Billie Dean -- Newsletters

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Welcome to another edition of Animal Whispers. My newsletter used to be called Animal Whispers way back in the late ‘90s. I found an old one the other day and thought “Brilliant, how did I forget that!” So we are now revised.

I wanted to get out an edition to alert people about Halloween or Samhain which is today (Friday, May 5) here in the southern hemisphere. I apologise for being so late, but our beloved elder dog Suki passed away. Not an easy time, once again.

I woke up knowing Suki was leaving us four days before she did and kept vigil with her until she passed, cancelling all my appointments and not leaving her unattended, as this is what she requested. She had a very pleasant day out in the sun on her last day and died peacefully and quickly at home without intervention, after a final run in the car to see the brumbies. She loved her car outings very much so it was a perfect ending. She is greatly missed and her death marks an end of an era of a whole generation of big rescued dogs. My current pack feels tiny in comparison, despite Willow being a Great Dane X Mastiff and the others all working dogs. Rest in peace, Suki. You’ve left an enormous hole. (You can see pictures of her here.)

Typical of these interesting times, Suki says she is coming back very soon as we have “lots of work to do”. I keep seeing a litter of brown kelpie pups so I will keep my antennae alert. Watch this space.

Back to Samhain (pronounced SAW-un). Many people feel the energy of this time lasts three days or a week. Personally, my family will be taking Friday night and all weekend to remember and honour our dead, especially our departed animal friends.

Traditionally Samhain or All Hallow’s Eve, was a very spiritual and significant time. It is a time when the veil between the worlds is very thin and it’s said that ghosts walk on the earth and visit their friends, as do the spirits of those not yet born. It was a time for divination and sight. It was the festival celebrating “summer’s end.”

The way we honour Samhain in our household is to light candles and remember the beloved friends who have departed. It is a time to ask for any messages or guidance from those on the other side. In the past we have had a small bonfire, or an inside fire, jack-o-lanterns, a candle lighting ceremony with the children, and made a special effort to speak with those we love who have passed. We’ll ask for messages and guidance and invite the spirits of our ancestors and loved ones to feast with us. Candles are set in the windows and light the table, and an extra setting is laid for the absent. We’ll make spiced hot chocolate (notice I write that first), pumpkin soup and rye sour dough bread, traditional parkin cake and crunchy green apples. (Recipes below) The house is decorated with pine cones and autumn leaves.

I feel Samhain is extremely relevant today in this time between the worlds, as many are choosing to leave this planet now. Please understand this time was prophesised by the Hopi Indians and others many, many years ago. In “Starseed Transmissions”, Raphael says: “Those who tune into the new frequencies will find life growing more wondrous every day. Those who tune into fear, will find things falling apart.”

Many of our animal friends too, are leaving. But it appears that many in our soul family are returning quickly in new bodies to support us in the times ahead. So if you have a hit to help a homeless stray or find yourself thinking of an animal in whatever form, honour this intuition. It’s the animal talking to you.

So many of us are suffering loss and ours is not a society which really supports or understands grief – especially when the loss is four legged. To me Samhain is a time for completion. By taking time out to really honour our departed, and to do it with family and like-minded friends, really does much to heal our heart wounds.

Other things you can do on Samhain are to ask forgiveness, forgive others and make wishes. We’ll write these things down on pieces of paper which we’ll burn in the fire. It’s very satisfying. If you can’t have a fire you might bury them under potted plants – or even on a graveside.

And for those worried about the need for protection from roaming evil spirits (I’m not), try throwing a little dried wormwood on your fire. Or put extra cinnamon in your hot chocolate. In the old days the fire itself was protection, as well as jack-o'-lanterns and candles. Light is protection against the dark. And know with your intent that you are completely safe. In this time between the worlds we attract what we fear as quickly as we attract what we love and desire.

Speaking with animals in spirit makes up a lot of my business as an animal communicator. Samhain is an easier time for people to try and connect with their loved ones on their own.

