We found a darling frog in our garage yesterday.  He gave a great effort to hop away from us, but then made it to the wall and was exhausted.  He was covered in dirt and dust bunnies from our garage floor, and was very dry.  When I went to catch him he barely gave up a fight.  I put him in my spare fish tank and added some de-chlorinated water and such.  He just sat in the water and I swear I heard a little sigh of relief.  

I had to go out for a bit, and when I came back he had nuzzled his way under the leaf I put in the tank and was just hanging out.  My neighbor has a fantastic pond and waterfall in her back yard, and we are serenaded, sometimes QUITE loudly every night by the frogs already there.  She said I could add him, and since he did not seem to be injured, I let him go in the pond.  Lucky guy!

He went from being too dry and tired, his lovely green color dim, to a vivid green and active frog.  So I of course had to look up what frog means, what his message was for me.  Animals come into our lives like this to give a message, so I always listen!

The darling and resilient FROG reminds us that our lives are ever changing. As symbol of transition and transformation, he is there to support us and lend guidance on how to be present for the changes we are to face. He is of course associated with the WATER element, although most frogs live on land as well, able to adapt to both.  Water is for cleansing and renewal, and Earth is for grounding, so this too gives us the support of adaptability.

The FROG appears as a symbol in many cultures and the most common themes are:

• Transformation & Tranitions
• Adaptability & Mobility
• Cleansing & Renewal (Water Element)
• Speaking, actually Singing Loudly YOUR Truth

And of course... I will now make a needle felted version of him!  Coming Soon!

This is actually quite exciting.  I did channel a message from my guardian angel!  I am not releasing it yet as it talks of things I am not unveiling to the world yet.  But it felt great to talk to her and get some help on my next steps.  So stay tuned...

However, I did get an inspiration.  Remember the white unicorn I named Solace in the first posting?  She has come forth in a needle felted item.  This one is more delicate, Solace is quite large, but this little one is so darling.  Maybe it is her when she was young.  She was so fun to make, I am going to make more in various colors.
​

I have always loved unicorns, what little girl doesn't?  I have never worked with their energy though, so this is new for me.  I am not sure what she resonates with, so for now she has my signature Herkimer diamond in her heart center and it seems to be a great fit.

Has anyone worked with unicorn energy?

Oh, and she is for sale for sure, or I can make one for you with any colors you want.

I was recently asked this question and it is a great one.  I create these darling little needle felted animals, but so do a lot of other people.  There are amazing artists out there! So how are mine different?  What do they offer you? 

Their primary purpose is to provide you with energetic support for your own healing path.  They accompany you on this path, a reminder, a motivator, a meditation buddy, an item that makes you smile, and yes, a piece of art to add to your home.

Spirit animals are easy to listen to.  They give clear messages based on their actual characteristics, and if you don't know what those are, they are easy to look up.  Since we love animals, we are more likely to listen to them, say over our spouse or parent.  If my husband tells me I am overreacting to something and to stop digging my heals in, I am likely to really show him what overreacting is (I am an Aries after all).  But if Butterfly comes to me and says "lighten up and trust where the breeze is taking you" I am delighted.  Or if I am spinning my wheels over a project that I just can't quite see the next steps, Eagle can swoop in and tell me to take a step back and look at it from a higher perspective, and then zero in on the details that actually matter.  Eagles literally have some of the best eyesight of all animals, and they soar high above everything to assess the situation.  

One of the many things I like about my needle felted spirit animals is that they are small, compact, and not very breakable.  While I love my Rufus painting, I also have a photo of one at my art table to remind me of his energy while I create art.  He helps me remember my goal and mission for creating energy art to help others.  If I had a needle felted version of him, not only could I take him around with me, but he would be infused with the energetic footprint of a humming bird.  I think this is him telling me to do that!

Once completed, I figure out the flower, gem, or color essence that matches the vibrational message of the animal, and infuse it through a special process you can read about here.  Included with each animal is a card that tells you the message they carry for you, and the essences I infused it with to compliment the message.  

​So now you have a physical art piece that you can take around with you that essentially radiates out the vibration of the message of the spirit animal.  Talk about being with you on your path to wellness!

You can look through the animals I have made, or you can request your spirit animal from me, I can and love to make anything new!

May find and listen to your spirit animal today,
Claire
​

Flickers are master percussionists.  As a member of the wood pecker family, they have perfected the use of drumming with their beaks.  They can call a mate, designate their territory, and very effectively create a nest hole to perfect size.  They keep a clean nest and share the responsibility of parenting.  If you too have a desire to provide for and protect your family, Flicker might be your power animal.  If you feel you need a little help in that area, ask Flicker to assist you!

