Month: June 2024

Refrigerator Wisdom #3

by 8hummingbirdway

This third and final piece of refrigerator wisdom that I have to share is the words of a song I learned in my late 20s.

I attended a weekend workshop with my first husband. It was a workshop that facilitated emotional healing. I think it was called “Opening the Heart.” It was excellent, and was a good first step in sorting myself out. I learned a few songs that stuck. Here’s one:

It’s in every one of us to be wise

Find your heart

Open up both your eyes

We can all know everything without ever knowing why

It’s in every one of us

By and by

Just writing these word on this page is very powerful for me. This is a core song for me. It sing it every time I go to my altar, which has been every morning for quite a few years.

These words have been reassuring to me over time. They tell me that I will get to a better place “by and by.” They tell me that wisdom is available, and also simply “knowing” – that it’s in every one of us!

I fully believe the words.

This song has been a beacon of light for me for 40 years.

The Hollies sang this song, a longer version, but this is the part I hold sacred.

Private sessions are offered in person and remotely by phone or video conference. Contact Annie to book a session, host a workshop, for sliding scale rates or to discuss barter arrangements.

Ancestor Work, part 1

by 8hummingbirdway

I completed my ancestor work last week.

I started it 7 years ago.

This is some of the most significant shamanic work I have done.

I followed the guidance of Daniel Foor, offered in his book Ancestral Medicine: Rituals for Personal and Family Healing. (This work can be approached by visualizing or by journeying.)

My first task was to journey and ask for an image of these 4 lineages:

-My paternal grandfather and the men before him.

-My paternal grandmother and the women before her.

-My maternal grandmother and the women before her.

-My maternal grandfather and the men before him.

In this initial journey I perceived a sense of each group – their level of well-being, their burdens. I rated them with a number from 1-10 that indicated their wellness.

I asked for guidance from my spirit teacher on where to start …and I began with my paternal grandfather’s lineage.

Now my mission was to journey back along the lineage until I perceived a person that was well and loving and willing to work with me – and who had a positive and vibrant relationship with their ancestors back to it’s beginning. I found “Michael of Wales” who taught me about the blessings and burdens of the lineage, about who they were. For example, sacred geometry and astrology were threads in their lives, they are aligned closely with the element of Water and they love to dance. Already I felt “home” because I also love the ocean, to swim and dance.

Michael lived in a hut near a pond and I got to know him, swam in his pond, sat by his campfire for several talks. He and “The Choir” – the name I was given for the men who came before him – assisted me in bringing the ancestral blessings of the lineage forward to the present, to myself, to my cousins and his other living descendants unknown to me. The process occurred through many guided meditations that are provided in the book. The individuals and generations between Michael’s life and my life had lost the ancestral connection. There ware varied levels of balance and wellbeing in the lives I encountered. The healing, for individuals and sometimes groups, occurred in various ways – in connection with the earth, by sitting in council, always completed with a group dance in the nearby water. The circle of wellness and the circle of ancestors in the water grew as the months of my work went on. It took 14 months.

There are times when the work is daily, times when it’s sporadic, and times when it can take a break, although I always sustain my connection to the lineage with a song, visit to my altar, or another reminder during that time of focus.

I proceeded to continue the work, as guided, with the lineage of my German maternal grandmother and the women before her.

This time, after researching the names of those in the lineage, I travelled a long long way back in time to find an ancestral guide who was well and loving, willing to help, and had a positive and vibrant relationship with her ancestors. I connected with a small woman named Paupo who lived in a cave in what felt was near or in current-day India! Surprise! I spent some memorable time there. Early on I found myself by the fire outside the cave, feeding the fire and learning of their sun worship and meeting the dragon that was their protector (and is now my ally as well). The “Ancient Ones” before Paupo were even smaller women in white robes and seemed Japanese to me. They were distant from me in a large circle and I didn’t interact with them. They were present in support of the healing work. Paupo and her people were sun worshippers and at first I was guided to sit in the sun daily in an exercise of connection with the sun and healing for myself and for the lineage. I later journeyed often to the sun and learned a song of love and connection with Fire.

