The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon

Traveler with staff standing on canyon cliff overlooking river and distant castle at sunset

Adding a Little Magic to Your Life

Posted on May 2, 2026May 2, 2026 by Marcha's Two-Cents Worth in Book Reviews, Indigenous wisdom, Native American Wisdom, Spirit Animals, Spirit Medicine, spirituality

Review of The Science of Magic: How the Mind Weaves the Fabric of Reality by Dean Radin, PhD

I’ve been a fan of Dean Radin since reading Entangled Minds and The Conscious Universe many years ago as part of my research on psi phenomena, which includes telepathy, remote viewing, clairvoyance, and clairaudience, among other things that involve some form of extrasensory perception, of ESP. Psi was a major element of my Star Trails Tetralogy series characters and influenced my foundation for Charlie’s abilities in the Dead Horse Canyon trilogy.

Radin has been researching this field of study for years, something that not that many years ago was vehemently dismissed by mainstream science, and in some cases still is. However, it’s now gathering enough momentum that more are taking it seriously. While we still do not have sophisticated enough instrumentation to detect it, with the possible exception of random number generators (RNGs), he uses a statistical approach. In other words, a literal “What are the odds?” view, showing when certain phenomena are unlikely to be pure chance, often in the billion-to-one category.

He points out that “The annual US science budget was nearly $900 billion in 2022; worldwide it is estimated to be $2.5 trillion. Of that impressive budget, exactly zero dollars was allocated for public research on psi or magic. How much might be allocated in secret is unknown, but I would be very surprised if it was zero.”

I suspect most people are well-aware that the military has been researching remote viewing for years.

Of course everything that Radin researches is something that Native American medicine men as well as Indigenous shamans around the world understand and use on a regular basis. Connecting with another very real spiritual dimension is what they do, performing supposed miracles, healing, and prophetic utterances without blinking an eye.

In this recent book he not only talks about his research but the philosophy behind it with numerous examples of encountering it in his life. Not everyone refers to it as “magic.” You’re probably familiar with the concept of manifesting what you want, which is very popular with any number of motivational speakers, especially since the movie The Secret came out years ago, which is the same thing.

One topic that comes up frequently in books and discussions on the subject is synchronicity, which is one of my favorites. This definitely fits with the concept of spirit animals, which I’ve covered here numerous times, including the previous blog. In other words, an animal that symbolizes the answer to something you’ve been wondering about just happens to appear at the right time. He has a great eight-minute video on the subject on YouTube that you can watch below.

I had this happen shortly after reading this book. I was rereading Inger Margaret Foster’s book, Always Just Beyond, which I totally love with its soft touch of the paranormal. I was to the part where this couple was buying an old, abandoned house and wondering if it might be infested with mice. (In case you’re not aware I live in an 1898 farmhouse that has hosted mice, squirrels, raccoons, chipmunks, and heaven knows what else at one time or another.)

Thus, I could relate. And about that time, I see this small darting shadow in my peripheral vision, which tends to be distorted by my reading glasses. I look over the top of them and see nothing. A short time later, there it was again, heading in the opposite direction and disappearing under a small dresser. Both my cats are asleep in the room and not the least concerned. Awhile later it happens again, but this time it stops. And yes, it’s a mouse, sitting there, right about where that knothole is on my pine floor in the picture below, looking right at me.

My cat, Poe, with his head under the dresser trying to get the mouse.

This went on for two nights in a row. The cats eventually did figure it out and tried unsuccessfully to catch it. Others that have invaded my space have not been so lucky.

After I finished reading Inger’s book, the mouse disappeared. If the cats had gotten it, I’m pretty sure I would have found its remains, though one of my cats has been known to swallow one whole versus letting my other cat get it. But I digress.

That, to me, was a definitely case of synchronicity. You have probably experienced it without recognizing what it was. In other words you’re thinking about something and suddenly you’re inundated by examples of it. Radin suggests trying it consciously to see how successful you can be. Another example, if you’ve ever worked in an office and needed to make copies of something in a hurry, is that the copier inevitably jams. Or your computer goes on strike or runs very, very slowly when you’re trying to get something done. I’m not sure if it’s in Radin’s book or elsewhere that I read that complex machines have a form of consciousness and therefore a personality. My car definitely does. Makes sense to me.

However, don’t think that it’s synchronicity when you start seeing ads on your phone, tablet, or computer after casually mentioning something with commercial potential. That’s your media, Alexa, or Siri, spying on you. Not the same. :-/

Fun stuff.

What’s fun about his book is he has a section on testing what he says to see what you can evoke. He even gives instructions! He considers this an act of enchantment. Perceiving other dimensions he refers to as divination, such as remote viewing, which requires achieving a mental state known as gnosis, where you open your mind and connect with the collective consciousness or whatever you want to call the spiritual realm.

Since I mentioned instructions, I’m sure you’re curious. To get all the juicy details you really need to read the book. Believe me, it’s an easy, entertaining read because he has an excellent sense of humor. But here are the basics for manifesting or in magical terminology, enchantment.

1. Motivation – You need a serious investment in the outcome. In intense emotional need. Know the difference between wan and need, that latter of which usually has more influence as it affects your well-being.

2. Connection – Identify strongly with the goal. It can’t be too abstract or hard to imagine.

3. Belief – No doubt that it can be manifested.

4. Effortless striving – Take steps toward it without stress or attachment. Wanting it too badly can often drive it away. Trust the Universe to deliver what’s best for you.

5. Intention – Know what you want and be able to focus on it.

6. Clarity – Clarify your intention to something reasonable. The example he uses is if your intention is to win the lottery, you need to narrow that down to why since even with some magic winning a big payout is unlikely. If you need a reliable car to get to work, focus on that, which could come about in numerous other ways than winning the lottery.

