Ornamental Snake

• A poisonous snake from Australia, belonging to the cobra family
• Diet consists entirely of frogs
• Because of development, it is now considered a threatened species.

Harmony,

Janet Roper

Back to the Talk2theAnimals Blog

Recently Talk2theAnimals featured Snake in its Animal Communication Practice Friday.  The response was astonishing.  No one, absolutely no one, left a comment about talking with Snake.  People have been great at leaving comments on Animal Communication Practice Friday.  Does that mean that no one talked to Snake?  I can’t help but wonder what’s going on about that.

This year I have been working with a different animal energy for a month.  Here’s the lineup of animals I’ve been working with:

• January Lion.
• February Grasshopper.
• March Peacock.
• April Dragonfly.

This month I am working with Snake.  Snake is one of my favorite animal energies with whom I work.  I enjoy going for walks and coming across Snake sunning herself.  She has never scared me or intimidated me.

Ted Andrews, author of The Animal-Wise Tarot, has placed Snake in the Major Arcana.  In tarot decks, the cards are divided into two main categories, the Major Arcana and the Minor Arcana.  The Major Arcana has to do with our spiritual life and our spiritual journey, while the Minor Arcana has to do with the more mundane, practical events in our lives.  So Snake gives us information about our spiritual life.

Snake represents the shedding of the old and the bringing in of the new.  I see that as very apropos of springtime, when I’m doing spring cleaning both in and out of the house.  Yes, I know I just said that Snake has to do with the spiritual journey; keep in mind many times when we are doing “interior” cleaning or working on ourselves, that will be made apparent by the cleaning we do in the physical world.

Snake sheds her skin, getting rid of what no longer fits her.  When we engage in spiritual cleaning, we are getting rid of ideas, thoughts or even dogmas that no longer fit us or work for us.  It is natural to be in a constant state of growth, changing what needs to be changed.  It’s when we deny that natural change and growth that we become stuck and stagnant.

Snake asks us to become more aware of ourselves by asking us these questions:

• Are there changes that would be beneficial to us to make?
• Are we stuck in old, repetitive patterns?
• Are we forcing change, thereby creating problems for ourselves?
• Are we ignoring opportunities?

Ted Andrews’ books have been very beneficial to me in learning more about animals and how they help me in the everyday of my life.  Click here or on the icon above if you would like to purchase the book for your own guidance.

Harmony,

Janet Roper

Back to the Blog

As we learn to Talk2theAnimals, we are also learning about building relationship with a different species.  In some cases, this can help us build bridges towards species that have been maligned by humans, sometimes even throughout our human history.

Today we are connecting with an animal who has received a bad rap since Adam and Eve.  Literally.  Today we are connecting with Snake.

If this is your first time here, welcome! Please read about creating your Circle of Listening.  If you have missed any of the Friday sessions, click here.

Here are some questions to get your conversation started with Snake.  Remember to ask if it’s OK to talk before you start your conversation, then thank Snake afterwards.  Feel free to add your own questions to the list.

1. How do you regard your relationship with humans?
2. Do snakes like to be kept as pets?
3. What is an average day like for you?
4. Is there anything you fear?
5. Do you have a message for me?

What was it like to talk to Snake?  Was it different talking to Snake than it has been when you talked to a different animal?  How did you receive the information – through words, pictures, feelings?  There’s not a right way or a wrong way to receive information.  Different people receive the information in different ways.

I invite you to leave your comments here on the blog.  You never know when sharing one of your comments or experiences is just what another person needs to hear!

Harmony,

Janet Roper

Back to the Blog

This is the final installment I have for you in the First Women Foundation Retreat.  If you have enjoyed these posts, consider coming to the next retreat.  It’s scheduled for May, 2010.  I know that’s a long time away, but it’s worth the wait!

We started the festivities Friday evening with a drumming circle.  Master drum maker, Doris Issendorf of Red Eagle Drums, created most of the drums, drumsticks and rattles.  I tested a couple of drums, and then my drum found me.  Did you know that could happen?  A ‘non-animate’ object could pick you?  It does happen!   I picked up a 20 inch buffalo hide drum with a pine rim, gave it a thump, and it was love at first thump.  The vibrations oscillated through my hands, up to my skull and down to my feet, and kept vibrating, vibrating, vibrating……..

Saturday morning I had my friend Becky take a picture of me with the drum, the new drumstick and the new tote bag for the drum.  Notice anything unusual in the center of the drum?  Do you see Turtle?  I now have Buffalo drum with Turtle in the center.

