West Fork Trail, Sedona, Arizona experience!

On 9.6.06, Yolande Grill, Janet C and myself went to West Fork Trail.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here is what I refer to as "Goddess HQ" area. This is a highly sacred area for the sacred feminine. It is a place to heal one's feminine side (left side) of a man or woman. There is a flat, red sandstone 'table' not far away where I love to go eat my lunch, give part of it away to the elementals, insects and animals, and just look at the awe inspiring red sandstone that has vertical colorations of white, red, black and other colors. Not to mention the reflective Oak Creek that once more tells us, "As above, so below...."

This is an incredibly beautiful, other worldly, magical spot about twenty miles up into Oak Creek Canyon, north of Sedona, Arizona.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
This morning, as I was getting packed for our hike to West Fork,this beautiful fuschia morning glory peeked up and out of the foliage of one of my tropical plants that has varigated green with yellow spots on its leaves--makes for a pretty picture!


You might recall, on one of my first blogs, it was on the Brin Fire, which started just north of Sedona earlier this year--and our greatest fear was that magnificent one-of-a-kind Oak Creek Canyon, would go up in flames. Did you know that this lovely canyon, which is fifty miles long and climbs from 4,500 feet to 7,000 feet at Flagstaff, is our #2 tourist attraction in our state right behind the Grand Canyon. THAT is how beautiful, awe-inspiring and breath stealing it is.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here are the beautiful yellow daiseys that proliferated the main trail head into the Oak Creek area of West Fork.


And West Fork, literally, is the crown jewel of this canyon. The Tibetan lamas from overseas, when they come to Sedona, go first up into the canyon, to West Fork and then to a secret place up on the trail where they hold secret and sacred ceremonies. That is how special this place is.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here is lovely Oak Creek from the bridge that spans it along the West Fork Trail.


I take all my students up to West Fork a number of times over the years to get in touch with the magic of the area. Many medicine people, men and women, bring their students here, too, to train them. It is a major spiritual center no matter what your belief system.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here is Janet C. (left) and Yolande Grill (right) at the trail head sign of West Fork.



And so, the three of us packed our lunch and took off in Yolande’s Honda. As we drove up 89A north, heading for Sedona, you could see the red rocks ahead. And, even more exciting, the monsoon thunder clouds/beings were already amassing at 10:00 a.m. in the morning and I told Yolande she should bring her wet gear--which she did.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here we are driving toward Sedona. You can see the Red Rocks that comprise the Mogollon Rim area. And, look at those Thunder Being gathering so early in the morning. I knew we'd get rain at West Fork sometime in the afternoon!


Yolande and I have traversed West Fork over the years many times and we fall in love with it all over again. This was Janet’s first foray into this incredible gift of Nature. We were already: we had our cameras, our journals, pens and hats and white long sleeved cotton shirts to ward off the intense Arizona sunlight.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here is Janet standing on the trail head leading into West Fork. Look at the rolling carpet of yellow daiseys surrounding her! Notice the Rim which is composed of white dolomite rock and red sandstone. It is a magnificent palette of colors that surround Janet.


I’m going to go through a series of photos and they will tell the rest of the story for the day which was more than just magical!


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
These are scarlet morning glories that were all over the place! It was an amazing thing to see all these little red heads nestled and climbing among the fields of yellow daisies.


Copyright Eileen Nauman
Here is a honeybee working with Scarlet Bugler. These red flowers were intermixed with the yellow daisies and the red Morning Glories.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Down a little ways on the West Fork Trail there were a whole bunch of bustling, big black Carpenter Bees who were working over the Scarlet Bugler as well. I love the Carpenter Bees--they are so gentle. You can actually telepathically communicate with them and they'll respond. They are gentle giants.


Copyright Eileen Nauman
Here is Fall color already occuring at West Fork....in October, the leaves will turn and this place becomes a breathtaking display that will rival the East Coast/New England area. I intend to get up to West Fork when the leaves are turning to prove it to you!


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
There was a huge stand of lovely Goldenrod along the trail. As a flower essence, Goldenrod lifts the spirit, removes the heaviness you carry on your shoulder and in your soul. I love this as a flower essence because it looks like an explosion of light and joy showering up and outward. It's great for depression and for those who carry heavy loads who have lost hope of ever seeing light at the end of the gauntlet they must trod.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
As I was admiring the happy Goldenrod I saw one was decorated like a Christmas tree with ornaments--BUG ornaments! Aren't they pretty? A red bug and a black and yellow caterpiller!



Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
And, hidden and almost out of view is our shy little Fleabane Daisy from the Aster Family. Her purple petals are a lovely contrast to all the blaring red and yellow colors that surround her.



Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here Janet is jotting down some notes from her observation of the Goldenrods



Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
We are just about to get to Oak Creek when we see this lovely little wild Geranium in all her magenta glory!


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here is another view of Goddess HQ on Oak Creek on the West Fork Trail. Look at how secluded it is. When you look at it, do you get a sense of peace, calmness and nurturing? You should because those are the major energies that are there and greet you when you step into Her Office.



Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Yolande Grill is entering another sacred area known as Mother Earth's womb. This place reminds me of a Japanese garden--one boulder--a lot of sand, quiet, curving, reflective water and the massive red sandstone cliffs that curve upward with white, black, gray colorations. And it is in those sandstone cliffs that come alive, magically, with faces, creatures and things you need to see that reflect something within you. This is one of the most sacred areas along the trail. You can come in carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders, but if you will give yourself the gift of meditating by the boulder or on top of it (with the rock spirit's permission), you will float, not walk, away back to the trail afterward. Such is the nurturing, feminine healing power of this very special spot. While we were there, it began to rain--there had been thunder carooming all around us all afternoon but it never rained. Only when we arrived at Mom Earth's womb,did the soft, gentle fall of rain begin. And then, as I sat on the boulder and meditated, my palms up, the drops would fall into my hands like the tears I was releasing and giving back to Mother Earth. Such a beautiful moment....



Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
All day long, Yolande was seeing snakes. She is at a fulcrum point in her life and ready to close one chapter and open a new one. Whenever we reach this point, a person often feels strung up by their heels, like the Hangman from the Tarot deck, and indecision wars with fears, hopes, dreams and desires. The first snake she saw was a Coachwhip snake, a small brown colored one and it was slithering West, which is the direction of death and dying. And of course, snakes are about death and shedding of the old skin or ways and rebirthing with a brand new more beautiful, colorful skin. Her second snake was a Coral Snake! These red, yellow and black snakes are from the Cobra family and their venom contains a neurotoxin that paralyzes a person and they stop breathing and suffocate as a result. We have Coral Snakes in Arizona. And they are usually very small, thin snakes. Yolande was walking along, saw the snake coming out of its hole near a fallen log and heard it call to her. She went back, looked at it, amazed, and it raised up on its front end to look at her. Then, some hikers went by and the snake dived back in its hole before she could get a photo of it. I asked her what snakes meant to her. Then, we went to Mother Earth's womb and I happen to look up in admiration and study the faces and figures in the sandstone cliff when I spotted--a SNAKE. I chuckled to myself and called Yolande over. I pointed at it and asked her, "What do you see?" She gasped. Yep, there it was--and you can see it too--a snake, big, dark brown raising up and her head coming forward, her eye white and you can see her tongue coming out of her mouth. So, that was three snakes for Yolande today and she 'got it.' She was having a "Snake Day."


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Coming out of our meditation and healing time with Mother Earth at Oak Creek along the West Fork Trail,we ambled back toward the parking lot. The sky was a churning gray, black and white because it had just rained. Everything had gotten a drink and you could literally hear the singing joy of all the plants and beings who thanked Father Sky and the Thunder Beings for the gift of their life-giving rain.



Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Along the trail back to the car, I spied something white among the field of yellow. There it was: A sacred Datura! And at 3:00 p.m. it was open and blooming which is unheard of! They open at night and close in the morning dawn. But here she was, strutting her stuff like the queen plant she is. Datura is a hallucinogenic plant and can kill you if you eat it. Her blooms, however, are other wordly and mystical and if you look at it for a bit, you feel somewhere else, too. I pointed all this out to Yolande and Janet. I told them that where ever you find Datura growing, that is sacred ground because this plant spirit, one of the strongest and most self-reliant of all, knows where good energy resides. Also, she looked incredibly queenly with the rain drops still on her petals. I told the girls she was open for them. And we took photos of some of the buds that would most likely bloom that night after everyone had left the park. I also told them that Datura plant spirit is a tough teacher and you can ask to sit with her, to be taught, but you had better know the protocols on how to deal with her or she'll tell you in no uncertain terms to buzz off and leave her alone. One of the wonderful things about knowing the protocols is having the honor of sitting with this Queen Plant being. She is so wise and knowing. And you don't have to eat her to recieve her knowledge which she will share with those who are humble, patient and will sit and meditate with her.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here is a Sacred Datura bloom that will, in all likliehood, bloom tonight after we leave. Notice the 'symbol' in it--the top of the bud. What does it remind you of? For me, it reminds me of a spiral armed galaxy spinning out in space. Or, a chakra in our etheric body spinning its propeller petals bringing in life-giving prana to our aura and self.



Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
This is a lovely photo to end our hike to West Fork for the day. Janet spied this apple tree--there are many around, the apples dropping, bright red and green. The deer, peccary (wild pigs), skunks and racoons will come around after dark to gobble them up--a true dessert and feast for all of them. What caught Janet's artistic eye (she has an art degree from UCLA and a math degree), was the one red apple left on this gnarled, old apple tree. Sort of a bansai kind of photo. So, we took it and I hope she enjoys seeing it on the blog. The tree, which is probably near seventy years old, is still bearing fruit. Seventy is VERY old for any fruit tree and at that age, they are pretty beat up and over their fruit bearing years. But not this old grandmother...she was still trucking. We stood and admired her for many minutes because we knew that someday, we'd look just like her and feel like her. We hope that we are still able to bear fruit at that age and I believe we will--she's proof of it.


We hope you've enjoyed coming along with us on our sacred hike to a sacred area. One of these days, I hope you can come to magical Oak Creek Canyon and see the everyday magic that exists with every step along the West Fork Trail.

In Spirit....

WRITING: Book Title--how do we create them?

Hi Everyone!


Titles....

Ever wonder how a title gets on an author’s book?

My editors, over the years, have always had a good laugh with me because it’s not a problem to write a book. But ask me to give it a great title, and I fall flat on my face! Usually.

A great title does so many things. First, it captures the ESSENCE of the book. Secondly, it snags (we hope) a passing reader’s interest as she walks up and down the book shelf aisles of a bookstore. Thirdly, it must EXCITE the reader (not to mention, the author, too).

Since I’m so bad at titles, my editor can do one of several things. They go to editorial meetings and during it, my editor may give the gist of my book and ask all these creative editors to throw some titles up to her--and she writes them down. Or, my editor may go door-to-door with other editors telling them she needs a title for my book. Lastly,the editor may not consult anyone, but sit there and create a list of titles herself. In the end, whatever titles and however they got created and by whom, eventually are sent to me in either an email or a phone call or both.

I always get a choice of several--sometimes six or seven title ideas. I choose the one that feels best to me--it resonates in my heart--and I also try to choose one that best identifies with the gestalt of the book.

Let me give you two examples here. First, my December , 2006 novel for HQN, BEYOND THE LIMIT, was not called that at first. All authors have what is known as a ‘working title’ on a book they’re writing. In my case, I just called this book, “Pete’s Book.” This book is about Morgan and Laura’s second son, Pete Trayhern. And since I’m so lousy at titles, I just called it “Pete’s book,” for lack of a better one! By the time the book is finished and I send it to my editor, she reads it. And my editor knows how bad I am at titles, so she’s looking and scanning the gestalt of the book for a better title than I came up with! My editor called me one morning and told me she thought she had the perfect title for Pete’s book. I said, “Oh, good!” with relief in my voice.

My editor suggested BEYOND THE LIMIT and explained that the whole book is about two people unwillingly falling in love in a dangerous environment of Afghanistan. Further, their jobs, both as engineers on a construction project forbade any kind of personal relationship or romantic entanglements. Both the hero, Major Pete Trayhern, a heroic US Marine and head of the coal fired electric power plant as the manager, and Cali Rowland, the head of the construction consortium to build it, cannot fall in love with one another. But they do....and they fight it tooth, hammer and nail....literally and figuratively. And so, they go ‘beyond the limit’ of the rules of engagement at a construction site and fall helplessly in love with one another...but of course, neither will admit it to the other or even to themselves....until something tragic and shocking occurs. Then, all bets are off. And we watch both the hero and heroine go ‘beyond the limits’ of their own, personal reality, of their being in uncharted territory with themselves and one another.

It was the perfect title! And I loved it. And I raved enthusiastically about this title and profusely thanked my brilliant editor for her insight and understanding of the book. Dodged the bullet on that one! haha. I was relieved because titles, usually, are just such a pickle for me. I’m too close to my work, to my book, to see the core of it and come up with some catchy, zingy title.

Let me tell you about UNFORGIVEN and how it got its title. The hero loses his family. And he wants revenge. And on a larger, more symbolic level, there is what is known as the Emerald Key. It is a necklace, fashioned by hand, by the Incas thousands of years earlier. Each golf-ball size emerald sphere has a word inscribed upon it. And the first one that is found has written on it: Forgiveness. And so, the first book is about two people, the hero and heroine, who have both tragically lost everything they loved. And each is UNFORGIVEN. Toward their nemesis, as well as to themselves. And so, the greater layer of this book is about what forgiveness is about and how it can free us in the long term. It was easy to come up with a title on this one! And when I suggested to my editor, she agreed. And so, this was one of the few times that I named one of my books!

In Spirit...

Give and Take.....

Hi Everyone

Have we gone so far from our center point of balance as human beings to one another that we have become thoughtless and centered only on ourselves in this time of chaotic energy? I see it all the time in the younger generations, unfortunately. There is no care, no thoughtfulness, no sense or sensitivity toward another person of what they might be going through, what their needs may be or to be--gosh--just socially aware of more than one’s self. And we all go through this stage of learning give and take--every last one of us without exception. The only way we ‘get it’ is to do it. That’s how life evolves down here on Earth for us two-leggeds.

As we treat others like this, that is how we really feel INSIDE ourselves. Imagine that you take, take, take, but never give or reciprocate in return to those who give to you. That is how this person feels unconsciously on an every day basis--everything and everyone is taking from her or him--and so when you feel that depleted, that EMPTY, of course you’re not going to be able to GIVE anything else to anyone else, as a result. No wonder they don’t think to give out of love or generosity, or kindness or thoughtfulness.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here are some of our bright little glads


Give and Take. You know, there’s a Spiritual Law about this: what you put out, you get in return. I call this “Rubber band Karma” in action. Let’s look at some examples:

1. If you take, take, take, then Spirit will ensure that others will take, take, take from you to balance out this extreme imbalance. There’s nothing wrong with taking. We all need to learn to grab the brass ring of life, to reach out for our dreams, to roll up our sleeves and take. It is the extreme of taking that I’m referring to here.

2. If you give, give, give, then Spirit will ensure that others will give to you in return. Of course, there’s a balance to this giving too (as there is with taking). You should not give until you are giving yourself, your time, energy, lifeblood energy, to another person or situation. Balance asks us to know when to stop giving and to receive back so that we may refresh and invigorate ourselves. Balance is about strong boundaries, the ability to say NO and ENOUGH (giving).


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here is our tree peony in full bloom--she's just incredibly paper thin petals, so fragile and yet, gorgeous in all her glory for about five days--not to mention that delightful fragrance she shares with all who sniff her.


For every energy of giving (but not in the extreme), Spirit will reward you in kind, in equal measure, back to yourself. Give and take. When you realize this, it might go better in realizing that instead of taking greedily or needy all the time--that you might consider giving something out, if a little, instead.

Why do people take to the extreme?

Psychologically it’s because they are NEEDY. Their motto is: “I want....”

Why are they needy?

Because something of value (on a usually unconscious level) was taken from them. They have lost it, are in a void or vacuum without it, inwardly speaking and feel ‘it’ is missing, or that it was stolen from them. Usually it’s a parent or a spouse or life in general--take your pick of the culprit here--who has robbed or stolen this energy or part of themselves, from them. When you rob a child of their individuality, their uniqueness, squash their spontaneity, their creativity, make fun of them, or shame them, they feel unloved and unwanted. This sets up an energy of NEEDINESS in order to resupply themselves some how and in some way with what was taken from them. Nature abhors a vacuum. So, if you feel empty inside, then you are NEEDY and you will do something to fill yourself up again--even at the expense of another person or people/place/situation or event. That is the way we are until we learn better.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here is a double Hollyhock that grows on the north side of our greenhouse. Ruffles and flourishes!


