feeling feisty

Spiraling into a new year ....

Enchanted to begin my fierce, freaky, feisty, fantastic, fanciful, fearless, fabric filled fifties

 feeling loved and ready to live it full out with friends and family.

No me fregas I am flying free and fabulous!

 Gracias for the bday wishes my Beloveds.

I love you all, con todo mi corazon!

c/s

Surrounded by crow medicine

Source: Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through Animals

by Jamie Sams & David Carson, illustrated by Angela C. Werneke.

My Chimayo escort.

another escort on the road

For the past few days I have encountered crow. Driving in the city it flies cross my path, walking in the plaza it flies over head calling, and in the woods once again crossing my path in significant ways. Once again my winged brothers are speaking so I listen.

Crow is an omen of change and right now I am going through lots of them. Crow lives in the void and has no sense of time. The Ancient Chiefs tell us that Crow sees simultaneously the three fates – past, present, and future. Crow merges light and darkness, seeing both inner and outer reality.

Crow medicine signifies a firsthand knowledge of a higher order of right and wrong than indicated by the laws created in human culture. With Crow medicine, you speak in a powerful voice when addressing issues that for you seem out of harmony, out of balance, out of whack, or unjust. I have this pull stronger than ever and feel fortunate that my art is moving. When I cant speak out my art speaks for me.

Remember that Crow looks at the world with first one eye, then the other – cross-eyed. In the Mayan culture, cross-eyeds had the privilege and duty of looking into the future. You must put aside your fear of being a voice in the wilderness and “caw” the shots as you see them. Well I usually do this but am often cautious so now I am learning different ways of making this happen. Maybe I'm becoming more seasoned.

As you learn to allow your personal integrity to be your guide, your sense of feeling alone will vanish. Your personal will can then emerge so that you will stand in your truth. The prime path of true Crow  says to be mindful of your opinions and actions. Be willing to walk your talk, speak your truth, know your life’s mission, and balance past, present, and future in the now. Shape shift that old reality and become your future self. Allow the bending of physical laws to aid in creating the shape-shifted world of peace.

Gracias crow for guiding me into the next step. I hear your message, draw it on my heart and honor it with my art. I welcome the shift.

extreme picnic!

Did some extreme picnicing!

Vulture medicine: shedding the past & ready for the new!

  (c) Michael "Mike" L. Baird

Note: I have given credit to the photo I have used. When work is not your own just because it’s on the net or you don’t know who's art it belongs to doesn’t give you the right to post it on your blog! I know you just started your blog and you really need a picture and you dig this artist’s work and it would be so cool. NO, you are not hanging out at a friends house this is not a club it’s the net. That means its a worldwide conversation and there are some rules. Don’t think because its just a little blog no one will notice, they will and it’s still not ok. I researched copyright free images, asked permission and then followed the specifics about using someone's art. Yes it takes time but as an artist I don’t want someone lifting my work even if you think its a good idea and it will promote my work. It’s up to me to decide that not you so ASK! Copyright law is a challenge and there are changes that need to be made so do some research and "read more about it" Keep off the art unless we have a talk and agree, be respectful folks. Gracias.

Ok now so now that I have said that let me tell you why I needed the picture of a turkey vulture. My office nest is on the third floor of a building perched on a hill with a small but adequate window. I was preparing to do a new workshop on working with young children and anti bias integration into curriculum and I was in my flow. You know like when you are doing your art and its all coming together but you really cant take credit for it cause its just falling out of you.


Any way I was typing my handouts and suddenly I see a shadow. I stop and see nothing. Then again but this time I see these huge wings moving toward my 3rd floor little window like she's gonna crash through it. Well she doesn’t and then flies off. About this time I am a bit confused and startled because I see clearly its a vulture. It comes around the third time and this time I am ready, what ever that means since there is nothing I can do. The window is shut, tiny ledge and all I can do is watch and wonder what she is trying to say to me.


Here she comes and lands on the tiny ledge and balances for a moment, looks me in the eye and smiles and flies off. It all happened so quickly and I have to admit its not my first 3rd floor window encounter with nature, but that’s for another day. So I stand up lean over and look up and all around to see if I can catch a glimpse of her but she is gone. Now I say she because that's the vibe I got, a sister vibe. I lean back and tap into my Animal Medicine work to hear what she was saying to me. Like all animal helpers, they only appear when right and appropriate to share messages with you. You just have to be still and listen.


Vulture is known as a Peace Eagle, it is the only animal that does not kill. It only does what needs to be done. Vulture teaches us that nasty jobs of service need to get done and they are rewarded with great gifts. With honor she sails through the air riding the current, defying gravity with beauty and grace. The vulture has keen eyesight and sees all. She is powerful and because she flies high she can transcend this realm. She can bring us lessons from our past so we do not repeat them. And reminds us to take this knowledge forward.


Vultures are also a sign of new beginnings. They can teach us to take control of our lives and to stop giving up; death to the old ways and a clean start to the new way of being, transformation.


When I was 19 the bird visions, dreams, and messages became more clear and my visits stronger. I was visited by a large winged bird and was given this message: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Messages come in the language you understand at the time so for me that is how I received it, something familiar to my upbringing.


