emotions

Weather and emotions

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GCW’s view of the weather…

Storms and weather mirror human emotions. The collective human atmosphere made up of the energy of thoughts, feelings, and emotions influences Earth’s atmosphere. Unexpressed and intense emotions form accumulations of heavy energy that may be invisible, but affect our world and everything in it.

Clouds at sunset

Now on this planet so many are sick, fearful, worried, grieving, heartbroken, angry, full of dread. The energy of these emotions from so many people forms heavy and oppressive fogs and throws our atmosphere out of balance.

Earth’s atmosphere constantly regains balance through storms, weather events, sometimes extreme and destructive.

How like a gentle rain is momentary sadness, the shedding of tears, the gradual clearing of the mind, the sunny sky afterward.

How like a thunderstorm is the expression of pent up anger, dark heavy clouds pouring out pounding rain, lightning flashing, then everything gradually calming down, the air feeling clean and fresh afterward.

How like an inland hurricane is built up rage and fury released to destroy and rip apart every vulnerable thing in its path.

Fallen cottonwood downed by high winds

How like a tornado is a sudden riot, a huge suppressed rage and anger now unleashed and spiraling out of control.

How like a sunny cloudless day is contentment, mindfulness, peace.

How like a rain of hail is a sudden release of built up fury, pounding and flattening all in its path with destructive power.

How like an ice storm a withdrawal of love, a freezing of the heart, a breaking of connections, a cutting off of growth, a cold isolated fearfulness, a weighing down of the spirit.

How like a drought is a withdrawal of feeling, an intense boredom, a denial of true emotional needs.

Sky in late evening

Emotions are meant to move, to bring vital information about your lives to your awareness. They are not meant to build up without release or stall like a storm system stuck over one place for hours or days causing untold damage….

Look at the weather in your locality. Use it as a mirror to heal and bring your emotions into balance.

Storm damage

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Last week a furious wind and rain storm tore through this place destroying and damaging many in our beloved community of trees.

Broken hackberry

The sound of chainsaws is heard in the land.

Huge piles of brush line roads and streets. Centenarian hackberries that have towered over this shady neighborhood split in two, others broke at the crown. Mighty oaks toppled, evergreens twisted, silver maples torn apart, wild cherries maimed, red buds missing vital limbs…

Downed cottonwood

It is time to mourn our lost companions. Yes, this is another great loss in a year of many losses.

Broken hollow oak

The scars of this storm will last for a long time in our land, in our hearts and spirits, but we (by which I mean all living things) will endure. We will heal. The spirit of the land endures as nature regenerates and reinvents herself.

And later this fall, dear humans, after a time of healing it will be fitting to plan for the future by planting many young trees. Yes, this will be an exercise in patience. In this way you can continue to nurture and care for those who will come after you and care for the Earth.

Even after you and your loved ones have passed into the light those who are now infants those not yet conceived will one day delight in the cool shade, the towering grace, the shifting sun and shadow, the brilliant fall color, the heavenly fragrance, the spring blossoms of a healthy community of trees.

Young oak tree

Plant new trees this fall and make our world more beautiful, more livable, a true home for all.

If trees could walk and talk

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If trees could walk the Earth, we would gather in circles to shelter and protect those who suffer. With our roots and branches entwined below and above, lending our living energy which we channel from Earth and sunlight.

Spring tree

If trees could walk, we’d encircle the angry, the disenfranchised, the hurting, the lonely, the traumatized, and breathe our peaceful and harmonious energy into them so they may be empowered and calmed and find new hope.

If trees could speak, we would spin out ancient tales from the void, the time before time began, telling of the web of life that pre-exists our planet, in which all beings now find their home.

Old gnarled tree trunk

If trees could speak, our voices would carry above the rooftops and mountains, down valleys. Our voices would move on the winds, float down streams and rivers, whisper across the land through deserts prairies oceans to all living beings –

“We belong to each other. We must care for each other!”

Seeking the Spirit

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You might try to find me in that place I called home for so long. You could sit on my stump and try to locate my spirit.

Just as you might seek a deceased loved one again in their favorite chair, just around a corner, or puttering in the garden, you will no longer see or touch my physical presence.

We spirits of the deceased are no longer limited by life in physical form, by illness, emotional pain, sorrow, grief, fear, natural disasters, roots that hold us to one place, to weather that breaks branches and uproots, the freezing cold, or wilting heat.

Grandmother Cottonwood last year

Time space and distance no longer limit beings that have passed into spirit form.

Those who cross to the light slowly acclimate to the freedom and flow, the lightness of being, the life of the spirit. This is our new dimension of existence.

We can communicate with you. We can give and receive messages in various forms. We are with you. We love and care for you. Please ask for a sign, a message, a feeling, a word, a dream or image from us so you will know our presence.