This is all usually done on an unconscious level within ourselves. What we fill ourselves up with, of course, remains to be determined by each individual. Free will choice falls into this pattern. From an unhealthy standpoint, it runs the gamut from smoking, to alcohol, drug addiction, sugarholic, gambling addict, ect, ect. Or, we hang around ‘stronger’ people (we perceive them as powerful than ourselves) and suck off them unconsciously, to remain in their aura of presence and power (because the needy person feels they have none of the above qualities personally--so they attach themselves to someone who, in their mind, does).

Needy people often have learned how to survive in life by becoming manipulators, play the game of triangulation (play two people and themselves in a triangle of energy and manipulation), and may have passive-aggressive behavior. They become the beta dog, rolling over on its belly to appease the alpha dog so that they won’t be bitten, killed or driven off; so that they remain part of the ‘pack.’

Why are people greedy?

Their motto is: “I take...”

Because they have been pushed aside, told they aren’t of value, are worthless or second best, and so they try to make up for it by getting in there to make SURE they get their share of whatever it is that they need to supply it to themselves. Greed implies a loss of VALUE in the person. What of value was lost? Self-esteem? Importance? Being valuable? Greed doesn’t always imply that a person is just greedy for money. Although money can be the outer projection of the inner loss. More importantly--it is about VALUE. Your value. Being valued by others. Valuing yourself regardless of how others treat you. It’s about self-esteem on a deep level, too.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 200w
These are gorgeous Fuschia in St. Nectan's Glen in Cornwall, England. I visited this magical place that is full of fairy folk in 2002.



Forms of greediness can range from:

1. Energy Vampire: greed for energy (you unconsciously ‘drain’ another person’s aura of energy and greedily suck it up into your own aura and you walk away feeling like a million dollars while the other person feels like a limp piece of spaghetti after contact with you).

2. Me, Me, Me: Center of attention (and so you elbow, push and shove to get to the front where this powerful or important person is so that you can bask in their aura of power) to be ‘seen’ with them.

3. I Want To Be Famous: Fame (making sure you hang around with powerful people, becoming a sycophant who nibbles at the edges of their power which was never yours in the first place--but you think it is because the mantle of that person’s importance is like an umbrella over you--so you naturally assume their power and never your own). Fame casts a shadow, all right....but it’s a very dark one and not healthy.

4. I Need to Be Recognized As Important: Importance (being noticed by those in authority is important to you because to be noticed IS to be important in your reality). Because you have been told some previous time or some old family tape that you are not important, this drives you to become so.

5. Gangs: Being recognized by a certain element (think of gang bangers) because you share unconsciously, a common bond of ethnicity, similar backgrounds or wounding.

6. I Have to be Rich: Money becomes this person’s god. Or possessions can play the same role. The more money one has, the more possessions, obviously, the more power and important they are to the world’s eyes. Sadly, our greatest riches are the inward journey we take into ourselves--and that no money can ever buy. But this treasure chest remains unopened to this individual at this time of learning.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here is our Rock Rose bush in our center planter. Dr. Bach of the Bach Flower Remedy fame, has this as one of his flower essences. It is part of a 5-flower essence combo that creates "Rescue Remedy." Rock Rose is for shock.


Behavior: Long ago, a greedy person found out if he or she doesn’t get assertive or aggressive in TAKING what they NEED, that they will get nothing. Fighting to get what you want is part of a greedy person’s attack pattern. They see life as either aggressively moving against them or they against it to attain what they feel they need and/or deserve. Again, an ‘old pattern’ that started long ago and usually took root in our childhood.

We can all remember--maybe today, yesterday, a week or month ago, when we did one of these things, too. We were takers instead of being givers. We got greedy about something because we thought we were going to be passed over and get nothing.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2002
Here is a beautiful, unidentified flower I saw on a cottage fence on my way to St. Nectan's Glen in Cornwall, England. Isn't it beautiful? Fairy-like?



This all comes down to balance of knowing when to give and take. And realizing greed is really an open wound in us that needs to be tended, cleaned out, and closed. Then, greed no longer runs you or is around to cause havoc in your life.

And what I really hope is that while I go through these phases, these lifetimes of learning these things, that others, who have already passed through these phases or schools of education, will see where I’m at--not judge me--but continue to love me despite myself.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here are two pink water lilies in my aquatic tank. Aren't we just like them? Water is emotions. The mud of our lives is what their roots are in. And yet, despite the turmoil and inability to see through the emotions of our life at time, we, like them, are still beautiful. They are proof of this process.

In Spirit.....

A Time of Transformation...

Hi Everyone!

I’m teaching all this coming week so won’t have a whole lot of time to blog as I might want. I love teaching metaphysics to people; it’s a delight and joy to see the light go on in their eyes and to seem them expand, grow, get ‘aha’s’ and make connections deep within themselves.


Eileen Nauman 2006
Here is the big thunder being on the eastern horizon as the sun set tonight.


You know, life isn’t about the outer journey, really. It is about the one we take within ourselves. From my Native American roots, we are taught from birth that our best teachers are inside ourselves. We know what we need to know. The only problem is that early in life, many children have this taken from them and are taught to defer to things outside themselves. That’s ashamed.

Most of the people I teach and do workshops for are people who are in search of themselves--who want to go in after realizing that what they are searching for is not out there--but in here. In each of us.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here is the multicolor horizontal striations of color beginning with tonight's sunset. Magnificent!


I love to pass on the ‘tools’ I’ve been cross trained with and be able to share them with those who are ready to take off or go deeper into their internal journey of themselves.

And in my greenhouse, one of my spectacular orchids, a green blooming one, bloomed today! She has THREE blooms on her. And she never opens at this time of year--she is a Christmas orchid--blooms in mid-December. But, here she is--strutting her magnificent stuff--and she bloomed ahead of time for these four women students. She is green, the color of the heart chakra, of love and compassion. And she was opening for them. It was pretty impressive and I showed them the flower. What a lovely synchronicity.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here is my Christmas orchid blooming in September for the four students who came for teaching today in my hogan.


Pluto went direct this afternoon and it was a grueling day on all my avid students. Each wanted to be here and be taught in my hogan where I had trained my shamanic students in earlier years. And of course, Pluto is the god of Transformation and three out of the four made a breakthrough on this first day--which is amazing. Usually, there is one breakthrough in a week. But these women were so ready and primed for their own inner journey that they leaped hurdles, scaled skyscrapers and went for broke--and made the breakthrough. It is an amazing and beautiful process to see unfold before my eyes. I am always amazed, always grateful to be a Witness to their pain and years of struggle being transformed into a gift that they give themselves. It is like watching a baby being born. And Pluto is the god of life and death, of rebirth and transformation. We sure did that today.

I was glad, to meditate afterward and come down--I run the energy of spirit through me all day long. The trick is getting out of the way and allowing it to come through to the students unhindered and without prejudice or blocking some of it with my own wounds and imperfections. Meditation is a wonderful way for me to come down and just ‘be’ in the quiet of myself.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here is the sunset in full glory.


And the walk tonight was quiet, too. Mark didn’t come on his ATV, so it was just me and Rocky. By the way, Rocky is completely over his Black Widow spider bite. On Sunday Dave and I tore our couch system apart because I had an intuition that the black widow spider that bit him was in our couch--somewhere. Sure enough--as we vacuumed every inch of it, we found the spider. It happened to be on the portion of the couch I sit on every night! I was vacuuming under one of the armrests and up popped the black widow! She ran and scurried across the material but I sucked her up in the vacuum in a blink of the eye. I yelled, “aha! I got her!” Afterwards, I took the vacuum sack outside and set it down by the bank of the stream so that she could climb out of it and make a new life on the bank--far away from our house.

The sunset was incredible tonight. There were ragged, dark clouds hanging around the horizon and later on, they turned a bright red lining. Another interesting facet to this sunset tonight was one cloud that looked like a teddy bear with big ears cloud with white lining around it staring at the sunset.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here is that "teddy bear" cloud with the white outline--which is highly unusual to see at sunset, but the rays of Father Sun were just right and shot through and outlined this cumulus cloud just right!

