To continue the Story, The Elder teachers us about Natural Law and the importance of growing from within. This post has been Scheduled. Part One can be found here of The Elder~ The Pathfinder And Part Two The Elder~ Regeneration and Renewal …. Enjoy!
The woman had to leave the painting alone for a while, but the Elder was never far from her thoughts as she pondered upon what the Elder had spoken of regarding the Renewing and Regenerating.
She thought about her beloved forest walks and in particular the Standing Ones of the Oak Tribe who had always drawn her to their energy.
On her walks she would often reach out to touch their bark, their outer skin, gnarled and cracked, marvelling upon their ages.
The forest of Sherwood that she loved so well held one of the oldest and well known, The Major Oak Whose Standing had seen so many changes during at least 1,000 years reign over his domain. She thought of the changes still to come as she had signed petitions to try to prevent Fracking from under his roots. She again sent a silent prayer out to her Earth Mother as she thought of all the destruction Mankind had caused upon and deep into her own Earth Crust skin.
By the time the woman returned to pick up her brushes, the woman was eager to learn what the Elder had to teach her. Today she filled in more details to the bark, the tiny brush strokes making patterns she picked out the creepy crawlies, spiders, and grubs now forming. The woman thought deeply upon the thousands of insects that made their home in the bark and among the crevasses and branches of the Standing Ones.
The Elder remained silent, allowing the woman to penetrate each crevasse with her brush stroke as deeper she sank into her own world of thought. She painted the skin of the snake as it twisted up and out along the branch of the Elder, and thought of the many symbols mankind had used in which the snake had played a part.
The serpent representing both good and bad. The secret to a snake’s success was its scales providing both impetus and resistance. It shed many skins to allow it to keep on growing. It glided over everything managing to climb trees, swim and bury itself beneath the earth. She thought deeper to the various cultures which had created both Fascination and Fear.
Quetzalcoatl the Feathered Serpent came to mind.
Scholars had twisted the snake symbol for use of many of their own interpretations. The snake reminding her of the Kundalini, providing the Spark of Life, a great healer in many symbols. As she thought of her own snake-like-spine, and that of the Standing Ones trunk. Connecting both Heaven and Earth. As she thought of the times she had meditated her spine pressed against their trunk as she asked for The Standing Ones Healing.
She thought of healing and remembered the medical profession who also had it within their healing symbol The Caduceus entwined around a staff with wings. And the Rod of Asclepius And wondered upon how these symbols had been created. She assumed the snake meant both Life and Death which was what the medical professions dealt with at all times.
So many interpretations Mankind had given to the snake, both positive and negative which she had read about, ‘Which were correct?’ she thought.
The Elder picking up on her question answered. “ All of them,” said the Elder, “The snake is neither Good or bad, it is the cycle of Life itself. The Ouroboros The snake shows you by leaving your skin behind life begins anew. Your Human skin is but a shell and so too will be left behind.
In your world, there can be no birth without death. It is a perpetual cycle. You will see this again and again in nature. But your Human Tribe do not follow the natural law of the predator-prey cycle. Your Human Tribe has killed all the animals it deems as bad. Such as the Wolf , Bear and Fox.
Then you cry when your forests get overrun with Deer and Elk and Rabbits. Who then strip the forests and grasslands bare and they then suffer and starve as the balance is upset. You Humans then take it upon yourselves to cull and thin out the over population of species. Causing more suffering”.
She thought of the disease Myxomatosis introduced to Rabbits And the many Rabbits she had seen affected as a child in the country. She also thought of the Elephant tribe and wondered at the suffering of their tribe at the hands of mans ignorance and greed. It was no coincidence that the image of the Elephant had crept into her painting embedded within its roots. Or the horrendous culling of young seal cubs that were clubbed to death. This too was woven within the roots of her painting.
“Yet” continued the Elder, “If you had let well alone Nature would keep the balance by its own natural cycles.. Each living thing that is placed upon your Earth Mother has purpose. And is subject to natural law. Including you Humans. But you have long forgotten the natural laws of Cause and Effect. You think you are superior to them. But the Universe as a whole is governed by them, there is no escape.”
