How To Listen For Spiritual Messages - The Message of The Cardinal - Revisited

11-2012: When you entertain the idea that animals may have messages for you and they present themselves to you at particular times in your life for a reason, then you become more observant. In the past, when I went for a walk, I would hear the songs of the birds and enjoy them but now I look to see where the song is coming from and what the bird might be.

The bird that has graced my world in abundance these past months has been the Cardinal. Male or female, in pairs or clusters, they have been ever present seeming to want me to pay attention. So, let's see what the Cardinal might be trying to say, shall we!

(From the book called "Animal Speak" by Ted Andrews)

11-2012: The song of Cardinal is loud and clear. It seems to say "Listen closely, now! Pay attention to what is happening around you. It's time to listen especially to your inner voice. What is it telling you about your health and well being? Can you feel creativity and intuition growing inside you? Pay attention. Listen closely. Hear the messages!"

11-2012: It's said that the cardinal eats weed seeds and injurious insects so the message of the Cardinal might be to watch what I'm eating. Some things might not be good for me. "Be careful with your diet. It might be robbing you of vitality".

This past week, I was told once more to keep a log of food eaten each day. When I did this, I found that although I might be eating good food,there was not enough of some and too much of others. And based on when I eat it, in the day, it may cause me to be too hungry too soon or not fuel my body well enough to be active throughout the day.

Who knew that eating was an art? Ok, I'll keep the log and pay attention.

4-3-2013 In March 2013, I was diagnosed with diverticulits. I found out too much of a good thing is not good for me! I had to give up seeds,nuts, and grains to bring myself back to health. I had been overdoing all of them - whole grain breads and pasta, oatmeal with flaxseed, bread with flaxseed, peanut butter with flaxseed, protein bars, popcorn for snack. The cardinal message was spot on. I should have focused more on balance.

11-2012: According to my Animal Spirit Guide, Cardinal is actually named for the cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church because of their bright red robes.

I was raised Catholic! The message could be just a reflection of my past religious upbringing but my inner voice hears it more like a lecture!

Oh my god, this is the spirit of my mother!

"Have you been going to church? Are you taking time to pray? You know God is watching you!"

The truth is, I cannot lie, I have stopped going to a church but I feel closer to God than ever before. So don't worry mom. I'm still planning on being allowed into Heaven someday!

11-2012: It says that the male cardinal makes a good parent, standing guard, providing food, taking care if it's young. It says that the message is to reflect on my responsibilities with my family and recognize the task that lay in front of me right now.

I know that the task is my brother. I know that there is a need for me to step up my responsibility towards him. Reading the message makes me think that someone is watching, waiting to see if I will do the right thing. It's an overwhelming task. Will I make the right decisions. Will he get the right care? I'm trying to do the right thing!

4-2013: It was true. All of it! We couldn't get to see him in December for his birthday, so we sent gifts - Soups that he could make just by adding water, a new crock pot, and a portable dvd player with some movies. In January, he fell and broke his hip. We went to see him in the hospital, only to find out that he had been transferred to a hospital closer to our home. When we asked why, the nurse said "Well, he will need reconstructive surgery after the radiation treatments for the cancer." WHAT CANCER? Apparently, while cleaning him up to analyze the broken hip bone, they find a large growth on his jaw. Further testing indicates that it is probably cancerous. So, my brother, who lived so far away that we could only make the trip once or twice a year is now minutes from my home. I will be able to help!

For two and a half months, I have to step up. He needs me. He is a very sick man. My mind races with projections of the future. Where will he live? How will we keep him clean and sober? Will we be responsible for his debts?

In the end, I didn't need to worry about any of that. I needed to just love my brother. He died on March 25, 2013.

I think I did what I was supposed to do. I hope the spirits felt the same way. I tried my best.

11-2012: They are so bright. They stand out in the tree. Their message to me is let go of those neutral colors. The safety of blacks and browns and beige is boring. Time to brighten up my world with color!

Whoa! This is harder than one would think. I have been one who prefers to blend in with my surroundings. Now if I listen to the message of the cardinal, I am supposed to turn the lights on, so to speak! I'm not used to being bright! I'll have to work on that one but it's kind of fun to think about!

11-2012: So, I never thought that one day I would be reading books about animal messages! Who knew that they even existed? But, with this book and others, I am enjoying the world outside more than ever before. The messages bring a sense of peace to me. It feels good to think that there are spirits watching over me, protecting me, and now guiding me. I have opened up my mind to see and hear the breathing of others and it makes me feel safe!

4-2013: Back in November, I was intrigued by the possibilities of animal messages. Now, I am a believer! Not only do I look for messages for myself, I took cards developed by Steven Farmer to my brother each day as well. The card that spoke to him most clearly was the Falcon. The message said "Even if you don't feel fully prepared or have doubts in your ability to manage the complexities that are inherent in tackling this adventure, dive in anyway." We didn't know if it was trying to tell him to fight the cancer or to accept death but it went on to say "Commit to it 100%". So we told him that no matter what his decision, we would be there with him 100%. The message of the falcon brought him peace but so did we!