Lessons from the Animal Kingdom

by Valerina Brookes

Earlier this year I felt drawn to learning and understanding how to communicate with animals after having experienced some close encounters with animals which seemed ‘magical’,  but I was unable understand the meaning of these ‘encounters’.

One day whilst having lunch in a local cafe with my husband I spotted a leaflet that advertises green and alternative events in the Devon and Cornwall area. I noticed an advert for an animal communication course and after checking that the price was affordable I made a note to call the number to talk about the workshop and to see if it was something that would suit me. I tried the telephone number several times unsuccessfully but did not leave my name and number; I didn’t feel comfortable doing this—not normally a problem for me. I then decided to look on the Internet to see what I could find and after nosing around the workshop leader’s site I decided that this particular workshop was not for me, but I was very interested in someone who had been mentioned on the website—another animal communicator. I went straight to the site and after reading her details and experiences I immediately felt that this was the ‘place’ for me. I looked at the workshop details and spotted one in Portugal in June and promptly sent various emails to see if there was space for me. I got the ok from the owner of the B&B who was hosting the workshop at her home and she turned out to be a semi-retired Medium called Zena, and so we had some interesting conversations!

On arrival in Portugal I was met by a friendly taxi service who drove me to The House of Swallows near Moncarapacho. I arrived just before the beginning of the last day of another group who were doing the same course. I was introduced to Madeleine, the animal communicator running the workshops. I immediately felt very comfortable with her, just as I had whilst reading her website. We had a quick exchange of ‘hellos’ and ‘how are you’s,  and I then made myself comfortable outside while their workshop got underway.

I joined in the lunch with everyone and had fun talking to the students about why they had come on the course, and what their feelings were so far. Some of them had struggled a bit because they had not been involved in basic metaphysics before, but were open to having a go because of their love for their pets and animals.

When it was time for the students to leave everyone had big smiles and chatted amiably, wishing me good luck and saying that I would enjoy it. This added to my feelings of joy that I was where I needed to be, and that I would enjoy the workshop at whatever level was right for me.

The next morning I was upbeat and ready to go, and as the other students arrived it felt wonderful to meet new people and to sense a warmth and familiarity with them.

We had to watch out for ‘Shadow’, one of Zena’s cats, as she liked re-arranging pens and paper, and I actually saw her doing this during my stay!

Our morning session went well, as we discussed the animal ‘totem’ card that we had each picked, and their symbolic meanings.  We also did a meditation that was incredibly powerful for me and linked in part to the card that I had chosen.

On a more personal note, I had an interesting encounter with another of Zena’s cats during our morning session. The cat is called ‘Monster’ because of her sometimes erratic behaviour. She startled me as she came into the room by rushing underneath my chair.   Minutes later she settled at my feet in a very gentle manner.   I was wary of her,  but I took no notice until Madeleine suddenly said “She’s got a message for you” and proceeded to mention a past life, and my association with cats at that time.

Our afternoon session was a mixture of things including ‘dowsing’ for answers to questions about ones pet or one of the animals present in the room.

We worked in pairs to dowse with pictures and with samples of your pet’s hair.   I did enjoy it, but felt slightly awkward:  I do not have a pet of my own, and therefore my partner had to work from pictures of the animals I had encountered earlier in the year. I felt my partner did very well in using her intuition, and said something about one of the animals that I felt was very uncanny,  as I had felt drawn to writing a story about this animal, and part of that story was a link to what had been said to me…

We all enjoyed the various animal stories that Madeleine regaled us with, and the variety of experiences that she has had.

As day one drew to a close, one of the students who had been struggling throughout the day, and had been given a lot of encouragement by Madeleine, said she would think about whether she would come back the next day, as the workshop content and language was totally unfamiliar to her and not part of her belief system. At all times she was supported to be herself and to accept what was right for her, which was very refreshing to hear and experience.

Day two, another hot sunny day and the day when students could bring their pets! The student who had been struggling turned up and was greeted by all of us, particularly for coming back and seeing it through. She explained that the pet she was having trouble with (hence the reason for coming) had actually behaved differently, more open to physical contact that evening when she returned from the course.  We all hoped that it was the work that she had attempted to do and the loving thoughts passed onto this pet.

During the morning session we were graced with the presence of ‘Tiger’, another of the cats who liked to just wander in have a look and wander off. This time he came in and Madeleine told us that he had told her to get on with the meditation that we were about to do.   Then he promptly leapt onto on her lap, and after being stroked for a while, he spread out on her lap and proceeded to give her messages for each of us! It was amazing because every message seemed to be very pertinent to the person that was receiving the message. My message was that I would write a book about human and animal relationships, which made me smile, as I have been wanting to find a writing course in order to give me the confidence and courage to write stories.  I have no formal training, and it is a way that I would like to express my creativity. I certainly had not discussed this with Madeleine and therefore she had no prior knowledge.

After his wonderful messages, Tiger promptly got up and wandered off to the nearest sofa.

We then had a meditation where we were to meet our Power animal.  Again, it was a very powerful experience for me, although I was unable to share with the group as I felt very emotional—but happy!

We worked outside in the afternoon with our fellow students’ pets, and one of Zena’s dogs. We studied animal chakras; dowsed with our pendulums looking for any perceived ‘in-balances’ ; and to see if we could see what the colours were, and clear the imbalances wherever possible.

Everyone in the group  left with big smiles on their faces, with some wanting to know when Madeleine would return for the next stage of the course.

I thoroughly enjoyed the workshop.  I met some lovely people and had fun with the animals. I felt that I had received the basic techniques in animal communication, and that there is certainly a lot more to be learned, along with getting some practice in!

Madeleine is a warm, funny, kind-hearted person who is a very positive facilitator and is passionate about her work and is committed to doing her best for animals, people and the planet.

My stay at Zena’s home was very relaxing; she and her husband Richard worked hard to make it as comfortable as they possibly could.

A week or so after my return, I emailed one of the ladies whom I had partnered and had felt very comfortable with, and in her reply she told me about the Wisp e-magazine, and how she had been asked to write an article about her experiences at the workshop. She felt writing wasn’t for her, though, and asked if I would be interested.   Well, I did laugh at the synchronicity and said that I would think about it.

I thought about it and what ‘Tiger’ had said and decided hey, give it go, you have nothing to lose and a lot to gain in self-confidence if nothing else so…

‘Thanks’ TIGER!

Valerina