Author	Topic:   Just your imagination
Rowan Rosewood	posted 10/3/08 10:15 AM       I think that the imagination is vastly overlooked. I wonder, what it really is? Could it be the bridge to other levels of conciousness? When I have had a burning urge to give someone a message, the visions I recieve about that person feel like my imagination, but every time, the message is helpful and true. When I read cards or runes, the messages for me or the person I am reading for are always helpful and right for the person, but it is all done using my imagination, which gives me the images that I enterpret. I would like to know what the imagination is, is it coming from me? Or am I picking it up from another level. I am excited to follow this path and learn more!
Asherah	posted 10/21/08 11:14 PM       I'm so excited to hear your thoughts on imagination. I recently read a book called "The Science of the Craft" and it discussed the power of the imagination. I think scientists have tried (but not succeeded) in dismissing the imagination as just one of thousands of thought processes in our brains - and not a very valid one at that ("oh, it's just your imagination" kind of bull). But I truly believe the imagination is VERY REAL AND VERY VERY POWERFUL. Take Mozart, for example. Where did his glorious music first originate? Yes, in his imagination. He was able to manifest it by putting it down on paper, but it wasn't the paper and pen that created his music. And then there's Einstein. Where did the theory of relativity first originate? Yup...in his imagination. Again, he was able to manifest it by writing down his theories, but, again, it wasn't the pen and paper that conceived an idea that changed humankind's understanding of the universe...it was that old imagination at it again. I believe the imagination is where true magic lies. We manifest it through the tarot, runes, crystal balls, athames, wands..but those are our pen and paper. That's how we get all that magic stored in our imagination to become reality. What do you think Rowan?
Hedge-friend	posted 10/27/08 5:00 AM     The imagination is one of the most powerful tools humans possess. Through it we conceptualize possibilities/situations/circumstances that would otherwise be impossible for us to realize in the physical world. I don't believe animals contemplate eternity, but humans ponder such questions, and for no apparent "animal" reasons. That process transcends the physical plane, and even our day- dreams are incredible vehicles. Through focused imagination we perceive/analyze/identify goals and plan/direct/manifest outcomes.
Rowan Rosewood	posted 11/2/08 2:02 PM       Hello Asherah and Hedge-friend, sometimes, thinking about these things on my own, is like sitting in a wood, lighting a little fire, with your interesting comments, I feel like you have just thrown a couple of logs onto the fire and I extend my warmest thanks as we sit in my 'imaginary wood'. Asherah, I like the people you chose to demonstrate the power of imagination, renowned throughout history as having genius and as to the source of the ideas or creations of thier minds, as yet explained by science. I even watched a programme where they looked at a slice of Einstiens brain under the microscope, (yuck!) but no clues of where these ideas came from. Perhaps what is termed as Genius is actually the diamond that can form in a well fed and wild bed of imagination! And Hedge-friend, you mentioned that you do not believe that animals consider eternity? (hope I remembered that correctly, I should have written it down!) Well, perhaps that is where we have tripped ourselves up, of course it is good to explore all the new abilities that nature endows us with, but don't you feel sometimes that living in the moment as an animal seems to, they may live a more pure existence, a stronger path, guided by the Universal flow and part of it? Perhaps humans are making the mistakes they are, so that they can stand on the banks of the river of life and see how it exists. Lets hope those humans don't stand on the banks too long, but realise that to throw ourselves into the river we inherit all the love and the power and add to the flow!
Rowan Rosewood	posted 11/2/08 2:04 PM       I meant, 'as yet unexplained by science' in the first part of the last message!
Hedge-friend	posted 11/3/08 3:01 AM     I don't deny that animals are much more attuned to nature than we are. We should emulate that relationship, but have created our own, alternate "reality" that distracts us. Tapping into the primal fuels our imagination. Essentially, we are "forgetting" the constructs society has created and which fence us into uniquely human ways of thinking. Meditation is another means of dodging those constructs. I still don't think animals contemplate eternity, or other such concepts, but IMHO, this does not diminish them. It challenges us to "remember" our own animal instincts - we still have them! Coupled with imagination, we have powers that animals do not, and they transcend the physical.
