anditisbacktothisawarenessthatweallwendouruniquepaths.ThereareasmanypathsbacktoRealityastherearepeople—andweallarriveintheend.Theyogiphilosophyteachesthatthebestwaytoaccelerateone’spersonalspiritualevolutionandthus,thejourneyhome,isthroughthepractiseofyoga.Thereareconsideredtobethreeprimarysub-categoriesofyoga:Rajayoga,Gnaniyoga,andKarmayoga.We’regoingtofocusonKarmayogahere,becauseinafast-pacedandmaterialisticworldwheremanypeoplefeelburdenedbyasenseofpowerlessness,misfortune,heavyresponsibility,and/ordrearyobligations,theoptionofsitting,meditatingandlivinglikeayogimayseemneitherpracticalnorappealing.

YoumaythereforefinditreassuringtoconsiderthatyoumayhavebeenpractisingKarmayogawithoutrealisingit.Theterm“Karma”comesfromtheSanskritword“Kri”meaning“todo”or“toact.”Thus,Karmayogaistheyogaofworkoraction,idealforthemoretask-orientedandperhapslessphilosophicallyinclinedindividual.Oneneednotbeanimpressiveintellect,asage,anaturalphilosopher,orinanywaymysticallyorreligiouslyinclinedinordertowalkthepathofKarmayoga.Indeed,proclivitiestowardsthoseotherareassuggestthepathsofGnani,Raja,orBhaktiyogainstead(thoughtheyareallcomplimentary).

HowdoyouknowifyouhavebeenoperatingassomethingofaKarmayogi?Easy.AKarmayogiworksforthesakeofdoingthework.Theyparticipatein

anactnotforthepromiseofagratifyingendresult—glory,adizzyinghigh,anegoboost,orsomekindofmaterialgain—butbecausetheyenjoytheactinitselfandembracetheirdutytodoitwell.Theworkisitsownreward,andthusisintrinsicallysatisfying.Performedtotheutmostoftheirability,theirtaskbenefitsallwhomittouches,evenifitonlyconnectswithothersindirectlyandimpersonally.ThisisthementalityoftheKarmayogi,thoughtruthbetoldheisoperatinginaccordancewithsomefundamentaltruthsthatarestillpoorlyknownin“civilizedWesternsociety.”Thosetruthsarekeytobeingan“everydayKarmayogi.”Theyincludethefactsthat:

• Nothingtrulyhappensbyaccident.

• Weareallherewiththepersonalandcollectivemissionofevolvingspiritually.

• Thelivesweleadtouchmanyothersonewayoranother.

• Ourlivesarelivednotforthebenefitofourownpersonas,andnotevensolelyforthebenefitofourownpersonalspiritualevolution,butforthebenefitofALLhumansintheirdevelopment.

• Eventhemosthumbleandthanklessorseeminglytrivialtasksareimportantandexistforadefinitepurpose—EVERYONEisapartoftheGrandDesign.

YogiRamacharakawaxedeloquentlyontheseideasinhisAdvancedCourseinYogiPhilosophy(1904)whenhesaid:

“A certain piece of work may seem…useless as a part of our own development, but

that particular bit of work is…needed in some part of the great plan and we should perform our part willingly. Every move and position has a meaning, just as [in] a game of chess…And, so the true Karma Yogi allows himself to be moved by the Spirit without complaint, knowing that all will be well with him, and that the move is needed to effect certain combinations or changes in the great game of life being played by all men.” 1

Iknowawomanwhoworksinahigh-stressenvironmentasacookinabusylocalcafé’skitchen.Herhusbandisonaverysatisfactoryfivefiguresalaryandsheactuallyhasnofinancialreasonstowork,andyetshedoes…becauseshelovesthework.Theworkisitsownreward.Shehasevenbeenknowntologonlaterinthedaythanhershiftactuallystarts(thuscuttingherownwagesback)inorderthatherlessfinanciallyabundantco-workers(whoneedthework)canlogmorehourswithoutupsettingtheirvolatileandfrugalbosswhostrivestokeeptheminimumstaffonatalltimesinordertosavemoney.Thiswoman,inthissense,isactingasanunconsciousKarmayogi.Unattachedtothematerialrewardsforhertimeandlabour,sheworksfortheenjoymentoftheactitself,evenself-sacrificingforthebenefitofothersasshegoes.Althoughshedoesnotknow“TheSecretofWork,”sheappliesitunwittingly.Shepractisesnon-attachment,apparently“non-awares”!

