Welcome to a World of Spiritual Harmony

When an animal turns up in an unsual place (my backyard!) or behaves in an unusual manner (I like that he marked his spot - and in the daytime), it’s always good to see what spiritual thinkers have to say about that animal.

Animal-Speak is Ted Andrews’ basic book on the spiritual meanings of animals and their activities. Fox according to Ted says: feminine magic of camouflage, shapeshifting and invisibility.

In Medicine Cards, a book of Native American animal wisdom, Fox is camouflage. The verse that goes along with the drawing says: Fox…Where are you? Under the ferns? Becoming the forest, so I can learn? Are you watching, invisible to me? Trying to teach me to become a tree?

So the message for me, as I take it at this moment, is to be the silent observer of the actions of others. This may also be a time to understand what is changing and shapeshifting in my world - and how I’m changing.

It’s fun to get quiet, open up and expand all my senses, and then see, hear and smell everything going on around me. There’s a lot of information we often are to busy to pick up. Really turning on my antenna is always an interesting experience.

Thanks, Fox, for the reminder!

I looked out the window the other day into the back yard - and there was The Fox. Elegant and slender, dainty and strong. Beautiful from eartip to tailtip. Dark, dark red with little black feet.

Now I know why the birds have been squawking out of tune these last days - and why the night has been split with raccoon cries - and not just babies stuck in trees, either.

He didn’t move fast, he didn’t move slow. Just glided his way along the yard, moving out of the trees across the patio. Then stopping to mark his territory as he passed again into the trees.

Thank you for the visit, Fox!

Spirit can be so weird! I called the other day for an appointment with the inimitable Karla. My logical brain wanted very early in the morning, and had decided a Monday would be good. Monday the 11th wasn’t available, so I went for Monday the 18th, which was.

Next thing you know, my itchy intuitive sense is interrupting everything I’m trying to get done. The notion keeps popping into my brain that I should see if another day before the 18th is available. I won’t say it’s a pain the neck, but sure is irritating, when I’m facing a couple of deadlines.

So I give up (I’m trying to learn to surrender to these urgings faster and more easily!), call back and re-make the appointment for Friday morning the 15th. The itchiness instantly went away.

Now it will be fun to see what happens over next weekend (when Francine and I will be at the River Raid Renaissance Festival in Goebel Park in Covington) that made it imperative that my hair get done before then.

Usually I will come to understand these promptings and what they opened up for me in a given situation. But it’s amazing how often Spirit cares about what I wear and small things that need to get done. Sure keeps life interesting!

At this year’s “Call to Poets” to create this year’s For A Better World, I submitted 2 poems I had written last year. I actually wrote a new poem, and then at the last minute, didn’t like it enough to submit, and re-submitted last year’s. And last Saturday, June 2, got to read them , and listen to other poets read theirs, at the Art Academy.

Thought you might like to read them, too. : >

1. I Am Connected

I am connected to my cousin in Naples,
My namesake in Dublin, my friend in Slovakia.
I am connected to my friend’s mother in Mexico,
A long ago friend in Kathmandu, friends on an island in Puget Sound.

You are connected long distance with fellow students from all the schools
You’ve attended. Via the news with those whose faces in pain are now
In your memory. Via your work with factory managers in China, bankers
In Taiwan and London, websites round the world selling what you need.

This small and shrinking planet as it suffers through early stage
Global warming is connecting us more tightly. Our sisters and brothers
On the Gulf Coast, our friends and neighbors on those islands
Washed by the tsunami, have such familiar and beautiful faces.

Connection brings respect. Respect brings willingness to listen.
Listening brings a full heart of understanding. Compassion,
The larger Justice, lives in that heart. In our heart. When we are
Conscious of our connection, peace exists within and without.

2. The New Way to Peace

Cooperation. Collaboration.
Working with, listening to, supporting.
Circle englargement - including more ideas
And continually more people.

Adding everyone’s issues, all those concerns,
Building consensus. Over and over and over again.
Giving new members time to absorb organically
Through their skins this new culture.

Moving forward where you are ready to move.
Moving with the group forward where it is
Ready to move. Balancing time and need
And urgency. Looking for middle steps.

Dropping either / or concerns.
Letting go of rules. Small changes
Are still changes. Be cooperative.
Model the world as you wish it to be.

I love the Cincinnati Fringe Festival - better than ever in this, it’s 2nd year. Theater, dance, mixed media - and a general air of celebration. Lots of variety in the shows, in the venues, most of it edgy - which is just how I like my theater.

Next year - for sure - I’ll leave all the dates open in my calendar until the Fringe calendar is set. Managed to miss a show I really wanted to see - Calculus, The Musical - because it was sold out, and then had other commitments that kept me away until now, the final 2 days.

Last night (Friday) at Ink Tank, we saw Extreme Puppet Theater, which had me laughing out loud during most of the performance. Lots of old jokes, lot of new jokes, lots of whacky behavior, with a Ringmaster presiding over all. Then we headed to the Contemporary Arts Center to see iNput - interactive / collaborative dance.

Just saw - Saturday afternoon - Alone Together, a 36-minute play at New Stage Collective. An interesting creation, with good acting - Josh Stamoolis from Shakespeare, who’s turned out to be great. And finishing off this evening with another trip to Ink Tank, this time to see Art of Longing, billed as “ordinary people set out to uncover the extraordinary.”

If you like a challenge as well as a good time - leave room on your late May - early June calendar, too. I’ll see you there!