Rock Reflection Ritual - Shadow Signatures

 Rock Reflection Ritual 

Photo of Rock Reflection Ritual by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner

Tonight Onyx connected with us as we enjoyed our evening rock ritual with the dogs! Grounding and earthing before bedtime is peaceful and calming for us all! 

Photo of Onyx by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner

Onyx came to us 3 years ago! A trained riding horse! However, he lacked ground manners! 

I had dreamed of forming a strong connection before Onyx came to our magical corner of the world, but my dream honestly felt more like a nightmare, once we started to get to know each other! During the first week, he straddled me as he jumped up onto my back. Geesh, he was a fire breathing dragon, not a heart centered unicorn. 

Photo of Harvey, Onyx and I by Dan W. S. Kirchner

Finally, this spring he has grown up. Something changed, he went from biting me, kicking out at me, to a loving, kind, mostly connected partner.  He touches my heart in ways only a few horses have ever done in the last 63 years! Yes, I have had many horse connections over the years, but only a few touch my heart deeply! 

Photo of Jewel by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner

One of my heart horses, Jewel, shows up from the other side of the veil, from time to time. Our connection was magical and strong. All I had to do was think and he responded or he thought something and I responded to him. This connection continues to surprise and impress me. What we shared was simply an amazing connection. Our hearts, minds and even our shadows merged into one unique energy. We were confident, connected and hot to trot, as one being! We shared many, many miles on the trail together before his retirement! 

Photo of Jewel and Debbie by Fran Lukehart

Over the last few days, I felt Jewel's powerful soul energy while I was walking with Onyx. The energy was palpable and powerful, just like him! Loving, kind and in charge! I felt Jewel's unique soul signature vibration, while I was walking with Onyx, I looked down at the ground and saw our incredible shadow, silhouettes of Jewel and I appeared right there before my eyes. 

Photo of hearts connecting by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner

My heart skipped a beat, I smiled and thanked Jewel for joining us as we played together in the arena. I have missed my dear friend so much. He left a huge hole in my heart and my life! I have been trying to find that same connection with another horse since we retired Jewel from riding so many years ago. Oh my!

Photo by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner

It certainly hasn't been easy. Jewel was a one of a kind fella. Unbelievably, Onyx has stepped it up this year!  Magically he has offered me his heart, like Jewel first offered his heart to me, so many years ago. 

Photo of Onyx by Debbie Soderberg Kirchner

Have you ever felt the shadow signature of a loved one? Those heart felt goosebumps that are reassuring?

Treasure those magical moments full of love, life and yes, magic!

Manifest a magical day! 

Debbie Soderberg Kirchner

Rock Reflection Ritual - Paths

 Rock Reflection Ritual 

Today, as I was mowing, I was pondering my retirement path! Leaving teaching at age 65 was and wasn't my plan! I was pushing it hard, very hard and thought I could work several more years, no problem! However, this all changed last year! 

I was mourning the loss of my mother after an incredibly long summer! She was on the roller coaster towards her crossing over, but we hoped she was going to be OK and even independent again! 

I did my best, in a pandemic, to support her, in and out of the hospital as well as while she was in the nursing home! Strict visitation rules made supporting her while in the hospital fall on only 4 or 5 people per hospital stay! Our lives were consumed by her needs and making the best decisions with and for her! Advocating, asking questions and doing everything we could for her to help her be the best she could be in this incredibly difficult time! It was stressful and traumatic! 

Unfortunately, at the same time, my mother-in-law was on her own crazy roller coaster life journey! Oh my! Our lives revolved around doing what we could do for each one or both, each day!

Selfcare, of any sort, was put on hold for both my husband and I, for months! Living on adrenaline and stressful energy, became our norm! We did the bare minimum at home, for ourselves and our four legged friends! 

Mid-school year, I realized I needed to heal, not just from her passing, but from mourning the loss of what might have been! It became clear that some of my relationships were incredibly unhealthy! The path these relationships were on, was destroying me from the inside out! 

When one shuts down, it is very important to reflect and ponder why?

So, I pondered!

Harmony takes two or more to communicate respectfully and find common ground! If a relationship is unbalanced, time after time, after time, it is appropriate and healthy to walk away! 

I remembered the advice my dad gave me on his deathbed. I had asked him what I should do if the turmoil continued down the path it had been on? He advised me to walk away and be happy! 

Walking away doesn't mean the path is pain-free! It simply means you don't suffer anymore additional pain. Healing from a traumatic experience, that causes a shutdown both mentally and physically, takes time to heal from! 

