Growing up in rural Minnesota, my father used to wake up and proceed immediately outdoors. He would make his rounds to check out the yard, the trees and the plants. His walk-about would take him around our large corner lot in Lynd, Minnesota, next to the Redwood River. I remember asking him as a little girl, “What are you doing, Dad?” and he would simply say, “Going on a walk-about.”
I forgot about Dad’s habitual walk-about until Saturday morning, when I woke up with the idea that I should get in the habit of going for a walk each morning at 0700. It felt like a novel concept until, coffee mug in hand, I leisurely strolled through the neighborhood, stopping to look at the different plants and taking pictures of the sunrise, the fenceline, roses, weeds, rocks and clouds — and realized: I am on a walk-about!
A decade ago, struggling with the transition to civilian life, I used to walk along the American River to find myself. I would listen to the river and watch the deer, rabbits and young trees go through their life transitions. I struggled with an immense fear of the unknown, longing for safety and security. Those walks into the patches of unknown riverside forest helped me slowly regain confidence in my beingness. They allowed me to let go of my past and begin to live anew.
The experience of facing my fears walking through those forest pathways helped to ground me on my solo travels today — though many roads were not traveled this life because of fear.
Showing Up With Intention
My walk-about this week, for work, was to the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, near San Diego, California. The daily drive inland from Carlsbad allowed me to seat my consciousness deeper into my heart-space by the time I arrived at the government center. I attended the three-day workshop with the intention of seeing people come together to solve problems. It felt as if everyone had the same intent.
As an energetic influencer, try to experiment with how you show up consciously to work, or simply to a conversation. Science has already proven we influence outcomes with our intention. Have fun trying it. If God is the energy around us, malleable to our hearts’ desire, perhaps ponder: “How good can this get?” You may be amazed at how divine His works are.
Bubbles at Sunset
This week was no exception. My hotel was right outside Carlsbad State Beach. After checking in Monday, I walked out to the ocean. My heart was filled with gratitude to be at the ocean at sunset. I enjoyed the water, the black sand and the rounded pebbles rolling with the tide.
When leaving, I walked up the steep entrance road and, before heading back to the hotel, I wanted to clean off my sandy toes. I took off my flip-flops and walked barefoot in the lush green grass of the street-side park. A street musician had just opened his guitar case and, with mic in hand, began to sing. I thought to myself, “This is pretty good, God. I am pretty lucky.”
Smiling, I decided to sit down on the grass and listen for a relaxing moment. With the ocean-wave ensemble and the sunset chorus, I thanked God for life, earth and people. And for music and experiences just like this.
How quickly my forehead crinkled when a man in blue-collar, reflective attire showed up and began setting up between myself and my musician-joy. I watched a little scowly as he unfolded his wares and table and chair. He moved his fish bucket and pole-apparatus around efficiently, like he had done this before. Hmmm. I looked around.
What was this? Bubbles? My heart shattered into a million pieces of love. It was so much better than I could have imagined. For the next hour the worker-man in his mid-fifties stood on the little stand and made bubbles. First tens, then fifties of children and parents were twirling through the bubbles to the sound of music and the sun-ocean setting.
Eventually my cauldron was full. I got up smiling at the magickal experience and walked next door to the fish-and-chips, my favorite meal. I watched and listened to the children squealing with delight as I waited for my supper. Weirdly, my food was served without utensils. When I asked for a fork the waiter scoffed. I kicked off my sandals and picked up my fish with my fingers (not my toes). Simply magickal. What a divine day.
What Is a Shaman?
Earlier this year at Gathering of the Shamans, hosted by Hierophant Publishing, someone asked me, “What is a Shaman?” And from some subconscious source of wisdom, I responded, “A person who walks on both sides of the veil.” The response came from a deeper knowing that I was not consciously aware of.
I had never contemplated the question. Was that what I really believed? I have come to embrace the simplicity of that initial wisdom, but it was not always so.
In 1998 the movie “What Dreams May Come,” with Robin Williams, debuted. The story is a vision of heaven and hell, and of a deceased man who chose to go to hell to find his wife. In my fuzzy recollection, an angel cautions his character that he would not be able to use his eyes to find her, and that there was a chance he may get stuck there. The movie awakened a re-membering within me — a deep knowing that I walked on both sides of the veil.
Out of fear, youth and naiveté, I looked at my husband and thought, “I could not find you without my eyes.” Soon the marriage would dissolve, partially for external circumstances, and partially for my fear of having to walk on the other side to try and find him, and not being able to.
Crossing the Veil
It has been twenty-eight years and two marriages later. He mysteriously passed four years ago on Halloween. Since then, I have encountered him a couple of times on the other side, but knew it was not the right time.
This week, in prayer for my sons, I called upon him, their dad, to help from the other side. The memory of “What Dreams May Come” flashed in my mind. “It came true,” I thought — but I was no longer afraid. I had stopped hiding, drinking over, and avoiding my ability to walk on both sides of the veil several years back.
I put on my cloak of protection (the Qabalistic Cross), which is an energetic eight-sided, golden armor of life-size crosses, and the black cloak of Binah to temporarily hide my inner light. I asked the angels of the vertical and horizontal planes to be with me, and then energetically transported to the blue-black underworld to get my first husband.
Whether my physical eyes are doing automatic writing in the real world, or my spiritual third eye is ethereally searching for someone, or catching a dis-ease, the heart is in charge. Shapes and mirages easily fool the sight, so I do not count on it. On spiritual walk-abouts the ethereal reality can appear and disappear fluidly. This dissolving reality caused me immense fear as a child. Today, I accept that in a shaman’s world, dissolving reality is very normal.
When my sons’ father emerged from the staircase, I closed the door to the underworld and energetically sealed it, which is important to always do.
We were back on the pathway of the Tree of Life at a crossroads. It felt as if we were along the American River trail under a canopy of ethereal trees. In the light, he chose to re-assemble as a young man, like I remembered. Without words he thanked me. I thanked him as well for our sons. I said telepathically, “They need your guidance,” and he nodded understandingly. A deep, complex knowing was exchanged as we parted — he toward the light, and I back to my body. I knew it would take a while, but he would soon be able to guide our sons.
Respecting that each soul has a unique life path is important. This was not the first time I met with my sons’ father on the other side. This time, his Higher Self orchestrated the transition. Be aware that changing another soul’s ascension trajectory without their consent holds energetic karma.
Summary
For a shaman — or a human — walk-abouts can be through neighborhoods, beaches, work events, or even the underworld. Each situation asks for our presence, our intention, and our openness to expect heaven on earth. As outlined in The Combined Works of Henry Cornelius Agrippa, every thing and every one around us is an energetic message: the way the breeze is blowing, the direction of the birds flying overhead, the thought that drops into our mind, the shape of the tree, the voice of a stranger on the metro, this letter. It is all for our experience.
I am grateful our worlds have crossed paths on our walk-about this week.
~ Artena Moon