7. Gnosis – A change in consciousness to send your message to the Universe. This includes meditation, chanting, rituals, dreaming, dancing, drumming, etc. This is not easy without practice, but pick one that resonates for you and practice. He states, “Magic, like psi, is primarily effective in a non-ordinary state of awareness.”

The entire book is a treasure and I highly recommend it. (Not surprisingly to me as an astrologer, Dean is a Pisces born February 29, 1952.)

More information about the book on his website with buy links: https://www.deanradin.com/scienceofmagic

Dead Radin’s website: https://www.deanradin.com/

Other sources that I recommend on this subject are Mike Dooley and Darius J. Wright.

Dooley has regular workshops and sends daily inspirational Notes from the Universe that you can sign up for on his site. Wright is especially interesting in that he’s made more trips that he can count to “the other side” through OBEs (Out of Body Experiences.)

This woo-woo stuff is my favorite subject so expect to see more reviews of related books here. Don’t miss any by subscribing to this blog. Sign up for my newsletter for other news about my books and related subjects.

Spirit Animals 101

Posted on April 25, 2026 by Marcha's Two-Cents Worth in Book Reviews, Spirit Animals, spirituality

Stylized painting of a mountain lion with indigenous icon images.

Review of “Animal Soul Contracts: Sacred Agreements for Shared Evolution” by Tammy Billups

This book sat on my shelf for a year or so before I finally got around to reading it. I’m so glad I finally did. If you’ve ever had a close relationship with an animal, such as having one very clearly choose you at a shelter adoption event, or even an unusual encounter with a wild animal, I believe you would enjoy this book.

Did you have a fascination with a certain species at some time in your life? For example, I have a granddaughter who at one time was enamored with elephants. A friend’s son obsessed on armadillos and knew everything about them. Do you identify with a specific spirit animal? More than likely there is more behind that interest than you realize. I lean toward mountain lions.

Our soul’s connection with animals goes so much deeper than we realize. Sadly, so many people treat animals poorly or even in an abusive manner, not knowing that they, too, have souls, and are here to teach us.

When I was raising a houseful of kids, we always had pets, usually cats. Concentrating on being a parent, they had names and we did our best to take care of them, but I didn’t connect with them that much. It was apparent they had personalities and emotions, but getting in what I would call a relationship with them varied. Some felt like true members of the family while others were just there.

As I looked back on some of the events related to the pets in my life I feel absolutely horrible, now understanding more about their emotional nature and purpose in my life. They have every bit as much reason to show up in your life as the humans we interact with and often have a more profound lesson to convey than most people.

The section on “Symbolism Agreements” was particularly interesting since it related strongly to the concept of spirit animals as depicted in The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon Trilogy. Charlie recognized messages in the animals he encountered, often answering a question or offering needed insights. The introspection triggered by seeing an animal of any kind, be it a spider, bird, or deer, always has value.

It’s not like the animal is going to talk to you literally, though it’s possible, like connecting telepathically with your pets. But with a chance encounter with a wild animal, how do you discern its message? Start by considering its character traits, life style, behavior, and the nature of the chance meeting itself. One of my recent blogs about a bluebird and the lessons he conveyed can be found here.

The concept of service animals or emotional support animals goes even deeper when you learn more about the spiritual connection you may already have. If you consider yourself an animal lover, this book will enrich that part of you at a deep, spiritual level.

Highly recommended. You can get your copy on Amazon here. Available in Kindle, paperback, and audiobook formats.

Nature’s Messages: Insights from a Bluebird

Posted on April 13, 2026 by Marcha's Two-Cents Worth in Indigenous wisdom, Native American Wisdom, Northern Cheyenne culture, Spirit Animals

Bluebird flying at window with cat watching from inside.

FROM THE INTERNET

Q: What is the significance of the bluebird of happiness?

A: Bluebirds are often known as the “bluebirds of happiness”, meaning they are generally associated with the concepts of joy, happiness, and harmony. The bluebird is a symbol of hope, love, positivity, and renewal. It symbolizes the essence of life and beauty.

Be that as it may, it does not apply to this particular bluebird. I first met him last year, at which time I wrote two blogs which you can find here and here.

So now he’s back. A bit earlier than last year, when it was the end of June when he made his first appearance. Why he would be back two and a half months early, especially with this long, drawn-out winter still delivering freezes and a sprinkling of snow, is unknown.

But something prompted him to show up.

Perhaps it’s my own fault.

Maybe he’s back because I needed to hear his messages–again.

Perseverance in the face of opposition, for one. I’d recently given up on a major project. Maybe I shouldn’t.

The other? The foolishness of getting all spun-up and worrying about something that will never happen.

Something with odds similar to this bird showing up to remind me of something I already knew. Furthermore, worry tends to attract more to worry about based on “The Law of Attraction.”

Is he indeed a spirit messenger, like last year? A maiyun, as the Cheyenne call them? Come to remind me that I haven’t learned my lessons any better than he has?

Blue-eyes cat with attentive expression.

As before, my cats are enjoying the show, a nice distraction from their usually boring house cat existence. Originally, I thought the reason Mr. Bluebird was attacking the window was because of the cats. However, often birds see their reflection and think it’s competition. I now believe this may be the case more than the cats.

Either way, Mr. Bluebird is missing the mark. Cats aren’t a threat and his reflection is not competition. Is there another lesson there for me? Perhaps.

All is not as it seems. Which is something I’ve been reading about a lot lately. More on that in a later blog.

Perhaps I need to concentrate on the popular definition of the Blue Bird of Happiness as represented by this tiny knicknack that was my mom’s. It’s been around a bit, has a few scars, but maintains a much friendlier persona than the one striking the upstairs window, even as I write.

