Thank you so much for sharing your story. It just made me realize how much I have lost touch with all of these avenues. I have to tell you, the picture of the cardinal just grabbed me. Even before I read the post I couldn't get away from that picture. Right to my core. Amazing.

Jennifer, thank you so much. Your posts always seem to resonate quite deeply with me. And your courage to share these things helps inspire a deeper level of openness in me.

I am definitely an emotional intuitive, but would like to learn how to understand it better. As a kid, when I picked up negative energy or feelings, I always assumed it was about me (why else would I be feeling it?). Feeling the energy of everyone in the room often felt more like a burden than a gift. But, I am trying to open to it more, now that I am more grounded.

Somewhat like your sister, I've known the presence of ghosts. I don't see them, but I feel them. One used to play tricks with me by turning on and off the light switch. I could watch the switch go up and down. My roommates were all horrified, all recognized it only did it when I was around, and all made me say good-bye to it when I moved on because they said they could tell it needed closure (they were actually really sincere about this).

I shared my hummingbird story above. This year seems to be about energy generally. I have noticed that when I am feeling an intense negative emotion, things go haywire around me. I flipped over in a chair (it went over the top of my head) a couple of months ago, the baby monitor will beep non-stop, the phone shuts off. It's a bit freaky, to be honest. But, I am trying to be open to it. I guess we don't know our own power until it's reflected back.

Thank you again so much.

Love your honesty Jennifer! And aren't you glad to be out of the paradigm of your youth. I find once you step out of the box the world becomes so much more mystical and suddenly you're finding The Almighty outside your window.

I've become so used to animals as a spiritual message in my life I get frustrated when I come across an animal in an unusual way and don't have my Animal Speak book handy.

Have you started dreaming about animals yet? I've had dreams of animals chasing me all my life and FINALLY figured out this last year that I don't need to be afraid of being ran over by a buffalo (which they never did) but need to consider the spiritual significance of this animal who is trying to get my attention. It's completely changed my dreams from fear to fascination. This also provides me a chance to get the message of that animal when I live in an area that doesn't have them; not a lot of bison hanging around my bedroom window. :)

Another great post!!

Here's my latest "red-tail hawk" story. We had a beautiful red-tail hawk hanging about the house, calling very loudly and flying from tree to tree. It drove the dogs nuts! This went on for a good week. Rationally I figured it could be smelling the rabbits in the Bunny Shack or it was looking for a mate. I, of course, was being stubborn. I knew it was telling me to look at a situation from a higher perspective. I didn't want to. After the strange behavior didn't let up, I looked it up in Ted Andrew's book and in Jamie Sams "Medicine Cards".

Once I took a perspective step back or pulled my head out of the trees so I could see the forest, I saw the bigger picture and felt better. The anger I was holding onto melted away. Amazingly, the next day, the hawk was gone and I haven't seen hide nor feather of it since then.

In my life, my intuition or inner being always guides me and uses a variety of methods to get my attention. It certainly makes life magical and interesting!

Great post Jennifer! Thanks so much for sharing your experiences with us.

I also echo Megan's sentiments - once you open up to a connection with the Universe, the more it opens up to you and signs and messages are everywhere!

The beautiful thing is that everyone's intuition speaks to them in their own unique way.

My sense is that we are really moving into a new age of AWAKENING and those of us who have begun to embrace our intuition are called to share our stories and experiences with the world. By doing this, we give others food for thought and when something happens to them, instead of discounting it, they just may give it more thought and realize it is their own intuition speaking to them.

Everyone has the gift of intuition - and we also have the freedom to choose to use or to ignore it.

My hope is that woo-woo will soon be replaced with acceptance and unconditional love.

I SO loved this post and tried to comment yesterday when I read it, but internet went down before I could hit "submit." I am writing that book down to purchase it. I feel I have always been intuitive and the more I pay attention to what shows up, the more powerful it becomes. I love hearing stories of how others embrace their intuition. Thank you for writing this!

I must say I was very skeptical at first, but the more times we discussed it it started to make sense! Now I find it very fascinating though there are times I am still unsure. I will never get over the experience of that bird in our office window starring and talking to you for about what felt like 10-15 minutes? I had to see it to believe it! You and your sister have a gift and its wonderful to see you embracing yours. I know I have learned a lot!