As the woman continued to paint, eyes appeared in her imagination which had transferred to the bark which peered deeper into her soul. She thought upon the many times she had sort out the Standing Ones healing. And to the shedding of her many tears pressed up against their trunks. How many sobs had they listened to? never judging, always steadfast, silent but for their whispers on the wind as they imparted their calm reverence.
They replaced her own sapping energy with their own as she often felt their pulse beat up through her spine. They had become bound by their roots as she imagined her energy tap-root from her spine going down around theirs into Mother Earths Heart as she meditated.
She knew the Standing Ones were the wisdom keepers, each year witnessing the changes, information contained within their own growth cycles of both good and bad years. Each inner ring a record, yet its outer skin/bark remained the same. Showing us how we have so many layers and yet can hold a constant mask to our outer Being.
We all grow from our inner centre outward from our hearts. And how important it was to go within and find those years which had affected our growth.
The woman stood back from her painting. She thanked again the Elder for the wisdom, knowing that as a world right now, we were but shedding another skin. Mankind was in yet another cycle of Learning, growing in inner wisdom as he woke up to himself.
To be continued..
© Sue Dreamwalker 2017.
Timothy Price
May 20, 2021 @ 15:10:24
This is a wonderful post, Sue. Lots more to ponder. I love the tree and the paintings.
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 20, 2021 @ 15:17:16
Thank you Tim…. Happy you are enjoying the series as I take time out to create… ❤
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Writing to Freedom
May 20, 2021 @ 15:10:33
Lovely story and analogies Sue. The cycles of life, love, birth, death, and growth continue. May love prevail.
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 20, 2021 @ 15:12:47
Thank you Brad…. you got it in one… A lesson we are all of us learning right now…. Yet sometimes we are so caught up within it we have to step back to observe it… Many thanks Brad… ❤
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Writing to Freedom
May 20, 2021 @ 15:37:27
My pleasure Sue. I’m glad you’re keeping your hands and heart occupied with garden and creativity. 🧡
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 20, 2021 @ 15:40:45
Never still at the moment Brad…. and loving it.. ❤
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Writing to Freedom
May 20, 2021 @ 22:04:39
😍
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David
May 20, 2021 @ 15:26:17
Wonderful Sue reminding be of part of my Spiritual Journey in the Orkneys in 1988.
Following Myxomatosis that devastated the rabbit population on the island of
Sanday, Orkney.
WASSITER WARREN
Upon the hillside they played,
sentries here and there with ears erect,
listened, and they watched
for dangers they’d expect.
But death crept unknowing to their door,
where carefree friends had played before.
Cobwebs hang now across the gate
like curtains drawn, they state
that no one lives here anymore.
Flies buzz to and fro,
and clear the tomb of physical remains,
but they too become transfixed in spider’s chains.
Bodies lie on paths and roads
mutilated by this foul disease.
No one would recognise a once familiar face,
disfigured and disguised in its last grimace.
But wait, a small white flash has caught the eye.
It seems that all have not succumbed to this foul plague,
and then another and another one runs by.
They run and leap and dance where their unlucky cousins played,
Renewal and rebirth, immuned by nature’s cleverness,
ensures that we’ll enjoy again their dance upon the Ness.