Rowan Rosewood	posted 11/3/08 5:07 PM       Thank you hedge friend. I think we can only 'imagine' what animals might think. Even if we knew their ideas on life, it would, I suspect be completely different to our way of thinking. The closest we have to knowing another spiecies thoughts is in the work people like Roger Fouts have done with teaching apes to talk. The Apes that did communicate their thoughts seemed to live very much in the now, using their memories of events for things like, what is dangerous or who you can trust. Humans seem to draw much more on past experiences to understand the world and I think this also connects with imagination. I think that the more experiences you have had in your life, the more perceptive you can be. I feel more empathetic towards people and perhaps read the tarot well for them because I bring all of my experiences to a place where I can use them as an artist would use a pallet of paints. Yes I think meditation is the answer to so much of these mysteries, but I have yet to get down to it! Looking forward to more discussions with you! Christie. XXX
Asherah	posted 11/4/08 10:31 PM     Hi Rowan and Hedge-friend. I'm really enjoying your conversation on animals/humans in relation to thought processes. I lost my favorite friend, a shepard/coyote mix, a little under a year ago. From the time I got him (he was 18 months; 14 years when he died) I nicknamed him Sir Spirit. There was something about him that I'd never experienced with a dog before (and I've had and have many). He seemed to be tuned into life on a level I could only hope to achieve in this lifetime. He was gentle with all living things - never chased or killed a bunny, fought with another dog or openly showed disapproval of anyone. He was full of fun, enjoying every moment and trying to get everyone around him to enjoy it too. I came to believe that he was a wise old soul. We often think that only humans are old souls but Clayton has made me ponder that theory; can animals be old souls too? I confess that sometimes when I look around and see what humans have done to this earth and the life upon it, I believe that the animals are, in truth, the wise ones. I often go to his grave to meditate and end up contemplating the animals that gather around me (birds, rabbits, elk, deer, etc). Are they, indeed, reincarnated? I've often thought that if we do go around a few times, I'd love to be a raven or eagle in my next life. How about you?
Rowan Rosewood	posted 11/6/08 10:39 AM       Hi Asherah, are you talking about Proffessor N. S. Clayton? I looked her up on the internet. Her work sounds inspired and really interesting. It would be too much for me to read up about her work, I know that sounds lazy, but I only have a couple of hours free in my day. Perhaps you could give us a few examples of how your ideas on animal re-incarnation has been influenced by her work? I was interested in the idea of animals appearing for us to be guided on our path, strongly associated with the Native American beliefs I think. I took a chance at a book fair and bought Stephen D Farmer's book 'Animal Spirit Guides'. It was one of the best buys I have made, the whole family have been drawn in to using it, whatever thier beliefs! Those that are a bit embarressed to ask, disguise it as a joke, eg. 'A Seagull ate out of my hand today, whassat supposed to mean then!?' But they have to admit that the messages are useful and near the mark! I have come to think of the blackbird as my 'power animal' the one that is most akin to my spirit, I see them around me all the time, it's message to me is, 'You have a beautiful song within you, sing it, no matter what others may think!'
Asherah	posted 11/7/08 0:39 AM     Dearest Rowan, no. I'm embarrassed to say that my best friend Clayton was not named after Professor N. S. Clayton. Indeed, I've never heard of her, but you've certainly peaked my curiosity and I'll be looking into her works. He was named after a character in one of my favorite comedy shows (you Brits may not know of it), "Mystery Science Theater 3000". It was a show that brought my husband and I a great deal of laughter when we desperately needed it and to honor that, we named our dearest dog after one of the characters. Wolf is one of my personal totems because once, when I went into a bookstore, there was a wolf-rescue woman who was displaying 3 wolves - showing people how friendly and non-threatening they were. Well, I forgot all about the books and just sat down in the middle of the three wolves. One of them started to circle me, then sniff me and then rub against me to the point where she knocked me on my back. Her owner started to pull her off but I said, "No, let her do her thing." She continued this scenting for a few minutes. When she was done, she rolled over, spread-eagled, as if to say: "It's your turn." So I did the same to her. After that, she licked me and played with me like we were family. When finally, but reluctantly, I got up to leave the owner said, "I've had this wolf for 6 years and she's never done anything like that to me." You can bet I chose wolf as a totem after that! A seagull eating out of your hand? Yup...that's a totem! Rowan, you are so fortunate to be able to share with your family your very special and beautiful spiritual path. I do have some recommendations if you'd like to explore animal totems more (although it certainly sounds like you've been on that path for awhile). There is a deck of cards, the Native American equivelant to the tarot, called "Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through the Ways of Animals" by Jamie Sams, David Carson and Angela Werneke. I've used these cards and, if your connection with animals is deep (as yours certainly seems to be) they are uncanny in their teachings and insight. Plus, I think your whole family would have a lot of fun with them! Also, have you ever come across the book "Animal Speak" by Ted Andrews? That got me on my path to understanding and choosing my animal totems. The last book I'd like to recommend that I think you and your family would enjoy is: "Earth Medicine: Revealing Hidden Teachings of the Native American Medicine Wheel" by Kenneth Meadows. When I read his section on my birth date it was the most remarkable, insightful horoscope I'd ever read. Very different from the sun and moon signs we've grown accustomed to, but so much more on target than anything I'd read before. They're all available on Amazon if you're interested. I can't wait to discover Professor Clayton. Thanks so much for introducing her to me. May you find at least a couple more hours in the day for YOU! Love, Asherah
Hedge-friend	posted 11/7/08 2:40 AM     I feel the connection to animals also, though I cannot claim to have had the sorts of experiences either of you described. Domesticated animals are relaxed and bonded to us in unique ways that have developed over generations. Shown love and respect, they respond according to their natures and dispositions - they have joined our pack/family, and can share our moods, and we comfort and protect one another. Be wary of wild or strange animals though - I would not swim in the enclosure of a polar bear, for example, nor seek to pet a wolf while hiking in a remote place. And some domesticated animals do not have kindly owners. As to rebirth as an animal - it would seem a simplification. Perhaps that is a relief to those who struggle with the gift of imagination and the burdens it can seemingly impose on the mind (not so for me!). Perhaps it would be a joy to have a focused "natural" life, removed from the challenges of thought we deal with (when we actually do). I would choose to remain on the human level, though. It is the best of both worlds, for as humans, we can understand and appreciate the natural world, yet explore realms beyond the confines of the physical plane. Perhaps that is not our choice, and if we are reborn, it it to a form that best serves the next phase of our spiritual development. The answer to that mystery awaits us all at some point in the future.
