Blog Archives - GREEN TENT - LA TENDA VERDE

GREEN TENT - LA TENDA VERDE

Dove Wisdom

9/28/2024

Dove Wisdom
by Kristin Raphaela Otti

Dove is a mentor and teacher who comes into our lives, when we are going through difficult changes and transitions. She is a messenger of compassion and kindness, reminding us that no matter, what challenges we are facing, we can choose to be present in every moment and sow seeds of peace and balance instead of bringing strife and disharmony.

"White Dove", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2024)

Dove is a mentor filled with love unconditional, gentle, pure and innocent.

Mourning Dove, the Messenger of Hope and Peace, says, "Mourn and let go of what has passed, of what could have been and what was not. Let your tears mend your heart and gently carry you to new shores."

She helps us find our soul purpose and will guide us back onto our path, no matter how far we went astray and how lost we feel. Dove asks us to trust in the unknown and be open to messages from the spiritual realms.

Deer Wisdom

9/27/2024

Deer Wisdom
by Kristin Raphaela Otti

Deer is a gentle mentor and companion who teaches us about leadership, gentleness and that the moment you have learned about your weaknesses they can be turned into your greatest strength. It takes Deer a long time to trust and feel safe, but once Deer does, they give those walking with them the energy and confidence to trust in themselves and their abilities.

"White Deer" white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)

The Fawn teaches us about the joy in new beginnings, curiosity and exploring the world with the purity and innocence of the inner child.

The Doe is deeply connected to the spiritual realms, serving as a mediator and teacher of wisdom. She teaches us to take care of those we are guiding with gentleness, for gentleness is not weakness but strength.

The Stag is a gentle leader whose power lies in his calmness and inner strength. Leading with a pure heart he is never aggressive, but he will protect himself and his herd.

"Heart of Hearts", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2024)

The Stag is a natural born leader who does not assume a crown, but leads by example and as a beacon of light guiding others home.

He leads with determination and gentleness and does not control others out of fear and anxiety. The Stag is a natural born leader who does not assume a crown, but leads by example and as a beacon of light guiding others home.

The Does says, "Gentleness is not weakness, but strength. Facing your fears and looking them straight in the eye takes more courage, than burying them deeply in the abyss, where you can hear their growling and their cries, for they want to be seen and acknowledged. Look at them and see them for what they are and for what they are not. Love them and you love yourself. Embrace them and they are darkness no more."

The Hunt for the White Deer

9/27/2024

The Hunt for the White Deer
by Kristin Raphaela Otti

A few years ago, when I was still teaching and living in Vienna, I was in the midst of a journey beyond the veils, when the energies around me completely changed.

I had shapeshifted into my white deer aspect and was exploring a forest, conversing with the beings around me and enjoying the peace and quiet. All of a sudden, the shadows grew larger and the scents and smells of the forest changed. What had smelled of peace and healing before, suddenly reeked of danger and demise. I knew that a hunter was on the prowl and he had chosen me as his prey.

Everything grew dark. I started to run. The chase led through the forest, up into one of the mountain regions. I knew where I was headed and I had chosen the path on purpose. I heard the impatient growling of my pursuer behind me and where I was taking a path that would not hurt any tree or bush, he was running right through them, breaking and splintering wood. I reached a cliff, that I knew well, as did I know the abyss it led to. I had been down there on a journey before.

I ran towards the edge of the cliff and at the last moment I made a sharp turn to the left. Since the one chasing me had been blinded by bloodthirst and chosen a form, that would allow him to simply demolish every obstacle, he was not as agile as I was and he went over the cliff.

I went to the edge of the cliff and looked down. There he was. A giant red lion made of fire. He was holding on to the edge of the cliff with one paw, his claws dug deeply into the stone. His glowing eyes were filled with pure hatred. I shapeshifted back into my human form, knelt down, grabbed his foot a bit under the paw and pulled him up onto the cliff and into safety.

"White Deer", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)

Gentleness is not weakness, but strength. Facing your fears and looking them straight in the eye takes more courage, than burying them deeply in the abyss, where you can hear their growling and their cries, for they want to be seen and acknowledged. Look at them and see them for what they are and for what they are not. Love them and you love yourself. Embrace them and they are darkness no more.

