Psychic Intelligence

We all know terms like "intellectual intelligence" and "emotional intelligence", but there is another form of intelligence that is there and rarely acknowledged. This is called "Psychic Intelligence". This is a phrase that is my own. I did not pick it up in a book or in an interview on television. This is something that I have spoken about for years and that was taught me, although not called "psychic intelligence" when it was being taught.

When I was taught about this it was called things like "honouring your insight", "intuition", and "medicine". This is all accurate, but I like giving it the name of "psychic intelligence" because it honours it even more. It give is a quality of reality that contemporary thought does not. When we are psychically intelligent we pay attention to what goes on inside ourselves and what goes on around us. We qualify the "vibes" we get on things. We allow ourselves to question whether or not we are crazy and know that if we have even considered the question we are most likely sane. We pay attention to the shadows that we see out of the corner of our eyes and we know that it is not always just a problem with our physical vision. We allow ourselves to check in with what is right for us on a spiritual level and become congruent with that.

Psychic intelligence allows us not to "spy" on others, but to keep us on track. It helps to prevent us from departing from our spiritual path in ways that hinder our growth. It helps us to connect the dots of reality and know that all is interwoven with everything and everyone else in our universe. It honours us as spiritual beings inside physical bodies, and lets go of us seeing ourselves as physical beings trying to become spiritual.

Blessed Be

Trent

www.deerhornshamanic.com

The Fabric of Our Existence

Sometimes we lose track of what is really important in our lives. We get so busy that we simply forget to take stock in the things we value most. For me, it is my daughters, my Love, and me. What I learned, however, upon becoming a parent over 13 years ago, is that I can care about everyone else just as much as I want, but if I don't care about myself then I risk destroying it all or losing it all anyway.

Once I realized that those whom I care about the most needed me there was an instant shift in my consciousness. It happened automatically one day. My first born was about a month old and I was having a bit of a difficult day. The night before was sleepless with a baby crying with colic and the morning was harrowing with helping people who were grieving the loss of a child of their own. In the afternoon I encountered a client who, by nature, was abrasive. She decided that this was the day to insult me. Before I even thought the words they came out of my mouth something to the effect of, "You might think that you can treat me this way, but I am here to tell you that you cannot treat the father of my child this way. You are now fired as a client. Get out." There was a lot of backtracking on her part, to no avail. I have made sure to not ever see her again.

What came out of this for me was a realization that fatherhood had changed something in me. I knew people were depending upon me to be there for them, but if I allowed anyone to treat me miserably it would chip away at me till there was nothing left for my family. This would not do.

I encourage everyone to find the hook. The hook is that thing inside that allows you to stick up for yourself and allows you to demand dignity and respect from those who are not showing it. This is also something that allows us to understand things from others' perspectives. Every challenge that I have personally experienced has allowed me to develop more compassion and understanding for others and what they may be going through. Sometimes showing respect can be as simple as allowing someone their space, or not getting in their face to help them fix things when they are feeling bad about something and needing to simply feel it. It can be as much what we don't do as it is what we do. The wisdom comes when we know which it is that is needed in the moment. For that, we need to follow our hearts and understand the fabric of our own existence.

Blessed Be

Trent

www.deerhornshamanic.com

Getting Frosted

How often we get all twisted out of shape about stuff that really is not worth the effort! Someone cuts us off in traffic and we get all angry instead of understanding that there is really nothing we can do about their driving habits. We can only drive our own cars. Some day, in some way, that person will actually have a serious wake up call, but for now, we need to just breathe and let it go. My personal favorite tick off is when people turn onto a street and then hold up traffic trying to turn left through oncoming traffic at a place that is just as easily accessible if they just drive a couple more feet to the corner and turn there, thus freeing up traffic flow. To me, holding up traffic flow, no matter how stupid you are without your coffee, should be ticketed immediately. But I can't drive for them. And I can't drive for the idiots who hold up the oncoming traffic to let them turn left across two lanes of traffic to get into the parking lot of the local coffee shop. I can only breathe.

