For Vibration Magazine -2003

By default, I am an undertaker to the wild animals in my neighborhood. Behind my house, just north of Toronto, there is a tiny wilderness corridor that offers marginal space for a few wild creatures. In the midst of massive urban development, some intrepid muskrats, skunks, mink, ducks and geese, and even an occasional fox are valiant testimonials to Nature’s adaptability. When I encounter them, I am filled with delight and respect but when a creature dies, I tearfully carry its little broken body back to my home. Testing for the essences it needs to complete its journey, I anoint the eyes, beak or mouth, and heart chakra before burying it in my garden.

I feel so helpless when an animal suffers but I know that opening my heart, even in grief, deepens my humanity. In our heady, over-stimulated culture, it takes a lot to genuinely touch us, but animals do this in remarkable ways. They remind us about our instincts and the natural wisdom of our bodies, something that we all too often ignore.

Essences can help to bridge the communication gap between human beings and the animal kingdom. Doctor Do-Little isn’t the only one who can talk with the animals! If we are open, our pets can offer personal wisdom that is as profound as any spiritual guide.

As an essence practitioner, I sometimes help pets at the end of their life-cycle by making combinations to support the animal and, if the client is willing, also for the owner. While communication is available to us at any point, near death the veil between human and animal is particularly thin. Soul-to-soul, we want to be present to our beloved pets and essences can help us be receptive during this heart-opening process.

A healer friend, struggling with whether she should put down her suffering cat, called me for assistance. She knew that she was too emotional to be completely clear and detached. When I tuned in on the cat, I expected to find a very weakened vibration but instead I felt a tremendous vitality. “Samantha’s got a lot to tell you, Donna!” I said. Feeling like I was speaking for the cat, I suggested Donna open to receive Samantha’s wisdom. For a full month before her death, as well as tending her, Donna tuned in and received messages from Samantha. Initially they seemed curious, but as Donna persisted, she realized that she was being given a totally new approach to her healing practice. Though the death was still difficult, Donna knew she had fully honored Samantha. And Samantha’s gift was to be heard by the woman that she loved so deeply.

Willie, a 17-year-old black lab, is like a child to his mistress, Helena. Knowing this would be his last winter, she asked for an essence. I encouraged her work with her own grief and also the field between them. Helena agreed. As soon as she started using the essence, she felt a tremendous ease in her heart. She could begin to entertain Willie’s death without dread. Willie brightened too, but Helena knew this would probably be temporary. Analyzing the combination, I saw that Helena had an opportunity to make an equally powerful transition in her own life. The essence would help Willie’s transition, but meanwhile Helena’s focus with the same essence should be on what is emerging for her now. Lastly, I asked invited her to work with the field between them. She puts a few drops in her hand and focuses on the field between her and Willie, celebrating the steadfast loyalty and deep affection that has nourished both of them throughout these years. Without fear, she invites the essence to bless and gently release this field as Willie moves on.

As more and more species become endangered, we need simple heart-tools to work with the animal kingdom. We cannot cage all of them in some modern-day ark or extract their DNA to re-create them later on. The entire nature of our relationship with the animal kingdom needs to shift. Essences can strengthen the vibrational link between our open hearts and our animal friends. Why should we bother? Because they are some of the most articulate ambassadors of Nature’s wisdom.

Andrea Mathieson is the creator of the Raven Essences. Her dog, Galen, talks to her all the time.