There are messengers all around if you’re paying attention. It’s too easy to get caught up in life with its challenges and miss answers right before your eyes. This is one thing I learned writing The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon trilogy with my Northern Cheyenne co-author, Pete Risingsun.

I already believed there are no coincidences. Thus, when something out of the ordinary crosses my path, I know it pays to consider what it’s trying to tell you.

Many advise getting out into Nature when you’re stressed. Perhaps the wisdom of that lies in the fact that outside is where such messages tend to reside.

One of my favorite sayings, “No life is ever wasted–you can always serve as a bad example” applies here, too. Watching this little bird fly repeatedly into the window reminds me of the numerous worries everyone has to contend with.

What window are you flying up against? There’s a target-rich environment out there these days. You can see it, but is it really a threat?

If Mr. Bluebird showed up at your window, what would he be trying to tell you? Have you missed any messages lately?

Remember: There are no coincidences.

The Book that Sent Bryan Reynolds Over the Edge (literally)

Posted on April 2, 2026 by Marcha's Two-Cents Worth in Book Reviews, conspiracies, Government Corruption, Government Policies, Story excerpts, US History

I suspect I’m not the only author who has a relationship-of-sorts with my characters. Okay, this sounds kind of weird, perhaps tripping the edge of insanity or at least schizophrenia. But what I’m saying is those voices in my head that belong to my characters can get loud and hard to ignore.

Let’s just say that the most important character in “The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon: Cheyenne Spirits” died in the Prologue.

Why?

Because Bryan Reynolds’ passion caused his death, kicking off the story that drove his widow, Sara, and best friend, Charlie Littlewolf, to put their own lives at risk to avenge his murder and find out what he found.

AI rendition of character Bryan Reynolds — Bryan Reynolds (thanks to AI)

What was Bryan’s passion that precipitated his demise and instilled such loyalty in the two most important people in his life?

Bryan had a big problem with corporations and crooked politicians running the country while the people he cared about suffered, such as homeless veterans and Native Americans living in Third World conditions.

When he discovered the Pearson Underground Residential Facility (PURF), built with government funds to protect lobbyists from an apocalypse, he went ballistic. He hacked a wealth of data related to PURF’s construction, but wanted tangible evidence. Thus, he and Sara went to its alleged location cross-country skiing, where they found what he was looking for.

Spotted by the PURF security team, they were ambushed. The accident killed Bryan and left Sara with no memory of the wreck, where they were, or why.

Scene from "The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon" of Bryan's pickup truck in Tomahawk Creek.

In the novel, Bryan’s hope was that public knowledge of this scandalous site would spark a rebellion. But upon reading more about why lobbyists are allowed to exist and have so much corporate influence on our freedoms, I realize more than ever what Bryan’s true backstory would comprise.

I never fully understood what kind of insanity allowed corporations to trample the rights of people. Now I do, thanks to the book, “Unequal Protection: How Corporations Became ‘People’ and How You Can Fight Back” by Thom Hartmann.

I have no doubts whatsoever that Bryan read this book and it’s what ignited his passion.

Do you understand how this came about? If not, let me explain. Of course it took an entire book to explain the situation in hypertension-promoting detail, but I’ll try and skip to the chase and provide the main points.

1. In 1886 there was a court case known as Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad. In the court records headnote, which is written by the court reporter and has no legal standing whatsoever, it was mentioned that the issue of corporate “personhood” was discussed, but wasn’t an issue in the final decision, which was a tax dispute. The court reporter noted that the justices agreed that corporate “personhood” was probably legitimate, but it was not the subject of the case nor was it officially ruled upon.

Screen shot of post on X that what RFK Jr. said about Democrats selling out to corporations.

2. Originally, people were referred to as “natural persons” and corporations, churches, and the like were “artificial persons” who were subject to the laws written by “natural persons” who controlled, regulated, and chartered them.

3. The 14th Amendment was written after the Civil War to grant rights to the freed slaves. One of the people who composed it goofed (though some believe and evidence supports that it was purposeful) and referred only to “persons,” which opened it up to the potential that it applied to both “natural” and “artificial” persons.

4. Since the 14th Amendment was written specifically for “natural” persons, it’s clearly a huge stretch to include corporations and other “artificial” persons in the statement. However, lawyers will be lawyers, and judges, who are usually former lawyers or at least have similar thought processes, will beat a statement to death with supposed, albeit ill-conceived, logic, until it means what they want it to mean–especially if there’s something to be gained.

5. Thus, in subsequent cases, the headnote was referenced, which inappropriately elevated it to the status of a “precedent,” and thus an influence on future trials–even though corporate “personhood” was never decided as part of an official ruling by the Supreme Court.

Corporate personhood is based on sloppy litigation research coupled with judicial shenanigans colored by political and financial interests.

It was never ruled upon officially by the Supreme Court.

Let that sink in.

Meme that states, "Not trusting the government doesn't make you a conspiracy theorist. It makes you a history buff."

Corporate political campaign contributions became acceptable in 2010 in the case known as Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. Again, based on legal precedents and no official interpretation of the 14th Amendment’s application to corporations, the way was opened up for corporations to donate as much money and resources as they wanted to political parties and their candidates based on their 1st Amendment right to “Free Speech.”

Also note that the courts have allowed corporations to lie to the public, also based on their right to “Free Speech.”

What happened to truth in advertising? It was struck down as a violation of “free speech.”

Give me a break. In my world, a lie is a lie and deliberately deceiving the public should not be allowed. What have we become that this is okay?

