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The Ask Maya archives
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Please note: Maya's opinions are not always those of the management!

Ask Maya for the 2nd week of January, 2003
Ask Maya for the 3rd week of January, 2003

More "Ask Maya" archives on pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10

Ask Maya for the 2nd week of January, 2003:

Dear Maya,
I have a question about our pets remaining with us for a time after death. For years I've wondered if where the pet dies and how the body is handled makes a difference. Over many years of losing various companions, with some I've felt their presence Very strongly for quite some time afterwards. With some I've thought I saw them out of the corner of my eye but there would be nothing there if I looked directly at the spot. A friend, who lost a very elderly solid black cat, just Knew Rosie was still there with her. Then she had various visitors to her home over a period of years mention seeing her black cat, not knowing that she no longer had one. To get back to my question, it seems to me that the pets who have died at home continued to be present. Those that were put to sleep at the vets' and the bodies not brought home didn't linger. Or, at least, I didn't Feel their presence. When I had the vet come to the house to put Pearl to sleep, her presence was Very strong. In fact, I had started losing chickens when she became too ill to patrol. The day she died, the chicken loss stopped. An AC told me that Pearl was back on the job and would be for as long as she "was allowed". The AC also said that Pearl would be having some sort of 'review' and that she hoped to be allowed to return to us. Might youhave some input on this?
- Paula

A response from Gretchen:

Hi, Paula.

This is a very interesting question, and I, too, would love to find out if Maya can clarify things at all. Just as a preface, I will tell you that in my experience speaking with animal spirits who had passed over, they were not at all concerned about what their person did with their remains, although they were sometimes touched when the person asked if they wanted something special done with them. More often, they would be more concerned that the person do whatever ceremony made the humans feel better, but not hold onto the remains forever, and recognize the spirit has moved on and could now be free and happy.

Also, animal spirits have mentioned to me sticking around near their people for awhile before moving on, and the time period for that seems to vary depending on the animals' preferences and how much the people need them. As for moving on, some mention reincarnation and some are more vague, mentioning "other things" or "work" they have to do in the spirit world. I have also had a few animals tell me that they stick around while they wait to see what their next "assignment" (for lack of a better translation) will be, so maybe there is some sort of "review" process that occurs between the animal spirit and the powers that be. Hmm. Let's ask Maya and see what she says!

Best wishes,

- GK

Dear Paula,

First of all, before I answer anything, I have to complain that Mama G stayed home from work today, and now is spending all her time in the other room with Those Other Ones -- what's that about? Also, she told me she is posting their pictures on the Internet so [the animal communicators' group list] can ask them questions, too. Let me assure you, they are STU-PID. I don't know why you'd want to talk to them at all unless you want to know How To Be Irrationally Afraid of Things or How To Pee All Over The House WHEN YOU KNOW YOU SHOULDN'T. But, anyway, I will be benevolent and allow it. You have fair warning.

Okay, ooh -- a question! One of those metaphysical ones! Those are my favourite!

I can tell this is a very tender subject, so I will try not to be so blunt, although you know that's my nature. [Struggles trying not to be too blunt.] Okay... well, the truth is, it doesn't really matter what happens with our bodies when we leave them. If they can get eaten by other creatures, or go back to the land, or even scattered on the wind, that's fine, because we're no longer with them. Frankly, I find dead bodies, when you're out of them, a little sad and embarassing. Although I am sure I will make an exquisite corpse. Anyway, in the animal world, we accept that we will move on from our bodies, and they will provide nourishment to creatures or to the earth (and the Earth). Either way, the energy that was the matter gets released eventually.

I hear that you humans can also donate used parts of your body to people who need them. I think that's pretty clever and pretty cool. I think I'd do that, too, if I could -- although I'd kind of like to have a say in who's worthy of getting my innards!

Likewise, it doesn't matter where we die, as long as it's not a violent death that confuses the spirit, or the peoples' energy doesn't block us. What I mean by this is, some animals can be discombobulated if they die suddenly or in pain or in an unfamiliar place. This may cause them to "disconnect" for a while and need to go through some rest time and healing in the spiritual world. This does not mean they don't love you and want to see you. It just means that they have to reconcile with their own deaths and whatever pain, physical or spiritual, went along with them.

People's energy can block them from seeing or feeling a deceased pet, too. This could be because they don't believe the animal spirit is still there, or it could be because they feel guilty for euthanizing the animal in an unfamiliar place, or because they are still envisioning the animal in that place. If they can get over that and relax, it might help them [the people and the animals].

