Wordlest Wednesday for Blogerfest

Owl Medicine

This morning as I was laying in bed and giving gratitude and thinking the thought - "I must fill my upcoming retreat!" an Owl spoke.  I haven't heard an owl in months.  Owls tend to come to me for confirmation of wisdom.  This owl hooted at least 5 times as I continued to think about my retreat.  I got up this morning and worked on the following description....

Creating the Life You Want

Learn to harness the possibility in YOUR world to create the future YOU desire.

Envision yourself immersed in the tranquility of the majestic Smoky Mountains as you are nurtured and inspired in mind, body and soul.  Our beautiful weekend escape is a spacious, private home overlooking Highlands, NC.  Gourmet food, guaranteed to delight your palate, will be prepared daily on site.

Throughout the weekend, you will learn how to harness the power of the present moment, how to easily clear negativity from your life, and how to tap into your inner creativity (even if it’s buried really deep).   You will be guided in identifying and honoring the strengths within you and acknowledging and overcoming your personal roadblocks to success.  You will also have the opportunity to participate in the exploration of journaling, meditation and yoga basics.  All of these wonderful activities will unfold within a framework of fun and individual connection.

“Creating the Life You Want” is based on universal spirituality and welcomes anyone regardless of belief.  Many of the traditions we will share are Native American in their origins.  All activities are optional with the exception of the opening and closing circles. 

Retreat Details:

• Friday, November 1^st @ 6:00 pm – Sunday, November 3^rd @ 2:00 pm

• Facilitated by Christine Gautreaux, LMSW

• Dinner will begin at 6pm – Opening Circle will begin at 8pm

• Please bring:  Comfortable clothes, walking shoes if you want to explore nature, a journal, a pen, an amazing snack you want to share, and any special items you need for self care.

• This retreat is a safe and sacred space.  What is shared here stays here. 

• Alcohol and drug free.

• Lunch will be provided before departure on Sunday

Wednesday

Today I saw another deer saying hello - just one this time - a gentle reminder - again.
Yes I am a slow learner!

More soon,

Christine

Deer Me

Two encounters with deer today...  Had two run across the road in front of me in the dark this morning and a third small one turn back after it looked at me.  That was early this morning on the way back from High School drop off - I vaguely remember what I was thinking and I did need the message to be gentle with myself and others.

The second encounter happened when Alex and I came home today and three deer where eating in our front yard in the afternoon.

This afternoon I had been talking with a friend about my upcoming retreat and when I saw the deer I thought about an encounter I had at Earthsprings with a deer, a vision and a quest.  I think I will save that story for tomorrow...

2 of the 3 deer grazing in the Halloween decorations

Remember to be gentle with yourself and others today,

Christine

Monday

This is not the bird I saw (this is from bing images) but it reminded me of him :)

Today while I was driving I saw a beautiful fat red male cardinal all fluffed up and bathing in the newly formed water puddles after over 12 hours of rain. As the sun shone and the clouds cleared this sight warmed my heart.  I didn't get a chance to stop and take a picture.  I wish I had.  The red was so vivid in the sunshine and I swear the bird  was smiling :)  Cardinals have always stood for love for me.  Reminding me to love myself and others.  I needed that on this Monday.  I've been working on my upcoming retreat.  Here's the flyer in case you know anyone who is interested and would be a great fit.

Christine

Saturday Silliness :)

Joe and I communing with an Alpaca - need to look up the totem significance for this!

One of the tiniest and furriest cows I've ever seen!

Friday Fun :)

Sammie has been taking lots of pictures this summer and I wanted to share of few of my favorites for today's blog!  She entered two of these in the schools reflection's art contest today.

Beluga Whale swimming in sunlight - Sammie Gautreaux

Beautiful Coral? - Sammie Gautreaux

Sea Turtle - Sammie Gautreaux

Thankful Thursday

I love how Great Spirit, God, The Universe (you put in your name here) works....

So this morning in my group meditation I was thinking about my upcoming women's retreat and filling it up since it's a month away.  I started to fret and then I breathed into it and was given the thought to "allow."  To allow help, to allow it to happen, to allow....

I got home and within an hour my friend, Cynthia had sent a message asking how my registration was going and if I wanted her to spread the word - ha! Yes! Why yes I do...especially since I am breathing and allowing :)

 

Let me know if you and/or a friend are interested in coming.  I'm getting excited about this retreat and all that spirit is sharing!

Wrapping you around my friends with infinite love and wisdom,

Christine

Blogtoberfest - Day 2 prompt - creating a blog with a picture and no words :)

Oh Deer

One of the things I have done for years is study my Native American ancestor's spirituality and our ties to Mother Earth.  One of the things that has come from this is the increased awareness of animal totems and how they help in our daily lives.  When I am paying attention it is amazing what I "see"!

One of the fawns visiting my backyard

Yesterday morning I had an encounters with 4 deer.  Deer is one of my three main totems. (The other two being Heron and Wolf (more on those later)).

Elena Harris over at  SpiritAnimal.com says, "When you have the deer as spirit animal, you are highly sensitive and have a strong intuition. By affinity with this animal, you have the power to deal with challenges with grace. You master the art of being both determined and gentle in your approach. The deer totem wisdom imparts those with a special connection with this animal with the ability to be vigilant, move quickly, and trust their instincts to get out the trickiest situations."

Ina Woolcott  at http://shamanicjourney.com/article/6025/deer-power-animal-symbol-of-gentleness-unconditional-love-and-kindness states "Both Celtic and Native American hunters prayed to the deer to give them a good hunt, and in return promised to take no more than was essential for the survival of the tribe. This helps remind us that our spirit of gentleness and unconditional love should extend to all species, not only our own. Maybe the most effective way to summarize the lessons of these beliefs, is to say that only when we move through life in the spirit of love for all beings can we melt the barriers that separate us from others, from other life forms, and from the beautiful mystery which is our own magical and spiritual gift."

Deer has always stood for love and grace in my live and a reminder to be gentle with myself and others.

This was a good reminder yesterday.  I saw my first deer when I went out early in the morning when it was still dark with Merlin, the dog.  Two more appeared in my yard as we were leaving for car pool.  I was still rushing around and not cluing in to myself or my totems when one literally stared at me from the side of the road and walked out in front of my car and stopped.

I laughed.

This is not the first time that animals have done this.  It especially happens when I am busy, when I am not tuned in to myself, nature or God.  It is a gentle and very clear reminder to stop and pay attention!!!  The spirit world is talking to me.

One of the the things I have been wanting to do is focus more on my women's retreats and the "path" that I am on as a Medicine woman and facilitator.

So today I am starting that journey with this second blog dedicated to this aspect of myself.

My intention for the month of October is to "pay attention" and share with you and myself what is happening.

I hope that you will join me on this journey.

Aho,

Christine

ps.  I'm a little nervous about starting a second blog but am feeling really called to explore and expand this aspect of myself so I'm starting by sharing with with a few folks and may expand later.

I have recently started a totem animal art project that I will be sharing on this blog too :)