Inspire17 Toad King

"Hello, little ones, I am home again. This time I have brought for you a ray of sunshine and a mission of hope!" Gently walking through the thicket of grasses a tall, slender, gentle man smiled openly to the inhabitants of the valley. As birds sang a welcome song, the gentle man continued, "I have been to a land far away, I have seen many new ways. We will soon have peace in the Valley."

Grandmother Toad anxiously said, "You see, there had been peace along time ago, before the 2-leggeds came to know this beautiful paradise. It was a place where the birds flew freely, the ants roamed without a care, and the toads could travel to their place unharmed." Then Grandmother asked, "What have you seen, Dear One?" " I have seen a time in the near future, where the 2-leggeds will walk among the flowers and streams aware of their beauty and grace. Where the light of our Creator will shine through my brothers and sisters, their own suffering will be ended and then they in turn will stop the suffering of the other beings of this wonderful place we call Earth" answered the man.

This man was different than most 2-leggeds of the late 20th century. He spoke to the animals. He lived in a small shack nestled away in the woods by the stream in the Valley. The man would walk each day, and even some nights among the living beings of the grasses, sky, and water. By the light of the moon he would praise the miracle of life. His heart would swell. "What can I do for you Holy Spirit?" He would pray. "What can I do to help make this world a better place to live?" He would ask. And the Creator would answer, "Be a light in the darkness, be the voice of those who can not speak, be a protector of the weak and helpless, be an example of an open heart to those who have chosen to close theirs."

It happened that this gentle man came to earn communication with the beings of the Valley some time ago. He had been living in the Valley peacefully, when one day a bulldozer came roaring through the trees and shrubs pulling them out by the roots, smashing them down! Then the big machine came and laid down black sticky tar. Now the people of the nearby town thought this was great because they could get from their town to the other much quicker than before. But the creatures of the forest were upset. Can you imagine a road being built right through your house?

Well, it's what happened there in the forest. The home of the forest creatures was being destroyed. At first the creatures thought it might not be too bad. But as time went by they found out different. The toads, who normally spent the day traveling a path that crossed where the new road was, continued their travels. They did not know the dangers that were before them. SSSSSppppplllat! A big metal thing with wheels, (the toads later found out it was called a car) ran right over brother Toad. There was much sadness on that day. As the toads gathered to figure out what they could do, each day the problem got worse. The gentle man noticed what was happening. He had remembered his talk with the Creator and wondered what he could do for the weak and helpless. "Ali, Ha! he thought, "Since the toads travel this way every day, and the cars travel that way every day, I can find a way to help the toads across without danger."

And he did just that! He built a fence on both sides of the road to stop the toads from being able to cross. Now, you might think that was not nice, but he did more. He put a bucket near the fence and when the toads climbed the fence, they couldn't get over and they would fall into the bucket. Every morning when the sun came into the sky, the gentle man would carry the bucket to the other side of the road. The toads were free to continue on their joumey to their place. And at the end of the day, the toads would joumey back towards the road, come upon the fence on that side, climb and fall into another bucket. When the sun would begin to set in the valley, the gentle man would come again and carry the bucket to the other side of the road. The toads would now be able to continue their joumey in safety.

It was this act of kindness that brought the creatures to be able to trust this gentle man. As all creatures, they find ways to honor one who has done something for them. So, on the 15th day of June, the toads gathered with the winged ones, the tree people, the finned ones, the plant beings, the elemental beings (you know, faeries and little people) to celebrate the life of this kind 2-legged who had helped their people. There was much celebration, food and joy for all. An honoring time was held and the gentle man was given a name. He was called, "Toad King". It wasn't like he was the ruler of the toads. Everyone knew that. He was the protector to the ways of the toads. One who found compassion to help those who could not help themselves. He had the means and knowledge to do that. So he did. And they honored him for that.

So, now Toad King had a very difficult choice to make. He had been guided to make a very big change in his life and everyone's around him. It made some curious, and some afraid, afraid of what the future might be without Toad King around.

Grandmother Toad again spoke, "You have traveled far Toad King, how is it that you can help the 2-leggeds appreciate the life that the Creator has given all of us? How can you teach the rest of the 2-teggeds to "Be a light in the darkness, be a voice of those who can not speak be a protector of the weak and helpless and an example of an open heart to those who have closed theirs?"

Toad King answered, "I have traveled to a place called Turtle Island, across the sea. There are others like me there. There is much more open land. We are coming together to as a community. We will dance and pray together. We will build our homes in ways that will not intrude on other living things. We will grow our own food, so we do not have to depend on others to ship food to us. This way we do not have to use the preservatives and pesticides that harm Earth. We will open our hearts to those who seek healing. We will teach the other 2-leggeds a better way to be, to be more aware of their environment, to know that they do not need all these "plastic" things to make them happy. If they can learn to open their hearts, find the space of love for one another, appreciate the beauty in a flower and the awesome feeling of the wind through their hair; they will then begin to understand why it is that they are walking this Earth."

Just then Yellow Canary raised her eyelids, as to ask permission to speak. "Yes, my Dear One," acknowledged Toad King, "Do you have something you want to share?" Yellow Canary perked up and softly said, "I have a song to share, one which I made up a long time ago, when I too was thinking of these things." "Then share!" exclaimed Toad King, "It is a time of celebration for all to be part of." Yellow Canary shyly came forward and began her song:

Energy flowing so simple and free
Flowing through every plant, bird and tree
Flowing through rivers and mountains and plains
Flowing through people, remains the same.