So, you see, there can be several barriers that may prevent communication between a spirit pet and their person, though none of them are anyone's "fault", and they can usually be surmounted with a little work and help. Also, if the animal had to rush RIGHT NOW to do an assignment or be born another place to fulfull its destiny, that might mean it's gone sort of... incognito, too.

Okay, so you want to know about assignments, and where we go after death. That is a very complicated question, and I could go on and on about it! But I will try to be succint. Are you ready? Here goes!

When we die, we have lots of choices. A lot of them depend on our spiritual path, and some of them may be influnced by our beliefs while we were alive. They may also be influnced by the spirits and people around us. For example, a spirit may choose to come back to be with another spirit it loves, in energy or physical form. It may also choose to manifest itself in a way the spirits it loves can understand. For example, in dreams, as a "ghost" or "apparition" or as a vision on the "Rainbow Bridge" to what you call Heaven. All of these things are appropriate and possible, as the possibilities are almost literally endless!

A spirit can even choose to punish itself, if it wants to, but let's not go into that just now. It's pretty depressing.

Now, as for the review, it's not really a "review", per se, as much as a sort of... Gathering. It's a Gathering of the Energies that make up and influence that spirit. As the spirit is individual, but at the same time, One with All There Is, it feels the influence of its own "will", but also the course of its path... that is, the inevitability of what it's Meant To Do. There are forces at work here, gentle but powerful, and just as you may have felt compelled to do things in life for various reasons, so it is in death (which is also Life, but of a different kind, without a body). Eventually, everything converges and the time is right for that spirit to move on to its "assignment", which may be a path of personal growth, a path that entwines with familiar loved ones, and also a path that effects key energies that influence and balance the Universe. It's extremely complex when you think about it, but when you FEEL it -- it's all so simple and wonderful! Does that help?

Well, I can see that this might blow your mind here, so I'm gonna sign off for a while now. Besides, it's getting time for some crunchy nibbles.

I hope this lesson answered your question and made some sense to you, and I will be happy to answer more questions as they come up.

Love and Light,

- Queen Maya, who is feeling very spiritual and benevolent and satisfied with herself after all that.

Ask Maya for the 3rd week of January, 2003:

Dear GK,

Has Maya ever spoken about the consciousness of plants, trees, or rocks (such as crystals and gemstones)? Are they "individuals" or do they have a "group consciousness"?

What kinds of spiritual jobs do trees do? One tree told me they have "different agendas" than humans, but didn't explain it. (Maybe I need to work on my "slow talking/listening skills." I'm used to chatting with birds.) Are fruits and vegetables conscious? I'm detecting some type of energy from them, but not sure what at this point.

I've also been having some unusual healing/learning experiences with gemstones recently, and started thinking about strange stuff like what happens when a rock is cut into smaller pieces or a crystal breaks. How about why would a spirit incarnate as a rock? Stuff along those lines.

How does Maya react to a mirror? Does she understand it's a reflection of herself and not another animal?

...oh, yes. Lots more [questions to come]. ;-)

-Keri and the Flock

Oh, Keri. My aching head! Okay, here's what Maya says.

- GK

Dear Keri (and all those birds you have),

Mom G and I have not spoken much yet about plants or rocks. For some reason, she has not asked me about it. I suspect she's "too busy" (meaning she's not ready yet!) or too distracted or mind-blown by the whole thing. Plus, she probably wants to ask the elephants, who talk in this really hoity-toity, deep, meaningful way... which is fine, as they should, 'cause they're really very special and wise and fantastic. On matters like this, I think it's okay for Mom G to ask the elephants. In fact I encourage it! Why do you think I got her to talk to them in the first place?

Anyway, let's see what I can tell you, as it's really quite complex. (Also when I give Mom G all the information it's kind of like a mind- blast and she has to sort it all out, so I have to be patient. She's funny!) Okay, there are zillions of kinds of life on the Earth, both spiritual and in physical manifestations (also beyond the Earth, but I'm trying to keep it simple!). Trees and rocks are some of them.

Rocks are a slower type of life-form and also very patient. They are so rooted/grounded/steeped/attached to the Earth that they are almost (and sometimes are) a PLACE, as much as a being. When scientists speak of carbon-dating and all the geological history rocks can show, they ain't just whistling Dixie. Rocks hold not only the "chemical" history of the Earth (and other places), but also the vibrational and spiritual histories. Rocks commune with the sun, earth, water and wind to get these histories, and absorb many energies (they also absorb energies from space and different dimensions, so think about THAT one for awhile!). Different rocks may absorb different energies in different ways. Some people figure these out by subjugating them to "electricity" or other waves of energies. They can see that quartz vibrates, and other minerals react in different ways, but this is not the whole of it. These are just clues to what the true spirit and energy of the rock is.

