Happy New Year~Pussy Willow~Nine~Cod Liver Oil...really~My house has onion breath~‏

Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us. ~Hal Borland

I hope everyone had a wonderful, joyous Christmas. We did, thank you.

Oppa, my friends father, gave me LOTS of onions. He was so excited I didn't have the heart to say no, but I can't imagine even though Rick and I eat lots of onions, I'll get to them all. So, not wanting them to go bad, I started dehydrating them. Only thing is I started them on a rainy day, and usually I put my dehydrator outside to do onions...didn't this time. Whew, my house smelled like an onion factory...LOL. Hopefully I won't have to wash all my clothes...! but I'll have fresh dried onions for a while. I do have some whole onions in the shop too, free of charge, you know, gifting it forward:)

Have leftover eggs from the holidays? No worries, if you can't use them right away. If they are farm fresh they will last 30 days or more. If store bought and you don't know how old they are, you can freeze them. Start by cracking the eggs in bowl, mix them, avoiding getting air in them. If you are going to use them for scrambled eggs add about 1/8 tsp of salt per 4 eggs....for baking, add a 1/2 tsp sugar per 4 eggs, this helps them from becoming thick or like gelatin. About tablespoon of egg mixture is equal to one egg.
Only want one egg at a time, you can use ice cube trays to freeze one tablespoon in each cube. Label eggs accordingly/sugar or salted.
Frozen eggs may lose some of their leavening ability so they may not help your biscuits, souffles or cakes rise as fresh eggs do, use in recipes at your discretion.

2016 is here.... One way to honor the old and the new is from a place in your garden or yard, and celebrating the four directions. Each direction, as in the Medicine Wheel, carries certain energies and 'medicine', READ MORE HERE from the farmers almanac
What to put a little extra zing to your honor, burn sage or sprinkle tobacco. Say whatever prayers and thanks come to mind no need to be poetic, just sincere.

2015 has been a year of spiritual muscle building, change, challenges and valuable lessons learned.
We all celebrate the arrival of the New Year differently, some quietly,some not so quiet. Now and even since childhood, watching the ball drop or saying goodbye to the old year is not something I enjoy, it would leave me feeling melancholy, so I don't say good bye. Lucky for me, I understood at an early age why I felt this way. The why, why would I want to rid myself of some of the previous year.
To me, logically, but then I know I don't 'see' things as many others do, instead of saying goodbye, I'd rather embrace and take, the valuable lessons learned with me. Combining the old and the new, taking even the lessons from the hard parts, because from the hardest things, or the old, or ancients is where we learn the most valuable lessons.
I couldn't/can't rationalize, wanting to totally start over and leave any of that knowledge we 'worked' so hard for behind.
Even a bad year, if you look back has something great to offer, something you should take with you. Such as the year Rick had his heart surgery, and other things that happened that year, People were surprised when they asked, "Aren't you glad this year is over and you can start over with a new year?" and
I said, "No...not really, just parts of it, I am glad to take other parts of it with me. Such as the part where we are blessed to celebrate the New Year together. How fortunate am I, we can take our new strength and faith within, with us, why would I want to leave any behind. I am thankful of the lessons I learned and the knowledge I acquired during this year. They will help in the coming years. So no I wouldn't want to say goodbye to that."

Every year, no matter what has happened, has some wonderful lessons and knowledge gained, so as you move into the 2016, don't leave those behind. Revisit 2015 and remember not only the good times, but the strength, wisdom and knowledge you gained from the not so easy times, know that you survived it, and take all the new wisdom with you to 2016, waste nothing of the lessons learned.

So often the knowledge we've gained the year before, has taught us we truly are a child of the Divine and as we shift gears now, lucky for us it's the time the angelic realm is closest and we can take advantage of their energies, of new birth, healing and creativity. It is a time when our inner light will be kindled. An inner light we may not have noticed, often revealed through dreams and meditations....Which brings me to,

The full Christmas moon, though, I thought I 'felt' nothing, I received a powerful message through a dream.
I dreamt an older man (don't know who) gifted me branches of Pussy Willows. He said nothing, just handed me the bundle, smiled and nodded his head.

Willow is an awesome messenger and I shouldn't be surprised it came the day after the full moon, and just before the New Year, during such a wet time, and the time of heightened angelic energy.
Willow is of water and lunar energies and speaks of being flexible as you grow spiritually, and to look for the angelic connections around you. It speaks of trusting one's inner visions.

