TREES/SARA Jan. 2010 group meeting

Saturday, January 23rd was the first TREES/SARA group meeting of 2010.  I could not wait to get there. It had been such a long time and I really missed the horses and Chris.

The sun was rising as I began my journey. It was a beautiful day. The day before and day after it rained but that day was beautiful.

Arriving at TREES, I found the usual greeters. They were having breakfast and relaxing. I had to pause and take it all in.

Miss Mona was getting a sun tan as Fitz and Jubal seemed content to be near the shelter.

Our group first met inside as we welcomed a new member, Jill to the TREES/SARA group. Jill has been coming to TREES every month to offer her many talented services including animal massage and other energy work. We began our group Reiki sessions with Sherman seen in the photo above with Chris Smith. This was Sherman's 3rd Reiki session since his arrival at TREES. At first he seemed unsure what we were all doing just standing in a semicircle in his 'yard'. We told him that we were there to offer him healing if he would like some but that he did not have to take it if he didn't choose to but we would just be there for him.

He began to relax almost right away and took in the healing energy fairly fast.

After a short while Sherman went to take a long drink of water. This is always a good thing for anyone to do that is receiving any kind of energy work as toxins can be released and water helps flush the toxins out. Sherman then walked into his "house" and thought about everything. He then peeked his head out and looked as everyone saying, "They are still there. They really meant what they said!" He walked out and got closer to everyone.

He began to take more healing energy and relaxed again, licking and chewing.

We thanked him as we needed to go. I think that he wanted us to stay with him longer as he tried to follow us out of his enclosure when we left. Thank you Sherman.

After a short break we began to work with Nathan. He is the white horse at the center of the above photo. Nathan has come a long way since he first arrived at TREES in June but he still has physical issues. He needed us to keep our distance as there have been too many humans poking and prodding him in the last few months. He needs his space right now.

Lori, Carol and I began to gently offer him energy. He has issues with his right front foot. Notice how he is standing in the first photo of him. He eventually turned and slowly relaxed and got into a very unusual pose. (photo above) He totally relaxed.

We stayed with him for a good amount of time. It is always magical at TREES. A bird flew through our circle almost touching Carol and me. We all stood very still in the quite, expanding our energy and offering it to Nathan and anyone else that might want it.

Nathan has become one of my greatest teachers. I am always honored to be in his presence. We thanked Nathan and Reiki and then tried to quietly walk through the thick mud and up to the house. Thank you Nathan.

We gathered back in the house to get warm and to share our experiences and observations with each other. Of course if it is Reiki, Hanna will be there teaching. Above she is laying down on the Reiki level two symbols. She is an amazing teacher and healer. We had a very special afternoon with Hannah, Traveller, Ruby and a new kitty.

We said goodbye to all of the residents at TREES and headed back to northern Virginia. What a special day. I look forward to my next visit.

For more information about Traveller's Rest Equine Elders Sanctuary (TREES) please visit www.equineelders.org and subscribe to their amazing blog at: http://www.equineelders.blogspot.com/
There is always wonderful information and photos at both locations.

For information about Shelter Animal Reiki Association (SARA) please visit: www.shelteranimalreikiassociation.org

If you are interested in working with Reiki and animals the below book is a must, The Animal Reiki Handbook.

Lessons from the animals

This past weekend I was part of an amazing journey with the animals, both humans and animals to be exact. What was scheduled to take place was a beginning animal communication. The weekend was not for beginners at all as the animals took us on a much deeper journey.

Zen

I had been planning on changing the first day of the workshop for some time now and this weekend seemed to be the perfect time. There usually are no animal present on the first day but this time we were joined by the most delightful dog named Zen. He was so kind and patient with us as we learned to open our hearts to send and receive information telepathically to and from him. The connections were deep and sometimes profound. He agreed to say for another exercise allowing everyone to experience life through his eyes and body as we asked him to show us from his point of view the answer to questions that his mom's had for him.

Sunday the class moved to Traveller's Rest. I felt that magical things would take place but I had no idea what was in store for all of us. As soon as Carole and I arrived at the gate the magic began. Carole went to visit her 'guy' Henry and I went with Chris to see Nathan in his new home. We found Nathan laying down enjoying the very warm sunshine.

Nathan in the sunshine

Kitties Traveller and Hanna helped out during the inside portion of the course and Lucy, Lizzie, Wade, Sonny and others were our teachers when we went out. During the course of the day we were taken to very advanced animal communication topics and experiences including conversations with animals that are in spirit now.

Hanna teaching class

I believe that each of us left there forever changed by all of our animal teachers. If you open your heart to all of the possibilities the animals will teach you and show you the way. How lucky and blessed we all are to have such amazing beings (the animals) in our lives. All I can say is thank you.