I thought that was spectacular. And then, as I walked back, the colors deepened and began to spread like a red-orange stain across the huge thunder being that was resting on the western horizon. Most interesting was a ‘cauldron’ like effect in the center of the clouds--as if someone were stirring a pot of bubbling stew--it was beautiful, round, and active.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here is the boiling cauldron effect in the sunset cloud--an invisible hand is stirring the cosmic pot in the sky!

As I walked back through the cut and looked back toward Sunset Point, the orange had deepened even more and it was breathtaking with some yellow down below it.

And, as I came down Cardiac Hill and was going around the corner I almost stepped on a baby, seven inch long KING SNAKE! Wow! It just laid there in the rut of the road. The other night, on 9.3, I had seen a Milk Snake, which is red/black, about six inches long, in the same area.

It was pretty dark and I couldn’t see much so I turned on my camera with flash to see who and what it was. As it flashed, I saw it was a yellow/cream color and black striped snake and recognized it as a baby King Snake. You know, King and Bull snakes are the only ones who can take on a rattlesnake and kill it. They are the natural balancers to Rattlers. And, as you know, we have our fair share of rattlesnakes in Echo Canyon!

Well, this little guy was so beautiful and I was so thrilled to see a King Snake after living here nearly 20 years, that I reached down and stroked it’s tail.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here is the baby King Snake--only about 7 inches long and pencil thin. But what a cutie!!

It was so soft, buttery leather-like and warm. Instantly, the little guy wiggled quick as a wink--and went to my boot--and almost went up my pant leg! I laughed with delight and eased my boot away from him and he turned around the wriggled right up to my right boot and nearly went up my right pant leg! Laughing, I told him he couldn’t hitch a ride home with me!


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here's a close up of the King Snake--see his black tongue? Such a cutie-pie!!
I gently removed my foot from him and then he scurried up out of the rut and into the vineyard. What a lovely snake!


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here is the Milk Snake I ran into the other night in just about the same place that the baby King Snake showed up tonight.

And a lovely end to a day of snakelike transformation where my four students worked hard to shed their old snake skin off of themselves to allow a new and more beautiful skin to rise to the surface so that they could continue their inner journey into the treasure chest of themselves.





Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
As I walked through the Cut and turned back and looked toward Sunset Point as it darkened, this was a brilliant red-orange sunset now.



Aho. And tonight's sunset photo....


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here's my favorite choice for tonight's sunset on 9.4.06, the day Pluto went direct.


In Spirit....

Catching Up....

Hi Everyone

As you well know when a crisis occurs in the family, a lot of things get let go to focus on it/the person/the situation. In our case, Rocky was bitten by a Black Widow Spider on 8.27 (Sunday) and we've had to drop a lot of things to attend to him. Luckily, he is doing fine now and seems to be back to his 'old self'. I have not given him another dose of Latrodectus mactans 200C (Black Widow homeopathic remedy) in 2 days and he's continuing to improve. So long as he improves one does not dose again. We just wait and watch.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here are the monsoons coming over Echo Canyon on 8.29.06


An update on CINNAMON, the horse. Her leg continues to be swollen in the same areas. The vet took 4 x-rays and found nothing. He suspects it was a cactus spine that entered the back of her knee area, worked its way in and now, the body has encapsulated it into a harden tumor. He can feel the hard little nub about 1/4 of an inch into her leg and so can I. He can't cut or do surgery. Our plan is to continue using Unna's boot (Gelocast), scrubbing and cleaning out the two open wounds that are there to take out discharge with soap/water, and then putting antibiotic ointment in them, placing clean, sterile gauze on each of them and rewrapping her leg--every 2 days. And that's what we've been doing since the last update. I then use kelly green vet wrap to put around the Unna's Boot to protect it. Linda Metzler, my friend and PaC (physician's assistant) has said that it may take up to a year for the Boot to draw out the cactus spine. And so, we are patient and we do our job and Cinnamon, bless her, is very good and stands still.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here are some fascinating "mushrooms hanging upside down clouds" that I saw on 8.30.06 at sunset


The good news is that the Boot draws out the excess fluids down below the knee about 50% so that they are no longer oozing out of her pastern and corona band (just above the top of the hoof) like it did before. Having a lot of open sores in those areas was a prescription for disaster--because eventually--one way or another, they would get infected and we’d have a battle on our hands in another way. The skin is about 95% closed and only a few leaks--so that’s good news. One takes relief in the small steps toward health. Cinnamon is fine. She looks pretty with her bright green leg wrap and her fly mask. She’s happy, eating her grass, stealing figs off our tree when we’re not looking. Life is good.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here is a lovely sunset time with a blue 'eye' in the middle of it all on 8.31.06


BOOK/READER GOOD NEWS: Despite this past week of Rocky being ill, several good things have occurred in regards to my writing career as Lindsay McKenna!

1. UNFORGIVEN, launch book for Silhouette Nocturne, the new paranormal series, will be offered to readers as an e-book at the same time the paperback version becomes available October 1, 2006. So, if you’re an ebook fan, just go over to Harlequin (the link is over on the right of my blog--just press it and go to ebooks). For those who have ebook readers--just think--you can download UNFORGIVEN into your computer and be one of the FIRST people to read it! And of course, I love feedback from my readers, so if you’re one of these people, just put your COMMENTS on the story in my blog!

2. Barnes and Nobel website has a number of newsletters.

Barnes and Nobel Newsletters

My “Dear Reader” letter on UNFORGIVEN being launched for Silhouette Nocturne will be in their “Explorer” and “Heart to Heart” newsletters--if you want to sign up for them. I’m really jazzed about this! It just spreads the word a little more on UNFORGIVEN and that’s exciting :-).


I’m going to put a whole bunch of photos below to sort of encapsulate the last week. Things I think you might like to see and enjoy. Thank you for all your emails about where the blog went. Sometimes, life happens and I can’t do the ‘other’ things I might like to do but can’t. I’m sure you all understand!


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
I met my friend, the Gopher Snake again just about dark as I was coming down through the vineyard on Cardiac Hill on 8.29.06. I almost step on him! I screeched to a halt and thought: "Oh no, someone's run over it and killed it!" It didn't move. It was stretched out to 4 feet and so I felt sad. I couldn't really see it because it was so dark and the rest of his body looked okay, so I figured a car had run over his head and killed him. I reached down to see how cold or warm the body was because I was going to pick it up and lift it off the road and put it on the berm. I touched his cool, soft tail. No movement. Then, I thought: I'd better make sure it's dead and I took out my camera and put it on flash because I couldn't see anything. When I flashed and took it's picture to see if the head was smashed and run over, I saw his tail barely move. Then, I thought, "Oh no, it's still alive and suffering!" Then, ditz that I am, I remembered Dave had given me a small flashlight to carry because when I wait for the sunset, its usually dark by the time I get home and he didn't want me stumbling and falling on the hill. So, I flashed the light on the head of the Gopher Snake and voila! It was alive! And then it started to move. I laughed out loud: he was playing 'dead' on me! And that's something a snake will do when threatened. Last time, as you recall, he hissed and rattled (earlier blog). This time, he just lay still. So, you could say he knew me and he wasn't all that threatened or he'd done the same thing. Also,I'd TOUCHED him; and he hadn't moved! That was another good sign of a burgeoning friendship. I took out my camera and took a few more photos of him as he slithered off. I noticed his neck was swelled up (it has to be to make those hissing/rattling sounds) but he never started making the sounds. So, there was some trust between us and that felt good. I told him good-bye, it was great meeting him again and I hoped we met again in the future.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here's another close up photo of my 'dead' Gopher Snake who was very much alive!


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here's another photo of my Gopher Snake friend--must find a name for him--I'm sure he has one...and next time he meets me, I'll ask him what he calls himself! He's heading off in the rut of the road on Cardiac Hill in a southwesterly direction.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here's a beautiful sunset photo looking toward Sunset Point as it grow dark and this was on 9.30.06


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
On 8.31.06, it was dark coming down Cardiac Hill and I heard a 'flutter, flutter, flutter' in the grape vineyard--a bird was caught in the netting again. Luckily, even though it was dark,I had my small flashlight with me. I divested myself of my camera and other unessentials and followed the sound. I finally found the bird--and it was either a Western Kingbird or a female Oriole--but I couldn't tell which because she was fluttering in the grape leaves/vines and it was just too dark to identify her. I finally caught her and brought her out. She was a beautiful female oriole! They are a puce yellow-green color. When I first caught her, she pecked at me and I soothed her told her I wasn't going to hurt her--then she stopped fighting.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here's the beautiful female Oriole I rescued from the grape netting. As I opened my hand, she sat in my palm. I told her: "You're free now..." and off she flew. And as she flew away she said CHEEP! as a way to thank me. It was a lovely, everyday magical moment.