Thetheoryofnon-attachmentteachesthat,iffolloweddiligently,thisprinciplewillcauseonenottodesistintheenjoymentofcertainthings,buttoenjoyeverything,knowingintheirheartsthateverytask—eventhemostfutileortortuous—formsacrucialstrandinthe

ByBrendanD.Murphy

Men are so apt to tie themselves to the things they create, or to the things for which they are working. They make themselves slaves instead of masters – Yogi Ramacharaka 1904.

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THEREAREMANYANGELSWHOTAKECAREOFTHENATURALWORLD;HOWEVERITISARCHANGELARIELWHOISKNOWNASTHEANGELOFNATUREANDTHEPATRONOFWILDANIMALS

SheworksinclosecompanionshipwithArchangelRaphaelinhealingandprotectingtheanimalkingdom.WhileArielistheguardianofallanimals,sheisespeciallyalignedwithbirds,fishandlions,withthelionconsideredtobeher‘AnimalTotem’.Hernamemeans‘LionessofGod’andsheisoftendepictedwithlions,foritisthecourage,strengthandconfidenceofthismagnificentcreatureherenergyemulates.Herauraisapaleshadeofpinkandsheisassociatedwiththerosequartzcrystal.Wearingorholdingthiscrystalwillopentheheartcenterenablingherunconditionallovetoflowin.

Arielisalignedwiththeelements,inparticularairandwater.Sheguardsthe

BySusanneHartas

rememberandbelievedinyourtruth,foritisyouwhoholdsthepowertocreatewithin.TheDivineCreatorhasgivenyouthemostrefined,powerfulandperfecttool,YOU!Calluponmetobeyourco-creator,forIwilllovinglyguideyouinmiraculouswaysasyoucreatealifethatreflectsyourunlimitedpotential.BenotavictimofcircumstanceDearOnes’,buttheartistandcreatorofyourmasterpiece-YOURLIFE.Manyblessings.”

waterwaysandprotectsthosewhotraveluponitandthelivelihoodofallaquaticlife.

SheguidesthosewhoworkintheconservationfieldsandassistsineducatingthosewhoarereceptiveandhaveapassionforrestoringbalancetoMotherNatureandallherbeautifulcreatures.ArchangelArielasksthatwebemindfuloftakinggoodcareofourplanetandwildlife,fortheyarepreciousgiftsfromGodandtheyhavebeengivenwithmuchlove,inthehopetheywouldbetreasuredandrespected.

ArchangelArielisalsothemasterofDivinemagicandmanifestationandsheremindsusthatwearenotlimitedbeingsbutrather,InfiniteCreators,livingintheimageofourDivineCreator.

Ariel’s message -

“Youhavethepowertocreatethemostjoyfulofexistence,ifonlyyouwould

Susanne Hartas is a Psychic Medium and Angel Intuitive.

Please contact Susanne at: www.inspiritmagazine.com mail@inspiritmagazine.com

webofmankind’soveralldevelopment.Thepersonpractisingnon-attachmentunderstandsthathappinessisnotsomethingreachinghimfromwithoutastheeffectofcertaincauses,butsomethingthatarisesfromwithinaspartofhisownnature,ifhewillbutallowit.Whenyouareattachedtoanyonething,person,oroutcome,youmakeyourselfaslavetoit.Ontheotherhand,theyogiwhohasmasterednon-attachmenthasmasteredhimselfandisfreetoturnanypotentiallydispleasingorboringoccurrenceintoasourceofpleasure,sinceheknowsthathispeaceandhappinessiscarriedwithinhimselfandaccompanieshimintoeventheleastpleasantofcircumstances.

