Need we give to nature?

Why shouldn’t we, with as much as we receive. We should remember that we are really not far removed, despite our human mentally-focused need to put ourselves “above it all”.

Life is full of exchanges

Yet everything in life is an exchange. Our breath, our communications, the path we choose, they are all an exchange. What we give is our choice, whether conscious or unconscious.

Clovers are amazing plants. They are a favored flower for honey bees, our great pollinators. So much of our food supply is dependent on the chain of events between flower, bee, growth, and harvest. Clovers also draw nitrogen from the air and “fix” it into their leaves and roots, making them valuable contributors to the health of soil.

A Five Leaf Clover Appears

My handful of seeds scattered, I continued my walk. On the return home I was gifted with a five leaf clover rising up, not from the seeds I spread, of course, but from a strong established plant.

In folklore the four leaf clover is known as a symbol of luck. Yet the stories of days gone by look at the four leaf clover not just as some frivolous find, but as a blessing:

One leaf for fame and one for wealth,
And one for a constant lover,
And one to wish you glowing health,
All in- this Four-leaf Clover.

Lucky Clovers – Four Leaf, Five Leaf, Lucky for All

What does the fifth leave mean? Let’s use our imaginations. Wealth, fame, love and health, what more could we ask for? Freedom, creativity, knowledge, spiritual presence, and the ability to make a strong contribution to the world, giving more than we could ever receive. That last one sounds good, and it fits so beautifully into the life of a clover.

© 2011 Estee Taschereau. Estee brings over 30 years as a spiritual counselor to help individuals gain a more fulfilling and purposeful focus in their personal and professional world, guiding them in their own awareness and appreciation of their life path and abilities. Sessions are available via phone or Skype, by appointment. Please use the contact form for scheduling.

Being Here Now: Find Your Center, Stand Your Ground

A collection of simple to use tools and techniques for recognizing and maintaining your own energy “space” and finding your focus.

This information is offered with compassion and a light-hearted approach. Estee shares with us her philosophy on helping others in their path to self-realization: “The greatest motivator we have is the natural magnetic draw toward being in a place that is safe and encouraging, that is the key element I’ve woven into every page of this book.”

You can purchase Estee’s book Being Here Now in paperback or ebook format.

The concept is simple yet amazingly powerful: “Find your center, stand your ground.”  We have to “be there” if we want to Walk With Wings™.

I manage a couple of days at home, but the majority of time was in preparation for the upcoming Healing Drum Retreat in Yelm, Washington.  Kaye, the co-organizer of this event, and I teamed up for a few days to pick up the hides for the drum making class, and spend some time together to discuss the teachings and activities that make this a fulfilling, healing event.

This morning we reconvened in my living room for coffee, breakfast and discussion of our hand-outs.  I suddenly felt a diversion, and turned toward the window.  “He just swooped and buzzed”, said Kaye.  She knew exactly why I was looking out the window.  “I’m sorry, I need to find out what this is all about”, I shared with her, and I opened the door.  Though the skies were modestly blue it was cold, with warnings of snow.  I pushed open the storm door, and heard a loud, persistent voice.  “Can you hear him?”, I asked Kaye.  She smiled.  I looked toward the trees, and saw the biggest of the male hummingbirds perched on the electrical wires.  He stared at me with conviction, and spoke loudly.  Unfortunately with the clutter of our prep work in my mind I found it difficult to understand his message, other than the obvious.  “Fill the feeders”, he said.  I had just changed the tubes, but they can empty them in less than a day.

When I checked the feeder I was not surprised, they were empty, and the large (less visited) purple feeder was not in the best condition.  It is important to keep their feeders clean.  Do not use bleach, nor dishwasher soap, in fact soap is not the best choice.  I like vinegar soaks, or H2O2, or MMS to purify my feeders.  At the least a good soak in hot water.  I replaced the tubes, and refilled the larger less-than-favored feeder as well.

When they speak to me I feel saddened if I am too caught up in my ever-spinning world to listen.  I knew there was a wonderful message to be heard, it just took a little time for me to create enough free space in my day to hear it.  Kaye and I had to leave, traveling from my home base to the First Nation gathering in Tacoma, Washington.

By the time I was back at my southern home away from home it was after midnight, and the roads were icy.  I thought our departure from First Nation would be the normal time, but this was a special month, celebrating their fourth anniversary.  We enjoyed the evening, and I had opportunity to introduce Kaye to many of the wonderful people I had met since our friend Billy invited me to join this community.  We celebrated the return of one of the founders of First Nation, home for at least a short visit before returning for his ministerial duties in Iraq.

God speed and God bless you Mike for your service and support.  The many young souls who find themselves in deployment have many basic needs provided to them, but many items we take for granted are unavailable or too expensive for these guardians of our freedom.   Many receive packages from home, but many do not.

My contributions, as simple as it seems, was suggested by my shaman friend, Billy.   He asked me for a few of the four leaf clovers to give to Mike to distribute in his troop.  I opened the box I had, containing about 30 at the time, and told him he could gift them all to the soldiers.  In all, over 50  four-leaf clovers were gifted last year.  When I spoke to Mike he shared that most of the recipients were the Irish soldiers, and they appreciated the gifting.

A few days later I found the first of the four leaf clovers for this year.  It was a pleasant surprise.  I look forward to finding many more and sending them to Mike for distribution, and with spring arrives so will the outburst of growth that will provide a new crop.   My favorite hummingbird was there that day to greet me as well, making it a wonderful day.  As he sat on a branch overlooking the large field below his stance was majestic.  Even the smallest of birds has a role in life, and for each of us our role in life is sacred.  Treat it as such, with humility, and a world of magic will open for you.

As I rounded back toward the hill and journeyed back to my car, I spotted the hummingbird in the distance flying about the hillside and disappearing just as quickly as he appeared.  “Okay, that’s the way this day is”, I said, “I’ll take whatever you want to share”.  I knew they were watching me.  My pace slowed a little, for part of my energy was busy digesting the theme of this walk.  I still would not comprehend the story until much later in the day. 

I called this posting “Capivated by his Presence”, for that is what happens, I stand there fully engrossed in my dialog with the hummingbirds, facinated by their dance and magic.  They showed me on this day the value of recognition, something we all seek. 

I’ve asked the question many times, “why are intuitive readings so valuable?”  You see, each time I ask the question I am presented with another level of awareness, and even more recognition of our spiritual paths.  The hummingbirds come out to visit me because I ask them, and appreciate their presence.  I don’t know who benefits more from this interlude, but then again I can only speak for myself: with each encounter I am offered a greater awareness of myself, a new level of spiritual awareness, a big HELLO from the universe, and the chance to be captivated by my own presence.

Great Spirit joined in this festive day by giving me recognition through a simple little piece of clover.  The hummingbirds showed recognition through their appearances.  Spiritual recognition is an incredible thing, it does animate us.  To receive recognition of our presence is a precious gift, whether that recognition comes from within, from Great Spirit, other people, or the animal world.  I am truly captivated by the presence of all who cross my pathway, and every day with each and every session there is opportunity to know that animated feeling when our spirit presence is known.