Flying red wing black bird

Once again I understand that all living beings originate in spirit. We choose to manifest in our various forms in physical existence. We live out our precious earthbound lives, be they long or short. We die, leave our bodies behind and rise up once again as spirit, indestructible, resilient, immune to all ills.

We spirits exist with expanded awareness, expanded compassion, expanded joy, expanded love.

Even though you do not see us, we are everywhere. Call on us.

Near Death Experience for GCW

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From Betty:

Last week a bucket truck and workers clad in day-glo vests carrying chainsaws were seen in the vicinity of GCW.

Instead of trimming weak branches and removing dead wood as I had hoped, her western trunk was cut off several feet above her roots. Huge chunks of wood, splinters, and bark now scatter the ground around her for many yards.

GCW in parts

I feel a huge sense of sadness and loss at this action. The landscape and horizon here on our patch have been changed forever.

For some reason a part of her eastern trunk was allowed to remain, so a portion of her once magnificent crown still gathers in summer light through silver and green leaves.

Remaining crown and trunk of GCW

It is not known if the men in chainsaws will return to finish the job and bring her completely down.

Her remaining lifespan and physical being have been severely curtailed, but her spirit endures.

Cross section of GCW

I know she will continue to speak. Her wise and loving spirit cannot be destroyed, cannot be diminished or eradicated.

Life is all we have

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What really matters?

Tiny new plants claim hairline cracks in stone to spread their roots. Small mammals survive on discarded crumbs. Insects hatch in a dribble of water. They choose life. They cling tenaciously to life. They do what is needed to survive and thrive. They apologize to no-one for living!

Grasshopper on purple coneflower

Life will find a way.

When you have passion for life you will find a way to live fully. You are stubborn, a survivor. Even if others wish to impede your right to life, to instill fear, to diminish you, you will find ways to carry out your life purpose and be who you are meant to be.

Your dreams desires and plans all depend on you being here now in your body. On your taking your rightful place at the table, partaking of nature’s gifts, breathing deeply of Earth’s fresh air, walking freely upon our beloved planet.

You belong here in this vast teeming web of life. I repeat. You belong here. You are meant to be here. There is no mistake!

New grass shoots after a fire

Life is the spirit’s way of experiencing what it is to be in a body– plant, animal, insect, or human, and receiving an education like no other. Life imposes limited conditions on the body while teaching perseverance, endurance, and making the most of what you’ve been given.

Make your life count. Live in your body. Open your heart to those you trust, sit in the sun, breathe deeply and give thanks for your gift of life in this body at this time.

Life is not easy, your days are not guaranteed. You may suffer, you may hurt you may grieve. Yet, even still, life is the most precious gift of all.

Live fully within the conditions of the life and environment your spirit has chosen for you.

Separation or oneness?

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Dear ones, I feel the vibrations of pain and suffering emanating from millions of humans right now. I feel the flaming red vibrations of anger and rage boiling over into the energetic shock waves of violence rippling through our land.

In the web of life, in spiritual law, violence done to one is violence done to all, including the self.

I sense the sound waves from so many voices lifted up together imploring for justice and deep change. The frequencies of fear and despair in the atmosphere vibrate in my roots and branches.

Prairie grasses, heavy clouds

Those who believe in separation cannot know that all living beings are connected in the vast web of creation. They are blind to this fact.

They can cause great damage to the web of life, giving even more power and energy to the illusion of separateness – the dualities of black- white, good- bad, us-them. This old order thinking will keep humankind stuck in the battles, curses, and grudges of the past without end.

Dear ones, with your help this dualistic thinking and low level operating can give way to a more expansive and evolved world view in which humans feel and live from the level of spirit, a higher wiser always just universal view, unencumbered by limited vision, ego fears, and skewed beliefs.

Spring tree

Those who put spirit at the center of their lives begin to know the oneness of all beings. They will find a way to live without judging or harming others and transcend the frightened ego to bring true justice to our land.

They will see others through the eyes of source, will see their true hearts, will know the humanity and kinship with all who walk this Earth.

In the web, acts of mercy, unconditional love, justice, and kindness are reflected to all beings including the self.

Who is Your Power Animal?

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Your power animal (or spirit animal) may take the form of insect, mammal, reptile, fish, sea creature, amphibian, bird, arachnid. Even extinct or legendary animals may come to you in spirit form.

They may be tiny, shy, sleek, flashy, magnificent, meek, camouflaged, strong and powerful, a hunter, a grazing animal, a nest builder, or burrower, a deep sea diver…

Grasshopper on purple coneflower

To meet your spirit animal, close your eyes and let them come to you. They may not be who you expect! They will choose you, for spirits know what powers you require in your life, what messages what healing energies for your growth and wholeness. They are attuned to you and your spiritual mental, physical and emotional needs.

