Magic is Real

I was a bit sad after writing the last blog. This feeling came from wondering if I would ever feel the wonder and magic which I experienced when I had first met my husband. The circumstances, the setting and his beauty all felt so cosmic and divine and unbelievable. Knowing I could shift my thoughts with some physical movement, I headed out for a hike.

Within minutes I was huffing up the Dipsea steps and heading for the mountain peak. The redwoods, green leaves and sunshine filtering through leaves immediately shifted my awareness. Suddenly my whole focus was on breathing and climbing. Thoughts disappeared. It felt so good. I continued up, up, up, up... beyond the stairs and streets and onto the dirt. There were amazing views of the entire valley and the sea. The air smelled so good~ rich and full of forest life.

After about ten minutes on the trail I skidded to a stop.  A snake was lying across the trail, totally blocking my path. It was startling. I stopped and watched it. Was it moving? Dead? Had some mountain biker run it over. It looked pretty healthy but was totally still. 

Like ancient tribespeople and natives around the world, I believe seeing animals or noticing symbols is significant... that they are messengers who visit us with information which can help us align more fully. So I was looking at this snake and thinking of my situation and wondering, where's the lesson here? I cooled my heels for a good 3-4 minutes until it slithered away. Maybe it was signifying transformation? Shedding the old?

I kept trekking. My eyes were much keener now and my senses were aware. Suddenly a massive lizard ran right next to and in front of me and I literally jumped in the air. It was kind of funny how startled I was after the snake. So I stood there paused and wondered, okay, a lizard. Lizards typically signify the dreamworld and visions... what did this mean? I let go of needing to understand and walked on.

Again, in about 5 minutes I heard a massive crashing through the woods. A big deer with beautiful eyes and extra large ears looked back over it's shoulder at me after having crossed the path I was on. It was so gorgeous! I loved how gracefully it moved and how gentle it looked. Interesting.

I walked on. As if on cue, another five minutes later another visitor showed up. This time it was a rabbit who ran right in front of me. In my mind, I though, "okay, rabbits signify abundance. I'll take that!" But overall I was starting to feel a bit "Twilight Zone-y" with all these animals showing up in such a short amount of time.

When a few minutes later I heard more sounds up ahead I almost laughed, thinking, "okay, who's next?" A hawk swooped right by me with a small animal in it's claws and landed low on a tree. I walked closer to get a better look at it... again, it was gorgeous! It looked so regal and powerful. 

Then, a few moments later, a blur of three hummingbirds jetted up and hovered right by the hawk for a few moments. I couldn't deal anymore, I just burst out laughing. It was all to insanely magical and unreal. The hawk and hummingbirds flew away.. and then the hummingbirds flew back and hovered there again for a few moments. My jaw hung low. Hummingbirds are very significant to me as bringers of joy... to me they represent savoring the nectar of life.

Then everyone was gone and I was left breathless with astonishment. My whole body felt tingly.

I have taken many hikes in my day.. hundreds! Maybe even over a thousand. And in places much wilder than Mt. Tam. And I can honestly say I have never had so many consecutive animals literally walk, run or fly right in front of me in such a short time, ever.

I've been reflecting on it the last 2 days.

Tonight, I realized that the real message wasn't in the symbolism of each animal. I realized it was the fact that it felt like a friggin' miracle while it was all happening. It felt like coincidence after coincidence. It felt beyond probability. It was exciting and enchanting all at once. I think the universe sent me that experience to show me that an infinite number of divinely magical rendez-vous ARE possible. In fact, I'll bet a large number of these experiences are lined up outside my door waiting to present themselves to me! What a gift. These feel like real life lessons in the Art of Allowing. I'm excited to see what unfolds...

Comments

[Andrew]

Wow, I totally enjoyed you taking me on your synchronous hike of illumination. Thanks.

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Christabel,
I have admired you from a far for years. After reading your last blog, which I randomly stumbled upon, I printed it off and read it on the bus / subway on the way home from work. For the first time, I was imagining you saddened and my heart went out to you. You have always been so open and strong in your words - I wanted to give you a big hug. You sounded in your blog like you really put alot of effort into your relationship and it seems you put alot of effort in everything you do. It made me sad, but of course it was obvious you would move on and regain your happiness. A new chapter of your life is about to explode. After reading this particular post, I am sitting here smiling because it appears you are going to be alright, and now you see that too. What a beautiful hike you must have had!!! I believe in symbolisn as well, you have such great things right around the corner for you. And I know you will take all the positive you have already experienced and have great success. :)

[Isabel]

I remember how I used to enjoy your writing in high school, and now I feel so blessed to be able to enjoy it anew. Thank you for these gorgeous blog posts.

I like to look upon animal visitors as messengers too. We retreat to New Hampshire on weekends where we have been visited by a magnificent woodpecker, a family of deer, wild turkeys, mourning doves, falcons, a grey fox, and even a black bear once.

Have you ever read Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle? It's a fictional reimagining of the myth of Noah's Ark in which animals and human beings have a deep connection with each other and also with some mythic beings. A beautiful book, the last of the quartet that began with A Wrinkle in Time.

[Ash]

mamacita- amazing blog and wow- nature is a talkin! I have had this snake experience before- transformation, shedding, and how our strength and vitality lie in those moments when we are humblest and closest to the ground...that is where the kundalini is found.
lizard speaks of dreamtime, and always says to dream what you want into being, ie focus on what you want! the abraham work seems to have you steeped in that one :)
the deer- be gentle!!! with yourself my love...
the rabbit- another meaning- fear. fear of what we do not know- learning to trust the universe to guide when you cannot see the way-
the hawk- message and signals- small pray in its mouth..hhhmmmm
and the hummers- sweet sweet joy AND best in a fight! haha...the strength and vitality to arise victorious-
my beautiful warrior princess. believe in you. love you lots. xxx