Weddings, Rainbows and Transformations

“Weddings, Rainbows and Transformations”

Weddings are a time of unification and new beginnings.  This weekend I was blessed to attend the wedding of a young couple.  What a joyous occasion.  The wedding was outdoors and the weather was threatening rain all day.  Rain, a sign of purification and cleansing, began soon after the ceremony had ended. 

As the rain continued, the guests poured into the elegantly decorated barn, trimmed with tooling and chandeliers, smelling of popcorn and cider.   The atmosphere was warm and cozy on this fall equinox weekend. 

Soon afterwards I ventured outside to help my daughter change into more casual clothing.  Looking into the sky, a double rainbow appeared a sign of transformation.  What a beautiful message on the start of a new life together for this happy couple.          

As the seasons change from summer to fall, we too transform like the couple in the wedding, purified by the rain, united in spirit and guided by a sign that bridges Heaven and Earth.  The day after the wedding a sweat lodge or “house of prayer” was poured, which I gratefully attended with a small group of close friends.  Cleansed not only from the continuous rain but then from the hot stones heated by the fire.  A feeling of renewal and refreshment engulfed me at the end and had a lasting effect.

After a long week prior and a busy fall with the start of school, trips and life I feel the energies settling, my energies settling.  We transform, hour to hour, day to day, week to week.  At moments we are riding high on the rainbow, other times spiraling and descending downward. 

Because of this we must have a constant, stable, reliable, spiritual practice.  It matters not what your practice is, so long as you practice it.  The beauty is not in the vehicle or even the destination but in the journey.  Ride your rainbow of transformation, cleansed by the waters, united in Oneness and guided by signs from both Heaven and Earth.

Begin a new life with yourself.

Susan J. McFarland

September 2014

United in Oneness

“United in Oneness”

Today is 9-11, the anniversary of the bombing of the world trade center.  I placed the flag that honors one of the fallen on our doorstep in remembrance.  He was from Japan, a place where my husband travels for work.  How connected are we?  This event affected not only the victims and their families, not only New York City but the entire world, the entire consciousness.  Instead of dividing the world, it brought us closer together.  I believe it was a start to the raising of the world consciousness.  For this point on, when global tragedy arises we come together as One, in spite of what the media portrays.  Our hearts beat united.

Serving as an advisory circle member for the foundation, Gathering Thunder (GTF) I have seen first-hand the power of unity.  GTF supports Native culture and spirituality while caring for the elders and children of Native America.  The peoples first abused, then forgotten remain strong.  Just as the occurrence of 9/11, the history of the First Nations affects the entire consciousness of Turtle Island or North America.  Whether we acknowledge it or not we all are a part of this circle.

All children of Creator, standing together on Mother Gaia can raise the energy levels here, now.  Returning to the old ways of honoring the land, the air, the water and the animals while embracing the spirit of change and transformation can bring a lasting peace. 

Yet, this is not a singular journey although we are all on our own spiritual path.  This is a journey of the heart, the heart of the One.  We are all native to this Earth, to this planet.  We all belong here and we all are responsible for her care.  The time is now to respect the ways of the past, to ask forgiveness for all harmed and neglected and to move forward in unity, as brothers and sisters of this land, our home.

Susan J. McFarland

September 2014

Pure Energy

“Pure Energy”

Here I sit.  It is Friday, the end of the first week of school.  It is a precious week.  It is a week of beginnings and fresh starts.  It is a week of renewed friendship and new relationships.  At the first part of the week there was excitement, anticipation and anxiousness.  By the end of the week, we are back in a routine, a cycle, a schedule.  No longer jumping out of bed but holding on until the last necessary second in order to not be late.  There is tiredness as the adrenaline releases and the work sets in.

How often in life, just like the first week of school, do we start out with pure energy, whether it is the start of a new job, a new relationship, or even a new exercise routine.  But then as the week or months or years draw out our energy feigns.  Where did it go?  Why didn’t it last?  Can we get it back or do we start anew.  We are different now.  Life is different now. 

We change from moment to moment swirling like the wind in a storm.  A powerful unexpected storm came through yesterday while I was working.  My cat was nervous.  Trees swayed, branches flew and leaves fell.  It looked like fall without colored leaves.  I walked my path this morning as always.  It was different, very different from yesterday’s walk.  There was debris everywhere.  There were dead trees down, branches in my way and berries and leaves at my feet.  Nothing was the same. 

In nature storms are natural, a part of the life cycle.  The trees were not crying that they lost a leaf or even a branch.  They understand this is a natural occurrence.  It is part of their growth.  They awaken each day with pure energy and a fresh start, thankful that they are still standing, feeling the warmth of the sun and the cool morning breezes.  They get to move in the wind, sway to the rhythm of life.

If you have lost that feeling of pure energy, return to your Mother, Mother Earth.  She will teach you that you are indeed pure energy.  With a grateful heart you can begin again each day shaking off the storms of yesterday and allowing and anticipating the new growth of today.

Love, “with a heart of peace,”

Susan J. McFarland   

September 2014