Thursday 11 January 2024

Capricorn New Moon: Set Intentions, Manifest Dreams!

Moon Goddess by Josephine Wall 

And let the New Year, 2024 properly begin, with this potent New Moon!

New beginnings, fresh starts, solid developments or endings (the cycle of life-death-rebirth...) of anything that no longer serves you.

A few things for you to meditate on, whatever works for you: seated in meditation, lying down on the bed or simply contemplating the view. Here it is:
  • Everything and everyone you are grateful for.
Give them a hug, (energetically or physically), ah, and this includes self-hug! (appreciation for your body and whole self!) ;) Also, to everyone you are grateful for, let them know!
    • What you have done and have not done this year? (Based on the goals and ideas you set out to achieve in 2023)  
    Although be light-hearted about this: I believe it's not an understanding from the mind, but more from the heart, which cultivates the acceptance of your own nature and life circumstances. There's really no point in focusing on the negative, just take it as a way to improve something or even to change it; as well as motivation and goals to achieve in future, as everything happens at the right time... the Divine Plan transcends us all!...
    So going a little bit deeper: 
    • What were your biggest challenges and your biggest satisfaction?  
    To stir a bit of philosophy into it, something I received from my family when I left my country, to embrace the unknown, a card with this sentence:

    "The bigger the challenge, the bigger the satisfaction."
    (From a Greek philosopher that I forgot the name of), this made lots of sense and still does. 

    Challenges are incredible gifts, some really hard, but they are our great teachers Indeed gateways for growth and evolution, along with so much wisdom and self-awareness.
    And being in the 'quoting mode', another thought:

    "Never lose your faith. The best beginnings come after the worst endings." Bob Marley.

    In Portugal, we have a saying: After the storm comes the calm.

     And finally, something for you to write down (or just run it through your mind, whatever works better for you) :
    • Where have you been? (Different places, travels you have done, doesn't matter the distance.)
    • What did you do? (The highlights of the most exciting things you did this year, on any level, something that really means a lot to you...)
    • What did you learn? (In the different levels of your being.)
    If it is something that no longer serves you and you don't want to see repeating in your life, just not external situations, but things in yourself you want to let go, to give space for the new! You can write them down on a small piece of paper and then:
      • Take a quiet moment to reflect on everything you wrote, read it out loud and in a place in nature, and burn the paper. As the ashes fall to Earth, the smoke rises to the Sky, as above, as below, so within! (If you have any sacred place where you do your rituals indoors, like a cauldron or a stove, it's fine, but then give the ashes to Earth). The fire has the power to transform, supported by the unconditional nurturing of Mother Earth and the divinity of Father Sky.
      This first New Moon of 2024 in Capricorn, reinforces the energies of endings and new beginnings for the New Year and specifically: the energy of determination to accomplish your goals, dedication and confidence to do what you want to do, to achieve ambitions and have the stamina to do it. 
       
      Capricorn being connected with the earth teaches about grounding, essential to help us in our achievements and indeed embody presence - be here in the now!
      •  Write down your goals and dreams for 2024!
      Be specific in your goals and dreams, and less is more, so make the list that you believe with your mind, heart, and soul can be possible to achieve in the coming New Year.
      Then you just have to do your bit in the mundane dimension, along with visualisation and appreciation (that is actually happening, even when not yet!), to make it a living reality!


      ***Wishing you a wonderfully fantastic 2024! It is unfolding with new opportunities to Live Your Truth, embrace your Divine Feminine essence, and Manifest your Dreams***

      May your radiant Feminine self shine, contributing to a better and more beautiful world!
        © Anamarta

        Thursday 12 October 2023

        Special Lucky FRIDAY 13th!***

        High Feminine Energy is in the air today, the lucky Friday 13th that usually happens once a year. Enjoy it, tune into it and make the most of it!
        Why lucky? Why Feminine?

        13 is a special and magical number for us women, associated with the 13 Full Moons we usually have in a year, linked with 13 times we usually bleed (have our moontime, menstruation), as our cycle links with the moon cycle.