Finding harmony on the path one finds themselves traveling on, is important and necessary! 

The trees, dogs, horses and magical adventures with my family and friends has miraculous brought me back into alignment with my authentic self!

Are you on the path that is easy, happy, healthy and harmonious? 

Listen to your wisdom as you choose the path you are about to take! May you enjoy a full life filled with harmony and magical adventures! 

I decided to retire to heal, to be happy and to live a magical life! You can too!

Manifest a magical life!

Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Rock Reflection Ritual - Hidden

Rock Reflection Ritual 

Have you ever gone looking for something, hoping you will find it, but it's hidden from view so well, you completely miss it?

That was the case today! We had hoped to repeat the magical adventure we had experienced last week when we found the nest. We were disappointed when the eagles weren't there! 

We decided to put out our anchors and fish near the nest! Hopeful that an eagle would fly by or that we might at least catch a fish or 2!

We each caught a little one, but the fishing was rather slow. The eagle viewing was also a bust so we decided to move to another location! Though we could still see the huge nest tree!

When we pulled up our anchors for the second time, I saw these amazing bubbles floating up from the bottom! They were mesmerizing and beautiful! Even a little bit magical!

I put the anchor back down several times so I could try to get a picture of them. This one came close to being as incredible as when I first saw them, but it wasn't exactly the same as the first moment I saw them!

Interesting, as it seemed to be finding and feeling the magic was just beyond our grasp today! 

As we headed out toward the field of stumps, guarded by the unicorn, I saw an eagle soaring, just past the nest, out of the corner of my eye!

We turned around to watch it fly. We  only saw it for a short while, before it was completely of site! 

Hidden from view!

Instead of being escorted by magical dragonflies today, these acrobatic Purple Martins were busy playing in the sky! Pretty, but not magical!

Low and behold, when I was looking through my pictures, I spotted it! Right there in the only picture I took of the nest tree, today! Hidden within the branches, just below the nest, facing away from us, was the elusive eagle!

Magically it appeared, but very differently then we had expected it to!

Have you ever tried to find something, only to discover later that it was there the whole time, just hidden from view?

How do you handle disappointment? Can you go with the flow? Can you find and feel the hidden magic? 

Manifest a magical day! 

Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Copyright July 6 2023!

Rock Reflection Ritual - Translations

 Rock Reflection Ritual - Transitions

I bravely moved myself to the next level!

Transitions are so important, yet scary!

I honestly have no idea where I am headed in reguards to my writing! I am however trusting the process, as I continue to take bite-sized morsels! I am focusing on what steps appear right in front of me, while I manifest another magical day! 

Follow me on Medium if you feel drawn to take this next step with me!

I am hoping that the link I shared is the correct one to share my Medium reflections with my friends! 

Let me know if it isn't working correctly! Enjoy and thank you! 

With gratitude! 

Rock Reflection Ritual - Unicorns!

Rock Reflection Ritual 

Magical Adventures is my 2023 phrase!

The unicorn has come forward to be my spirit guide once again! It isn't the first time a unicorn has been my magical animal connection to the spirit world, but it may be the most important year for this amazing spirit animal to guide me!

This year I transitioned to and am navigating my retirement journey! It is a year of transition, a year of listening to the messages of my angel guides and following my wisdom.

The breadcrumbs the unicorn has been leaving me to follow, have been delightful and filled with an incredible amount of whimsy and fun! 

How did I ever get to this amazing time in my life? What an incredible adventure I am on!

Yesterday, as we were returning fly masks, I noticed this adorable, well loved unicorn on the counter. 

My heart leaped and danced with excitement! Dan and I had just been discussing my writing! I knew that this beauty was a well placed magical breadcrumb for us to find! 

The timing was perfect! She let me know that I am currently on the right path with writing and sharing my daily Rock Reflection Rituals! 

Are you picking up on your spirit guides well placed breadcrumbs, as you navicate your magical adventure? 

Who is your spirit guide? Are you listening and in the magical flow? 

Manifest a magical day! 

Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Copyright July 4th 2023

Rock Reflection Ritual - Bird Songs

Rock Reflection Ritual 

Dueling Wrens! 

Have you ever been drawn to the sound of a cheerful Wren singing nearby?

This morning I can hear 2 of them dominating and competing for my attention!

One to my right and...

One to my left!

My heart is full as I listen to these tiny birds! They remind me of my childhood. A family of Wrens always nested just outside my bedroom window, in a birdhouse my dad and I set up for them!

Every summer morning, I would listen to their happy song!