Pussy Willow, in particular speaks of energies of the future with the reminder, that promises are yet to be fulfilled. Pussy Willow energies renew, revitalize, and awaken the hope and inspirations of what is to come as seen in its buds waiting to bloom.
Willow is water loving, thus tied to areas of water, such as where I live, and these energies are of feminine, birth, creativity, intuition, and the moon. It also stimulates healing on many levels.
Willow helps with 'hearing of spirit' which ironically that morning walking the Wheel I asked, " could I please have the ability to hear more clearly any instructions from You, God/Creator, Angels and or Spirit Guides."
I guess 'they' were letting me know they heard my request via the dream. 

2016, I think, will bring much growth and enlightenment if we allow the energies into our lives. Not in the way we thought 2012 was going to and didn't, but on a quieter more soulful level; an energy you'll feel right in the center of your chest...which makes sense too, as 2016 adds up to nine.

Nine...is time of healing, completion, issues ending and new beginnings to surface. There are energies of transition and leaving some of the past behind on top of the Full Moon energy which speaks of the same thing and this energy will carry over, until the next new moon, which wait for it, falls on Jan 9th. So take advantage of this time of healing, growing and transitioning.

However, be careful what you ask for, you may get it...such as I asked to hear more clearly, so...really... is this my first new clearer message..."Take cod liver oil, it will be good for you". Yewwwwwwww Really? Cod liver oil, But....I'll research and see what the benefits and maybe not so good side effects of taking it are. Maybe grandma was right giving everyone that spoonful of smelly hold your nose stuff... it is good for you...READ MORE HERE.

"Nature Always Wears the Color of Spirit"
Ralph Waldo Emerson

Happy New Year...

as always...

Be well

Laugh often

Love large

Dig in the dirt

Grow a garden

and may the sun light your way

Love yas

Kellie

+

Herbs & Things

The return of light~Bison, not Buffalo~What was that I heard? Excerpt 12/17/2015 newsletter

At Book Club Monday, we got talking about the old tradition of getting Oranges and Walnuts in our Christmas stockings. It was a given that on Christmas morning the toe of my stocking, (my fathers winter sock) would be bulging with the orange delight. Traditions speaks that an orange represents gold to those who that did not have enough money for a dowry. The most meaningful meaning to me is: In the great depression an Orange was one of the greatest gifts off all, because oranges were a rarity. My Mom and Dad grew up in the time of the great depression, so now after all these years, I see that orange in my stocking was one the greatest gifts I ever received from my parents. It was a wish from them that I would never have to go through something like the depression and that I'd always be provided for and have enough. I'll make sure to have those oranges set out again and be thankful with a new perspective for their bright orange wonderfulness.

 No surprise then, the universe sends orange (medicine) at this time in conjunction with a couple other messengers. Orange, in nature represents balance, family and warmth perfect timing as we approach the Winter Solstice and Christmas. The Winter Solstice, just before midnight Dec 21st, brings us into the first day of winter, and it is the longest night of the year, equal day and night; a time of balance. Though it seems such a dark time...it's really a time of emerging from the dark back into the light. Along with this emergence into the light there is hope. Hope helps heal us spiritually, emotionally and scientifically proven, physically. Hope helps us move, and transform into what God, our Spirit Guides want for us.

Then right on cue, with the return of light through Winter Solstice...again it should be no surprise, that God, my guides and Medicine Helpers are Still 'speaking' not only for me but for you, of balance, groundedness, gaining abundance, and using available resources to achieve all. While Meditating Dec 7th as clear as Eagle came to me, Bison came and looked me eye to eye, so close I could see my reflection in his brown pools of wisdom. As I looked deep into the eyes, with no fear, I was told, specifically that this was Bison not Buffalo. There is a difference. Bison the Native Americans greatest provisionist to their sustainable life, is also of groundedness, moving with intention and abundance; always having the resources you need. Bison also speaks of synchronicity, that things will happen in your life when it is best for you, but you cannot do it alone, you must have faith in Creator to create, and to receive you must also be grateful for what you have. I thanked Bison for bringing it's wisdom, and reminder of all that I have.

So then on Dec 13th, when I thought my ears were deceiving me nature gave me another surprise and message. Coming in from the barn around 9:30 PM, I stopped with a stark realization of what I thought heard...I waited, almost dismissing it telling myself I couldn't have heard what I heard. But...after a few moments, there it was... FROG! I'm not sure if it was a Peeper or Tree Frog, it made no difference...Frog was speaking and the message clearly was for me.