        13 is the number of blood, fertility, and lunar potency. It
         is associated with the sacred feminine, psyche power, magic, and emotion in various traditions, from ancient times to modern.

        In Wicca, the Pagan Goddess tradition of Old Europe, communicants convene in covens of 13 participants. 13 was also auspicious for the Egyptians, who believed that life has 13 stages, the last of which is death, the transition to eternal life. 

        When Chinese women offer moon cakes, there are sure to be 13 on the platter. 

        A turtle, which represents the Earth Mother, the Goddess in Native American, for the Chinese symbol of wisdom; in the Taoist Shamanic Tradition the shell of the turtle was the original 'pakua', has actually 13 segments on her shell!...

        13 is the lucky number of the Great Goddess!

        Then Friday itself is ruled by Venus, the planet of transcendental beauty, of love, special self-love, sexuality, eroticism, desire, enjoyment, fun, attraction; and the planet which reminds us of our Divine Feminine within. And is associated with Goddess Freya, who brings us love, friendship, beauty, and reconciliation.
          
        I think for the reasons above this number has been seen other than as 'bad luck', a myth that started essentially from the dark ages of patriarchy in church and politics when they used to burn women for their medicinal and psychic powers. Believe it or not, the Witchcraft Act was repealed in England in 1953!...

        Digger a bit deeper, this superstition about Friday the 13th may have roots in the biblical tradition based on the belief that the 13th guest on the "last supper" was Judas, whose betrayal caused the death of Jesus. But was said that Judas were part of the 12 disciples already! I remember growing up hearing if it was 13 people in a table the youngest one would be the first to die!...
        Now I wonder if the 13th guest of this "last supper" was Mary Magdalene, she had a special relationship with Jesus... Of course never mentioned by the Christian tradition, which also never mentioned the spiritual leadership that Mary Magdalene held because she was a woman. This was kept secret and just encoded in stories, only revealed nowadays from the discovery of hidden gospels.

        Friday was also: the day Jesus died on the cross; that Eve served forbidden fruit pie at her legendary garden soiree, was the day that Adam was expelled from Paradise.

        Do you know the superstition of the number 13th in the Western World is called triskaidekaphobia? 

         
        I found all so interesting as from fear of the Feminine Power so much was developed, but with that lots of women lost touch with their powerful and feminine self, even the understanding of their cycles, bodies and true nature.
        But I believe that is also changing and we should embrace this change to inspire others around us to do the same.

        The Tao ( = the way) of Feminine Empowerment, being powerful as a Feminine Woman filled with compassion, trust, flexibility and receptiveness
        .

        Tao of Feminine Empowerment, the
        Jade Circle
        ® Workshops which provide the tools to support us in this path, through Ancient Secrets which can be easily applied and greatly benefit our modern lives.

        © Anamarta

        Monday 17 July 2023

        Happy Cancer New Moon! Insights, Healing & Ritual

        You probably already know how strong is the influence of the moon in our planet and on ourselves!...
        But for us women, Grandmother Moon symbolises our inner wisdom, intuition, and feminine mystery.  For me, She has been a source of inspiration and empowerment.
        "In Astrology the Moon represents our emotions and our sense of security as we move through the world." adapted from Tannaz.

        The New Moon in Cancer is approaching today, representing the Mother - who sits in the heart.  Cancer is associated with family, children, loved ones, fertility, nurturing, working with the home, ancestors and tradition.

        Emotions can be in the air, as Cancer is ruled by the Moon!... 
        An opportunity to go within, pay attention to your feelings and thoughts, an important yin practice, being connecting with the receptive feminine side with no fear, just allowing things to flow like water, as the feelings bring truth and awareness.
        I truly believe that to feel is to heal.

        Ideally a time for nurturing: to retreat into yourself to get renewed and inspired. And to retreat is definitely an act of strength (not weakness)!...

