Author Archives: Explorer

Mar. 27.

Playing with the Tarot

I decided to try to give someone a reading.  I didn’t know what to do, so I grabbed my deck of Tarot cards.  I haven’t played with Tarot since high school.  I never really understood what is was about.  I learned several layouts and the book meanings of the cards, but I never was taught about the intuitive aspect.  Now that I have forgotten the layouts and the book meanings, I had a fun, intuitive reading.  Concentrating on the question, I threw a few cards on the table.  Interpretation was purely intuitive.  The pictures, colors, textures of the cards lend themselves well to intuition.  The readings seemed consistent with what we knew, though not always what we would think logically.

Interestingly, the intuitive aspect is the whole piece.  The many layered book meanings of the cards are nice, but the cards are window dressing for the intuition flowing through you.  As I plucked the cards from the nightstand drawer where they slumbered for so long, apprehension filled my brain.  I couldn’t remember all the basic meanings of the cards, let alone the subtle underlying aspects of each.  Pouring them into my open hands, shuffling them as though regular cards, preparing to place them in an elaborate layout, I realized I’d forgotten the layouts.  Panic struck.  With a  mental pause, a few breaths, and a release of the tension building inside me, I recalled that intuition works from a place of love, not fear.  Eyes closed, I flipped out a card onto the bed, then another, continuing until there were six.  It felt right.  I opened my eyes.  Before me the layout became clear.  A couplet of cards laying face up near the middle of the area painted a broad picture of the solution I sought.  I interpreted through the apparent picture of the card, the colors, the symbols.  Another card lay close, but inverted and I intuited it as an opposite and it fit.  Two other cards were sideways at different angles and I felt that gave a degree of meaning based on the degree of sidewaysness.  (Yes, I know it’s not a real word, but it works to communicate the meaning.)  The last card was flipped over onto it’s front.  Turning it over I knew this would be hidden obstacles to the solution.  Logically (does logic even count with intuition?), it worked for me.  I could comprehend the potential semantics.

Working from love, I was able to give the best Tarot readings.  Book meanings? Pah!  Complicated layouts? Phh!  Infinite subtleties? Piffle!  My best Tarot readings came from tossing cards on my bed with my eyes closed and interpreting the meanings intuitively.  Maybe that’s all you really need.  Perhaps that’s how tea readings work…

Why did I even pick up the cards, again?  Because I have had two readings lately, and both readers used Tarot cards to provide focus and information.  My attempts at readings so far have been hopeful.  I am trying various styles.  Each one has it’s own advantages and disadvantages:

I tried automatic writing a while back and was mildly successful.  Some of my answers were on target, but not the the right extent.  Some of them did not feel as helpful, but allowed me to experience my guides’ sense of humor and point of view.  I asked about what was wrong with one of my sons as he was having some health issues.  The answer was nothing is wrong with him, he is perfect, as are we all.  Not very helpful on a practical level, but a good reminder that we are all energetic beings, not physical bodies.

A friend asked me to try a body scan for health issues.  I was able to “see” a spot in her chest and a haze around her abdomen.  She said the spot was Breast Cancer that her doctor had just confirmed.  The haze she attributed to toxicity of her guts that she was going to cleanse with a process that I don’t recall.  That worked well, but I hesitated to find anything as I would like her to only be well.  I was torn between telling her what I saw and telling her she was fine.  No one wants to be the bearer of bad news.  I’m glad she already had the information and was allowing me to “test” my abilities (abilities many of us have and can develop).

Each type of reading can give different results.  Tarot gives me a general overview of a situation and solution.  Automatic Writing provided details, but were laced with my spirit guides’ point of view.  Body Scanning gives health related information, but I will have to practice a lot more to get useful data from it.

Mar. 18.

Article on being an Empath

Here is an interesting article on being highly empathic.  This is what I experience.