I worked with Paupo intensively for 9 months, but it felt like a very long time. As time went by, we often sat by the nearby river in a healing/teaching circle where family members and close others from my present life were brought for healing. Later the the process I visited the cave and the larger family. When the work of bringing the blessing of the ancestors forward to the present and the healing of the lineage began, I learned that these gentle people were conquered by a Germanic tribe, enslaved, and eventually intermarried – which accounts for my German grandma. The trauma of this time was overwhelming. The healing took many sessions over centuries.

It was deeply impactful to know about this time of my ancestors being enslaved, and I was protected in the journeys. Dragon was always present, and the wounded ancestors were contained inside a sacred stone wall for my protection and for the protection of the ancestors. As the healing took place, the healed ones took their place with the well ancestors before them.

I feel a deep alliance with Paupo as I walk forward, I do not think of her often these days, but when I do, there is a special closeness between us. I feel her beautiful and kind presence. She is a sister.

Now I deeply understood the value of the work I had undertaken, and I had 2 lineages more to work with.

The next lineage was more challenging.

I will continue in another post.

Private sessions are offered in person and remotely by phone or video conference. Contact Annie to book a session, host a workshop, for sliding scale rates or to discuss barter arrangements.

Eternal Damnation and Evil

by 8hummingbirdway

For some reason the concept of eternal damnation never held much impact for me. Perhaps my soul knows it is not a reality.

A relationship with the Divine has always held promise and love and blessing for me, never fear.

That’s all I have to say about eternal damnation, but evil is another matter.

For a long long time – most of my life – I did not believe in evil. I believed, and still do, that most people are based in love. Life can cause us harm and lead us astray …and one can lose their way, following false “gods.” Is that evil? I choose not to perceive it that way.

Regarding individuals who seem predetermined to cause only havoc and harm, I have no answer. I would have to know them personally to be convinced that any person is evil. So far I haven’t met anyone I would bestow that description upon.

After I learned to assist the dead in crossing over to the light, I started to encounter beings that seemed to be strictly “power over” type beings. They want to and manage to control other souls for their benefit. I’m not sure exactly what the benefit is – but I quickly learned to increase my personal protection. I was also guided to “look away,” and that is all that is required for me to avoid them.

I do not practice this work without being accompanied by a specific helping spirit that I’ve been directed to have accompany and guide me in this work.

Because I have a passion to help others, it’s my natural inclination to help. However, these beings are not looking for help. Looking away allows me not to be drawn in by what I now call dark beings. I don’t pretend to understand them, but I do recognize them when I encounter them. I have the ability to banish them from a person or location, and to free any souls under their control. I then assist those freed souls to cross over if they want to. Otherwise, they will have to be banished as well if I am doing a Shamanic Clearing.

I have a friend who has been deeply challenged by life in this physical realm. She was raised in loss, abandonment, betrayal, and abuse. In more recent years, she been tempted by the darkness, or evil power. She sees or is shown avenues where she could gain power. She has discussed it with me many times, and I have worried for her. I pulled her back with reason and love, but more was required.

She recently experienced a healing process that seems to have mitigated a great deal of the pain she has been carrying AND has eliminated this connection to the darkness. I am extremely happy and hopeful on her behalf.

I have known one other person who has shared with me his experience of a few “offers” from the dark side. He declines all such offers or pressures, and has on occasion called God and Jesus to his aid. Happily, this has always worked for him.

Another person I know repeatedly experienced the presence of a dark being in his home after looking at pornography. His partner experienced the being as well, and their dog whined. I advised him to banish it with words. It vanished, but then returned.

This was before my ability to help. Fortunately, I was able to find another person to do a clearing of his building.

During my spiritual search, I explored Wicca for a while, but I was not comfortable with the concept of spells. Were curses far behind? It seemed they might be.