Corporations exploit their “personhood” rights by using the 1st, 4th, and 14th Amendments to place them above the rights of “natural persons” and any laws previously put in place to control them. They use the 1st Amendment to buy the government and lie to the public. They use the 4th Amendment, which assures the right to privacy, to avoid the EPA, OSHA, and other government regulatory agency’s inspections related to environmental and workplace safety issues. They use the 14th Amendment assuring equal rights to squash individuals and local governments and jurisdictions that attempt to institute any laws or regulations to control them that don’t apply to the public or small businesses in general.

This is why corporations get billions of dollars in tax breaks as legislative favors from those they helped elect, the funding gaps they create dumped upon small businesses and individuals to fill the gap. Is it any wonder that heartless, soulless corporations and their CEOs continue to amass unheard of fortunes while the once strong middle class is reduced to shambles?

This is why Bryan was pissed.

And so am I.

Meme that says, "In America they call it lobbying. Everywhere else in the world, they call it Bribery and Corruption."

And I’m sure our Founding Fathers are likewise beyond disappointed in what our country has become.

The rebellion at the Bostom Tea Party was against this very situation!

The East India Company was in cahoots with the British Crown and got considerable tax breaks, which resulted in unfair competition that was driving small businesses in the colonies out of business. Sound familiar? How ironic, that as the much-repeated cliche declares, “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

And another factoid that further illuminates what the government has become, consider that corporations got personhood BEFORE WOMEN DID and thus considered eligible to vote!

It is time to undo this horrific transgression. And while we’re at it, let’s also consider how and why this travesty occurred. No one elected the Supreme Court. They make decisions that affect we, the people, who have no recourse when they promote blatant corporatism or other laws with which the majority disagree.

It seems to me that Congress should be entitled to overrule such decisions with a 2/3 vote as they can a presidential veto.

This country was supposed to have a balance of powers, but they are currently skewed.

Changing the Constitution is purposely not simple. However, the world is not the same as when it was written. To amend it requires support by 2/3 of Congress. The other option is a Convention of States, which requires the official request by a minimum of 34 states’ legislatures.

It’s time.

I cannot believe this is what the Founding Fathers intended.

You can pick up a copy of Hartmann’s book on Amazon here.

The following website links are for organizations trying to do something about this situation. Check them out for more information and specifics about what you can do.

www.movetoamend.org – Focused on cutting out corporations from human rights.

www.celdf.org – Excellent site that promotes Mother Nature’s “rights” as fundamental.

This video explains what Montana is attempting to do about the situation. It would at least stop corporate contributions to political candidates.

Leave your thoughts on this issue in the comments below and feel free to share.

Finding Your Way Home

Posted on February 22, 2026February 22, 2026 by Marcha's Two-Cents Worth in Government Policies, Indian Reservations, Native American history, Native Americans, Northern Cheyenne culture, US History

*Naples, New York, January 2026. (No, it is not a black and white photo, just a very monochromatic day.)*

As this harsh winter drags on, my thoughts turn to those, especially some on Native American reservations who live in Third World conditions and don’t have a cozy home with electric, gas or propane heat. Some are lucky to have enough wood to stay warm with others not, incidents of people freezing to death too common. Such conditions are hard to imagine. I avoid going outside, especially the trek to my mailbox which lies up a slight grade about fifty yards away. Going any further is incomprehensible.

Picture of Little Wolf and Morning Star — *Little Wolf and Morning Star.*

Then I think of the thousand mile journey known as the Northern Cheyenne Exodus. After two years of captivity in Oklahoma’s “Indian Territory” following the Little Bighorn battle on June 25, 1876, 353 Cheyenne escaped under cover of darkness in September 1878 and attempted to return to their Montana homeland. They split into two bands, one led by Little Wolf and the other by Morning Star (often called Dull Knife). Morning Star’s group surrendered at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, but refused to return to Oklahoma.

Subsequently, the 149 men, women, and children broke out of their barracks on January 9, 1879 into a freezing winter storm, resulting in a massacre. Little Wolf’s band made it to Montana, where they stayed until the government finally granted land to the Cheyenne for their current Reservation.

Ledger painting by Alaina Buffalo Spirit representing the tragic journey back to their homeland. — “Tell them We Are Going Home” *ledger painting by Northern Cheyenne artist Alaina Buffalo Spirit, depicting the Cheyenne’s tragic journey back to their homeland.*

Conditions in Oklahoma were horrible, motivating them to take the risk of leaving. But other than that, what drives people to go to such extremes, to return to their homeland?

Another factor that comes to mind involves the prevailing Cheyenne belief that the Creator, whom they know as Maheo, gave them that land. This became even more viable when my coauthor, Pete Risingsun, and I were researching, “The Revenge of Dead Horse Canyon: Sweet Medicine Spirits – Novavose.” It was then we learned about their ancient sacred ceremony known as the Massaum, also known as the Earth Giving Ceremony, taught to them by their cultural hero and prophet, Sweet Medicine.

Cover of "The Wolves of Heaven" by Karl H. Schlesier — *This book provided much of the research represented in* “The Revenge of Dead Horse Canyon.”

More and more frequently those beliefs previously considered myths are being shown to be historical fact. “The Wolves of Heaven” by German anthropologist, Karl H. Schlesier, addresses the Massaum ceremony, its complexity, and meaning. He dates it as going back as far as 10,000 years. That’s a long, long time before Columbus, folks.

Is it possible that the reason the government relented and gave that land in Montana back to the Northern Cheyenne was related to that ancient covenant?

As an astrologer, another thought that comes to mind is the imprint we each receive at birth that’s reflected on your birth chart or horoscope. Its calculated based on the date, time, and location you were born and functions as a roadmap for your life. It includes your personality, strengths, and weaknesses and numerous other things about you to numerous to include here. If you leave your place of birth, the chart moves with you, though the original impression remains.

