Journey 100 - Drive again?

9/21/04: A Journey to see if my coworker and great friend’s man will ever get back his driving license. Since this Journey occurred right after the Fairies Dots Journey, I did not have to prepare as in customary. I met Owl in a Tree that was covered in bright green Leaves..just bursting with Energy. He took me on a trip across the Planet, in which he focused on pollution. I saw the dirty air caused by vehicles in this nation, China, Europe. I saw the pollution caused by Planes..by Tractors. Owl told me that Mother Earth was very much bothered by the contamination of her Sacred Air Clan. At this point, I figured the lesson might be, why would we allow yet another human to drive?! But I was taken instead to my friend’s property, and saw her man driving around on his golf cart, tending to the land. I then saw him driving around the local community, purchasing goods. I was then told that IF the man could convince the authorities, through plans and evidence, of already done good deeds concerning the environment..and IF he could show them that his activities behind the wheel would result in a healthier and cleaner local community..that he was using the property he was now living on to better the environment, and would be able to show others the results of this cleaning action..he WOULD be given his privilege back. However, if he were to wish to get back his license for selfish ends, he would not. I was then told that this current restriction was caused by words or actions of his that were undertaken when he was under the influence of a foreign agent in his system, and therefore he was not totally responsible for them..but they belonged to him nonetheless. This resulted in the appearance of a viable threat to the receiver, who then made sure this “sentence” was imposed. I then saw the two sitting around their Fire Pit at night, with a roaring Fire within. I was told both people were of the Fire Clan..that Fire was their Medicine. Fire is the element of brightness and change, destroying the Old so that the New might Flourish..and this was their Destiny. The Stone People forming the perimeter of their Fire Pit have recorded all their hopes and aspirations, and the Fire Clan is willing to help them. In a side vision, I then saw them and the kids swinging their legs off the back of a van in the driveway. I then saw the Spirit of Fire towering over their Property, waving his arms of flame across it in all directions. At this point, the Call Back sounded, I thanked my Guides, and returned.

Journey 99 - Faeries?

9/21/04: A Journey undertaken to ascertain the meaning of a series of dots of light running across a picture taken on a recent trip to another land by my Spirit Sister, in search of her roots. These dots do not have an explanation based on any light source being reflected..something was moving across the field of view that was not a continuous presence, as the dots are distinct in their trail. A friend has surmised they were caused by Fairies trying to tell her something. So, after Lighting the Candle, Smudging and Rattling, off I went. I was met by my Upper World Guide, Barred Owl, who came up in front off me and began to violent shake off some Feathers. We were in the circular Clearing we have visited before on several other Journeys. He told me to create a Wand with them by attaching them to the end of a stick, and I did. He then had me clear off the dead Leaves on the ground before me. To my surprise was a granite slab with Sister’s name on it..like a headstone. I looked up and at the edge of the Clearing stood a very old person, wrapped in tattered and very old cloth. I looked down at the Stone and it now had an old English or Irish version of her name, such as Ayrn or Avirn. An ancestor? I got the sense that the meaning of the name change at the Stone was that the old name (and person) and the current one were the same person..just in different lifetimes. I was then instructed by Owl to use my wand to go over and sweep clean the Aura of this old person. As I did so, from behind the oldness emerged my Spirit Sister, in perfect health, and her current age, smiling at me. I asked Eagle claw, now Owl, who had now assumed the persona of Eagle Claw, what this all meant, and he sent me back to the Stone. Her name was gone! As I looked down at the reflective surface, I saw a small whirlpool of darker light circling on it. I looked up at the Sky and there was no such circle, so I was meant to go down through this Opening. Owl came with me. We descended quickly into a very dark underground Cavern with many Dark Beings hulking about. I at first saw the two Dark Figures I had seen under Sister’s Church on a Journey before, but then there were these many Beings. I mentioned to Owl that this look as close to the concept of Hell as anything I had seen yet. Owl told me that we were both now mere specks of light to these Beings, and we could move around them by drifting on the currents of Air. As we did so, we headed over to a lighter area, which I at once recognized as a body of water. There were very clean looking green ocean plants. And a school of pure gold, small Fish the size of baby Trout came up to me and told me to surface. I did so, and was atop a very turbulent ocean surface beneath a gray Sky. Suddenly a huge Whale, as large as I have ever seen, came toward me and swallowed me. Being a mere particle of light/Air/Water?, I went into the Whale whole. I thought briefly of Jonah. J Within, I heard a voice telling me to take my Feather Wand and seal off the opening between the Ocean and the Underground Cavern of the Dark Beings. I was told this was crucial. So I returned to the intersection of the two Worlds. Owl distracted the Beings by flying very quickly through and around them. I turned my back to this chaos and swept the opening closed with my Wand. I then turned around and was facing all the Beings, collected in a Group against me. I immediately began my Healing Chant given me by Eagle Claw, and my Aura brightened and expanded immensely. The Beings then shrank and melted away. Then, the ocean poured into this area and filled it. I then surface through the Granite Stone Tunnel with Owl..and instead of being in the Clearing, was at the Prayer Spot next to her Church, down by the River. I was told to use my wand to spread golden Mana flecks across the River’s surface in all directions, which I did. We then went back down into the Tunnel and re-emerged in the Clearing. I went over to my Sister, still standing there, and gave her a hug. She then faded away. I then asked Owl, now Eagle Claw, what the dots of light in the picture were. He said, Four Hawks, you tell me. So I thought about it, knew they were sent to get me to take this Journey, and as the Call Back Drum began, I saw the word ATTACK come into my mind. Was she under attack at this second? Perhaps the Fairies were there to warn her..if that’s what those dots of light were..

The emphasis on Water is very important, as Water is the Female element. You obviously are meant to emphasize the importance of Female accomplishment and contribution..hence the flooding of "Hell" with female power. (Is Hell therefore a male entity?). Also, check all sources on the meaning of Whale. I know in Medicine Cards, whale is the Record Keeper, the voice of the Past.

Journey 98 - Friend's Father

9/20/04: A Journey to check on a dear friend’s Father, undertaken at her request. Since my request for a meeting with him Saturday night, I had received quite a few signs in the past 24 hours concerning the timeliness of performing this Journey. Yesterday, I saw a rare Peace Eagle hovering before us as we drove back from breakfast with this friend and her husband. I later saw three Crows fly off before me..a rarity, as they are almost always in fours for me. I then saw the fourth fly over my house as we got home, signaling the house was rife with Spirit Power. Overnight, I awoke to hear two Crow calls in the dead of the night, around 2:30 AM. This is VERY significant, for Crows only call at night if they are being actively attacked by their nemesis, the Owl. And Owl is my prime Guide to the Upper world, so that means Owl was very close last night..and wanted me to know it! Today, on the road, a Blue Heron, for me the presence of the Great Spirit, flew across my car as close and as low as one has ever flown. And later in the day, a large shadow crossed the hood of my car, and I looked back to see a Peace Eagle hovering directly over the Path I had just driven. Finally, a darting Dragonfly came right up across my windshield..the latest in a long string of Dragonflies that had come very close to me during the day. So I knew this afternoon was the time to Journey. So after Lighting the Sacred Candle, Smudging and Rattling, I set the Drum CD and began my Shamanic Breathing while concentrating on my Journey Purpose. As I lay down, I found Owl coming up to me with eyes replicating my Azurite Stone. This Stone Person enhances the ability to see into the Spirit Camp, and so I put the actual Stone on my forehead. Owl then brought me over to sit around the flame of the Sacred Candle..a first for me. As we sat there, I noticed the immediate surroundings turned into small shrubs, and the Candle Flame a small campfire. It was night, and the Sky was peopled with thousand of clear, bright Stars. Several other of my Guides then appeared..my Lower World Guide, Crosses in Front, the Snake; and Black Panther. Again, a first for an Upper World Journey. The three of us banded together as Owl prepared us to take off with him toward another distant campfire in the Sky. As we got closer, I noted it became a Tipi, and we zoomed in through the bright red opening at the base. We then headed up the center of the Tipi of Fire, and the soot and bright red embers and Smoke became the Tunnel through which we ascended to the Upper world. As the Smoke thinned out, we came up to a flat, featureless plane, emitting a dim grey light. A single black male figure stood in the distance, alone, wearing a hat. The three of us approached him. When we got to him, he had removed his hat and was kneeling on one knee. His face and head were black and featureless, except for the glowing yellow eyes. He looked a lot like the other person I had recently visited in the Astral Plane. I introduced myself and my Guides in a loud voice and asked if he were my friend's Father. He nodded yes. I asked why he was here, and he said he was performing atonement. Off in the distance I saw tall grey log-like structures falling over in great numbers..beyond that, a series of additional campfires in the sky that seemed to be marking out the remaining time of his atonement process. One fire went out as I watched, and I could see Blue Spirit Energy suddenly coursing across his black body, adding more Spirit Life to it. I told him I came on behalf of his daughter, whom he knew of. He had a small stand near him that had a small flat “screen” that allowed him to look down on the progress of her Life, so he know of her recent marriage and jobs. I asked him if he wanted to pass anything along to her. He told me he used gently grab her face and kiss her forehead, and whisper, “my little sin" as a joke. He asked me to do this for him. He also mentioned something about telling her (or did he just think this..I can't be sure) that her crying wasn’t worth a plug nickel, so use a nickel to plug it! I promised to give her a nickel when it presented itself to me. He mentioned that while he was able to know of his daughter, he was not allowed to see or even hear of anything concerning his wife. But, he said, he knew she was still on the Sacred Path of this life since he had not seen her go by. I wanted to give him something of his daughter’s, but realized that I had not brought anything, and besides that would probably constitute interference. From here, I sank into the Theta State, from which I can’t recall much more than remembering being in a store shopping for clothes. When the Call Back Drum sounded, I said our goodbyes, and we returned the way we came as I thanked my Guides. This was an interesting result, in that in my prior experience I set the person free, while in this case the Father wanted to remain in his featureless world of grayness, and serve out his time. There weren’t that many Campfires left, but I couldn’t be sure how long each remaining one had left to burn.

Fire is the Element of Change, of new emerging from the ashes of the old. The fact this Journey is laced with imagery of Fire implies this transformation is occurring in her Dad as well.

Journey 97 - Draft?