Asthetheosophicalgem Light on the Path (1885)states,wemust“Killoutambition”

Brendan is the author of the non-fiction epic THE GRAND ILLUSION: A SYNTHESIS OF SCIENCE AND SPIRITUALITY (Vol’s 1 & 2), and a contributor to several popular magazines and websites.

Find Brendan at: “The Grand Illusion (TGI)” fan page on Facebook www.facebook.com/The.Grand.Illusion.Books and at www. brendandmurphy.net.

andyet“Workasthoseworkwhoareambitious.”Thisisaslightlycrypticwayofexhortingustothenon-attachmentoftheKarmayogi.Work,performyourduty,pouryourselfintothedreariestofyourobligations,forwhatbetteroptionhaveyouonceimmersedinthemoment?Farfrombeingjustacurseonmankind,workcandistractandtakeusawayfromrepetitivethoughtsofself-pity,rescueusfromidlefantasies,anditalsoaffordsanexcellentopportunitytoriseaboveourloweranimalnatureandtheInstinctiveMind(oneaspector“layer”ofourpsyches).Thewayofspiritualprogressisnotinhidingawayfromthetravailsandtrivialitiesoflifeintheworldasitis.Onthecontrary,thefurnaceofmodernlifeanditsmyriadchallengesis

theperfectplaceforustoforgethesteelofoursoulssowemightbetterourselves.AsRamacharakasaid:“IfthyKarmahassettheeinthemidstofaction—act!Itisthyonlychanceofworkingoutoftheconditionsthatfretanddisturbthee.”2

Peace,contentmentandabidinghappinessarewithinyourightnow.Itisnotwhatyoudothatwilleventuallybringyouthesethings;no,thesethingsarewhatyouare.Freedofattachment,thisisthetruththattheKarmayogilivesout.

1 Yogi Ramacharaka, Advanced Course in Yogi Philosophy and Oriental Occultism, Lesson V. Yogi Publication Society, 1904.

2 Ibid.

Article © 2012 to Brendan D. Murphy.

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Shamanic practices have been part of many cultures around the world. Shamanism has also existed in ancient cultures for over ten thousand years.

Itwasusedtoincreasethepotentialofhumansandtospeedupthehealingprocessinpeople’slives.Thisextraordinarysystemofhealingisstillpresentallovertheworldinthesemoderntimes.ThetermShaman(pronouncedshah-mahn)isderivedfromthewordsamanfromaSiberiantribe,whichmeans‘toknow’.Shamansareatypeofmedicinemanorwomanwhoisnotgenerallyrecognisedinwesternculture;theyareactuallythemostancientpractitionerandarefoundinallEarth-basedcultures.Shamanismhasbeendebatedformanyyearsbythosewhowishtounderstandthisagelesspractice.Alotofwhatwaspasseddownwasthroughstory-telling,mythandlegend,andspecifictrainingwithaspectsrecordedthroughwriting.

ShamanshavedevelopedthemselvestosuchastatethattheyareintegratedwiththeirconnectiontocosmiccreativeenergiesandEarthenergy,whichenablesthemtohealataverydeepandvastlevel.

InaShamanicsociety,theShamanisanhonouredandsacredpartofthecommunitywherethereisdeeprespectandareseenasaSpiritualAdvisor.Throughtheirgiftsandpsychicabilities,theyalsojourneyintospirituallandscapesinordertoassistinhealingandretrievingenergyorinformation.Thiscanbeexperiencedasbeing(orhavingone’sfocusand/orenergy)intwoormoreplacesatonetime.Thisisoftenexplainedasan‘alteredstateofconsciousness’,whereattentionisdividedwithexpandedawareness.ThereisanothertypeofShamanicjourneying,whichisatypeof

ancientmeditationofinnerconsultation.Therecanbeseveralreasonsforguidingapatientonajourney;usuallythereisaspecificpurposeinmindandisoftenusedinhealing–certaintypesofvisionquests,consultingwithanimalorspiritguides,retrievinginformationsoul/energyretrievalorceremony.