He lay there, breathing heavily, staring at me in complete and utter disbelief. He growled, “Why?” I replied, “I love you.” Then I shapeshifted back into my white deer aspect, looked him in the eye once more, turned around and walked slowly back into the forest.

Gentleness is not weakness, but strength. Facing your fears and looking them straight in the eye takes more courage, than burying them deeply in the abyss, where you can hear their growling and their cries, for they want to be seen and acknowledged. Look at them and see them for what they are and for what they are not. Love them and you love yourself. Embrace them and they are darkness no more.

Lion Wisdom

9/27/2024

Lion Wisdom
by Kristin Raphaela Otti

The Lion and the Lioness are protectors and guardians that lead with grace and dignity, justice and honor, for they know that power comes with responsibility: A leader is not the one getting everything served on a silver platter eating first, a leader is the first servant of the people and the pride he or she has been entrusted with.

"Lionheart", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2024)

Lion leads with compassion and courage, yet knows, when to roar and stand his ground. He is a leader that makes others stronger and does not rule and control by inducing fear but he leads by nurturing the fires in the hearts of the members of his pride, so every single one of them is walking tall and powerful as they are meant to be.

"Wise White Lioness", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2024)

Lion is a leader that makes others stronger and does not rule and control by inducing fear but he leads by nurturing the fires in the hearts of the members of his pride.

The heart of a lioness sings the song of working in circles and hunting together. Lionesses have no need for petty power struggles, but know of the strength each and every single one of them carries within and how to use their unique gifts to work together for the well-being of their pride.

Gentleness - Sanftmut

9/27/2024

Gentleness - Sanftmut
by Sabine Rieser

Lion gently reminds you of your values. He says, “Be courageous and stand up for yourself. Be aware of your special aura and your impact on others. Walk with your head held high, tall and powerful. Show all of you, your unique beauty, openly and walk your path in a majestic and gentle way. This is, how you find calmness within and how you become able to get to the truth of a matter without fear.”

Der Löwe fordert dich auf, mutig zu dir zu stehen. Sei dir deiner besonderen Ausstrahlung und deiner Wirkung auf andere bewusst.

(c) 2024 Sabine Rieser, original manuscript page

"Raindrop Lion", watercolours, Sabine Rieser (2024)

Show all of you, your unique beauty, openly and walk your path in a majestic and gentle way.

Der Löwe erinnert dich an deine Werte. Er fordert dich auf, mutig zu dir zu stehen. Sei dir deiner besonderen Ausstrahlung und deiner Wirkung auf andere bewusst. Schreite aufrecht und selbstbewusst in voller Pracht auf deinem Weg voran. Majestätisch, kraftvoll und sanftmütig kommst du in deine Gelassenheit. So gelingt es dir, Situationen auf dich zukommen zu lassen und ihren wahren Kern zu erkennen.

Ursus

9/27/2024

Ursus
by Rebecca Brugman

Bear has always spoken to me. From childhood piles of stuffed animals which grew into adulthood studies to deepen my understanding of the creature, a lifelong energy has tethered me to this medicine.

A collector’s obsession to family and friends was really an internal seeking for teachers on my part. Each bear related object I gathered told me a different story in a larger narrative. Posters, books, and sculptures made my room into a den. I developed a bed time ritual to carry me to Dreamtime where I could sit with my relations and be filled with their wisdom.

Of course, I had a pendant. I wore it for many years while raising young children. I was the embodiment of a Mama Bear, protecting their choices and encouraging their explorations. I walked the world with thick skin, sharp claws, and a ready growl. I shook off the barbs of the world and maintained my cave to my liking.

But time flows onward and my bluster turned to determination, then lagged into exhaustion. My winter stores were empty. My fur became faded and patchy. I couldn’t keep organized the baskets of day to night, food or tools, anger or sorrow. I needed to rest.

So I returned to Bear teachings. I remembered the need for a season of rejuvenation. I reduced my world to vital systems. I reached for the voice deep inside that knew the way to equilibrium and reminded me of myself. I took on the slower lumber of a patient bear picking tiny berries. I yawned widely when in public and went home to sleep.

