Author: Denise

I am a sculptor of clay animals and those luminous hybrid creatures that sometimes appear in our dreams, if we are lucky and if we are paying attention. The slow process of hand-building something from clay can really deepen the visitation of a dream. I have faithfully tended these wondrous images, transcribing them to journals since I was in my early 20s.
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Waking Dream: Tree Of Life Jill

(Friday, August 2, 2019)

After two days of travel, I arrived home last night from Jill’s “Healing the Ancestors” retreat in B.C. Completely exhausted, I crawled into bed and gazed out my west-facing window at the tall backyard pines.

Jill’s beautiful face appeared at the side of a treetop. Not just a sculptural image, but a highly active little movie. She transformed from her 70s to her 20s and every age in-between: laughing, chatting and engaging with another spirit that was not visible to me. The presence was strongest in my left eye but also perceived in my right. Breathtaking. I felt completely blessed by Jill. I have NEVER had that kind of vision. I knew it would last as long as I remained attentive. Eventually I had to close my eyes and sleep.

A huge redwood on Cortes Island with a hollow, human-sized center that was created by a forest fire. Photo by Bonnie Mitsch. The 1700-year-old yew tree I met at Jill’s last retreat also has an open core large enough for people to step into.

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Waking Dreams Loons and Tunes

(Sunday, July 21, 2019) moon waning gibbous Pisces / tarot 9 of wands

Over the last two weekends I have awakened to loon calls from Parker’s Lake. I heard the loon again this morning. I fell back asleep, and when seemingly only half awake I heard someone playing a trumpet for just a few bars. Could that have been real at 6 or 7 in the morning?

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Grandma Lenora And I Work In The Top Story

(Friday, July 19, 2019) waning gibbous moon Pisces / tarot Sun

I have joined a large group of people on the main floor of a retreat center. The atmosphere is muted. Every element of the room is constructed of wood. “In the woods.” We stand together, not seated at chairs or tables. At a far distance I see the illumination of the entry door.

I move to a stairwell along a side wall. It is not visible to people in the meeting room. The staircase enclosure is located in London.

At the top of the steps I enter the upper story of my ancestral home. Grandmother Lenora Sheehan greets me. We are here to work together. This spacious room is also fully constructed of wood. Family tree. The lower half of the room shines with beautiful, warm, gold and copper light. Like an internal sunset. When I awaken, the love and intensity of the glow permeates my body and emotions. Palpable radiance. It is the main element of the dream.

Day notes:

The first time I “met” Jill Purce was on a call to her London home. She walked up a steep stairway (she said) in her house as we spoke. She must be my Grandmother Lenora. Bonnie and I leave on Thursday for Vancouver.

Today I received a long email from my cousins about our Sheehan lineage.

Saturday, July 20: I receive a Luther family tree from my uncle John in the mail today.

The Dreamsters Union