You might like to light a candle, or sit in front of the fire. Have your journal ready. Call in the spirit of your animal friend. It might help if you have their photo or hold their collar or halter or favourite toy. Take some deep breaths to quieten your mind and start writing down the first impressions you get, pictures you see, words or feelings.

Then you might ask some questions and write down the answers you receive. The biggest obstacle to this exercise is your ego, questioning whether it is all your imagination or not. Don’t think about it. It is Samhain and the veil between the worlds is thin. I think when you stop conversing and writing, and read back what you have received, you may be pleasantly surprised.

Letters of Love

Letter writing is sadly a forgotten art but writing a letter to someone you love on the other side is another wonderful thing to do during Samhain. Read it out aloud and know that your beloved hears and understands.

Having Fun

The spirits of those departed don’t want us to be sad. This is why it’s fun to get into the spirit of a southern hemisphere Halloween. Try to organise a few friends and lighten the atmosphere with laughter, music and games. Divination games are fun and working in a small group or even one other person is a very powerful way to practise and enhance your communications.

Couldn’t find any takers for the eight brumbies who needed a home and their situation became urgent so they are now very happily homed here at Ballyoncree Animal Sanctuary. The two boys were reunited with our brumby stallion Finn, and the girls and foals are getting to know the other horses across the fence in a large paddock of their own.

Offering all the brumbies a forever home here was the right thing to do. Andrew and I were walking home after we’d settled them and an owl flew in front of us three times. A definite messenger. We both heard: “It is a good thing you have done.” So I’m guessing the brumbies were meant to be here after all, and lead us on some kind of journey.

In the meantime, we’re looking for Brumby Angels who’d like to sponsor their welfare. If you’re interested please email billie@billiedean.com for details.

It’s coming. I promise. Andrew’s brother has promised to help us with design. And I’ve had fun writing for it and am taking lots of pics. We will have all kinds of healing information and links, but for now, we have started writing blog entries. See http://www.ballyoncree.com

Gratitudes

We are deeply grateful for the support of the work we are doing at the Sanctuary.

Many thanks to Lyn, Cheryl, and Jeanette, for their financial donations Thanks to Honour, Rosi and Gina for towels, Gina for paint, Signe for rescue remedy, Sharon for magnets and remedies, Tarryn for flyveils and Lesley for the pony rugs. Thanks to Kate and Alan, for halters, dog rugs and brumby transport. Thanks to Pet Power for homoeopathic remedies, and Page for Suki’s rug and flower remedies. Susan for her healing skills, and Pam for her communication support, helping me through a difficult time with my old ones, special needs, and ill ones.

Wish List

Ballyoncree Outreach Program

All funds and goods excess to our needs at the Sanctuary will be sent to other no-kill shelters and foster workers. My goal is to continue uniting and improving the network so that there are NO MORE HOMELESS ANIMALS. My vision is that all shelters be NO KILL and no animal homeless, and definitely not killed because they are homeless. It is my intention that no later than 2012, the attitude that animals are killed because they are homeless or unadoptable, is considered draconian.

Watch this space and if you can help, please put your hand up. Email me at billie@laughingowl.com.au

Billie's Performances and Workshops

Now that I’m not so intensively nursing, I’m once again free to help people with their journey in animal communication. I’m out and about on the following dates. Please tell your friends and lets have some fun together. For bookings and more details check my workshops page.

Samhain Recipes

Spicy Hot Chocolate

I admit to being one of those vibrational cooks. I never measure and never follow a recipe. To make this yummy hot chocolate I bring milk (soy) to boil with a vanilla bean and cinnamon stick, rice syrup and good quality cocoa.

Parking

This is a sweet and spicy cake with flour, oats and ginger in it. As I’m a low carb eater, I’ll make this cake on almond flour, with oats, rice syrup, ginger, cloves, molasses and soymilk. Have fun experimenting.

Until Next Time

That’s it from me this newsletter. Enjoy Samhain this weekend. Here’s to absent friends and mended hearts.

Love and Blessings
Billie