I’m confident that there are many Wiccans who practice only in love.

I am grateful that I have not been tempted by or even aware of evil for most of my life.

It is only by my commitment to helping others that I have come to acknowledge it’s existence.

Private sessions are offered in person and remotely by phone or video conference. Contact Annie to learn about hosting a class or workshop, to book a session, for sliding scale rates or to discuss barter arrangements …or for any other reason.

Happy Solstice!

by 8hummingbirdway

Around 6:45am I was blessed with this sight on my walk home from the community garden.

I have heard from multiple sources that our planet is ascending on this day. I have never heard of such a thing, but there is much I don’t know.

I support ascendence, for mother Earth will take us with her.

Are you ready to step into and new and better self?

Blessing to all.

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Natural Cycles of Sleep

by 8hummingbirdway

This post is from DailyOM Inspiration. (link below)

Our bodies are naturally encoded to respond to light and dark — sleeping with the rhythms of Mother Nature.

The human body evolved to fall asleep soon after the descent of night’s curtain and to wake with the appearance of the dawn. Sleep cycles were governed by patterns of light and darkness for thousands of years, meaning that for much of history, humanity has enjoyed nine or more hours of sleep each night. Our bodies are naturally encoded to respond to light and dark and sleep with the rhythms of Mother Nature. In the present, artificial light has changed the way we schedule our day-to-day lives, and most of us slumber for less than seven hours at a stretch. It is possible, however, to come back to natural sleeping cycles by making a few small changes. When our bodies and minds are attuned to the world’s natural rhythms, we feel calmer, more centered, and more energetic while awake. Sleep is more satisfying because we afford ourselves more than enough time for restoration and rejuvenation.

Our reliance on indoor lighting further compounds our disassociation from the natural cycles of light and darkness that would otherwise preside over our sleep. You can mimic the passage of the day by changing the quality of the light. Sleeping without heavy drapery or shades is best, so you can wake up with the sun. If sleeping by a window without a curtain is not an option, you can use a dawn simulator lamp that imitates the sun by growing steadily brighter with the coming of morning.

You will likely discover that changing your sleep patterns to be in sync with the daily cycle of light and darkness is easy and that you feel more alive when your sleeping. Your waking rhythms also will be in alignment to those of the Earth. Nature’s own phases will be your guide to wellness, granting you more waking hours in the summertime when you will benefit greatly from spending time outside and ensuring you get plenty of sleep in the winter when you likely need it most.

For more “Inspirational thoughts for a happy and fulfilling day” …

https://www.dailyom.com/inspiration/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=inspiration-feedback&utm_campaign=inspiration-feedback&utm_content=thumbsup&aff=2202&acct=35454965
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The Perpetrator, Shame and Punishment

by 8hummingbirdway

[I wrote this post back in January. It was part of looking back at myself and at cultural issues that concern me.]

I am going to share my belief that our culture could and should advance to the point where the perpetrator of harm is helped to release shame.

Why? Because shame is a block to healing. Because the abused person often becomes the perpetrator. And because if we do not see to the wounds of the perpetrator, we perpetuate the harm.

Before one can change ingrained patters of unhealthy and harmful behavior, they must release the shame that comes along with those patterns – whether perpetrator or injured party – often one and the same.

What is shame? Here’s my definition: Shame is the belief of inherent depravety and wrongness of the self.

What does shame do to an individual? It keeps them down, separate, and stuck in imbalance. This imbalance is deeply harmful and limiting. It also is the trigger that initiates undesirable behavior that harms others and the greater community.

I know something about this. I used to carry shame. As a person who was sexually abused. As a child of parents who did not always treat me as a treasured being. As a liar. As the oldest daughter who did not always treat my siblings as treasured beings. And there you have it. The shamed one shames others. It spreads more surely than any virus.

