One of the reasons I wanted to live at Mystic Waters Ranch was to be closer to nature. Sure, there was nature around my place in Surrey, however, not like it is here. I had one big cedar tree on my property and the only animals I’d see were dogs and cats who would come to poop in my yard. If I wanted to walk in the trees, I had to drive to a park.
Now, all I need to do is walk out my back door and I’m in a small forest. Dozens of old growth trees where wildlife comes to visit often. Yesterday morning I noticed three deer on the property next door. The llama was staring them down and eventually chased them off – right over to my place. I watched as they grazed on the long grass growing under our trees, then they hopped over the fence into the field, eventually disappearing behind the brush bordering the creek on the south side of our property.
Just as the deer were entering our property I heard a couple of Canada geese approach and land very loudly on the metal roof of the barn. They love coming around and picking up the grains left behind after the horses have eaten. I turned to go back to the house and spooked a rabbit who went hopping off in the direction the deer had taken.
I hadn’t been outside for more than 10 minutes (less time than it used to take me to drive to the park) and had been graced by the presence of a llama, three deer, two geese and a rabbit. None of these animals actually live at our place, they have chosen to visit.
Back in the house, I looked up each of the animals I'd encountered in Ted Andrew's Animal Speaks book. Ted provides a volume of information helping people understand the power and messages being offered by animals. He says no encounter is by chance; there’s always a reason and good meaning in the interaction.
First the deer, they are well known for gentle leading into new adventure and because there were three of them, I understood this to mean leading
me into magical new adventures. Their message reassures me I’ve made a good move coming here.
Geese symbolize communication through written stories and travel to distant places (like the depths of my heart and soul). Every day I sit outside to write and I find the words flow more freely. There’s another book wanting to come through me.
Rabbits move by hops and leaps, small steps and big ones, but always moving toward a goal. They also symbolize fertility; closely attuned to the lunar cycles. Reminding me to enjoy the journey, knowing I’m cycling toward realizing my dreams.
Ted doesn’t have anything about llamas in his book. I’ve been watching this one and I’ve noticed she’s all about seeing from a higher perspective as well as being a fierce protector. She’s been watching out for us since we moved in.
I’m grateful for having been visited by each of these beautiful beings and as I was writing this post, a humming bird flew right up to me as I sat on my back deck. It hovered around me for a few moments, so close I could reach out and touch it, and then proceeded on its way. Hummingbird is the symbol of joy and childlike play. It seemed to be saying to me “I acknowledge your joy in living here and writing to share your joy with others”.
Are you living joyfully? Are you paying attention to nature – your nature? My wish for you is that a hummingbird graces your space today.
great blog about nature