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INVISIBLE WOMAN: The Power of Images as Your Voice

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 06:44:53 +0100

The impact of a powerful image is well beyond that of the spoken word in many cases

Recently I went to an opening of Patti Levey's wonderful photography and was greatly touched by not only her photography but the various aspects of her entire exhibit which included her photographs, poetry and performance art by Dana, another young woman.

The combination of all these allowed me to experience the invisibility of women, and the connection that we have with one another even when we are in countries divided by war and ideologies. It was POWERFUL indeed for me, and took me back to the Brave Heart Women's RISE conference training last fall where we learned to acknowledge each other's pain and send love to one another so that we could learn to collaborate rather than compete. Patti's work raised the questions of women being invisible in a burka, and of people not being able to love one another when there are differences. It asks us to think about how women learn how to take on this mantle of invisibility for their own purposes, to hide their real identities and intentions as in carrying laptops, rifles or even pregnancies underneath this garment that is both a burden and possesses the possibility of being a gift of camouflage. A small woman in a burka then began circulating thru the people in the room, silently, almost invisibly. I saw her out of the corner of my eye at first. I realized no one else seemed to see her at all, Seeing the photographs of similar invisible women, offering a folded American flag to the viewer and many other related images along with poems of the losses and pain of these wars between countries and on women, had already left me deeply moved. Suddenly I knew this invisible woman need to be recognized by me. I looked at her. She silently walked up to me holding the folded flag and handed it to me. I can not describe the deep feelings of sadness and yet connection I felt with her. Then out of my experience at the RISE conference came a knowing and I reached over to her shoulders and placed my right hand there. She placed hers on top of mine. And with tears I simply said, " I SEE you. We stood a moment and then I returned the flag to her. It was profound for both of us as she told me later. Perhaps the teachings that we had at Brave Heart's RISE conference could be done on a much larger scale so that they can sensitize many more and show us how to simply recognize one another as the beautiful beings we are, regardless of how we dress or where we live. This was a wonderful example of using multiple means of communication to empower the Voice of the Work. A message given in multiple ways that includes visual images is perhaps the very most powerful tool we have.
If you would like to see images of Patti's actual work, please check her photography at this link

http://www.photoeye.com/gallery/forms2/index.cfm?image=1&id=181344&imagePosition=1&Door=9&Portfolio=Portfolio2&Gallery=0

Beautiful communication with all others

Blessings,

Feather

Sacred Twins: Two Ways to Look at Decisions

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 04:11:42 +0100

I Dream;
I Channel Information for Myself and Others

How do you approach making decisions?

Recently I had a dream that seem insignificant at first then thinking on it further I was given much information about how we make choices in our lives. The dream was this:

Twin old men with balding heads of white hair pulled up beside me in a car with their window rolled down, both in the front seat. I was walking down the street of a small town. One was alert and driving the car. He could see perfectly. The other was a passenger and as he turned to me, I saw both of his eyes were put out. He was blind and unable to see at all. The one driving was talking thru their open window and trying to tell me what to do with a decision I was making. I didn't want to hear what he said as I knew he didn't really know how I felt and what I truly needed to do. The blind one said nothing.

As I thought about this dream, I was told the "Seeing One" couldn't know what I needed to do but I didn't think to ask the "Blind One" his opinion. I had asked for dreams about a decision I needed to make as I went to bed and was given this analogy which I didn't recognize at first. The Blind Twin represents Sacred Heyoka vision. It is a non-rational vision of life that goes beyond what makes sense to most. It is based in trust of a higher power and believing that even the impossible is possible for the Universe. The Seeing Twin represents our rational self and the traditional ideas of common sense solutions but is much handicapped as he cannot see beyond what he knows. "The Driver, the Seeing Twin" is one who SEES but may not know. He lives in our brain. The Blind Twin is one who KNOWS but may not See (How.) He lives in our intuition.

