All sentient beings, be it four-legged, winged, or elemental are affected by the condition of our Mother. Yet, we forget we are nurtured and fed by all our relations.
By Susan J. McFarland
This winter has been exceptionally hard with freezing temperatures and excessive amounts of snow. Our Mother is cleansing and balancing as She awakens to new life in the spring. While the two-leggeds certainly are dealing with the challenges of snow and cold, we must remember we are not the only beings on this earth.
Deer frequent my yard, especially in the spring and summer, but it is rare to see them in the winter. I know they are there, because of the tracks left behind each morning. One quiet Saturday morning I found them bedded down under our large pine tree. I imagine they were trying to stay warm. Deer are an important symbol in my life. For me, deer are a reminder to be gentle to myself. According to the book, Animal Speak, by Ted Andrews, “when deer show up in your life…a new innocence and freshness is about to be awakened or born.” Deer can feed us physically, but also spiritually as a reminder of gentleness and new adventures.
Last fall, the Coptic Fellowship was blessed with the presence of Chief Golden Light Eagle, formally known as Standing Elk. The Chief, as he is referred to by Douglas Blue Feather and others, spoke at the Center on the “Universal Symbols and Laws of Creation”. His book, The Symbols, channeled to him and other tribal elders from the Heavenly Hosts, discusses twenty-two symbols. Each symbol in the book offers three messages from various spiritual beings.
In reading The Universal Law of Nature (the natural way of things), the first message, the Power to Be, is from Little White Deer. The book talks about the fact that the Deer Nation is a Giveaway Nation and a Clan of Medicine People. Little Deer states that the reason the two-legged are suffering physically is they have forgotten their “power to be”. This Law of Nature means that we must be in “right relation” with the Elements. The Elements are there to keep us balanced physically, mentally, and spiritually. Yet, for centuries we have used, abused, and neglected the Elements, and thus harmed ourselves. Now is the time to reverse this process. We must correct our relation with the Elements by honoring and respecting them. We need to feed ourselves with the forces of nature in order to right our path together.
While the deer and other four-legged, winged, and finned nations came here to not only provide food, but also learnings and friendships, the Elements likewise are here to teach us. As in the past, and while we awaken, food becomes less and less necessary. I am finding this in my own life, being a vegetarian I am eating less, but healthier foods. Yet, actual food and certainly animal food should not be our primary source of energy. The Elements are here to provide us with nourishment, not only for our physical selves, but our mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies.
Running your toes through the warm sand at the beach or perhaps walking barefoot through the grass provides grounding for our bodies. Even the smallest particles of sand and dirt have awareness and restorative properties. Based in the root of your physical self, the Earth Clan finds its influence. As the weather warms, place your feet on the Mother’s soil, run your hands through her sand and reconnect with this base Element.
Through the side and back of my yard runs a small creek, fed by a lake and marsh area to the North. Water element has been an important part of my life, whether it was swimming at the lake in the summer as a child, joining the swim team in high school, or simply enjoying a cool glass of water on a hot day. Amazingly, and certainly of no coincidence, the body and the earth are made up of around 75% water. As the Symbol states, “the Water is your Relationship to the Sacred Law of Creator.” The Water Clan resides in you and of you, it is where the Light of Creator emanates. Drink water, bathe in fresh water, swim in the water of creations, and imbibe and refresh the Light within (excuse me while I have some water).
As part of Gathering Thunder Foundation, I attend sacred inipi or sweat lodge. As a part of this ceremony, the Fire Clan resides. Drawn by the warmth and the glow of the light, humans are reminded of their interior desires. The Fire Element rekindles our inner spark and carries our prayers, feeding our yearnings of Spirit.
Breath. We cannot live without. As a former runner, I would find myself out of breath during the first few miles that I ran. Once settled in, my breath would return to normal. Isn’t it true, that in the beginning of a journey we are often out of breath, but upon settling in with our body and Spirit, we return to a centered state? “When you breathe, know that it is the Breath of Creator of Spirit that has entered into your bodies.” Physically, air rests in your lungs and voice. All Life has breath and therefore consciousness. If you want to meditate for a moment or reconnect with the Divine, breathe, preferably outside in fresh air.
These primary Four Elements or Clans: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air are guided by the Grandmothers and Grandfathers. If these Elements are not honored, the Laws of Karma can apply. Three Spiritual Clans remain to assist with these cycles. They are: The Clans of the Ethers, Manna, and Essence.
As people on this planet Earth, we not only dwell with Nature Clans, but also with the Elements of Spirit. The Ethers deal with the “sacredness behind the Word.” In Christianity, we hear in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and was God. The Truth of the Word is Love and carries the Heart of Creator. As you speak, speak with, and of, Love.
Manna arrives from Heaven, according the Bible, and in Egypt it is derived from the term “menu,” meaning food. Manna¸ according to the Symbols as a Clan of the Elemental Kin from the angelic realm, reminds us of the overwhelming support and kindness from “above.” This “manna” not only helps us in our daily life but understands, cleanses, and is sensitive to our contemplations. Choose your thoughts wisely. Mike Dooley, from TUT.com, says from the Universe, “Thoughts become things, choose the good ones.” Thoughts not only affect you, but the energy and Spirit that surrounds you.
From the Seventh Clan, Essence resides in an entirely altered state of awareness. Adhered to humankind by the Crowne Chakra, Essence, an ethereal substance, flowing like water, transforms the ideas of Creator into tangible arrangement. As Gandhi states, “the essence of all religions is one. Only their approaches are different.” As the Essence of God is One.
Eating is a masculine energy as it requires doing, while feeding is a feminine energy as it requires receiving. We receive the gifts of Nature; Earth, Water, Fire, and Air by Mother. By allowing ourselves to be fed naturally, or from nature, we enhance our spiritual existence, bringing Life to the Spiritual Clans, thus furthering our Ascension. So, what’s feeding you?
About the Author:
Susan J. McFarland, has a BA in Communications and in Spanish from Michigan State University. She is the author of the BLOG, “A Heart of Peace”, and a contributing author to Bellesprit Magazine, Star Nations Magazine and the Coptic Fellowship Newsletter, the Inner Connection.
She owns Of the Vine, llc, a holistic health business in Grand Rapids, MI. She is a Holistic Health Practitioner, H.H.P and offers Nutrilite vitamins and minerals to her clients. Of the Vine, llc believes you have the personal power inside of you to create a healthy and whole being through spirituality, nutrition and a positive lifestyle. Of the Vine, llc can assist you if you are looking to improve your current state of health. Of the Vine also offers various lectures and workshops on: nutrition, herbs, homeopathy, children and inspirational topics.
As part of the Gathering Thunder Foundation, Susan is the Education and Youth Advisor, where she teaches children the importance of Native Culture, whether through drumming, the naming ceremony or the sacred inipi or sweat lodge.
Learn more about Susan:
susanjmcfarland@yahoo.com
http://www.aheartofpeace.blogspot.com
http://www.ofthevineholistichealth.com
