There we are, my walking buddy and I, out in the middle of the aspens. It's a full moon, and we suddenly both realize at the same that the path we are on is a lot further from the road than it ever feels like in the daytime, and that the moon isn't as bright as we had thought it would be.
It had rained in the day, and there were clouds. At the same moment we both had the feeling of 'animal!' and I said "turn your light on would you?" She had brought her little flashlight, laughing that we probably wouldn't need it.
Now luckily, she laughed but listened to her intuition right? Because there isn't a bright moon out. Later there will be. 2 hours after we get home it will be like daylight almost, but not then, and not in the woods. Right then and there it's dark and we both feel like Little Red Riding Hood.
At that moment her husband calls. "You girls ok out there? No Moose?" Now tell me these guys aren't intuitive? What did we do before cell phones?
We are walking along now feeling pretty sure of ourselves and laughing at ourselves and our silly fright, when there in the beam is a dark mound up ahead. It looks like a rock in the road, hunched. Is it something? Is it a rock? Is it alive? Is it dangerous?
It's too small to be a Moose. It isn't moving. We aren't sure but with a light in your hand you feel much braver! Funny thing about light.
It was a Porcupine! He looked up at us and waddled off the path. They don't move fast do they? I've never seen one-not in 35 years of living in the mountains. Just the quills in the snout of my dog when she would tangle with them-unsuccessfully. I learned to snip the end of the quill off to release the pressure on the tip that is caught in the skin, and it will slide out.
Remember that if you ever get one. Wicked things those quills. You'd only have that happen once to give them a wide berth the next time. (what does that mean anyway, wide berth?)
Porcupine: trust and faith. Innocence and wonder. Porcupine reminds you not to get caught in the chaos of the world. Ok. That fits for me. We've had a lot of drama this week, and it's not mine, and it is. And it's not. Ok. So don't get caught up in it.
"Open your heart to those things that gave you joy as a child." hmmmm Animal Totems
says that you can move mountains with faith and trust. That's what I needed to hear!
Thank you Mr. Porcupine. Our engagement doesn't have to be for years. It is just fleeting. Got it, he says? Do you need more?
Faith and trust, don't get caught up. Stay in the joy, and stay out of the chaos. Ok.
Then we smell skunk. Ah. Not close but it seemed that it followed us, a whif here and then gone. Even after I got home, we had a glass of wine and then she left, when we walked outside the house again, Mr Skunk had just wafted by,
Skunk medicine: "I will not tolerate abuse in any form!" Self respect and self esteem. Skunks are fearless and peaceful.
Hah! BOTH animals are self contained, in control, and well respected. They both have their own way of defending themselves don't they?
This is a good message for me when I am in the midst of helping someone through gaining their lifeforce back and changing an abusive relationship into a better one or getting out. Both these animals move through the world at their own pace and in their own way. They don't brag, they don't get messed with. GOOD WALK!