9/17/04: A Journey taken to see if my son is going to be drafted when the draft is re-instituted to fight the “war on terrorism.” After Smudging and Lighting the Sacred Candle and Rattling to the 7 Directions, I sat on the edge of my bed and began my Shamanic Breathing and focusing. Even before the Drumming CD began, I saw myself sitting on a Tree Limb with my new Guide, Snowy Owl. As I moved to be close to him, I looked into his eyes, which at first turned blue, but then became images of the Earth spinning slowly on her axis. I lay down an began the Journey in earnest as the Drums began. With Owl by my side, it began snowing. As we left the Tree, I saw he had left a single White Feather lying on the branch..a symbol of the day I had bought my Pipe. We flew up through the snow and then above the Cloud People. I saw a purple Circle spinning in the sky, low on the horizon. As we got nearer, I saw purple Lilacs spinning around the edges, and as we entered the Tunnel to the Upper World, the aroma and feel of Lilacs was tremendous and soothing. As we exited the Tunnel, we were out in space, floating by large layers of different colored Energy, each of which had embedded within it a scene from a large-scale event in humna life. We went past these, and soon came to a blue circle suspended in Space. We stopped at this circle, which represented a Table. Owl went to sit in the center, and soon became the spinning Earth I had seen. At this point I did everything I could not to allow any of my own thought to crowd into this scene, so I waited with mind off for a few seconds. Soon, behind the Earth and opposite me, arrived a large Red bird-like Figure. He introduced himself as the Spirit of War. I asked him if my son was going to be drafted. He told me the draft would be re-instituted in the Fall of 2005, and 500,000 people would be called up eventually, but my son would not be among them. I asked him about the future of the war in Iraq, and he said the war would spread to both Iran and Israel. This would put such a danger on the western world's oil supplies that the traditional allies of the US would finally be forced to join in, widening the conflict greatly. I asked him then what Russia would do. He said it would close off from the outsdide world more and more as Putin became evermore the old-style dictator. The Russians would secretly be aiding the terrorists in the larger war to keep the US and its allies pinned down while it tried to regain its old strength, using its own vast oil supplies. I asked about China. He said they would sit and for the most part watch, as they have done for generation after generation, hoping for the smoke to settle. War Spirit then asked me to smoke the Pipe with him. It was red and fairly hot. I said I found it rather odd smoking the Pipe of Peace with the Spirit of War. He answered that throughout human history, peace has been the temporary absence of war, not the other way around. But he said it was fitting the two opposites should join around the Pipe. I asked if there was any way we could avoid this upcoming scenario, and he said no, the People had made their choices both through their action AND INaction..and that the Path would have to be followed. He told me to keep seeking Peace in my Shamanic Walk, for that was still my Path. I thanked him as he left, going back the way he had come in. The Earth on the table center became Owl again, and we headed down the Lilac Tunnel, to the Tree from which we had departed. Owl took his place on the branch as I moved away from the Tree. Suddenly I saw Eagle Claw, my other Guide, arrive as Barred Owl on the Left. Then Bald Eagle, my Power Animal, arrived above the midpoint between the two Owls. Hawk, my Pipe and Epiphany Bird, arrived at the midpoint below. They all then crowded in together and blew a uniform mist of Spirit Mana onto me. Just as it arrived, the Call Back drum sounded and I went back to the Room.

Lilac stands for enhanced clairvoyant activity and for balancing of the Chakras, Intellect and the Spirit, according to Nature Speak by Ted Andrews. Also, "Spirit is close and willing to work with you..open up to your Spirit Guides." Finally, Lilac asks us to recognize the Beauty inherent in all of Creation.

Journey 96 - Finishing the Job

9/13/04: A most extraordinary night last night. Just before going to bed last night, I pulled a now-rare Medicine Card..just to check on my relative Spiritual State as seen by my Guides. I got upside-down Lizard, the key meaning of which is that I am having or about to have nightmares that must be listened to for either upcoming events or for unfinished business. I haven’t had any real nightmares in a while, and so I assumed it was a general message. Little did I know what was about to unfold about 4 hours later. I was in the midst of a totally benign Dream in which I was sitting down at a circular table with some friends. I believe the fellow directly across from me was a co-worker. He interrupted a totally fun story I was telling to ask me the following question: “Do you have the feeling something bad is about to happen?” The whole table fell silent, and I took stock of all my feelings and impressions of the area, and had just said “Not at all,” when suddenly I was attacked from behind by the most powerful Dark Force I have ever felt. It grabbed me from everywhere it could in back, and was literally squeezing the Life out of me. Everything went black as my friends and the room we were in disappeared. I was gasping for breath, feeling myself being crushed into a smaller and smaller being. Pressure was coming in now from all around, and I could see to my left four tiny vertical lights crossed at the bottom at right angles by 2 or 3. An upside-down Cross. I was in such duress that I did not call on my Helpers or Guides or begin to chant. I merely washed my hands from front to back, over my head, again and again, begging my Aura to protect me..protect me..protect me.. I soon realized that I had awakened and was in my bedroom, still alive, but quite unnerved. Any sense of satisfaction that I had having gotten out of this fix was overwhelmed by the overarching question..what was that about!? Was it my old Nemesis coming back, or something else. I knew this could not be answered without a Journey, and since it was 2:30 at night, I could not take my traditional Journey with CD and Candle and Sage/Sweet Grass. I would have to go in as I have done in the past 2 weeks..a mental cold-start. And so I did! I asked Owl to meet me outside, and I found myself with him amongst many Campfires of the Spirit Beings. I could see their shapes and glowing eyes sitting around the Fires. Some were Smoking the Pipe, giving me Comfort that there were Prayers being said, and thereby filling the Air. I asked Owl to take me above to discover the reason for this attack. As I looked up, I saw Stars swirling in the Dark Sky, and up we went through this Tunnel to the upper World. When we arrived, I was taken into a replay of my recent vacation. I could not understand this at all. I went through quite a bit of it, scene by scene. I even came out of the vacation imagery long enough to visit with Eagle Claw on his Ledge in Space. He told me that the attack was due to unfinished business..i.e., the recent visit with the Spirit Being that had been so angry and then began to cry. I never really got a resolution in that Journey, if you’ll recall, but merely thought my floating in my room at one point reflected a Healing for this person. I now found out is was not. And so I was taken back to my vacation spot. It wasn’t until I saw the replay of the young Eagle fluttering over the rocks on an island that I realized this image looked just like what I saw last evening, just as the light was really dimming: a rare Hawk, flying tree top level, from my back yard toward the west..the Spirit Camp. I had found it strange last night that I should see a Hawk that late..this was the latest I had ever done so. Now, in my Journey, recognizing the tie-in between my actual sighting last night and the image of the young Eagle at Bar Harbor, I realized the Hawk visit last evening was an announcement, very similar to the large Black Bird that flew over me as my Shaman’s Dream began several years ago. It was a portent of a powerful Dream to come in the following sleep cycle, just as the large Bird overflight had been then. I then searched the scene further and realized I was to take with me a Stone Person from under where the vacation spot Eagle was flying, and return to the Street where the Sufferer without a Face and his Dog had been glaring at, and then crying out to, me. Back I went, and all was as I had left it: the Spirit was there with his burnt Face and yellow eyes in near total Darkness. I took out my Rattle and opened up Sacred Space around us by Rattling to the 7 Directions. I recall feeling Courage as I turned my back on this entity. I then realized I had before me the Sanctification Elements of Shaman’s Tools: Fire; A bowl of Water; Air, represented by Smudge; and a bowl of Mother Earth. I was to anoint the Spirit with each of the Four Elements, and so I did. Throwing Fire at the Spirit caused his Face to clean completely, and the Darkness around us to totally vanish. And there, in broad daylight, stood my daughter's old boyfriend who had committed suicide. So THAT’S who it was! I then blew Water on him, and anointed his forehead with Earth. He was very much at Peace, and disappeared, having finally been released from the Astral Plane. I then found myself walking toward my Five Stone Altar in my backyard and placing the Stone Person I had picked up at Bar Harbor in the midst of the Stones. At this point, Owl brought me back through the Tunnel and into my room. End of Journey. I had finally set the boy free, to go into the Spirit Camp. And even as I write this over 12 hours after the event, I find myself totally amused at how he had gotten my attention..and how! Moreover, it is amazing to me that I had only just started non-drumming Journeys within the past few weeks, and yet that technique proved to be vital last night. There is no way I could have relaxed without knowing the source of that power grab from behind.

Journey 95 - Crystal Chair

9/10/04: While waiting for my wife at the doctor’s, I was lying back in the car with the cool September breezes flying by, and decided to engage in a non-drum Journey, a skill I’d put into play last Sunday on the way to my mother-in-law's. I found myself sitting in the back yard, and a Cardinal came to me. It was snowing, and the Cardinal stood out so beautifully against the swirling whiteness. He invited me to go with him to the Upper World, and as we went up, we were moving through a Tunnel of gorgeous white and gold Sparks (I saw these same Sparks several years ago when looking up into a snowy Sky). This was the first time Cardinal had served as an Upper world Guide. As we emerged from the Tunnel, I saw Outer Space before me, with large billowing curtains of different colored Energy in various spots. Then, before me, I saw a large collection of clear Quartz Crystals that were coalescing into the shape of a chair. Cardinal and I went over, and I sat in the Chair. Cardinal then turned into my Aunt, who told me that from here on this Crystal Chair would serve as a place of total Relaxation for me from now on. Anytime I imagined the Chair, it would be there for me to sit in. As I saw there, some of the colored curtains moved by me, and as they did the Chair assumed the color of the Curtain in brilliant fashion, with millions of facets shining at once. I then thanked my Aunt, who returned to Cardinal form, and then we moved the Chair down the Tunnel and into my back yard. It sits there now, near my Prayer Spot. I saw myself sitting in it even as the snow flew. As I looked across the lawn to the house, I was suddenly aware that I was seeing through all before me. The house, the neighborhood, had all thinned out visually, and I could see right through to the Stars beyond. Even looking down through the Ground I could see the Universe (or, A Universe). The Chair is there now for whenever I need to ground myself and relax. I then thanked Cardinal for his first Guide Ceremony, and returned to the car.