“Because of the tendency for people to hide the full story, or try to control the situation, an empath will tend to feel a huge inner conflict or inability to process the enormity of the engagement. One of the main problems for Empaths is the lack of transparency and honesty in the world and the consequent resentment of having to process all the energy that is not in full view.”

– Trinity Bourne (author of the article)

There have been so many conversations where I “end people’s sentences”.  Sometimes I can understand what they want to say before they do themselves.  It greatly facilitates communication most of the time.

Occasionally, however, I would run across someone who was offended that I could figure out what they wanted to say.  They would change what they were saying after I helped, just to prove me wrong.  One of my bosses was like this, it was very frustrating.  We worked in a fast paced environment and she took forever to finish her thoughts.

Wonderfully, there are people who can also communicate energetically.  When you meet these folks, understanding flows so smoothly and effortlessly.  It’s quite blissful.  My wife and I communicate like this most of the time.

“Also it feels very interesting being in shops and towns etc. They’re so designed as to attract and ‘pull at’ people’s attention to buy certain products or at least to look at them. The energy of the matrix feels pretty strong in these places. This has felt overwhelming…”

-Ben (in the comments at the original site)

Going into shops, especially large ones, often leaves me feeling spun out and twisted.  The energy in those place is very chaotic.  When I was a child, my parents would take me to Home and Garden shows and I would often start to pass out.  Eventually, I learned how to close off the energy from others.  That never felt good either.  It was kind of like walking around with noise-cancelling earphones.  One of my senses had to be “turned off”.

http://www.openhandweb.org/040112_being_empath_unfolding_higher_paradigm

– The article referenced

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Mar. 02.

The Early Experiences – Books and Movies

I find myself curious about how I came to my spiritual beliefs.  Most days I believe what I believe and go on about my life.  Some days, however, I wonder how I came to this point.  I think an understanding of my background and what experiences formed my opinions and beliefs might help others on their path through life.  Everyone’s path is different, indeed each person’s whole experience is different.  We all create our own realities.  That was a tough concept for me to grasp at first.  Now it seems obvious.  The difference is experience and a willingness to question.

I think movies came first in my explorative development.  The Witch Mountain movies were thought provoking.  I think most of the kids of the time wished they could move things with their minds.  It was a nice introduction that there may be more to the world than we think.  It certainly made me think.  For those of you not familiar with the movies, they are about two orphans that can speak telepathically.  They have some other abilities that serve to make some people want to exploit them.  Not to give too much away, but they eventually find out why they are “different”.

One of the first authors of non-children’s books that I can remember reading is Anne McCaffrey.  (Isn’t it crazy that I have to be careful how I said that.  I was going to put adult book author, but that has a completely different connotation, doesn’t it?)  I started with the Dragonflight  series and voraciously read anything she wrote.  I loved the telepathic communication between man and dragon.  The book that I remember having the greatest impact at that point, though was: To Ride Pegasus.  It was the book that introduced me to precognition.  The fact that people with all of these various abilities were not superheroes really moved me.  Anne McCaffrey portrays her characters as real people with problems, different than the rest of us, but the same as well.  At least that is how I saw it as a child.

A couple years later, I ran across the first of the Seth books: The Seth Material.  The carefulness of even Jane Roberts and her husband, their disbelief even as it was happening, made this book readable to me.  For all that I may seem open to any type of Metaphysical – New Age – or Woo Woo stuff that’s out there, I am rather skeptical.  Much as I was during my Sunday School classes, I question everything.  However, unlike many people who have had awareness expanding moments and then denied them, I do believe my own experiences.  If I experiment with something like seeing auras, and I see them, then I will accept that auras exist and people can see them.  Seth’s explanations of the universe made sense to me based on what I had experienced in life (little as it had been at that point).  It resonated with me.  It opened my mind to a new way of looking at how life worked.  Basically, it laid a framework (creating your own reality and a connectedness with all things) through which I was able to see life.