A Shaman is essentially a healer. There are different types of

Shamans and Shamanism has evolved over time but the essence

has remained the same.

Dependingonwhathasbeenpassedontoastudentofthispath,dependsonhowtheyexpresstheirgifts.Insomeculturesitcantakeupto40yearstothenbehonouredwiththetitleof“Shaman”.MostformsofShamanismhavecommonalitiessuchassacredtheatre,energyclearing,ceremonies,soulretrieval,masks,art,musicanddance.Thereisaninnateunderstandingthatallthingsareconnectedintheweboflife.Giventhereisaprofoundconnectiontonature;hereliesakeyelementtothehealingprocess.Natureofferssanctuary,purityandabundance.Itisalwaystheretoholdusandsupportusinourgrowthasspiritualbeingsandalsotonourishandcherishthebody.Natureremindsusthatwearemadeupoftheexactsameessenceandenergy;theflowandserenitythattheEarthholds,wealsohavewithinus.Itistheretoremindusofthiseverymomentofourlives,althoughweareoftennotquietenoughtohearthissong.Therearesubtle(andsometimespowerful!)messagesthatnaturespeaksandaShamanisintuneandsensitivetothislanguage,therefore,oftenactasinterpretersofspiritandenergybridgingthegapbetweenworlds.Theyalsotakepartinritualssuchascomingof

age,initiations,seasonalchangesandcycleoflifeceremonies.

InmoderndaysocietywehaveContemporaryShamanism–wherespiritualadvisingisalsotakenintothebusinessworldandcities.It’samergingofthespiritualworldandcorporateworlds.ThereisstillquiteamisconceptionofwhatShamanismreallyisinthewesternsociety,andespeciallysointhecorporatearenabutgroupconsciousnessisslowlychanging.AsShamanismisquiteamisunderstoodpartofspirituality,itcanbemisjudged.Itcanalsobequiteabstractandcanbechallengingforpeopletograsp.Althoughanumberofavenuesofspiritualdevelopmentarecompartmentalized(ashuman-natureandthemindlovetodo),into‘NewAge’,itisinfactincrediblyold.Becauseoftechnologyandhowtheworldisdeveloping,generallyspeakingwehaveincreasedourdisconnectionwithcommunityandtheland.Rememberthatunderthebuildingsandhousesinthecitiesisland.Underthecement,roadsandpavement,island.Therearepocketsamongthehighrisesandofficesthatrevealnaturewithparksandrivers.Itisdefinitelymorechallengingzoningoutand‘zening’intothisenergyhowever,sinceincitiestheenergyismuchmoreconcentratedandincrediblydense.It’saboutslowingdown,connectingtothebodywiththebreathandknowingwhenit’stimetonurturetheselfwithsomenourishingenergy(whichIbelievetobealways!)

Peoplearelookingformoreempowerment,connectionandareyearningforsomethingwholesome.ShamanismisagentleandpowerfulpathwhereyouareabletohealandintegratetheSelftowardsbalance, harmonyandawareness.

Laura Naomi is a Contemporary Shaman, which blends the unique modalities of Zen practices, Shamanic and energy healing, space clearing and psychic and emotional counselling. She guides individuals, groups, corporations and businesses and is passionate about creating more awareness around energy and the spiritual world; how it affects us and how to harness this power to create a more harmonious lifestyle.

Web: www.laura-naomi.com / Email: yourdreams@globaldreamwhisperer.com / Phone: 1300 887 581

Laura Naomi demystifies the ancient practice of Shamanism and gives understanding of its important role in our modern world…

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A peach is ripe when slightly soft. A melon is ready when its perfume fills a room. Milk has a “sell-by” date. But, matters of the heart are not so simple. How do we know when we should turn right instead of left, or when we should keep fighting or look for a new direction? We were born into this world without an instruction manual to decipher the signs that propel us on our path.