Now and then I have an experience of reacting before I have a moment to think about the reaction. This never really turns out that well. It might make me feel better for a moment and I usually react in a way that helps educate the other person, but rarely am I actually nice about it in the moment. I am working on that. A Zen Master I am not. But even Zen Masters have been known to slap someone upside the head to shape up their attitude.

Nonetheless, I think that it is much better to not let yourself get frosted about stuff. As the photo above shows us, there are much better things to appreciate about frost. This is the frost on my bedroom window. Although it is a sign of it being really cold out there (the term "Holy Mother of God!" comes to mind), the effect can be quite beautiful. And when I look at something like that I can't help but feel serene inside.

Blessed Be

Trent

www.deerhornshamanic.com

A Sure Step

Sometimes our lives present us with challenges. The steps we have to take can be shaky at best and downright frightening. Every time we place one foot in front of the other, we risk having all the support that we are used to buckling out from under us. When we think we have sure footing, we often find that concept challenged by the element of surprise that life often has to offer.

But as we climb the stairs of life, we need to understand that we are never alone. If one of those stairs should crumble, Spirit will always provide us with a different option. Sometimes we need to get creative in our approach. For example, in this set of stairs I would be more tempted to only step on the far right or far left edge of the steps. That way I would be placing my weight on what is theoretically the strongest part of the step. I may also be tempted to not climb these steps until I had dieted for about a month or so. There are also some rocks to the side of the stairs, so they would take up the first three or four steps if I used them instead. If anything adverse happened I could quickly jump onto the bamboo frame and slide my way back down. The worst that could happen would be having to start over again. Of course, Spirit may have also by then let me know of a different set of stairs that could be taken. Then there is always the option of teleportation.

What I find very curious though, is what may be behind the steps. Those look like openings that critters could enter. So who knows what lives in there till you actually look?

Blessed Be

Trent

www.deerhornshamanic.com

The Three Faces of the Goddess

Maiden, Mother and Crone. This also correlates to the three faces of the God; Father, Son and Sage. So no matter what gender you are you are able to relate to the three aspects of the Divine.

The Maiden is the youthful aspect of the Goddess. She is full of spontaneity and potential. She helps bring fresh perspectives into any situation.

The Mother is the nurturer. She is able to comfort and protect us on our earth walk. She is the giver of life.

The Crone is the wise woman aspect of the Goddess, or the Grandmother. She gives wise counsel and helps us to understand the web we have woven in our lives and how to disentangle and how to create a better weave for ourselves and others.

Without this consciousness I would personally be quite lost in life. Things can get very complicated and when they do I find that meditating and asking the questions like, "What do I need to understand and what do I need to next do?" brings me the answers and guidance from the Goddess. I don't focus necessarily on any one aspect of Her. I simply ask the question and allow Her to answer me from whichever perspective or perspectives She chooses. She tells me she loves me because I listen. Mind you, She is also at times frustrated because of what I decide (having free will and all) to do with the information She gives me.

Blessed Be

Trent

www.deerhornshamanic.com

Dragons In Our Midst

There are many forms of dragons in our world, should we choose to see them. Air dragons tend to be found in the sky, Water dragons in lakes, rivers and oceans, Fire dragons near volcanoes and so on. Earth dragons seem to be the most well hidden right in front of our eyes. They have the ability to shape shift into rock and stone formations, into hills and also become part of the face of a mountain or the bark of a tree.

Why do they do this? Actually, it is about self-preservation. Humans have not been the kindest of creatures to the dragons. Quite frankly, with all our silly dragon slaying we seem to have lost their trust, for some reason or other. It takes quite the gifted soul to now be able to find a dragon amongst its camouflage. But the thing is that gifted individuals are used to seeing what has always been right there in front of us, unseen to the rest of humanity. Yes, sometimes others will call us things like "crazy" because they don't have the gift of sight. But eventually, as we choose wisely those with whom we share our visions, our understanding of the world around us ripples outward. Over time, the consciousness that we possess becomes something akin to common knowledge. I would say that it won't be more than, say, the next 200 years and the world will once again know the presence of the dragon. That doesn't seem so long to wait, considering how slow people can be in catching up.