I was born in New York State, but lived in California, Utah, and Texas before winding up back in New York. Only when I studied astrology did I understand why I felt like a slightly different person in each of those other states. When I moved back it felt oddly comfortable, as if this is where I belonged, even after being gone for over sixty years. The astrological study of locational effects is known as astrocartography, which provides information on how different locales affect you.

Does that astrological imprint combined with genetic coding help migrating birds and other animals, even Monarch butterflies?

How do you feel about your homeland? Do you still live there? Did you return after a long absence? Since I have moved around quite a bit, I’ve noticed that people native to an area often look upon move-ins with suspicion, sometimes even outward hostility. This is true, even if you’re from the same country. I lived in a small town in Utah for 15 years and was always considered a “move-in” by those who’d resided there for several generations. It was the same in small-town Texas and likewise here in New York, even though I was born in the state.

Thus, it’s no surprise, that immigrants from foreign lands with entirely different cultures and languages are often looked upon with suspicion.

Hmmmm…..

Which brings me to the thought, how did Native Americans react to the invasion by Europeans? I think we all know how that turned out. Prophecy has promised them some day they’ll get their land back. If you’d like to read a fictitious version of how that might play out, be sure to read “The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon” trilogy to the end. Available in paperback, hard cover, and ebook formats on Amazon and most online retailers.

Cover of The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon Trilogy ebook.

The Dogs of Dead Horse Canyon

Posted on January 22, 2026February 24, 2026 by Marcha's Two-Cents Worth in Pets in Fiction, Spirit Animals, Uncategorized

The dogs featured in The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon Saga. A Rottweiler, an Australian Shepherd mix, and a pit bull. — Terminator, Nahkohe, and Blossom, the canine stars of “The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon.” Terminator and Blossom are service dogs, Nahkohe a family ranch dog.

According to the American Pet Products Association 2025 State of the Industry Report, overall about 66% of households own some type of pet. Pet-owning households are around 94 million with 68 million dog owners and 49 million cats owners. And then there’s my family that has three dogs and two cats and heaven knows what else my grandson has in his room.

Picture of a rottweiler on the floor of a small office.

With this in mind, I included a dog in each of the three Dead Horse Canyon stories. In “The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon” it made sense that Bernie Keller had a service dog. As a disabled vet with PTSD and an opiate problem, it made sense.

Bernie’s dog, Terminator, is a Rottweiler. He hangs out below his desk and is quick to reassure his master by placing his chin on his good leg when he appears upset, which a lot, having to deal with the likes of Eddie Johannsen.

He loves to run after jack rabbits in the field outside his makeshift office outside the Albuquerque airport or go for walks.

In “Return to Dead Horse Canyon,” when Charlie returned to the reservation to stay with his uncle Joe Whitewolf and his family, he met their family dog, Náhkȯhe, which means bear in Cheyenne.

Picture of black dog with buffalo in the background

Náhkȯhe is the typical family dog who loves hanging out with his family. He’s a mixed breed, probably part Australian shepherd, black with longish hair, and floppy ears.

As a working dog he loves living on a ranch and he really enjoyed going for walks with Charlie as he recovered from his injuries incurred while drilling for oil and especially when Charlie and Winter Hawk went for the trail ride to Eaglefeathers Butte.

The final canine character in “The Revenge of Dead Horse Canyon,” is Blossom, Sara’s service dog. Blossom is a pit bull terrier who could help her while she was confined to a wheelchair. She helped put away groceries, make the bed, and could even answer the phone or call 9-1-1 if required. At one point in that story she and Náhkȯhe actually met, but Blossom wasn’t impressed.

A pit bull terrier in a service animal vest.

She went on numerous adventures with Sara and especially enjoyed riding in the four-wheeler RV they bought for up at the cabin. Blossom did a great job of character assessment, snarling at the bad guys and wagging her tail for the good ones, and in one case, doing both when the individuals were a mix, though Sara didn’t catch it at the time. When you read that story, be sure to pay attention to the time that Blossom snarls while her tail waves slowly back and forth. Spoiler Alert: It will make sense a bit later.

Like my other characters, these canines appeared on the scenes as part of the story. I didn’t think about adding them, they just showed up. They added warmth and realism and hopefully brought some smiles to pet lovers. Pets are clearly a part of life as the statistics demonstrate.

There were a few cats in the second book, but only in one scene. Now that I think about it, I really should have given Will and Connie a cat. Or Patrice, who surely would have had a big, furry Maine Coon or Ragdoll hanging around in Cosmic Portals.

What do you think of pets in novels? Needless to say, I like them. In all the books you’ve read, which was your most memorable? Leave your answer in the comments below.

Blue Star Symbolism in Indigenous Cultures

Posted on December 27, 2025 by Marcha's Two-Cents Worth in Astronomy, Hopi prophecy, Indigenous wisdom, Native American Prophecy, Native American Wisdom, Native Americans, Northern Cheyenne culture, spirituality, Videos

Astronomical photo of Orion — Orion, with Rigel at bottom right, at optical wavelengths plus the Hα (hydrogen-alpha) spectral line to emphasize gas clouds. [Attribution: Photo by Rogelio Bernal Andreo – http://deepskycolors.com/astro/JPEG/RBA_Orion_HeadToToes.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=207932%5D

Cheyenne Blue Star

The importance of the Blue Star is not unique to the Hopi. It is also a symbol the Cheyenne revere and paint on their faces for sacred rituals such as their Massaum ceremony as well as ceremonial fasts. Originally, it comprised four triangles joined at the apex, similar to a Maltese cross. [Learn more about the Massaum and its significance as the Earth Giving Ceremony in “The Revenge of Dead Horse Canyon: Sweet Medicine Spirits – Novavose.”]