So,that pretty much catches us up until today, 9.2.06

I trust you're having a wonderful Labor Day weekend!

In Spirit....

Dog Bit By Black Widow Spider

HI Everyone

Been a very busy, hectic, stressful few days since I blogged. Sometime Sunday night (8.27.06), after we went to bed,Rocky was bitten by a Black Widow Spider. I don't know if he got bit when he went outside to do his thing before we went to bed, or if he got bit inside our house, in the living room where he sleeps on his rug.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here's the Black Widow I saw that told me Rocky had been bit by a spider--not a scorpion. Today (9.1.06) I will gently remove her from her web and take her down to the creek and explain to her she cannot live on our back porch.....

Anyway, when we got up on Monday morning we had an appointment we couldn’t get out of and would be unable to deal with Rocky all day as a result--until the evening hours.

When I got up on Monday morning, Rocky had vomited three different times on our carpet--and it was a mess to clean up. And he was staggering around,his eyes dull and he was panting heavily. I thought at first maybe it was an impaction in his intestines. He also refused to eat--and this is a ‘foody’ dog--food is his world and life--except for Dave, who he loves unequivocally. We put him outside for the day and he went over to an earthen depression in his back yard, under the tree in the shade and laid down and didn’t want to move.

When we got home at 5:30 pm, Rocky was looking the same. It was very hard for him to get up and when he did--he’d stagger a little. And he’d take a couple of steps and start heavy panting again. I intuitively felt he’d been poisoned--probably by a Bark Scorpion, which we have in droves out here. So, homeopathy to the rescue. I gave Rocky a Lachesis 200C in water.

About five minutes after taking the remedy, he heaved again. I felt that was a good sign. He refused to eat. And his eyes remained dull. And his walking was unsteady and very little. He continued to pant with very little exertion. We were very worried. I called Linda Metzler, who is a shaman and a PaC and asked her to take a journey to see what had happened to Rocky. Being a shaman, you can move into nonordinary reality and check it out. She called me back later and said she saw Rocky bit behind the left ear by a scorpion--but she also said something ‘else’, a dark shadow, was nearby and she couldn’t make out exactly what it was.

That was confirmation for me--so I continued to give Rocky Lachesis 200C three times on Monday. And, he wouldn’t eat, but he was looking a big better--less unsteady and not panting as much and a little more walking energy than before. I was convinced we were dealing with a venom situation and I also knew that if Rocky had been a small dog (he weighs 140 pounds...), he’d be DEAD. The venom was that powerful. I continued to give him Lachesis on Monday (3 doses) and two of the times, five minutes after taking it, he threw up. Again, a good sign. And he was slowly getting better but refused to eat--only drink water and pee.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here is August 27, 2006 sunset


I kept thinking that his panting was odd....and Linda dropped over on Tuesday night and looked at him. She listened to his heart, palpated him to make sure there was no swelling or tenderness in his belly region (there was not). She is also a Reikie Master and she gave him a Reiki treatment--and shortly after that, he ate five small pieces of bread--for the first time. Which was a relief to all of us. He then got up and drank a lot of water--which was good.

Then, as Linda and I sat there with Rocky, I told her that when I was making copies at our copy machine in the back room, I happened to look out the window--and there on the screen--on our back porch--was a black widow spider! I told Linda about this and she said that was interesting because she had just talked to her MD she works with about Black Widow spiders today at work! There was a double check and I was paying attention.

I began to think about that. I asked Linda for Black Widow symptoms and she gave them to me--and Rocky really fit all the symptoms. His unusual panting was because the Black Widow venom affects the HEART and the heartbeat and she said it could be like an acute congestive heart failure symptom--the least exertion causes heavy panting because the heart is not working 100% and there’s lack of enough oxygen getting to the body to use up as energy.

At that point, I went out and got Latrodectus mactans--our homeopathic remedy version of Black Widow spider venom. I wanted to give him a 30C, but the lowest potency I had was a 200C. As soon as I gave it to Rocky, he got up and drank more water. His eyes looked brighter, clearer and more alert. He also moved without hesitation and without looking like h was going to fall over. Black Widow venom affects the central nervous system--and that explained WHY Rocky looked so unstable and tentative when he walked--he looked like he would fall over if he wasn’t careful. And that’s not scorpion venom symptom.

The Black Widow spider remedy proved to be the correct one. We had looked for a bite but couldn’t find one--but that’s not unusual on a big, hairy dog. There was nothing we could see behind his left ear--but that ear was a lot hotter to feel/touch than the right ear--so I believe he did get bit there just as Linda had seen in her shamanic journey for Rocky earlier.

Rocky improved dramatically on Wednesday--he pooped--pea green diarrhea--explosive and smelling like a cadaver--all signs of poisoning coming out of him. He also began to eat Dave’s french fries he’d brought back from McDonald’s about midday on Wednesday and needless to say--we were overjoyed and elated. We thought for sure he could die. And we also knew that Linda’s Reikie treatment and the aggressive homeopathic support is what pulled him through.

So, Thursday, Rocky was continuing to improve and I was giving him Lat. mactans 200C once a day--once every 24 hours. I noticed that by not giving it to him on time, that he seemed to stall out and stop improving. But as soon as I gave it to him late Thursday night, he perked up, eyes got bright, he was more his ‘old self’ and even imbibed in a few Fritoes--his favorite junk food. And, even better, he was trotting along and not panting like before, had much more vitality and energy--so clearly--this homeopathic remedy was the correct one.

Rocky is so used to walking the two miles with me that he wanted to go--but I knew he was having heart related problems still--so Dave walked with me and Rocky for a short distance. And then, when Rocky stopped and he was panting, Dave put the leash on him, turned around and they slowly walked home--it had been enough for a first outing for Rocky Docky. But he was happy to get his sniffs in and he pooped again--pea green diarrhea--same smell--so we know his body is continuing to break down the venom and get rid of it.


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
A man and his dog....Rocky with Dave walking back on his first hike after being bit on 8.31.06

Today, Friday, he’s looking real good--even growling and wanting to play with David--a great sign! He ate a full breakfast, bounced around the yard with Dave and seems very much his ‘old self’--although I will give him a dose of the remedy later this afternoon because I’ve treated a number of people over the years for Black Widow bites as a homeopath and I know it takes 3-6 months of treatment to eradicate the venom completely from a person. And Rocky will have a month or two of continued treatment. The good news on Rocky was we finally figured out WHAT had bitten him--thanks to two synchronistic events showing the Black Widow spider--and me understanding this is how everyday magic occurs so that if we’re paying attention--we ‘get it’ and can then act on it.

Below, I’m giving the traditional medicine symptoms for Black Widow spider bites/venom. And below it, what the symptoms are for Latrodectus mactans (black widow venom) that is used by a homeopath. Like cures like is one of the main tenants of Homeopathy. Rocky got bit by a Black Widow and so we used the homeopathic venom version to treat his symptoms--with 100% success.

The Lachesis, which is Bushmaster snake venom in homeopathic form, was CLOSE--and was helping to break down the spider venom--but was not the correct remedy. And so, if I hadn’t figured it all out with a lot of help from Linda and our every day synchronistic magic, Rocky would not be half as far along as he is already.

TRADITIONAL BLACK WIDOW BITE SYMPTOMS:

The black widow spider produces a protein venom that affects the victim’s nervous system. Some people are slightly affected by the venom, but others may have a severe response. The first symptom is acute pain at the site of the bite though there may only be a minimal local reaction.

* The local pain may be followed by localized or generalized severe muscle cramps, abdominal pain, weakness, and tremor. In severe cases, nausea, vomiting, faintness, dizziness, chest pain, and respiratory difficulties may follow.

* The severity of the reaction can depend on the age and physical condition of the person bitten. Children and the elderly are more seriously affected than young adults.

* In some cases, abdominal pain may mimic such conditions as appendicitis or gallbladder problems. Chest pain may be mistaken for a heart attack.

