Fires at night...

Something about a fire at night stirs the soul.

It makes me want to sit with eyes wide with wonder and listen to a magical story.

How about you?

Gratitude for dreams and meeting a new guide

 I am so grateful for dreams. Throughout my life, my dreamtime has been filled with messages, guidance, and prophecies. My mom always said I got it from my great grandmother, who often had vivid dreams of events before they happened. My dreams have cautioned me of things to avoid, guided me towards things to pursue, helped me see situations with more clarity, and just given me general information to make my life at the time easier and more enjoyable. I feel that in our day to day rush, the gentle voice of our intuition can sometimes go unheard. At night, during the quiet, our intuition has the entrance, space, and opening to communicate to us through our dreams. 

I've had many dreams of happenings that later came true. Ever since Bracken's birth, it seems my dreamworld has expanded even further into a vibrant explosion of colorful activity. Night after night, lucid dreams come to me with an archetypal language. 

Some dreams stay with me for days afterward. This week I had one such dream, where I met one of my new guides.

In the dream, I was walking on a sidewalk, along a busy road. I wanted to cross to the other side, but there was traffic going in both directions that didn't look like it was about to let up, so I figured I would have to wait for awhile. Then I noticed that a little ways ahead was a place that was marked to cross, with a crossing guard. When I reached it, the crossing guard, a tall man with brown hair, stopped traffic and lead me safely across the street to the other side. What could have taken me so long by myself, went quickly, easily, and effortlessly, with the help of this man. Upon arrival on the other side of the road, he looked at me and asked "Do you remember me?"

I replied "You look so familiar....where do I know you from?".... 

Looking into his deep brown eyes I was suddenly overcome by a wave of chills igniting all of my skin and a deep knowing so powerful I nearly cried. "I've known you for lifetimes and lifetimes!" I exclaimed as the realization hit me.

"Yep" he said with a warm smile.

He was a soul friend and I had missed him oh so dearly, and had just then remembered!

I reached up on tippy toes and we embraced in heartfelt hug and I was so grateful for his presence in my life again.

Walking, I knew that he would help me through my days.
When I woke up, I knew in my heart that I had a new guide with me who would give me constant, steady support throughout my life path, helping me reach my highest potential and fulfill my purpose. A steady presence of love, support, reassurance, and so much help.

For this, I am deeply grateful.
~

While I write  this Bracken is sleeping in my arms. I can tell he is dreaming by the expressions that cross his face. With dreams on my mind, I often wonder what he is dreaming of?

What dreams have stayed with you?

What dreams have shaped you or impacted you in some way?
Are you paying attention to your dreams and the gifts they bring?

Bracken of the Wood

  There once was a little baby named Bracken who was born in a cozy home in a magical forest. His eyes were the deepest blue, just like the wild blueberries that grew nearby. His parents knew in their hearts that even though this baby was in a human body, he had been a forest creature. Bracken had decided to be in human form for awhile, but he still missed his forest friends and woodland way of life. Every morning he would wake up in bed, next to his Dad and Mama, and eagerly look out the window. His little human body (with  little tiny stomach that needed to be constantly filled) said it was time for breakfast. Bracken's Mama could tell the signs and would bring him to nurse. Some mornings he would get so distracted looking out the window that he would forget to eat for a moment. His Mama would hold him up so he could see better. Oh boy! Would he laugh with delight when his forest friends came to visit him! Though his Mama couldn't see them, she could see the sparkle in Bracken's eyes. She could hear his giggles and feel his glee and she knew exactly what was going on. Bracken would be so happy to see his playmates that he would try to jump right out of his Mama's arms and fly outside to be with them. But then he would realize he was now in a human body and his plump little baby legs were not quite ready for such things. Even though Bracken loved his new life and parents, his forest friends knew that Bracken wanted to come play with them and that he missed his beloved woods terribly, so they came daily to cheer him up. They would sing and dance little jigs in front of the window that would delight Bracken to no end! There were so many of them. The ornery, playful gang of joy guides- Acorn, Moss, Nut, Maple, Twig, Seed and Pebble. (The joy guides were the ones who could bring the kind of laughter that made your sides ache.) There was a whole community of tiny and jolly gnomes, flocks of faeries (from many different tribes including the sun faeries, moon faeries and moth-riders), gnobbly-nosed dwarfs, elfs and elves (don't get the two confused now, they are only distantly related, though both do have beautifully pointed ears), and so many other kinds of earth creatures that it could fill a book. Not to mention all the animals that came to see him through the window as well!

Then it would be time for Bracken to eat and sleep, he was still in a baby human body after all, so Mama would laugh at his friends' silliness and then tell them (kindly) to Shoo so Bracken could get some rest. And of course, they could come back again later.

All the creatures of the wood adored Bracken with all their hearts and they missed him no longer living in the woods. Bracken's Dad and Mama would bring him outside for some fresh air for little bits, but it was winter time so he mostly needed to be inside by the woodstove keeping warm. So the forest creatures decided to visit more often and they no longer waited outside the window. They noticed a sign that Bracken's Mama and Dad had put on the front door that said 'Faery Folk Welcome.' So they came right in! Soon the house was so full, and there was so much warmth, that they hardly needed a fire. It didn't even seem like winter time with the feeling of celebration, festivity, and jolliness filling their home. 

