Monday, October 11, 2010

Indian Summer in the Foothills


As this past Saturday night segued into very early Sunday morning, I found myself unable to sleep. An emotional issue I had been wrestling with had turned into a physical problem, as they sometimes do, and I became a bit, well, afraid. Let's call it what it was. Fear. Not-so-good, old-fashioned fear. I had earlier, with the help of a friend who is a spiritual healer, found much relief but the middle of the night can sometimes trigger renewed fear and there I was. I didn't want to call and wake her so I sent out a request for some help, specifically from what I have come to know as my spirit guides. These can take a variety of shapes and forms but lately they seem to come in the form of animals or some other aspect of nature. This night, I had a strong sense of three coming into my thought. No form, just the presence of three.

Within a few minutes I heard a distant sound coming ever closer. I recognized it as coyotes passing through, passing through so close they could well have ran right through my yard. As they yipped away, perhaps three - no way to know for certain - I got up and went down the hall to see if I could get a visual but they had already moved into the field beyond. I had heard them only one other time while here in my new place and that was shortly after I moved in. This was a real treat. I went back to bed feeling better and remembered how coyotes have always spoken to me.

While living in Santa Fe I would often see them outside my window playing in the arroyo, looking for rabbits. They would even come onto my patio occasionally, looking in my window as they passed by. At the last place I lived in Santa Fe, a month or so went by and I had not yet seen any there so I asked for a visit. Within an hour or so a pair were outside my window, running around and playing, and then resting under a nearby juniper. I was so grateful for the quick response, then and now.

When I awoke in the morning and went into the kitchen I had another affirmation of being cared for. There on the bird feeder, right outside my window, were three very large crows. This is the same feeder the ruffed grouse had sat on several days earlier. I had never seen any there or even in my yard all summer; I had only heard them in the woods and fields surrounding my place. But, there they were. They hesitated for a second or two after I came up to the window then flew off into the woods.

I hesitate to share the rest of the story but will because it's a part of my life, a part that has come to mean a great deal to me although I don't fully understand it or know what to make of it myself.

I was never one for getting "readings" from an intuitive or seer, I just never felt drawn to that, but I had felt led to do so just before leaving Santa Fe last summer. An opening occurred in this woman's schedule and I was called to see if I wanted it. It was a very interesting experience. Then, I had another "reading," from an intuitive here in Minnesota, this summer. Neither woman was given any information regarding the others reading. Both readers told me they could see next to me one of my guides, a Native American ancestor of mine by the name of Falling Crow.

If you're still with me please hang on. This is a three part story.

Yesterday, around 10:00 in the morning, I was wanting to be outside, somehow participating in an international day of working with the earth, attempting to bring attention to the need for caring for Her. I went out to gather rose hips in the garden and was met with a swarm of gnats. I walked down to the river. More gnats. A lot of gnats. It was as though, I was not supposed to be outside, something I had trouble accepting. I went inside and got the nudge to get in the car and head for an area known here as the Foothills - twenty miles of forest roads,  "Minimum maintenance, Travel at your own risk,"  a place I had not driven through for many years.

En route, just before getting to the sign that says, "Pavement ends," I was thinking about picking those rose hips earlier in the day, where, at the top of a long stem, two pink roses were in full bloom. I had almost buried my nose inside their velvet softness with that intoxicating scent. There in the car, I likened it to my love of horses and how much I like feeling and smelling their velvety noses and necks.

As I was thinking about this I drove over the next rise in the road and there were four horses, quite near the fence. I don't like to interfere with animals belonging to other people but I felt I should stop and acknowledge their presence. I got out of the car and walked through the ditch and over to the fence line. Three of the horses stayed just outside my reach while a fourth horse came over and quietly offered his soft black nose for me to touch. He did not make his neck available and I didn't push the issue. I was grateful for this moment, this gift.

I drove on through the Foothills, all twenty miles of almost-hidden ponds and woods of old white pines and quaking aspens, stopping by Green Lake, one of my favorite places from years before, to smell and feel the day. I saw it as an opportunity to honor nature, to see her whole and healthy. I also saw it as the perfect opportunity to meet and conquer my fears, especially around the issue I had been unnecessarily wrestling with the night before. I went by two small groups of four-wheelers who didn't seem as happy to see me as I was to see them, but that's okay. I silently affirmed that the Foothills belong to all of us, but mostly to the wild things that make it their home.

When I got back to my place, a couple of hours later, I decided to spend a few minutes in the garden and walking around the yard. My fear was gone and there wasn't a single gnat anywhere to be found.





Bill McKibben founded  350.org which organized this international event for 10/10/10.

25 comments:

  1. Oooh...looking forward to part 2 & 3! Very interesting so far...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lynne, I should probably clarify for you, and possibly other readers: this post contains all three parts - coyotes at night, crows in the morning, and horses in the afternoon. :) I'm glad you found it interesting...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Love the blog mom!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Ok...I get it! I was just being slooow.... Anyway, still very interesting. Hidden fears do sometimes pop up at night. Just check under the bed..LOL

    ReplyDelete
  5. It seems that nature's creatures are surrounding you with guidance!

