Free Advice from Animal Reiki Shaman, Rose De Dan
Reader Question: My cat, Delilah, was killed by a Red-tailed Hawk. She had been sitting on my balcony and the hawk swooped down, picked her up, dropped her on the ground, and ripped into her body, eating her. It was devastating to me, that she died, and of course seeing her mutilated body was terrible. Was this death her "destiny"? Did she have a contract with the hawk; in other words was it her time to die, and this is the way she arranged to leave? Please, any comments you may have might help to comfort me. ~Sandra
Response from Rose: Dear Sandra, I can fully understand your distress at suddenly losing your cat Delilah in such a traumatic way.
You ask if this way of leaving was her destiny--a challenging question to try to answer in a way that is supportive of your feelings.
Perhaps it will be easier if we consider this from an archetypal rather than a personal standpoint.
Red-tailed Hawk soars above the Land, Master of the Sky. Its keen vision sees all and yet it has the ability to see the slightest movement and detail. Hawk rides the breath of the Wind and soars with Great Spirit, and is sometimes called the Messenger. It is a being of the Wild.
Cat sits in the sun, basking, secure in her territory--her domain is the Earth. Her senses are tuned to mute the cacophony of sounds and sensory stimulation of daily life with people; she has learned to lower the volume on her senses.
Normally that is a good coping mechanism for her world, but not this day, when Domestic meets Wild. Today Cat's spirit joins with the Wild, and Heaven and Earth are reunited.
In her spirit state Cat understands that even in the physical world all is connected in the web of life and that she lives in Hawk as Hawk lives in her. But her person is sad, and Cat is aware that her Human does not see the entire picture as she now does through the eyes of Hawk, and Cat wants her to understand.
Together Cat and Hawk suggest an ancient remedy for the Human who stands outside the Wheel--a ceremony of Fire for transformation of pain into healing.
| Transformational Ceremony of Fire
On one side of a blank sheet of paper draw symbols and images that represent the pain and anger of loss. Perhaps there are also feelings of guilt, of somehow being responsible. When done, let go of the painful feelings and focus on the happy memories of your time together with your loved one, and draw them on the other side of the paper. When complete, roll the sheet of paper into a tube with the pain and grief side facing inward, and tie with string, colored yarn or other burnable tie. Call up your love and gratitude for the life shared and the lessons learned, and blow it into the tube three times. In an outside fire pit or grill build a small fire in a safe area. Light the fire, open your heart and feel the energy of the fire. When it feels right, place the tube of paper on the fire. Once it has begun burning draw the energy of the smoke into your heart chakra. Sit with the fire and listen with your heart. When the fire is embers offer your thanks. Do not leave the fire until it is safely out. Grieving is a process; repeat this ceremony as often as needed. |
Rose De Dan,
Animal Reiki Shaman
Disclaimer: Rose De Dan shares insights derived from spirit and through animal communication. Any advice she offers is not meant as a substitute for veterinary care.
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Blessed be – what a wonderful, gentle way of understanding. In this way one is grateful for the life you have shared with Delilah, grateful for the life of the hawk, and understanding of the cycle of life and the way earth meets sky. One’s sadness at loss is addressed, and yet it is let go in the flames and life is celebrated. Thank you so much. xo
A beautiful answer for such a difficult event.
Thank you, Debbie and Eileen.