by Nanci Wesling Have you ever come across a book that captures your imagination and opens a world of possibilities, you begin to practice the ideas then you get distracted and set it aside? Then you pick it up again a few months later and set it aside again. Then it catches your eye next year... The pattern repeats again and again until, one day, you simply don't get to put it down again; you must pay attention. For me, one of these books has been The Personal Totem Pole by Eligio Steven Gallegos. I first heard of this book in 1993. It was probably a year before I read it. Steve is a psychotherapist who has always had a fascination with the Totem Poles of the Pacific Northwest and the peoples who make them. About twenty years ago, through a series of what are often called "meaningless coincidences," he had a spontaneous experience in which he found animals at two of his chakras. He explored further and discovered animals in each of his chakras, and he was inspired to ask them to join him in a council. They were willing to do that. Most of the chakra animals were big and powerful creatures, but his grounding animal, the one living at the first chakra, was a small rabbit. He became aware immediately that this little rabbit was quite frightened by the other members of the Council. It told the group that it felt vulnerable and out of place, that it didn't feel like it belonged with all these big and powerful animals and, really, it should just leave. As Steve listened to this rabbit speaking of its insecurities, he recalled a long-forgotten childhood memory. He was just five years old and starting kindergarten. A few days after school began, his teacher came to him one morning and told him he was much too smart to be in kindergarten. She took him by the hand and they walked down a very long hallway (you may remember yourself how big those hallways seemed during your first days in school), opened the door to the first grade classroom and put him in a seat, then turned and left. He felt very small among these bigger children and wanted to leave, so he did! Of course the new teacher came and got him and put him back in his seat, and there he stayed, feeling intimidated and insecure. Watching this inner movie, Steve realized that he had felt that way throughout his extensive educational career (he had a Ph.D. by then): he didn't belong, everyone else was somehow bigger and better prepared than he was, he was always on the verge of running away from each classroom. As this part of his life flashed before him, he became aware that the other animals in the circle were all praising the Rabbit and telling him he did, indeed, belong with them, that he was a very important part of the Council, and he was highly valued by all of them. As the Rabbit listened, he grew bigger and bigger, until at last he felt he was equal in stature to the other animals. He was now comfortable in their presence, truly an integral part of the Council. Then the magic happened for Steve. From that moment on, he never again felt he was too small, too insignificant, not up to the task at hand. His self-doubts vanished and he became comfortable with himself and his abilities. He was so impressed by his experience, he immediately began using the animals in his practice and has had astounding results, watching people blossom into their wholeness as their past wounds are ever-so-gently revisited and made whole again by the wonderful, loving Council of chakra animals. He has found that people's animals often change or evolve over time, yet they always remain a coherent and capable support team. My Own Chakra Animals This past November I was privileged to attend a workshop with Steve. I had explored my chakra animals once when I first read the book, but felt intimidated by and unqualified to work with one of them, so I set it aside. When the book fell off the shelf again earlier this year I met another group of animals, but was still unsure how to proceed. I stayed in touch with them periodically, however, then discovered the workshop and immediately signed up. In my first attempt with this work, I had found a white dove at my solar plexus chakra. It appeared to be battered and bloody, and this is what I felt unable to work through alone. When I revisited my animals earlier this year, the dove was not among the Council; however, at the workshop the dove appeared again, this time as my grounding animal. I realized that what I had perceived many years ago as "battered and bloody" was actually just a birthing sac surrounding the dove. This time she came easily out of the sac and was immediately pure white and flying. She brought my father and I together as I watched, and the two of us experienced the healing of a long-time wound. Near the end, the dove and I flew off, then returned with an olive branch and presented it to him. There is still some distance between us that must be healed in this world of imagery, as he passed on many years ago. And it was a tremendously moving experience, very real, and the feelings of comfort and healing are quite profound. I invite you to join me as I integrate the animals into the intuitive and spiritual counseling and essence work I am now doing. If you are interested in meeting your chakra animals and would be willing to commit to 2 to 4 sessions a month for up to 3 months, scheduled at your convenience, give me a call or send an email to nanci@featherhawk.com. The fee is just $25 per session for up to 3 months. Beginning in January I will be offering a series of classes the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month exploring many of the topics that have sparked my interest since 1983 including essence therapy, energy work, the chakra animals, metaphysical principles, creative potential, and holistic health. Assuming Armageddon did not strike and we are all alive and well, the first class will be held Wednesday, January 12 from 7 to 9 pm in New Albany. Classes are $10 each, $50 for six if paid in advance. Each class will be a complete in itself and you may attend as many or as few as you wish. Call today to register! At the first meeting January 12 we will reflect on the recent Y2K experience and its significance in a metaphysical context. January 26: Chakra Animals. February 9: Sacred Geometry Essences. February 23: Body Awareness and Intuition. March 8: The Seven Chakras, and March 22: Dowsing with a Pendulum. Take advantage of this opportunity to exploreexciting possibilities forthe new millennium. Please note: these topics are subject to change by inspiration!
Rev. Nanci Wesling was ordained in 1999 by Dr. Willard Fuller of the Lively Stones Fellowship. She offers spiritual healing and counseling, Reiki and energy work, essence therapy, and produces featherhawk nature essences. Check out the web site at http://www.featherhawk.com, email: nanci@featherhawk.com, or call 812/949-0478 to register for classes. Illuminations |
The information in this web site is for educational purposes only. It has not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult your health care professional if you have any questions. © 1999-2015 by Nanci Wesling. All text and images on this site are protected by Copyright law. No text or images may be copied, altered, reused or modified without written permission from the owner of this site.
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