Cheetah

Cheetah.

I always have my oracle cards with me. There are two decks in particular that I am especially connected with, and at any given time I usually have one of them on me. In the Fall, one of my favorite things to do is to go to dinner at Steve and Cookies in Margate, and sometime throughout the night, pick cards with friends. The bartenders, servers, and owners are now very familiar with me and my eclectic ways...and though they all tease, they (not so) secretly love when the cards come out.

"Dumpster Diving" is the term that I use to refer to those who just dive in and pick a card. Obviously, the card that they pick is never appropriate for them or their situation. Duh. You have to *sit* with it for a bit. I either hold my hands above the cards, scanning for what feels best for me...or I shuffle the deck seven times and hold it to my heart before cutting the deck and selecting my oracle. It works best to really come into a clear mind and heart before carefully selecting a card, and it's even better to think of a question or request in your mind before picking.

To say that I have been in a transition state lately is an understatement. Ever since my dads passing nearly one year ago (it'll be one year on the 9th of this month...), my life has been nothing but a constant transition, transformation, and evolution of sorts. It has been such an exciting unfolding and I am so grateful for the journey. As most of you have read, I have recently decided to really step it up in the yoga department. Obviously this is going to be my life's path, and I feel as if it is my lifes work to share the bhakti in my heart and the knowledge that I have collected (and will continue to collect) from various teachers around the globe. I've set the intention and the ball rolling to create a website, several videos and podcasts, among other various treats to share via the world wide web. Before picking a card, as I sat with the stillness, I kept thinking of the guidance that I needed for this journey ahead. Sure enough, I picked the CHEETAH. It reads:

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Cheetah

"Get clear on your intention, stay focused, and move quickly to achieve your goal."

Stop deluding yourself by thinking that there isn't enough time, there are too many other things to do, or youre not up to the mission that's calling you to action. These and many other beliefs are delay tactics that keep you from accomplishing what you're here to do. It's much too easy to play it safe by staying caught up in the mundane dramas of life rather than honoring Spirit's purpose for you by making a run for it.

The first step is to write out your intention as clearly as possible. Keep it nearby and create an appropriate affirmation that you can repeat several times over the course of teh day - one that states your intention as if it has already occurred. Then write out a sequence of action steps that will help you move toward your ultimate goal. Don't be shy or hesitant to think big -- bigger than you've previously allowed yourself. Once you've set the wheels in motion by doing these steps, it's time to move -- not in some frenetic, hurried way, but steady and purposeful, designing much of your activity to support what you need to do.

In all this movement, once you've successfully achieved a significant piece, take a breathere and look back on how far you've come. Give yourself a pat on the back with each step that's accomplished as a way of acknowledging your progress. Go for it!

Associations:

Speed, Focus, Insight, Passion, Swiftness, Flexibility, Efficiency, Self-Esteem, Powerful, Graceful, Purposeful, Energetic, Sensuous, Accomplishment, Directness

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Today I am feeling POWERFUL and AMAZING. Boom.

Travel Time.

Rachael and Mom, deep in conversation @ Zinc.

Always taking inspiration from my oracle cards. 

We started off yesterday morning at Zinc Cafe in Solana Beach with the beautiful Rachael. Mom sipped on a pumpkin cappuccino, Rachael on some super rich hot chocolate (thats how she keeps her beautiful slender figure), and me on some chamomile herbal tea. The conversation flowed and then we picked oracle cards, obviously. You can't just "dive in", but take time to connect to whatever thoughts and emotions are pulsing through your body and then, with intention, pick a card. All of us picked the appropriate one, mine being the Emu : "This is a good time to go on a new adventure". I opened the booklet to see the full reading and it read...

"Your sense of adventure is calling you. can you hear it? Listen to your heart of hearts - the still, small voice that whispers to you of holy and exotic places and of pleasure in discovering the unfamiliar and novel, feeling confident and trusting in your instincts and intuition to guide you on your journey. Let this be a wandering pilgrimage, one where you can be appreciative of whatever circumstances you encounter and make the best of them. Have some idea of where and what you'll be doing, but don't be attached to the plan. Instead, be willing to adjust your itinerary as you are so guided. 