Then came a season of recklessness and disconnect. I went beyond the veil of balanced bear and into the realm of near madness. The feral side left a trail of broken things and vague dreaminess. I raced into the woods seeking any burrow to contain my angst and hide it from myself. Somewhere in the forest must be a doorway to the underworld where I could disappear. But that is a harsh futility to chase.

"Grandmother Black Bear", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)

One winter day as the snow receded, I smelled Bear. I hunkered against a tree and heard Bear. In the wild place of my soul, I knew a meeting was in store. I felt the shift coming and I would either remain disheveled, falling deeper into the chasm of despair or I would smooth my pelt and return fully to my cubs.

Several times in the coming weeks I chased up Bear in the woods. I wasn’t tracking necessarily, but I sat by the waterhole where he would visit. I followed the deer trails where his signs were displayed. Mostly, it was the lingering smell that coaxed me out of my stupor and into fresh awareness that healing had taken place despite my avoidance.

"White Brown Bear", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)

Bear invites us to the mystical spaces within a soul. These are the places where Dreams and Truths wait. Only in eating the divine honey will we accept our inner most knowing and be able to reclaim ourselves.

Then there was a frightening episode involving one of my children. Sparing the details, I can say it worked out well enough but, during that strange night of discovery and crisis control, I spent time howling in the forest like the wounded animal I had become. My ache was finally shaken loose and released to the dark in sounds humans rarely make.

But Bear heard me.

I’m not certain anymore how many days between that night and his visit, but it wasn’t long before I woke in the predawn hours to the sound of digging in my garden. I heard the pallets of my compost pile moving around. The breath caught in my throat when he snuffed and sneezed less than ten feet from my window, which was open a crack to let in spring air.

In an instant, all the years of teachings flew together in my heart. I watched his furry shoulders work at the stones around the garden as he searched for snacks. I smiled when he crunched the freshly thawed lobster shells from our discarded New Years feast. I snuck to the back door for a better view. As I pushed aside the curtain as silently as possible, he of course heard me anyway. Our eyes met and with a final swipe at the meager garden findings, he lumbered towards the woods, pausing to scratch an ear with his teenaged paw.

I have lived most aspects of Bear now from a naive cub to a seasoned mother. I watch my offspring fledge and look forward to the gentle years of crochet and music in my now quiet home. The sleepy groan of comfort is not far from me these days and I am grateful. But the hot breath of a dangerous bite lingers on my neck too.

Bear invites us to the mystical spaces within a soul. These are the places where Dreams and Truths wait. Only in eating the divine honey will we accept our inner most knowing and be able to reclaim ourselves. Whether I am roaring in defense or sadness, digging for food or shelter, settling in for contemplation or work, I know the strength of this beast is beside me.

I enjoy the cozy heartbeat when I have lost my song. I borrow the tough walking shoes to keep moving forward. I stand with generations of Bear knowledge ready to embrace the lessons I must learn. I walk with Bear to remain solid in my faith. I listen to know when I need a drink of dreaming from the Cave.

To everything there is a season and Bear guides me through them all.

Power Animal Experiences - Bear Energy

9/27/2024

Power Animal Experiences - Bear Energy
Written By Anja Mays

Sometimes being introduced to an animal’s energy field within the shamanic practice seems to be very easy. A lot of healers, teachers and artists are freely sharing their experiences, creating card sets and beautiful art work. You can choose a card in ceremony and read the thoughts and teachings of somebody else.

To experience an animal’s energy on its own in wilderness or on a shamanic journey or a clear dream for me is totally different - when one is totally aware of the moment given. Animals appear in special unforgettable moments, in dreams and visions. They appear in unusual shapes and are able to speak and to communicate on a level which is truly ‘the unseen world’. No-one beside yourself is seeing it and making the individual experience - very intimate and privately - and always precise - if you listen.

Bear energy for me is one of the special experiences I had. At a given moment I needed advice on which path to walk on to come into my power. On a shamanic drum journey I asked my helping spirits for advice. Until that point I had known a little brown bear from my prior experiences, a bit like ‘Baloo the Bear’ in the ‘The Jungle Book’ by Rudyard Kipling, a really funny bear, always looking for honey bees, playful and joyful.