Most of my life I carried shame. It is a heavy load. It stopped me from applying for jobs I was qualified for and would have excelled at. It stopped me from speaking up for myself, expressing my ideas, even talking to others. It stopped me from feeling at ease in my skin – from dancing or singing around others. It stopped me from being at ease with sexuality. I could go on.

I am fortunate that I was able to sustain two marriages and raise three children. I could have done better. I have my regrets. But in the family arena I navigated well for the most part.

I am not sure when the shame actually left me. It was in the past 3 years. (I’m 68.) It was a spiritual journey of coming to terms with my mother, with myself, and with Spirit/Source/ God. A year ago I started posting on Facebook about my shamanic practice. It was only this past summer that confidence was finally born within me, enabling me to offer journey circles to people I didn’t know, enabling me to call forth this website, giving me the opportunity to share the contents of my soul.

Shame is harmful and dark; it destroys people and relationships.

I do not support the current paradigm of prison. It’s inhumane – and it’s another thing to be ashamed about.

Healing should be the focus if one must be separated from the society at large due to their behavior. Not in a punishment that adds deep insult to injury and sets one up to fail on their release. Education and rehabilitation are given lip service, but no personal account that I have ever heard includes true opportunity – except for the occasional opportunity to interact with those who have a healing intention – either inmates or others.

I’m aware of the current pattern of releasing individuals who don’t obey the laws. I am not suggesting that there should be no repercussion for actions against others or against property.

I am also not saying that I align with every law.

I simply cannot see how we can heal humanity without ensuring that all humans have the right to the basic necessities of freedom, food, shelter, clothing – and work in a respectful environment.

I am aware that the color of one’s skin, the language one speaks, and the wealth in one’s bank account mitigate a great deal of “having to pay the price,” and this strengthens my feelings about the unfairness that exists in our legal system.

I do believe that we must, at least in our wealthy country of privilege, find a way to provide access to true wellbeing for all who are able and willing to participate in a functional way, and a safety net for those at risk, should they chose to employ it.

I believe we can and eventually will move forward to a open, loving and healing existence. I see the seeds sprouting all around me.

Once we find a solution to our current paradigm of shame, unfairness, imbalance and harm, I hope that we will spread the healing worldwide.

I am not saying that I know how to bring this to reality. I have confidence that if we were to make healing and personal wellbeing a true priority, those in powers could navigate much closer to this goal. I’m not saying our currently elected leaders will do this. I see no evidence of that possibility.

I will simply say that I believe all humans can be healed to a great extent, that they want to be healed, and that this should be a top priority and intention in families, in all our institutions – including schools, and in our legal systems.

Obviously there is a great deal of work to do.

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Refrigerator Wisdom #2

by 8hummingbirdway

The second piece of refrigerator wisdom came straight from my husband’s brother’s refrigerator to mine. I have always assumed it was put there by his wife. We women tend to be more sentimental. Regardless, I’m sure my brother-in-law aligns with the sentiment.

You come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by loving an imperfect person perfectly.

This speaks volumes to me. And it has grown over time within me.

Love.

It’s perceived in so many ways.

The most important aspect of this message is that we must devote our selves to those we choose to love. I cannot think of a more important endeavor in this life. Our loved ones change and unfold as life goes on – and in response to life.

People don’t show all of themselves right away. Not because they are deceptive, but because they change. They are where they are in each moment. For example, different things are at play when one is in the business of falling in love. Charm shows up naturally. More smiles present themselves in response to feeling happy. Strong connection is on display as this love grows.

The same thing happens when a mother gives birth. She is biologically programmed to be attentive, protective, mindful, comforting, and nurturing in relation to her child. She even speaks in softer tones.

As time goes on, the person in each of those scenarios returns to the full spectrum of themselves. Their attention and focus eventually returns to the day to day aspects of life. Other responsibilities resume their position in the array of one’s life – work, shop, cook, pay bills, etc. Stress creeps back in and impacts that which began as something in a fairly tale. Love remains, but often must take a back seat to other realities.