        "The sign of feminine power that nurtures life…Cancer symbolizes the Great Mother of Life.
        At this New Moon in Cancer, we can plant the seeds of our deepest needs and desires, watered by our sense of self-love and compassion." Cathy Pagano 

        With this new lunar cycle promoting new beginnings, an opportunity to reinforce your goals or create new ones.  Focus your ideas, thoughts and meditations on positive change.
        Ponder the following and give yourself a moment to listen for the answer coming from within (you also can write it down if you like). How can I:
        • Establish foundations upon which to build a fulfilled life.
        • Share my happiness and joy with my loved ones every day.
        • Nourish my soul and those I love.
        In terms of Healing, Cancer is related to the stomach, breasts and lymphatic system.
        Some of the practices I share with my Jade Egg Holistic Practice can support you with this healing: a combination of Healing Sounds, Inner Smile and Kuan Yin QiGong:
        • For the stomach, your "second brain", related to emotions of worry, stress and anxiety: Imagine you can breathe them all in and then breathe them all out with a guttural sound (comes from your throat) 'HOOOOOOOOO' and then place your hands in your stomach SMILE at it and imagine you are breathing in a golden light of serenity, openness, centering - feeling centered in your power***
        ***Another way to be centered in your power is consciously to connect with the Earth Mother, feel the soles of your feet, your body and your center; as if you had deep roots into the Earth, becoming like a tree: strong and steady.

        For the breasts, which symbolise your love chi:
        • Hold your breasts and give them a little squeeze - gently pressing against your chest (this is a great thing to do, you are helping dissolve any stagnant chi/energy...) - and then give a big Smile to your breasts feeling the love, joy and happiness of your heart!... Smiling to everyone you love, everything that gives you joy and makes you happy!
        (For those who have already learned the Breast Massage - keep it on doing!) 
        • Go bra-free, give them a good shake, as movement is essential to your breast health! I strongly suggest doing this every day before you wear your bra, if you have to wear it, and in your private space definitely go bra-free!... 
        To the lymphatic system, which has the function of flushing the toxins out of our body:
        • The Chi Self-Massage. So specifically for this, to help the toxins to come out of your body quickly: just rub the tip of your fingers around the edges of your face and through your jaw and chin bone and under your chin. Then slide your fingers down your throat and when you feel the collar bone just go through the space between your ribs from your chest all way down your ribcage.
        For Ritual, and you can do a ritual without having to prepare anything; a ritual can simply be a conscious way to focus on your intentions - this focus comes from your whole being (mind, heart, womb and soul).
        • From writing down your intentions, or/and creating symbolic acts to manifest your desires and goals...
        • Connect with water through a purifying bath with sea salt, and you can even add anything to make it more special as some herbs, rose petals or essential oils... Also by going to the sea, springs, lakes, waterfalls...
        • In feng shui the right corner furthest from the door of a room is related to love and relationships - you can put something that symbolises or you would like to symbolise your relationships from an object, crystal, photo or image, whatever has meaning for you and then light a candle.
        Overall a perfect time to focus your intentions on things to do with your relationships, with self-love, with your home and your environment. 
        A wonderful time to go out in nature and connect directly with the Heart of the Earth, to feel the grounding, to feel the support, to feel the inner peace and deeply nurture yourself.
        © Anamarta

        Thursday 22 December 2022

        HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE!!

        Also known by MidWinter, Yule!

        At the darkest moment of the year, light is reborn. From the womb of the night is born the child of light who is the returning year.

        Solstice reminds us that the Goddess is, beyond all, associated with regeneration. Death gives way to birth, ending in new beginnings. Another reminder that every quality contains and gives to its opposite. There can be no light without darkness, no darkness without light.

        Winter is officially here, the time of death and conception, the Yin peak of the year in the Taoist calendar, a special time for us women, where the yin prevails...!

        We dive into the Water Element represented by our kidneys, guardians of ancestral QI/CHI, the storehouse of genetic energy, holding the reproductive essence, our life force. Associated with the virtues of wisdom and gentleness (and the negative emotion of fear).
        • Jade is a great crystal to heal the kidneys, you've one more reason to keep connected with your Jade Egg!
        A Good Tip for this Winter and actually you can apply all year round:

        ***Keep your kidneys warm, don't forget they look after your life force, (your creative energy which is present in everything you do!...) - give them a good rub every day. 