The question, however, is what humans will do with the information. It is my hope that, through avenues such as my blog site and a variety of books that are written on the subject, we will be able to educate humanity so that they don't repeat old patterns of mistakes. After being slaughtered to near extinction the sea otter rarely visits the coastline anymore and will never do so if there is a bi-ped in earshot or in sight. The dragons have magic that can keep them safe for now. The sea otter did not. Having lost the trust of the sea otter humans now have to go onto its turf to get any information on it. Perhaps this is why only magical humans can find the dragons. Perhaps that is a turf that we have in common, and perhaps having that in common creates a trust level for first contact. Once that contact is made, we still have to prove ourselves worthy of further contact. As we do, relationship develops and rapour becomes established. As partners, the magical ones and the dragons are able to begin the process of re-creating harmony in the world, which is not a small task by any stretch!

Blessed Be

Trent

www.deerhornshamanic.com

Celebration time...Come On!

So often people get all humbug about celebrations. They don't want anyone acknowledging their birthdays, they forget anniversaries, they completely ignore the holidays. Sometimes I see these people and wonder what the heck their damage is??? When I ask them what's up with the ba-humbug attitude all I get from them is additional attitude about the "commercialism" of these events. I get stuff like, "It's only a Hallmark holiday." Sometimes I get, "I don't think Christmas is anything other than a way to boost the economy." I find this sort of thinking sad.

We can choose to celebrate whatever we want in whatever way we want. When we buckle to the idea that it is either commercialism or nothing, we lack imagination. We can celebrate in whatever way we choose, even if that is just blowing up balloons, putting up streamers and yelling, "Surprise!!" when someone enters the room. My Love tells me that I sing the best rendition of Happy Birthday bar none. All her friends who have heard it agree. That is the way I celebrate people's birthdays. I sing. Is it any wonder I have taken on the position of "Birthday Coordinator" at work? The good thing is that folks at work appreciate that. Besides, it is just fun, fun, fun!

Blessed Be

Trent

www.deerhornshamanic.com

Allies

So often people ask me how to connect with their Spirit Allies, be they human or animal or mineral in form. The answer really is to approach them with the mind of a child. This means to get out of your head and into your heart. When we allow ourselves to relate to the Spirit realm from our hearts, we naturally show respect and care for the Spirit Allies.

Too often people say things like, "My bear told me such and such and so I commanded him to....". This is an inappropriate relationship. First off, the bear does not belong to you, therefore it is not "your bear" but rather simply "Bear". Secondly, if you think that you can go on for very long commanding Spirit to do anything, then you are in for one heck of a life lesson, because to command is to come entirely from the place of ego. We can request, we can ask for information, we can assist, but we would do best to not command.

So when we approach Spirit Allies with the mind of a child, we allow their presence to enter our lives with the gentleness of a deer and the grace of a swan. We don't always see them right away because they are not in our dimension of consciousness. We sometimes smell them, feel them touch us, hear them in the wind or in the trickling of water, and we sometimes dream them. Once we attune our own consciousness to their dimension of reality, communication can take place and relationship can be established.

Sometimes they are forcefully and desperately trying to get our attention. This can result in dream encounters that are frightening. If we allow ourselves, instead of running from Tiger, for example, to be able to turn and face Tiger and ask it what it wants, we will then show an openness that allows Tiger to calm down and let us know what we need to know. Sometimes Tiger will eat us in a dream. So be it. It is now infusing you with its Tiger medicine. Congratulations....you passed the test! Now your instincts will be much more acute and precise. Just remember, we don't own Tiger. Tiger adopts us.


Blessed Be

Trent

www.deerhornshamanic.com

Don't Bottle Them Up!

Emotions are E-motions. Energy in motion. It is important to allow the emotions to flow. Don't bottle them up, or they become like stagnant water. And when we allow them to flow, we don't need to drown in them or to drown anyone else in them. Laughter ripples; tears flow. This is the nature of emotions.

This photo is of my water rattle. As I utilize the swirling sound of the water to move through a person's energy system, their emotions begin to balance. They release what has been dammed up for way too long and integrate what has needed to be healed. It is also quite beautiful to look at when it is in use. The green water is very distinctive as it swirls and ripples through the bottle.

