I invited Sally to be a part of the Wisdom Series because, well, because I adore her. Sally Gentle Drew, or @Sally_G, as her devoted Twitter followers know her, is probably the most supportive and encouraging person I've ever known.Her writing is engaging, her ideas original; she reminds me, often, of that bright-eyed child who can always be found staring into a tidepool or  gazing at a supermoon and calling, "You have got to see this!" Her curiosity is infectious, her joy in the little things - and her ability to find the deeper meanings running beneath them, astonishes (and moves) me.To me, Sally's is the wisdom of generosity and heartfelt encouragement.I am pleased and proud to introduce her to you.* * *I am an English Major. At least, that's one label (of many) that affixes well to me.From an early age, the finding and tracing of patterns and threads through written work fascinated me. Being able to 'see the future' before actually getting through all the chapters based solely on the clues provided between the lines was such a thrill. I felt like my favorite female detective, Nancy Drew, in my sleuth-like ability to interpret key messages before they were actually stated out loud.Things haven't changed too much. In fact, I like to think of my Self as a Spirit Sleuth ~ one who can interpret the symbology of the Universe and the Divine in a meaningful way so that choices and decisions I make come from a place of confidence and inner peace vs. doubt and insecurity.I have not entered today's Wisdom Circle to talk about me though. What I do is not necessarily special. No more so than an English speaking American who travels abroad and then startles others around her with a capacity to speak the language native to the travel destination. Or the guy who stops to help when he sees you pulled over to the side of the road in your car - and then lifts the hood, tinkers with this and that and wishes you a safe journey, having just fixed the problem.Accessing the wisdom of the Universe does not have to be complicated - nor does it have to be done with the services of a hired consultant. Like anything else, it is a practice - a skill set that grows more proficient over time, if consistently applied. The key is this: be willing to see things differently than you're used to seeing them. Then put on your Super Sleuth hat, grab your Clue Recording Notebook - and join me on this brief foray into your Inner Intuitive Wisdom.

The wonder of symbolic sight ...

For the purposes of this exercise ~ you are being invited to treat this as a game and to give your intellect a 15 minute break to occupy itself in some other fashion.Spirit Sleuths need imagination, observation and the ability to connect the dots. (Remember 'connect the dots' from when you were younger? An image lay on a page and to see it clearly - you connected the dots all around it, rendering it 'visible'.) We are all qualified to serve as Spirit Sleuths; in fact, we generally enter the field at a very early age. This is going to be fun. Are you ready to get started?

Let's do it ...

Look at this picture as an artist might, or a poet, or a writer, or even - a child.What grabs your attention? After taking it all in, where do your eyes seem to be drawn?On a piece of paper (your Clue Notebook, if you please), briefly describe what you see. Using adjectives in your description will be helpful. What did this aspect of the picture remind you of? Did a memory pop up in your mind that surprised you? How does looking at this aspect of the picture make you feel? Jot your observations and feelings into your Clue Notebook (okay, onto your piece of paper) ~ we're about to ask your intellect back into the exercise and it will need the clues you have recorded to make a final assessment.I'll foreshadow by saying that there is no right or wrong answer here. In the comment section below, I'll be inviting you to share the aspect of the picture that arrested your attention ~ and for those willing to share in more depth, what message that aspect contained that was particularly meaningful to them.I will also say that what grabbed the attention of some, may have gone completely unnoticed by others. And vice versa. The reason for this is that the picture was speaking directly to you ~ and so your interpretation will not be the same as someone else's; unless, of course, you're facing similar challenges from a similar place in life.Okay, back to the exercise.

Oh, one more question first ...

Before you apply your observations - it is helpful to have a context within which to apply them. So - here's the next step: think of something that is challenging you right now.Or maybe there's something you're holding back on or on which you're afraid to render a decision of one kind or another.Think of that right now ~ you're about to give yourself some valuable insight that may provide perspective that will shed new light, and even clarity, to the situation at hand.

Ready? Great, let's synthesize!

With your challenge or quandary foremost in your mind ~ look at the observations and clues you've jotted down in your Clue Notebook. How does the information contained there help you to see your challenge or quandary differently?Is the 'thing' that's holding you back or blocking you now apparent to you? Is what you're uncertain about now visible? Are the qualities you need to move forward presented to you on the page?Look at the picture again in the context of your challenge. What is the picture telling you now?

We have more wisdom within than we often respect and honour.

I was drawn to the shadow. And in the shadow, I saw myself with my arms up in the air 'in Surrender'. At first, I thought that I was giving up and about to walk away - given that there are so many images of 'dying' or 'dead' in the picture.However, I feel that, for me, the shadow has stepped out from the image of the root growing new life at its tip in its best version of creating something new from something that is past ~ and the shadow is saying, "Alone, you do not have enough information to formulate your next steps at this time. Surrender to the infinite creativity and support of the Universe and all its Divine Beings and let yourself be swept up in the wonder that is yours, for the accepting."And so, I did. I did Surrender with the desire that I would be guided to wherever my gifts may best serve. And within the hour - I received an email from Amy Oscar asking if I would contribute to her Awakening Wisdom Series with the process I use to access symbolic sight in my every day life.

The world needs more Spirit Sleuths ...

The funny thing about Spirit Sleuthing is that people are fascinated by the process once they get a chance to see it in action. It is definitely one of those "I'll see it when I believe it" kind of deals. How thrilled I'll be to have company in this exciting realm of clue finding and interpretation!I'd LOVE it if you'd share what aspect of the picture grabbed your attention ~ and if you're so inclined, the meaning and significance that you attached to your observations.[And if you'd like assistance interpreting the aspect of the picture you focused on ~ then please share where your attention was drawn, and perhaps we ALL could offer our own Intuitive Guidance as to what that may symbolically represent.]