Thursday, June 02, 2005

The Follow-Up to Pree's Moon Journey

Traci asked, in a comment to the most recent e-news issue, if Pree has shared any thoughts on her Moon Journey of years ago. Her story had been published in a 2004 issue of Penelope Smith's "Species Link" newsletter (which can be subscribed to through her website, http://www.animaltalk.net). For that article, I did ask Pree to comment on her journey. I'll post the entire text of the conversation here.

Pree's original Moon Journey story can be read on my website, http://www.gazehound.com. Go to the Personal pages and then to the Essays. Her story is entitled "Moon Journey", and can be accessed through the drop-down menu at the bottom of the screen.

Here is our follow up talk:

06 February 04: Talking with Pree
Pree came to me this morning, as I was in the kitchen and about to head in to do a session with a client’s kitty (who is also currently “gone walkabout”). She jumped to my lap and said she was aware that I wanted to talk about her journey, and she was ready to do so. I let her know that as soon as I was done with my scheduled session, we’d talk. She was pleased. After my session was done, I came out to the living room and sat on the sofa, and had no sooner settled than Pree rounded the corner and hopped into my lap.

I asked what she could remember about her journey.

She said she remembers that the moon was out there, bright, beckoning. She thought she saw creatures of moonlight in the woods ... She showed me an image of a unicorn. Surprised, I asked if she’d actually seen a unicorn, and she said no, she didn’t think so, but that is how it felt. The shapes and images the moon was creating felt that magical, and she knew that the moon was calling to her, to teach her something important. So she tore through the screen and followed.

Once out in the wild, though, most of the time her thoughts were taken up by survival. One of the first things that happened was that she was chased by -- or at least thought it was chasing her -- a large owl. The storm that came the following day was terrifying, she wanted to go back, but couldn’t. She was hopelessly lost, turned about, and had no idea which direction was home; the storm had washed away any lingering traces of the path she had taken. She also somehow knew there was more “out there” that she needed to see, do, and experience.

I reminded her of how the one lady had been so sure she was dead on the road, and asked her if she thinks she had actually died.

She told me she wasn’t sure specifically about “death”, but does remember a sense of being “separated” from herself, of drifting out of conscious thought the awareness of a great, vast sense of being. She said she thought there was an eagle watching her, high, high above her, too high to approach. Her sense is that the eagle was keeping her from wandering too far from her body, but she could never get close enough to really see or talk to the eagle.

She remembers the dog that was there to chase her under the porch, and how he agreed to draw as much attention to her as he could. Once her body woke up, she knew it was time to get back home, and that was all she could think of. She wanted her Mom. The dog helped, he did a good job, and together they made sure her Mom came to get her.

I asked her what she learned while she was out wandering, what she thought the purpose of the journey was.

Her first response, with a chuckle: “That there’s no place like home.” (We laughed together.)

She said, though, that that really was part of it, and it’s why she’s never so much as looked at an open door or been tempted to go through the window again since. Some animals come into this world to fully and entirely experience the bond with other species’. Wild creatures, those who struggle daily to survive, move in celebration of their own species bonds, and those arrangements and love relationships they make with the predators and prey that interact with them. Other animals come to be farm animals or service animals and explore those specific incredible bonds with humanity as a part of their earthly walk. And some come to be household companions, friends, teachers, and spiritual guides for the people they are destined to love. Since she has come home, the depth of that relationship with the humans and other species within her household has grown to incredible depths and heights, and she believes that she needed to wander, experience danger, and starve to the doorstep of depth (“Bugs don’t taste very good! I’m not a very good hunter -- [laughing] -- so much for the myth that all cats are the ultimate predator!”) to fully understand and experience that bond. She has become a better teacher, better friend, better healer.... She has been privileged to work with me, as well as with other humans, in helping people and animals to strengthen the bond and understanding between them. She has done healing work and been an anchor and support for me, as well as doing much work on her own, in a way that she doesn’t think would have been possible without having experienced her journey.

I ask if she thinks that part of the reason for her journey was to help me along on my path as an animal communicator.

