dreams – Raw Nature Spirit

Before she was…

The draw to the hut was strong. My body ached with the need and desire to go there.

‘I will come and stay for a month,’ I turned to him and said running my hand across a wooden log, the cabin was made from. I was there, but I was not, not fully, not like I needed or wanted to.

‘I will stay with you. We can go fishing and berry picking.’ He wiped mosquito off his cheek. The stickiness of the summer evening on my skin felt strange and it smelt strongly of jasmine. That place was ripe with everything nature, just like in my childhood. I wanted to drink it in.

In the cabin there were people. They looked happy going about their business. I remember being overcome by jealousy for their fortune of being able to stay there. It was like I was there, but I was not. From my dream I observed it all. I was just a visitor in that place, but in my blood, I knew it as my home from long ago. The ache of wanting to live there rose again.

There were several rooms: a hall, a big lounge, and an attic. Each room had its purpose. A child joined me and began following me everywhere. It was a small boy but had a girl’s name and looks very pretty. I sat on a sofa and a young woman came and covered me with a blanket. A young man, who showed me around appeared to be in charge. The place felt pure, kind, yet it held secrets, codes, treasures to be discovered. I became very curious.

‘Where can I find her,’ I asked him.

He turned away fiddling with a piece of wood in his hand.

‘I should not really tell you. May be just leave it. It has been a long time and you do not know what it will lead to.’ He looked at me with understanding and warmth.

‘I do know what you are saying. I do. I just wondered if she was around.’

And then he said, ‘She is around, all around. She is right next door.’

‘Left, or right?’ I asked.

He looked right but meant left. Somehow, I understood that.

Once outside everything was lush green with rowans lining up the road on both sides. Late summer. Berries were beginning to redden. I took it all in. It smelt like rich soil and home. I was home. And then darkness. I plunged into it suddenly and it felt comforting. The thing about darkness, you might not be able to see anyone, but no one can see you either. I always found that comforting to know. I took my shoes off and walked out of the gate and looked where her house was. It was large and beautiful. Luxurious with big windows. I felt scared. Night summer air intoxicatingly alluring. I took another deep breath.

‘I could not possible go in that house,’ I thought. So imposing and grand, not what I expected, and it was right there, next to the house I stayed in.

Next, I walked back through the gate and stood on a bench lined up against the gate to peek into the windows next door. I knew I should not be doing it but could not help it. Curiosity took over. And then I saw cats, lots of back cats. They were the size of dogs. They roamed the boarder scowling. They began moving towards me as soon as they spotted me. I froze in terror. They snarled at me, and one sank her teeth into my leg. I felt sharp pain. They withdrew.

I ran into the house, but someone followed me in. I turned around and there she was. Young and beautiful, simply dressed. Her hair colour I recognised, as my own, when I was a child. Decorative small earrings, nothing out of the ordinary apart from her face. Intensely kind, shining from within she was. I felt her goodness, but also darkness all at the same time. She was both life and death. She took my hand in hers, which felt clammy and cool, but not unpleasant. I froze, fascinated, honoured, and humbled all at the same time. Then she told me her name… It was her, before she was her.

It was one of those significant dreams, which I have not had for some time. I am grateful to receive one last night. Dreams are products of our psyche. They are from us, about us and for us. Over my lifetime I learnt to recognise various categories of dreams. This one belongs to a ‘telling’ dream that contained several messages for me and reflected aspects of my own consciousness that should help me moving forward. It was fairy tale like with vivid landscapes, vibrant colours, and strong smells. I touched objects and people with intent and purpose that remains with me now on waking. I love sensory dreams like this one and it just had to be recorded. She was there, the young version of her, before she became her…

Happy Yule, everyone!

Women rise up in wisdom

Another review of the book that echoes all the feedback I have received from women. Makes my work truly meaningful and life-changing

http://facingnorth.net/books/witchcraft/intuitive

Book details in Publications

Intuition and dreams

There is this psychic space within us that we can discover via paying attention, feeling and fully experiencing our dreams or having life itself show us the alignment of within and without. It is a space where there is absolutely no doubt, a space that carries all the answers and knows all the ways that you, as an individual, operate. It is unique to you in one sense, but it is also universal, as we all have this space within us. It can bring incredibly strong affirmations to us through various ways that the feeling of it is so right it can not be questioned. Notice I say feeling – that is one most important and undoubtedly correct navigation system, as I like to say, you can not unfeel what you feel or pretend you are not feeling something. To know what I mean just try not to feel something when you are feeling something. It is there and its message, history, manifestation is valid because it simply is, the way it is in the moment, in your consciousness, born out of the collection of thoughts, behaviours, histories and beliefs from your psyche. It is born out of you, the feeling that is an affirmation of something intuitive within you that comes through in various ways.

