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Snowflake's Story: a Look at Aconite
| Posted on January 15, 2014 at 8:14 AM |
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 Sometimes animals cross your path and you truly wonder whether their visit was just to help them recover or there's a more profound message in it for you. This story is one such experience. The first week after the 2014 New Year started out with a polar vortex that not only hit this region of WNY very hard, but many areas throughout the country. It's times like those with such extreme frigid temperatures that make you wonder how wild creatures even survive at all, but somehow they seem to manage. Sometimes though, a helping human hand makes all the difference.The second day of our blizzard had me letting our dogs out and filling bird feeders amidst -6 degrees Fahrenheit and intense winds. The birds were anxiously waiting for anything that would help them make it through the extreme temperature. It was the coldest weather I'd experienced in this region in years. We Western New Yorkers are typically pretty tough, being used to this kind of weather and somehow we always seem to make the best out of the situation, but this was intense weather. That morning as I moved toward a feeder hung near one of our honey locust trees, I saw a bluejay covered with snow and seemingly lifeless. His eyes were closed and the only thing that seemed to indicate some life force was the fact one of his feet was tightly clenched into a fist. Somehow I sensed there might be hope as I scooped him up in my gloved hand and brought him inside. My son was home from school and I told him to warm the bird against his chest in the event he might still be alive. I went back outside to continue with my morning activities. When I came back in, my son told me the bluejay was still alive and breathing. I told him to keep the bird warm until he noticed more life and I gave him a flannel pillowcase to wrap the bird in. Ordinarily a heating pad is used in wildlife rehabilitation, but I knew in this instance, it was the connection with a living being that this bird needed, even if that being was human and perhaps maybe because he was human. As I had hoped, my son's warmth and heart intention to bring this bird back from the brink of death, was exactly what this bluejay needed.  After some time, I thought the bird might be ready for some medicine, so I tried giving the homeopathic remedy Aconite in a syringe with some water, but his mouth was tightly clenched shut. Instead I rubbed some Rescue Remedy on his head as the vibration on the skin is often enough to calm an injured animal. After about a half hour, my son called me from the other room saying the bluejay had put its beak around his finger. I knew it was time to give the bird the Aconite it needed to help recover fully from the shock of nearly dying. I'd seen various songbirds and mammals recover quickly from the shock of being hit by a car, after being given Aconite, which is the vibrational imprint of the flower Monkshood. Aconite is the remedy for shock and works well in extreme cases with wildlife and people. For some reason the medicine of this plant works with the trauma of shock held within the body and acts like a key opening a lock. It can even be used for injuries in the past. I checked the bluejay and decided he was warm and alert enough to be given some Aconite since his eyes were now open. Because his beak was wrapped around my son's finger, it wasn't difficult to get a syringe in his mouth. The bluejay swallowed and I knew we just had to wait now. Again, this is one of those moments when you see the power of homeopathy in full force because you know wild animals don't respond to placebos. It is unfortunate that those who do not understand homeopathy criticize it as having a placebo effect, because I've seen it work in a variety of situations with wildlife and my son when he was a toddler. This time, within minutes, the bluejay seemed more vital and looked like he was ready to be transferred to a recovery cage. It was obvious that continuing to hold him would only invite more stress.  So I transferred the bluejay to his cage and put some sunflower seeds and peanuts in a dish for him, with another dish of water and Rescue Remedy. Several hours later he was already eating and looking like he was ready to continue living the life of an energetic bluejay once again. His recovery had been nothing short of miraculous for us.Much to our surprise, he even managed to temporarily escape from his cage while putting in more food. The flight however, quickly tired and stressed him, and at that point it wasn't yet clear whether this was due to a low overall energy or just the stress of our trying to catch him. It was probably a little of both, but it was obvious he wasn't yet ready for release and the weather was still brutally cold, so release wasn't even an option yet. My son decided to name the bluejay "Snowflake" although I thought "Blizzard" might have been more appropriate. I gave Snowflake another dose of Aconite and waited another day. There's a fine line in wildlife rehabilitation between releasing a wild animal too soon before they are ready to be on their own and keeping a wild animal in captivity too long which can also kill them due to stress. It's always a tough choice for me and many others who help wildlife. This was no exception, but I waited a few days and I decided to release him exactly 48 hours after I had brought him in from the cold. Although it was still a cold day, the temperature had increased somewhat and the sun was shining brilliantly. Snowflake immediately flew to the top of our old maple tree and obviously enjoyed his new found freedom. I had no doubt in my mind, we had chosen the perfect day for his release.  I know that my son will always remember the day we saved a bluejay from the bitter cold during the Blizzard of 2014 and I know I will too. My son learned that sometimes things aren't always what they appear to be and sometimes, even when things seem hopeless, you might just save someone's life if you try. I also know that it's not always the outcome that matters, but the intention and the care that we give to someone in need that counts in the overall scheme of things. Although I know that wild animals die everyday out in Nature, I think it's worth the effort to help a creature in need when they cross your path.The same day we released the bluejay, I found a tiny Chickadee frozen in the snow not far from our beehive and another bird feeder. It saddened me that I didn't find this tiny songbird at the right time. Chickadees are one of my favorite songbirds because I love to watch them and admire their high energy, strength and resilience during the coldest of winters. I know I was not meant to find this little one. It was his time to meet the Creator. Two wild birds and one blizzard with two completely different outcomes. Divine timing in life is everything and sometimes... so is seizing the moment. Blessings of Gratitude! 2014 Copyright Awen Environments/Clarissa Harison. |
Clear Clutter, Clear the Past
| Posted on January 1, 2014 at 11:11 AM |