She says, “Of course. We all come together to help one another along our paths. Some of us just do it more dramatically than others.” [laughing] As far as how her journey affected me, Pree believes that perhaps, in part, I needed a true, inarguable miracle in my life at that moment to prove beyond doubt those things my heart hoped and tried very hard to trust were true.

Pree is and shall always be my true, inarguable miracle.

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

Gazehound's Animal Communication News, June 2005

GAZEHOUND'S ANIMAL COMMUNICATION NEWS
June 2005

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Keeping in touch with the animals....
and the people who love them
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OVERSOULS AND INTER-CONNECTEDNESS


In the year 1997 there was a short-lived television series on the Fox network called “The Visitor”. The show starred John Corbett (“Northern Exposure”, “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, et. al.), and was a tale of a 50-year-long alien abductee who returned to earth with the wisdom gained from his extraterrestrial teachers. It was actually quite a good show; I can recall being disappointed that it only lasted one season.


One detail that made a great impression on me, and stays in my mind today, was the line often spoken by the protagonist, Adam MacArthur, that “all life is connected”. (More accurately: “Living things give off a specific energy.... All life is connected, you just have to open your eyes.”)


The concept of the connected nature of all life is not a new one, nor was it isolated to an obscure '90s sci-fi series. It is, in fact, a realization that is ancient, and one that is growing exponentially in this age we currently find ourselves in. There is an increasing acceptance throughout the world of phenomena such as the psychic sciences and animal communication, and with that a blossoming certainty that we are not isolated individuals, species, or even life-kingdoms on this planet. Nor, in fact, are we an isolated planet, according to many who expand upon the thought. We are all a part, each special in his own way, of a huge interlinked family; members of one vast body of life.


Spring Farm CARES, in upstate New York ( http://www.springfarmcares.org), puts out a periodic magazine that is aptly entitled “All That Is”. The animals at Spring Farm, and their caretakers, have been celebrating this connection to all life for quite a few years now. Many animal communicators, in fact, are growing in this realization. I think most, in time, will reach a point that, no matter where they started, they will know in their hearts that we are all part of one another, part of the vast unity that is Life. It is this connection, in fact, that facilitates the telepathic communication between species that so many are growing to enjoy.


An aspect of this inter-connectedness that has amazed me at times, and been a help and a tool to my communication work, is the concept of Oversouls. Penelope Smith, in her book WHEN ANIMALS SPEAK, introduces the concept of the group soul or oversoul:


“I have found that all species and groups that operate in harmony for a common task have leaders who coordinate activity and keep a link, telepathic or otherwise, with the rest of the group. They may have a physically present leader and/or a discarnate, spiritual leader – sometimes referred to as an oversoul. You can address any animals, from elephants to snakes to termites as individuals and experience communication with them. You may also address the oversoul or group or species leader, through communicating with an individual of the group or with the oversoul directly.”

When Animals Speak, pg. 20


The first time I read this part of Penelope's book, the concept fascinated me. The more I think about life's interconnection, the more sense the idea of Oversouls makes. If in fact all life is connected, and my own experiences certainly bear this concept out in practicality, then having a being or individual that can “tap you in” to a species consciousness, or being able to communicate directly with that species consciousness itself, is a logical extension of the idea.


The most obvious, and fascinating (although it was a bit startling when it first began) application I've enjoyed along these lines was when working with wild deer. Everyone who is on the highways in many remote areas of the North America is familiar with the unsettling sight of “road kill deer” -- those beautiful souls who don't make it across the road in time. When I was pet sitting regularly, and on the road nearly every evening, the frequent sight of carcasses and the worry that I might myself be involved in a deer accident was always in the back of my mind. The fact that we had actually hit a deer many years ago added experiential sadness to the concern.


I decided to give the idea of the Oversoul a try. It surprised me at how easy it was to contact the Deer Consciousness. I am not sure whether I was speaking with a particular species leader, or the collected consciousness of all deer, but I came to refer to the “voice” which greeted me as “Mother Deer”. I began speaking to “her” before heading out on the road, and while driving, during peak deer running seasons, and asked her to keep her children safe while I traveled, and out of danger of being hit by my car (or other cars around me). Soon after I began having these conversations, I was met by a rather unsettling phenomenon!