One way to receive answers and affirmations from your intuition is via dreams and again, the way to know is via how you feel on waking from your sleep. If you don’t interpret anything else, e.g. symbols, archetypes, colours in your dreams, interpret your feeling. It will be there always as something for you to know. I think many would relate to having a particular feeling after a specific dream. Some are stronger than others, some scary others uplifting – all valid, all are messengers.

I have had several of these dreams lately where there was a question of some kind that had been flowing around for some time, things I wasn’t entirely sure about and was exploring, but also was leaning towards a particular resolution. A dream would come, and affirm the answer I have been seeking, or rather knew already and the feeling on waking would be so right I would have no doubt left. The question would then clear out of my psyche and on to the next thing. I noticed this pattern of processing psychic material via intuitive knowing that manifests in dreams often for me aligned with seasons and summer, June, in particular, is one such time when dreams become an active part of my intuitive manifestations and affirming answers for myself.

Intuitive ways can be weaved into your magic/spiritual practice and in your life in general in so many ways. It is a wonderfully enriching and enlightening journey and something that, once it becomes second nature, is like nothing else in a way of feeling content, fulfilled and free. It empores and inspires one to live in a way that has always been right for you. Application and manifestation of intuitive knowing is wide. It amazes me still every day just how much can be known and achieved when working from inside out.

Check out my latest book on Intuitive Practice, which covers working with nature; spell crafting; intuitive in general; dreams and intuition, etc. Have a look via the link of what is included in the Contents.

Pagan Portals Intuitive Magic Practice review

Intuitive Magic Practice, part of the Pagan Portals series, by Natalia Clarke makes me want to breathe a long, deep sigh of relief. Things have been a bit hectic in my world recently, and I’ve felt the disconnection that stems from being out of touch with my inner voice. Reading this book has shifted me back into my more natural, receptive state of being in the most delightful way.

Clarke has combined her experience as a transpersonal psychotherapist with wisdom as a spiritual guide to offer readers insight on how to create an intuitive magic practice. Throughout the book, her gentle, calming tone invites a sense of fluidity, harmony, and personal energetic resonance to emerge.

In no way is this book one in which the author holds the knowledge, prompting a hierarchy between author and reader. Rather, Clarke develops a relationship with the reader that’s guided by feelings of goodwill and trust. Much of the imparted content to the reader stems from her own personal experience, and she writes this book as though she might be telling a friend about her experiences with magic and developing intuition in her own life. I enjoyed her anecdotes and the lens it provided me into seeing how she developed her own spiritual perspective.

I really liked reading about the importance of nature in Clarke’s spirituality and connection to her intuition. There is so much beauty in the natural world, along with lessons of tending, growing, and slowing down to enjoy the moment. Since her writing does not stem from any one belief system or practice, I noticed how nature seemed to be the greatest influence that gave shape to Clarke’s experiences.

However, there’s so much that Intuitive Magic Practice covers. Each chapter highlights a method of connecting to one’s intuition and offers ways to become receptive to the guidance of one’s inner knowing. Receptivity is key here, as Clarke’s writing calls the reader to settle in, move at their own pace, and gently open to the promptings that want to be acknowledged.

Some topics covered in the book are dreamwork, journaling, breathing exercises, creating sacred space, creative imagination, moon cycles, and more. Clarke also shares spells, information on candle magic, and guidance on how to select ritual tools. Through it all, she emphasizes that there is no one size fits all model for one’s magical practice; there is also no need to force something when the energy is not there.

“This way there is a natural flow, no force, no attachment to an outcome, no artificial influences of any kind and it always works. One might say I flow with intuitive energy if and when it comes in. If I am not called or specific energies are not present, I do not do anything.”1

Clarke also includes information on the Triple Goddess aspects, working with the elements, and tips for intuitively crafting one’s own magical practice such as writing spells, casting a circle, and creating rituals. Again though, this all arises from a place of moving with the flow, rather than planning, specifying, and dictating how the process should look. She even contrasts intuitive magic to ritual magic to help readers get a better sense of this method in relation to others.