The 2 birdhouses to my left came from my mom and dad's property! They picked them out and hung them! After my dad died, mom asked me to bring them here! I took them down and brought them home!

Listening to the birds sing, draws my parents near!

The watering can to my right, hung at my inlaws property!  We brought it home a year ago! 

I imagine our families are also engaging in lively conversations, as they watch over us, just like these Wrens are doing!

Do bird songs stir your heart to remember magical days gone by?

Manifest a magical day!

Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Copyright July 3 2023

Rock Reflection Ritual - Gifts!

Rock Reflection Ritual 

I am filled with an incredible amount of gratitude tonight as I sit here with Tipper!

My thoughts drift to the gifts our land shared with us today! It was a magically  productive and  amazing day,  full of lots of joyful moments to cherish! 

I felt giddy, determined, focused and excited! We didn't even leave our peaceful neck of the woods!

We have been checking the black cap patches every couple of days! Some are starting to become prolific and bountiful! 

Others are waiting for rain, so they may become plump and ripe! 

We drove to and checked 10 different patches of plants! This particular patch is soread out on both sides of the trail that thrives within the 3 acre grove of majestic walnut trees! 

Dan, my husband, was filling his container from the middle of most of the patches, while I generally kept to the edges! I was so incredibly happy to be picking berries with my best friend! It was another gift!

Our bounty of plump, ripe fruits was also a wonderful gift, considering just how dry our area has been this summer! We are so fortunate to be stewards of this land and celebrate what it gives to us!

Just outside one of the patches, I nearly stepped on this very large ginseng plant!

I saw the beautiful berries just in time! Soon they will be bright red! Another amazing gift from the day! Apparently the deer eat them and spread their seeds from place to place! We have found several each year in different locations! 

As we traveled from one patch to another, we found several more gifts!  Feathers from our wild flock of turkeys! 

Can you see this gift that was left for us in the sand? 

A turkey footprint! I was surprised by how big it was!

This lovely bunny gifted me with his presence just before we did evening chores! 

My heart is full!

What gifts brought you happiness and joy today?

This little guy was buzzing around me just now, he landed on the rock as i was reflecting! Yes, another gift to share today, because without our pollinators, we would not have  been able to experience most of these amazing gifts! 

Manifest a magical day! (Or evening)

Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Copyright July 2nd 2023

Rock Reflection Ritual - Observations

 Rock Reflection Ritual 

We visited the local Farmer's Market this morning!  What an interesting place to wander around at! The different vendors were fun to listen to, as they sold their wares! We were transported back in time! It was a magical adventure of a different sort! An open air adventure filled with a variety of people!  Whimsical, in an open air setting!

Street music was strategically placed throughout the venue! A guitar, a banjo and even an accordion were skillfully played! 

A lovely jar of local honey and some gluten free lefsa came home with us!

Some beautiful bird houses made from bottleneck gourds were for sale in one tent, beautiful flowers in another! Baked goods throughout, while beautiful natural scents permeated the air! It was a magnificent feast for our eyes and our senses! 

At one booth, 2 children were getting away with games their parents didn't apparently notice they were playing! "Let's see how many times we can pick up and put down the vendor's crackers without anyone telling us no?"

Oh my! I counted a minimum of 5 times they each played the game! Omg, 3 of the saltine crackers were even bit into by the sweet innocent, fun loving children! 

A pin was put into my sweet, magical bubble in which I was wandering around in! I was trying really hard to not judge or stare, but I failed miserably at both of these desires!

The kind vendor had to toss the whole plate of them away when they finally left her booth! I have to give her kudos though, as she kindly asked the children to throw them away if they didn't want them, not once, but several times!

However, they continued to sneak them one at a time, walk away, take a bite, return to the table and put the dirty germ filled crackers right back down on top of the clean crackers! Since one of the deligtful children got away with it, the other one copied the first one, they did this repeatedly!

I felt so bad for the vendor, as she was patiently waiting for the gentleman, their father, to count out his tokens to pay for their purchase! People were gathering around her booth, waiting to ask questions or purchase some of her beautiful homemade jams!

I couldn't understand why she didn't just pick the entire plate up and move them out of the reach of those playful littles? 

I also couldn't understand why the parents didn't do something about their disrespectful behavior! I was getting  anxious! 

I tried to support the vendor and clue the parents in at the same time by saying, "I think they are playing games!" 

The vendor agreed, the parents stared at me...blankly! They apparently had their hands full! 2 little's skipping gleefully around in their cute matching pink dresses and one tiny little swaddled perfectly onto the mommy's chest! 