I think the movie that really cemented my thoughts on the interconnectedness of all things was The Empire Strikes Back.  In Star Wars, they talk about the Force and it relates to many of the Metaphysical and New Age ideas.  But when Yoda started explaining about how everything is tied together, it made a lot of sense to me based on my own experiences.  When he explained in his cryptic way that you cannot start something and be successful by trying,  you can only be successful by knowing you will succeed, it was eye opening.  I examined my life and could see that when I tried, I usually did not have much success, but when I said to myself, “I can do this”, I had great results.  And I still love the lesson that if you start something knowing it is impossible, you will certainly fail.  I’ve started many tasks in my life that seemed insurmountable by reminding myself that many other people have already done this, so I certainly can, too.  Those tasks seem to almost magically work out.  Frame of mind and intention are what those movies brought to me.  I may have read more into it than what was really there, but that’s basically how guides, angels, and intuition seem to work in our lives.  We receive insight into something that perhaps others do not see.

I am very grateful that I was drawn (guided) to these books and movies in my youth.  I still pull out fascinating bits that expand my awareness of myself and of life out of the books, movies, and music around me.  Connecting it all to real life is the real joy.

Feb. 29.

SoulFood Books and Kay Ridgway

Amazing coincidences today.  I had to carpool with someone into Bellevue today.  She was asking how long she would have to wait for me to finish work.  I got an intuitive hit to mention that she could check out SoulFood Books as neither of us had ever been there.   When she arrived, someone pulled on her jacket.  It was a longtime friend that she was trying to contact earlier today.  Her friend was there to get a reading from Kay, whose classes they had attended a few years ago.  She was also able to find a book (A Book of Angels) for which she had been searching for quite a while.

During a break at work, I was adding new events from Vision Quest Center.  As I did this, the thought came to me that I should try to visit all of the Stores and get readings from more people so I can feel good about adding them to the directory.  (I don’t want to add people that I don’t have some personal knowledge of, unless a friend I trust in these matters recommends them.)

After I heard this story, I wanted to go see the Store.  Kay was still there, and they decided to get a reading.  Kay seemed to be right on target.  Her intuition is good and her answers were in line with my own intuitive thoughts.

So many wonderful coincidences or manifestations.  This is how life is supposed to work.

Feb. 29.

Seeing Auras

Yay!  I finally am able to see auras!  At least, fundamentally.  Barbara Brennan‘s book, Hands of Light, was exactly what I needed.  Interestingly enough, the book made itself known to me several times throughout my life.  Each time, I noticed it peripherally, but didn’t really look at it.  This time, however, it was recommended by Kelmie Blake Spires as one of many books to read to learn about auras.  Having run across it so many times before, it stood out and I began reading it.

My logical brain immediately began making connections with her interpretation.  Her writing style is very logical and therefore easy for me to absorb.  Following the exercises, I began to see auras.  At first, I could only see a little colorless outline that looked luminous.  (The appearance seemed like it would be a glow-in-the-dark luminosity, but when I tried in the dark, I could not see it.)   Now that I have been practicing for a couple of months, I can see the aura out a little farther.  I still do not see colors, which is a little disappointing.  I asked Veronica Entwistle about it at her last meeting (see the Events page to see upcoming events like this), and she said that she sees the colors better when she closes her eyes.  At first, I was skeptical, but as the aura is just energy, it makes sense that you are not seeing it with just your optical receptors.  I haven’t tried it, yet, as it still takes effort for me to see auras.

When I am trying to see an aura, I find I have to change the way my brain feels.  When I finally see an aura, it feels like I am wearing a headband across the top of my head.  Once I feel that, I can see auras pretty easily as I switch from person to person (or cat or plant or whatever).  Practice is required, but finding places to watch people without looking creepy in the process is the real challenge.  Staring strangely at someone for several minutes isn’t what I do best.

Still, I am getting a little better at it each time I try.  I recommend the book.  I have links to it and to the author on the Books page.

Feb. 06.

Many Stores and Events in Seattle

Today, I just learned about a bookshop in Seattle that has been around for many years.  Quest Bookshop is an extension of the Theosophical Society.  I have never run across this before.  It looks interesting.  Their site explains their philosophy.  The organization has been around since 1875!  I just blew a whole hour just poking around their website.