* Blood pressure and heart rate may be elevated.

* People rarely die from a black widow's bite. Life-threatening reactions are generally seen only in small children and the elderly.

What are the symptoms of a black widow spider bite?

The following are the most common symptoms of a black widow spider bite. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:

* immediate pain, burning, swelling, and redness at the site (double fang marks may be seen) cramping pain and muscle rigidity in the stomach, chest, shoulders, and back
* headache
* dizziness
* rash and itching
* restlessness and anxiety
* sweating
* eyelid swelling
* nausea or vomiting
* salivation, tearing of the eyes
* weakness, tremors, or paralysis, especially in the legs

These symptoms of a black widow spider bite may resemble other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.
Resource: http://www.umm.edu/non_trauma/spider.htm

# Body as a whole

* Pain similar to a pinprick at site of bite
* Numbness (changes to a more numbing pain of the affected area)
* Muscle pain and cramps, especially of the shoulders, back, thighs, abdomen, or chest
* Increased sweating
* Increased salivation

# Circulatory

* High blood pressure

# Respiratory

* Difficulty breathing

# Skin

* Faint redness around bite area
* Mild swelling of bite area
* Itching

# Gastrointestinal

* Nausea and/or vomiting

# Nervous system

* Muscle weakness
* Restlessness
* Anxiety
* Headache

Resource: http://health.allrefer.com/health/black-widow-spider-info.html

HOMEOPATHIC SYMPTOMS THAT CAN BE TREATED BY Latrodectus mactans (Black Widow venom):

Resource: Master’s Web Spinners

Black Widow venom

Action of the Venom:
The venom of this spider is probably the most virulent as seen from the fact, that it has only about 1/200th of the amount of poison carried by the Prairie Rattler and yet it is about 15 times as potent.
The action of the venom is mainly neurotropic and is characterized by
- Generalized muscular cramps, spasms and rigidity.
- Sensation of constriction - 'Spider fetters its prey'.
- Hemorrhage of black blood.
- Slow vascular spasm at the extremities.
- Shivers, profuse cold sweat and pain which is very similar to angina pectoris.
- General pruritus.
- Desquamation of hands and feet.
- Sleeplessness. Restlessness.
- Mentally upset with a fear of going insane if a firm control is not exercised.
- Difficulty in breathing and talking.
- Slow action of the heart.
The crude provings of this venom was done by John Bradbury and Dr. A. W. Blair.
It was introduced into the Materia Medica by Jones and Tafel in 1889.
The venom causes interference to the passage of the nerve impulse at the neuromuscular junction where normal response depends on the release of acetylcholine. The venom causes premature release of all the acetylcholine, thus delaying the nerve impulse. But this is only a partial explanation of the biochemical effects of the venom.
Appearance of the Patient:
The patient has an expression of grave anxiety with extreme fear of dying and has a characteristics gait - bent forward with the hands held against the abdomen and the movement of the legs is achieved slowly and with difficulty. Speech may be difficult.
Miasm:
Syphilitic.

Pain in left arm; feels paralyzed. Hard aching pain in axilla. Paraesthesia of lower limbs.
This spider poison affects the HEART; producing a typical picture of angina pectoris. Blood becomes thin, watery. Tetanic effects lasting for several days. Restless; with cardiac pains, and prostrated
Resource: Phatak’s Concise Materia Medica


CLINICAL - Angina pectoris. Chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenia. Colic. Heart, attacks. Hemorrhages, watery. Infectious purpura.
Modalities - Better by sitting quietly. Worse from the slightest movement. Worse from motion even of hands. Worse from exertion.
MIND - Fear of suffocating or dying. The face betrays extreme anxiety. Anxiety about the heart. Screams fearfully with pain, exclaiming that she would lose her breath and die. Thinks he will suffocate. Sensitive to noise. Intense anguish with the sensation of severe thoracic constriction. Extreme state of nervous irritation with fear of going mad. Speech hesitant with tears. Apparently moribund.
Abdomen - Severe abdominal pain with nausea and a sinking sensation at epigastrium. Colic and hardness of the abdominal wall. Chronic cramp of the abdominal muscles without painful tenderness on palpation.
Back - Dorsal and lumbar cramps, going from the nape to the loins.
Chest - Angina pectoris. Violent, pericardial pain extending to the axilla and down the arm and forearm to fingers with numbness of the extremity. Sinking sensation. Cramping pain from chest to abdomen.
Ears - Pain in the right middle ear.
Eyes - Constant pulsating pain in the eyes.
Face - Expression of deep anxiety.
Food - Extreme thirst, vomits what he drinks.
Head - Pain in neck to back of head. Occipital pain. Headache, aggravated between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Heart - Pericardial anxiety. Pain in pericardia with a loss of breath. screaming fearfully, exclaiming that she would lose her breath and die. Violent heart pains, sharp, extending to shoulders or both arms to fingers with numbness. Restless with cardiac pain and prostration. Pulse, feeble and rapid. Pulse so frequent it could not be counted and so feeble it could scarcely be felt.
Heart - Pain extends from bitten right hand to back of head, more violent pain in pericardia, extending thence to left shoulder and axilla, down arm to finger-ends, left arm partially paralyzed, left pulse extinct, right pulse doubtful.

Limbs - Hard aching pain in axilla. Pain in left arm, feels paralyzed. Weakness of legs followed by cramps in the abdominal muscles. Paresthesia (numbness, tingling, ect.) of lower limbs. Stinging in right wrist with itching and redness of bitten spot.
Kidneys - Burning pains on urinating in the urethra. Urine red, albuminous with casts. Proteinuria, hematuria, casts, glycosuria, diminution in the level of nitrogen eliminated through the urine.
Lungs - Gasping for breath, fear of losing breath and dying. Extreme apnea. Respiration only occasional, gasping. Bronchial rales. Cough with hawking. Yellow, thick, acrid sputum. Pulmonary edema. Respiration very slow, thinks he will suffocate.
Male - Frequent erections. Testicular pains, aggravated by movement. Very acute pains in the right testicle. Perspiration in the genital regions. Itching of prepuce with a little redness of the part.
Mouth - Labial fissure. White coloring of the tongue. Hypertrophy of the lingual papillae. Copious salivation. Trembling of the tongue.
Nose - Nose blocked. Thick, yellow discharge.
Rectum - Constriction of the anus with tarry stools. Two copious evacuations similar to the black vomit.
Skin - Loss of hair. Skin cold like ice, marble-white. Blue coloring. Eruption, which itches. Formication (feeling of insect crawling across your skin) and extreme sensitivity. Heavy, cold perspiration. Skin very painful at the slightest touch. Burning of the soles of the feet.
Sleep - Dreams of flying. Insomnia. Sleep disturbed, anxious.
Stomach - Eructation and loss of appetite. Nausea then abdominal pains. Vomiting of black blood, which soothes the condition. Transfixation (staring off into space) of pain or sinking at epigastrium. Feeling of weakness in epigastric region.
Throat - Throat red, dry. Tonsillitis with glairy deposit on tonsils. Pain on swallowing.
Vertigo - Vertigo and constrictive headache.
COMMENTS - Case I. A man bitten on the prepuce. At first there was itching in less than half an hour nausea followed by severe abdominal pains. Soon after, violent pericardial pains, extending to axilla and down left arm and forearm to fingers with numbness of the limbs and apnea. Dry cupping was resorted to and the blood that flowed was thin and florid and un-coagulable. This was before Semple arrived.
He then found most violent pericardial pains, the left arm almost paralyzed, pulse 130, very feeble, Skin cold as marble, countenance expressive of deep anxiety. At eight next morning in spite of stimulants, the symptoms were worse and continued to increase until 2.30 p.m. Pulse uncountable and scarcely to be felt. Vomited black vomit, a quart or more.
Soon after, reaction set in and the man gradually recovered. He had two copious stools like the black matter vomited and after that felt quite well. Jones notes that the pericardial region was the chief locus of attack. He considers the order of the occurrence of these symptoms of great importance.
COMPARE - (1) Lat-k. and other Arachnida. (2) Helo. - coldness. (3) Lach., Spig., Cimic., Cact., Kalm., Lycopus in angina pectoris. (4) Hirudo - non-coagulating hemorrhages. (5) the Aranea, Mygale, Theridion, Lat-h., Lat-k. spider venoms. (6) Triatema, Kissing bug - swelling with violent itching of fingers and toes. A smothering sensation and difficult breathing succeeded by fainting and rapid pulse. (7) Heloderma - Intense chill, going from the inside to the outside. Vertigo with tendency to fall backwards. Numbness of the limbs.
COMPARE - (8) Kalm. Palpitations, aggravated when lying on the left side, pulse slow. Lightning pains, suddenly changing place. (9) Cact. Feeling of constriction of the heart, as if a vice, spreading to the left arm, which feels numb. Hemorrhaging of black blood. (10) Spig. Violent contractions of the heart with oppression, anxiety. Feels soothed when lying on the right side with head raised.
SOURCES - Anshutz. Boericke. Clarke. Julian.