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 "Your sacred space is where you can find yourself again and again."--Joseph Campbell Clearing clutter was never a difficult thing for me to do, as I always kept my home neat and organized with everything in its place. That was until I became a mother, before I was seriously concerned with environmentalism and before I had such a complex life filled with loads of responsibilities. It was also before technology reached the point it's at today and before being on the internet had become an integral part of my life. It's easy to keep your space clear when you lead a simple life and you live alone, but what about when you're handling multiple tasks on a daily basis and you have a family of humans (or animals) to take care of? Then the challenge becomes much more daunting. We also live in times that are fast paced and filled with chaos and uncertainty. How do you cope with the constant barrage of emails, personal and professional challenges, as well as things that we as humans acquire over the course of our lives? And how do you balance the need for utility versus things that you love? How do you justify throwing things out when you know that you can reuse them in more creative ways or they will become useful again, if and when you move into that perfect house? Believing that the home you are currently living in is just temporary does not help matters. It may be because of your job or because your current home doesn't have the plot of land your truly want or just because your dreams are to live in another region at some point of your life. The real question is how does it make you feel right now? That is what matters most because it's affecting your energy and the way you live your life in this present moment.  There was a time when I was very hard on my clients immediately pointing out areas of clutter in their home which resulted in stagnation and negative energy in their lives. It was so easy for me to do because I was the observer and the analyst. Much has changed since then, in particular, my lifestyle and what is important to me. But what about walking my talk now? So, I've been taking serious inventory of how I live my life and what areas need improvement. The process has been exhausting and sometimes even overwhelming. I have been shocked at times at how far I've let my living and organizational standards go simply because I've been too busy, have had too many fires to put out and just got caught up in the mundane activities of life. Sometimes I've just been exhausted and needed to do something that pleased my soul and physical body. Those were times I would simply ignore all that needed to be done.The key to tackling seemingly overwhelming clutter is to deal with it one step at a time. Your home (or your situation) didn't get to the point it's at overnight and so you can't expect to change it overnight. You can, however, address your clutter fairly quickly if you just keep chipping away at the issue, one piece at a time. Each day I'd work on my clutter in some manner and every day I got closer to my goal. I continue to do this, one area at a time. A big challenge for me this past autumn was how do I get my car back in my garage for the winter with all the clutter I had stacked inside? Being a gardener, it was filled with all sorts of tools and supplies. At one point I truly thought I'd never be able to deal with all the things I'd accumulated in time before the cold weather set in, but I did. Clearing this clutter involved several layers of planning which ultimately improved the quality of my life. I also went through a very intense internal process that included a lot of foresight and planning to achieve my goals. It felt so much better once I put my plan into motion and saw the results. I think back now and wonder how I could have put up with this clutter for as long as I did and wonder how I could have held onto so many things. I know that part of this was that I always planned to do more activities which ultimately I never had time for. Investing in a huge shed which I turned into a studio was part of my organizational plan and it made a big difference because we were able to organize our tools, gardening supplies, as well as materials for future projects.  Clutter is stagnant energy in your home and it can truly affect your mindset. It brought my energy and perspective down every day as I looked at my clutter filled spaces. Sometimes I just chose to ignore them, but inside it really bothered me because I knew it wasn't acceptable to who I truly am. I had strayed simply because I had been pressed for time and other things had to be addressed. Now I have more time, but I also had to make the time to address the problem areas. Although I began this process in the fall, winter months can actually be a great time to deal with clutter because we're indoors more and we are affected by the energy more readily.In November I attended a breakfast meeting where I asked the instructor how do we address our challenges these days and find the time to do all the things we need to do and those that are important to us. I told her of my overwhelm which I felt quite often. Her response was to create a to do list which you review every day and then you eliminate 5 things that just aren't so important. I thought this sounded simple enough, but it still didn't address doing the things I loved which at times seemed trivial. To that she replied that what made me feel good is well worth the time because it puts you in a different space-- one of joy. That's really what matters on a daily basis and it will get you through the challenging times. I bought her book that day and later read about a similar question that was addressed in a slightly different way. The response was to each night speak to your higher self and make a mental note of all the things you need to do the next day and then you simply turn it over before you go to sleep. During the day you will find that your attention will be focused exactly where it needs to be and the rest is not so important. Not surprisingly, I have found this process to be quite effective and I've found myself to have more clarity and direction (when I remember to take the time to do this). At this point I am still addressing my clutter, one room at a time and sometimes only one closet or drawer at a time, but I am truly feeling the difference in how I approach my day and how I manage my activities and responsibilities on a regular basis. I can sense how the energy of the house is changing and aligning more with who I am and how I intend my life to me. And yes, I still have days where I seem to accomplish nothing and everything piles up, but I know there's always tomorrow to get back on track. Clutter issues are significant because they reflect innermost feelings and beliefs about ourselves, our lives and our future. It's easy to dwell on the past and unpleasant memories if you are surrounded by constant reminders that you subconsciously associate with unhappy or stress filled times. Releasing things that you no longer find useful or enjoy creates the space for new energies to come in, thereby setting the foundation for change and the manifestation of your goals. Creating your own sacred space is part of letting go of the past, releasing that which no longer serves you and creating a new future. New Year's Blessings of Renewal! 2014 Copyright Awen Environments/Clarissa Harison. |
Beyond the Visible
| Posted on November 6, 2013 at 2:24 PM |