As I'd drive along, wherever there were deer in the field, they would come racing toward the road and stop short just before running out in front of my car. They'd then stand and stare at me as I drove past. It was quite heart-stopping, and not entirely in a pleasant way! I had to contact “Mother Deer” again to ask that her kids please not do that. As much as I appreciated the acknowledgement, it was impossible to quell the moment of panic as I saw them rush out of the twilight toward me!


Once we worked out our balance of emotions and needs, driving during “peak deer times” became a much more relaxed situation. Even though I'm no longer pet sitting, I will still send love and respect to the deer through “Mother”, and ask her to reinforce my request with them, to help keep all of us safe.


Animal communicators have relayed stories about working with the “Oversoul” concept in other ways, too. It can be helpful in communicating with herd animals, sending peace-making requests swarms of insects, pouring healing upon the creatures of the oceans ... the applications are numerous and wonderful.


All life is connected ... and it's an honor and privilege to celebrate the connection with you.



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FYI NOTES

There will be some changes in amounts and policies regarding the various discounts I give.  Some have already gone into effect, some begin July first.  Details can be found on the Rates page of my website.  In a nutshell, though, all discounts will be standardized at 20% of the usual half-hour rate.  For referral credits, it is now required that the person who has referred someone to me let me know that they might have a credit available when they call or email to make their next appointment.  This is something that has always been suggested, but I've tried to keep track as well ... recent events have made that a rather difficult task.  Also, if you are kind enough to refer someone to me, please also suggest strongly that they subscribe to this newsletter.  It's the easiest way for me to keep up with my clients on such issues, thanks!

Hope everyone has a glorious summer!

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PREE'S TALK-TO-ME TIPS

Pree's thoughts this month are sparked by her own recent minor difficulties ... an infection that made it necessary to confine her in a part of the house away from her mother and brother.  When a human begins to communicate more closely with their animal friends, there are bound to be times when disagreements arise.  At first, when I told Pree it would be necessary to isolate her, she wasn't at all pleased at the prospect.  After a day or two, though, considering how yucky she was feeling, she was glad to have the quiet time ... plus she was in an area that humans regularly occupied, so it wasn't like she was  devoid of company.  She tells me both in thought and action that her little spot became a haven for her, and she is happy to admit that I was right ... "this time".  (In fact, now that she's been "released", she frequently goes back into her spot on her own, just to enjoy the fact that it's still "hers".)

Sometimes it's necessary to do things to and for our animals that they would not choose for themselves.  This often involves some sort of health necessity.  Pree's suggestion is to try to talk it over with your friend as clearly as possible, and be sure to explain to them why your choices are necessary.  Include visual thoughts about what the new routine will be, and how it will benefit them in the long-run.  Sometimes a little telepathic preparation makes a "bitter pill" ("Ha ha, get it?") easier to swallow.

Before we close, Pree is nudging me to ask everyone to send out a HAPPY BIRTHDAY thought to her mother, Sachet!  Sachet is 15 years old today (and doesn't look a day over seven, I might add).  You can see photos of Sachet in the "4-Leggeds" section of the http://www.gazehound.com web space.

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THE BLOG-WAGON

Thanks to everyone who has stopped by my Creature Thoughts blog.  Please feel free to interact by leaving comments and suggestions, asking questions, or making requests for future posts.  Remember, too, that issues of this e-news will be archived there.  In addition to Creature Thoughts, I've started a couple of other blogs you might wish to take a look at, which occasionally have  related topics in them.

The original "Creature Thoughts" Blog: http://gazehound.blogspot.com
"Stream of (Sub)Consciousness":  http://stream-subconscious.blogspot.com is a place where I ramble on about the esoteric, the philosphical, and probably even the ridiculous at times.
"Point and Viewpoint":  http://pointandviewpoint.blogspot.com is a "reviews" site where I've been posting thoughts on books, movies, television shows, etc.

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Gayle Nastasi
Animal Communication Consultant
    http://www.gazehound.com/pets
Free bi-monthly newsletter:
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Creature Thoughts Blog:
    http://gazehound.blogspot.com