The Enchanted Map - Chapter 2

Lani-not-so-BusyB, Dr Sputnik and the Sight-Seeing Elephant

Since those initial tentative steps onto the Enchanted Map, young Elephant Horton hatched a few Idea Eggs in the Mud - of course, not without the supervision of the ever-vigilant Prof Sputnik, who assures me these free-range Idea Eggs were approved for consumption by Dr Seuss himself!

The Quest's equitable first mud party....

22 October 2013

Making the most of my current incarnation as Horton - Dr Seuss' trusted ellie, I concocted a mud mask that knocked 10 years off my trunk, had a border-skirmish with neighbouring Baboo and pondered the meaning of Life, the Universe and 42... then I fell asleep, noisily.

I dreamed up a question, safe in the insecurity of Lalaland: "How does this special soul feel about me?" 

In my dream, I drew one card: HOME (42). Knowing I inspired feelings of peace, security, safety, belonging and the ruminants of "home"  in him elicited a dreamy, elephantine smile - even while stripping a marula tree's bark in this particularly boisterous reverie!

Still purportedly fast asleep, my insatiable thirst for knowledge begged another question: "What do I need to know about this journey?" 

I drew three cards:

Past: Bone Collector (1 reversed)   Present: Field of Dreams (21)   Future: Gentle Gardener (2)

Even in the Land of Nod, Reality has a stake, and left me with these waking thoughts: 

Instead of contemplating neatly folded events, reflect on everything you need within and be your own person. Dream big and take action. Build up resilience and become adaptable. SLEEP MORE! So, with the memory of an elephant, I internalised these messages and pressed the alarm's snooze button for a wee muddy lie-in...

In this semi-lucid state, I persisted: "What are this soul's intentions with me?" 

I drew two cards: Follow the Leader (40)   Sacred Pool (47 reversed)

The mantras read as follows: 'Every life is a teaching tool for others. Your authenticity and honesty are an example to those around you... The world is a reflection of your thoughts, feelings and beliefs. Embody the love you wish to see in this world.'

Wide awake now, I realised that worry or impatience with revelation should not blind me to the fact that my hard-earned wisdom should be shared, with authenticity as my watershed. Although tough to talk about, stories from my past can help a significant other. I'm being called to lead with love, and to guide by emulating those whose great character and accomplishments I admire.

On the flip-side, self-doubt serves no higher goal. Taking REAL RISKS can break the spell of past patterns and disappointments. Ignore this, and boredom will erode into breakdown and/or implosion. No false masks of victimhood, no useless dimming of my light. Turning away from the truth reflected in the stillness of the Sacred Pool is akin to Einstein's 8th Rule: 'Don't expect different results.'

Like doubt, self-sabotage is only dissipated by abundant self-love. I owe this to the Divine spark within. A memoir-worthy reminder: ACCEPT THE DISCOMFORT OF SEEING WITH CLEAR EYES, AND YOU'LL SOON FIND THAT WONDROUS ADVENTURES ARE WAITING FOR YOU: STEP INTO YOUR MAGICAL LIFE.

As my dreamy self intuited this expected leap of faith, I was smiling at a singular revelation: 'COURAGE IS NOT THE ABSENCE OF FEAR!'

Refreshed by this illuminating alpha state, I shook the mud of me tush and faced the rising sun for my first six card draw!

I asked: 'Will I meet my soul mate soon and, if so, how?'

I drew these six cards: Past: Deep Freeze (26)    Present: Compass (50)   Resistance: Mountain (6 reversed)  Unexpected Help: Dry Desert (31)   Next Right Action: Field of Dreams (21)   Future: Bone Collector (1 reversed) 

The mantras for each read as follows:

Past: 'Season to Rest.' Present: 'Cannot be lost if directed by higher Spirit.' Resistance: 'Obstacle to Enquiry: Adapt - Not Time to Move Forward.' Unexpected help: 'Become Resilient and Adaptable: conserve your energy to find what is truly right for you - sleep enough and do what needs to be done.' Next right action: 'Be prepared to do the work and be your own person: dream big; take action.' Future: 'You are whole and have everything you need within.'

Reflection was at first hard with such a mountain of messages coming at me simultaneously. My first impression is: before I can transform from Horton into my 'old self', I have to scan my history to RECLAIM what I BELIEVE was LOST. I will be challenged on insights from my past by my wholeness vs. a state of just healing old wounds. As I'm in a new trajectory, my WARNING LIGHT to retreat and choose differently would be FAMILIARITY. Reminder jingle: "If you do what you did, you'll get what you got!" But Horton-for-now, know this: the test comes in kindness from a place of deep love, respect and protection... Be willing to wait, there is much else that requires focus and fealty - 'stadig oor die klippe.'

Back at the mud paddy, Horton-of-now hazarded one last, slightly out-of-breath question: 'What companionship may I expect then?'

I drew one card: Magical Map Shifter (52) 

The mantra read as follows: 'Spirit orchestrates everyone's destiny.'

The card warns me to be aware of the people who come into my life to impact my personal growth. Perhaps I'll meet a soul mate whose presence invites me to be the best me. Or someone who leads me out of difficulty into a place of safety or success. I must pay attention to those who cross my path today and cause me to reflect on my journey. Also: be awake and aware, to recognise them for the important change agents they are. My whole perspective of who I am and why I'm here will shift! The Magical Map Shifter always initiates me into a better version of myself.

On a higher note, dear Reader, I could not leave you without sounding a Falsetto.