Water has been used for centuries as a healing agent. It has been used to cleanse and purify the body, the mind and the soul. Frog Clan healers often will spray holy water onto the body of their patient and, as the water soaks into that area of the body, the body heals. I say, "Pretty cool indeed!".

Blessed Be

Trent

www.deerhornshamanic.com

Helping Hands, Healing Hands

I always find it amazing how well things go when we lend a hand. Helping others and performing acts of kindness warms my heart. But I also find it sad how many people lack physical human contact. The healing touch that is transmitted through the hands is amazing. I am not sure when we, as a race or culture, got so hung up about touching each other, but we really did ourselves and everyone around us a disservice.

The healing energy that transfers from one to another through touch is free! It is not something that we always have to pay someone to do for us. All we have to do is volunteer. And we don't even have to touch anyone anywhere that they or we would not be comfortable with. Simply touching a hand does so much for the endorphins in the body that it is like taking a happy pill. Then with the energy of intent combined, we can move energy to anywhere throughout the body.

The Medicine Wheel teachings tell us that the body is the temple. It is the place where we learn to properly hold. By "holding" I mean that we learn how to hold our temple in the highest regard, keeping it well so that it, in turn can hold our soul energies intact for this earth walk. It is also important for us to recognize, however, how important it is for everyone to be held, from the time of birth to the time of death (no matter how long a period of time in between those two events).

This is something that hospitals are finally catching on to. Even in ICU there is space provided to touch the person who is unwell. In Neonatal ICU people are encouraged to touch and, sometimes, to hold the infants who are at risk.

So when my Love tells me how incredible it is when I touch her as I caress her back, I take it as an ultimate compliment and know that, no matter what, this is something that I will always do for her. Loving touch does not always have to be a sexual thing. It always is, however, sensual in that it stimulates the body's senses to receive the healing that is involved.

From here on in, I invite anyone who reads this to reconsider their views on touch and look at it as a form of healing in and of itself. Go ahead....reach out and touch someone! ;-)

Blessed Be

Trent

www.deerhornshamanic.com

The Third Eye

So often I hear people talk about how they wish their Third Eye was open. Then they could see energy and have such a better understanding of everything that is going on around them. They could peek into the mysteries of what makes the world go round. They could communicate telepathically with friends and family. They could know when their kids were lying to them. They could know if their partner was cheating on them.

I say "Hogwash!" These pipe dreams are only there because of people's insecurities and fears. The Third Eye is not for the use of psychically spying on anyone. It is the chakra that brings personal insight, which is the ability to look within to find the answers to life's questions and challenges. In fact, to use the Third Eye in such a blatantly abusive manner as to spy on one's loved ones is to risk closing it off and spending many more lifetimes trying to open it up once again. To me, it is just not worth the risk.

The Third Eye is what links us consciously to the Divine. This Divinity is not "out there" somewhere, but a sovereign self. It is the recognition that we are all Gods and Goddesses in our own right. We are powerful beings who co-create with the Creator and learn as we go, and hopefully grow as well. With the Third Eye, we can see as well the Divinity in each and every person and being around us, even in inanimate objects. That's right. Just because something is not self-propelled does not mean that it does not have an innate intelligence with it. When we open our Third Eyes we finally see that Spirit that is within us all, joining us all as one.

Blessed Be

Trent
www.deerhornshamanic.com

Many Layers

Sometimes things are not quite as they seem. We look at something one way and get all caught up in the "reality" of that way of viewing it. I remember what it was like waking up from a very deep sleep and, because I had moved around during my dreaming, not recognizing the room I was in. This has happened more than once, but each time it has served as a reminder to change my perspective on things. There is a sudden uneasy feeling that goes through you when you wake up not knowing where the heck you are. Things that have always been in your surroundings are suddenly different and look strange and unusual. This can cause you to freak out completely. But then you turn around and realize that it is the same room it has always been, just viewed from an upside down and backwards perspective.