Worse change of weather better Hot bath
Worse Damp better Sitting quietly
Worse Before thunderstorm.
Worse Night
Worse Alcohol
Worse Exercise
Worse Slightest movement, exertion.

Dyspnoea (labored breathing) , almost going into apnoea (halting of breathing)--apnea) , slow labored respiration with an uncontrollable expiratory (breathing out/exhaling) grunt.
Difficulty in breathing due to muscle spasm.
Throat - dry and congested.
- Pain on swallowing.
Violent constrictive pericardial pain extending to axilla and down the left arm, forearm to the tips of the fingers; with numbness and paresis of the affected limb.
Angina Pectoris - cramping pain from chest to abdomen.
Pulse - Rapid
- Up to 130 beats/minute
- Weak, feeble, thready; almost impalpable.
Vascular hypotonia (or paradoxical hypertonia)
Hot flushes.
Swelling of ankles and puffiness of face.
Worse damp.
Worse before thunderstorm.
Worse night.

It has an action on the heart causing a typical angina pectoris picture accompanied by restlessness and prostration.
General chilliness especially icy coldness of the extremities.
Chilly but has flushes of heat.
Left sidedness.
Profuse perspiration.
Severe prostration but the patient cannot remain still due to great restlessness.
Extreme restlessness which does not allow the patient to sleep.
Pains - severe, constriction, cramping.
- come and go in waves, like labor pains.
Soreness of muscles especially to touch.
Hemorrhages - thin, watery blood.
Alcoholism.




Resource: Murphy’s Homeopathic Remedy Guide

And, here’s a sunset to make everything BETTER :-))


Copyright Eileen Nauman 2006
Here's 8.31.06 sunset on Thursday evening


In Spirit....

MEDITATION: The Vesica Piscis Technique

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to share my personal meditation with you. I hope you try it out--experiment with it--and it gives you energy, a sense of connection and wholeness that it does me!


VESICA PISCIS MEDITATION--HOW TO DO IT
by Eileen Nauman


Copyright Tricia Speed 2006
This is the Vesica Piscis symbol as created by Tricia Speed, my webmistress. The rainbow colors are symbolic of our seven chakra system of our body. You need not have one with all these colors--you can use a single color and it will work just as well.



Copyright 2006 Eileen Nauman
All Rights Reserved

Email: docbones224@earthlink.net

Websites:

http://www.medicinegarden.com
http://www.whatflowerareyou.com

BLOG:

http://www.talesfromechocoanyon.blogspot.com


Permission to share/email to family and friends.

Permission must be gotten beforehand from me to post on any other website.

There are meditations and then, there are MEDITATIONS. I stumbled upon the Vesica piscis symbol many years ago in Glastonbury,England,at the Chalice Wells Garden.

Chalice Wells

It is there, that I became acquainted with this wondrous and miraculous symbol that created the lower pond of the well. It was created out of hand-hewn stones, this double circle, and the water from the sacred site beneath The Tor that rose above the magical garden, and poured forth into this Garden of Eden. I brought my experiences home from using it, experimented with years, shared it with others, and now use it daily in meditation. For me, it is the most powerful because it brings me back into balance and harmony with me. And in today’s stressful world, I can’t think of a better way to get back to center!

When we’re in balance, the stresses and drags on our mind leave us alone. When we allow our mind to haul the past into the present, or we worry about something in the future, we really aren’t living fully or a 100% in the present. With the Vesica piscis symbol being used in meditation, this changes everything. It dissolves our energy lines to the past and future, so it leaves us with all our energy to deal with the present, the ‘here and now.’

If you have high blood pressure, have anxiety, are depressed or over weight, this meditation can have healthy meaning to you, too. Utilizing this meditation will improve your life on all levels. Not to mention, over time, your health.

If you utilize this meditation daily for six months, you will experience remarkable changes--all positive ones....

But, I’m allowing my experience-based enthusiasm get ahead of the ‘rest of the story’--you need to know more about this ancient symbol that can be used by us today!




THE VESICA PISCIS SYMBOL AND ITS MANY MEANINGS OVER THE AGES...

There is an old symbol, much older than anyone can remember, beyond Christianity, beyond Rome, Greece and Mesopotamia. It is known as the Vesica Piscis symbol. Latin translation calls it the fish bladder. But don’t be detoured by this name. Looking like two circles overlapping one another, it has been called the symbol of the ‘fish’ (because it is shaped like one where the circles overlap) or ‘the eye of God,’ because it looks like the shape of an eye, as well. I call it The Eye. Eye of Horus, for example. There are many ‘eye’ motif’s and myths/legends around the world.


Here is the entrance to Chalice Wells, Glastonbury, England. You can see up the steps the Vesica Piscis wrought iron gate entrance.


The Vesica Piscis is easily one of the most profound geometrical images of ancient and modern times. It is, for example, considered to be an integral part of the Ark of the Covenant, as described and shown figuratively by ka-gold's version of the Vesica Piscis. The latter article, in fact, ties in rather nicely with the so-called Hourglass Nebula described at the end of this Alexandrian webpage.

Essentially the intersection of two, overlapping spheres, the Vesica Piscis (including the interior portion of it, and/or the more common two dimensional version) represents, among other things:

1. The joining of God and Goddess to create an offspring.

2. A symbol for Jesus Christ.

3. In art a pointed oval used as an aureole in medieval sculpture and painting.

4. The uterus of the female goddess (or Mother Mary’s womb).

5. The basic motif in the Flower of Life.

6. An overlay of the Tree of Life.

7. The formative power of polygons in mathematics.

8. A geometrical description of square roots and harmonic proportions.

9. A source of immense power and energy.

10. As such, it is also a doorway or portal between worlds, and symbolizes the intersection between the heaven and the material plane. The shape of arches in gothic architecture is based on the Vesica.


Here is the well cover to the 'red spring' that comes flowing beneath the Tor and the Vescia Piscis symbol in wrought iron is on top of it.


11. The shape of the Vesica Piscis is derived from the intersection of two circles, the Pythagorean "measure of the fish" that was a mystical symbol of the intersection of the world of the divine with the world of matter and the beginning of creation. To the Pythagorean, the whole of creation was based on number, and by studying the properties of number, they believed one could achieve spiritual liberation. The Vesica Piscis was the symbol of the first manifestation, the dyad that gives birth to the entire manifest universe. Within the Vesica can be found the triangle, the tetrad, the square, the pentacle, and many more polygons, making the Vesica a true symbolic womb.

12. The shape of the Vesica Piscis is derived from the intersection of two circles, the Pythagorean "measure of the fish" that was a mystical symbol of the intersection of the world of the divine with the world of matter and the beginning of creation. The Vesica Piscis is used in a wide range of symbolism.

13. The Latin term Vesica Piscis, meaning "Vessel of the Fish" is the most basic and important construction in Sacred Geometry. A Vesica is formed when the circumference of two identical circles each pass through the center of the other. When a Vesica Piscis is viewed horizontally, it looks like a vagina or a womb which is why the Christ child was often pictured inside of one. When the Vesica Piscis is viewed vertically it looks like the shape of a fish. Amazingly, the above two Vesica Piscis each have a horizontal axis equal in length to the gematria value of the Greek word for "fishes."

14. The Vesica Piscis is an ancient symbol used in Earth based religions and cultures, Christian symbolism and sacred geometry, as well as various other belief systems. This enduring symbol is so old that I would suggest it was ‘born’ during the age of Lemuria, the first world upon Earth, eons ago.

15. The two overlapping circles represent the physical world on one side and the causal or spiritual world on the other. The section where they intersect is the akashic or etheric level and is the “bridge between heaven and earth.”