Every now and then Mama and Dad would see something out of the corner of their eye. Sometimes a movement would turn into a fuzzy moth or a teensy, dainty bug with suspiciously faery-like wings. And Mama saw some mysterious splashes in the front pond and had the sneaking suspicion that some mermaids had moved in. Not to mention the faery footprints in the dust by the woodstove (and the tiny markings from a gnome's broom- bless their hearts for helping clean up!) Dad would hear music that sounded far off in the distance and would slowly grow louder. Mama would hear it too. If they relaxed their eyes just so, they could see glowing, dancing lights. Yes, it seems the forest creatures were in and out all the time. Filling the house with song, dance, and leaving little gifts behind. They brought smiles, laughter, and a jolly feeling that could be sensed in the very center of the heart. 

Something bright was being awakened in Mama and Dad. They were starting to see the world through Bracken's eyes. And what a beautiful world it was!

Dreaming of Lucy

Last night I had a dream that we found a good home for our goat Lucy that was nearby. In the dream, she turned into human form for a little while and we had a long conversation (and I must say, she was very good looking as a human!) The dream was very healing for me because it felt like our souls were making an agreement and coming to an understanding with each other. Lucy was happy and excited to go to her new home, she loved the new people that would care for her. Her adventurous spirit was ready for the next stage of her life. I felt like a heavy weight of guilt (for needing to find a home for her) lifted and I felt so relieved. 

I woke up feeling happy.

Fertility Dream

In November I had a very lucid dream. As I was falling asleep, I was thinking of the expression about the 'womb being fruitful' and how beautiful that is. 

Then I dreamed. I was in an orchard surrounded by fruit. It didn't seem like the time of year for fruit to be growing, but there it was growing anyway. It was an apple orchard and every tree was completely loaded with deep red apples. Some of the trees were very old, but a few of them were very young. Even newly planted trees that were super tiny, were completely covered in red apples. I was amazed. Every single tree in the orchard was producing an incredible amount of apples. The only other person there with me was my sister Samantha. We wandered in this magical world of sunshine and red apples.

Then I layed down on my back in the tall grass. I watched the clear blue sky and felt the sun warming my face. The grass all around me was glowing with sunlight. Suddenly a woman appeared. She leaned over me, her face above my face. She had a cloak on and a big hood, with dark curly hair tucked into it. I immediately knew that she was one of my guides. I had never seen her before, but I knew she was my guide because of the immediate kinship I felt with her.

She said "You are Pregnant. It's a boy." Then she told me about his spirit, his path in this lifetime and continued with the prophecy of his life. 

Then I woke up.

As soon as I had this dream, I felt the spirit of our baby by my side. 

I was not pregnant at the time of this dream, but I felt the baby's presence strongly and I was pregnant not long after.

Dreaming of Water

Wednesday morning I awoke from a beautiful dream.
In my dream, Jeff and I discovered a creek we'd never been to before. There was a part that was surrounded by tall earth so we had our own private spot. There were trees everywhere. It was so beautiful.
Jeff hung out by the edge of the water. I took off my clothes and got in. I knew it was the middle of winter, and yet the water felt so comfortable to me. There was a deeper part in the creek where I submerged myself completely. It felt so incredible. I was in pure bliss being in the water.
I was describing to Jeff how wonderful it felt. He's not much of a water person like I am. He was content to hang out with me from dry land.
I was trying to describe just what I was experiencing to him, but it was hard to put into words. It felt like the water was clearing all the energy centers in my body. I remember the overwhelming tingling sensation at the very top of my head. It felt like all of the cells in my body were tingling with new awareness.
Every now and then he would climb to the highest spot and look around to make sure no one else was nearby. He was protective of my privacy.
With his protection, I felt like I could completely let go.
Let go of all my worries.
Let go of everything, but the bliss I was feeling.

I wanted to stay in the water forever.
I wanted to live in it.  

Gnome size

Last night I had a dream that I was the size of a gnome. I had to be careful when I went to town so that the humans wouldn't step on me. I lived in the woods with other people my size. The world is wonderous when seen from gnome size.....

The Angel Tree

I had the most amazing dream last night.

As I was falling asleep I was looking at the Angel statue that my Grandma & Grandpa Baker sent me for Christmas, I had just decided the other day that she belonged next to the bed. Last night she was glowing silver in the soft light and her luminescence reminded me of the moon, so I decided I was going to call her my Moon Angel. I imagined that she was a magical sleeping totem that would watch over me while I sleep, help me completely relax and sleep deeply, connect me to the moon cycles, and bring me beautiful healing dreams. Then I fell into a deep sleep...

And I dreamt:

I was walking barefoot on the sidewalk in a quiet neighborhood. Every sensation seemed heightened. The cool cement felt so good under my feet. All of the sudden I came across an old tree with deep roots and outstretched branches. There were pure white feathers growing out from where the leaves usually are. The white feathers were so white, the whole tree seemed to radiate light. It was the most beautiful tree I'd ever seen, truly breathtaking, and I stared at it in awe. On the ground there were white feathers everywhere, in bright contrast to the lush green grass. I noticed the perfection of each feather and felt speachless. I stood underneath the tree and felt showered upon with blessings as white feathers floated gently down on me.

This lucid dream lasted for a long time, all taking place underneath this tree. The tree was showing me new perspectives, teaching me about questions I'd been having in my life for quite awhile- making me go "aha!  I get it!"  I felt like I was having a breakthrough in my understanding. White feathers are a powerful symbol for me, they hold deep meaning in my life. Every time I see a white feather I know that my Guardian Angel is saying hello. And so, I named this tree from my dream, The Angel Tree.

This morning I awoke with delight over the clear, lucid dream. We had slept with the window cracked open and I enjoyed breathing in the crisp morning air while I felt warm and snug under the covers. Sounds floated through the window- a harmonious blend of the river flowing, soft rain falling, and roosters crowing in the distance.

And today I am thanking my Moon Angel and looking forward to seeing what I'll dream about tonight......