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"Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous." --Albert Einstein, "The World As I See It" There are times when it may seem that very little or absolutely nothing is going in the direction that you would hope. Despite your best efforts, things do not appear to be falling in place as you had planned. That's when you need to let go and focus on what uplifts your spirits and makes you feel connected. Maybe you need to dance with abandon to music that you love or take a walk in the park or on the beach and just feel the beauty and power of Nature. Sometimes just spending time with a child or an animal companion can make all the difference. Finding joy and peace in those moments is key to moving past a seeming standstill. Sometimes we are being held back for a reason. The timing just isn't right and other things need to happen before what you desire comes to pass or perhaps something better manifests itself. Trusting this process is a huge part of remaining grounded and not falling into the abyss of frustration and despair. We don't always know what's best for us or the sacred contracts we may have made before coming into this lifetime. Yet there is a grand perfection that exists, if we can just be patient, listen and be aware. Often times while working with animals I have had to hold them back to keep them safe in order to ensure their complete recovery before being released into the wild or even outside of a cage into my home. I can feel their frustration as their desire for freedom to do their own thing is great. Nevertheless, I know that were I to release them when they desire, it is very likely that more harm could come to them or their chances for survival would be lessened.  I think the Universe and the Creator do the same thing. They guide us when we are lost and hold us back when we would make wrong decisions or plunge into something that is not in our best interest. Divine perfection exists when we allow the flow of life to manifest in its own time and allow ourselves to be guided by the sometimes very subtle nuances of Nature and Spirit. Sometimes a chance conversation with a stranger can bring the greatest of insights and clarity.I can't say that I have all the answers as I struggle with these very things each day while facing this changing world, but my faith is strong and I'm confident that the way will be shown to me at the appropriate time regardless of which situations I may encounter. I've simply done far too much work within all aspects of my life to give up on what I know to be true and how I intend my future to be, to go back to an old way of being or doing though it may seem easier or more comfortable at times. The waves of adjustment continue as the Earth goes through her growing pains releasing unbalanced energies via earthquakes, floods and other natural disasters. With every movement of the Earth we are affected by the shifts in energetic grids across the planet. Don't think that an opening in the Earth's crust thousands of miles away is not having an affect on you or a wildfire on another continent, because it is. And if you're prone to sudden bursts of emotion and irritability or extreme exhaustion, know that as the Earth releases pent up energy, so are you. Each person feels these changes in their own way. Now, more than ever we need to focus on what brings us joy, what uplifts our spirit and what makes us stronger and our energy more vibrant. If you are finding yourself being dragged down by discordant energies and the chaos or drama of others, find a way to bring yourself back into alignment with Nature and your true sense of self. Everytime we do something to keep ourselves grounded, we are helping this planet and the planetary shifts taking place. Be a lighthouse amidst the storms or a tree that bends with the winds but anchors itself firmly, don't go running after that which you cannot save because it will not serve you.  I believe that 2014 will bring new insights, greater opportunities and also many challenges as we face our intentions, our outmoded ways of being and living, and we all become clearer as to what we want out of life. Find renewal in the silence of the night and strength in the warm rays of the morning sun. See the sparkle of the crystalline essence of a snowflake and plant your seeds of awakening in the sacred space of your soul. Now is the time to release old patterns and prepare for whatever you feel is significant. Trust that your choices will determine your future.Blessings of Clarity! 2013 Copyright Awen Environments/Clarissa Harison. |
Bee Feng Shui: the Energy of Space
| Posted on September 7, 2013 at 11:01 AM |
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 I've been thinking lately about how my interests and my work through out the years went from working inside the home with regard for the energy of space to where my focus is presently, which is outside with the land. This has been an ongoing process for quite some time, but yesterday when someone from Myanmar found my site using the key words "bee feng shui," I just had to explore this idea and write about it. I've written on feng shui and I've written about bees, but I've never written about how they relate to one another. I doubt that many people have made a connection between the two, but there is one and the principles are at what I believe to be the very foundation of our survival here on this planet. It has been said that humans will not survive on this planet more than four years, if the honeybee should disappear. That's a scary thought given the honeybee is in tremendous peril at this particular moment in our planet's history. Whether or not it would be that quick remains to be seen and I hope we never find out, but there's no doubt the loss of our pollinators would change our food supply as we know it, as well as the energy of our natural world.So how does the honey bee relate to the energy of our homes and spaces? Although I've loved seeing bees in action for quite some time now, it's been over a year since I began working with them intimately and observing their activities and behaviors as a caretaker of two beehives. The insect kingdom in general has taught me a great deal about my own personal energy field and now the high energy honeybee has brought me to an even greater understanding of the dynamics of this planet and our own personal spaces. I truly believe that it is our relationship to all insects that is the key to our survival as a human species. In actuality, the insects do not need us, we need them and it's time we all changed our attitudes and stopped treating them as insignificant. Honeybees and insects in general are all finely tuned to the invisible strands of energetic grids that run through this planet. You may not be familiar with them or you may choose to deny their existence, but ancient cultures knew about them and managed their societies accordingly. The Earth has natural and man-made electromagnetic fields that run through the planet and we also have this energy flowing through our bodies. Rudolph Steiner has discussed the significance of formic acid in his numerous essays on Nature. Formic acid is the building block of life which connects us to the cosmos, revitalizes the soil and it is something that the insects bring to this planet and maintain. Ants, wasps and honeybees are among those insects that revitalize an area by creating formic acid, without which we apparently would not be able to exist and it also has a spiritual essence to it according to Steiner.  