I picked up a Robin's shell left lying on the ground
A symbol of, birth I love,
Wonder to be found
Dark becomes light,
Birth becomes flight.
I gazed up to hear where life begins.
I gazed up to hear where life begins.

When looking in the eyes of friends I know that Spirit's there
They're vehicles in my life that let me know Spirit cares
Take time to look,
And you will see,
We move the Spirit endlessly.
We move the Spirit endlessly.

The marvel of being comes through us everyday,
Opening, life to us, there be no better way.
The ground below,
The sky above,
Everywhere we look we love,
Everywhere we look we love.

Energy flowing so simple and free
Flowing through every plant, bird and tree.
Flowing through rivers, and mountains, and plains,
Flowing through people remains the same.

As Yellow Canary finished her song, all the hearts of the beings of the Valley were opened. "It is a wonderful gift you give Yellow Canary." Toad King proclaimed. "I will take this back to the 2-leggeds. As their voices sing this song, their hearts will open."

The following year was tough for Toad King. He had to leave his valley, the safe place he came to know and love. The place where he could walk among the grasses, stroking the ends of the tall blades with his gentle hands and help the toads cross the road when the sun rose and set.

As he sat by the babbling water of the ever-changing stream, Toad King knew that, as the meandering stream teaches, nothing stays the same. The people of the nearby towns were being drawn into the Valley, because of the serenity there, the peace. Toad King had brought to the Valley a way of harmonious being with all that lived there. All beings communicated, including the Toad King, a 2-legged. Would the townspeople notice why this place was so special? Would they follow the example of Toad King? They certainly had the choice. The choice to leave behind their ignorance and become aware of their connection to the other living beings in the Valley.

In the meantime, Toad King had to leave. His calling was to do this same thing somewhere else. To walk the Earth, showing other 2-leggeds how to appreciate the beauty of all of life. The sacredness of every step we take. The sacredness of the wind, the rain, the sun, and the stars. It had become his mission to teach others of these ways. With a vision of hope that each 2-legged could "Be a light in the darkness, be a voice of those who can not speak, be a protector of the weak and helpless and an example ofan open heart to those who have closed theirs."

HARMONY: A LUNAR CHRONICLE
Many thousand years ago our ancestors intrinsically knew that all of creation was connected. They knew that planetary movement, seasonal changes, human physiology and psychology; as well as life and death, were in sync with each other.

Harmony - A Lunar Chronicle is a 13 month circular Calender characterizing the daily Lunar phases. This workbook helps you realize the relationship of your emotions, physical being and thoughts with the phases of the moon. By doing so you will be able to understand your connection to the ebb and flow of the Universe, which you can help bring Harmony and Balance into your daily life.

Each Lunar phase contains a special influence over our lives. Connection with these influences is one of the simplest and more efficient ways to attune ourselves and put order in our lives according to the universal rhythms. This allows us to know the most favorable moments to create our plans, make wise decisions, and to develop creativity. The purpose of this course is to increase our capacity to experience our relationship with Lunar energy.

Attunement to the phases of the Moon

Techniques to connect with the Lunar energy

Practical ways to bring the Sacred into everyday life

Artistic experience of Natural rhythms

Introduction to the practice of Meditation

The creative use of color and sound

The transformation of character

Teachings for Groups or Individuals can be set up via phone and/or in person. Shayna has graciously stated her intentions are to travel in order to assist the All That Is.

Shayna is an ethno-spiritual, energy worker, natural health practitioner and teacher/writer.

Shayna has been a "Seer" since her childhood. For the past 25 years her life experiences have included different religious, spiritual, and cultural paths; American Indian, Celtic, Pre-historic and Matrifocal cultures, cultures of the Middle East and Mexico, Buddism and Hinduism. Shayna is a spiritual counselor, teacher/writer, ceremonial leader, health practitioner, and catalyst. She offers teachings and ceremonies in the areas of Harmonic Living - Lunar Attunement, Sweat Lodge, Parenting, and Blessing Ways - Coming of Age and Menopausal Rites.

Since 1974 Shayna's medicinal work has included Herbology, Homeopathy, Auyureveda, Flower Essences, and Harmonic Balance - the light energy work of The Divine Mother.

Shayna has authored a "playbook" called Harmony - A Lunar Chronicle a 13 month circular calender that charts the daily Lunar phases. This workbook helps the participant realize the relationship of their emotions, physical being and thoughts with the Lunar phases. She has also authored a children's story about the coming of a new day and a new way, "The Toad King," as well as, "What's the Matter with Kids Today?," a self-help parenting book.

As an International Teacher Shayna's work emphasizes recognition and intergration of the concept of "Mitakuye Oyasin," we are all related; humans,animals, plants, fish and even stones! She uses drumming, song, art, journeying and storytelling to weave her teachings of honor, respect, compassion and open heart into the magical tapestry of Life!

WORDS FROM 'TWEEN
Special thanks to Shayna for her wonderful additions to 'tween's library of articles. We hope you enjoy her work's valuable insight and feel nothing but unconditional love as we do at 'tween. Thank you, Shayna.