Additionally, as life unfolds, aspects of who we are sometimes return to us …or show up surprisingly. When something happens (a birth, a job loss, buying a home, a death), we find that we carry parts of ourselves that we hadn’t known before. It may be a residual pattern from our upbringing, or it may be a new development that change has brought forward.

Meanwhile, our loved ones’ job is to expand their view and understanding of us. Compassion may be needed. Generosity might be required. Acceptance will be called forth.

The one thing we can count on is change. Being anchored in the words of this refrigerator wisdom above can help us keep our feet on the ground, remember what’s important, and call forth the inner fortitude and ability to sustain love.

I realize as I write this post that I may have to write something about leaving my first marriage.

Sigh.

Down the road.

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Repatterning for the Great Evolutionary Advancement

by 8hummingbirdway

On lighter note, I recently finished reading Repatterning for the Great Evolutionary Advancement, channeled by Norlen Linn.

It’s not an easy read, but it was compelling. And it has changed me.

The words themselves are encoded with transforming energy and facilitate change.

I experienced significant shifts in patterns and I felt impactful releases.

This book supports the ongoing transformation of humanity.

It is a harbinger of and for our future.

There is so much within the book that it is challenging to convey. It facilitates connection of heart and mind and soul. It points us toward love. It assists the release of fear. It tells of intentional transformation of our DNA by light-beings that surround our planet at this time. It mentions a degradation of humanity that we are recovering from. It provides a pathway to return to the original “blueprint” (my word) for humanity.

This is a sacred text, in my opinion.

Having had a long friendship with Norlen, the channeler, and a deeply supportive and impactful relationship over the past year with Sri Pune, the channeled entity of 5 frequencies, I reside in complete trust.

Norlen and I met when we began to learn and study shamanic ways in 2016. Her website is norlenlinn.com.

I highly recommend embarking upon this journey.

Reach out to me it you would like a copy of the book. It is not widely available yet.

See Norlen’s website at norlenlinn.com

Private sessions are offered in person and remotely by phone or video conference. Contact Annie to learn about hosting a class or workshop, to book a session, for sliding scale rates or to discuss barter arrangements …or for any other reason.

Bad Indians

by 8hummingbirdway

A Tribal Memoir by Deborah A Miranda

I resumed reading this book this morning after a month or so. It is breaking my heart. But those are just words. After I read all I could this morning I held the book against my heart and felt such grief. Just a few tears where there should be rivers.

There have been rivers.

The first part of the book tells the story of the “Mission Indians” of California, who were of multiple tribes and who were displaced, enslaved, and broken from the 1770s to the 1830s.

This brokenness continues today in their descendants. There is so much loss – of self, of knowledge, of pride, of well-being, of sacred ways, of connection to Earth, of the ability to raise and protect one’s children, of language, of truth.

I am not saying very much, I know. It is too much.

Truth is told in this book in a personal and heart-breaking way.

It was difficult to read at first; now I am gulping it down.

At first I encountered simply anger. I thought I did not want to read angry bitterness. But I pushed on because part of my current journey is to read the truth of the tribal people in this country. And anger is part of it, of course – as uncomfortable as that might be.

I barely touched tribalism in the 3 countries I visited in Africa this February.

This feather of a touch has awakened a yearning within me for the richness of the ancient ways. And of course – one of the places to look is to the people and the stories of the tribes of this land – where I was born and have lived my life.

I did not know anything about the native people in California. I have already learned, in the first section of the book, a great deal.

Peeking into the next section, I have discovered that a law was passed in the early 1850’s that facilitated killing Indians from the California goldfields. $25 was paid for a male body part (a scalp, a hand) and $5 for a female body part. Congress appropriated and paid out over one million dollars for this service.

Nixon revoked this law in 1970.

There is so much we do not know of the effort to rip those close to the Earth from their ancient and sacred ways …and to simply use humans for personal gain.

This book is historic, tragic, personal, generous, and so much more.

It is brave and proud.

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