        *And if you're rubbing your kidneys just bring the movement down and give an energetic rub, and some tapping in your sacrum (the triangle bone in the base of your spine), keep it warm! The sacrum is in the back of your sexual, creative centre, connecting with all pelvic nerves, for the Taoist the sacrum is the gateway to the Universe beyond the visible... This is a simple thing to keep this important area of your body healthy and free of tension and lower back pain!

         Here is an extra:

        **When people ask me what to do if they feel this part of the body is cold, I recommend wearing a scarf around their waist, keeping the kidneys and sacrum warm. This can apply to everyone who spends a long time in the same position (like sitting with their computers, playing an instrument, etc...)

        *And of course, ladies, it is especially good to keep your kidneys warm when you're with your moontime (your period) and if you are cold or tired. 

        Another great practice for the above and to keep your kidneys and adrenal glands (a little helmet above them) rejuvenated and healthy, is to do the kidney breathing - for those familiar with this practice, to the others who want to learn, keep posted for next year workshops and evening circles!


        © Anamarta

        Saturday 20 June 2020

        HAPPY SUMMER SOLSTICE!!

        Also known as Midsummer or Litha.
        Longest day, shortest night, apex of the solar cycle, the sun reaches its peak!

        The Summer Solstice is a combination of joyous celebration and the realisation that the wheel has reached a pinnacle and is now turning towards the dark again. It is a time to gather loved ones and to celebrate community!

        • Call the fire energy, invite towards you, feel or imagine its warmth in your heart, and tune your warm heart with the Mother Earth heart beat below and tune into the Divine Love above, all heart is one now! Enjoy it, expand it and share with others!
        • And yet, a few quiet moments in a darkened room with a lit candle, give a sense of peace. It's a time for inner connection as well, because the inner and outer communities are interwoven.
        We're in the Fire Element season: the season of the heart. The heart is such an important organ, it connects with all the organs, if it stops, everything stops!
        We need fire to do the Inner Alchemy Taoist practices, as our body is mostly composed of water.  The first practice starts with the inner-smile; inner-smile originates from self-love and self-acceptance towards our body.

        • Sitting quietly, connect with your heart beat, relax all your body and your mind, and with your mind's eye look in front of you and see the sun, breathe in the sunlight through your midi-eyebrow, let this warm and energising feeling spread through all your being...and now smile at your heart, where the sun always shines, breathe in the light of love, and remember first love is self-love, the unconditional love towards yourself essential to receive and give true love; breathe in the red light of joy, think upon everyday life and its joyful gifts; breathe in red light of laughter and happiness, think of the laughter which always works as a spirit lift! And about happiness: The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.
        "Without an open and loving heart, you can never taste the nectar and pure bliss of life." Jamie Sams. 
        © Anamarta

        Monday 6 May 2019

        Goddess Thought

        Dear Goddess,
        Yes, I truly believe that every woman is a Goddess, as you represent the feminine in the mundane dimension; and you should be honoured as such; indeed you must be the first to acknowledge the Goddess you are. 

        What you're about to read emerged many moons ago, but every time I read it, something is trigger in my yin essence, so is why I'm sharing with you:

        The more time I spend with women, the more I find the Goddess present in each of you, makes me just not believe, but feel it, we women are a reflection of each other, representing the different manifestations of the Goddess.
        I'm delightfully enjoying every moment of just being, be yin, nurturing my yin energy and receive the fruits of it with such inspiration! Delving into the mysterious feminine, allowing time for the thoughts to emerge and solidify, connecting with my inner self in such a profound way! Awakening my inner Goddess, letting my inner wisdom be my guide, and the gentleness to be in continuing action with myself and everyone and everything else.
        Result of this inspiring time I'm having to prepare for the coming workshops, I'm feeling the Divine Feminine within bubbling so intensely! It's like fireworks from the depth of sacred water, like the fire shining on the ocean.