Love David
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 20, 2021 @ 15:36:18
Many thanks David for sharing that poem… And memory… A dreadful manmade disease…. You captured the horror of it… And the joy in seeing those who survived… ❤
Wishing you well David and thank you 🙂
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Jane Sturgeon
May 20, 2021 @ 16:06:53
❤ ❤ Loving energy flowing from nature and us, when we choose to nurture. Wise words, dearest Sue. Thank you, my lovely. ❤ ❤
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 20, 2021 @ 16:15:48
Bless you Jane… Thank you…. Always a delight to have you visit and feel the love you send… ❤ And have sent…. ❤
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thespiritkeeper
May 20, 2021 @ 17:05:09
Yes, I can see the elephant in the mighty oak. Beautiful tree and beautiful artwork. Love the analogy of the snake shedding skins as mankind does and also in death leaving the shell behing. A beautiful story of growth. ❤ ❤ ❤
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 20, 2021 @ 17:33:56
Thank you dear Joseph… Always happy you SEE my friend… 🙂 We are all evolving and growing… Some faster than others.. But all heading for the same destination…. Even if some may take a few detours.. 😉 😀 ❤
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thespiritkeeper
May 20, 2021 @ 17:35:12
Yes we are. Some of those detours can be fun lol
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 20, 2021 @ 17:39:03
We have to make them Fun… 🙂
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The Path to My Heart
May 20, 2021 @ 18:25:15
Very nice Sue, the story is coming around very nicely. I can see myself sitting at the Elder’s base listening. Life’s cycles are prominent, and like the Elder said – fine on their own. It’s the manipulation and thinking we ‘know better’ then nature and interfere. How much damage has been caused?? And yet we all continue on in the cycles – hopefully learning as we go!! If not, well Mother will give us a wallop once in a while!! Lovely! Much love, Donna
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 20, 2021 @ 18:32:45
Thank you Donna…. the Wallop will come… and teach us all a few lessons lol…. Thank you Donna…. So many interferences which have caused imbalance..
Lets hope we those lessons are quickly learnt from… Mankind will never know better than Nature, or understand the power she holds, until she releases her wallop… She has given us plenty of warning signals, we have ignored… Our next Slap may not be so gentle… ….
Sending Hugs your way Donna… Much love right back..
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robbiesinspiration
May 20, 2021 @ 19:09:24
Your painting is wonderful, Sue, and I love your thoughts and ponderings.
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 25, 2021 @ 14:00:31
Many thanks dearest Robbie… Happy you enjoyed this revival series.. ❤
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simplywendi
May 20, 2021 @ 21:01:09
reading this gave me goosebumps! 🙂
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 25, 2021 @ 14:00:55
Bless you dear Wendi… Many thanks for reading… ❤
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simplywendi
May 25, 2021 @ 16:45:58
always a pleasure Sue!
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Sue Dreamwalker
Jun 05, 2021 @ 17:50:46
❤
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J.D.
May 20, 2021 @ 21:50:09
Beautiful, Sue. I saw the elephant right away. Culling of any kind always seems to go awry. Maybe because it’s not our decision. Myxomatosis is something I’m familiar with because I’ve had rabbits as pets and it’s a real risk now even for domestic rabbits. Thank you for your fierce words and images, my friend. 💖
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 25, 2021 @ 14:02:49
Yes the Elephant is hard to miss.. When you view the tree from this angle.. Yes the disease mankind created for rabbits is horrible… Thank YOU for reading Julie and your support.. ❤ lots of love ❤
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Miriam
May 20, 2021 @ 22:06:26
A magnificent post Sue, drawing deep on creation and the very nature of life, love and all living things. Sending you much love. 🙏💚
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 25, 2021 @ 14:04:12
Thanking you also Miriam…. Nature is magnificent.. In all her creations.. May we all appreciate her and her gifts.. ❤ lots of love right back my friend ❤
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Infinite Living
May 20, 2021 @ 22:10:02
The elephant in the trunk – so amazing! I deeply enjoyed this journey of contemplation through the layers of wisdom with the elder. It feels expansive and also comforting to immerse in the play of creation, life, existence, renewal, rebirth, death, decay. There is so much healing and soothing available in the Truth and it comes to us if we just allow the surrender and focus to the process. How amazing that you bring this experience through your intentional creation of art, how inspiring the way you listen to the elder while allowing the process to unfold.
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 25, 2021 @ 14:12:57
Exactly… healing comes in many forms.. Allowing the truth to surface as we see the unfolding of the process, we see how all things have to entwine, decaying systems, death of the old, and rebirth go hand in hand… Each stage in itself is a healing process… Thank you dear Pragalbha, I am pleased you are enjoying this experience while I take my blogging pause a while longer.
Much love my friend ❤
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Mark Lanesbury
May 20, 2021 @ 23:50:49
I think this world has replaced its bark with plastic dear lady. It no longer knows how to breathe and be a part of nature, it has insulated itself. And its going to take some time to remove it, but remove it we will.
