Kestrel Two Feet

Follow me on my spiritual journey

recent posts

about

  • Signs from Nature: Frogs and Squirrels

    Signs from Nature: Frogs and Squirrels

    Lately I’ve been encountering frogs in the morning. The first time I came upon one, I didn’t think much of it. It had been raining a lot and so I thought it was just an ordinary frog. But this morning, I was thinking about it. So, I purposely walked in the opposite direction of where I saw him. And there he was again. I knew it meant something this time because he was looking right at me. Researching frogs and their spiritual meanings gave me some insights. Frogs are strongly tied to the water element, as am I. They are also signs of transformation and coming into one’s power. I’ve been getting these signs a lot lately. With both butterflies and frogs. I’m hoping to get more answers soon.

    My little red squirrel was back at my meditation today. He is linked to a 12-week cycle. Maybe the two are connected, and maybe not. I can’t help but feel that something important is about to happen. If I figure it out, I’ll let y’all know.

  • Boost Your Meditation Practice with Simple Preparation Steps

    Boost Your Meditation Practice with Simple Preparation Steps

    Meditation tip number 2

    Preparation is essential for anything you want to accomplish. Getting ready before meditation can help you focus better, relax more, and allow more to happen. So how does one prepare to meditate?

    I make a habit of purposely walking to my meditation spot. I have a certain path that I follow. As I follow this path, I try to let cares and worries fall away. I’m not always successful, but I have seen improvement in my focus from doing this. If your meditation spot is nearby, like in the same room, walk around the space. Imagine putting things down as you walk by various items. The things you are putting down are the same cares and worries.

    Once in my spot, I start with some simple short breath work. There are various techniques and an endless supply of instructions. Some examples are box breathing, color breathing, and timed breathing. I recommend researching various techniques. Try them out and see which ones work best for you. I currently do a variation of box breathing. I breath in for 4 seconds, hold for 8 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds, and hold again for 8 seconds. This is only about 2 breaths per minute, so don’t try this right away. If you’re new to breath work, start by doing all four parts for only 4 seconds. By spending a few minutes focusing on your breath, it will help clear your mind of various clutter. This in turn can help you focus better.

    I would also encourage you to wear comfortable clothing (or none at all if you prefer). Clothing that is too tight, itchy, or otherwise uncomfortable can be very distracting. If you are in a private space, I would recommend trying your meditation without any clothes. It is actually quite freeing. But if this is not possible, then simply find the most comfortable clothes you have. You could also designate a certain outfit as your meditation clothes.

    I would love to hear any other things you do to prepare for meditation. Please leave me a comment. I may even include it in my daily meditation practice.

  • Essential Tips for Designing Your Ideal Meditation Area

    Essential Tips for Designing Your Ideal Meditation Area

    If you’re trying to meditate and encountering some setbacks, I would like to offer a few suggestions. These have been helpful for me.

    First, designate a space. It should be someplace quiet, with minimal distractions. It should also be comfortable, but not too comfortable or you might fall asleep. Having something soft to sit on may help. Either soft or natural lighting is also a plus. While I find nature calming, you may not always be able to be outside. If using an indoor space, try having some nature photos or paintings you can use in its place. Another option would be having some potted plants nearby. I don’t recommend using animals as a stand-in for nature as they commonly wander in and out. It should be convenient and easily accessible. A part of your home or yard is best. I also find it helpful if this space is not used for anything else.

    My meditation space is a little clearing in our yard, which is surrounded by trees. I can not be seen from the outside and I have very little noise. There is about a 10 ft path I walk. This helps give me about a minute to prepare myself so my mind is calmer. I always make sure to remove my shoes and socks and wear loose, comfortable clothing. This is another part of the preparations.

    Where do you like to meditate? Leave a comment with any suggestions or tips you would like to share.

  • Healing from Broken Trust: A Personal Journey

    Healing from Broken Trust: A Personal Journey

    I feel that today I was given a direction to focus my healing and shadow work. It’s all about broken trust. Both my trust that others have broke and the trust I broke of others. I am not sure where to start on this particular path. I know this is a deep seated issue. It goes back to when I was a young child and recurs often throughout my life.

    My mother broke my trust many times. She would hurt me when I needed comfort. Let me down when I needed her support. When I tried as a child to be a better daughter, I was rebuffed. Finally, as an adult and mother myself, I gave up.

    I know how much it hurt when my trust was broken. So, I feel especially guilty when I break the trust of someone else. I still feel guilt for things that happened decades ago. Somehow, I’ve got to find a way to heal and let go of this guilt and hurt.

  • Improving Relationships and Finances: A Personal Journey

    Improving Relationships and Finances: A Personal Journey

    Today’s meditation was both encouraging and a little scary. I believe that I was contacted by the Goddess Hecate. I learned that I can’t stop thinking about my job because I rely on it to pay my bills. Money has become a main focus lately. I’m trying to become financially independent so I can retire. Once I’m at that place, I will stop obsessing about money and finances.