        The days are dark and short...
        Nature embraces the darkness 
        And you, what you do?
        Let's embrace it too!
        Going to the void
        And what do you find?
        the answer, the solution,
        the direction, the path;
        the Goddess!...
        ...the Inner Goddess
        and her outer manifestations!
        Be Yin!
        Be Yourself!
        Allowing the dark to rise
        Blending with the light
        Alchemy surprise!
        Achieving the perfect harmony within,
        Bringing this clarity in everything!

        What better than a whole day, (actually weekend!) to embrace our beautiful womanhood, but our ‘Goddesshood’! A new word I created to represent the connection with the Divine Feminine within and sisterhood that brings the awakening and embracing of our inner wisdom, that leads to the empowerment of each other, that always generates so much love and inspiration towards ourselves and others! What a lovely cycle!!
        This Special Spring Equinox Workshop, Join US at the:
         
        INNER ALCHEMY FOR INNER HARMONY on 11th & 12th May:

        All Women Are Welcome
        Click Here for Details and to Book Your Place Now! 

        In delight & sisterhood
        © Anamarta

        Tuesday 20 March 2018

        Happy Spring Equinox!!

         
        Spring Equinox represents the Yin Yang harmony, the moment when these energies are in balance, marks the balance point between light and dark.
        New hopes, new beginnings, new relationships...the earth is reawakening. It's the seed sowing holiday! Its the fertile festival! Its the festival of Eostar, the ancient Anglo-Saxon Goddess of the Spring. Her colorful eggs are the symbols of renewed life. The fertile hare, that leaps up from the field just as the life force leaps up within us, was her sacred animal.

        We're coming from the kidney season to the liver, from being (be yin) to doing (do-yin!), from the Water element to the Wood. The Wood element is the energy of birth, rebirth and renewal, the unstoppability of Life.

        Smile at your liver, awaking and stimulating the kindness, generosity and forgiveness within you.
        * Forgiveness is such a virtue! When we forgive we are free. We need to forgive ourselves and others to allow space for new experiences coming in into our lives.
        * Generosity comes from feelings of abundance and gratitude; its about more than material exchange. True abundance is abundance of the heart- a sense of fullness that overflows in a desire to help.
        * The first thing a kindness deserves is acceptance; the second, transmission.

        Practice covert acts of kindness and generosity- like the girl heroine in the film Amelie, or "guerrilla gardeners"- environmentalists who go out in the middle of the night and plant flowers to beautify waste ground. Think of something you can do secretly for other people or for the world, with no thought of reward for yourself.

        You can nourish your body eating more greens this season, such as broccoli, so good for your liver. And avocado - good for lust and love!!!
        Spend time connecting with the Mother Earth. Walking in bare feet on the grass, nourish yourself with Earth energy. Earth-Connection gives the energy needed to use our natural gifts, abilities, and talents.

        © Anamarta

        Thursday 22 February 2018

        Happy Dog Chinese New Year: Mellow Pace and Yin Embrace!

        The extreme Fire Rooster crowed out and the mellow Earth Dog barked in!
        The Taoist (Chinese) New Year couldn't have started better, as usual in the New Moon with the energies of new beginnings in high, but also with a Solar Eclipse, which reinforce the energy of manifestation, great to set intentions and seed dreams. The Yin of the Moon and the Yang of the Sun, bring in the harmony, let it prevail in our lives!   

        An Earth year... yes please! After the intense past two fire years we had, time to slow down yet moving towards your purpose, to nourish and be replenished - let the stability of Mother Earth support you. Embrace the turning point and Welcome the Dog New Year!

        The dog qualities are integrity, loyalty, protection, fun, playfulness, honesty. They are mostly known to be friendly, totally dedicated to whom they love:
        A reminder for this year to deepen your relationships. Also to surround yourself in a pack, as the dogs do, of like minded people, who support and empower each other for the highest good.