So, by their very nature, these insects are injecting a form of acupuncture or feng shui treatment of the land to enliven it. They are opening up channels of dead or stagnant energies and allowing the energy to flow on this planet, revitalizing the area with high vibrational frequencies. Subsequently, this energy will also then flow into the adjacent land and your home. Those who have been bothered by bees, wasps or ants building colonies inside the structures of their homes, have no doubt experienced other problems related to energy stagnation within their lives, though it's easy to find fault with the insects. Unfortunately, though their efforts might be noble and instinctive, the insects usually suffer the fate of their own demise when pesticide contractors are brought in who only exacerbate the underlying issue of imbalance of the land and energetic frequency of the home structure. The owners of these homes never really understand what's going on at a core, energetic level.Feng shui (wind and water) is about the flow of energy through our homes and through the land. If this energy becomes stagnant or blocked, disease and disharmony results. You cannot have a chaotic, stagnant or disease ridden property and not be affected mentally, emotionally and physically. The two go hand in hand. Obviously, those people who are drawn to living in cities with high energy frequencies and loads of activity and people, are more subject to a wide variety of influences some of which can be quite chaotic or destructive and yet if the inherent energies of the cities are positive and life enhancing, it can also generate a very positive influence to those who dwell there. Too high of a vibration is not good and too low of a vibration is not good. Just being in the country does not necessarily imply a better energy, if the inherent energies of the surrounding land are unbalanced or toxic with negative histories. In truth, all of the Earth is sacred and even those seemingly negative environments have the potential to be transformed by human thought and behavior with the help of Nature. The honeybees in particular, because of their work as a community, show us how everything is related. Their work and very being corresponds to the sacred geometric pattern of the hexagon, a six-sided figure where there is no wasted space. All is equal. And so it is on this planet. In truth, no life form or existence (including rocks, inanimate object or human creation) is insignificant, as it all came from the same source and works as a collective on this planet. The links cannot be broken because they all work together and even something that seemingly does not have consciousness, originates from some form of energetic force at it's very basic level. That is why the energy of space is so important because all things affect us at an energetic level-- human interaction, the natural world and the spaces we inhabit.  The honeybees teach us how to work toward a common goal and to take something of one form and to transform it into something more beautiful and life enhancing. The honeybee brings more beauty and nourishment into the world and creates a healing nectar for all life forms, while transforming toxic patterns and behaviors into something positive through their very vibration and activities. When you work to transform your personal space, you do the same affecting the environment around you. It's time to restore the sacred to everyday life because truly our own spaces and spheres of influence are the only ones we can control or be responsible for. The rest is subject to the choices and influences of others, the outcome of which has yet to be determined.Bee the Blessings You Seek! 2013 Copyright Awen Environments/Clarissa Harison. |
Bee Swarming: a Message of Rebirth
| Posted on August 6, 2013 at 1:10 PM |
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 This morning I went out to check my original beehive and found that half of the bees had swarmed with the old queen. The steady streams of workers were no longer there, though I could still see bees inside the hive. Although I never witnessed the swarm, I knew something had changed and I felt like a piece of me had gone with the bees. It had been over a year since they had arrived and interestingly, today is a new moon in my sun sign of Leo. Somehow I cannot see this as a coincidence, as my birthday is also next week. This original hive was my initiation into the realm of bees. They taught me how to overcome my fears through working with the hive, they taught me about the mistakes I made along the way (and there were many) and they taught my son and me how to develop a love and respect for beekeeping, though it is not an easy art as it requires time, patience and dedication to get it right. It truly is about being a steward and developing a relationship with the bees and not about 'having' or exploiting them. Had I known how much it entailed, I probably would never have gotten involved. It's like that with many things in life, but in your heart you know that what you're doing is what you're supposed to be doing and you continue because a love gradually ensues and it envelopes you as each day your relationship grows and you look forward to it's existence and you can no longer imagine life without this passion. The bees have become my allies in so many ways. They have taught me my priorities, how to conquer my fears and how to be prepared during these tumultuous times. Each step along the way has been like a milestone toward a better awareness of the beehive and how it functions in unison as one being comprised of many collaborators each fulfilling an important role. Though I'm saddened by the loss of half of my bees from my original hive, I am also happy and concerned for their welfare as they venture out into the unknown searching for a new home. I'm told they have three days to find one, otherwise they perish.  Gunther Hauk explains this process so well in his book "Toward Saving the Honeybee." Contrary to what has been done in the last century and the ways of modern beekeeping practices that often seek to exploit the honeybee, swarming is a natural process that is necessary to maintain the well being and vitality of the hive. Ironically, just when everything is fine at home, the food is stocked and the bees might be able to rest on their laurels, a new queen is created and half of the colony leaves with the old queen in search of a new home. This is in sharp contrast to what we as humans strive for and live out during our existence on this planet. And yet, perhaps the bees' message is even more relevant during these times of upheaval and change-- searching out into the unknown, into territory that is at times both exhilarating and terrifying not knowing what you will find. Simply knowing that this is how it needs to be. Gunther Hauk and Rudolf Steiner talk about the swarming of bees as a rebirth of the hive. In essence it truly is when you understand the complexities and perfection that exist within a honeybee colony.  