Journeys 92/93/94 Co-worker PA; Friend PA; Snow total

9/10/04: This was my second Journey to find a proper Power Animal for a husband. In the first attempt, I tried to find Animals for two people at once, and therefore got confused as to whose was whose. We can only do one thing at a time in a Journey..I knew that, but was trying to save time. So after preparing in the traditional way, I was off into the Yard. It was night, and as I sat there the Earth began to quickly shrink to the size of a large Beach Ball. My Lower World Guide Crosses in Front, the Snake, was suddenly at my right side. Then the Earth shrank even more, and we were both sitting merely on a large Stone Person, floating in Space. There were Stars in all directions as we sat on this tiny perch. Crosses then grew into the Woman Spirit she is, and gave me a hug. This was a first, I believe. Meanwhile, I noticed healing rainbow Rays were coming at me from the Stars, from all directions. I took note as I lay in bed of how good they felt penetrating my body. As I watched the Stars, I could also see human shapes becoming apparent only by distorting the imagery behind them as they walked around. After observing a short time more, Crosses and I then were back on solid ground, and approached a Stone Fence. We went into an opening by the Wall, and were passing Hot Peppers, some Tree Roots, and Mud. We emerged into a subway Tunnel (!), and went beneath the platform to see a Rat scurrying around. The Rat did not indicate it was the Power Animal, but instead led us down the Tracks to a waiting Raccoon. The Raccoon went with us up a new Tunnel, and we emerged onto a high cliff edge, with large white Flowers sprinkled among the Trees. As I found myself drifting over the edge above an incredibly deep Valley, Eagle soared in and grabbed me. I had grabbed the Raccoon and held it in my arms as Eagle took over carrying the two of us. Eagle went to the husband’s back yard and there we dropped off the Raccoon. It seemed quite content to be there, so we took off to go back to the Cliff. As we flew back, I was thanking the Frog from my prior Journey for carrying me around as I unsuccessfully sought the Power Animal for the father AND his son. Crosses and I then went back through the Tunnels and back to the little Stone we had left from. The Stars were still all around, still emanating healing Rays. I sensed that each beam from any given Star was focused on an individual cell in my Body, and was reprogramming it with the Star People Spirit Code. I was being refashioned into a new person through these cellular interventions from the Star People. I also got the sense that each Star records the entire history of its surroundings, much as Stone People do, and that therefore much of this data was being stored in my cells as well. I then received very kind words from Crosses in Front, who told me that she and the other Female Spirits who help me are very appreciative of the honor and esteem in which I hold the Feminine Medicine. I then sank deeper into the Theta State, and the only image I recall is seeing myself with a rolling pin, flattening dough on a stool shoe salespeople use when trying on new shoes. Who knows.. :) I then heard the Call Back, thanked my Guides, and returned.

My second Journey was to find a PA for my good friend of recent Runneymede Journey fame, as I’d promised him I would do when we spoke this past Monday. Crosses and I were immediately whisked off to the local wildlife refuge. I know how much our friends love this area, and so was quite pleased to see us begin there. We went by a Blue Heron’s nest near the tidal waters, as if a blessing from the Great Spirit, and then went deep into the woods. We came to the opening, which was lined with Pine Cones. Before we entered, Crosses again transformed from Snake into Woman. We merged Spirit Energies and went down the Tunnel together, as one. It began as a bright orange tube, turning to yellow, then green, blue and violet, before turning gray! It was as if we were moving up a set of Chakras. As we emerged, we were back in the Sanctuary, only this time it was black and white! An immense Eagle then came soaring in over us, dwarfing Trees and all else..biggest I’ve ever encountered. As he landed by us, I found myself in an Eagle’s nest, an Eaglet. We were back in color, now. Both Mother and Father were there watching over me. As I looked over the side of the nest, I saw a Peace Eagle soar by. My parents then took off. I saw an Ant crawl and disappear into the nest materials, and then saw a Squirrel heading toward me. The Squirrel stopped short though, so I knew neither Ant nor Squirrel were the Power Animals. But then, a Hummingbird came up to the nest and offered me a sip of Nectar from her long beak. She remained there, hovering in and out from the nest, and I knew this was my friend’s PA. I actually saw his face on the H-bird’s chest for a short time. At this point, my Eagle Parents returned. As we sat together, I looked out into the Sky and saw a huge Cloud Person forming. While first it looked like Santa, I soon saw the face of a Native Chief, and finally saw the Water Spirit herself, with whom I had visited in earlier Journeys. As she held her arms out, they were dripping rainbow colored streams of Rain. One of my Parents took me out to fly through these Streams and into the Spirit’s Cloud Body, and I recall remembering just how wonderful that special Water felt. The Spirit spoke to me and reminded me to use her Powers. We went back to the nest. My parents were feeding me Worms, and as I swallowed them I could see their little Spirit Bodies leave mine and drift off as small golden Balls, on their way to move into a new physical body. I was told I’m getting stronger and stronger. I then found myself flying through the Valley on my own, sinking like a Stone and flaring out, totally free. I then slipped into the Theta state and came back with two images: first, as I went to touch a Horse’s muzzle sitting on a old-west style wall, a Bee came out from within a stung me on the hand. I saw and removed the Stinger, then tasted the small point of my blood. I saw the Bee die, and its Spirit Body move off as a small gold ball. I knew I had been given Bee totem Energy. Secondly, I saw my friend leaving through the back door of a farm house, into a truck carrying vegetables for sale at a local market. He obviously is a sustainer of people. A third image did not survive the Call Back Drum, which sounded soon thereafter. According to Ted Andrews' Animal Speak, Hummingbird stands for the Tireless Joy and the Nectar of Life. To see it flitting about fills one with joy. Hummingbird reminds us to "hum" through life, restoring health and balance..to find joy in what we do and to sing it out. Hummingbird can move its wings in a figure 8 pattern, a symbol for infinity and links to the past and future, to cause and effect. Hummingbirds know how to use flowers for healing, and can teach you to heal yourself in the same manner. Hummingbird is the most skilled of fliers, able to move in all directions and to hover. It does not walk. This reminds us that of we truly enjoy what we are doing, we become as light as a feather. Its ability to fly backwards reminds us to derive joy from the past. The rainbow colors on some species remind us of the inclusion of all things and races as one. Hummingbirds must eat 50-60 times a day, and digest food quickly, implying one with this Power Animal should be aware of sugar levels and nutrition, and eat in smaller but more often portions. Hummingbirds build their homes with great care, implying one should likewise decorate the home for joy. They sleep at night in a state of hibernation to conserve energy, and so should Hummingbird People get lots of deep rest, to prevent burnout. Finally, they fly over 2500 miles to migrate..thereby making them the symbol for accomplishing the seemingly impossible.

My final Journey was to ascertain how much snow we will get this coming winter. Recall last year’s Journey predicted 37”, and we got just ¾” more than that..a direct hit. As I lay down to begin the Drum CD, I felt the need to place the Azurite Stone on my Brow Chakra. I saw myself sitting on a facet of this Stone, all shiny and so deep blue. It was a beautiful Summer day around me, with blue Sky and White/Gray Cloud People. I then saw Snowy Owl heading toward me. I held out my index finger of my right hand, and he landed on it. It was my new Guide Angshwa from several Journey’s ago. He then returned to his Owl state. We took off and headed up into a Tunnel composed of snowflakes. We emerged into the heart of a Cloud Person, where the Spirit of the Air Clan and the Water Spirit were waiting. The three Spirits told me they were disappointed in me for doubting their guidance last year. They said I must atone for this doubt before they would help me this year. I did so, and began to walk around in rainbow snowflakes that had suddenly appeared. As I walked through this delightful image, two numbers came to me: 48.9 and 58”. I was then suddenly at my 5-Stone Altar, in summer, but not for long. Soon there was snow all around, and the Altar was a Fire. I found myself smoking a lit Sacred Pipe made of clear Ice with the three Spirits. They confirmed the numbers I had seen earlier..49 and 58, with the higher amounts to the NW..as we shared the Pipe. They then took me to Hurricane Ivan, bearing down on Jamaica as I write this. I merged with the flowing Water Vapor and Wind and Cloud, and sensed the total lack of concern the storm had for its actions. It was merely fulfilling its Spiritual Destiny, as should we all. I was then shown the storm will pass about 65 miles west of Tampa, FL, and then move up into the eastern Panhandle with 100 kt winds. For a brief moment, I also saw the storm head west toward Mississippi. I was then told that when Ivan’s rains fell on my 5-Stone Altar late next week, I would be given new Powers of merging with the Air, Water and Cloud Spirits. This was the Shamanic advance foretold by my Aunt Anne, and this new capability would allow me to be much more effective in reading and relating to/working with Energies in my Shaman’s Walk. Then, the Call Back sounded. Very exciting, for the three Spirits are so profuse in our daily life.

Journeys 90/91 Agate Sphere; Penguin PA recharge

9/5/04: The first Journeys I have taken without Drumming deliberately occurred today on our way up to my mother-in-law's, with my neighbor driving. I had read several times recently that as Shamans progress, they can access the Other Worlds without use of a Drum, and I wanted to see if I could do so, given the relaxing mode of being driven. And just as I was thinking about taking this Journey, my wife shook me to ask if I had seen the Peace Eagle above us. Sure enough, the Eagle was right over the car as I was thinking about attempting this. This told me that the time was indeed right, and that I had reached this level of development..a very cool level indeed. This means I can Journey anywhere at any time, and not have to have drumming with me. So, I opened Sacred Space around myself and met with my Lower World Guide, Snake. We went down a dry Tunnel, with large Stone People restricting passage in some areas, but still allowing us to move through. As we exited, we came into a world at dusk with hundreds of Eagles flying at random across the Sky..there were hundreds, all low, all soaring at random above me and as far out as one could see. Then, they suddenly all lined up and began to move in a huge Whirlpool of Eagles, all circling around a central point, to which we moved. Upon arrival, I found my new Agate Stone Person, boughton a recent vacation, sitting there, quite large..so was I smaller? I then proceeded to use Ken Meadow’s methods to sanctify the Stone..I brushed it with the four Elements (Water, Fire, Air and Earth) to charge it with Spirit Power. Suddenly, I found myself lifting the Stone above my head, and I saw it being struck by multitudes of blue flashes emerging from the Sky, followed by a large swirl of golden Mana surrounding it. I then carried it over to my pouch and put it back in. Today, just before leaving, I had decided to take this new, perfectly spherical Stone with me to give me added Shamanic strength. Now, on the way up, in my first non-Drumming journey in a long while, I had charged it to the fullest. It was ready to go.