Frog as Bison, heralds of staying grounded. They speak of clearing clutter, singing through the transformation and also of abundance and fertility. I see in that Frog came on the 13th...1+3= 4 confirmed to me too that 'they' were still sending medicine of staying grounded. I was moved to search about Frog in the bible...and found to my surprise it seemed to always be a reference to a plague. Knowing the 'spirit' of Frog, my mind and heart felt like frog was used as metaphor, as often things are in the bible...thus I researched. Frog, from what I've learned, is a metaphor for the gift of tongues, or speaking all languages or more so, as I see it the universal language that all understand, the word of God or Creator. What does Frog mean to me, other than confirming my constant message of stocking up...via Bison, or whoever else comes, is that my one form of language, my writing/newsletter that bring awareness from a personal level, of what is around us and how the Divine, our guides, and angels speak to us every day and though these words only reach a few, is ok. Reason being is it doesn't take much to spread the word. Such as one stone thrown in a pond causes many ripples, one newsletter can cause the ripple effect and will do that job of spreading what God, our Spirit Guides, Angels and Medicine Helpers want us to know. I like this idea:)

Of Course there is more....Interestingly then after my visit from Bison, Frog, and Orange, my girl friend Kathy who knows A LOT about astrology,( I know nothing) let me know there is a Sabian Symbol for this time of the year, which is,
 'In Winter People Cutting Ice From Frozen Pond For Summer Use.' (CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT SABIAN SYMBOLS) 
This symbol speaks of the need for planning ahead, stocking up, being prepared, because, The people “In Winter” are “Cutting Ice From a Frozen Pond”, know they’ll need the ice /water for summer. They are thinking ahead so they have what they need at the right time. Like these people if you prepare now, you'll have what you need if you allow for shifts in time and seasonal variations. This Symbol can be about refrigeration, storage, air conditioning and even heating in the winter. It's about resources and how we use them and how we can plan for the use of them. Hmmm Just what Bison, Frog and Orange speak of. How can we deny a greater source is helping us, if we want the help, all we have to do is 'listen'. Oh Yeah doing the dance:)
as always...
Be well
Laugh often
Love large
Dig in the dirt
Grow a garden
and may the sun light your way
Kellie + Herbs & Things

Can't ignore message from Eagle----Excerpt of Winter Solstice Newsletter

Intuition is a faculty of the soul, just as reliable as that of Reason ~R.H. Brown~Spiritual Magazine October

I do believe November of 2015....is a time to remember and journal noteworthy, with such nice weather, wonderful energy and true uplifting transformations and transitions noted to many. It's been the season for change and valuable lessons learned that's for sure. Now here we are in Dec with no snow and mild temps, and this energy still with us. This could very well be, God's way of answering our prayers for a break from last years snowy weather we all asked for. So take time to acknowledge this fact and say thank you:) 

This energy we've been subjected to, as I mentioned in the last newsletter, and not wanting to sound like a broken record, but Mother Nature or Whoever keeps putting the info in front of me, is wanting to make sure we understand this energy, about balance and trusting our intuition, is a gift. It's kind of being drilled into me, to remind you that though you may not understand it, to embrace this energy. One of the most important things I must pass on ....is no matter if you understand the messages or not, you need to write them down for later, because the answer will come and you will be glad you did for reference. 

Such as, another lesson for me about this energy and transformation, came Nov 23rd, walking the Wheel. Eleven geese flew over. My gaze was fixed on them in their formation and I 'knew' there was a message in this sighting, though it's common to see geese. Goose speaks of balance and integrity, and there was 11 of them. Eleven a prime number, a number a friend and I were talking about a couple days prior, on it's own resonates the energy of balance, yin and yang, black and white, male and female, balancing each. Paired this number with Goose, it brings great balancing energy of wisdom and knowledge. Moments later, standing in the middle of the Medicine Wheel facing East,I heard, " Eagle will return. Trust in Eagle. Trust in who you are". Ok what does that have to do with Geese...? 

Eagle message, was confirmed I heard correctly with a few days of Eagle showing up everywhere, via pictures, words, Visions, articles, and a gift. Then Nov, 30th, during a morning meditation, with a clear vivid vision like I was looking at myself, I watched a Blue Eagle emerg out of me. I can not describe the blue, because no earthly blue can explain it's color. I knew it was message and an answer. Though I did not understand, I knew it to be a special message. I searched Blue Eagle and found many things, but none that 'felt' like the answer...Ah ah...a novel idea...why don't I just ask what it meant. So...during my next meditation I asked to have the meaning clarified, and the answer, of course was not what I wanted, but now I see it was a wise answer...which was 
"You need to ask the right question to get the correct answer". 
This time thank goodness, I wasn't left hanging wondering what's the right question, they gave me a clue of what to ask. When asked correctly it revealed an answer that resonated with my soul. I cannot explain this feeling, it's just a knowing, and once you experience it, you will know it too. Asking correctly also brought answers to a question I've had about one of my main totems, Horse, and the change we are going through. 