Interestingly, the swarming of my bees was part of a series of experiences I had involving both my original hive and a second hive that I acquired as a result of a swarm that we captured one evening hanging from one of our pine trees. At the time, I thought this swarm was my own, but later I came to see that it had probably been from a nearby property that also had bees, as I could tell that my original hive was still intact and the bees in the second hive were much more docile. So, this past weekend I had to correct a mistake that I had made with my second hive-- that of not being prepared. I did not have additional beekeeping supplies ready in the event of a swarm and so when it happened, I was scrambling to put things together having to borrow supplies from a mentor friend and buy new ones. Because the main hive box was not my own, I would eventually have to switch this out with my own and that's what I did this weekend with trepidation because it meant taking everything apart and reorganizing the bees by myself. I had to do it alone because my son was away on a trip and my mentor was also unavailable. What ensued was rather complex and unexpected. Amidst opening the hive and seeing the queen for the first time since I had begun beekeeping, I was so intensely focused on what I was doing and keeping the queen and workers safe, that I completely lost track of time. I became one with the beehive. They were part of me and I was part of them. It was as though I had gone on a shamanic journey, though I did not set out with this intention. Yes, I was functioning as a normal human being going through the activities of beekeeping, but at some point which I think was upon encountering the queen, I went into an altered state of consciousness and remember little from what happened thereafter. I just know that when I had everything rearranged and reassembled, I had no recollection of many of the things that I had done. As I spent time in my gardens, for several hours thereafter, I could not remember what exactly had happened to me.  Simon Buxton talks about altered states of consciousness achieved while working with bees in his book "The Shamanic Way of the Bee: Ancient Wisdom and Healing Practices of the Bee Masters." It is a profound book and one that at times is difficult to conceptualize and understand, if you have not experienced anything similar. It is nevertheless, a delving into the mystical and complex world of bees that we as humans have yet to understand fully. Though I do believe that ancient cultures once understood the honeybee much better than we do today. The honeybee has long been revered for its ability to work in such complex unison and produce such a 'nectar of the Gods' from within it's own body via the perfection of Nature and the beauty, complexities and high vibration of flowers. I have spent a great deal of time observing the bees in my gardens and I can say that the relationship that exists between bee and flower is truly a love affair as I have ever seen. The fervor with which the bees gather pollen and nectar is really quite interesting to observe as they both depend on one another for their very existence-- the bee to create honey to feed its queen and colony, and the flower to perpetuate it's life cycle. What can we as humans create, if our very survival depends on it? And so, my experiences with the bees have come full circle. I have experienced the joy of capturing a new swarm to create yet another hive to pollinate our gardens and offer us the rich golden rewards of honey-- gifts of which I have given to family, friends and neighbors. And I have also experienced the sudden anguish and sadness over losing part of a hive due to my inability to attend to the needs of the hive in a timely manner by not providing them with adequate space for their colony.  Did I error greatly by not putting on another hive box in a timely manner or was the rebirth of the original hive meant to be to serve as a signpost for a new life that is beginning for all of us-- the bees on their journey with their beloved queen and I having completed a year of honeybee stewardship and many, many years of healing the lands where I have lived, ready to face what new surprises lie before me in this ever changing world.Blessings on Your Journey! 2013 Copyright Awen Environments/Clarissa Harison. |
Dreams: Follow Your Own Path and Intuition
| Posted on July 16, 2013 at 11:42 AM |
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 Recently something happened to really make me think about how quickly we tend to follow others often without thinking clearly whether it's the right or appropriate thing to do. It can become a type of mindless behavior that in the wrong circumstances could lead to serious consequences. Though my experience was minimal in this situation, the message behind it was not. It also tied together some previous insights that I had experienced, but had not allowed myself to heed.All week long I had been one day ahead of myself thinking it was later in the week than it actually was. I have no idea why except that I've been noticing that the concept of time for me has been changing and when I'm in the flow, I don't seem to notice it at all and when I'm not, I'm so aware of it. One day I noticed that my neighbor had ripped out many of his still very alive shrubs and thrown them out curbside. I was angered and disappointed to see what this man had been doing bit by bit over the last year since he'd moved in. The previous owners had built their house 20 plus years ago and painstakingly landscaped and created gardens everywhere. He had told them he loved gardening. As time went on, it was obvious he was not an experienced gardener and really didn't have any connection to the land at all. He just wanted everything to look meticulous and neat and his way. It really bothers me when people buy homes and then systematically proceed to destroy everything that the previous owner created. I've seen it too many times and once even turned down a large landscaping project for that reason because I refused to participate. This particular day, I had been focusing on what this man had done and wishing the other neighbors were still there Meanwhile I proceeded to place my garbage cans at the road for the following day's pick up. The next day when my garbage and recycling had not been picked up, it took me a very long time to realize why. I kept looking all around the neighborhood and suddenly noticed no one else had put their garbage out except my neighbor and me. Questioning whether it had been a holiday earlier in the week, because then they always came a day later, I began to run possibilities through my mind. After a very long time, it suddenly dawned on me that it was a day early and they hadn't come because it wasn't the right day.  In retrospect, there have been so many messages for me in this situation including a dream I had shortly after this man moved in which was very incongruent with his actions toward me after I came to know him. In my dream I saw this man totally destroying the gardens and landscaping that my former neighbors had created. I wondered why I had this dream, since up until that point, I hadn't even met the guy-- only seen him and visitors walking about the property. Thereafter, I introduced myself and we shared stories of experiences we'd had in the same town we had seemingly both lived in previously. He later became very generous offering freshly grown vegetables planted by the previous owner, baked treats his family had made and at Christmas he made a point of personally delivering gift cards to us. I thought-- wow, was I wrong about this person. Then, the following spring I began noticing that he had been throwing what appeared to be his gardening debris onto the wooded section of my property and it really took me by surprise. In fact, his actions really annoyed me because he never asked my permission and I had no interest in having my land become a dumping ground for his stuff even if it does looks wilder than the average property in my neighborhood. It happened several times until I made a point of dragging everything out across his lawn to my fire pile so he could see I knew what he was up to. We never spoke again until yesterday when I found more tree cuttings and found out they were my own and the guy hadn't even told me my tree was bothering him. He also threatened to cut more up to the sky because he didn't like the shade on his lawn. This summer I came to see that my dream really had been prophetic, but I had allowed myself to discount it initially because of my conversations and all the gifts I had received. I have often had initial impressions of people or situations that surprised me and then later were very accurate. We all need to be in the moment each day of our lives to access our environment accurately and make the appropriate decisions because things are changing rapidly and on a constant basis. Dreams can be a huge source of information, if we allow ourselves to be guided by them, and are able to discern useful information with regard to how it applies to our present situation.  Blessings of Clarity! 2013 Copyright Awen Environments/Clarissa Harison. |