I then took a second Journey in order to re-energize our dear friend’s Mom’s Power Animal, Penguin. I met with Snake a second time, and this time we went down through a Tunnel of yellowish light. On the way down, I noticed all sorts of growing Vegetables. We passed through these, and came out into a small brushy area, from which we emerged onto a Lake-side. There stood Penguin. This was a rather short Journey, for I found myself passing along quite a few of the Vegetables into Penguin, to give him strength. I hadn’t realized I had picked any up, but there they were. No doubt, Snake grabbed them, knowing I would want them shortly. I then saw Penguin go over to her’s Mom’s condo, and move into her. I had promised our friend the night before I would say a special Prayer for her mom, and this was the first real chance I had to do anything special.

An interesting after-note on the first Journey: When my sister-in-law saw pictures of my son’s Senior shoot, her Imprint over her 18-year-old son's premature death activated in a big way. She was crying for almost an hour afterward. At first my daughter spoke with her, and after a while I decided to visit with her as well. I explained how we all chose to live our lives and suffer the trials, in order to better ourselves spiritually. I explained about the Imprint that was activated in her, and how it could be removed..but may not be wise to do so, for she might miss the chance to keep growing. But finally I was moved to offer her my newly-sanctified Shaman Stone, telling her how it had great Spirit and Healing Powers now. She told me the Chinese do something similar with a round Stone, and that she felt her pain fade away the second she began holding it. I told her to keep it until she no longer felt she needed it..then give it back to me, or to someone she thinks it would be helpful to.

Journey 88/89 Aunt Visit; PA for Father/Son

9/1/04: I had a dream last night about my Aunt, who passed in the late 80s. We were in a strange house, preparing to eat dinner with a bunch of people, when I spotted her lying on her left side on a small couch by a window next to the table. As I reached for her hand, she let me grab it. She had tears in her eyes, but never looked up at me. I knew upon awakening that I would have to Journey to see what it was she wanted to tell me. And so this afternoon I prepared as always, and then set off, the Flame of Life flickering off to my left as the Drums began. I immediately saw myself standing out back by a large Tipi, outlined with glistening colors. I saw my Upper World Guide Eagle Claw sitting in front, beating on the Drum that matched what I was hearing. He handed me a Bowl of a Plant Medicine, which I drank in slow and small gulps. I actually did the swallowing consciously as well. I then lay down as directed with my head just in front of the Drum..and found myself becoming as stiff as a stick. Eagle Claw turned into Barred Owl and then Snowy Owl. He took me in his Talons and we were off. We headed up into Space, which was wavy and distorted..the Solar System, the Universe..all seemed to be undulating. As we moved further out, we came to an Octopus in Space. We stopped there, and I told him my desire: to speak with my Aunt and see what she was trying to tell me. I then was directed up to the top of the Octopus’s head, and sank down into it as a Spirit. From within, I could look down the “corridors”, as it were, of all eight arms. Most were empty, with doors at the end of each with a colorful room beyond. But at the end of one I saw my Aunt, as she was when I last saw her, and I went down to speak to her. I saw her transform from that image to herself as a young lady, and back. I began by thanking her for coming to me so often as a Cardinal, here favorite Winged One, in the past few years of my Shaman’s Walk. I asked, and she said she was not angry with me for not coming home for the final visit, when my wife was pregnant withmy son. But then she asked me why I had never given comfort to her concerning her cancer, her dying..or even talked with her about it. She said my reason for not doing so was like the large yellow and orange translucent brick wall I found myself now sitting on. I must break down this wall, by discovering what it was about myself that caused to me to be remote and removed. She said total understanding of this part of my character was essential to go much further into my Shamanic practice. I started running through possible reasons: Age discrimination? She turned herself back to her early 20s and asked if I would have been more engaged had she been this young. A feeling of helplessness? Aversion to being with people who are dying? Pure selfishness? Spiritual confusion? All these possibilities ran through my head, but I didn’t feel anyone of them was really it. Even as I write this up 24 hours later, I am still not certain exactly what it is about me that caused that reaction..but I DO know why I have to get rid of it to be an effective healer. Anne told me that one I had removed this wall, she would be there to help me with my Shamanic advancement. She then gave me a single Lily to plant in my Spirit Garden..colored with both male and female Cardinal hues. As I was returning from this Journey is profuse thanks to EC and my Aunt, I kept asking myself, as if seeing my behavior for the first time..why DID I ignore her..not even a card or call..man! In the ensuing days, I finally discovered the Truth about my reaction: I saw my future SELF in my Aunt, how I would end up, and was too afraid to face it!

My second Journey of the day was to discover Power Animals for one of my wife’s co-worker’s family members. I had already gotten one for her (White Duck), and she wanted her husband and son to have one as well. So off I went, and Snake met me immediately, with Diamond eyes. She warped herself around me and we slithered together off into a field which quickly became a desert. We went down through an opening in the Ground at the base of a Cactus. As we went down through the first layers, a small zone of moist Earth was there...but then it was dry dirt and stone for much of the rest of the way. This implies there is a lack of emotion or feminine power with these men. As we neared the Exit, streamers of green and pink light began pouring lengthwise along the walls. As we exited, we were in a world near the end of dusk, landing in a pond with large green leaves around. A Frog immediately came to me and asked me to climb aboard. I got the sense this was the Dad’s Power Animal. He hopped out across the Water, and I saw little Islands of land floating in the Air above us! They were covered in small red Flowers, and we saw several Animals eating there: a Turkey Vulture, a Turkey, and a Zebra. But none were in the slightest interested in us, so we moved on. We came off that land Island and were moving along the water toward shore, upon which appeared an Armadillo, which of course has to do with defense and vulnerability, and knowing when to open up. This Animal indicated it was the PA for the Son, for we landed on its back and it did not shrink away. We got back off, and suddenly there were two more Power Animals there: Skunk and Porcupine. So I knew there were secondary PAs for the son, a first in my Journeys. As I was trying to sort all this out (which is the PA for sure, for example), I was called back. I thanked Snake and all the other Spirits, and returned. Research shows that Frog is heavily involved with femininity and emotions, verifying my early statement concerning the desert and dry descent. Skunk has to do with Sensuality, Self-Esteem and Respect, Porcupine with a renewed sense of wonder. Both of these secondary Totems would and will serve a young man well! I since discovered that by trying to accomplish two feats at once, I mucked up the results..hence the profusion of Power Animals and the confusion. I re-accomplished the Journey for the Dad a few days later.

Journey 87 First Visit with Astral Figure

8/31/04: A Journey to see who was trying to contact me during a recent Dream I had in response to inviting three Spirits of departed family or friends to contact me if they so desired. In that Dream, a large, yellow, short-haired Dog came up to me and allowed me to pat his head while staring at me. Later, there was a floating Skull and Doll’s Head staring at me from a River next to a House I was in. I Rattled, Smudged and lit the Sacred Candle. As I was sitting and breathing down to Shamanic level, I was concentrating on my goals, and saw Owl appear to me, dressed in a black cape with tufts of red on each shoulder, reminiscent of a Red-winged Blackbird. He drew me up into a Tree that was replete with Fall-colored leaves. As we sat there, I saw a very large Whirlpool in the Sky off to my left-center, composed of swirling blue Clouds. In the center was a small ball of intense Light. We headed for that ball, and as we entered I realized we were in the Tunnel that the Near-Death experience shows to so many: the Tunnel of light. I saw dark human figures walking slowly around as we went through this Tunnel, but none stopped to talk to us and their features were not apparent at all. I felt a strange privilege to be in this Sacred Tunnel, and yet not being among the dying myself. The passage of the figures was strangely non-emotional, on everyone’s part..it just WAS. We then emerged from this Tunnel onto a Park Bench in a city setting, with the road curving off to my left. Owl and I saw and waited. My whole approach was not to try to guess who it was that was contacting me..I wanted that person to reveal it himself. Owl moved up into a Tree to my right. Then, I saw a dark figure walking down the street toward me. His face was so misshapen and bloodied that I could not recognize who it was. Immediately, the yellow Dog of my Dream came lumbering up to me and sat by my feet. I looked down, and as the Dog stared at me, it became vicious. The figure stopped in front of me and its yellow eyes were ablaze with anger. The whole scene then went dark except for those eyes, and Owl immediately stepped in to re-inforce my Aura. I could see myself now sitting within the protective shell of its rainbow boundary, looking beyond into the darkness at this face. Soon, though, the anger turned to sorrow, and some tears escaped one of the eyes. The surrounding lightened up a bit, becoming like a very early dawn, with just enough light to see shapes again. I thought the shape was that of the boy who had commited suicide, but it was too dark to be positive. At this point I decided to disengage from seeking the name anymore, and waited for this person to reveal himself to me, if that was his desire. As I did so, I slipped into the deeper Theta State, and only have a few images to relate. The first two came very early..I saw a female’s right side profile, and she was whispering the number “22.” At some point I got the feeling that the figure I had seen had a real problem with his feminine side..as if he had rejected that part of himself so violently that he had to end his life. Then I saw a tongue being yanked out of a mouth by someone trying to grab it from its roots..but the person did not succeed. The final remembrances come later, toward the end, when I came back to the Alpha State long enough to realize I was in the presence of this person, right there in the room. This was his second visit, as he had been there the night of my Dream as well. I did nothing, and he did nothing..I was just aware of his being there. The final occurrence was when I came to realize that I felt like I was floating in mid air, totally unattached to anything, as if I were a balloon or a molecule of water. I remember thinking how strange that felt, and that I needed to reground myself. I also remember calling to mind the images of the Skull and Doll, to see if that would trigger any further insights, but they did not, as far as I can recall. As the Journey ended with the Call Back, I came back to the room and thanked Owl..feeling as if I had not accomplished what I had set out to do. That I might have failed..but I reminded myself that was the Spirits release to us is all we need to know..and my feelings were the result of my own faulty expectations. Also, often what has to happen and to be known occurs when in the Theta State, which up until and including now I have had trouble bringing info back from..and for all I know I was with this person and provided the help needed. I somehow feel that the presence I felt, followed later by my floating in air, may signify that this person took some Sacred Energy through me, in particular, grounding Energy..and got what he had come for. As to who it was: I sense it was the suicide, but feel it may also have been my nephew..but it was my wife's Dad.

