Large Fierce Mammal

“Spirit Messengers. The term conjures images of animals sent by a higher power to offer guidance toward the right Path. A Google search will turn up reams of pages identifying the characteristics of each creature, along with its “meaning” should it choose to make itself seen to you under a variety of circumstances.

“As with publications that purport to assist you in the interpretation of dreams, I personally hold that this “if A then B” approach at once trivializes and over complicates something my experience has shown to be both subtle and powerful, as is Nature Herself.” ~ Musings on Mindfulness

If you read the excerpt above, and even better, the entire article it’s taken from, you’ll have at least some grasp of my philosophy of connectedness with all things. Naturally, your degree of understanding will be dictated by how much of your life’s fulfillment has come to you by way of connectedness with Nature, and how much it relies on having subscribed to the Human conceit that places you “above all that”.

It was On the 28th day of August passed, I received an unexpected gift in two parts. The first I found early that morning on the blog of my Esteemed Friend Jim Keating of whom I’ve previously written.

“… In our superior way of science and intellect, we have became dumber than rocks about the mystical, spiritual world that makes our planet sacred. All wells and springs should be graced as “sacred”. The magic of such places can be felt. The dwellers therein can be sensed and eventually reached. Trust me, there are methods. They work. The true secret of the Feathers is beyond most men’s scope of understanding. Feathers are the magnifying, transmitting wands of energetic exchange between the two worlds. Once understood the power of the feather is never forgotten. Once learned, the same path can be employed through minor experimentation w/ other items, substances and mediums. To actually meet with and have a relationship w/ the genus loci is an honor beyond all honors for a human being. Wonders await those whose hearts are open and inner senses keen. Worlds within worlds – this is the shaman’s vision, himself a witness, a watcher, a chronicler of such wonders. Caretakers with awareness and a delicate tread upon the Earth are needed. Far more so than warriors are needed.” ~ GENUS LOCI: The True Owners of the Sacred Places, James A. Keating, Ramblings of the Roach

The second was so singularly remarkable that, coming as it did on the same day as my reading Jim’s references to feathers, I immediately wrote to him about it, saying in part:

“… I was thinking about what you wrote of wells and springs, and especially the matter of Feathers, today as I walked up the trail to the well to give thanks for its bounty, as I do regularly. Coming back down, I resolved to explore the Feather lore of which you speak, knowing as we do that there would be little grain to separate from much chaff in the quest, but worth the trip for the tiny scraps of Truth that might be found.

“This afternoon, I had cause to drive across town to pick up a cheque from a client’s office. I parked in front of the building and was inside for less than a minute for the exchange of pleasantries and mercenary remuneration. As I approached my car I heard a Crow calling to me from a nearby tree, and as I looked at my car I found a surprise … a 9 inch long Crow’s flight feather lying next to my car right by the driver’s side door, seemingly deposited for me to find as a Cat may leave a Mouse at the door of a respected Human.

“Naturally, I picked it up. The Crow got more excited. Looking up at him/her, I held the Feather up and said, “Thank you!”

“Still cawing, the Crow flew off and I returned home where the Feather now rests on my desk.

“Some may say the gift comes to the worthy, and I would agree. But I also feel the gift comes with a demand for more worthiness, and so we improve. Now I embark on what study is required to learn its purpose.

“Endless thanks Jim. With no disrespect to the Feather bearer, you were my first gift bearing Crow of the day!”

Jim’s reply brought with it a very interesting revelation indeed:

“Right after reading your email I went outside and up the hill to see if any mail had came. There in the driveway lay a feather — I had checked for mail earlier — no feather. But I kid you not, this just happened. Yes, a real case of cool coincidence as some may see it. From my locus, heh heh, it’s no coincidence at all – it’s a DIRECT and CLEAR communication & confirmation of what I had shared, of what we both have experienced and observed. Spot on, always perfect alignment of thought and deed as per command of the greater forces that work through us all. The spirit never misses its mark.

A phenomenon of synchronicity had occurred involving two Men living with the entirety of North America between them. One that was at once remarkable and not particularly hard to believe at all, for as Jim has more recently written in his blog:

“To possess the higher art – the vessel (you) which receives it, holds it gently in the Zen way must also be worthy of the grand task. The change will happen from the inside out. In this new period of life many of us are awakening to we must set our intent to capture the good energies it brings us. Look for the mini-miracles, the odd synchronicity and sublime messages that walking this new path brings to us. If you see them, they are confirmations that you are on the right track. Bravo! The ones who embrace fear, who fuel fear and anger and channel such dark energy will continue to do so. Their own actions and thoughts will create a self igniting firestorm resulting in their own detriment or demise. There is little that can be done for these type of beings except to pray for them. In your thoughts, in your deeds manifest the qualities of the master’s path. Guidance comes from within so slow down and listen to the message ….” ~ The Art of Nobility: Advanced Fighting Methods #2, James A. Keating, Ramblings of the Roach