A Look Back: Taking Inventory of Your Landscape
| Posted on June 13, 2013 at 6:36 PM |
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 Sometimes it's hard to see the progress we've made when we're constantly putting out fires or simply trying to get through our daily routine of responsibilities. As humans, we seem to always focus on what still needs to be accomplished, rather than what is. I think it's vital, however, to reflect periodically on what you've accomplished and take the time to truly see the progress that's been made from several years back, a year ago or even a few months ago. I know I have to do this on occasion to remind myself of how the energy of my landscape has shifted and how much I've changed in my awareness. Despite the heavy rains we've been experiencing in our area this year and the accompanying flooding and frustration it can create, I'm constantly reminded of how when we first moved to our home just over three years ago, there was barely a flower in sight, Now we have gardens everywhere and many new trees and plants are starting to anchor a new life force on this land. They are also transmuting the toxins that existed in the soil that once smelled rancid. All the white pine and fir trees that had existed when we arrived, were either dead or dying due to excessively wet land and an imbalance of energies. Now when I walk through our backyard, I feel like I'm in a wildlife sanctuary or tiny park. As a gardener, I'm constantly thinking about what still needs to be done or re-arranged, although so much has healed. I'm also proud of what I've accomplished in so little time. We've also just installed our second bee hive, after catching a swarm the other day. The vibrancy that these little beings bring to the landscape is visually apparent in the difference from last year to now. I also love seeing them busy in our gardens, knowing how they are enlivening the land and our lives.  My gardens have been such a metaphor for my life in so many ways. They have grown with me, struggled with me and portions have died at times, just as I have died to my former self and sought new ways of being, discarding what was no longer useful or part of my awareness. I have also had to make choices as to what I chose to keep in my garden and where my boundaries are. Weeding has become a way of eliminating all that which I no longer need in my environment. While I don't believe in the noun weed as they are only plants that are unfamiliar or unwanted to most people (a very individual concept), I do believe in the verb of weeding and I realize how it becomes symbolic for caring for yourself and what you've created. This year has been all about maintenance and creating balance, whereas in previous years, I was totally focused on creation.The first half of this year has already been filled with challenges which, while I was going through them, exhausted me sometimes to the point of overwhelm. Nevertheless, as time passed I came to see the value of those experiences and how they taught me to express my boundaries, see things in a new way or persevere despite the physical and emotional exhaustion I was feeling. These moments can be priceless sources of inspiration and transmutation, if you allow them to be. My gardens have been my source of solace when I felt filled with anger, despair or sheer overwhelm. Just the sounds of the birds and seeing the grasses swaying in the breeze, has often brought me back to a point of stillness and knowing that all is well and exactly the way it should be in this moment. And just as sometimes you have to allow a garden to do it's own thing and trust that Nature knows the direction she's taking, you also have to believe that the direction you're being lead in and the challenges you face are preparing you for better things. Moments spent appreciating your landscape also build a solid foundation for the energy of your land, as it is a co-creative process requiring our individual efforts and the collaboration of Nature. We cannot always see the results of our actions, but it is our intention that matters. Our mistakes will be overlooked or reflected back to us so that we can learn what we need to in order to make different choices next time. Gardening is such a great way to see and experience what works and what doesn't-- what feels right and what is uncomfortable and no longer in resonance. This is a continual process of shedding layers like peeling an onion and it is part of the changes this planet is going through.  Despite what at times may seem like an endless battle in this changing world, it's so important to spend time viewing your accomplishments from a point of reverence. The world is moving so fast now that it's easy to overlook what stands before you, but take the time to truly feel and know how your environment has changed. Feel the vibrancy of that which has healed and that which is in transition. Know that despite the fact there may still be challenges for the future and things to overcome, so much has transitioned and healed throughout this planet and continues to do so. Our efforts do not go unseen and despite their seeming futility at times, it is the intention and the process that matters in the overall scheme of things. To me, nothing is more gratifying than to see a landscape transform, whether an indoor or outdoor environment or that which is our own sense of being. Cherish your accomplishments and your efforts for they do matter. Blessings of Inspiration! 2013 Copyright Awen Environments/Clarissa Harison. |
Dandelions: a Source of Inspiration
| Posted on May 8, 2013 at 4:05 PM |
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 After a long cold winter with loads of rain toward the end, we've had a series of beautiful, warm days. The dandelions seem to be flourishing as a result. My lawn is aglow with a proliferation of yellow. Today I came home to find a brochure from a rep for a commercial lawn and herbicide company offering a free consultation to help "Start attacking weeds today!" This just put me into an agitated state as I read further about how this company could help rid my lawn of "unsightly dandelions." It's very possible that I was being singled out for my yellow lawn, as were others on my street who choose to go natural or it was just a general attempt to get business. I've had a barage of solicitations from chemical lawn care companies since spring began. Being in a seemingly non-progressive suburb, it appears to be the norm to treat your lawn and sadly I wonder how many homes on my street are pursuing these offers. I won't go into the virtues of dandelions here because I did that in a previous post "Gardening with Nature: in Defense of Dandelions." Nevertheless, I realized how despite all the progress we've made on this planet in terms of environmentalism, there is still such a profound attack on unwanted vegetation and insects and anything else that gets in man's way. The lack of awareness continues out there in terms of what is healthy for this planet and what is contributing to the continued decline of honey bee populations and other beneficial pollinating insects, not to mention wildlife, as well as the increase in human diseases.  