The good news is, rocks don't mind being talked to, although some are more crotchety than others (like all beings!), and you can often get an answer... although sometimes you may have to wait a long time to get it! Crystals are like rocks but finer, more "pure" or "absolute" in their particular energies. This does not make them better, just better at different things. Kind of like a person who studies ballet all their lives is great at that, but other people may have more diverse talents, like a little soft-shoe, a little baking, and a little talking to cats!

Do rocks and gemstones have "group conciousness"? Yes, but they are also individuals, although they are more connected than humans usually realize themselves to be. To expand on my metaphor of the ballet dancer, you could say rubies do ballet, agates are miners, hematite is kind of cool, like a Matrix-y guy [thanks, Maya, for that colourful description - GK] and amber is a historian. [Is amber really a rock? - GK Don't bother me, I'm on a roll. - Ms. Maya] They may communicate with and hang around their particular group more often, and they share specialties and intentions, but that doesn't mean they can't talk with or work with the others in other ways. Let's face it, it takes all of them to make a whole, just like how boring would it be if every person on the world did the same thing, and how long would we survive without each specialty, like doctors or bakers or inventors or farmers? (By the way, I'm putting this much more eloquently than my Mom is typing it, but she can't take it. Humans!)

Okay, trees. Trees are really cool, because they are literally attached to the earth and sky, and must be, to survive. They are kind of like rocks, in that they commune with all the elements, but not quite as slowly, and they are more immersed in the TRANSFERENCE of energies between these forms. A rock feels, observes, and is made up of energies that build over times, but a tree CHANGES the environment, as well as being One with it. Pretty cool, huhn?

Anyway, what we can learn from trees is how they take in all things and give out again. A tree draws energy and even spirits from the earth and sprays them into the sky again, then takes them from the sky and down into the earth (and the Earth). A tree is a PATHWAY, a PLACE and a BEING, too. Trees are wise, although you will meet younger and older trees and trees of different temperments, too. Plus, trees are easier for some animal-types (like humans) to understand and feel with than rocks because they are not quite as slow. In fact, the vibrational energies of trees might be incredibly high as pathways, even if the psychical individual of the tree iteself is more slow. So, if you have trouble slowing down to the speed of a rock, try a tree -- they are slow, but they flow quickly underneath, too. Also, you may find that trees in different places may have slightly different agendas. This is because they are balancing their particular section with the others of the Earth. But that's getting complicated...!

Sure, fruits and vegetables have energy. EVERYTHING has energy! How do you think those fruits help you to live? Fruits are generally not terribly cognizant, on the level you would think of, themselves, as their major focus is to deliver the seeds within them. But imagine what those seeds might have to say!

Another metaphor: Fruits and some little plants, like annual flowers, can be looked at kind of like the insects of the plant world. They are mainly focussed on what they have to do for survival, so you may not get a lot out of them individually when they're busy. Better try talking to the "Oversoul" or group consciousness of them.

Oh, and if a rock is split, it's meant to be split. It still retains the over-spirit of the rock, but has new perspectives, although they might be a little dimmer than the first.

Why would a spirit incarnate as a rock? Why NOT? Listen, everything has a path and a plan and what it needs to learn and what it's good at. For some spirits, a mammalian form suits what they like, can do and should do best. For others, it might be a plant or a rock. And maybe in one life the spirit might find out that it could learn valuable things or lead an appealing life by being the other form. If you take a deep breath and think about it, really imagine yourself as a rock... maybe by the ocean, or warmed by the sun... feeling the slow ebb and flow of the Earth and the Sky and their magnetism... just being and knowing on such a long, yet peaceful scale (unless you're newly formed by lava -- but that's another detail)... doesn't it sound like it could be appealing, sometimes?

In fact, I highly recommend you (and everyone else) spend some time every now and then imagining what it's life being life in another form, and what you would like about that, from that form's perspective.

Finally, whenever I first see myself in a mirror, I think "who IS that GORGEOUS thing?" Ha ha HA! But really, I generally know who it is. The thing is, you have to understand that cats in general, and I in specific, have very different vision than you have. So, it's hard to explain what we see. Let's just say sometimes I see myself, sometimes I'm distracted by something else -- like another reflection or light/energy playing on the mirror's surface -- and sometimes I just play a game with myself or my humans!

There... that should be everything you wanted to know, for now!

And now you've exhausted my human! I hope you're happy! Hee hee hee!

Best wishes, love & light, and all sorts of other things so Mama G keeps typing!

- Maya The Cat

More "Ask Maya" archives on pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10

Copywright 2002-2003, Gretchen Kunz