Interestingly enough, whenever anyone else plays the drum, Turtle is not there. When I play the drum, Turtle is there.  I know! I keep checking ~ it’s an anomaly!

OK, that statement about it being an anomaly may be true in the ‘real world’, but certainly is not true in the world of animal communication.  Animals don’t have to show up physically to be in our lives.  They can come in many different ways and forms to help us.

Buffalo is all about prosperity and abundance.  Buffalo shared his life & body with the Native Americans on the Plains. Buffalo continues to do so, even though our life styles are far different. Buffalo reminds us that when we integrate the spiritual and the ordinary of our lives, we succeed on our path. Buffalo looks for the easy path, not pushing, striving or forcing.

Turtle is Mother Earth Spirituality, again, not pushing, striving or forcing.  Turtle goes at her own rate, which is consistent with who she is and what is around her.  Turtle is secure in herself, carries her home on her back.

Whenever animals appear to us like this, it is up to each person to take away the unique message the animal(s) have for that person.  So, as you’re reading this, you may discern a totally different message for yourself than what I discern for myself.  That’s OK.  We each hear the individual message the animal has for us.  That is the wisdom of the animals.

Thank you Buffalo and Turtle for your guidance and words of wisdom.

Harmony,

Janet Roper

Back to the Blog

This summer I did quite a few posts about dead and dying turtles.  So it was quite a pleasure to discover a video of  this feisty turtle.  Hope you enjoy it!

Harmony,

Janet Roper

Back to the Blog

Last night I was dreaming of a green anole.  That’s unusual – so unusual I decided to check with Green Anole to see if there was something he wanted to say.

Here’s what Green Anole said:

“Oh, listen, listen, listen.  I am part of the ancients, I am part of the ancient world, the ancient wisdom. When you are dealing with fears, you can listen to me – I will guide you wisely, I will help you away from your fears.  Primal instinct is for protection, to be part of a tribe, but you no longer need to do that.  Things have changed, times have changed.  What used to be tribal is now global.  It is time to think big, to go where you need to go.

“You can watch me, see how I work.  I take things in, I move where I need to go.  If I need to climb to reach what I’m after, then I climb.  If I don’t need to climb, then I don’t climb.  You will never see me spinning my wheels, being in a tizzy, being in a flurry.  We ancients know how to settle ourselves, to be at one with our world, our surroundings.  You and other humans would do good to learn our ways.  We teach, if only you will listen.

“The ancient ways of peace and harmony are needed in your world right now. They are needed in your world, they are needed by your people, they are needed by you.  How do you move to allow peace and harmony into your world, into your life?  Does your movements invite peace and harmony in, or do your movements keep peace and harmony away?  Do you prefer to be in constant perpetual motion, with no reason, no rhyme?  If so, you are keeping peace and harmony at bay.

“We ancients are connected to earth, we are deliberate, everything we do is for a reason, as you humans would say. But it goes deeper than that – we are entrenched in connection, knowing that everything and all is connected.  You are losing that – you need to reconnect with us ancients before your connection is lost.

“When you feel yourself losing connection, stop!  Stop! what you are doing.  Take time to become quiet, to see, hear, feel, touch and taste what is actually going on.  Take time to sense what is about you.  By doing that you will regain your peace and harmony.  Take time to observe, and for heaven’s sake, get off the treadmill of time.  That does you no service.

“Watch us ancients, be with us ancients – we will guide you, and are willing to be your guides.”

Thank you Green Anole, for sharing your wisdom and offering your guidance.  For this I am grateful.

Here’s a YouTube video showing the movements of  Green Anole.

Harmony,

Janet Roper

Back to the Blog

The new podcast is up and running. This time we’re talking about and to turtles! Check it out and hear about my experiences with Turtle this summer.

Harmony,

Janet Roper

Back to the Blog

Turtle has been talking with me a lot this summer. I have seen an inordinate amount of turtles along the side of the road, some thriving, some injured, some dead or dying. I have assisted injured turtles, as well as said a benediction for the dead and dying turtles. I was at a shop the other day and was immediately attracted to the hand carved turtles. I’ve noticed that people have been ‘talking turtle’ when I’m around. Recently I attended an eWomenNetwork luncheon and Patty McLain of RMG Residential Mortgage Group, Inc, shared this story:

One morning I went downstairs to get a glass of water. As I looked outside my front door I saw what looked like a big clump of dirt in my flower bed. I thought maybe one of my flower pots tipped over. As I looked closer I discovered a rather large turtle in my flower bed. I thought here we go again as a turtle a few years ago laid eggs in my flower bed.