On this specific journey the bear spirit appeared and I was invited to ride on his back. He instantly started running. He ran through forests without looking right or left, just straight ahead, as if he had a specific route and path to follow.

The landscape changed and woods became Tundra, so it seemed that our journey had turned North. Finally the Tundra ended as well and the ocean appeared right in front of us. In between the brown bear had changed his fur color and become white. At the ocean he stepped onto ice and like a boat this ice moved north.

(c) 2024 Anja Mays

Animals appear in special unforgettable moments, in dreams and visions. They appear in unusual shapes and are able to speak and to communicate on a level which is truly ‘the unseen world’.

Here we met an old, old woman in a tent - made of bones.

Here I saw:

My prayer had been answered and bear was the guide between the ‘seen’ and the ‘unseen’ world, knowing where to go to ask for guidance from another spirit. Following the advice had been my task and I had done so, freely trusting that all would be well, because the answers came from deep within. No-one else to trust - just to trust myself and inner guidance.

Bear spirit appeared again in the following years, being the mediator between the seen and the unseen world for me, young and playful, old and wise or exactly as the predator which he is in the ‘seen’ world.

Thank you, Bear Spirit for your guidance.

Home - Geborgenheit

9/27/2024

Home - Geborgenheit
by Sabine Rieser

Polar Bear wants to remind you of your inner strength and gentle fire.

Whenever life challenges you on your path, go within and sit down right at your heart’s fire. Breathe deep into your heart, feel your breath and then breathe out.

Trust, that you carry all you could ever need within. Know it with all your heart.

Stand up, raise yourself to your full height and calmly look your challenge in the eyes. Feel the gentle warmth of your fire, your hearth, your sanctuary. Trust, that you carry all you could ever need within. Know it with all your heart.

Look! Can you feel, how your challenge is growing smaller and smaller by the heartbeat?

Invite abundance into your life now, feel it in every breath you take. Feel the gentle fire, feel home inside yourself.

Der Eisbär möchte dich an deine eigenen Stärken erinnern. Wenn dich das Leben herausfordert, ruhe in dir.

"Raindrop Polar Bear", watercolours, Sabine Rieser (2024)

Blicke deiner Herausforderung in die Augen und zeige dich in deiner vollen Größe. Sei dir deiner Kraft bewusst.

Vertraue darauf, dass du alles, was du brauchst in dir hast.

Atme bewusst ein und aus, spüre deine innere Wärme, deine innere Sicherheit. Vertraue darauf, dass du alles, was du brauchst in dir hast.

Merkst du, wie die Herausforderung kleiner wird? Lade nun die Fülle in dein Leben ein! Spüre die Geborgenheit, die dich umhüllt.

The White Spotted Crystal Bear Clan Appears

9/27/2024

The Octopus' Digest
Written by Anja Mays

The octopus shapeshifted into Bear energy to sit in the Green Tent under the topic of “Animal Wisdom”, invited by Kristin Raphaela Otti. The call had been very strong in the growing relationship between the three co-creators of the storytelling events.

In accompanying the preparation for a seminar titled “The Call of the Otherworld” and holding energy during the seminar at the same weekend, the connection to this energy of Bear deepened and brought back old energies and good memories - good memories of my own spiritual path, the first steps into listening to the call from the “otherworld” - spirits that show up and give advice.

(c) 2024 Anja Mays

At the given time, when nature says goodbye to winter and spring appears, “Beltaine/Beltane” had been celebrated in the old days. The hibernation of the bear also comes to an end.

Really? Everywhere?

Touching the energy of Bear, it is becoming obvious, that not all bears are the same, but that there are different bears all over the world. They appear in different landscapes and when they adapt to their environment and the ground they are walking on, they change in appearance and size. Cave bears are very big, as are polar bears, then there are different colors, black, brown, white and mixed.

Their behavior changes as well and when it comes ot nutrition, they adapt to their habitat. Some are good swimmers and ocean hunters like the white furred and black skinned polar bear, walkers of long distances that do not hibernate. Some are very good at climbing trees like the koalas and they thrive on eating bamboo. Others eat nuts and berries, seal or fish and in other areas they hunt the big game like moose.