Woodpeckers symbolize change coming to you - a new rhythm to embrace.  They say to listen more clearly, to both the obvious and subtle changes that are occurring around you.  They ask you to use innovation and your smarts to come up with a solution to your current challenge.  Keep trying different ways to get the outcome you need.  They also help us find the rhythm of Mother Earth.  Feel it in your heart, and let it flow up your feet.  If a woodpecker comes into your life, they are asking you to step up and help heal the earth.

Flickers have a specific message.  The bright salmon/gold color under their wings and tail, the red streak on their head, and the black streak at their neck all have significance.  ​​They spend more time on the ground than most woodpeckers, making them even more connected to earth and sky energy.  The red on their head symbolizes the connection of our upper chakras. Red stimulates creativity and physical stamina, needed to embrace the change flicker says is coming your way.  The crescent black shape at his chest symbolizes a new moon, also a time of change, of newness.  Since it is at the heart this change will go deep into your core essence.  The orange-gold color that flashes as they burst across the sky represents strides forward in your intuition, coming in dramatic and memorable ways.

They have 2 toes in the front and 2 in the back of the foot, helping them balance perfectly on the sides of trees (and my house!)  Ask Flicker to help you find the balance within your growth and even daily activities.  Flickers are non-aggressive birds, finding balance in all things.  For example, I just filled the feeders out back, and while the scrub jays are fighting among themselves, the flicker waits patiently on the fence, and simply swoops in, takes some suet, and moves back out of the way.  How can you simulate that in your life?  I know it is a lesson I can get some help with!

​This is just a start of what Flicker means, here is a great article to learn more, and here too. What I like about the message is that it has so much depth about change coming my way.  Flickers are action oriented and speak of immediate yet balanced and calculated change.  I feel like I have been waiting for this and with the dramatic way Flicker came to me, I think that says the time is now. 

What Can You Do with This Information?  READ HERE about how to actually use animal spirit medicine in your life.  As I am typing this, the flicker is literally knocking on my house.  Not stuck thank heavens, but still trying to get through that wire mesh!  

Josh and I recently drove to Casper, Wyoming and back from Bend, Oregon.  We always see wildlife, and certainly lots of birds of prey, and always crows and ravens.  This trip, however, was absolutely full of hawks.  A few eagles and vultures, but hawks every where I turned.

Here is what HAWK tells us.  I know I got a lot out of listening, I hope you do too.

LOOK FOR THE BIGGER PICTURE
Hawk tells us to look at a situation from above.  Don't get stuck in the details, you won't find the answer.  If something is eluding you, take a step back and see how the pieces can fit together.

DON'T BE CAGED BY FEAR
Once you have done the "overhead view", decide if it is right for you.  Change is scary, and looking at something from a different perspective is often overwhelming and we do the opposite of hawk - the mouse that hurries underground to safety.  (Mouse is actually a powerful spirit animal as well!)

Even when a bird is used for falconry, he is partnered with for 2 years, and then set free.  The hawk is caged, and I imagine in great fear for some time.  Is what or who you are currently partnered with caging you?  Look deep down and see if there is fear there.  Or maybe you are comfortable in the current cage, and the fear is getting free?  What would you do then?

FOCUS ON WHAT IS AHEAD
Once you determine if and how you are going to move forward, focus on that.  Looking back at what you have accomplished is fine and serves an important purpose, and hawk says now focus that attention forward - to new things.  You have the goal in mind, you are ready to step through your fear, so go forth and soar!

HOW?
I have people ask me "How do I ask an animal to help?  What exactly am I supposed to do?  The message is great, but how do I actually use this?"

Messages from animals are meant as catalysts, as ways to open your eyes to see what you need to change. I feel the spirit of the animal helping me, but like with the angels, you need to ask.  And then have faith. 

• Go for a walk and talk to the animal.  Even if they are not there, Mother Nature will connect your energies. 
• Go online and look at images of the animal.  What does it make you feel?  What does it stir within you? 
• Say a prayer to the animal.  You can find a lot online and in books, but you can also just make one up.  Try creating a HAIKU for the animal.  That is a simple poem you create.  The first line is 5 syllables, the second is 7, the third is 5.  1 or more verses.  Seems easy, but can be hard to do.
• After reading the message, journal.  Really the answers come from you, so start talking to yourself through journaling or whatever works for you.  Meditating, talking to a friend, etc.
• Keep at it.  If your animal seems to go silent, that is okay.  Keep bringing their energy and message to the forefront of your mind and... do your work.

Here is the HAIKU I came up with for HAWK while driving on the amazing open road.

You soar on your wings
Oh the wonders you must see
The wind as your guide

Did you ever fear
Or want to stay on the ground
Help me spread my wings

Keep coming to me
Give me your message of change
Help me move forward

Help me see the path
The courage to leave my cage
​On my own wings - fly.
​