Horse has been one of my main totems since the age of 2, so it's been emotionally bothersome why it 'feels' I don't need Horse medicine as much as I use to. My logical mind contributed this lack of 'needing' to getting older...but what I learned is, it's about my maturing and preparing me for where I am today. Eagle much like Horse brings with it not only higher vision,connecting to the Divine...but balance and trusting in one's abilities. I've read about Eagle Medicine many times, and each time I do, I learn something new and this time was no exception, bringing the answer to my question of Horse and a couple other questions. Horse is a four legged, and four legged are all about being grounded and movement. At age 2 horse was gifted to me as a Totem/Helper, because as I now know, I needed to learn to be grounded, not the way of most. Thus God/Creator in his wisdom, sent me horse medicine..to teach me this lesson of groundedness, better than any other animal helper could. Understandably, emotionally, after so many years of Horse being part of who I am and what I am about, I found it disturbing, to be stepping away from their wonderful Divine energy and being drawn closer to Bird Nation even though at this point it is Eagle. I wondered how could Eagle, though magnificent, compare to what I've gotten from Horse and how could Horse and Eagle be connected. It felt like leaning towards Eagle, and Bird Nation, I was leaving a loyal trusted friend behind. 
Through the right question, I received my answer. 

I am not leaving Horse behind, it is a part of who I was and to become. Now I've learned the energy of Horse and Eagle are becoming one instead of two, balancing the medicine of each. How do I know this? I was reminded... my first connection to bird nation was as a child, through the mythical creature, Pegasus....the winged horse. Pegasuses grounding winged energy, prepared me or was teaching me, about both worlds, four legged and winged people though at that time I could only see the four legged part, readying me for the transition I'd make some day in traveling both worlds of earthly and heavenly realms, using the balance of the old energy I understood (horse) mixed with the new energy I would learn (bird nation) To my surprise...again...Mother Nature's wisdom, knew exactly what she was doing bringing Bird Nation to me, it was a medicine I already unconsciously understood. Because though I was learning to fly it was and is important I remain grounded, and the helper/totem that can accomplish that as well as Horse...is Eagle, symbolized by their talons. their ability to grasp on. So how does Eagle connect to Horse a Four Legged?

Eagles have four toes, four is traditionally a symbol of keeping oneself grounded and laying a solid foundation. This keeps Eagle and those with Eagle as a totem connected to Earth even with the ability to fly. The talons of Eagle are for hunting (gaining knowledge) and grasping (staying connected to, and learning to use what's available on Earth). Eagle, Without this ability to grasp (gain wisdom) and hunt (using earthly resources available) would not survive. Which answers the question, Why have you brought Blue Eagle and taken me to the Blue road. Answer.... 
"This is the essence of who you are" 
Hmm first the Wheel is the sum of who you are, now Blue Eagle, Blue Road and East are the Essence of who you are. I'm not getting it. 
Answer..."Essence...you need to understand the word essence, look in your dictionary, not on the computer...IN your dictionary". 
The definition(s) that resonated with me not found on the Internet...are Essence: 'The property (quality) necessary to the nature of the thing' or 'the individual, real or ultimate (fundamental) nature of the thing' . See what I mean, how it explains 'things':) These are parts of me I need to survive...Horse, Eagle, Bird Nation, The Wheel, and You. All of which brought me to the Four Roads traveled by native Americans...one of which is the Blue road, and the blue road apparently is the road I am on... The Blue Road is of soul, that embraces the path of Spiritually, to the eternal circle of life (the Wheel) home of the Rainbow, Water, Four legged, Stone, Winged, Tree and Crawler people and Four directions. The path of the Blue Road is govern by the direction East. Eagle is the totem and helper for East which is the path of destiny, and spiritual essence. Giving me the answer, through Blue Eagle, I am going in the right direction. And the message for you, from them to me, and me to you, by sharing my personal changes going on, now at this time...is...you need to embrace.....
You are who you are. You are you for a reason, do not fear to be who you are, embrace your individuality, this will help you to stay balanced and focused enough to use the gifts given to you and you will grow, transform and survive...all these new 'things'. 

As always... 
Be well 
Laugh often 
Love large 
Dig in the dirt 
Grow a garden 
and may the sun light your way 
Kellie + Herbs & Things