inner self. In flies Frog triumphantly, and Moon shuts her mouth and swallows him. Frog is gone.
The Cruise Ship sails on through the night. It is heading East toward morning, away from the West and the creatures of the Water. Where Old Trout is no doubt waiting still.
Well, that’s a nice story, isn’t it? But what does it mean? Does it answer the journeyer’s question, “Should I quit my day job?” Yes, it does.
First, she is told to get a teacher, someone who knows how to leap. Frog appears and tells her not to worry, that he is here to teach her how to leap like a frog.
The second lesson is to get an overview of the situation, to see beyond the immediate present. Frog teaches her to stretch so she can see the entire river system and the Western Sea.
Third, don’t minimize the dangers. Yes, Old Trout is really there, and he is probably hungry.
Fourth, practice your new skills in a safe place. Frog and the journeyer practice squatting and stretching many times, before actually jumping.
Fifth, aim high, even if it seems to be impossible. Jump onto a Cruise Ship, or even to the Moon.
And sixth, when you are ready and have done your preparatory work, let go and leap in spite of your fear.
Animal spirit guides do not play by human rules or live by human logic. But by journeying in their realms, we can bring back their wisdom and apply their gifts to our lives. By the way, the Journeyer was me, and I did indeed quit my day job and go out on my own, as a freelance writer. Old Trout hasn’t eaten me yet.
Kim Pearson is an author and ghostwriter who has ghostwritten or edited more than 30 non-fiction books and memoirs, plus authoring 7 books of fiction, poetry and non-fiction of her own. For more information click here.
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