Of significance is the Robe Owl took on at the beginning..that of the Red-winged Blackbird. Here is some of what Ted Andrews says about that Winged One: This bird is connected to the Dark Mother and the primal feminine energies (recall the female whispering “22” and my feeling there was an issue with femininity). Redwingeds have three colors, actually. Black (Dark Mother), red (Mars), and Yellow (sign of Cancer). Redwinged is a summer bird, and returns to the womb of life in winter (a reference to suicide?) in order to re-emerge the following summer. Blackbirds nest very close to water..again, a sign of the Feminine. Finally, they nest on cattails, which primarily help convert water areas to landed areas, a more grounded state. Eaten, it is like a flour..and NAs used the juices for tooth-aches.

Finally, after typing this, I went outside for a review of the Land, and a Blackbird flew out from the Red Maple and away to the North. As I came into the porch, I looked at the Sun, lowering in the west, and a very large and bright Cloud Person was just below it, in the perfect shape of the left side of a large Dog lying on its legs with its head up, staring straight ahead..in a resting and relaxed pose. Before it were several smaller bright Cloud People, blobs really, one of which looked like a Hummingbird, the Bird of the North into which the Blackbird had flown. So perhaps my intervention allowed my Spirit Helpers to accomplish some good after all. I know it did.

A few hours on and I have a few more thoughts. This Journey has had a profound effect on me so far. I feel very spent, and can’t help thinking about it all over and over. A few more realizations have come. All the Spirits in the Tunnel were walking in the opposite direction to Owl’s and my progress..so we were headed into the Astral Plane, not the Beyond. The Skull and Doll may well represent the suicide and his unborn..there may be an issue there. Finally, I hope this person did not take a part of MY Spirit Robe..and instead took what was available through me. And I also came to think perhaps this person was a different suicide, an older man.. No way of knowing, yet. But it was a very expending Journey, and certainly a deeper and less obvious one. I have a sense of unease that I must have picked up from this person..I always have been an empathy of sorts.

Journey 86 PA for Friend's Friend's Mom

8/24/04: A Journey for my dear friend’s friend’s mom, who is seriously ill. The purpose: to see what can be done to help her and find her a Power Animal to help her walk her Path in Truth and Beauty as she nears the end of the Walk. After Smudging, Rattling and lighting the Sacred Candle, I began the Drum CD. I found my Lower World Guide, Snake (Crosses in Front), winding her way up through my body even as I still lay on the bed. Whereas we usually jump immediately to the Opening, today was different: we slithered across the basement floor as one, passed through the new Screen Door, and went through the pile of construction waste under the deck. We then moved at an accelerated pace into the Woods and came to the Tree with the Opening in its base..a Tunnel we have used at least twice before. As we went into the Opening, the Tunnel to the Lower World was ringed with tiny pink-petal Flowers, with blue centers. They surrounded us in great profusion as we passed down. We came to a halt at two objects, both shiny new: a metal bracelet, and an old-fashioned key (looks like an F standing on its loop). We then continued on through the Flowers. As the Light faded, they took on a glow of their own. We soon arrived at the exit, and were launched into a wooded area, at night, with the strong smell of Lilac, and some water dripping off one of the Trees to my right. There were many Fireflies around, and I soon was one of them. I spotted my Mate among the many, for her emissions were brighter than the others. We danced in Flight for a few moments, then landed together on a Branch. She took her tail and wrote the name of the mother on the Branch, in golden Energy emitted from her Tail. As the name glistened there, I moved over and planted my tail on the name. Suddenly, I saw a Zebra with a horn on its head, standing sideways to me. This image faded quickly, and then a very friendly Squirrel moved up to me along the branch..the mother’s Power Animal. The Squirrel had two gifts for me: an Acorn, for me to eat as sustenance, for I had now become a Squirrel as well, and a large Chestnut. As I looked beyond the Squirrel, I now saw a huge Tree reaching way up to the top of the Sky. I don’t recall eating the Acorn, but watched as golden lightning surges ran up and down the side of the Tree Trunk. I began climbing the Tree with the Chestnut in my mouth, and soon reached a higher Branch with a Woman sitting on it, seeming at once both young and old. She was wearing a light blue hospital gown with a hood over her head. As I handed her the Chestnut, she smiled a thanks at me. While the hood made it hard to see her face, I could again tell that she was at once both young and quite old, as mentioned above. She ate the Chestnut. She then melted into pure gold Energy, which zipped along the Branch and up the Tree Trunk. As it reached the top, huge gold Lightning Bolts came flashing out along the Sky Roof. Five of these Bolts struck the ground of the Forest floor. Where they had hit, 5 small fires began. Soon, little groups of Squirrels were forming around the fires. I concentrated on one of them, second from the left. There, I saw Squirrels dancing around on their hind legs, holding paws, then very soon regrouped to running around the Fire on all fours, with each Tail in trailing Mouth. As they ran in this quick Circle, both they and the Fires faded. I was now a Firefly again, floating in the Forest, with no more singular Tails to invite me, as before. I soon saw some Light Blue Tipis form at the edge of the Forest, and the Drums were coming from there. Clouds soon formed over them, and as they drifted across the area where I was floating, they dropped a mist of Lavender Oil. I then dropped deeper into the Theta State, and recall two images: one in which I was in a discussion concerning the proper way to comb my hair to cover bald areas; a second in which I’m walking along a tall Stone Wall that has small Energy Beings made of different shades of Light hanging from various points. All I recall is being warned that to try to put these “Lights” out would cause them to explode..and on the word “explode”, the Call Back Drum sounded, causing one of the Lights to explode, and I then returned the way I came, through the Tunnel of Flowers.

Squirrels represent preparedness, and “teach us balance within the Circle of Gathering and Giving, Work and Play.” I found out later that the mother had 5 children, the numbers of fires that formed on the ground..one of the children has serious issues to confront as demonstrated by one of the fires being highlighted in my Journey.

Journeys 84/85 Twin Sister ID/Poison Ivy

8/13/04: A Journey to determine the identity of the Native Spirit the twin sister saw before her death (reference an earlier Journey). I opened Sacred Space with the Rattle, Smudged, then lit the Sacred Candle and took off with the 15-minute Drum loop. I was suddenly a Chipmunk, indicating great ability to delve into the “unknown.” I was scratching around in the Grass out back when I sensed Owl swooping down from behind me. Owl picked me up in his talons and we were off into a bright yellow Sky, toward a white swirl of Energy. We went through this Tunnel and emerged into a region of Space where all was red, indicating both intense Life Force and the reference to Native Americanism. We landed in the bright green Tree top we have visited in prior Journeys. I spoke with Owl and gave my reason for the Journey. I was suddenly at a River’s side, watching a Man cradling a beautiful Maiden in his arms. She was on the verge of passing, in and out of consciousness, and then died. The Man walked over into a Buffalo herd on the other side of the Tree line bordering the River. He went up to a White Buffalo (very Sacred to the Plains NAs..) and kneeled before her, the one who brought the Sacred Pipe. He then disappeared. I then returned to the River bank, and saw that much time had now passed. all that remained of the Maiden was a very old bracelet, greatly weathered in the Dirt. I then walked along the River’s edge, as I have done before in prior Journeys, to the Tipi down the River a bit, and entered to Smoke a Pipe Owl, who was now Eagle Claw. It was during this Smoke that I got the rest of the Scene explained to me. The Man was a Tribal Shaman, the Maiden his Daughter. He could not save her. The Maiden became the departed sister in this life. The Native Spirit was the Shaman Father watching over her as she performed this Earthly Walk. His appearance toward the end was to prepare her for Passage. I then was told that White Buffalo will give them both a new Earthly Walk, but they will not be linked as Father and Daughter. As we left this Scene, I looked back and saw that the whole thing had taken place on the Tongue of a Lizard. The latter represents the ability to go into the Dreamtime to seek answers, as I had been doing. Apparently this Journey has strengthened those capabilities for me, as it was an errand of further Healing for the living sister. Lizard is now one of my Totems. I sense he is attaching himself to the sister to help her see and interpret her Dreams more clearly. We then returned to the Green Tree Top, through the Tunnel and into the Yard as the Call Back sounded. I thanked my Guides and returned.


A Poison Ivy control Journey, to deal with my first case in years. I had already opened Sacred Space in an earlier Journey, and so headed right in. I found myself in a Tipi, performing a Snake Dance with one of my Rattles. This was the first time I can recall performing such a Dance in a Journey to call up my Power Animal. My Snake Guide arrived, and she and I went down through one of the more traditional Lower World entry points, a hole in the floor in the center of the Tipi. As we were heading toward the opening, I saw the outline of a human shape hovering over and below the entry, such that the area of the heart was centered right over the hole..the area we passed through. We descended through what seemed to be organic tubing, possibly intestinal..but very clean. We landed in a salty Ocean, submerged, indicating landing in an area of great emotion and/or femininity. This told me my Poison Ivy was a feminine presence, and that sea water was a good curative? In the distance, floating freely, was a woman’s form. It briefly assumed a dress of leaves, then reverted back to more traditional dress. This Spirit of the Water then asked if I wanted to visit with the Spirit of Poison Ivy, to which I answered “yes.” She warned me not to get to close to her. I then found myself next to a Tube Trailer Home beneath a stock of trees, siding up to sit at a picnic bench away from the entry. I could see the woman’s face in the door. Her eyes flashed through numerous colors, before settling down to a beige color with tiny rainbow flecks. Her face then transformed itself into that of a Dog and/or Wolf. As I contemplated this, I slipped off into the Theta State, and the only image I can bring back from there is the term, “Marshmallow Root”. I obviously need to get this. At another point of lucidness I felt a strong Bar being applied to my left back shoulder as I lay there, with a feeling of connectivity of its Energy to my infected fingers on my right hand. Then, the Drumming called me back. I must ponder more on the meaning of the color of the Eyes, the transformation to Dog/Wolf, and the Energy bar. They are obviously important to understanding my PI and its healing.