Do you make all your decisions according to ration or do you consider your soul needs and the possibilities of the Unknown? Consider the Blind Twin's Knowing as well as the Seeing Twin's Ration.

Beautiful and Helpful Dreams,
FeatheR

Please comment below:
labyrinthdoor@gmail.com

Harmonics: What Are They and How Do We Raise Them?

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:27:35 +0100

Abundance and Harmony Watercolor 9 x12 " copyright 2012 Feather Redfox

Harmonics and Harmony, flowing with the movement of things, being the water within the water....think about that....water...within the water. Its a bit like being a separate individual part of the great Source of all and flowing as an individual within that great energy. Harmony can be a sound, a pitch and a flow of movement, a feeling about the state of our souls and the song they are singing to us. Do they sing of beauty or of the depths and darkness. Actual singing is such a good remedy for raising our harmonic. Even if we can't carry a tune, the sound of our voices interacts with the energies of our chakras, our body's fluids to vibrate them in so many ways. The wavelength of that vibration is what we need to change and create in joy, to help our harmonic, to raise our energy levels. I like to think of it as creating a beautiful river of flowing energy whose sounds slide softly and sometimes thrash round the stones in our path creating a whole symphony of energetics. Using sounds to work with our harmonics is just one way, one kind of opportunity to create a movement and a force of beauty and change.

May beautiful Harmonics bless you,
FeatheR

Your Empowered Whisper

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 06:07:01 +0100

Your Empowered Whisper

VOICE, how do we take the energy,courage and empowerment we have on this earth plane and project it into our audible voice when you need to make yourself heard about something important? (Don't forget to use your empowerment to tell those around you of your love and appreciation for them as well!)
Can you project across a room in a whisper or powerfully to the person standing beside you? What emotions can you project and how empowered is your whisper? Try this simple exercise, watching yourself in the mirror. Your facial movements say much. You can also add simple hand gestures to amplify your message. Create a short confrontational scenario such as you wanting to have a change while another person does not. Set your intention: I want to forcefully but lovingly send this message: "I want this to change!". Breathe deeply and draw energy from the earth up thru your body. Breathe out holding it in your heart chakra area then breathe again several times. Look at the intended recipient's left eye if possible, (its connected to their right brain and will be more susceptible to intuitive and nonrational communication). If you work with Source or a form of Higher Power, ask also for assistance and guidance from there. (See yourself in the mirror for practice) and first say "I hold you in love but I need you to hear me!" then form and say the words of your message silently breathing your power and energy into them. Try saying the same thing saying out loud very softly. Then in a moderate voice and finally say it loudly and boldly. Can you say this boldly even when your voice is very soft? Feel the energy of your intention as you gather it in every fiber of your body. Do that in a very aware way. Practice so that you can feel the power of your collected energy and put it in every syllable of what you say when the times comes that you need to do that. Use only the volume necessary to be heard. Less is generally more in these cases and when you have spoken, say to yourself or out loud if appropriate. " I hold you in love. Thank you for hearing me!"
When your message has been received, take an Oxytocin breath, a deep breath and let it out slowly with an audible sigh that starts at a higher pitch and goes lower as your breath diminishes. Allow all the emotions you were using to be released with the breath and relax. Do this as many times as needed to feel relaxed. Then you will be ready to move back into more normal interaction with the other person and disperse any remnants of confrontational energy between you. Practice until you are familiar with the feelings of collecting energy and using it in this way. It will not work with every person but it will create a more empowered you when you speak.