Beautiful post dear lady, and that tree does indeed hold a great calm and much more than just the elephant 😀 ❤️ 🙏🏽 🦋
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 25, 2021 @ 14:16:09
Thank you dear Mark… Your unending patience is appreciated… Yes far too much plastic around too.. And while we may think we are saving trees…. Plastic a huge pollution problem… Yes this tree is a favourite place I enjoy visiting these woods… Lots of old oaks in the wood off the beaten tracks… 🙂 Many thanks again dear Mark… Much love your way 🙂 💚
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Dr. Andrea Dinardo
May 21, 2021 @ 01:46:42
Another beautiful and thought provoking post. Thank you Sue! Shedding is everything 🍂
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 25, 2021 @ 14:17:09
Thank you too Andrea.. for taking the time to read…. I know how busy you are so very much appreciated… 🙂
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Val Boyko
May 21, 2021 @ 11:33:23
I’m really enjoying this revisit. Your wisdom is always worth coming back to. Happy cultivating and creating 💕🙏💕
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 25, 2021 @ 14:18:30
Thank you dear Val…. yes happy creating and hopefully cultivating as I go inwardly and outwardly Lol…. Many thanks, so appreciate your visit and comments Val… ❤
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Eddie Two Hawks
May 21, 2021 @ 14:00:53
Touching words speak of truth and love designed to illustrate the path ahead.
Onward going, we are ever forward in our search. Help along the way comes
from these special places. Thank you! Blessings dear Sue, Eddie
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 25, 2021 @ 14:31:51
Thank you dearest Eddie…. Onward and forward yes we go…. Thank YOU dear Eddie…. We try to shed a little light along the way, woven in with wisdom as we see it… 🙂 ❤ Many thanks dear friend..
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boundlessblessingsblog
May 21, 2021 @ 17:22:03
Profound and inspiring story on the Elders, Sue. Awesome paintings and the elephant is superb what a majestic tree of ages. I too feel so sad and upset when age old trees fall or are unnecessary fallen for our own consumption. Even they are a part and parcel of our Universe so why kill them. Thanks for the great story Sue.
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 25, 2021 @ 14:37:13
Thank you Kamal.. indeed our tree family holds the fabric of our earth together…. They are part of us, and we part of them.. Our very breath is an exchange…. Many thanks my friend… also for your patience in awaiting a reply 🙂
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boundlessblessingsblog
May 25, 2021 @ 15:03:32
Yes Sue I completely agree we could not live without them. They are part and parcel of our lives. In India we had such a great cyclone that it killed nearly 10000 trees. Felt so sad and bad for them. Always welcome dear.
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Sue Dreamwalker
Jun 05, 2021 @ 17:57:36
Yes Trees are do dear to us…. I have always felt that connection with the Standing Ones.. ❤
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boundlessblessingsblog
Jun 05, 2021 @ 18:00:35
Yes completely agree with you, Sue.
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Sue Dreamwalker
Jun 14, 2021 @ 21:27:43
❤ 🙂 ❤
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boundlessblessingsblog
Jun 15, 2021 @ 04:19:41
🤗🤗🤗🤗👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
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-Eugenia
May 21, 2021 @ 19:03:59
Beautiful post, Sue! The world shedding another skin is a good analogy. We must rid ourselves of negativity and forge ahead! ❤️
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 25, 2021 @ 14:39:16
Exactly right dearest Eugenia…. Sometimes we cannot See the Wood for the Trees!…. but this is exactly what is occurring right now… Onwards and forwards….MUCH love dearest Eugenia… and thank you ❤
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-Eugenia
May 25, 2021 @ 16:20:56
Always a pleasure, Sue!❤️
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Sue Dreamwalker
Jun 05, 2021 @ 17:55:08
❤ 😍 Thank you Eugenia…. Still Enjoying my break in Nature's Balm…. Away from the turmoil of the external for a while… Sending Love and Blessings ❤ Hugs your way ❤
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-Eugenia
Jun 05, 2021 @ 18:18:06
It’s good to know you are doing well, Sue! Enjoy your calm! 🧡 💛 💚 💙
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Sue Dreamwalker
Jun 14, 2021 @ 21:27:28
Thank you Eugenia…. I am enjoying stepping away and being totally absorbed in nature and crafts at the moment… I miss being here.. But for now just following the flow of things… And I hope shortly to do an update…
Its strange isn’t it or not, as I have come back here many times to write a post, only to turn on the computer to turn it off again.. So just being guided .. Sending love and appreciation dear Eugenia… ❤ and thank you ❤
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walesforevercymru
May 21, 2021 @ 19:08:00
Thought provoking, profound wisdom, Sue. Thank you.
