I had another snake encounter! This time I was able to touch it! I was tempted to pick it up but was too nervous. I think it was too cold to act quickly which is why it tolerated my touch. It remained in the same location all day and I went back and touched it again. I talked to it and thanked it for allowing me to touch it. I think this is the same snake I saw last week because it was in the same general area.
I also had an encounter with a tiny, tan spider. It crawled on my hand and I placed it beside me and talked with it a while. It seemed like it was listening to me. 🙂
And I saw a beaver! It was swimming across the middle of the pond. I saw it again on the same day, too, much closer but it immediately dove under the water. I have video of the beaver on my FP but did not post it to YouTube. I didn’t get a photo to share. It was too far away. There is a beaver video on my YouTube, though, that is pretty good.
I included pics of the snake. There is one where the snake is in my shadow and it reminds me very much of the Kundalini and how it flows. I felt it symbolic of my own transformation, though I am not experiencing Kundalini energy at this time.
Two weekends ago I went to my cabin and parked in my garage. When I was getting out my boys started yelling and pointing to something. It was dead house finch laying in the middle of the driveway. They asked, “Did you kill it?” I don’t think I did. I didn’t see it when I pulled in, either. I picked it up and it was still warm. The boys buried it soon after.
Less than a week later I went to the family home, my ex’s home, to pick up some packages and take our dog on a walk (ex is in India on a business trip). I went inside and then came back out to put my packages in my car. On my way back in I saw another dead house finch. It was laying right on the stoop. I don’t know how I didn’t see it previously. This finch had been dead longer and there were a few fire ants on its beak. I picked it up and tossed it in the creek area.
So, two dead finches, less than a week apart. Both unseen initially.
A dead or injured finch could symbolize:
Endings of specific life cycles
Need for personal transformation
Warning about potential obstacles
Invitation to release past limitations; Source: Finch Symbolism
When I consider the meaning of the dead finches, I take into account the environment at the time and what I was feeling. The first finch, found just outside the garage, could be indicating that I am no longer “parked” in life – that period in my life is over. At the time I felt really sad about the finch because I thought I had killed it, but I honestly don’t recall seeing it when I pulled into the garage. Also, I remember seeing a little bird alive above the garage the last time I was there. It was feasting on the bugs around the light. I had been thinking of how I wouldn’t be enjoying my country home as much anymore with the new apartment and all. I was still considering renting or selling.
The second finch I also missed initially (perhaps I am missing something still?). This one was near the front door. I wasn’t thinking of anything in particular this time, just taking the dog on a walk and feeling tired because I was getting over a cold. However, considering it was right on the front doorstep, perhaps it was a reminder of the end of my time in that particular space – maybe even in both spaces?
Snakes
All month I have been encountering snakes. I have lost count of how many I’ve run into, but just yesterday two snakes crossed my path and the second snake decided to bless me with its presence twice at two different times of the day!
Snakes symbolize transformation, intuition, rebirth and healing. They can also represent the Kundalini and its transformative energy.
I am hoping this means the Kundalini is still smoldering, lingering, just waiting to burst into flame once again. I don’t necessarily want a crazy K-Rising event but I don’t have control over such things. The K does what it does and there is no containing it once it decides to run its course. I am hoping, though, that I have cleared enough from previous risings that the intensity is much more tolerable. Regardless, I’ve enjoyed all my snake encounters of late. I find them fascinating and, at times, I even want to pick them up. I just don’t feel confident enough in my identification to risk it. Hahaha Even the non-venomous ones will bite.
Enjoy the pictures of my snake friends. All but the one pictured in water was seen near my pond. All of the snakes live in and around water. Perhaps water (emotion) is part of the message they bring?
plain bellied water snakeplan bellied water snakecommon water snakecotton mouthcotton mouth
For those who would like to see the snakes in motion, check out my YouTube page and go to the Shorts section. I have lots of videos of the animals and creatures I encounter out at my cabin. Here is the video of the plain bellied water snake pictured above. Isn’t it beautiful!? This one I initially saw around noon and then again at around 4pm.
I spent several days out a my new abode – alone. The solitude was much needed. I’ve been experiencing sleep difficulties again and high blood pressure (yikes!). My BP is averaging 140/90+, the bottom number being the most volatile, sometimes going up to 107! My Dr. isn’t concerned because it comes down when I am calm, but I am not calm very often these days. Stress is the culprit, thus my retreat away from everyone and everything for a few days.
Ample sleep was gotten as was plenty of slow, stress-free time alone. I have a sleep number bed that tells me how well I sleep with a range from 1-100, 100 being the best sleep ever. My numbers are usually in the low 70s and high 60s. For three nights my numbers were in the 80s! Yay!
I took a ton of walks and did some breathing meditations. I’ve been exploring Buddhist practices, starting with short, mindfulness meditations. I haven’t gone past 5 minutes yet, but am working on it. I think my guidance approves because I got a message yesterday morning upon waking, “Purpose is in the moment.” It is indeed.
Hummingbird
Two days into my retreat I was in the kitchen cleaning up some dishes when I noticed a hummingbird flying around with something in her mouth. I had never seen a hummingbird do that so I paid closer attention. It wasn’t long before I saw her going back to the same place on a tree. A tiny crook at the end of a twig. I went outside to look closer and saw what looked like a bunch of moss stuck on the twig. The hummingbird buzzed my head as I thought, “She’s making a nest!”
As the day progressed, I checked on her progress periodically. By the end of the day she had a thimble sized nest and I took the opportunity during a passing thunderstorm to sit outside with my camera to take pictures and video (you can hear the thunder on the video). She was not very afraid of me so I was able to get pretty close, about 10ft away, which allowed me to zoom in really close.
Honestly, I was fascinated and appreciative that she would choose to share with me such a private part of her tiny life. Just writing about it makes me emotional for some reason. The pictures and video don’t come close to how beautiful she and her tiny nest are.
I plan to keep a watch over the nest in the coming weeks. I can’t wait to see tiny eggs and, hopefully, babies. I may even take a feeder out just so she has some nourishment close by during the hellishly hot summer days.
Below are some pictures of mama hummingbird. Here is a link to a video from my YouTube channel. Please forgive the shiftiness of the video. My camera is designed to prioritize photos, not video. I need to get a tripod and set it up on my back porch with my camera aimed at the nest. 🙂
While in the midst of taking videos of mama hummingbird I noticed a magnificent rainbow arching across the sky. It remained for nearly the entire time I was outside observing her. Such a blessing!
Hummingbird Totem
“Hummingbird as a spirit animal represents flexibility (our ability to accept and implement change), lightheartedness, and joy. Other associations shared by these Lightworkers include remaining present, freedom, awakening happiness and hope, a lightness of spirit, quick responses, reversing melancholy, tirelessness, and fortitude”. Source
It seems to me hummingbird is a further reminder to me that it is of utmost importance for me to continue taking time to myself, enjoying the solitude of my new home and all the blessings of nature and life. Mindfulness meditation and staying present in the moment go hand-in-hand with her message as well.
Thank you hummingbird, I hear you!
Some photos of my weekend. Hopefully they lift your spirit like they did mine. The colors of the sunset after the rain – breathtaking!
Living Life in Between 