Blessings, Light and Empowered Voices,
FeatheR

Please feel free to comment at this link
labyrinthddoor@gmail.com

Finding Your Voice

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 04:36:17 +0100

So many women are taught by their cultures that they must always speak with soft tones of kindness, with consideration for the feelings of others. I truly believe in showing compassion and judging little or not at all, but there are times when we have something of true importance to say, and we just have to shout, yell if you will and allow our passion to show in our words. In this way we claim our boundaries, teach the things that need to be taught. They may be yells turned up in volume or of deadly quiet but, we have to pour out our words with power. That is not to say we should slander or be hateful, simply that we must learn to speak with conviction and power. Sometimes, sometimes the element of surprise, of hearing such power come from the mouths of those who are normally quiet spoken, and non-confrontational, can allow those who hear no one, to hear YOU. Those of you who work with a power animal will find it helpful to pull their energy in for this work. And remember that you must do this work with the intent to be heard. Its not just about releasing anger though that is often a part of empowering your voice. Our lesson is to learn to take those powerful emotions and to use them in an intentful way as a path to reach those who are not able to hear us, and still be able to hold all of that in compassion.

Blessings and powerful voices,
FeatheR

Please note comments or questions here or at the email listed below
labyrinthdoor@gmail.com

A Solstice Meditation - An Esoteric Teaching

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 06:00:10 +0100

Eyes of the Sun

A Solstice Meditation - An Esoteric Teaching

As I meditated in the dreamtime, I was with an ancient mask of the Sun from an Aztec Temple. The face image above is much like that mask I saw, but it includes an image of a temple in the middle and round disks of the sun darkened in the night on the left and in light on the right as in the day.These were times when the sacred cradled and informed the ordinary. I heard a voice intone and say:

" Oh that I might see with the Eyes of the Sun."
It was as though an ancient one was doing a ritual for Solstice with the Sun God and asking that they might see and think and the sun thinks and sees. It continued speaking as the Sun. " At that time between the worlds, (of light and dark), when my eyes of fire pierce unending beams across all that is and is not in that place between day and night, my laser beams pounding out and out till stopped by nothingness, perhaps a heavier void than this one, their fraying light edges curl round and round back upon one another like a giant feathered serpent of whom I am the pulsing head", said the Sun. "So much light is there in the darkness, a visceral form that moves in a few instants back to catch the opposite world once more in creeping pools of strengthening light bringing warmth now where it had been cool. The temples hold my sacred ones, (priests and worshipers,) ever watchful ever guarding any cracks between the worlds of darkness and of light to call me back, call me back from wayward sojourn leaving my appointed paths and constant runs." (The Sun is saying that their ceremony and devotion keep the Sun focused on its appointed normal paths rather than having it go astray.) "Should ever they cease their vigil, who knows if I should remember the sacred rounds, the sacred wheels of day and night and seasons", mused the Sun. Their festivals, their meditations decorate and mark the road I am to travel".

Once the sacred was known to create the beautiful possibility of everyday life. How do I bring that into my world today? How aware am I of the power of my simple daily ceremony, from journaling or singing my gratitude, to prayer, to lighting a candle and re-energizing and clearing my chakras? In my ceremonies, am I able to move into a conscious awareness of the power I create and from there to guide it to good ends? That is a lesson I need to bring from the ancients even more strongly into my daily life. I am more and more convinced, the forward movement and growth we seek, in some aspects, comes from the way back.

Many Solstice Teachings and Blessings,
FeatheR

Please add your comments or feel free to email me with questions
labyrinthdoor@gmail.com

Calling Back the Goddess

Sat, 10 Dec 2011 04:32:20 +0100

                                                Calling Back the Goddess

Quickly the sun approaches that time of standing still that we call Solstice. For some time now, I have felt the call of the Goddess, felt the absence of her feminine energy presence in this sore world . I know its return is imperative to the healing of our Earth and ways of living. We seek from her three aspects of feminine energy to bring balance to the adrenaline "fight or flight" paradigm under which we live:
            *Intuition and intuitive guidance rather that only ration as our guide.
            *Compassion and Action rather than Reaction
            *Vulnerability and giving energy to positive things, being FOR rather than negative energy that             is always AGAINST.

Goddess is Calling Me

Goddess is calling me
I feel her presence
in the moistness
of the down-slanting rain
thru the wind talk of
my little chime as it sings
beyond all my dreams,
and I answer through my sleep,
"Here I am;
Here I am",
as I lie in the
Purple tents of the soon-to-come-day.