Journey 83 - More Work on Daughter's PA

8/12/04: A Journey to further investigate my daughter's Power Animal, Polar Bear, to see if there was any Guidance he wished to give her. The room was already open in Sacred Space from a prior Journey, and so I Smudged with Sweet Grass for an extra layer of protection and was off on a 10-minute Drum CD Journey. At first, the Tree I meet Owl in was very changeable, going quickly through a multitude of Colors before settling on a beige tone with streaks of pastel colors running through it. Owl then flew in from a Pink Sky, himself Yellow with deep Blue Eyes. We looked up into the Sky to see a red Tunnel Opening, swirling. We headed into the Entrance and went past many necklaces of Red Beads, making up the Tunnel Walls. We emerged into a sunny area of Trees and Fields, all covered in glistening Ice. It was not cold, but very refreshing. A Man walked toward us from the South, himself White and glazed in ice, eyes included. He sat down beside me and touched my hands. He then “melted” to a more normal appearance, still dressed in a Polar Bear fur outfit. I told him who I was and asked if he had any info for my daughter. We were suddenly overlooking a small city over which a Thunderstorm was moving. I could see down into an apartment, where my daughter was lying on a bed reading a textbook while her daughter was at the dining room table hunched over homework. She appeared 6 or 7..hard to tell. As I moved closer into this scene, I was suddenly back in the dining room overseas, and it was my own young daughter at the table, doing HER homework! I got the sense from being here that we jerked my daughter back to the States too soon..that it had had a negative effect on her. I then saw only her face before me, going through many changes into old age, finally lying on the slope of the ice world, herself looking a lot like her Guardian did when he first appeared to me at the start of this leg of the Journey. She then rose and walked off with him, two Ice People hand in hand. I then realized she had left this Spirit to come here to this life! They were together as Spirit Partners prior to that. Then, more images ensued, no doubt things for my daughter to ponder, gifts from her Guardian/Power Animal. I saw Pine Trees stirring in a warm Breeze, with a wonderful Scent of Pine in the air. Very peaceful. I then saw a small Lake with my daughter’s House nestled in the Woods about halfway up. I saw her lying on a Hillside nearby, with a man with curly, medium brown hair and glasses..a life partner, but not necessarily husband. I then saw a large Moon hanging over a city horizon, and was informed that Moon is very important to my daughter, and she should therefore seek out its soft Light and calming Feminine Spirit. I then remembered the Moon was coming up full on her birth evening. I then saw the name Neptune go by, and after a second of thinking of the Planet, realized it was also the name of the God of the Ocean in ancient Rome. Here again was the connection to the Sea, which comes with her Power Animal and its need to find the right balance between Ice and Ocean to survive. I then saw my daughter in her communion veil, and got the sense she had found this ceremony pretty much empty of Spiritual significance..and a launching point for her lack of spirituality in subsequent years. However, her PA told me this would be slowly changing now that He was back in her life in a physical form (the Figurine)..she would be slowly but surely opening back up to the possibilities beyond this existence. I then saw him lying in light-blue Spirit form beside my daughter when she was alone at night, and he told me he hoped she would listen when he tried to dissuade her from being with the wrong guys. I then saw a Polar Bear walking on hardened Snow, with Raven on his right Shoulder and a Bunny at his left foot. I then saw the two others squawking at Bear, and holding him off at a distance.. in combination a sign of my grandaughter’s connection to yet independence from her mom playing out simultaneously. Back now on the bench with my daughter’s Spirit Guardian, he gave me a small icy Lamp, about 2” high with an A-shaped Crystal shade. The Lamp did not melt in my hand..it was very solid. He told me to give it to her in Spirit, and tell her this Lamp will shine very brightly in her Dark times as if containing thousands of tiny suns within, and light her Path. At this very instant, the Drum ceased, and I had to quickly scurry back through the Tunnel with Owl and return to the room, performing my own Call Back Drumming. I thanked the Guides as I typed this up.

Journey 82 - More on Friend's Dark Mass/Runnymede

8/12/04: A journey to delve further into the Dark Mass attached to my friend, and discover the connection thereof to a town called Runnymede from the Civil War era. After the usual preparations, I was off. I immediately found myself in a low-grass field, in the process of being covered over by a deep, black mist. My Lower World Guide, Crosses in Front (Snake) arrived, and she was also as black as I have seen her. She told me, “come, we have solemn work to do.” This was certainly the direst beginning to any of my Journeys! We found the small Tunnel entrance ringed in fire, and as we descended, I found numerous light-blue-energy Civil War era soldier-Spirits sitting at random on both sides of the Tunnel as we went. They did not seem to know anything had changed, and acted and sat as if still ready for the next battle. As we emerged from the Tunnel Exit, we were in a large field that also contained many small encampments, with fires burning and combatants sitting. We came toward a solitary figure sitting on a Stone Person, hunched over. He was totally black..only his eyes reflected any light. I approached him, and Snake wrapped herself around my right leg for my protection. I told him who I was and why I had come..I asked if he were the entity currently attached to my friend. Nodding in the affirmative, he reached out and grabbed both my hands, and suddenly I was in a well-kept, rural house, in the late morning. A small family was there, engaged in their ordinary tasks, when two cannonballs, one after another, came crashing through the top part of the house. Large support beams immediately fell onto the wife and child, killing them. A man (whom I’m sure is the Dark Being I’m speaking with) ran out of the house and toward a soldier riding away on horseback. The man was of course losing ground, and as he ran was struck from behind and killed. As he awoke, now a Spirit, he looked back at could see the Spirits of his Wife and Child wandering away from the house, calling for him. “Horatio..Father!” But he could not seem to get to them. I was then informed that the person who had shot the cannon was a distant relation to my friend's husband’s family of that era. We were then back on the field, and the Man was silent. I asked him why he had attached himself to my friend, not her husband. He told me he had found her through the husband, for she reminded him of his lost Wife..smart, energetic, funny, pretty. He was clinging opportunistically in sorrow, and meant no harm. I then told him that it was within my ability and purview to release both him and all those with him from this Spiritual stasis. I then called in Eagle, my Power Animal, who swooped in and was trailing thick layers of rainbow colored Energy from his wings. He swooped over the entire field, through the Tunnel, and over the man, dusting all with the Essence. The man’s last action was to look at me with a tear falling and say thank you. And then, the area was cleansed of all these Spirits. The ground issued forth small plants with tiny white petals, and these extended back into the Tunnel. I also sent Eagle to soar through my friend’s house, over her and her husband, releasing them from any final attachments involving this connection to Runnymede. I then asked if we could assign my friend a Power Animal, a Spirit Being that would protect her and give her the Energies needed to heal and to live well. Immediately volunteering was the Ground Hog (usually one has to go through several Animals before the right one appears). I saw him very happily working beside my friend as she worked the land in a garden, proving he was indeed her PA. Snake, Eagle and I then sat and watched as the Moon set over the distant horizon. While still primarily yellow, her Face was marked with millions of tiny rainbow facets, giving her a glow of great beauty. Suddenly, flying across her face came a winged Horse, traditionally view as a Spirit Messenger, who flew toward us and stopped before me. In his mouth was a large, pink Flower, which I took. He said it was a gift of gratitude from the man..these flowers had been growing in front of the house that was hit by cannon fire. The Horse flew away. The three of us then watched the Moon set a bit more, then came back up the Tunnel. While rifles and remnants of small fires were still there, the Spirits were gone. The field was now clear of mist, the Tunnel Entrance, while still black, saw fire out. Since the Drum was still sounding, I enjoyed the company of my Helpers in quiet, asking them to heal and cleanse me..something I like to do often when there is still time in a Journey. I also went back to the scene where the man had just died, and sensed his last name was Agman. There is of course no Google reference to an obscure gent from 150 years ago.. I then, with no further actions to perform, cut the Journey a bit short and returned to the Room to ground.

I was told when letting my friend's hear of the above results that the husband's ancestors had taken spoils of war during the Civil War. This was no doubt the cause for the invasion of the Wife.

Journey 81 - Granddaughter's PA

8/11/04: I realized I had never found out who my grandaughter’s Power Animal is, and so I set out to discover this. After Smudging, Rattling and lighting the Sacred Candle, I set the Drum CD for a 15-minute Journey and began concentrating on my Purpose. Even before I could start the drumming, though, her Power Animal came soaring into my consciousness with such a certainty that I had no doubts about it. The Rattling must have opened up my Shamanic Channels early, and her PA came barreling right in. And an awesome PA he is (yes, he is male): Raven. So here I was, sitting on the side of the bed with the Journey Purpose already accomplished. So, I changed the reason for my travels, and decided to see if I could meet with Raven and learn some things about my grandaughter. As I began the Drum CD, I found myself whisked off to a Old-Western-style town, complete with Horse troughs, wooden landings in front of buildings, the works. It was hot and dusty. My Lower World Guide Crosses in Front (Snake) met me, wearing a pink bow and tiny pink doll’s hat, telling me that she was empowered with Avery’s youthful Spirit to lead me into the Lower World. As we moved off the road past a Tumbleweed and into some low Grasses by a Tree, we spotted the Tunnel entrance at the base of the Tree. As we entered, I saw a powerful Tornado passing by on my right, heading toward my rear. Instantly I thought of the scene from my last Journey for my grandaughter, where a father was walking back from the grave of his young daughter. Was that the tornado that took my grandaughter in her prior Visit? Could well be.. We went down the Tunnel, which was strewn with tiny and larger roots for a while, then became littered with Minerals and Stones of various types, including Gold and Marble. As we got closer to the Exit, I could smell Hyacinth. We came out of the Tunnel into a large field thereof, and we sat and waited. Raven came in overhead as large as any Bird I have ever seen in a Journey..an indication of his vast Spirit Powers. He covered nearly the entire Sky at first. He then shrank down to normal size and landed beside me. He became a human, with white skin and black clothes, and Raven Feathers in his black hair. He reached out and took my hands in his, and spoke briefly. He told me my grandaughter would grow up just fine, and that she had indeed come out of the Spirit Camp as Spirit Rain, my name for her after seeing this falling Mana during her birth on a mostly sunny day. The surroundings then transformed completely. We were floating in a Space filled with beautiful stars and gases of many colors, which then filled in with a soft tan mist, with pastel stars shining within. I felt a very rare Peace while in this Area. Raven then showed me parts of her future. Fully an adult now, she was walking down a wooden walkway from a cottage onto a beach, to sit there facing the ocean. I was then shown a list of occupations she would consider, and the two that seemed strongest were Anthropologist and Archaeologist, with the emphasis on the former. I also picked up a very strong environmental concern..she will be a great caretaker of Mother Earth and fight very hard for her. I then saw her sitting on the same beach at night, with shafts of rainbow light bursting down into her, and also bursting out of her, heading along the ground to distant targets. She will apparently be a Healer using Shamanic Energy as I have become. I also saw her sitting around a fire on this Beach with my Spirit coming up to the Fire to sit and speak with her. I don’t know if this means I will have passed on by then (she was 30 at best), which gives me if true under 30 years left of life here. The fact we will converse in a very common Native/Shaman Spiritual Way again hints at a burgeoning Shamanism in her. I then saw a Bunny hop up and sit beside her, indicating a secondary Power Animal. This was confirmed in a later brief image when I saw a Bunny coming toward me from a grassy field spotted with Trees. The images became brief and intermittent from here on out, as I slipped into the Theta State and did not bring back much of that Tour with me consciously. I do remember coming out of one of the sequences ending in which I’m saying “I’ll pass on that!” I also remember seeing a brass plaque on a wall of a Marble. Her face and name were on it, and a saying: “She Saw Wrong and Made it Right”, or something very close to that. I got the sense this was related to the environment as well. I emerged from the Theta State for good just before the Call Back Drum sounded..I saw my grandaughter once more on the Beach, only this time Raven was circling directly above her, dropping golden Mana around her. The Mana formed a Circle in the Sand, and I went over to look at it. There was an inverted “V” enclosed in the Circle..that is, an “A” without the center line. This is no doubt her Shaman Symbol. The fact she was at the water’s edge the entire time shows she has vast feminine Powers, and is a Water Person..a Spirit of the West. She will think and emote very deeply as a result, as the ocean in deep. The Ocean’s emotional purity will be her renewing presence here. I came back, thanked my Guides and my grandaughter's PAs, and came up to type this while it was still fresh.