(c) 2024 Anja Mays

From the perspective of shapeshifting and adapting to the environment, the bear is a great example. Nowadays polar bears and brown bears are mating – and looking quite cute, their offspring are spotted like Italian latte macchiato.

(c) 2024 Anja Mays

This is another perfect story which is telling a lot about “affidamento” – to entrust oneself to – to trust each other in relationships between women. To be seen in our own power and growth which needs safe spaces, where the power can be shown without frightening each other, without judgment.

There was more to digest in the recording of the Storytelling Event of the monthly series of Animal Wisdom Speaks which will be offered in a recorded version soon.

During the event I told my story about my journey with this walker between the worlds. A small brown bear appeared as a power animal and brought me from this world to the spirit world. While we were journeying its fur became white – my shamanic capacity growing and my strength and power appearing. The responsibility coming with it is to bring back the gained wisdom into the everyday world.

(c) 2024 Anja Mays

The medicines on the altar for the event and the ceremonial talk:

The claw of a polar bear with Tugtupit gem (Greenland)
The tooth of a brown cave bear (distinct) (Austria)

The day after the event further shamanic work had to be done for one of the seminar participants. A clear dream vision made it clear, that the couple that worked together in this regard belong to the ancient “White Snowy Crystal Spotted Bear Clan”, living in caves.

This is another perfect story which is telling a lot about “affidamento” – to entrust oneself to – to trust each other in relationships between women. To be seen in our own power and growth which needs safe spaces, where the power can be shown without frightening each other, without judgment. Belonging to one clan with different abilities and roles is a base for female freedom.

The White Snowy Crystal Spotted Bear Clan is coming back. The story of its journey will be told in another chapter of the archives, which is still to open.

We Are One - A Water Ceremony Vision

9/26/2024

We Are One
Written by Kristin Raphaela Otti

I opened space and lit my fire, opening my heart. “Calm your mind”, a gentle voice whispered. I became still, one with the ocean, the waters. Time and space ceased to exist. I was called back into the here and now after a while and saw, that Julia had taken her seat in the circle, calmly and gently. A message was to be given. Julia had been invited to journey deep into the sea. Anja had arrived, equally calmly and gently taken her seat in the circle and a message was to be given: “Great Grandmother Ocean wants to speak to you.” We became still again, sitting together in silence, one with the waters again. I found myself swimming alongside a gentle blue whale elder.

“We are the Ocean, for we are one. The Ocean is us, for we are one. We are the waters. We are the clouds. We are the rain. Father Sun calls the waters into the sky, so they can return to Mother Earth, nourishing her, healing and cleansing her, thus nourishing us, cleansing us, healing us, for we are one.”

I saw a battlefield, a sea of blood and Father Sun called the blood into the sky. The blood became the rain, nourishing Mother Earth, nourishing us with blood spilt and cries of pain. For we are one.

I saw violence, a hand inflicting pain, and Father Sun called the tears into the sky. The tears became the rain, nourishing Mother Earth, nourishing us with screams of pain. For we are one.

I saw compassion, gentle hands, caressing, loving, embracing, and Father Sun called the tears of joy into the sky. The tears became the rain, healing and mending Mother Earth, healing and mending our hearts with love unconditional. For we are one.

"White Blue Whale", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2024)

"White Whale", white pastels, Kristin Raphaela Otti (2023)

I saw compassion, gentle hands, caressing, loving, embracing, and Father Sun called the tears of joy into the sky. The tears became the rain, healing and mending Mother Earth, healing and mending our hearts with love unconditional. For we are one.

We are one.

We are the boon.

We are the bane.

We are the heart.

We are the mind.

We are the soul.

We are the spirit.

We are one.

We swam out into the ocean of stars and I saw a giant tear drop slowly falling down on Mother Earth. “This tear is of our creation.” I saw floods of times past, the raging waters of our own creation. “This tear is of our own creation. It is us. For we are one.”

We are the laughter.

We are the pain.

We are the healing.

We are the storm.

We are the flood.

We are the medicine.

We are one.

Editor

Kristin Raphaela Otti

I am a shaman and storyteller from Carinthia, Austria,tending the fires of winter in the hearts and walking with those, who wish to embark on a journey deep within.

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