Goddess calls...
I wake to hear her whispered call float forward
from the painted cave,
and I love
Her gentle presence
and the strength
of its persistence....Endurance
Endurance
moves her beyond my fears
that She is gone.

FeatheR

Please feel free to comment or contact me at the following link
labyrinthdoor@gmail.co.

Winter Blessings
      FeatheR
.

Vulnerability versus the Outdated Evolutionary Behavior of Our Need for Safety

Wed, 07 Dec 2011 06:07:53 +0100

DOORWAY TO THE PATH OF HEART

Vulnerability versus the Outdated Evolutionary Behavior of Our Need for Safety

When I think of power-filled feminine energy, both in women and in men, I believe it must include vulnerability. Few of us like to be vulnerable as it is almost sure to open us to hurt of some kind yet.....Vulnerability take a kind of courage that is more powerful than becoming hermits or always choosing the Safe Path. Fear has to be the biggest stumbling block for all of us who pursue living the truth of our lives.

Yes we need to live a safe life in much of our day to day physical existence but in pursuing our truth, following our path of heart in this life, we need to be willing to take meaningful risk, to think of failure as a teacher and to look for the feeling of fear that comes with the companion of enthusiasm in our professional lives. Fear with enthusiasm can be a potent pair of allies that help us think beyond our ideas of what is possible. THAT IS SO IMPORTANT! It is another way to describe vulnerability. The concept of fear is strongly tied to our concepts of what is Possible. I'd like to suggest that we can live beyond what is possible. It is part of our masculine energy and the pervasive paradigm of our culture to live rational lives and have an informed view about what is or is not possible, yet all of you have heard of people who have done impossible things. Rather than trying to rationally explain them, we need to hold on to the concept that we, as humans, are not capable of knowing what is "POSSIBLE" in every situation of this existence. We know what is most likely to happen in given situations but not what is possible. There is a difference. Vulnerability is the willingness to consider a step in our lives that feels very scary, perhaps impossible, but for which we also have a strong feeling of enthusiasm. It is the willingness to take that risk, knowing that if we do succeed, we will have made a great accomplishment, and accepting the possibility of failure as something worth the effort. In our society, we are schooled to look at failure as a terrible thing, as something that lowers our value in the eyes of others...but we need to not judge ourselves by the evaluation of others. That too is an outdated evolutionary behavior: needing the acceptance of others and one that we must drop on our path of heart. So the Bravest of Hearts, as taught by Ellie Drake of Brave Heart Women, are those who open themselves to vulnerability and release their need for constant safety. May these be your touchstones, your doorways to movement on your Path of Heart:

Letting go of our need for Safety
Vulnerability
Living beyond the possible
Fear that partners with enthusiasm in our professional lives
Meaningful Risk

Oxytocin As A Source of Empowerment

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:07:00 +0100

SILENCE

Oxytocin As A Source of Empowerment

There is information which is helpful to us in our work as beings searching for our truth and empowerment, so that we will be able respond to situations in our lives rather than react, to let go of our need for approval and competition, to calm Crazy Mother when she visits us with heightened fears.   One of those things is a raised level of Oxytocin in our bodies. I am not a scientist or a medical person but the general information that science now presents to us is this:

Oxytocin is a hormone that both men and women have naturally in addition to adrenaline. In the past, Oxytocin has traditionally been associated with stimulating women's bodies to give birth, to care for and breast feed their infants. While this is true, it is now being shown to have many other valuable aspects that benefit all humanity of both sexes. Oxytocin is a hormone and neurotransmitter, or a substance that takes messages from one area of the brain to another and to our body to create actions. Science now tells us that we cannot fall in love without it and today higher levels of oxytocin are being associated with bonding, caring for others, reducing stress levels and a longer and happier life. It has been administered nasally to people with autistic behaviors or those who are challenged by interacting with others in socially acceptable ways.   It was not a cure for these things but is seen to contribute positively in many cases. Laboratory rats in close quarters who were given doses of oxytocin were better able to tolerate a cagemate in such conditions, than those without.