I have since left the traditional definition of my childhood church for one that blends my worlds. What’s important to me is that I am connected and can hear Creator clearly. I still fall back on that foundation from my grandparents and parents from time to time it can be comforting. Some people dont understand my ways and thats ok, its a personal path. One way is not better than another, just different. But the message of renewal and faith are still singing in my corazon.


The renewal process is a powerful one. As I come to the new path in my Red Road I am celebrating, honoring, and acknowledging each step or lesson for what it brought me. No matter if the people are in my life currently, in the Spirit World, or if it was a positive lesson or not, (I've had my share of both) it all helped shape who I am becoming. I now file that as my past and see before me the new road. No more beating myself up over the things that didn’t work, missed opportunities, or loss, only moving forward. The vultures are gone its all cleaned up and I am ready. I am excited, anxious, and brave as I walk toward my destiny and all the experiences and lessons that are ahead. Not to mention the great art falling from my hands. More pics to follow. Gracias for another day closer to my transformation.

 Note: I took this picture (smile)

“Nature often holds up a mirror so we can see more clearly the ongoing processes of growth, renewal, and transformation in our lives.”

Fireside with Dr. Estés!

''If you have never been called a defiant, incorrigible, impossible woman… have faith… there is yet time." from Women Who Run with the Wolves


I just had to share the good news, more of my bday gifts and this one I can share with you! I am going to be sitting in the fire circle with Dr. Estés! Well its a virtual fire circle, but she will be live sharing with question and answer time and like all fireside ceremonies a prayer/poem to close our time together. Her work inspires my art, shapes my Spirit and feeds my soul. She is a great teacher to sit beside and soak in the energy! For more on her if you are not familiar, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clarissa_Pinkola_Est%C3%A9s
Check out the details on the great event below from SoundsTrue.com:

Clarissa Pinkola Estés Releases Her Master Work as a Live Online Series from SoundsTrue.com – The Dangerous Old Woman is Dr. Estés’ masterwork, three decades in the writing and now released for the first time as an online event series. The series is scheduled to begin airing live! on Tuesday, April 6 at 9-11pm EST on SoundsTrue.com


Dr. Estés on this landmark event: “Though I myself find perils and challenges of age to be true, we have to disavow the old prejudices about women and age. The true vision of the wise woman is one of bounty, of love and age and wisdom. As she gathers years, like la arbol de la vida, the ancient tree, she grows even more arms, even more flowers and fruits. She is more rooted, more vast, more sheltering—developing her callings to be throughout life, maiden mother, medium, crone, elder, healer, teacher, artist, knowing woman.”

(This quote has art images all over it, words paint pictures especially for an Aspie like me)

What is it that makes this archetypal Old Woman dangerous? “The fact that she will not be stopped by cultural conventions; she does not fear criticism, ridicule, or being devalued,” says Dr. Estés. “The Old Woman goes where she wants, says what she wishes, and no one should try to stop her – or else. She will have a ready answer for them. She’s very clearly one who says, ‘Come with me, be with me, but if not… then stand out of my way — I have a destiny to meet.’ She is not willing to amputate parts of herself, or her gifts, in order to be accepted."

I love this statement and already I feel the art swirling inside and spilling over!
I had to bold this part since its exactly where I am in my life! Move with me or get out of my way! I have work to do and if you are not a part of contributing positive energy to the experience then I have no space for you in my journey.  I do have my Coyolxauhqui days where I feel I am in pieces but never willing to part with the myself or as Dr.  Estés says, "amputate parts of myself". Never again not for anyone!

This experience as a gift along with my magical mystical inspirational healing pilgrimage to the Mother Land and I am more pregnant with work each day! Gracias Dr. Estés for all your work, you are an hermana we can be proud of, another "Wise Latina"!

my count down begins

One of the signs of passing youth is the birth of a sense of fellowship

 with other human beings as we take our place among them.

- Virginia Woolf

I had the most wonderful evening with friends and it was a great way to start the count down for my Happy New Year. We laughed, shared stories, and opened our hearts to one another. We had authentic connections and a great exchange of energy, no energy vampires in the group. It was refreshing to be open and all of who we are with one another. It has been a long time since I have had this kind of group sharing. I found it very refreshing to be able to have drama free mature converstations. Side note: not an agism statement its about Spiritual and relationship maturity which has no number. There were no egos that needed feeding, no insecurities that needed nursing, everyone was good with who they are and healthy in their knowing of self. It was a great way to start my count down to my 50th bday .

This new start brings all kinds of exciting things happening in my life. I am so very thankful that I had the courage to let go and let Creator guide me. I am truly soaring like Red Eagle and my path becomes more clear each day. My art is moving fast and my worlds are becoming more intertwined as I walk toward what life has for me.

Hold tight to your dreams no matter what others say, if you know what is written on your heart be true to yourself. Others will or may test you, fail you, betray and mislead you. But when you let go and walk with courage away from the negative; like Dorothy on the yellow brick road all things become clear colorful and filled with positive energy, love, and laughter.

As my Beloved reminds me the goal is not to be fearless but to walk with courage no matter what is tossed in your path. To stay true to who you know yourself to be, keep the positive in front of you, and give thanks for your blessings. I wish for you the courage to let go and fly the path that Creator has called you to do. The blessings are big and the journey challenging but rewarding.