    ReplyDelete
  6. so much to see/know in ourselves, reflected in nature. my soul yearns to understand my animal-spirit guides even more.
    and again--
    i must express my gratitude to spirit {and kittie} for leading me to you. your words always penetrate me in a way that's indescribible and deeply comforting.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lynne, yes, the boogie man! : )

    Nancy, It does seem so, and it feels very nice.

    Michelle, Seeing myself reflected in nature, and in others, is a very interesting part of my journey and there is much to see and learn. I'm so glad we "found" each other.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is such a beautiful post, I felt as though I with you all the way. I have found that the more I learn the less I know; the universe is wonderful and beyond full understanding but I fully accept the 'messages' you received. Thank you for sharing these moments with me.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Marilyn, I wasn't sure about sharing this, but I'm glad I did. Thank you for your comments. I love the mystery that is Life.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Correction: I am reading your blog and like this post. Last comment sounded like I was just reading anything. But no! Am reading your tussle and struggle with things about the human condition.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I love reading your blog as I often feel akin to animals and birds and wonder if others do so as well; it's so nice to read about your feelings about nature and the world surrounding you, and us all.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I so 'get' this... Especially the fear part and the animals delivering you from it. I am completely with you, Teresa.

    Kristy from Koda's Totems

    ReplyDelete
  13. Jack, I would have understood your comment without the correction... : ) but, yes, the human condition....

    Linda, I'm reading and hearing more and more of others affinity for and connection to nature, for which I'm immensely grateful. Thank you.

    Kristy, my dear, I Knew your presence as I wrote this...

    ReplyDelete
  14. How I envy your wonderful insights and ability to recognize the ways Nature speaks to you. You are blessed with acute hearing while I am "deaf".

    ReplyDelete
  15. Ms. Sparrow. You're not deaf. You have some fine insights. Looking at and listening to Nature, with whatever sense I have, came through practice and a deep desire to be a better listener and to stay alert, to really see what is right in front of me.

    I'm glad you've come back to Bloggerville. :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Wow ~ what an amazing post Teresa. I believe we get messages more often then we know of. We just have to be open to see or hear them. Wonderful!

    So glad your fear has subsided.
    xo Catherine

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hej Teresa! Another of your wonderful stories. The connection to nature is a strong part of us, but some have a stronger sense of that ancient connection. Your connection is extremely strong. I wonder about the number three.
    Like "the wanderer" I also thank Kittie for leading me to you some months ago. It has been and is such a great experience.
    And Teresa, thank you so much for encouraging me in my recent trouble. I'm better now, and I'll try to take a little time by the computer every day. I almost get abstinenses, when the computer stands there waiting for me! And I miss writing my stuff - and reading the blocks I follow!
    Have a nice day
    Grethe ´)

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a beautiful post Teresa Evangeline. You are very in touch with the Earth. It is wonderful that you now feel safe. and you can always go back to this day to reinforce this belief. I love your ..totems?? The coyote, the crow and the horse. You are very gifted. Thank you for sharing this. Arohanui..

    ReplyDelete
  19. Catherine, Thank you So Much. Yes, I feel it's just a matter of staying open to them, Listening, Seeing.

    Grethe! SO good to hear from you. I'm happy to know you're feeling better and I look forward to reading your wonderful posts on Nature and life in your corner of the world. It enriches my life, sharing our stories. I really like your words, "ancient connection." :) Have a beautiful, joy-filled day!

    Joan, Thank you for your thoughts. Yes, these experiences provide invaluable support. Arohanui, such a wonderful word. I looked it up and, although not an exact translation, "big love" is a fine notion. I find the Maori fascinating, in all respects. Thank you so much. Arohanui to you, as well.

    ReplyDelete
  20. The spiritual world is indeed a mystery, and entire creation is imbued with this spirit. One may deny it, but we are definitely beings beyond the flesh and bones. It is really amazing to see how you can connect yourself to the signs that cross your path. For those who are well tuned to Mother Nature, they can always sense the oneness with her. God bless.

    ReplyDelete
  21. cyclopseven, It is my belief that "reality" lies entirely in the immaterial, that the material is the counterpart to the spiritual idea it represents, and once I opened my heart to all that Mother Nature could show me, my life was changed forever. I'm so glad you came back to visit again and found this post.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Wonderful - beautiful post, Teresa! As is usually the case, after I've read one of your posts, I go off and let it rattle around in my head for a day or two. No exception here.
    I landed on this post randomly - I think. Or not. Much of what your post relates is very close to where I happen to be 'at'right now.. re-visiting some very old memories and asking myself point blank questions.. and answers are appearing in what one might term 'cryptic form'.. except they have always been there if I believed .. Anyhow, I could go on - this post helped me to move forward, to see again .. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ray, I'm always happy to see what posts you discover or are lead to ... I'm especially happy you found this one in whatever fashion and so glad it helped you, "to move forward, to see again." That means a lot to me.

      Thank You.

      Delete