So I decided to give this guy a call and tell him my thoughts. I felt his excitement as I responded to his flyer, only to hear him go into the defensive mode when I asked that he not make trips to my house nor send me further literature. I told him right out that the product he was representing was contributing to the environmental degradation of this planet and perhaps he should find another form of employment. I've simply reached the point that I no longer feel like putting things mildly to people or ignoring their attempts to continue the status quo. I feel the lines of demarcation becoming stronger and stronger as the old world is falling and the new world is manifesting on this planet. The continuous natural disasters and acts of violence are a sure sign of changes that will continue and perhaps even escalate. To me the dandelions are a source of inspiration in their beauty, their courage to keep coming back despite their persecution and their ability to bring healing to this planet both in the unseen realms beneath the Earth and to those who will allow them to be their allies.  I know that this plot of land I live on is healing and I welcome those beautiful bursts of yellow energy in my gardens despite what those who don't know better think. Perhaps it's time we all continue to shine regardless of what we encounter out in the world. I know the dandelion is truly a wonderful role model of endurance and strength. If only we would take more cues from Nature...Blessings of Sunshine to All! 2013 Copyright Awen Environments/Clarissa Harison. |
The Laws of the Universe: A Test of Faith
| Posted on April 13, 2013 at 11:33 AM |
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 Because I'm highly sensitive to my environment and live in alignment with Nature, I feel the Earth rhythms more acutely than most. Each time there's an earthquake or some other natural or man-made disaster, I've begun feeling strange a few days in advance. It's my internal cue that something is up again. I don't always know what it is, but I feel the shifting of the vibration of the planet. We are all affected by shifts in consciousness and planetary disasters, whether we choose to acknowledge it or not. The anger and fears of others can quickly spiral into your own negativity, if you're not careful.As the Earth goes through her rebalancing process, the shifts in consciousness continue and the results become more apparent depending on where you are in your level of awareness. The old ways are dismantling and making way for the new. All that which is not in alignment with the Earth is being revealed so that we may take the proper actions to right the wrongs that affect us all. No individual or corporation is immune to the Laws of the Universe. One thing that has become more obvious to me is when things that aren't 'right' get balanced in terms of universal energies and it can happen in a variety of ways. In other words, something that seems unfair to you, suddenly gets straightened out through no major action of your own. I experienced two completely different incidents that drew my attention and caused me to think about how eventually things get balanced out, even when you choose not to act or have no control over a situation. The first occurred while I was shopping with my son at a local grocery store that normally has a pretty friendly environment. I was about to enter in the check out line behind a woman who was almost finished, when a man walked up without a cart whom I thought was her husband. When I moved in closer, he suddenly called his son from behind me and asked him to bring their cart over. I point blank asked him what he was doing and without waiting for a reply, went off to another aisle. I forgot the entire incident as I paid for my groceries and left.  What's scary is there's people out there who are so stressed out that they can make a really big deal out of nothing, not recognizing their own inappropriate actions. These incidents will only increase as tensions rise around the world and energies become increasingly challenging. The only thing you can control is your own reactions to people like this. A completely different scenario involved my son's intramural hockey team at a local boys' club. The season started out promising, but as weeks went on, the team began losing because inevitably children from the other teams would not show up and my son's teammates would either have to play on the other team or an adult would have to play goalie for the opposing team. While I know the point of these games is to have fun and learn to support others, it does become disheartening as your team continues to lose seemingly through no fault of your own. Finally during a playoff game, all the team members showed up and my son's team won as they had deserved. Although they didn't win the championship, they at least were recognized and validated for their abilities at the end of the season. While both of these incidents were relatively minor, they nevertheless represent to me a powerful force within the Universe that affects all life and actions generated by humans. Sometimes the things you want the most don't come to pass, but then you are graced with something even more amazing than what you imagined. As long as we are clear about our intentions and make choices based on integrity and authenticity, we can be assured that things will work out exactly the way they are supposed to in accordance with the Laws of the Universe.  Blessings of Faith! Copyright 2013 Awen Environments/Clarissa Harison. |
Winter Solstice 2012: The Time of Great Expectations
| Posted on December 12, 2012 at 12:12 PM |
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 "When one door closes, another opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the one which has opened for us." – Alexander Graham Bell.This year is nearing completion as we also approach the time of prophecy for the Winter Solstice of 2012. This astrological aspect has been spoken of in many ancient cultures, as it is the moment our planet shall align with the galactic center of the universe thereby completing a 26,000 year cycle which shall affect the energies of this planet for many years to come. It is also a time of new beginnings. While many may continue in fear and chaos, others will find peace and a new sense of empowerment-- a knowing of their true selves grounded in relationship to All That Is. The choice is yours. Do you now see the path you have taken and understand the greater significance behind it? Do you take responsibility for your experiences and embrace the unknown trusting that you are the creator of your own life and that you will be Divinely guided? If you don't, then perhaps it is time to have faith in the vast power of this universe. As this year draws to an end, there are so many reasons to be grateful. A worldwind of activity has occurred in only one year and this will continue as the frequencies on Earth continue to rise. I know that I cannot look at things the same way that I did just a year ago and I think many can say the same. Amidst all the turmoil we have seen and many have experienced in the form of extreme weather patterns, disaster