Here is the stone pathway leading up to Chalice Wells--the Vesica Piscis set in beautiful stone work.


In the earliest traditions, the supreme being was represented by a sphere, the symbol of a being with no beginning and no end, continually existing, perfectly formed and profoundly symmetrical. The addition of a second sphere represented the expansion of unity into the duality of male and female, god and goddess. By overlapping, the two spheres, the god and goddess created a divine offspring. It also shows the integration of the male/female that Carl Jung has talked about and that is the path to the Individuation process. The Vesica Piscis motif (and its derivatives, the Flower of Life, Tree of Life, and fundamentals of geometry) has a history of thousands of years and easily predates virtually all major religions of the current era.

The son or daughter of the god and goddess is associated with the overlapping of the spheres -- the resulting three dimensional figure somewhat like an American football. In the case of Jesus Christ, the two dimensional figure has also served as a symbol for the miracle of the fishes. (The “tail” also served to more easily identify the source of the plane figure.) There is also conveyed the spiritual power originating from the interior of this symbol.

Virtually every medieval church in Europe uses as a standard motif, the Vesica Piscis in two dimensions. The fact many of these churches were dedicated to the Virgin Mary or to Mary Madagalene (aka the goddess) is simply part of the understanding. Several of the churches in northern France are even located in such a manner that their points of light recreate the “lights” of the constellation Virgo. In Glastonbury, England, the site normally attributed to Avalon (the island of the Goddess), is also where the Chapel of St. Mary is located -- the latter which is apparently patterned with the use of the Vesica Piscis.

The goddess of any and all religions which recognize her power and significance invariably use the Vesica Piscis to identify her. From the overlapping pools of water and the Chalice Well Gardens cover in the goddess’s garden in Glastonbury (aka Avalon) to any number of representations of the Tree of Life, the goddess and her ability to create and birth life are celebrated.


Robert Lawlor, in one of the best books available on Sacred Geometry [Thames and Hudson, 1982] notes that the Ö3 contained within the Vesica Piscis is “the formative power giving rise to the polygonal ‘world’.”


In Mark Percy's Appendix to the unique book, Two Thirds, Aulis Publishers, London, 1993] the square roots of 2, 3, and 5 (three of the first digits in the Fibonacci Numbers) can be geometrically calculated. This is just an inkling of the possibilities. And, for those who are into mathematics, 3 - Square Root of Three - 1.732 : 1 - Vesica Piscis.

In 1996, a Crop Circle in the shape of the Vesica Piscis appeared in England. Anyone stepping into the inner portion of the two circles’ intersection could feel a sudden rush of energy. More dramatically, is the Hubble Space Telescope photo of the ineptly named the Hourglass Nebula which looks like the Vesica Piscis symbol!


Copyright Hubble Telescope/NASA
Here is the gorgeous Vescia Piscis symbol out in space! And in the center, as is appropriate, what some refer to as the "Eye of God" simply reinforces my experience with the center of the VP--which is where you stand, sit or lie down to meditate--that is where the action and rebalancing are at!

Hourglass Nebula

In the center of which is a dramatic, colorful object, supposedly the remnants of a dying star (one about the size of our Sun). The green spot, in fact, is larger than the size of our solar system! The photograph is so dramatic, in fact, that it has appeared on the cover of National Geographic [April 1997]. The fact that it is out in space, in our spiral armed galaxy makes this a symbol of the Universe, not just on our Earth.

Now that you have a better idea of the definitions of Vesica Piscis, we need to explore why we want to utilize this symbol to help us leap into the New World or be prepared to transcend into peace rather than war, peace rather than chaos, peace rather than hatred and all the lower human emotions.

USING SOME STRING...



Sometimes, people like to make things complex when simple will do. And this is basic and simple and anyone can do it. All you need is a ball of red yarn (or your favorite color). Or, just plain string. I prefer yarn because it is easier to handle and has some weight to it. But, if you’re on a tight budget, some plain old white string from any store will do. You need to cut two sixteen feet (16’) lengths of yarn/string. The reason is that each string is going to make one circle large enough for you to stand within. And you need two strings to make two circles that will overlap one another.

I know you probably think this sounds crazy but before you make a judgment, test it out. Science was built upon trying something and then repeating the experiment. And if you want to prove this doesn’t work, you need to try it to do that.

CREATING TWO INTERLOCKING CIRCLES OUT OF STRING


I would try this inside a house or structure rather than out in Nature (although if you don’t have enough room inside, go out to your lawn, instead). Take one piece of red yarn and create a circle out of it, making sure the ends are touching and connecting.

Next, take the second string and create a second circle. But this time, make sure that half (or less) of the second circle overlaps the first circle. There should be a ‘fish’ or ‘eye’ that is created as this yarn intersects one another. Congratulations! You have just created the Vesica Piscis symbol!

TESTING THE VESICA Piscis



There are some rules to the road in utilizing the VP (Vesica Piscis). First, step into one of the outer circles (either side) of the double circle, but not into the ‘fish’ or ‘eye’ area. When you get into the single circle area, ground yourself (see silver tree roots gently twining around your ankles and the tip of the root going down through each of your feet and several hundred feed down into Mother Earth), close your eyes and bend your knees slightly (we call this ‘soft knees’). Take two or three deep breaths down into your abdomen and out your mouth. Stand there for a minute or two and see what happens.

Next, open your eyes and step OUT of the single circle. Go to either end of the ‘lens/eye/fish’ and step into it. Close your eyes, soften your knees, take a couple of nice, deep breaths. Then, see what happens.

Many people experience many sensations in the Eye . You can suddenly be pulled forward until you feel like you’re going to tip over your toes and fall. Or, you can feel pulled backward to the point where you think you’re going to fall over. Or, you may feel a strong pull from your left or right shoulder. It may seem that you’re doing what I call, ‘adjusting’ by moving one way or another. This adjustment is about getting your aura or energy field, back into balance and harmony. Once that is accomplished in the Eye, you then can experience an incredible amount of things.

Some people see a color or two. Others see a person, sometimes, their Master or spirit guide or a loved one that has passed over. Or, some will hear music, or their hearing will be sharpened and accentuated. Words, sentences or instructions may be given. Other times, places, incarnations or your home planet may be shown to you. No two people will ever have the same experience because they are uniquely different.

What is the point of working in the Eye of the VP? This is a way to access our own integration process, clean out our dirty laundry within us (our wounds/negative emotions, ect.), and heal yourself. When you sit and meditate in the eye, this is one of the most profound experiences you can have.

The VP is about healing. And opening up. Don’t be surprised if your heart chakra flies open and you feel tremendous love pouring down through you. As you are filled up with this love from the Universe, you, in turn, can give to others. It is a win-win situation.

THE VESICA Piscis SYMBOL--getting the most out of this initiation energy coming our way....

Depending upon what time zone you are in around the world, the energy will be coming to you and available at THAT TIME. So, check the day and time for where you live. When you know that info, then create your double circle and SIT or LIE DOWN in the ‘Eye’ where the circles overlap one another. Make your ‘Eye’ large enough for your entire body to be in it if you’re lying down. If you’re sitting up, cross legged or sitting in a chair in the ‘Eye’ you need less room available.

If you have a meditation technique, then use that. But please, before you do, be sure to GROUND yourself because this energy streaming from the core of our beautiful white/gold spiral armed galaxy packs a punch and you want to be able to receive what you can from it and ‘ground’ the rest through you, down through your body, into your legs and feet and back into Mother Earth so that she, too, receives the gift from you, as well. Otherwise, if you try to sit the Vesica Piscis without grounding, you will be so dizzy and spacy and spaced out for hours afterward it will probably take a good night’s sleep to readjust from the energy that coursed through you.

OTHER HELP, OTHERS TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR YOU....

We do not go through life alone, although I know, many times, it sure feels that way. If you could realize that Great Spirit is always with you, and that you have an army of guides (guardian angels to some) that are there, too, you aren’t alone. There are many ‘tools’ out there to help increase your evolutionary rate and to take advantage of such a special release of energy that is coming our way shortly. If you are drawn to one of these ‘tools’ by these counselors, please take advantage of their services before the eclipse and initiation.

PASS THIS HOW-TO ARTICLE TO THOSE YOU LOVE!

This is a meditation that can help everything and everyone. All you need to do is pass it on to those you like and love.

In Spirit....