Thanks, Jennifer. Great article!

Love this post Jennifer. I came into the study of Native American spirituality/Shamanism about ten or so years ago and studied it hard for about seven years. (Ted Andrews's book is one of my go-to books. My favorite book is Medicine Cards: The Discovery of Power Through the Way of Animals - it's a combo book and sort of tarot deck and you find most of your spirit guide animals through a process of pulling these cards, though there are two that usually "come" to you. I've pulled these cards with many, many people and their animals always fit them to a tee. Almost creepy. My own animals have been guides and inspiration to me over the years and I see, very clearly, aspects of my personality in each one of them.) It was a very enlightening time in my life and I've never felt so connected, before, or since. I still "listen" to the animals I see and try to figure out what they're trying to teach me. Spiders always bring to mind my writing. (Leslee frogs signify cleansing and are amazing little reminders of clearing away life's gunk.) Thanks for writing this, I need a bit of a shove back to the spiritual, in whatever medium that might entail.

Proud to be woo-woo,
Melanie

I don't necessarily experience connection with what I would call spirits myself, but I am intrigued by those who say they do. I feel like my own spiritual connection lies in my empathy with others and being acutely sensitive to subtle changes in people. It's interesting because I don't notice these changes in my environment (you could switch all my furniture around and I wouldn't get it!) but I do with human beings. I think we all have unique gifts and senses.

For the experts on "Animal Speak", (I really must buy that book.) what is the symbolism behind spiders? I've found so many spiders in my house lately (including many baby spiders that had just hatched). At first I was annoyed, but then begin to think of them as a sign... So does anyone know the message (besides call the exterminator)?

I watch and adore (insert air quotes here) fantasy, sci-fi, etc. There are many symbolic references on various shows. Now we know where these ideas came from! :) Real life.
When a hummingbird got up close and personal with me while sitting on my porch after a conference call, I knew I was on the right track for joy.

"In Native American culture, a hummingbird symbolizes timless joy and the Nectar of Life. It's a symbol for accomplishing that which seems impossible and will teach you how to find the miracle of joyful living from your own life circumstances.

They are really spectacular birds, and have a lot to teach a person about self discovery and healing."

From Animal-Speak: The Spiritual & Magical Powers of Creatures Great & Small
By: Ted Andrews

Love it, Jennifer! I have a lot of crows (a symbol of change) around me in this neighborhood but they seem only to cross my path when i am thinking about something specific: an old friend's husband who I just knew was *ready* to die; a close relative's dementia; an outgrown job. And after the crows *walked* in front of me and made eye contact (all) all these things did show themselves the next day or very soon after, as moving in the direction they were meant to. I have to report that the crows' presence were like a comforting blanket, not a harbinger of doom and gloom. Nature was doing her thing and recognition led to acceptance which led to being a little more prepared but a lot more centered on each.

Yes, the Universe is breathing all around and through us all the time. Thanks for another goodie, Jenn.

So I have been learning about all of this for about 3 years now. I love reading books by "psychics" and have spent time on and off trying to strengthen my own abilities. I shared the stuff I learned with my 3 best friends. They are not "woo-woo" but always listened with respect and interest. In October of 09 one of those friends passed away. I have had countless encounters with her spirit since then.

She loved frogs and I will tell you I have seen so many frogs and in the most unusual places. As I was driving home for her funeral I stopped at a rest stop. I came out of the bathroom and there in the middle of the paved pathway was a frog. In those days when I was home with her family, every time I hugged her mom I would get chills all over me. At one point Susie even asked me what it was and I answered "Amy!" I've had a few dreams about her and the last and most vivid one came after I was thinking about how much I wished I'd called her one more time before she passed. I could go on and on but the gist is, I know we are still connected.

Tricia, I think what's "woo woo" for one is "normal" for another. Noticing our surroundings is the first step. Believing that birds are spirit guides, well, that ventures into "woo woo" for me, at least for the way I was raised!

(inside reference: remember the ugly duckling turned into a swan!)

Jennifer
Astrologer, Educator &
Founder of FemCentral, the Virtual Institute for Women