    I’ve also been having some relationship issues. I was given some much-needed advice about how to improve my marriage.

    Things are starting to fall into place. I just need to take more action. I need to stop waiting for others to make the first move.

  • Starting a Healthy Journey: Druidry and Well-Being

    Starting a Healthy Journey: Druidry and Well-Being

    One my druidry journey, I have come to learn many things. The first thing I am learning is the need to take care of myself. Part of druidry is taking care of the earth. It is difficult to do so, if my health and vitality is not at its optimal. This concept reminds me of the phrase, “Put on your own oxygen mask before helping those around you.” Taking care of the earth is no different. The good news is that doing so will also allow the earth to nurture and care for us. She can provide us with clean air and water through her natural cleansing process. She also provides us with nurturing wholesome food, if we just let her.

    So, starting today I am beginning a journey of healthy eating and exercise. Along with this, will be mental health exercises like meditation and gratitude.

  • Lessons from Blue Jays and Catbirds

    Lessons from Blue Jays and Catbirds

    Today’s visitors were a catbird and a blue jay. The jay is part of the crow family and signals the coming into one’s power. Blue jay can teach me to use my power to its fullest and correctly. The blue jay symbolizes working in two worlds, like heaven and earth. Since jays do not migrate it can symbolize that there is plenty of time to develop your gifts. It can also caution that if you dabble in too many areas, you will master none of them. So, it is most likely telling me to focus on one path. And to let my power shine through.

    As for the catbird, it is a sign of communication. It is a sign to be careful of your communications. It can also signify new people coming into your life, that you will need to effectively communicate with.

    I am putting the two birds together. I believe that I am going to find a new person that will help me learn my druidic path. I’ve noticed that I’ve had a lot of birds come visit me lately. Cardinal, finch, hawk, blue jay, and catbird have all come to visit my sacred circle lately. I feel like I’m on the cusp of something big about to happen.

  • Signs of Good Luck: The Finch’s Symbolism Explained

    Signs of Good Luck: The Finch’s Symbolism Explained

    Today I heard “It is time”. When I responded, “Time for what”, it repeated “It is time”. So, I guess something is either happening or going to happen. The fun part of getting messages is trying to figure out what they mean. If I figure this one out, I’ll let you know.

    I was also joined by a finch today. Finches are a sign of good things to come. It can be anything from simple good luck to negative things being removed from your life. All in all, I would say it was a good day today.

  • Confronting Your Spiritual Shadow: Finding Your True Self

    Confronting Your Spiritual Shadow: Finding Your True Self

    It took a very painful fight, but this weekend I discovered the biggest part of my shadow is my spirituality. I had to keep my magical gifts hidden as a child due to my very religious upbringing. And then after getting married, I pushed it down even further out of fear for my children and husband. Now that I have finally come to terms with that part of myself it is wreaking havoc in my life.

    I am uncomfortable with those I’ve known for decades seeing me do my work. And when I meet new people, I’m afraid to show my true self out of fear of ridicule and rejection. Even with people who are on a similar spiritual path, it feels awkward and uncomfortable, painful even.

    I used to ridicule those who talked about raising vibrations, talking to plants, and full moon rituals. Now here I am, doing all the same things. It can be very difficult to confront that aspect of yourself that you’ve most denied. How does one even start? Acknowledging? Possibly, but it seems heretical to acknowledge it internally but not profess your beliefs. Maybe start with trusted friends and family? These same people who used to call the psychic a scam artist and the spiritual vegan crazy? Doesn’t seem like a safe place. Maybe go online and meet like-minded people? How do you know they are who they say they are. Again, not very safe. Especially with the trolls on the internet these days.

    The truth is many of us feel completely and utterly alone on this journey. We don’t know who to talk to, nor where to turn. I am discovering to keep my relationships and my sanity, I will need to open up more. This is not easy to do. Especially for me.

  • Exploring Shadow Work: Embracing Your Hidden Self

    Exploring Shadow Work: Embracing Your Hidden Self

    Today’s meditation brought another visit from a butterfly. This time it was a black swallowtail. Again, it symbolizes rebirth and transformation. Yet, since it is black in color, it also symbolizes shadow work and the shadow self. I was carrying a lot of frustration and anger today. So, this is probably a symbol of my darker emotions, and a need to better understand them. I have been thinking about doing this for a while. I guess this is my sign to dig in further.

    Shadow work is the practice of discovering and exploring all the parts of yourself that you have hidden. Often times, these aspects you have hidden even from yourself. I once heard someone say, “To find your shadow, think about a person you can’t stand to be around. Now list everything that you don’t like about that person. Those are the aspects of yourself that you dislike. So, you have pushed them down to the dark depths, hoping that no one will ever see it.” I have done this often. Especially with coworkers. Each time, I have found a part of me that I have tried to deny. I know that I have so much more shadow work to do. The question is, “Where to start?”.