I watched the turtle from my window along with my 3 kids. It was quite a job as the turtle was digging with his hind legs one leg at a time. He or should I say she she would raise one leg and then push it further and further into the ground digging and digging and then she would switch legs. Then after about an hour the miraculous happened she began to lay the eggs.

She would lift her left leg up and up as high as it would go and at least one egg would pop out sometimes two. Then she would rest her left leg and then start all over again. I counted at least 17 eggs and that was in-between getting ready for work. After about an hour of that she pushed the dirt over the eggs and crawled back to the pond in our backyard. ( My kids did not see her go back to the pond but that is what we are guessing she did) I fixed my flowers and finished covering the place where she laid the eggs. Someone told me it took 9 weeks for them to hatch. We will be watching.

When an animal appears so frequently and consistently in my life in an extended time frame, it is my invitation to listen to the animal and discern her/his message for me.

This summer’s recent bout with Turtle reminds me:

• It is time to come out of my shell
• To connect with Mother Earth
• To trust that I am cared for
• Slow down, use and enjoy my increased sensitivity
• Take my time and go with the natural pace of life

OK, I’m alive with curiosity! Has anyone else had Turtle appear in their life this summer? If so, what is Turtle telling you? How has Turtle appeared to you? Like Patty and her kids, has anyone else taken the time to watch a turtle lay eggs? If so, you’ve experienced one of the gifts from Turtle – the gift of slowing down.

Leave your stories, leave your comments. We look forward to reading them!

Harmony,

Janet Roper

Back to the Blog

I perceive part of my job description as a human being on Planet Earth is to spot dead animals along the road side and send them on their way to the Light. As I’m driving I may be talking to someone, I may be singing or performing some other driving friendly activity, but in my mind as I pass the animals I am saying ‘Go to the Light, Little One’.

Sometimes I will pass the same carcass many times, yet each time I give it my own personal little benediction, ‘Go the the Light, Little One’. I have even sent squashed paper bags, old boots or blown out tires to the Light.

When I’m not horsin’ around as an animal communicator, I’m fiddlin’ around as a professional violinist providing Music Wellness in elder care facilities. Today was a fiddlin’ around day. I had finished one engagement and was en route to another one. As usual, I was sending animals to the Light as I was driving.

I went past a turtle on the side of the road, was in the middle of sending it to the Light, when I realized that he was flipped over on his back, and was trying to right himself. His little flipper arm looked like it was trying to wave down help from the passing traffic.

It took me 2.5 miles before I could find a place to turn around and return to help him. Once I found him again, I pulled off the road and went to assist the little guy. Not only was he on his back, his shell had been cracked top and bottom, and he was bleeding.

I gently turned him over, and would have set him in the shade if there had been any available. I returned to my car and called my vet to see if they worked on turtles. Unfortunately, they don’t. I left him on the side of the road, not knowing how else to help the little guy. I sent out prayers that someone more knowledgeable than I would soon be by to help the fellow.

A few miles further I saw a snapping turtle with a big gapping hole in the apex of her shell. It looked like the turtle had been hit very hard with either a hammer or a hard ball. This one appeared to be dead, so I sent her to the Light.

I was late arriving at my engagement because of my turtle troubles.

At some point, after seeing these injured (dead? dying?) turtles I was spiraled back to my childhood, and remembered my dad, his brother and a young uncle reminiscing about their childhood, laughing about turtles they had put on their back, watching them struggle to right themselves. It was a game to them. I was too young to know better, so I laughed along with my dad and uncles.

I am disturbed by the turtles’ troubles, and can’t detach myself from worry and wondering what happened to them.

I have to accept the fact, no, the truth, that I did what I could for the turtles, and it probably was not enough to save either turtle (assuming the snapping turtle was alive). I am not a saviour ~ I can’t make everything right or resurrect dead or dying turtles.

This is a difficult lesson for me – to do what I can and then release the outcome of the situation. Not only release the outcome of the situation, but to be totally detached from the outcome: to allow the situation to develop and grow as it needs to.

I know this is an overly simplistic view, but when I am in a balanced state, feeling life is good, it is easy to say, and believe, that what happens is the best for all involved. Today is not one of those days.

Harmony,

Janet Roper

Back to the Blog

Today must be Turtle Day. Victoria over at Teachings of the Horse has a fabulous yarn about a snapping turtle. Check it out!

Harmony,

Janet Roper

Back to the Blog