The Blue Star is currently represented by a blue diamond shape that comprises four lines, two from the hairline above the bridge of the nose to the base of each ear, then lines drawn to the base of the chin.

Rigel, a star in the constellation Orion, is what the Cheyenne consider the blue star, its rising when the Massaum ceremony public performance began.

Attribution: IAU and Sky & Telescope magazine (Roger Sinnott & Rick Fienberg) – [1], CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15407823

Navajo (Dine)

The Navajo (Dine) call Orion Atse Ets’Ozi, the First Slender One, a young, strong warrior responsible to provide protection to his family and people. Whether they attribute special meaning to Rigel is known only to their medicine men and elders because most of their star lore is considered sacred. They only talk about their constellations as part of their winter stories or to a limited extent during the summer solstice.

The Cheyenne also view the Pleiades as significant and paint it on their lodges. The Cherokee believe that is where they originally came from. This well-known grouping of seven stars is also revered by the Mayan, who return to it figuratively via sacred ritual.

Attribution: By NASA, ESA and AURA/Caltech – Hubble Refines Distance to Pleiades Star Cluster (STScI-2004-20), Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17899258

Mayan Tradition

Paul Werner Duarte, a German/Mayan descendant of the Olmec culture from Vera Cruz, Mexico, has a lengthy and informative section in Nancy Red Star’s book, “Star Ancestors.” In it he states, “The Red man has had a covenant with the beings from space since the beginning. The Red man is the Atlantean. Edgar Cayce once said, ‘Take an Aztec, take a Maya, take a Hopi, take a Cherokee, take a Cheyenne, and you’re looking at an Atlantean.’ Earth is not the original home for any human…. The Red man descended to Earth from the Pleiades; indienous people have a long history of space exploration and extraterrestrial contact.”

The Navajo (Dine) call the Pleiades Dilyehe, which translates “seed-like sparkles. Its rising and setting have been used for centuries and probably millennia to time when to begin as well as when to cease planting crops to assure they don’t freeze when planted too early or too late.

Dakota Blue Star

In the following video by Wanbdi Wakita, a Dakota elder, he explains how they came from the Blue Star . Their women had dreams about it and made it into their star quilts. He does not specify which star in the sky it might be. You cannot listen to this man without feeling his strong spirit.

Hopi Prophecy

The Hopi Blue Star prophecy is currently receiving a lot of attention with the appearance of 3I/Atlas. As far back as 1972 their holy man, Thomas Manyacya, attempted to warn the world. The video’s description on YouTube states:

The Blue Star – Thomas Banyacya: Thomas Banyacya: The Hopi Prophecy was first produced as a video letter to the United Nations Environmental Programme, at the request of the Hopi elders of Hotevilla. Thomas Banyacya, a Hopi leader and spokesman for the Hopi high religious leaders was in his 80s in 1989 when this important meeting took place and was recorded on film. In a traditional circle, Banyacya and the elders meet with visiting Lummi, Lacandone, and American and Mexican environmentalists.

They discuss the Hopi Prophecy that foretold, “Koyaanisqatsi”, meaning “life in turmoil, life out of balance,” as a result of increasing materialism and environmental destruction. Thomas carries the Hopi message which calls for universal peace and spiritual unity and how the only hope for humankind to survive is to return to connectedness with Mother Earth. Humanity must use its knowledge and technology to clean up the water, the air, and the contaminated land. At the same time, we must conserve the remaining natural resources. The individual greed of both people and nations must be replaced with global concern for the balance of life on this planet.

He repeated the message again in 1995 as you can listen to in the following videos.

Conclusion

Why is the Blue Star revered across numerous Indigenous cultures? Has the Blue Star arrived at last in the form of 3I/Atlas?

Whatever that object is, it has baffled scientists as its behavior defies the laws of physics. Is it being controlled by intelligent beings? It seems beyond coincidence that the WOW signal received back in 1977 that lasted 72 seconds came from the same place in the cosmos from which 3I/Atlas originated. Coincidence? Not likely, with odds around a billion to one.

Is it a message from the star people?

Time will tell.

Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss future updates.

Trilogy Box Set News Update

Posted on December 23, 2025 by Marcha's Two-Cents Worth in Book Status, Native American Media, Native Americans, Uncategorized

Cover of The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon Trilogy ebook box set

Sporting a new cover, the Curse of Dead Horse Canyon Trilogy box set, formerly only available on Amazon, is now a sold by most online ebook retailers with links below. See book trailer videos and download Readers’ Guides on the individual book pages on this website.

Description

The Curse of Dead Horse Trilogy ebook includes all three books of this multi-award winning Native American saga plus bonus material found nowhere else! If you hate cliffhangers and waited until it was complete, this is what you’ve been waiting for. Get your copy now and prepare to be consumed by a story that brings a vast government conspiracy face-to-face with Cheyenne history, prophesy, and ceremony. After centuries of lies, oppression and broken treaties will justice be served at last? This edition includes an addendum with a glossary of native language translations used in the three books as well as a closer look at the Cheyenne Earth Giving Ceremony.

Book I: The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon: Cheyenne Spirits
When Charlie Littlewolf’s best friend, Bryan Reynolds, dies in a suspicious accident in the sordid depths of Dead Horse Canyon he has no choice but to return to his Cheyenne roots for the spiritual assistance he needs to solve the mystery. Together with Bryan’s widow, Sara, the two set out to solve the mystery of why and by whom he was murdered, which they need to know to fulfill his last request that the corruption be exposed so the perpetrators receive their due. Those with much to lose are determined to thwart their efforts at any cost to assure that their secrets remain hidden.