        Integrity and honesty are the values that lead to success under Dog’s watchful and just influence. Susan Lewitt

        Dogs are sensitive too, have an amazing sense of hearing and smell; and are totally in tune with other feelings. The dog vision though is different from the humans: actually believed their vision to be in black and white, but recent studies showed they see colours, although in limited colour range. For me this aligns with the fact the dogs are straight forward and don't lose time with superficiality.  Perhaps another insight for this year!...

        Protect your space, which is sacred.  Defining our energetical boundaries is very important to keep the integrity of your values. Being sensitive, helpful and compassionate, doesn't mean people can take advantage of you. You have to stand your ground and draw the line, for when the time to say 'no', it's clear and sound.

         

        Dog is a medicine that embodies the loving gentleness of best friend and the half-wild protector energy of territorial imperative.*
        If a dog has been yelled at or paddled, it still returns love to the person who was the source of it's bad treatment. This come not from stupidity, but rather from a deep and compassionate understanding of human shortcomings. It is as if a tolerant spirit dwells in the heart of every canine that asks only to be of service.*
         
        Reclaim the power of loyalty to self and self-truths. Become like Dog - your own best friend.*
         
        “The Earth element brings a sense of calm to the already steady Dog." Susie Cox
         
        The Earth is a feminine element with the virtues of serenity, openness, fairness, grounding and sensuality. But the emotions, as we don't have positive without negative, are worry, anxiety and stress; which also associated with the dog.
        The organs are: the Spleen, the nourishing organ, has the energy of nurturing and caring, following the nature of the Earth Element. And the Stomach, where you can find thousands of neurons, why it's named "second brain".
        The stomach meridian runs through the nipples and ovaries, important connection with your sensuality and sexuality.
        The direction is the center. In our Taoist Practices we emphasise the importance of cultivating our centre, our "lower Tan Tien". We have a wide vision upon life when being centered. When we are in our centre we are taking charge of what's going on, no matter what, and not the other way around...
        You can cultivate your center by connect with the Earth: simply by walking bare foot on it, and standing for a while, imagine your feet blending with the roots deep in the earth beneath... Also Qigong, Tai Chi, conscious dance and body movement, help you to calm your mind,  feel your body and be present in the moment.

        I see this Earth Dog as a yin feminine year: to connect and love our bodies, digest life with ease, embrace our sacred sensuality and being centered in our power!
        To support this you have the Jade Egg Holistic Practice, with of course the Jade Egg: a tool, a jewel and a talisman. Jade is a Earth Element crystal, in all aspects: remind us to enjoy the pleasures of being alive, smell the flowers, touch someone you love. Jade and the Earth Element are associated with abundance, actually not only physical abundance, but opens your heart to Divine Abundance and sharing with others in affirmation of plenty.

        Some numerology to reinforce these energies:
        Dog is the eleventh in the 12-year cycle of Chinese zodiac sign.
        The legend says the
        Jade Emperor decreed that the earthly calendar would be represented by 12 animals, the first dozen rock up to his palace will be the selected ones.

        2018 = 2 + 0 + 1 + 8 = 11
        11 is master number (we don't add 1+1). It relates with spirituality, intuition, psychic abilities, illumination, mysticism, align with your soul purpose, and master teacher. So embrace your self-mastery, as everything is inside you! For you to access this, you have to stop and listen from within, embracing like this your yin energy of being.
        This can be indeed a year for you embrace your feminine gifts, and therefore trust your intuition, allowing your inner wisdom to be your guide.

        Following the mystic 11, we also have a Mystic Dog:
        Did you heard about the Anubius?
        It is one of the most prominent and mystical Gods of ancient Egypt, being it's protector, with the body of a man and a black jackal head. Anubius was the God of death, the underworld and mummification.
        Dog is also known as the guardian of ancient secrets, hidden treasures and babies in certain tribes (while mothers are cooking or in the fields).
         