I haven’t been there as yet, but it comes highly recommended by Colette.  We were talking about how difficult it is to learn about the various metaphysical or new age bookstores, events, and practitioners.  There are a lot of us out here exploring our awareness, and it is time we started meeting each other.  I hope finding this site helps you find the resources you are looking for, and perhaps some new friends as well.

Please let me know about other metaphysical, new age, or spiritual (non-religious) stores, events or people.  I would be glad to pass the knowledge on to others.

explorer@exploringawareness.com

Feb. 05.

Dream Travel

A couple of weeks ago, I awakened suddenly with a feeling that I just dropped from somewhere and landed in bed.  It was a strange sensation.  Physically it felt very real.  As I awoke, I had the intuitive thought (they “feel” differently than regular thoughts to me now) that I just returned from the “other side”.  What that other side might be, I am still not sure.

When I discussed it with my unofficial mentor (she doesn’t want to admit to being a teacher or mentor), she said it was astral travel.  I do not remember anything that happened before the impact of returning, but she said it is a significant step in my awakening.

Unfortunately, I was not able to attend an Astral Travel class yesterday.  My mentor attended, however, and said it was a very good class.

Maybe next time, I’ll be able to remember where I go.  The other interesting aspect is that it happened while were travelling.  It’s never happened at home.  Does that mean that the new environment sparked the event?  Or am I just too comfortable at home to take such journeys?  Could it have happened because I was on vacation, and not suffering from the normal daily life stresses?  How can I trigger it to happen again in my normal life situation?

Feb. 04.

Smiley Face on an Empty Gas Tank

Disclaimer:  I am not yet able to be happy whatever happens.  Some things make me mad, or upset, or worried, or (insert real emotion here).  I am trying, however, to choose to be happy and loving in every situation.

When discussing this with friends, I have come across arguments like this to remind me to be a realist:  “You can’t just put a happy face sticker on my gas gauge and expect it to fill with gas.”

I thought upon this for quite some time.  Of course, being happy will not fill an empty gas tank in the literal sense, but that phrase and others like it have always felt discordant.  I thought about how I always encourage my children to choose to be happy.  It’s the same thing really if your gas tank goes empty.  You can get upset, blame yourself for not noticing, worry about being late to wherever you were headed, or you can choose to be happy.

So, you’ve run out of gas.  The Universe, God, Creator (insert your diety, dieties, or non-diety here) decided you needed a break from your hectic schedule.  You have been so focused on the day-to-day tasks that occupy your time that you have forgotten to take time for yourself and live.  What will you do?

Option 1: Get mad, grab your phone call the road service, towing company, significant other.  Stress out about how late you are going to be, throw a fit on the side of the road, yell and scream at how unfair it all is.

Option 2: Take a deep breath, realize what a beautiful day it is (rain or shine it doesn’t matter).  Put a smile on your face and yell, “Yahoo!  I don’t have to go to work today!”  Choosing to be happy even when something isn’t going how you planned makes every day brighter.  After all, every day something is not going as you planned.  That can often be a very good thing.

Scenario 1 played out:  You have a miserable day.  The road assistance is too slow, you’ve rumpled your clothes or gotten dirty.  At work (finally), you are irritable.  People avoid you or annoy you.  Your day is very unpleasant.

Scenario 2 played out:  Out of gas today – that sucked.  You stopped and looked around a little today.  You probably haven’t done that in a while, it was nice.  Work was skipped – it’ll hurt the paycheck, but what an unexpected treat.  Everyone will understand that you are a little behind for a day or two.  Someone new came into your life, if only briefly, when they helped you to the gas station.  Slowing down really brought some peace and joy into your day.

Did a smiley face fill your gas tank?  Of course, not.  But it sure made your day bearable, and maybe you even had a little fun.

🙂

Feb. 04.

