The Lion That Has Always Walked with Me

When I was a little girl, I always felt as though there was a large, beautiful lion walking beside me.

I didn't know who he was. I didn't know why I could feel him. I simply knew he was there.

At the same time, I had an enormous love for animals, nature, and our beautiful planet.

I was very conscious of not littering, even as a young child. I remember watching the anti-littering PSA on television and crying because seeing what we were doing to the Earth genuinely upset me.

So, at about six years old, I decided I was going to do something about it.

I would go outside and pick up any trash I found in our yard. Then I would move on to the neighbors' yards. Truthfully, there wasn't very much trash. But to the six-year-old me...any trash was too much!

One day when I was in first grade, I had already cleaned our yard and three other yards when I moved on to another neighbor's yard. Underneath a bush, I spotted a glass soda bottle partially stuck in the ground. As I reached down to pick it up, a group of girls came into the yard. One of the girls walked over, placed her foot directly on top of the bottle I was about to pick up, and with her hands on her hips demanded that I tell her what I was doing there.

I was only six years old. There were several of them. And yet, strangely, I wasn't afraid.

Instead, out of nowhere, I felt an incredible sense of courage rise within me. I smiled at her and calmly explained that I had decided to help my neighbors and the planet by picking up trash.

And then something beautiful happened.

Her entire demeanor changed. She looked at me and said: "Great! We'll help." And they did.

Suddenly, instead of one little girl picking up trash...there was a group of us.

Years Later, I Met Archangel Ariel

As I grew older and began consciously learning about and working with the Archangels, I eventually came to know Archangel Ariel.

Ariel's name means "Lion of God."

Ariel works closely with animals, nature, the environment, and our beautiful planet. Ariel also carries an extraordinary energy of courage.

Suddenly, so many experiences from my childhood began to make sense.

That beautiful lion.

My connection with animals, especially cats.

My deep love for the Earth.

My passion for protecting our waters and natural environment.

And even that unexpected courage I experienced as a six-year-old standing in someone's yard.

I began to recognize that perhaps Ariel had been walking beside me long before I ever knew Ariel's name.

There's also something interesting about the way I experience Ariel.

When Ariel appears to me as the magnificent lion I've known since childhood, I experience him as male. But when Ariel appears to me in Archangel form, I experience her as female.

To me, this is another beautiful reminder not to become too attached to how we think an Archangel is supposed to appear.

The Archangels aren't limited by our human ideas of physical form or gender. They may present themselves to us in the way that allows us to most easily recognize, connect with, and receive from them.

What has remained consistent for me isn't Ariel's physical form.

It's the energy.

That unmistakable presence I've come to recognize as Ariel.

And that beautiful lion who walked beside a six-year-old girl picking up litter is still with me today. I still find myself picking up trash when I'm walking along the beach. And when I do, I often feel that same beautiful lion beside me, seemingly very happy that I'm still doing my small part to care for this magnificent planet.

Courage Doesn't Always Roar

There's another part of my childhood story that I understand differently today.

When that group of girls approached me, I didn't yell. I didn't become defensive. I didn't run away. I simply stood in what I knew was right and calmly explained why I was doing it.

And something shifted.

Instead of challenging me...they joined me.

Perhaps one of Ariel's greatest lessons is that courage doesn't always roar.

Sometimes courage quietly stands in its truth.

And in doing so...inspires others to stand beside it.

As we begin September—a month that invites us to gather the wisdom of where we've been while preparing ourselves for what comes next—I think this is a beautiful question to consider:

Where am I being called to courageously honor who I already AM?

Maybe there's something you've always cared deeply about.

Perhaps there's a gift you've had since childhood.

A calling you've continually felt.

A cause that touches your heart.

A creative passion you've put aside.

An aspect of yourself you've hidden because you were afraid of what others might think.

Or perhaps there's something your heart has quietly known for years that you're finally ready to acknowledge.

Sometimes moving forward isn't about becoming someone new.

Sometimes it's about having the courage to become more fully who we've always been.

Connect with Archangel Ariel

I invite you to find a quiet place sometime this week—perhaps outside in nature—and invite Archangel Ariel to join you.

Take a few deep breaths.

Place your hand over your heart and simply say:

Beloved Archangel Ariel,

Thank you for walking beside me.

Help me recognize the parts of my TRUE Self that I am now ready to express more fully.

Show me where I am being called to live with greater courage and authenticity.

Help me honor what my heart knows to be true and give me the courage to take my next step.

And help me recognize your loving presence in a way that I can easily receive and understand.

And so it is.

Then...don't try too hard. Remember everything we've practiced together over the past month.

Ask

Allow

Notice

Pay attention to your Clairs. Notice what repeats. And remain open to how Archangel Ariel chooses to make her presence known to you.

Perhaps you'll see a lion.

Perhaps you'll encounter an animal.

Perhaps something in nature will capture your attention.

Perhaps you'll suddenly feel an unexpected surge of courage.

Or perhaps Ariel will surprise you with something completely different.

Let the experience be yours.

Because one of the greatest lessons I've learned from the Archangels is that they don't always arrive the way we expect them to.

And sometimes...they've been walking beside us far longer than we ever realized.

Love & Light,

Joelle St. Germaine

P.S. Looking back over your childhood, was there an animal, color, feeling, recurring image, passion, or presence that you now wonder may have been connected to one of the Archangels? Hit reply and tell me about it. I'd love to hear your story.

P.S.S. In Archangel Mastery™ Level 1 Certification, we're doing exactly what I've been sharing with you in these newsletters—learning how to recognize the Archangels' unique energies, communicate with them, receive their messages, and build our own personal relationships with them.

There's still time to join us and receive the replays of the classes you've missed. And this week in our journey together, you'll have an opportunity to meet and work more deeply with Archangel Ariel herself.

Register at: https://joellestgermaine.com/order-4301-5545