Scratching the surface: Raven as Totem implies Magic, Shape-shifting and Creation. Human and animal Spirits intermingle and become as one, allowing one to understand the language of animals. Ravens are great at vocalization and can be taught to speak! They are playful and excellent tool users. They are not intimidated, and are very fast and wary. With this Raven power, one can stir the magic of life and creation without fear. They are quite amorous. Raven power can allow one to go into the Spirit Void and bring back to the physical world the things one needs..a strong hint of Shamanism. Most powerful time for people with Raven for a PA is winter and the winter solstice. Raven’s black color implies much of the strength Avery needs will come from the “other side”, just as in the case of the Journey above concerning the depths of the ocean. Raven is closely related to Crow, whose Medicine also applies here. Crows bring magic also, and are symbols of creation and Spiritual strength. Creation from Spirit Camp to Physical World will play a large role in her life. Rabbit as Totem implies Fertility. They also have a wonderful defense..they freeze as if dead, then speed off at a high rate instantly. The freezing implies the need to not allow others to see your intentions early. They also double-back quickly, implying the ability to take advantage of brief opportunities passed the first time. They eat mainly vegetables, implying my grandaughter will pick up on my daughter's preferences in that regard. One should read the full treatments in Animal Speak for a total picture of these Power Animals.

Journey 80 - Wife's Tummy and Throat Problems

8/9/04: A Journey to help my wife with her tummy and throat problems. These popped up the morning after we took my mom to her favorite restaurantfor her birthday last Thursday night, and had made it almost impossible for her to eat over the weekend, including a big family party we had Sunday. I figured food poisoning, but didn’t get the chance to Journey until Monday. I prepared as always, and went in for a 10-minute Drum loop. I found myself sitting on my Azurite Stone on a bookshelf in some house, next to a sunny Window. I was so tiny that the Stone (all of an inch long) appeared as a huge rocky Hill, and I could see my reflection in its shiny facets..in this life all of ¼ mm or less in width. Owl then came to the window, paused briefly on the sill, then shrank down himself to my size. He himself manufactured our Journey Tunnel this time, by creating a spray of his own Feathers that grew higher and higher, out the window and up to the sky. We flew up through this circling-feather cylinder and emerged onto a platform of a glass-like Flooring, with real Clouds, but thin and blue, serving as the Walls. Suddenly before me was a very large Scallop, with red lines (Red Tide bacteria?) coursing through various parts of its surface. So it WAS the scallops! Two herb names then floated by me: Mullein and Peppermint. (These were to help my wife heal, no doubt. We have Peppermint Tea, so I gave her some to take to work the next day.) I checked to see if her Power Animal Raccoon could help, but even though present in a far corner of this “room”, he was occupied with other of her issues. So Hummingbird, her other PA, arrived..and did the most remarkable thing. She came right up to me eyes and stuck her long beak into each pupil, filling them with Mana, or Spirit Essence. I then found myself inside my wife’s upper tract and tummy. I ran my hands in circles across her Throat and Stomach lining for several minutes, pouring yellow healing Light through my hands into her tissues. I was also physically moving my hands through the air above my bed at the same time..recall we are still partially in the conscious world during Journeys. Owl and I then traveled back through the Feather Tunnel, and I ended up at my wife’s work, and saw her working at her desk. I delivered some of that healing Energy to her directly. At this point, the work was done, for my mind began racing toward the installation of Ma’s new computer. At this point, the Call Back Drumming sounded, and I thanked my Helpers and was back. Cool to report: my wife came home from work the same evening and told me she started feeling much better in the early afternoon, around the time of this Journey..she found the juxtaposition remarkable, needless to say.. :)

Journey 79 - First for Twin Sister

8/6/04: A journey undertaken at my dear friend’s request to help sort out a situation involving a woman she knows. This woman’s twin sister died of a tumor, and lately the surviving sister has seen her twin in dreams, and has herself begun a battle with cancer. The sister asked my friend if she knew any psychics and she said no, but knew a Shaman. She then asker her to ask me to try and contact her departed sister and ask what she should do to help survive. After the usual preps, I was off. Using a 15-minute Drum CD, I quickly found myself on a branch with my newest Power Guide, Snowy Owl. We were next to a large converted barn, at night, with lovely yellow light in the windows. Beneath was a soft carpet of fresh snow, and the stars were vibrantly bright above. A gorgeous, picture-book scene. I asked Snowy Owl if we could go to the Upper World to help the sister, and he said to wait for the Tunnel. We looked above at the stars, and soon I saw a light blue eye forming in the Sky. The pupil was jet black, and from this opening emerged a Tunnel of thin green filaments that reached down to us. So up we went. It was a lengthy ride, giving me time to reflect back on the scene we had just left. As we exited the Tunnel, we were in a landscape with fallen red tree trunks lying on a marshy ground, with a few red Trees still standing. It seemed late afternoon. Owl and I sat there. Soon, a little girl of 5 or so came up to me. She was not smiling, but staring at me, wearing a light-colored spring dress, sporting blonde hair beneath a small cotton hat. I asked her name and if she were the departed sister. She said she was, but said I did not need to know her Earth name..that was a selfish device on my part to try and verify the Journey’s Truth, and would not be allowed. I did see a few of her Spirit Names flash by: Carla and Marie. I settled on the former. Suddenly from behind came numerous tall, dark Forms, heading quickly for me. I sensed myself in real danger, as if a trap had been set for me, and Owl quickly lifted me out of the scene. We were back in Space, and soon came to a large, carved wooden door. We went through and were now in a farm scene. We went to sit on a bench in the shade near the entrance to this land. Owl transformed into a Native Man, totally white, from skin and hair to dress. He began to speak to me in soft tones. Yes indeed, that was the twin sister I met. She had allowed me to be attacked so I could sense the strength of the forces stalking the living sister..they were in fact not after me, but came to demonstrate their determination and ability to cause fear. I then asked what we could so for the sister. The names of two herbs floated by: Peppermint (aids digestion, but can interfere with iron absorption, so watch this and compensate if necessary) and Horsetail (diuretic, reduces inflammation and muscle spasms. Aid calcium uptake. Aids healing of bones and tissues. Strengthens hearts and lungs. Can interfere with B1 uptake, so watch this and compensate if necesaary). I then saw eggs go by, sensing the sister should either eat eggs regularly and/or have a healthy breakfast. I then saw her sitting in a wooded area near her house, wearing headphones and listening to soft, beautiful music. This told me she needs to be outside a lot, and to calm herself with soft music. I then asked Owl, who told me his name was Angshwa, if we could assign a Power Animal to the sister to help her. And so the parade began, with a Fox, Elephant, and Hummingbird among others going by, but none stopping to show they were the choice. Then, out in the field of this farm, I saw a Lamb. And then there was “Carla”, stroking the Lamb’s back. She walked in with the Lamb to us, and gave it to me as the Power Animal. At this point I was taken to a deserted two story wooded house in a wooded area. Carla went into this deserted building and turned into a small blob of pure energy. She circled quickly through each room of the house, as I saw her zoom by each window. Suddenly she flew up the chimney and burst into millions of tiny piece of rainbow colored mana (Spirit essence), floating down and being absorbed by the Lamb, now standing faithfully next to her sister. I was told that this mana would from here on out always be there as a gift to her sister to help her fight the disease stalking her..and that she should therefore always think of herself surrounded by this rainbow swirl of healing Spirit Energy, the gift of her sister. She also told me the metaphor of this event..from the place of loneliness and desertion comes the sacred gift of life. The sister should always remember to derive the mana from such sad times and places to strengthen herself. I was then back at the farm, and Angshwa took me across the field to a small river. We went in. The water penetrated every cell of my body and felt so good. Angshwa then took cupped handfuls of water and began pouring them over me. With each handful I felt better and better, and found myself melting down into the water. Eventually I became the water! I found myself floating, and the Water Spirit was pulling impurities out of me as I lay in total serenity. Then, just as suddenly, Angshwa pulled me back to form, as it were, and he became Snowy Owl again. We were then heading back down the Tunnel to the barn scene. From there, I walked back into my back yard, and just as I got there, the Call Back sounded..perfectly timed.

Lamb as Power Animal: Associated with childlike peace and innocence. Eats plant matter, implying a need to increase vegetables, fruits, etc. in the diet. Wool keeps us warm even when wet, and since water is associated with the emotions, this means one must not allow ones emotions to put a chill on one’s outlook.