Manyofusarefamiliarwiththeexpression“When God closes a door he opens a window.”Sometimesthough,hedoesn’tjustopenawindow,heripstheroofrightoffwhatwethoughtwaspossible,makingwayforsomethingfarbetter.

RecentlyIdreamtIwasapplyingtouniversitiesandhadbeenrejectedfromeverysingleone.However,hiddenunderneaththepileofrejectionletters,IfoundasmallenvelopeofferingmeafreeridetoaschoolintheCaribbean,eventhoughIhadn’tevensentinanapplication.IwenttovisitthistropicalislandandasIsteppedofftheplane,Iinhaledthescentoffrangipani,heardthegentleseabreezerustlingthepalmfronds,andrealisedthisfarsurpassedtheexperienceIwouldhavehadattheotherschools.

Thisdreamwasnottotallyoutoftheblue.Eightyearsago,IappliedtoPhDprogramsinFrenchLiteratureatStanfordandBerkeley.Ididn’thaveaburningdesiretobeanacademicorevenaprofessor,todateI’deitherbeeninschoolorteachingschoolsincetheageoffive,soitseemedlikealogicalstepafterreceivingamastersdegreeinFrenchCulturalStudies.

IstillrememberexactlywhereIwasstandingwhenIreadtherejectionletters.Now,whenIlookbackonthis,I’mfilledwithsomuchgratitude.Thatthinpieceofpaperthatsaid“we regret…blah…blah”

openedthedoortoacompletelydifferentlife.Iquitmyjob,movedtoSwitzerland,andbegantostepoutofmycomfortzone.

APhDinFrenchLiteratureatBerkeleyandStanfordgenerallytakesseventonineyears,whichmeansonlynowI’dbereceivingmydegree.LookingbackonthemyriadexperiencesI’veenjoyed,thepeopleI’vemetandthepersonalgrowthI’vehad,itseemshardtoimaginethathadIbeenacceptedatoneoftheseschools,IwouldstillbewedgedintoacollegiateofficeanalyzingSartreandCamus.NodoubtIwouldhavebeensatisfied,butIdon’tthinkIwouldhavebeenparticularlyhappy.Ijustdidn’tknowitatthetime.Thankgoodnessthepowersthatbe,eitherthepeopleintheadmissionsofficeortheAlmightyhimself,knewtosendmeinanotherdirection.

Ifyou’daskedmebackthenifIthoughtI’dbedoingwhatI’mdoingnow,Iwouldn’tneverhaveguessedthatthiswouldbemylife.ThisissomuchbetterthanwhatI’ddreamedupformyselfeightyearsago.

Thisisnotthefirsttimethishashappened.OftenwhenIdreamofmyfuture,I’mstuckwithintheconfinesofwhatIalreadyknow.EvenwhenIdreambig,it’sstillbasedonapresentversionofmyself.It’sonlywhenI’mwillingtoletgoofthereignsandridethewaveoflifethatIcanendupsomewheresomuchmoremiraculousthanIcouldhaveeverimagined.

IimaginetenyearsfromnowI’lllookbackandthink“ThankGodthingsdidn’tworkoutthewayI’dhoped,becausethisissomuchbetter.”Thechallengeisbeingwillingtoletgoenoughsothatwhendoorskeepclosing,Godcanswoopinandripofftheroof,orattheveryleastopenawindow.

Rainy Day Soup Adelicioussoupforarainyday,usingwhateveryouhaveonhandtoseewhatculinarymagicyoucookup!