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 25, 2021 @ 14:41:08
Thank you so very much…. SO happy you dropped in to say so.. ❤
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Renee Espriu
May 21, 2021 @ 20:09:35
I absolutely love trees…everything in Nature as you might know…and I do see the elephant in the ancient oak tree. Quite amazing! Do take good care my friend. Things are going well although I do have to adjust to the change. xoxo
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 25, 2021 @ 14:42:35
I am delighted to know all is well with you Renee…. I hope all continues to flourish..
And yes Nature is a great teacher… So pleased you enjoyed my friend.. lots of love and take care of yourself.. ❤
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Julianne Victoria
May 22, 2021 @ 14:47:14
This was wonderful Sue! 💕
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 25, 2021 @ 11:10:13
Many thanks Julianne…. So good to see you 🙂 ❤
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dgkaye
May 24, 2021 @ 02:45:15
Hope and rebirth. We’re in process. I hope you are well my friend. ❤ xo
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 25, 2021 @ 14:45:33
Dearest Debby, your own new circumstances right now are going to take some adjusting to… My sincere thoughts are with you dear friend… Sending lots of love your way….. All is well in Dreamwalkers world…. For the moment I am still enjoying just BEing in creative mode and planting mode…
Sending continued thoughts your way Debby…. Love to you ❤
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dgkaye
May 25, 2021 @ 14:54:17
Thanks so much Sue. Adjusting is the operative word. I know it will take some time for that to happen, but I’m following what the universe is telling me. So happy to hear you got your ‘creative’ on, just follow your heart. ❤ xoxo
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Sue Dreamwalker
May 25, 2021 @ 15:02:56
Thank you dearest friend… Yes… that is all we can ever do.. Follow our hearts.. and take it where it leads us… MUCH love your way ❤
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dgkaye
May 26, 2021 @ 13:26:17
Hugs ❤ ❤
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Mabel Kwong
Jun 12, 2021 @ 13:46:26
I really am enjoying this series of The Elder, Sue. Though you wrote it a few years ago, your writing and message through your work is important, and timeless. Like Brad said, I love the analogies throughout. In particular, the one about the snake was very well done. People tend to think of a snake as scary and scales something undesired. But every snake is a part of this planet, a part of life cycles and food chains, and keeps the whole circle of life going. It is similar to us beings called people…we might not all get along with each other but we each have a part of to play in this world, such as the work we do to keep life going, and we all learn and grow along with each other to see a better tomorrow. Wonderful work as usual. Take care and much love to you ❤
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Sue Dreamwalker
Jun 14, 2021 @ 21:17:19
Many thanks dearest Mabel for your compliments and appreciation.. I am truly grateful for your visit and for reading this series.. The snake has many interpretations and has many things to teach… As do all of Gods creatures.. Each has a place and each has a purpose… All part of the whole..
Many thanks dear friend.. ❤ 🙏 Much love your way.. ❤
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Mabel Kwong
Jun 15, 2021 @ 13:50:52
You are welcome, Sue. Yes, so many creatures and us beings on this world have many things to teach… We can all learn and lean on each other. Thank you for taking the time to share what you know with us. Your words on here always inspire me to look within. Much love your way too ❤
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Sue Dreamwalker
Jun 27, 2021 @ 14:29:48
Much love right back dear Mabel.. ❤
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Inese, visual artist, writer and life sciences blogger
Jun 16, 2021 @ 04:22:20
You are taking an amazing direction. Interesting, indeed. I hope everything is fine and you’re well.
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Sue Dreamwalker
Jun 27, 2021 @ 14:27:39
Thank you Inese… All is well, just had a huge blogging break.. ❤
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