and disruption to their lives, it makes you realize how fragile life is in all its forms. This is not a time for fear, however, but a time for courage. It is a time for re-alignment with all that you hold precious and all that you believe in. The process of transformation on this planet is just beginning. Are there ways you could have done things differently? Sometimes I look back at my life and think how different it would have been if I had made different choices. Regardless, I think that although we certainly have free will to orchestrate our own lives, there is also much that is out of our control, subject to the laws of Nature and things that we have perhaps agreed to at a soul level prior to this lifetime. There is also personal karma to work through with people that cross our path and patterns inherent in the locations we have chosen to live. It is up to us to resolve them, individually and collectively within our communities. Two years ago during the Winter Solstice I began this website and blog never knowing where it would lead me. I have often wondered what difference my writing has made. Have I fulfilled my purpose for writing? There have been numerous times that I have considered writing my last blog, but something has always pushed me on, some inner knowing that defied comprehension, as well as the many comments I have received both publicly and personally from people around the globe. Knowing that in some way my writing has affected people's lives encourages me to continue expressing my views and experiences. I know I also write for the countless creatures and beings whose voices and messages need to be heard to affect change. Sometimes it is just my love letter to this awesome and inspiring planet that fuels my fire. "Life is a pure flame, and we live by an invisible sun within us." ---Sir Thomas Brown I do know that by sharing my experiences here on this blog, I have grown tremendously in both the strength of my convictions and also my understanding of my self. Writing about these thoughts and emotions is not always easy because many times I have shared intense, highly charged moments and other times they are things I feel somewhat helpless to change because of the sheer severity of the problems and/or mindset within our world. But then I remind myself that it all makes a difference. I know that in my heart. Each time there is a shift in perspective or an increase in awareness, it matters. As we approach this year's Winter Solstice, I give thanks to all the people, creatures and circumstances that have taught me about myself and reinforced my inner strength. Knowing myself and what I will or will not tolerate has been half the battle. Speaking my truth is something that at an earlier part of my life, was virtually non-existent. Becoming clear about what I invite into my life and what I choose to participate in has been an ongoing process. Boundaries that once didn't seem to exist, continue to be created and/or revised. And yet others fall away as I realize the futility of them. It is an irony that the stronger you become and the more connected you feel with the Earth, the more sensitive and aware you are to dissonant energies within your environment, and the more uncomfortable they make you feel. You also realize that many of the feelings you experience, are not always fully your own but part of the collective consciousness. I realize now how important it is to differentiate between my own energy field and what I encounter on a daily basis, combined with maintaining my own inner strength and clarity. As the fear may heighten on this planet in the coming year, the need for greater balance within one's self becomes an absolute necessity.  Some of you may wonder why I have a lion on my site. I am in awe of these beautiful creatures who protect and balance the Earth and are so often exploited and misunderstood. I am also a lion at heart with my sun and several planets in the sign of Leo which greatly affect my personality and path in life. My lesson in this lifetime is to have courage, to protect that which I hold dear to me and to maintain my boundaries despite whatever may come my way. It has been quite a challenge to create balance in my surroundings, as well as within my own life given the path I have chosen. I'm sure there are many of you who can say the same.By clearing patterns held within our ancestral memories, we pave the way for future generations and for a healthier balanced life on this planet. By working through our own issues, we also clear patterns held within the collective unconscious-- patterns called miasms that exist within society. We all hold these patterns whether human, animal or plant form within our DNA. Whether you believe in past lives or not, they are passed on through our ancestral lineage as I have mentioned before. They must be healed and released for new patterns to emerge. Know that when you resolve these patterns within yourself, the patterns of consciousness on this planet are changed. "The acts of this life are the destiny of the next."--Eastern Proverb I recently came across some information mentioning that the location of thoughts and memories is outside of our brain and that we access this information via magnetic fields in the Earth. Since science has told us that it is largely our brain that stores our memories and knowledge, this is a concept that is tough to accept. If this idea is in fact true, it puts a whole other perspective on our personal experiences. I believe the answer lies somewhere in between-- memory is held within us and around us. I believe that we have to stay open to embracing ideas that are contrary to what we've always been told. I think it will be the only way to thrive in the years ahead and change the way we've always done things. This Winter Solstice, be kind to yourself. Find the strength to go within during the darkest days of the year and plan the renewal of your body and spirit. Reconnect with your senses, honor your own temple, embrace the spirit within your daily life. By creating balance within yourself and outside of yourself, you will affect this planet more than you know. Reconnect with the rhythms of this planet and those within your own body. Reawaken to the spirit in all life and embrace your authentic self. Find gratitude and beauty within the smallest of moments and there you shall find peace. Contrary to what some may have lead us to believe about this time of prophecy, we can we can all be encouraged to hear that several respected Mayan spiritual leaders have recently been quoted as saying "This time will bring positive changes for humanity, more balance and more consciousness to the world." It is simply an end of a cycle and a way of being, not the end of the world. I think it's time that we all embrace the change that lies before us, not fear it or fight it.  Trust that as long as you honor yourself and this planet in a sacred way, you will be safe. Anything that comes your way whether seemingly difficult or unusual, is all an opportunity for growth and re-alignment with our changing planet. Outmoded ways of doing and being shall fall away as we embrace that which we once knew and that which we have yet to learn-- our ancestral heritage originating from this vast, magnificent universe. "We must be willing to let go of the life we planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us."-- Joseph Campbell Blessings of Peace this Winter Solstice! For more information on the Mayan message visit here. 2012 Copyright Awen Environments/Clarissa Harison. |