Be open to whatever creature comes to you. Set aside your logical mind and allow yourself to be curious, without judgment. All creatures have powers and wisdom to share!

Power animals, also called spirit animals or totems have access to spiritual information that humans do not. Human vision and knowledge are limited and Earthbound.

Your spirit animal can help expand your awareness and bring hidden knowledge and wisdom to your life. Ask your power animal how they will work with you, what you can do for them, how to honor and thank them for their service to you.

When you meet your spirit helper in animal form, use your senses to get to know them. Imagine feeling the texture of their coat, their scales or feathers… imagine smelling their scent, hearing their voice. Picture them running, flying, sliding, gliding, crawling, swimming. Imagine the feel of their body heat, or the dry coolness of the skin or scales, the delicacy and fragility of their tiny wings, the sharp claws, the wet nose, the soft fur…

Red winged blackbird
Red wing blackbird

Get to know them. Create a relationship with them by meeting often. You can do this by learning to do shamanic journeys, by writing and asking them questions, by going out in nature, leaning against a tree and tuning in to the wavelength of spirit and asking for their presence.

You must call them in each time you wish to visit and have a question or intention for your meeting. Pay attention to the messages you receive.

Build up your trust in them by meeting often. When you know them well, your power animal will be with you during times of trial, they will be with you when you are sick, they will be with you when you sleep, when you travel.

Orange butterfly on elderberry bush

Your part is to ask for their presence, ask for their advice, ask for their protection…ask for what you need from them. Then use your senses, including your sense of intuition to discern the messages they bring.

A power animal will expand your awareness of what is possible in your life.

Simple Steps

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Dear ones, you are needed on this planet now living up to your full light and power, owning and practicing your skills and sharing your talents, at your best in body mind and spirit.

If you feel dull, diminished, small, take one step toward your health and well-being today. Don’t overthink or complicate things. Start small. Start at the beginning.

Message from GCW

Change one thought. Consciously bring in a new thought that is in harmony with you and your desires in life. Little by little, day by day, new more hopeful thoughts will begin to create a lighter and more positive background to your life.

Do one physical stretch or movement or short walk that will remind your body that you are alive. Let your body move in ways that feel good to you. There is no need to break a sweat or call it a workout.

Take one mindful breath. Inhale and exhale. Pay attention to what you are feeling in your body during this breath. If you want to, take a second mindful breath.

When you are alone, let yourself feel an emotion. Name it. Notice where it shows up in your body, how it changes and moves as you pay attention to it. Let it go on an out-breath by doing safe physical movements, making sounds or vocalizing words in your private space.

Do one simple thing each day to strengthen yourself, to feel better.

Balance in the Web of Life

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Can you widen your perspective for a moment? Imagine rising up above our Earth like a soaring bird and viewing the beauty of our land from above…

…the woodlands, streams and rivers, the grazing deer, flocks of birds flying below, fields of green, shady and pleasant neighborhoods, the gardens and parks, lakes and ponds, farms and ranches, the quiet cemeteries, the playing fields…

…Vast oceans and seas, waves breaking on beaches and rocks, mountain peaks and deserts… clouds of butterflies migrating…

Flying bird, summer landscape

From this birds eye perspective you may begin to discern the magnificence and complexity of the web of life on this planet. Can you feel the peace and calm that seem to be generated in some areas?

Do you feel a kinship, a deep connection with all that you see?

But dear ones, as you soar above the Earth you may also see the devastation created by human alterations of our ecosystems, over-development and pollution. You may see some dying and diseased landscapes.

You may sense the anger and suffering inequitable policies have engendered. You might feel the widespread fear of disease for those with no safety net. You may feel the grief of those who have lost loved ones in the pandemic.

The web of life weakens when those with too much power believe the accumulation of massive wealth is the only thing that matters. When this grasping for wealth is valued over the equitable balance and distribution of resources, when health care is doled out for profit and those who cannot pay are left behind, the health and well being of all life on this planet suffer.

When kindness empathy and mutual benefit are seen as weak, when living together in harmony is scoffed at, when co-existing in peace doesn’t manufacture enough money to fill the bottomless pit of greed, the web of life weakens.

Do not allow the precious and complex beauty of our world to become damaged beyond repair under the weight of such stupidity greed and negligence.

Choose leaders who seek to assuage suffering, who do not turn their backs when others are hurting. Choose leaders who are rooted in reality, who make decisions based on the best advice available, who use their power for the good of all humans, all beings, the web of life.

When there is balance within the great web of life on Earth, all her beings can thrive.