It is amazing to me how often we get caught in that standard view of reality. We forget to see the layers of truth. Realities fold in upon each other and we see it as strange that there was something underneath it all that we hadn't realized. The word "realize" has the same "ize" in it as does the word "Standardize". So to realize something is to make it real. To standardize something is to make it standard. When we realize something we see it differently; we change the reality of it and we create a new understanding or reality of it. This can be like pealing an onion. Many tears can be involved. But just as lighting a candle helps burn off the fumes from an onion, thus lessening the tears, so does keeping our spiritual flame burning lessen the tears in life that are a result of not understanding the layers that are involved in any given situation. But even if there are tears involved, this only means that the water element is being honoured once again.

Blessed Be

Trent

www.deerhornshamanic.com

The Next Generation

Into our world in the last 20 years have come a new order of messengers. These messengers have been called many things...indigo children, violet ray children, the new hope and so on. I have noticed that many of them, besides having heightened psychic/spiritual awareness and energy systems that are phenomenal, have a particular style of ear shape. Notice in the photo the flying dove that appears on the shape of the ear. We do not all have this. The ones who do tend to be part of the next generation of messengers. This does not mean that they are all destined to become great leaders of the people. They can lead very ordinary lives and still have an impact on the world that ripples forth for generations to come. So if you or someone you know has a flying dove on the ear, no pressure. It is just a confirmation that the person knows what they know, because they know....ya know?


Blessed Be

Trent

www.deerhornshamanic.com

A Good Book

"A good book is the life blood of a Master Spirit." I am not sure who said or wrote that. Whomever it was, the person was brilliant. I am not one who reads a lot anymore. I used to read voraciously when I was in University. But after 4 years of reading on demand, I kind of burned out. I went for years after that with just reading what was absolutely necessary. By that I mean things like street signs and tax forms. Gradually I got so that I could pick up a book and not feel anxious. I began reading for something that I had not done for years and years....pleasure. Eventually I was able to read things that were just for my interest and personal growth. That was when I began noticing books on shamanic topics and on magic and witchcraft and such. It was like entering a candy store!

I am currently re-reading "The Prophet" by Kahlil Gibran. We have a library set up in the bathroom. This is where, according to my eldest daughter, all the best books can be found. I figure that if I am going to be sitting there anyway, why not enjoy a good book. Now, I have never been one that is so literary that I can pull quotes out of my head during conversation. Frankly, I have much preferred to be more original than that. And although you will find quotations in this blog site and through some of my other writings, I don't speak that way. Sometimes I wish that I could speak the way Kahlil Gibran writes. It is absolutely beautiful. I would highly recommend his material as a good read.

I enjoy books for what they are...an accumulation of knowledge. This knowledge does indeed feed my spirit, and it allows my mind to soar. Wisdom, however, I find to be a different thing. Someone can be very book learned and still be a blockhead. Knowledge is the accumulation of information. Wisdom is the appropriate use thereof. So, for example, I might know that certain things in my home could be combustible. Wisdom would dictate that I keep those things in a place where they are safe from heat sources so that I don't accidentally start a fire. Wisdom would also dictate that I do not create a bomb out of these things. Just because we know how to split an atom does not mean that we must create an A-bomb. Unfortunately, wisdom is not common sense either. I find that forward thinking people are the most wise. They see what there is for potential and challenge the contemporary paradigms. This is not common sense. Common sense, unfortunately, can be limited to what is conventionally thought of as true. Yet when we look at some of the conventional thought systems, many of them have more to do with what we have been told to believe than what is actually real. Forward thinkers break apart these beliefs and force the rest of the world to address reality beyond comfort zones and belief systems.

Blessed Be

Trent

www.deerhornshamanic.com

Purification

In shamanic traditions all over the world there are ceremonies of purification that are done before any healing work is attempted. Some have ritual baths with cleansing and purifying oils, some utilize mists of Holy Water, some use aromatherapy massages and some use smudges. I like all of them, but out of all of them my favorite is the smudge.