My favourite chapter of Intuitive Magical Practice was “Intuition, Divine Feminine and Sacred Self-care.” While this book has valuable information for all readers, Clarke does note in the introduction it is more geared towards a female audience. All I can say is this chapter was all I needed to be reminded of and more right now.

As I move through a phase of transition, stemming from immense burn-out in my last job that lead me to severely disconnect from my own internal guidance, I desperately needed the reminder that listening to my intuition, caring for my body, and moving in alignment with the energy is a practice of sacred self-care.

“What do I mean by sacred self care? This links in with self-awareness, which can grow through listening to yourself with complete trust and seeing powerful results in your way of being with yourself and the world. It means giving yourself what your inner voice asks of you or points you towards; giving yourself what you need in the moment by listening to your intuition; treating yourself with compassion, love and respect, as you would any divine energy.”2

It’s interesting too how Clarke reminded me of the importance of moving according to where the energy is and how things are flowing. To be honest, this book has been sitting on my shelf for about two weeks now, and I had procrastinated delving into my new book. I tried to read it a week ago, but after a few pages it was sidetracked. Then, suddenly, this morning, all my energy was focused on reading this book and sinking in to receive it’s message. I am so glad that I trusted the timing of my feelings and didn’t read it in a mindset that wasn’t ready to embrace all the wisdom in this book.

For the past few months, I’ve forgotten that it’s okay to live according to your intuition and trust the timing of when things unfold, but reading Clarke’s words reassured me that it’s okay to move in rhythm that feels right for you. It was particularly inspiring to read how she doesn’t do spell-work unless she feels called. Living a magical lifestyle doesn’t have to be doing spells with each moon cycle, or constantly keeping up with a specific practice “just because you’re supposed to.” It can be just as powerful when your practice is fluid and guided by intuition. This is such a deeply refreshing approach to magic.

I’ll admit I moved quite quickly through the book, soaking it all in as I sat outside in the sunshine, feeling the fresh air gently flow around me. However, this is also a book that can be savoured and referred back to over time. While I did finish it quickly, I now am ready to go back through it and practice some of the exercises, which Clarke offers plenty of through the book.

There is one method of connecting to intuition Clarke writes about that I had never heard of before, which I am particularly excited to try out: intuitive drawing. This approach can help to facilitate a dialogue with the subconscious and allow feelings, sensations, and thoughts to arise from deep within. Sometimes I feel like I get trapped in my words, and I am eager to see what comes out when I choose drawing as a form of communication with my inner guidance.

All in all, Clarke’s gentle and uplifting approach to an intuitive magic practice is something of great value to those who are seeking a more natural approach to working with energy. I highly recommend Intuitive Magic Practice to those who are seeking to tune back into their inner voice in a way that feels authentic and true to who they are. This book is a wonderful reminder that there is no right or wrong way, and that healing comes from remembering the sacred connection to our inner guidance. As you read Clarke’s wisdom, I’m sure you’ll feel right at home within yourself, comforted by the words that it’s okay to embrace your intuition and let your energy flow in a way that feels harmonious.

Alanna at https://musingmystical.com/intuitive-magic-practice-by-natalia-clarke/

Strawberry tree

A big tree like a mighty oak, one with a wide, embracing thick canopy, but instead of leaves on branches there hang big red ripe strawberries. They smell strong and juice looks about to burst out of them. I pull branches down and begin to pick the berries off and where I pick more grows in its place. Berries so fragrant and juicy overwhelm my senses and I can’t get enough of their delicious taste. I begin to think of how many people I can share these berries with, as there are so many. There’s plenty for everyone and I want others to taste what I taste. People, who seemingly own the garden where this tree grows watch me with great satisfaction, as this experience is meant to satisfy and delight. That’s the purpose of this bountiful tree and they rejoice in my pleasure of eating these berries that never run out.
A dream to remember that was gifted me on New year’s day!
Let us all hold hope, belief and abundance in our awareness for all the days that we are here. Life is a beautiful gift and we owe it to ourselves to have the most glorious fulfilling experience. Start with yourself always, whatever your goals, and extend it outwards. From within becomes without and the cauldron of your inner space is a sacred space. Remember you are always enough and whole no matter what. Taste that strawberry first, absorb its juice fully and then offer it to the world! With each morning comes another chance of life and if you let it be there’s abundance to be had.

Blessings on your journey.