Serves 82Tbsp.oliveoil1mediumyellowonion,chopped4clovesgarlic,chopped½kilocarrots,peeledandchopped1wholecelery,chopped½greencabbage,roughchopped1largebunchItalianparsley,chopped400gcandicedtomatoesinjuice10cupswater½cupcidervinegar½cuplentilssaltandpepper,totaste

Inlargestockpot,overmediumheat,sautéonionandgarlicwitholiveoilandpinchofsaltandpepperuntiltheonionsaresoftandtranslucent,5-10minutes.Meanwhilechopcarrots,celery,cabbageandparsleyandaddtothepot.Stirfrequentlytopreventstickingtothebottom.Adddicedtomatoes,waterandcidervinegar,andanothersmallpinchofsaltandpepper.Increaseheattomedium-hightoattainagentleboil,reduceheattomaintainasimmer.Coverandgentlysimmerforaboutanhour.Addlentils,cover,andsimmeruntilthelentilsaresoft,about45minutes.Addsalttotaste.Enjoyonacozyrainyorsnowyday!

Meadow Linn contemplates the unexpected twists and turns her life has taken by being open to the flow of the Universe.

Meadow Linn is a writer and a chef, living in California with her dog, cats and chickens. She believes that living well and eating well should be tasty and fun.

Meadow has just co-authored her first cookbook with Denise Linn which is available now through Amazon.

Whatinyourlifeisbetterbecauseyoudidn’tgetwhatyouthoughtyouwanted?Howwouldyourfuturebedifferentifyouallowedforalternateroutes?

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THE LAST SHAMAN Wizdom Press Authored by William Whitecloud

TheLastShamantranscendstheboundariesofourhumannesstoinspireanunderstandingoflivingintuitivelyandcreatingconsciously.SetinthewildsofSouthAfricaamidsomeunrestandwarthreateningthelivesofallconcerned,thisfictionalstorysee’sourheroMarkValereturnfromTheMagician’sWaytofurthercementourspiritualunderstandingsofintuitionandlivingcreativelywhileinsearchofTheLastShaman.

WhilesittingontheedgeofyourseatfromonechaptertothenextwithexcitementofMark’sadventure,youfindyourselfbeinginfusedwithnewknowledgeandawarenessinawaythattranscendsmostbookswrittenonthesubjectofthelawofattraction.

Author,WilliamWhitecloudhasmostcertainlyweavedhismagicintothereader’sheartonceagain.

A NEW KIND OF NORMAL – Unlocking The Medium WithininSpirit PublishingAuthored by Kerrie Wearing

Beginners,developingandprofessionalmediums-everwantedaone-stopbooktogotothatwillhelpyouwiththemanyaspectsofmediumship?Thisisthebook.AuthoredbyindustryprofessionalKerrieWearing,herdepthofknowledgeandexperienceshinesthroughassheguidesyoutofurtherenhanceandunderstandyourmediumshipabilities.

Comprehensiveandthorough,thisbookisrichwithdevelopmentexercisesandtips,personalstories,insightslearntfromreallifeeventsandexperiences,gainedfromdevelopingandworkinginmanyaspectsinthisfield.Itdelvesextensivelyintowhatmediumshipisaboutandwhatitentails.

‘ANewKindofNormal’presentsapathway,creatingaclearandsimplefoundationonwhichtogrowyourmediumshipskillsupon.

In AlignmentHealing

SOPHIESOPHIE CRAMCRAMIn AlignmentHealing

SOPHIESOPHIE CRAMCRAM- Spiritual & Energy Healing -

- Reiki Healing - - Reiki Master & Teacher -

Appointments - 0422 122 795

inSPIRIT | review

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ARTWORK NICOLLE POLLArtworkbyNicolle-OracleCards&AnimalTotemIllustrations,PortraitoftheSoul’sJourney&WriterE:artworkbynicolle@bigpond.com FB:nicollepoll@facebook.com

NICOLA MCINTOSHGraphicDesign,Fairy&FantasyArt,OracleCards&Writerwww.nicolamcintosh.com

ASTROLOGERS DAVID WELLSTeacher,Qabalist,Astrologer,Author&PastLifeTherapistwww.davidwells.co.uk

ASSOCIATIONS

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