The smudge is the process by which we bring the smoke of a medicine plant or an incense through our energy field, like having a smoke bath. This purifies the energy field and prepares both the healer and the one being healed for the healing ceremony. I have a few favorites when it comes to smudging as well. The photo here is of a bundle of sage that is lit and smoking. I also use sweet grass at times. Most often I use an incense as my work is done predominantly indoors and the incense is less obtrusive when it comes to scent and smoke levels. After all, we don't want to set off any smoke alarms! The incenses that are most effective I find are Shamans wood, Sandalwood, Cedar, and Dragon's Blood. Each has particular qualities that prepare the energies in specific ways depending upon the purpose of the ceremony and what is being healed.

Smudge is also used at times during the healing to help draw out negative energies from the aura. As it draws the negative energies out, it also prepares the aura for the infusion of positive energies. Smudge can also be used for personal health maintenance. When we begin our day with a smudge, our energy fields ward off unwanted energies throughout the day. If we have a particularly difficult day, a smudge when we arrive home helps to release toxic energies and settles us into our home life. This helps maintain the harmony and peace in our surroundings, be it at work or at home.

Blessed Be

Trent

www.deerhornshamanic.com

The Things We Cannot Change

"Knowing what we can do nothing about and accepting it as our destiny, this is supreme virtue." Liou Kia-hway.

I find that when we accept the things we cannot change we create within ourselves a moment of decompression. When we allow ourselves to simply decompress we let go of loads of stress and tension in our bodies. Emotionally we may have a wee bit of a breakdown with lots of tears involved, but this is actually a good thing, as it honours the water element within us. Water is meant to flow, not become stagnant. Thus tears can flow and laughter can ripple.

There are many things in life that we cannot change. We can respond to these things begrudgingly, or we can respond with grace. Which one we respond with demonstrates how much trust we actually have in the Universe, in our particular form of Deity, and most of all in ourselves. We really are forced to let go of our control issues.

All by itself, with no help at all from any of us, the flower will bloom. We can enjoy the process without killing the flower trying to force the blossom open. And once it blooms, the fragrance it gives off is indiscriminately shared with all. This is akin to the compassion we experience for ourselves and others as we let go of control and embrace the grace of acceptance. Compassion is indeed the highest form of love that exists.

Blessed Be

Trent

www.deerhornshamanic.com

The Mystical

I know why it is that so many people don't want to know about things that are mystical. Yes, there are many of us who do want to know. This is why I write this blog and why you read it. But for many in our Western world, the mystical is a dangerous place. It freaks them out to think that there might be more to reality than what they are willing to acknowledge or live up to. The mystical aspects of reality comes with responsibility. This is simply the ability to respond. Most people don't even want to respond to all that they do see around them, let alone to what they don't yet see.

Once we do see what is there, and has always been right there in front of our sleeping eyes, we have a responsibility to live up to what is then expected of us. There is a relationship that is established between the mundane and the mystical. The two realities begin to blend and become as one. This is much like a loving relationship between two people. Both have to be "in" or it doesn't work. I think that sometimes the moment that one discovers the mystical is like the moment one first sees their true love. Granted, sometimes that relationship evolves into true love over time. But I also believe in love at first sight. That moment when your eyes first meet and there is a sudden skipping of the heart beat and your pulse begins to race and every cell and fibre of your body cries out with ecstasy and anticipation. And then you have no choice. You have to say "hello". And once the introduction is made, your life is changed.....forever.

This is not something that is all that appealing to anyone who is phobic about commitment. It does take commitment to yourself and to the mystical to create and maintain this relationship. Once that commitment is made, your life becomes enriched in ways far beyond your wildest dreams. The meaning of everything and the synergy of all and the interwoven reality of all that we encounter is available to us. We see things in a more expansive and interconnected way. The lights come on within our minds and we see, for the first time, with clarity and illumination. The Ecstasy of the Divine flows through us and nourishes every aspect of our being. Now really, who in their right mind would not want that?