“Exceptional. The intricate plot and dramatic storyline create a breathtaking and intense story.” — 5-Stars Readers Favorite

“A fascinating blend of historical mystery and the supernatural that is as suspenseful as it is entertaining. Boldly written, tautly plotted, and expertly delivered.” –5-Stars The Book Commentary

AWARDS: Page Turner Book Award; Book Excellence Award Finalist; Readers’ Favorite 5-Stars; Pinnacle Book Award; Global Book Award; The Book Commentary 5-Stars

Book II: Return to Dead Horse Canyon: Grandfather Spirits
Upon solving the mystery, Charlie and Sara set out to avenge Bryan’s death. Sara’s actions infuriate those in power, who place a bounty on her head as she releases the data Bryan discovered to Wikileaks. Charlie’s job with Lone Star Operations drilling for oil brings mixed results. His unexpected return to the Northern Cheyenne reservation in southeast Montana brings insights that change his life forever while Sara fights for her life following the most recent attempt to silence her forever.

“The depth of ethnology packed into both novels is meticulously researched and beautifully detailed. Fox and Risingsun are a dream team with this saga.” –5-Stars Readers’ Favorite

AWARDS: Page Turner Award Finalist; Book Excellence Award; Readers’ Favorite 5-Stars; Pinnacle Book Achievement Award; Firebird Award

Book III: The Revenge of Dead Horse Canyon: Sweet Medicine Spirits – Novavose
While Sara struggles with disabilities resulting from the attack on her life, Charlie pursues his spiritual journey. This culminates in a grueling four-day fast on Novavose, the Sacred Mountain, where he learns who he really is and what he must do for all Native American peoples. Be prepared for a deep dive into Cheyenne history, prophecy, and ceremony that promises to deliver retribution at last.

“Stands out for its sharp writing and complete ability to immerse readers, especially in Charlie’s spiritual transformation. [His] heritage is painted from the sky to the smallest pebble and the fire burning in between. This finale succeeds with a perfect 10 landing. Very, very highly recommended.” –5-Stars Readers’ Favorite

AWARDS: Book Excellence Award; Readers’ Favorite 5-Stars, Pinnacle Achievement Award

Vendor Links

The Next Step

Posted on December 13, 2025 by Marcha's Two-Cents Worth in Book Status, In the News, Native American Media, Native Americans, TV Series Progress

The past few months have been busy as well as exciting. Back in October I seized an opportunity to pitch the Dead Horse Canyon Saga to producer, Lisa Bellomo. Lisa is a Creative Producer and Senior Production Executive based in Los Angeles who’s experienced in developing and producing critically acclaimed independent and studio feature films. Look her up in IMDB.

My meeting with her went very well. She was receptive, asked targeted questions, and offered the following comments on the story:

“The project’s blend of government conspiracy, murder mystery, and supernatural suspense gives it commercial appeal. The thriller aspects–high-stakes intrigue, a cover-up, and a protagonist caught between two worlds–make it attractive to financiers and audiences alike. The story’s pacing, tension, and sense of danger position it well within a proven genre that performs well across both streaming and theatrical markets.

“The story features two emotionally rich, complex, and heroic lead roles: Charlie Littlewolf, a 30-something Native American protagonist on a spiritual and moral journey of revenge and reclamation; and Sara Reynolds, a strong, resourceful woman grappling with trauma and lost memory while seeking justice for her husband’s murder. These roles offer depth and range–ideal for attracting talented actors–and allow for meaningful representation of Indigenous characters in a contemporary thriller setting….”

Lisa provided a “road map” on how to proceed toward becoming a limited series. That is what I have been working on since our meeting. I have written what is known in the film and TV industry as a “treatment” that describes various elements of the story including a breakdown of episodes. I have also put together a synopsis and written the script for the pilot.

After these documents go through various review and feedback loops, then it’s time to find key creative collaborators, such as a director, lead actors, and producing partners. Needless to say, including at least one Native American filmmaker or writer will be essential for ensuring the retention of authenticity and cultural accuracy that Pete and I worked so hard to achieve in the novels.

It has been quite a revelation switching from novelist to a screenwriter. The format for scripts is very different and well-defined with it not a simple matter of cutting and pasting the dialog from the book. Scenes need to be described, but not too much, since the producers and directors will have their own ideas, plus there may be budget considerations as well. While an author can describe what a character is thinking and feeling, in a script it’s far more succinct and left up to the actor to portray.

It has been an amazing adventure so far and I look forward to the next steps as the material makes it through the various hoops. I’m working with Voyage, an organization that helps individuals make the contacts they need for their work to be developed into a feature film or for TV.

I look forward to what the new year will bring as we move forward with the next exciting step for our multi-award winning trilogy! Stay tuned and wish us luck!

P.S. I used Photoshop to create the picture of our TV with the pilot’s opening screen for my vision board, which you can see above. I just couldn’t resist. 🙂 Charlie, Bryan, and Sara are thanks to Adobe Firefly.

The Indigenous World View and the Physics of Consciousness

Posted on December 1, 2025 by Marcha's Two-Cents Worth in Book Reviews, Indigenous wisdom, Native American Prophecy, Native American Wisdom, Native Americans, Northern Cheyenne culture, Spirit Medicine, spirituality

If there’s one thing that few will argue, it’s that Indigenous people have a closer connection to the Earth and all living things than the science-based white man. They repeatedly tell us we are all related, including the animals and all other living things.

Book cover for "The Making of a Healer" by Russell FourEagles

Even what a geologist would consider an inanimate mineral can have a story to tell, as conveyed in “The Making of a Healer” by Russell FourEagles. In that book he found a stone that was shaped such that it had apparently been the head of hide scraping tool. Using his Indigenous healer gift of perception, which inspired him to pick it up in the first place, he discerned its history, from when the rock was found by a young girl, to its evolution to a tool when it was secured in a young tree to grow around it to form it’s handle.