Totems

Well, now I have to catch up.  I have been putting my energy into site improvements rather than the content.  Back to the real reason I’m doing this.  To explore…

I’ve never looked too deeply into the Shamanic side life.  The Shamanic, as I see it, is a attunement to nature.  Nature “talks” to you in metaphor.  Certain animals, plants, and natural occurrences convey attributes that communicate meaning in an intuitive manner.  I heard about people saying that they have a totem animal, an animal that conveys a reflection of self and assists in their inner discovery of themselves.  I always imagined my totem as probably being a wolf or falcon.  I suppose I picked those because of stories I read and certain aspects of those animals that I wanted to see in myself.  Boy was I wrong.  My totem made itself known this year.  My totem is cat.

Looking back it seems quite obvious.  I have many cat-like attributes; I don’t have to try to have them, they are an innate part of who I am now and who I have always been.  Cat “speech” has always come easily to me; I understand what they are trying to communicate.  Siamese “speak” a different language, but I was able to pick it up pretty quickly once I realized.  Eyelid motions, tail twitches, looking away – it’s all communication.

How did I find out that my totem was cat after all this time of living with cats and not seeing it?  A black cat crossed my path.  It “said” I’m hungry, help me.  I coaxed it out from under my truck with a friendly purring and clucking.  It came readily and I could see that it was starving, but had been well cared for in the past as it’s coat was full.  We brought it some food and water and fed it on our front porch.  I felt a tugging an intuitive tugging to bring it into the family.  I fought that feeling.  I really did not want to care for another animal.  We had 3 cats and a dog.  Another cat would would cause disruption, especially as two of our cats are half-Siamese (which are all a little crazy as far as I am concerned).  The tugging would not let up though, and I found myself outside looking over the cat.  Moments later we were feeding it inside the house.  I could see it was not well.  Which is to say it was healthy except for being nearly starved, but was not acting cat-like.  No tail twitching, no reaction when our want-to-be-dominate Siamese male hissed at it.  No startling when the kids made a lot of noise.  It worried me.  I kept a close eye on it throughout the rest of the evening.  At some point, the idea that cat was my totem struck me.  Like an avalanche, the thought started small, but undeniable.  Then the realization grew and it tumbled out in front of me.  Of course, cat was my totem.

With a slow blink, and a trilling purr…

P.S.  She’s doing much better now.

Jan. 21.

New and Refurbished

As all none of you have undoubtedly noticed, I have completely revamped the site.

The Events section will be updated as I learn of events. I love that SoulFood Books uses Google Calendar for their events as I was able to incorporate their calendar into mine.  Their events should stay updated automatically.  These tools available are amazing.

The Directory will be updated as I meet and learn about people who are talented.  I’m sure this list will grow rapidly.

Stores was fun to create, though initially frustrating as I had difficulties getting it to work.  Incorporating Google maps for directions is mind boggling.  I love all the wonderful tools!

Need a good read?  The Books page has a list of books I have read that moved me along in my explorations.  They are not in any particular order, though that may change as I learn more.  I actually decided to list authors at the bottom because it would take forever to list all the books.  Clicking on a book actually takes you to Amazonwhere you can purchase it!  Amazing.  Then I found a way to add a Kindle button underneath.  Too cool!  I must sound like an advertisement, but that is not my intent.  I just love the way it is all interconnected, much like we are all interconnected.

The Home page is, of course, the blog, and the About page lets you know why I am doing all this work (besides the fact that it’s fun).

I hope that my blog is fun and informative for anyone who might read it.  The various pages are growing out of a personal need to find information about exploring awareness.  It is very difficult to find a bookstore, or events, or practitioners of a spiritual, metaphysical, or whatever you want to call them, nature.  At least, it was for me.  Fortunately, as I grow I am meeting more people and expanding my social circle, even as I expand my consciousness.

May your exploration be blessed, and this information be helpful!

(Feel free to email me with any events, bookstores, wellness centers, etc. that might be interesting to others.)