Red-Gold Phoenix with Owl-Soft Feathers

(Saturday, May 12, 2017) moon waning gibbous Sagittauris / tarot Hermit

I am on a retreat journey in the Himalayas. Our group walks a narrow path through a mountain pass blanketed with snow. I have been on spiritual gatherings many times with everyone here, over the course of hundreds or perhaps thousands of years. I recall each episode in complete detail.

Alysia Miller, the designer I work with in Phoenix, is at the back of the trail. She is suffering from serious health issues. Somehow I have visibility to her medical test results: the numbers shift erratically, like Chris’ heart rhythms undergoing atrial fibrillation.

She must rest. She cannot continue to walk. I find a primitive sled made of small logs bound together with twine. I embrace her gently and lower her down onto the wooden carrier. I will pull her along the trail behind me.

As she relaxes onto the sled, a giant red and goldĀ bird nuzzles us both, lovingly. The bird is the size of a human, maybe bigger, with soft, silky, downy feathers. LikeĀ an owl. The sweet touch of feathers brings me total joy.

Day notes:

There were two women at the Red Tara retreat in Glastonbury named Alycia. One was my roommate, a psychologist from Lithuania.

Chris’ pre-op test results came in the mail today. His atrial fibrillation is pretty constant these days.

On our way to the St. Croix Valley Pottery Tour this morning, Cullan and I passed by a giant chainsaw sculpture of a cardinal. Red bird.