Book cover of "The Physics of Consciousness" by Ivan Antic

Many supposed “scientists” would undoubtedly think that this was nothing short of some elaborate hallucination. Except, perhaps, a man named Ivan Antic whose book “The Physics of Consciousness: In the Quantum Field, Minerals, Plants, Animals, and Human Souls” I recently finished reading.

Yeah, that’s who I am. I read weird stuff like that. But I must admit that much of this went over my head, but what I did absorb was remarkable. And right in synch with Native American beliefs regarding the unity of all existence.

I have a bachelors degree in physics. Thus, I’ve had college classes in quantum theory. I’ve had my own thoughts on that over the years. Years ago scientists thought that light needed to propagate through some medium and theorized the existence of the aether, that permeated all of creation, including outer space. Then, when this couldn’t be detected and proven to exist, it was dismissed, the term declared verboten, and space declared an empty vacuum. Then a few decades later, they come up with dark matter, which to me, is the same thing with a different name. And Mr. Antic agrees.

The quantum world is nothing like what we experience day to day. Its weird and loaded with mystery. Gradually, science is admitting it doesn’t know everything. Big surprise! In my mind the most laughable scientific period of time was “The Enlightenment” where we were supposedly beginning to understand how the world operates.

Yeah, right.

Instead, the true essence of existence was dismissed if it couldn’t be proven in the lab in a repeatable manner. Sadly, too many people still believe that today.

Like Antic states in this book, “Since our current stage of evolution has not gone past the monkey phase, obviously that explains why we are so imperfect, incapable, and destructive, and appear to be on a collision course aimed at destroying the whole planet we live on.”

He describes the world of quantum physics as the very foundation of nature where there is nothing solid. “There is not a material world as such, it is rather a universal energy field, a big information field where everything is interconnected in one unity outside of space and time, in which all the subatomic particles communicate with one another currently and irrelevantly of space and time.” [Emphasis added]

Well, well, well. Imagine that.

He goes on to explain that the infamous Maxwell Equations that I learned in college were actually modified by mathematicians after Maxwell’s death because the world was not ready for what the originals contained. Indeed, they blasted the “Enlightenment” out of the water by recognizing the aether as well as both Hertzian and non-Hertzian waves, which are separated by the speed of light.

He notes that “There is a common belief that the earth we walk on is a conscious being.” He notes that water has “physical properties that are a characteristic of the quantum world: it reacts to thoughts and neighboring frequencies, it remembers all the shapes and informational influences it was exposed to, both physical and mental, and acts the way consciousness would act in its most elementary form. Water unites consciousness with the elements, making it the foundation of life that is present in all living beings….”

I cannot count the times I’ve seen the statement “Water is Life” in Native American context.

Antic notes that “Plants adapt to their environment showing creative consciousness in their forming…Plants live on water and sunlight, sense and perceive, have non-local communication, bond emotionally with other beings, and feel the states of living organisms in their surroundings, especially in people.”

Is it any wonder that Indigenous people have certain plants they consider sacred?

He points out that “Tree trunks are antennas connecting the earth to the cosmos; they communicate with the stars. They communicate with people who are aware enough to have communication of this kind, those who can sense in their bodies the mild signals containing simple messages, always amicable and full of affection.“ [Emphasis mine]

The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon book cover

I was delighted when I read that since that’s exactly what Charlie did in “The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon” in the chapter entitled “The Aspen” where the tree that witnessed the accident that killed his best friend gave him a clue on where to find evidence. When I wrote some of these scenes I wondered if they were realistic. My Cheyenne coauthor, Pete Risingsun, assured me that they were.

And there it is, in a book about the physics of consciousness.

Out-of-body experiences, such as near-death experiences (NDEs) have an important message in that they teach individuals directly that they are not their body but immortal consciousness. Per Antic, “For as long as we remain identified with the physical body as the only reality, we cannot know the true nature of consciousness and existence.”

This explains the reason why people who have had NDEs often are changed upon returning to their bodies. In the Dead Horse Canyon trilogy, both Sara and Charlie are different after going through NDEs. In many instances I’ve read that one is necessary for one to become a medicine man or shaman because it opens up their perception to other dimensions.

Shona Bear Clark in Nancy Redstar’s book “Our Star Ancestors” states, “I had been dead for seven minutes. I was in pure light. I didn’t see or hear anyone in the light, but ever since then I have been able to hear people thinking. I can see a person’s spirit floating above his head, which tells me a great deal about the person.” She goes on to say, ” I have lived a long life, continually aware of the existence of other realities and of strange, magical beings who can traverse the dimensional barriers and enter my world. These are things Indians rarely speak about to White men. But we are changing all that now.”

I found it profound, satisfying and gratifying to find the phenomena depicted in mine and Pete’s books to be validated by a book that describes the “physics of consciousness.”

Undoubtedly what is commonly called our current “civilized” world is a gross overstatement.

Antic’s book, of which this is one of many, is not an easy read. I think I underlined a substantial percentage of it due to its wealth of fascinating content. Many paragraphs I had to read several times before I could grok what he was saying. It’s a book I will definitely read again. If you’re interested in what consciousness really is and its amazing implication, then you might want to pick up a copy on Amazon here.

If you enjoyed this blog be sure to subscribe so you’re notified when a new one is posted. I plan to do several more posts on this subject in the days and weeks to come. I also invite you to read “The Curse of Dead Horse Canyon” trilogy, which is loaded with examples of Indigenous culture and their connection to dimensions most people cannot see and some claim don’t exist.

Like Antic noted, sadly too many are still at the monkey stage.