A seriously adorable family! They were picture perfect! I so wish I had not witnessed the cracker game though, because the magic of the moment had completely disappeared from my soul, while watching their mischievous game! I sencerely believe they knew better!

Fortunately, I remembered that I can walk away! I am not their teacher. I don't have to help. Sadly, the "It takes a village  mentality," isn't part of our culture anymore! It's not the time of the Walton's or Little House On The Prairie! 

My first thought, after we walked away was, "I honestly don't have the patience for these types of games anymore! I wonder if I will eventually stop reacting?" Reacting only makes my positive energy fade! I wanted to help both the vendor and the parents! I found myself wanting to fix the situation, but I  couldn't! 

I felt horrible for the vendor! I had lost the magical energy I felt when we first got there! 

Several hours later, as I reflect, was their a deeper message for me to hear? Was the message, "It's a good thing you retired from teaching inside a classroom, because you're just not as patient as you once were?" 

Or was the message, "You are very observant, what can you do with this skill? How can you use it in a positive way?" How can you continue to be you, without losing your whimsical, magical feeling?"

How can you manifest a magical day, when the energy shifts from curious and playful to judgemental and disappointment? 

Manifest a magical day! 

Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Copyright July 1 2023

Rock Reflection Ritual - Infinity

 Rock Reflection Ritual 

This morning Ollie begged me to play with him! He offered a lovely back up, one of the things we played with yesterday, followed by the look! The look that invited me to join him in the dance! A variation of the infinity dance is what our play became! 

The infinity symbol is a figure 8, but the energy and connection of the dance we found ourselves doing this morning  felt spiritual! It was just the 2 of us talking together! No rope, no stick, just us!

We started out bumping into each other, as we danced! I realized I  needed to be clearer with my intentions so he could match my steps, as I was on the outside of the figure 8! It felt different to both of us, because usually I stayed on the inside of the 8! 

Once we connected mentally the distance between us was maintained! We were in harmony! It was as though a strong magnified string was between our personal bubbles! We could move freely inside the bubble, without interrupting the flow of the dance! We were balanced and focused, yet together as one! 

I found myself swirling as we changed directions, just as if I were on a dance floor, not just inside our hoop building! We were separate, but one, as we explored the different ways we could stay connected and maintain the infinity dance! The vibration at which we were connected was amazing and special! 

When we dance through life, and find ourselves feeling this higher vibrational connection to whatever it is we are doing, with a partner or with our day to day living, it becomes a magical moment full of harmony, balance, focus and oneness with life! Infinity! 

When are you balanced and in harmony, experiencing the infinity dance, with life? 

Manifest a magical day!

Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Copyright June 30 2023

Rock Reflection Ritual - Time

 Rock Reflection Ritual 

Time just seems to be sailing by, but it hasn't always felt this way! I remember not so very long ago, after I had finally made the big decision to retire, how slowly the months, weeks and days passed!  

Bear's grey highlights tell me that time has passed way too quickly! 

He shows me with his arthritic gait that time has passed! It feels as though it has passed quickly, like the time since I  retired!

The Black Caps are ripening slowly this year,  because the time between rain storms has been lengthened! 

The light green buds are begging for water! They are on plants that live on the high side of the property!

This plant, half way down the slope is slowly maturing! Some water must still be trickling toward this area!

This lovely patch was downhill from the spring runoff! It seems to be prolific and maturing right on time! They were yummy, too!

Yesterday,  I attended the singing bowl experience, again! 

It was the last one in the series! I learned that the Chateau Theater was designed many years ago to provide excellent acoustics for Opera performances! 

Therefore, it is one of the best places in the Midwest for musical events! I could feel the respect and honor the singing bowl performer had for this space. I could also feel her sadness because her time to preform here was coming to an end! 

As a child, I looked up at these walls while waiting for a movie to begin!

Time stood still, as I studied the beautiful architecture again, yesterday! I was pulled back in time to enjoy fragments of memories; laughing, crying, eating popcorn and drinking soda from a straw, with my mom, my friends or my entire family! 

The performance, her last performance of the year, was filled with passion and emotion! 45 minutes of time moving quickly, yet also slowly! 

Why does time do that? How can it move so slowly in one moment, yet in another moment it moves by way too fast? 

Which is better, which experience is easier? Which scenario is best for you? Which calms your soul? Which causes your heart and soul to rejoice and celebrate! Which causes anxiety or fear?

Manifest a magical day! 

Debbie Soderberg Kirchner 

Copyright June 29 2023