Blessed Be

Trent

www.deerhornshamanic.com

The Sacred Circle

This is the medicine wheel circle that was set up for the Yule ceremony in December. The white lace table cloth represented the crispy white snow, the rose pattern on it representing the Divine Mother. There are eight stones around the centre which represent the 8 celebrations around the wheel of the year and the infinite number 8. The 4 candles represent the 4 winds, or cardinal directions, and the Spirit Keepers of those winds. The willow (the ability to flow with whichever way the wind blows us) star represents the sacred pentagram, and within the circle of the table (the circle again representing eternity) it becomes a pentacle, or the Druid's Foot. The Druid's Foot has teachings within it as to how to properly conduct magic in an ethical way. Each point of the star has a teaching.

The first teaching is to "know" that magic exists and that we can indeed harness that energy and conduct it. The second teaching is to "will" what we desire to manifest and to know that, as co-creators of our reality, we have the ability to create whatever we desire for ourselves. The third teaching is to "dare" to do the manifestation, because once it is done, there is no going back and this requires us to be very conscious of what we magically invite in and what we do not. The fourth teaching is to be "silent" about that which we have magically invited. Too often people blab about the magic and how "cool" it was and the next thing you know it is halted because of someone else's fear getting in the way. The fifth teaching is to "go", meaning to take the necessary steps to conduct the ceremony, to appropriately invite the partnership with Spirit to help, heal and protect us, to communicate gratitude to Spirit for what we enjoy in our lives, and to ask for assistance in the manifestation.

When all of this is done the cauldron, with the offerings inside, is ignited and the flames take our intent and our desires to the ears of Spirit, who then responds to our wishes and needs. The cauldron is the womb of the Great Mother, the offerings the seeds of the Great Father, and when united and ignited, the manifestation is the Divine Passion.

Blessed Be

Trent

www.deerhornshamanic.com

Cauldron Teachings

Harry Potter, eat your heart out! This is what I often say when igniting my cauldron. Well, that and Mwahahaha! I love doing cauldron magic. The cauldron itself represents the Earth Mother, both being made of iron and being in the shape of a bowl, which represents the earth's womb. What we put into the cauldron (anything from herbs to liquids to offerings to intent) is considered to be the masculine energy entering the womb. Once the two are together and ignited, the Spirit energy is what is represented by the flame. This flame takes our prayers and intentions and gives it over to Great Spirit, God, Goddess, whatever you personally like to call it. Once the request or prayer is delivered, Spirit is able to understand our needs and respond to them.

Don't try this without some personal instruction. After all, no one wants anyone to burn their own house down! But when the flame really gets going, it takes on the form or forms of many things. I really enjoy watching the flames (cauldron flames that is, although I have nothing at all against the Calgary Flames) and seeing what they have to show me. Many messages can be communicated from Spirit to us. Heck, just sit and watch the flames of the fireplace! Is that not mesmerizing?

Blessed Be

Trent

www.deerhornshamanic.com

Ears To Hear

This is one of my favorite things. This conch shell was given to me by a friend who found it while diving in Hawaii. It is actually quite large, and I find it most comfortable to hold with both hands instead of just one.

The conch shell is a gift from the ocean and from Mother Earth. Its medicines have to do with proper boundaries (thus the shell part) and with having ears to hear. It's ocean sounds can only be heard if there is relative silence around us. If there is too much chatter it becomes more difficult to hear.

This is much the same as gatherings. When there is more chatter going on it is amazing how difficult it is to hear the person who is looking right at you and speaking to you. This is part of why I don't go to a lot of social gatherings, especially in public places such as restaurants and bars. The noise level makes it impossible to connect with anyone. Funny how people swarm there to connect with others, yet the opposite effect is more true.

The conch shell teaches us that we need to use our mouths and ears in proportion. We were given one mouth and two ears for a reason. Yet it becomes to easy for people to inflict upon others their verbal diarrhea. So often people don't even listen to each other when there are only two people in the room. No wonder folks end up not feeling validated in their lives!

A wise teacher once said to me, "Everyone knows how to be quiet. Few know when." That stuck with me. Personally, I don't get off on the sound of my own voice. I know some who do. I keep those interactions limited. I find it easier to hear what people are saying when I come from a place of silence, both outwardly and inwardly. This is probably why I get some people who ask me why I don't share everything at one time. They think I am holding back, when actually I am holding space.

Many Warm Blessings for the New Year 2009!

Trent

www.deerhornshamanic.com