Dismiss the voice that says, "Yeah, sounds good, but I can't do that because..." This kind of thinking not only limits you by always keeping you in the illusion of comfort and safety, but also leads you to avoiding, the real life drama that comes from stretching your comfort zone. You need not do so in a way that puts you in any real danger, as there are many options where risk is minimal, yet the thrill and excitement of exploration is still there. 

So heed the calling, and first believe that its possible for you to act on it. And don't want too long. Life is too short. 

ASSOCIATIONS: Completion; Freedom; Innocence; Action; Attentiveness; Roaming; Wanderlust; Adventure; Pilgrimage; Restlessness; Protectiveness; Exploration; Lighthearedness; Playfulness

DadDadDadDad

When I was a little kid and my Dad was out at sea, I would pick up the marine radio and say "DadDadDadDadDadDadDadDad". He said that the guys on the boat would shout, "Snapper, she's looking for you."

Well, I feel like that's what I've been doing lately, shouting "DadDadDadDad", waiting for a response. They say that if you amputate your arm, even though its gone, your body still believes that it's there. Like your body and your mind can't quite grasp that what was once there is no longer. That's how I feel right now. Like I'm looking at my amputated arm, seeing that its not there- but it FEELS like its still there and I can't quite wrap my head around it actually being gone. It's become quite the mindfuck. 

As silly as some may think it is, I love oracle cards. And I have been specific to not just but any deck, but only the ones that resonate with me. I have "Ask Your Guides", "Osho's Tarot", and "Spirit Guides". Well the other day, before we were heading out for Summit, Ryan, Paige and I picked a Spirit Guide card. The one that picked me was Pueo (Hawaiian Owl) which says "Your ancestral spirit guides are offering you guidance now, so pay close attention to signs and omens from them". In the booklet, it continues...

"You can receive guidance from your ancestors in the spirit world, no matter what their age or when they died. They're offering you help in many ways right now, so pay close attention to the signs they give you. This guidance can come to you in many forms, whether through your eyes, ears, feelings, or thoughts. Often a particular animal making an appearance before you is a way in which your ancestral guide is trying to reach you. You might hear something that makes you think of a specific ancestor, or simply feel their presence. 

Repetition is key here. In whatever ways your ancestors attempt to contact you, signs continue to show up that make you think of your deceased loved ones, know that these physical manifestations demonstrate that they're with you."

Obviously I got chills when I picked this card and read the meaning. I decided that one my way to summit and while I was up in the mountains that I'd try to move and be with more awareness than usual...

It happened when kelsea and I left early for chai. The cool morning had an auspicious feeling to it from the moment that I walked out the door. We got in the car and shortly after pulling out of the driveway there was a raven that flew alongside our car for the length of the road. I felt something as it flew alongside us, and was even more moved that a raven flew alongside the car upon our return home too. When I got back to the house I looked up the symbolism of the raven. 

The raven is not just a symbolism of death, but also of communication. Legend says that they are the ultimate oracle, and that they reveal omens and signs.  Moreover, the raven is a messenger too, so its business is in both keeping and communicating deep mysteries. They are the holder of ancestral memories. 

*Digest That For A Bit*

Yesterday when I was walking around boulder, just strolling, taking in the sunshine, and I picked up my phone and called my Dad. It wasn't intentional, obviously- as much as I struggle with it, I KNOW that he's dead, but it was just habit. Whenever I travel he has been the one I share my stories and adventures with. So I picked up my phone, called "Dad" for some random rambling and an "I love you", and was brought back to reality when I heard a lady saying"This number has been disconnected" over the line. It's just going to take some time I suppose, but I will take comfort in all the things around me that serve as a reminder that he is everywhere and inside of me, today and every day, and I'll be keeping my eyes peeled for any ravens that are cruising the skies....

Yeeew Yoga

Tonights class was binding: here's Jelly in a bound 1/2 Lord of the Fishes.

And the amazing Marja!

A Wednesday night tradition has begun. All levels vinyasa followed by oysters on the half shell at Steve and Cookies, white wine and oracle cards.

Wianno Oysters @ Steve and Cookies Oyster Bar

Me, making the bar pick oracle cards...