Standing Tall

Emerging into a new day, with all it's unpredictable moments waiting to reveal their gifts; a calm feeling washes over me. The sun is shining again, blue sky, not a cloud to be seen. This is winter in New Zealand; bright light, clear atmosphere and frosty nights. Beautiful!

I have been recording a new album of channeled visualizations which are set to original music I composed for this project. It has been quite a journey and it's lead me into new realms musically. It feels like I have broadened my pallet and can now create using a full spectrum of colours.

Like a tree in Autumn, changing from green to red to brown and eventually letting go of it's leaves.

The ice of the night, purifying the land, preparing for the new growth to come. But for now, Winter...no gigs booked. Time at home with the kids.

I remember when I lived in my Tipi. The winters seemed shorter somehow, because living that close to nature I noticed the very first signs of a change in the seasons. It was an amazing experience, that formed a relationship, a bond, with the cycles and elements, that still gives me strength.

Some mornings after a heavy snowfall, I would have to kick the Tipi door open, as I emerged from my cozy, warm little dwelling. Blowing on the big 'feeder' logs to kindle sticks from the glowing hearth, that I had kept going all night as I lay next to the fire.

Awake with the first bird song, jumping into the river that meandered past the front of my 'lodge'. Then back to warm up by the fire, whilst cooking flat pan bread for breakfast. Life was simple and although I had virtually no money, I had Time.

By being creative, I am sure that more time was made and then more creativity and more time. This was on my mind a couple of days ago, as I lay on the hill, looking up at the stars. From our home, the sky is huge. There is no light spillage or sound, so the Milky Way is as clear as a bell. Black holes, clusters of stars and the occasional satellite.

How small and insignificant my life is, I thought. In such a small amount of time I will die and everything I have done will be but memories of one more two legged having danced his dream on earth.

How true I thought, but

'There's an infinite amount of time and not enough to waste a moment'.

Life is to be lived and cherished, for it is such a blessing...
Once I sat inside my Tipi and held an Owl feather up to the full moon, visible through the smoke hole. I spoke in prayer to Great Spirit, giving thanks for my life, my sacred breath and good health.
From the silence of the night, an Owl hooted from the North.
So I picked another Owl feather from my box of sacred things and held it in my other hand, above my head. Speaking with a sense of awe in my voice, to Spirit, I gave thanks to the Owl.
To my amazement another Owl hooted. This one clearly coming from the South and both Owls hooting to each other.

This had the profound effect of making me enter into The Dreaming...timeless, omniscience. Sacred Space!

Now, Owls are special to me anyway and this was in one way of looking at it, no surprise to me. When you live life in prayer, in gratitude, it is magical. What happened next was phenomenal though...

I took a third Owl feather from my box and holding all three up in the air, I stood up in the Tipi, next to the fire. The moon shone in my face and I prayed with full power, in gratitude for this moment. A third Owl hooted and joined in the conversation, calling from the West.

Now with tears in my eyes, I carried four Owl feathers outside. Arms raised to the moon and to the Owls, my prayers left my lips with a sort of squidgy feeling. A fourth Owl hooted and completed the circle as it sat in a tree in the East. A full circle of Owls all speaking to each other and to me.

I was affected by this for the rest of my life. This sign feeds my spirit to this day.

As I go out into the world sharing my music; more and more people are asking to hear the stories from my life. Today, Spirit has guided me to begin writing them in this Blog. So I hope they are an inspiration to you, to follow your own magical path.