Animal Signs: Reindeer

Judging by the amount of hits my post last year on Rudolph the Reindeer has been getting lately, http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.ca/2011/12/reindeer-bullies-bach-flowers-for.html  it seems as though a lot of people are thinking about reindeer. I guess it is the season. Or at least getting close.

When a lot of people become focused on the same thing I think "the thing" is worth examining a bit. So I decided it would be a good day to look at the spirit of Reindeer as an animal sign that might be providing us humans with some welcome direction.

It would seem some flexibility is required here.  Reindeer wasn't exactly listed in my Animal Spirit Guide books. But Caribou are. And if I saw anything like the critter  in today's picture, at this time of year, I would call her a Reindeer. I hope that wouldn't be insulting to the Caribou- I mean it as a term of endearment and respect of the season. And I think they probably share pretty similar Spirit.

As is often the case, when an Animal Spirit shows up in your life, the significance can still be somewhat open to your perspective and interpretation.  In Steven Farmer's Animal Spirit Guides, there seem to be five somewhat different messages that may apply depending on your situation.

1. Farmer writes that a reindeer (well okay, Caribou) showing up "may indicate it's time for you to make a decision and act with resolve." He suggests you consider it a symbol to make the decision, stick with it, and take appropriate action. Hmm...

That's pretty good advice "when the shift hits the fan" I think  http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.ca/2012/11/when-shift-hits-fan.html  It might be interesting to note that in the Caribou clan, unlike reindeer actually, both males and females have antlers.  There obviously (if you are a Caribou/Reindeer) are other ways to distinguish male and female! but it's not by looking at their heads. As the shift occurs and we embrace and become connected to the feminine aspect of being human, we might still need to pay attention to our masculine side as well. It isn't a competition, it's a balance to be obtained.   http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.ca/2012/03/energetic-tug-of-war.html  And if you're going to make a decision, stay with it, and take action, I believe you might want to tap into your masculine side a bit. 

2. Farmer also writes the appearance of reindeer/caribou may indicate "something is bugging you, and you need to address whatever it is and either try and change, it, get away from it, or surrender to it. " Perhaps that's what you need to make the decision about. Seems like  Reindeer energy is about not maintaining status quo, but about enabling change to happen. That means facing up to your negative side, or the negative things in your life so that shifts can occur. It's not about ignoring them, sugar coating them, or pretending they don't exist. It's about facing them and creating change.

3. Steven Farmer suggests when a Caribou shows up it means; "There is solidarity and camaraderie among the people you know and trust, which is something your soul is yearning for at this time, so indulge yourself and seek out these folks. "  This is a time to focus on and surround yourself with those people that make you feel good and shift away from people and situations that don't match with where and who you want to be.  Hmm...

4. According to Farmer, the Caribou may indicate "the long emotional and spiritual trek you've been on is about to conclude.".  He goes on to write that "once it does you'll reap the rewards, benefits and pleasures of having done it. "  More reinforcement to stick with your path and keep moving forward secure in the belief that the shift is for positive gain even if slightly uncomfortable along the way. 

5. Finally, the message from Caribou Spirit may be, "although your journey may seem rather lengthy, as long as you seek the support you need, you will succeed."  Caribou are herd animals.  Santa has a team of reindeer and even though Rudolph may be shining up there in front, there is a whole team following behind her pulling that sleigh full of gifts.  Rudolph doesn't "go it alone". Find your herd and don't be afraid to get other people to pull their weight too. 

If you need a little help pulling the Reindeer/Caribou signs into your life, the Bach remedy combination that could help might include  Agrimony, Scleranthus, Cerato, Water Violet and Gentian. 

I'd recommend Agrimony so you could come out behind that mask you're putting up to pretend everything is okay.  A few drops of Agrimony might help you face that "yucky" situation that really is bugging you when you're honest with yourself.

Once you're facing the issue head on, a few drops of Scleranthus might help you pick a direction and go with it. If you have no idea how to proceed ,Wild Oat might be more helpful, but I have an idea "when the shift hits the fan", if you're honest, you'll see two directions.  Pick one.

Once you've picked the direction, Cerato can help you trust yourself, your decision, and your inner knowing in order to follow through and stick to the plan when those other reindeer from the other side of the river are trying to pull you over and across thin ice.

Once you've made your decision, picked your direction and want to stick to it, you might find out you could use a few more members on your team.  That sleigh can be pretty heavy even if it's full of great things.  Water Violet can help you reach out to others, accepting help and reinforcement.

Finally, the trek through the cosmos can get kind of dark by times even when you know you're heading towards the light.  A few drops of Gentian might help restore your conviction that the reindeer really do bring the message that the journey is about to end with positive results.

So.. if you think your hear the thunder of hooves behind you these days, consider that it just might be a team of Caribou disguised as Reindeer, or Reindeer disguised as Caribou - it doesn't really matter.  They are likely pulling a whole sleigh of wonderful gifts right to you. Make way for the wonder.

And, in the meantime, if you could use the Reindeer Remedy of Agrimony, Scleranthus, Cerato, Water Violet, and Gentian, go to my website www.pixiedusthealing.com  It's had some shifting as well and has a new look.  Send me a message and indicate you'd like a Reindeer Remedy and I'll send it ahead of the herd. 