Rowan Rosewood	posted 11/7/08 11:11 AM       Hedge Friend, if you feel a connection with animals, I would like you to have the experiences with them that I and Asherah have had. You already sound like you tread carefully in your life, and this is perfect to connect with nature more, you just have to choose the right setting, and look up! Not Right up! Just look to places that ordinary life does not encourage you to do, tops of buildings, trees etc. Most people go about thier day, only seeing things at thier eye level, it is suprising what you see when you raise your eye level, that you have never seen before. If you notice a cat, just observe it a little longer than you might usually, what is its setting, what is it sitting on? What is its mood? All these things can be interpreted, like tarot if you like. Wise words about the wild animals, but also, if you aproach a wild animal, with respect, not in a human way, but in the animal's way, you could be hugely rewarded. My mother lived in India and would walk bare foot through the mountain trees. One day, she came across a friend, that was in the mood to celebrate the day by walking through the woods, singing loudly and banging a drum, while my mother was in the mood to walk quietly and respectfully, they stopped to talk, and before long, he was hopping around saying, 'Ouch! Ouch!' When she looked down, she saw that red ants were walking on their feet, the difference was, they were biting her freind, but walking over her feet, from one side to the other, quite happily! I hope you can discover some wonderful experiences of your own and come back and tell us, it is good to have the benefit of a human mind, but we are also animals, don't lose that feeling! Much love, Rowan.
Asherah	posted 11/7/08 11:57 PM     Rowan Rosewood, funny your mom's experience with the red ants is very similar to a story that a Native American friend of mine told me. He moved into a house that had a large colony of fire ants (this was in Arizona). Rather than have them exterminated he went out and spoke to them. He said, "You were here first and you're welcome here, just leave my home and yard alone and I will never hurt you." He's lived in that house about 12 years now and has never seen one ant in his house or yard. Hedge-friend, I often think animals - even the smallest and seemingly lowliest can pick up our vibrations and sense our intents and purposes. In my previous post I recommended a book called "Animal Speak." It's really cool. I hope you check it out. After my experience with the wolf I found that book and it really put things into perspective for me. My respect and friendship to you both!
Hedge-friend	posted 11/8/08 1:14 AM     Certainly animals are not dumb creatures. They are endowed with faculties that rival our own, and in many ways, far exceed the capacities of humans. I respect and admire them, and have therefore learned to observe many things that others can't notice. I believe animals can sense that perceptive/receptive characteristic in people. They are much more attuned to what we are and feel than we are. These are natural signs, positive and otherwise, for those that can see them - animal or human.
roseredpixie	posted 8/17/09 1:50 PM       I have no experience with wild animals like the ones you have mentioned. Although I was very close to my cat. He was given to me for my fourth birthday and lived to be 18yrs old. He always knew when I was upset even if he was no where to be found when it happened. He would always find me to try to comfort me.
Rowan Rosewood	posted 8/19/09 10:07 PM       Yes, I saw a programme once about a kind of telepathy between animals and their owners. In the programme, dogs seemed to know 15 minutes before when their owner was going to come home. So I imagine they can definitely sense different moods. You must have loved your cat. :-) http://www.wiccaboxofglory.co.uk Supplies to support modern Celtic/Pagan lifestyles, traditions and religion.

Back To Hedge-Witch Home Page  | Post New Topic