        And what about the wolf?
        It could be definitely aligned with the Dog energy, they share the same loyalty (wolves take a mate for life!), although wolves are wild.
        The senses of Wolf are very keen, and the Moon is its power ally.*
        In the Great Star Nation, Wolf is represented by the Dog Star, Sirius (the brightest star in the night sky), which legend tells was the original home of our teachers in ancient times. Sirius was thought to be home of the gods by the ancient Egyptians, and is still considered so by the Dogan tribe in Africa. It stands to reason that Native American peoples would formulate this same connection and adopt Wolf people as the clan of teachers.*

         
        So now I ask you:
        How do you relate with Dog?
        Take a few minutes to reflect on it. Like this find how you can align with it's energy to make the most of it.



        I share the incredible story of my dog:
        I had a best friend called Blacky, a street young dog that appeared when I was about 7 years old, and we took him in. He was very independent, intelligent, and a strong character. He used to be free during the day, free to be at home or walk around, as he wished, usually he would walk with me to the school and pick me up (alone). Blacky started to give a very hard time to the postman, and he was terrified and the complains began. One day I hid myself when the postman arrived, as I wanted to understand why Blacky will furiously bark at him and don't allow him in the building. So I just witnessed the postman threatening Blacky with the stick. I knew Blackly will not do such a thing without reason. This created some problems with some neighbours that suggested to send Blackly to a farm in the north of the country, many kilometres away; my family obviously didn't accept and assume to take the responsibility for everything (during the time the postman will come he will be hold). One day Blacky disappeared. We though he found another girlfriend, he was popular within the female dogs, so when they were in heat, he will run there and we will find him after a day or someone will tell us where he was (he was quite popular in the area, everyone knew him, a real character). But this was different, he didn't come back. With my rebellious 11 years old, this just broke my heart, I knew my best friend had been taken away. I looked for him, my friends did it too. And I used to pray, ask for him to come back; I did this for many years. Six years passed, 17 years old now, just a few months before I left my parents home, I received a phone call from them: 'It is a dog outside of our work (which was 10 minutes from our home), is in such bad condition and doesn't allow nobody to come close to him, we think is Blacky, just come here.' I couldn't believe! As I arrived, yes, was him, and just me could come close and hold him. We took him to his doctor, who loved him; and confirmed that dogs always come back to their owners. Blackly was back with his paws worn away because of so much walking, one ear shorter than the other, less two teeth, a shot gun wound in a back leg, his tail cut (he use to have a nice big one, he was a mix of German Shepard and Labrador).
        Our sweet warrior, now older and filled with experiences, had happy few years ahead. Twelve years and one month ago, just few months after I moved to London, in old age, and a bit sick, he died. I went to Portugal just for 48h (as I was working), but when I arrived he had passed away; apparently his doctor drove three hours across the country in the middle of the night to assist him in his last breaths. I was devastated. He start to come to my dreams every so often; but I still missed him!... But one year passed and with my Taoist shamanic healing meditations, what a big surprise, Blacky was there waiting for me! And until today, through this meditation, in this place in another dimension, we are together.
        Sometimes across the world, happened recently in Mongolia, a black dog out of the blue comes to me, and from his eyes (as with humans, we recognise someone spirit by their eyes), I know his Blacky spirit coming to say hello in the mundane dimension.
        Another memorable thing from Blackly: was three people in my life that he clearly didn't like, they will try to stroke him and he will turn his back, and then looked at me. Guess what? Was people that a few years later revealed themselves not good to me and of course stopped to be part of my life.
        Another thing to bear in mind, not just for this year of the Dog but for life, trust your first instinct, what you feel is always right!


        Be Mellow and Embrace Yellow!
        This is my motto for this year, with the light heart of the Dog, but yellow isn't just a joke to get the rhyme. The yellow (or gold) connects with the Earth. So I embrace the golden light, for abundance in all levels, take the time to taste the sweetness of life, be grateful, and ultimately just trust and be!...

        And you, what is your motto?

          
         ***Wish you a wonderful Dog Year, may you walk the mellow pace and enjoy the yin embrace!***

         *Adapted by Jamie Sams in Medicine Cards

        This article was inspired by the insights shared last Jade Circle®, with powerful inspiring women. Deep gratitude to you dearest Jade Goddesses sisters.

        Dog Zen Painting by Kris Deva North  
        © Anamarta