Green snake in tree

Channeling Snake

Carol WoodliffLeave a Comment on Channeling Snake

I am channeling snake. I have been given this serpent archetype in rites and initiations with my Peruvian mentors. I spent time cultivating a relationship with snake in my early shamanic training, but a writing prompt made me realize it had been a long time since I spent time with serpent’s wisdom so I come to page to see what serpent has to share. I long to find that reconnection to the body that moves in conjunction with the pulse of life.  Fluid, sensuous. Shedding the past. I want to shed my old patterns like the snake. Wish it were as easy as it appears to the snake. If I could simply find a branch or a rock and rub my head against it and then just slip out of the thoughts and beliefs that hold me back. Scientists say snakes get this layer of lubrication between the old skin […]

Woman in turquoise dress dancing in front of heart paiting

I danced with love (poem and painting by Carol Woodliff)

Carol WoodliffLeave a Comment on I danced with love (poem and painting by Carol Woodliff)

I danced with love, and it whispered to me,  “Love isn’t an outcome it is a process.” I danced with love. It said I will both hurt you and make you strong.  Love doesn’t make everything okay, but I will give you the courage to keep trying.  Give you the wisdom to know when you tried hard enough.  It is okay to need a timeout but not okay to check out completely. I danced with love, and it said sometimes hiding gives your heart time to recover.  Other times it is just a cop out. I danced with love, and she said, “Will you please look at the ways cut yourself with your words and expectations over and over again?” I danced with love and she said, “perfection isn’t required, compassion is.” I danced with love, and she took me to gentleness.  She walked me among the trees, showed me […]

Meditator breathing

Meditation on Breathing

Carol WoodliffLeave a Comment on Meditation on Breathing

I was awake at 4:30am this morning.  Wide awake.   Those who know my night owl tendencies,  know how odd that is.  Only 4.5 hours sleep and I was ready for the day.   I decided to get up meditate and write.   As I was noticing my breathing,  I heard these instructions. “Breathe in notice how supported you are, Breathe out give thanks.”   Right now, when so many are struggling to breathe–whether from COVID or lung issues or anxiety.   It was powerful to connect and give thanks for my breath.   When I went to the page to write about that experience this is want came out. Breathe in Notice this Breath Is it shallow? Are you rationing life? Are you limiting your support? Breathe in and allow yourself to receive the fullness Pause. Are holding on to what is done? Are you living in fear of where your “next” comes from? Your […]