But there is no pill or injection that humans can use to accomplish this as oxytocin beaks down too quickly in our systems and doesn't get to the brain where it is needed to promote change. For more information on the science of this you may want to do your own research, but suffice it to say that this hormone, when in our bodies at raised levels, can help us to relax, enjoy those around us more and let go of stress that causes us to react rather than respond. It makes it more possible to let go of many of the things that alarm and cause us fear.   We are more able to live in loving relationships and keep them in good repair, even to have better sexual relationships. Here are a few suggestions for raising your oxytocin levels so you can respond rather than react from the adrenaline fight or flight mode that holds our world captive today.

1. Oxy Breath - Inhale deeply and say out loud if possible, "Hahhhhhhhh" on a descending pitch as you release all the air in your lungs and allow your muscles to release all tension as well. Repeat several times till you feel at ease and relaxed.
2. Gently repetitive touch for a period of time such as stroking a partner or petting an animal. Holding another in a warm way.
3 . Warm environments such as hot tubs, especially if shared with a friend or partner, also raise oxytocin levels.
4. Speaking from a relaxed body in relaxed melodious tones while looking directly into another's eyes, GENTLY.

"Hahhhhhhhh"

Outdated Evolutionary Behavious

Fri, 18 Nov 2011 07:52:36 +0100

Friendship: Rooted in the Magic Blood of Women

Obsolete Evolutionary Behaviors

Our need for approval is pervasive and insidious...I should know I'm discovering it in my own behaviors in unsuspected places as well as the obvious ones. It had its rightful place when it was a part of our survival methods, part of keeping the tribe safe. We behaved in ways that were approved of by the group because they endangered no one and kept us all safe. The wise ones or perhaps, like today, those with more personal power told us how we should live. How often have you not done something because another person might not approve, or like it or understand? And how often was it something that was meaningful and important to you? As women, so often we stifle our voice, literally choke it back, swallow it and give our bodies physical illness because we are not able to live thru our own eyes but instead feel compelled to seek the approval of others we love or fear or admire.....

Women are beautiful and empowered beings but sometimes we have not yet found our power and so we live our lives thru the eyes of others. This is an obsolete behavior and it is time for us to change it. We need to strengthen our feminine energy and to teach our children and our men how to become comfortable with that beautiful energy which includes the strength and information that comes to us thru intuition. Intuition is not just an old wives tale. It is real and a tool that we can use in our everyday lives. As a shaman woman, I know and use its power all the time. It is one of the ways we tap into our inner guidance whether we call that Goddess, God, Great Spirit or Higher Power. Combined with true compassion rather than competition, it is one of the most powerful forces on this earth plane. Together they can rebalance and realign the energies of our world and help to sort out the chaos, but women have to first understand that energy in their own lives, and then teach it to the men and children. I was once told by another shaman doing a reading for me that women must be men's teachers, not the other way around. And that language was invented to help men learn to communicate where as women didn't really need language. I think there is a lot of truth to that given that most men live much more in a "rationally understood" world that is driven by adrenaline's fight or flight mode and few trust their intuition or are able to feel comfortable expressing their emotions. That too is an Obsolete Evolutionary Behavior. Fight or flight was really necessary in ancient times just for survival but it can no longer be the driving force of our world. It is a force for destruction and when it is the judge of how we need to live our lives, we must let go of our need to have the approval of those who operate in that way. We must now take our own strengths and learn more and more about how to explore and use them, both to be the best of who we are and to bring change to our world. I will continue to post information about how we can increase our levels of empowerment as women and share with you some specific exercises and tools that can be helpful for you in doing this. I am also more than happy to share guidance with you as individuals. If that is of interest please look at my private study possibilities.

Blessings and hope,

FeatheR