Enjoy the Spirit!

Strength for Change



Photo courtesy of Liz Corbett www.circleofinnerwidsom.ca




It seems to me that Oak trees are making their presence known in a big way.  I wrote about Knobbley the Oak tree a few weeks ago. http://pixiedusthealing.blogspot.ca/2012/10/bach-flower-oak-for-feeling-hollow.html 

Then, a few days ago, a friend sent me information on yet another amazing Oak tree story.  This tree is the Ghirardi Compton Oak.  It's 56 feet tall, has a canopy over 100 feet wide, and is 135 inches around.  It has been growing in the same place for over a hundred years. 

But times change and the people of Compton embarked on a road widening project. The project would enhance the community, but threatened the oak tree that was growing in the way of progress. Here's where the story gets great.  Rather than cut down a sacred part of their community, they took on a month long project to safely relocate a 518, 000 pound tree!  You can watch the process at http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=BFTj0hM3DHM
It's worth watching in my opinion.  I found it really quite moving.  It seems as though the Oak is waving as it goes on it's journey safe and secure in the knowledge that a lot of time, effort, and love is being put into this change.

I believe there is change going on for everyone right now. And change isn't always very comfortable.  It can't be easy to have your space invaded, your roots dug up and exposed as you find yourself being dragged away from where you've called home for over a hundred years. And even though you may find yourself not that far away from where you began, surely the view is different. 

It occurred to me as I watched the video that one of the reasons it was even possible to relocate this Oak was because the Oak tree grows massive roots but they aren't anchored that deep.  This tree is more about spreading itself out on the surface, searching for new water and soil sources. 

The Bach essence Oak, is helpful when you are feeling hollow at the core.  It's useful when you have spread your roots and branches so far, you've sort of lost yourself in the centre.  But the positive attribute of Oak is a very solid, strong person. Oak people are often the mainstay of their family or working group, just like Knobbley and the Compton Oak are a central focus for of their communities. Oak people possess enormous endurance, persistence, patience and energy. 

That's the kind of inner strength you need when under going change. I hope someone gave the Oak tree a bit of Walnut before, during and after the move. Even strong people with solid cores could benefit from some Walnut during these times of change. Walnut provides some protection from outside influences and helps us adapt to changing ideas, atmospheres, and world views. Hmm...

So, some Oak to maintain your inner strength, some Walnut for protection from change and you might be able to make the journey smoothly.  But...  I think I would want to add some Water Violet to that mix.

Strong people (and trees) that are used to doing things for themselves and everyone around them for hundreds of years just might get a little proud.  I guess if you've seen all those changes, weathered all those storms, and are just a little tired of all the shifting, you might start to feel a little anti-social.  Maybe during changing atmospheres you'd rather withdraw, cope on your own, resist any outside help.

That Comptom Oak tree seems to be waving as it's carried along. It has a lot of help.  It' has people watering it's roots, it's being both pushed and pulled, it's got people directing the process, looking out for branches and bumps along the road.

So, I'd want to add some Water Violet to the "Strength for Change" mixture. It helps you allow others to help along the way. It encourages you to lean on others that have leaned on you by times.  Water Violet helps you create warmer relationships that encourage "give and take" during tough changing times.

It isn't always right to leave things exactly the way they have always been I don't think.  Change is often good, great even.  It's a natural part of growth and evolution. And it often happens whether you like it or not!  So if you're having difficulty with the change maybe you could use a little help along the way.

If you'd like a bottle of "Strength for Change" Bach flowers, visit my website www.pixiedusthealing.com  or send me an email heather@pixiedusthealing.com .  It's going to be part of my changing website and a Fall Special.  You can get a copy of Sweet Shack & Bach Bar, and a bottle of "Strength for Change" for $25.00 this month. That's my contribution to the change effort.

"The only constant is change".

Water Violet for Loneliness

A lot of people have been in "Water Violet states" over the past few months. Maybe because the world is spinning so fast for most of us. When life becomes so busy there is a tendency to withdraw "into our caves" a bit.

Water Violet is included in Dr. Bach's category of loneliness. Most of the time however, Water Violet types do not feel lonely. They enjoy and cherish time alone. The Water Violet type is knowledgeable, capable and calm. These private people usually don't impose their opinions on others but they are often asked for their advice.

When there are too many external distractions however, the Water Violet type tends to pull back, retreat, and withdraw. Others may see the person as anti-social even "cold". When sick or suffering the Water Violet person has a tendency to keep their troubles to themselves, hiding behind a calm facade. Their coping mechanisms don't usually include others, so when they could really use the help the support systems are not in place.

If this sounds like you, and you feel you are slipping into a sense of truly being alone in the world without support, Water Violet might be helpful for you. Using Water Violet can help you open up to others while still maintaining your dignity. Taking the Water Violet essence can help you develop warmer relationships with others and enable you to reach out both for support and to help others.

Water Violet won't likely turn you into a "party animal" but it might help you turn to others for help and support in sharing the load.

For more information on Bach Flower essence use, check out our Pixie Dust Healing website at pixiedusthealing.com