Journey 78 - Brother's PA Attempt

7/28/04: Journey for my brother to assign a Power Animal to him to help him combat his long-standing disease. I knew going in that this might not happen given his sentiment toward things Spiritual, at least as far as I understood it. I also did not have his permission to do this, which can effect the outcome. After the usual preliminaries, I slipped into the Journey realm using a 15-minute Drum sequence. I very soon saw Snake waiting for me, her Aura checkered with colors! She took me out to one of the original Lower World entry points from one of my first, if not my first, Journeys. The site was the one that featured a lit forest area at night, with a Tree Trunk with an opening in its base. But as we stood there, I became aware that the Drum sounds in my ears were being provided by Spirit Drummers lined up on either side of the woods, to my left and right. I watched them in true enjoyment for a few seconds. I looked up through a clearing in the Trees and saw my Shaman Symbol written in the sky in gold dust. I studied it in awe and pleasure, and then asked if it was permanently affixed above me. The Spirits then answered that it was my decision..if I wanted it there always, it would be. That is what I chose. Then Crosses in Front and I went down the Tunnel. The Tunnel was made of slender wands of black crystal. When we emerged, we were in an area made of small undulations of purple and dark green material of some sort. I looked down and at my feet was a plant with an eye at the end of each stalk. I immediately sensed that this unique plant was a Gift that, by taking one of the stalks, would help me see better as a Shaman. I gave the Stalk to Crosses, who bolted up the Tunnel with it for me, so I could place it in my Medicine Bundle. I was thereby left alone in the Lower World. I waited for a Power Animal to come. I saw an Elephant come crashing into view, but realized this was not the PA. At this point, I began to slip in and out of the Theta state, and had to keep forcing my way back. The first time in, I saw two beings floating on an ocean surface having just swallowed a small fish by surprise..the feeling I got was that they had no intention of having done so. When I came back, I saw a Snowy Owl fly in from the same place as the Elephant. It was very friendly, so I decided this was my brother‘s potential Power Animal. We flew together out to the west, where we found my brother hunched over in an alley, as if in numbing pain. I took Snowy Owl up to him and tried to insert him..but to no avail. I slipped immediately into the Theta state, and remained there until Call Back. I recall driving somewhere while in this deeper state, but the imagery seems mundane and normal. When I returned, though, I felt as if I were completely refreshed and renewed. It turns out this Journey was about cleansing and empowering me more than it was about helping my brother. He did indeed reject my offer of help, as I expected, and will continue to suffer according to his chosen, Sacred Path. Remember: Shamans can only help those who want it.

Snowy Owl Power: Hunt by sitting and waiting. Appear lazy, but not true! Conserve energy and go into action at the right time! Lemmings and arctic hares (study these for powers) are its primary prey. Has prophetic instinct for moving to where food is to avoid famine. It has the power of prophecy and spirit. It does not proclaim its presence in new areas, but walks quietly, non-threatening in its power and ability. It succeeds through timing and skill, not intimidation. It can sprint, swim and even play dead..it encompasses the talents of the great horned, barred and short-eared Owls! Quite a powerful ally for Four Hawks!

Lemmings: Tend to walk alone. When running out of food, they seek new areas..they can swim but drown in great numbers when they misjudge the length of the water surface they try to cross. Lesson: Watch your emotional/feminine plane! Do not go too far without seeing the other side!

Arctic Hares: Hares will form groups of 100 to 300 animals. While some rest and feed the others act as guards. Hares are able to survive the Arctic winters by huddling together in snow drifts, under bushes or behind rocks. Arctic hares usually follow the same paths every time they look for food. When alarmed they rise up on their hind legs to look for danger and then bound off very quickly . Hopping up on their hind legs like a kangaroo, they can reach speeds of 64 km. per hour. The hare can swim across narrow streams. Arctic hare are the food for Snowy Owls, other birds of prey, wolves, foxes, weasels and polar bears. So it must always be alert and ready to hop away if it senses an enemy. Sometimes it runs away on all fours or hops on its hind legs like a kangaroo. Young hares quickly learn to sit perfectly still and become almost invisible to their enemies. The Arctic hare moves so quickly that wolves and foxes have a hard time keeping up with it.

Great lessons here for invisibility and emotional control! A truly magnificent Journey!

Journey 77 - Spirit Sister in Scotland

7/27/04: A journey to meet with the Shaman I suspect my pastor will meet on her trip to Scotland. I had suggested to her that she would meet such a person, and I wished to see who it was and what he or she would do for her spiritually. She herself had written she expected to come back from this trip changed in a significant way. So I prepared as usual, then began a 15-minute Drum sequence. I was then out in the back yard, and was moving up the Red Maple tree trunk. However, I was climbing through the magnetic attraction of the Maple’s and my own Auras, versus using my hands and arms and legs. This was a first, to being moving along the stickiness of mixed Aural Energies. I rose through the beautiful leaves and branches, only to reach a very dark layer. Almost a mist of cloud, it was thin but thick. Above it was night, below the same day-lit leaves. As I rose above the layer into the night, I saw a single sprig of branched leaves sticking up above the dark layer..and these were still glowing as if bathed in sunshine. I then saw Owl approach, and we were off across the Atlantic to Scotland. We landed in some living quarters, square to near rectangular, with large windows. I saw Anne reading a book. I turned a page for her to alert her to my presence..a tease of sorts. Not sure she actually saw it as there was no response. Owl and I then headed outside and up an orange and pink interlaced swirl of Energy. We landed in a Scottish wooded area next to a Moor. I saw a very old skeleton still tied to a Tree. Then, to my left appeared a Celtic Shaman. He told me his name was Horses’ Hay. He said my friend would see at least one, maybe more, pink Rose while on this trip, tying into an earlier Journey I took at her Church. He showed me some sort of Ceremony at a Gravesite, but I recall little if any detail..it was a fleeting glimpse. He told me he would appear to my friend as both a Sheepdog and at least one Horse. He then showed me a Spirit-World Ceremony on the Moor itself involving her in which he would light the tip of a Sword with a Sacred Flame, then run the Sword through each of her Chakras, energizing them greatly. Her Aura grew to a huge size, encompassing the entire area. He then showed me the new Spirit Body he had made: My friend, with a wreath of Juniper leaves on her head. On her left shoulder I saw first a Bluebird, then a nest of blue Robin eggs with a Robin above. Her new Spirit name would be Callandra. I then slipped into a deeper Theta state, and the only image I recall is of a young lady being restrained from going to her mother. I came back into the Journey to see my friend now also holding a long walking stick or bar of white light in her right hand. This would be of use in opening doors in the Spirit World. The bar was at least 10 feet long.. At this point, I was called back.

Journey 73 - Seeking Shamanic Joy

7/28/04: A journey to recapture or establish in my life what I am calling Shamanic Joy..a feeling of happiness and contentedness that should flow from knowing all that I know about my Helpers and the Spirit Camp. Theoretically, this should be happening automatically..but we humans are wired to worry and regret and to want more..it just comes with the territory and is not so easily shut off. So I prepared as usual and began a 10-minute Drum CD Journey. Right away, things were different. Instead of heading for a Tunnel, I sensed myself being lowered into a Trough of Water with all my Spirit Helpers and Guardians surrounding it..as if I were being washed. I then found my awareness (versus myself) floating through first a set of very vibrant leaves and branches, then gorgeous carpets of small Flowers, then through Cloud People, then skiing through and then into Snow. I only then found myself flying up a Tunnel made of millions of spiraling tiny Stars with Owl into the Upper World. There I was taken on a trip through just some of the high points in my Life, starting early and coming up to the present over a three minute or so period. What was startling to my about this was how much was left out, and yet how much there was. Obvious lesson..you have had much more Joy than you think..it’s just that the feeling wears off. I then found myself back in the Trough, only this time I was sinking into pure gold Mana, so tiny in particle that it acted like a fluid. I saw my Chakras, very colorful and healthy, growing larger. At this point, the Callback occurred, and I returned in thanks for this first session. In the middle of this Journey, my wife had called to ask if she had to pick up my granddaughter. I knew the ring was her, so I left my Journey to answer..it was very important I do so. And that again proves that one is still conscious of the tonal world while on a Journey..

Journey 72 - Good Friend's Grandmother Dream

7/2404: A Journey undertaken at my dear friend’s request to investigate a Dream she once had of her Grandmother walking up a Hill with her as a young girl to check out some building going on. The Grandmother was insistent they investigate this activity..but the Dream ended before they got there. My task was to go further in the Dream. I smudged and darkened the Room, lit the Sacred Candle, and began the 10-minute Drum loop. First up was my Upper World Guide Owl, appearing with a gold necklace (a first) with the year 1957 settling in as the charm hanging at the bottom. Many Spirit forms, amorphous, were floating around him initially. As we stood there, we were back at the final scene of my Shaman’s Dream. Above us was the huge whirlpool of light, next to us the Woman in a cloak on the bench across the Street. We went over to Woman, who introduced herself to me as my new Dream Guide! I took her hand and the three of us flew very quickly up through the center of the Whirlpool, which then stretched and thinned vertically until we finally reached the exit. We were now standing on a furrowed land made of a very beautiful light tan, solid Energy..nothing else in sight. We then saw Grandmother and my friend as a little girl standing together holding hands. The Dream then kicked in, and they were standing on the hillside walking up toward the construction area. I had now assumed the role of my friend, and Grandmother was speaking to me as follows: “It’s very important to check out activities such as this which alter the natural landscape. The area could be home to Deer, an Eagle’s nest, or Woodchucks, and these people may not have taken time to assess the area before beginning to tear it apart. When we got to the top we saw a group of early American colonists (early 1700s), who were busy constructing a wooden building. As expected, they had no regard for the damage they were doing. Grandmother walked up to the apparent leader and began to admonish him for this. The man, quite short (as they mostly all were back then), seemed quite taken aback. I quickly jumped over into his existence and realized he saw Grandmother and me as Spirits. The workers and he became very afraid and tore down the structure in rapid, sped-up fashion. Then they and their wood/tools vanished, leaving the top of the hill as it had been. We looked and found there a stand of rare, small flowers (2” tall, with small orange petals with a purple center) and nearby a Rabbits’ Den. Grandmother than turned to me (still my friend as a little girl) and told me she had once been a Native Medicine Woman in upper Wisconsin, and in her role was very sensitive to balancing the needs of the land and her people. She told me that in her future life she will pilot a vehicle that goes around her local planetary system remedying environmental violations. She finally revealed that she had indeed placed part of her Spirit Essence on one of the girls, to remind the family of her essence. She then handed me a black button from one of her coats, placed on a loop of string, forming a sort of bracelet or necklace, to bring back as a Spiritual Gift from this visit. I shall pass this Gift on to my friend. I (myself now) got the impression she occasionally made little necklaces with string for her children. Just as the Grandmother spoke to my friend and said it was time for Four Hawks to return to his time, the Drum CD shifted to the Call Back..perfectly timed. I thanked all involved and rapidly soared back down the Whirlpool Tunnel with Owl and returned here.