It has taken quite some time for me to write this post, given that it is about my venturing north to K’Gari (Fraser Island) to work with the whales again in August 2023. Since then, I have been receiving further information and have only just now been “instructed” by the whales and the Butchulla People (the indigenous people of that area) to get this blog post done.
It is a long one, but if you can, take the time to read it as there are important messages here for all of us.
After previous trips to K’Gari to work with the whales, I naively thought that there really “couldn’t be much more for me to learn” from these magnificent beings. Oh, how wrong I was!
The first whale I connected with during this trip was the female matriarch who was also my first connection the year before. With her very young calf by her side, she caught my attention with a “Welcome Back” and then followed with, “It’s Me.” Even my logical brain saw this as significant. Having my friend and whale worker of many years, K, by my side, I was elated to let her know who had just connected with us. This connection was followed soon after by a male who was very vocal and really using his “voice.” As he swam away, he told me, “Don’t be afraid to use your voice.” In that moment, I thought that was an odd thing to say, but having communicated with animals for almost 20 years, I knew to listen to the wisdom of this whale and to let what needed to happen on this journey unfold as it needed to, without my interference of trying to figure it all out.
As I had in previous years, I was “instructed” by the whales to sleep up on deck near the water. I don’t get a lot of sleep on these trips as there is so much information being passed on from many different beings and a lot of it comes through at night. On the first night, the male who had made himself known earlier that day was slapping the water close by and vocalising again. I then received a collective message from the whales, “We feel no shame but we feel yours.” I felt it was not just mine but on a global level that they were talking about. They continued, “Humanity needs to connect more deeply to their shame. Go towards it on all levels. Stop hiding from it. It is time to face up to the consequences of your actions and the shame that comes with it. Time to take responsibility for your actions. Time to step up and show up like you never have before.”
During a walk on K’Gari, I experienced a connection with the past indigenous Butchulla men who had formed a line along the top of the sand hills on K’Gari.
(Above) The sand hills on K'Gari (Fraser Island).
Image © Kerrie Searle, 2023
All my work in the previous years had been with the whales and this was the first time that these men had shown themselves to me. At this time, there were also 9 whales in groups of 3 close by. As I connected to the energy of the Butchulla men, they showed me “nods of approval” at us being on their land. As I welled up with emotion, I turned to the whales and asked if I was doing ok in the work I was doing, both internally and in my business. The reply was, “For a human, you are doing ok.” It reminded me of Dian Fossey’s message to me in 2019, “Your work is needed on the planet, so get on with it!”
I feel and see many of the indigenous elders from the Bunurong People on my land here in Rye, Victoria, Australia. Given this was the first time the Butchulla People had made themselves known to me, I knew it was time to be still and listen to them. Much of what they had to say was in alignment with the whales (and other species) in that we are now being required to be accountable for our decisions and actions and the impact that these have on the planet. The Butchulla men were clear that actions that occur due to poor decisions made as a result of disconnection would no longer be tolerated.
At the time of this journey in 2023, a lot was being spoken about the Orcas that had been ramming boats in Europe. Time and time again we have not listened to, nor heeded, the messages so now the Orcas, humpbacks, dolphins, indigenous people and many other species say it is time for them to act. Each time we set foot on K’Gari, the Butchulla men of the past watched intently to see if we “walked” from a place of connection and respect. Once they could feel that we were, they would give a silent nod of approval to be upon their sacred land.
At times I feel the enormous pressure of having to always get it right and be fully connected at all times in order to keep showing up for myself and others, especially in my work. Then I hear myself, time and time again, reminding a client that as humans (which the animals say comes with some limitations!) we will not get it right 100% of the time. What I do see, however, is the acceptance by the animals and the indigenous people when I am genuinely working at being the best connected version of myself, even if this means not always achieving perfection. I am told over and over again by the animals that there is a big difference between the human who is genuinely working at trying to live from a place of connection, as opposed to the human who is not consciously working at being so. BUT… there is no longer room for excusing such disconnected behaviour and both the animals and indigenous people who communicate with me will no longer excuse or tolerate such disconnect on the planet. We can no longer contribute to the harm on the planet and not be held accountable for our actions. We all need to do our part.
When it comes to whales, science is now providing such evidence of the harm that humans are causing. Sonic disruption has shrunk the whales’ spatial perception with the increasing noise of sonic blasting, ships and aeroplanes. The International Animal Welfare reports that the distance of the vocalisations of whales born 70 years ago has decreased from 1,600 kilometres to just 600 kilometres. Whale manure increases the abundance of plankton, which is known to absorb carbon dioxide and emit oxygen. One whale equals more than 1,000 trees of carbon absorption. Just a 1% increase in phytoplankton equates to the sudden appearance of 2 billion mature trees. Whales soak up to 30 million tonnes of carbon each year which equates to 1 billion trees!
Whales have a part in their brain that humans don’t have. Part of their brain has extended out right adjacent to their limbic system which processes emotions. Whales have highly elaborate emotional lives. Both dolphins and whales have a sense of self and social bonding that they’ve taken to another level - much stronger and much more complex than in other mammals, including humans. Where there is a mass stranding, whales stay by each other. Their sense of “self” is distributed amongst the group. First Nations people in the USA and old fisherman call the Orcas “blackfish”, and state that they are an animal with great spiritual power and are not to be meddled with. In the wild, Orcas are a very matriarchal society and males are kept at the perimeter. Different pods/families of whales have different genes and different languages and subcultures. When we squeeze Orcas into close proximity in captivity, we are forcing different cultures together which can cause aggression, violence and killing that we do not see in the wild.
When whales migrate, they drop up to a third of their weight as they eat very little when migrating. Whales need to consume a rosy diet of krill which produces a pink milk which is 50% fat that a calf consumes 400 litres of per day. Calves are weaned from 6-10 months and at 1 year are independent. The blow/spouting that we see from a whale is the condensation of the breath heated in a whale’s lungs and can travel as much as 3 metres high. If you have read my first TALES FROM THE WHALES blog post, you will know it was the breath of one of the whales that landed in the bowl that the WHALE ESSENCE was being made in!
This year, it felt important to give something back to the whales and the planet. As she did the year before, C brought along some clear crystals and I came with many of my blends, including a number of bottles of the WHALE ESSENCE that we had made the year before. We were asked at different times during the trip to put drops of the WHALE ESSENCE into the ocean. What was interesting to witness was the logical part of myself that questioned whether it was "worth doing this" and how could just a few drops in such an expansive space make any sort of difference and how could placing a few clear crystals into the ocean have any impact on the planet. I was then reminded of the time I made the SEABERRY SALTBUSH Mother Tincture and felt the same way when asked to place drops into both the bay and ocean. I received the same strong message then, that was coming through in this moment:
“Ours is not to always know the impact or ripple effect of our work and actions and where it lands. It is trusting that it does. There are possibilities that we can’t know or imagine. It is trusting that if each and every one of us does what is asked or needed to do, the ripple effect multiplies and multiplies, but we are ALL required to contribute. It sometimes feels like a jigsaw puzzle that is not complete until all the pieces are joined together and click into place to make it complete.”
I was also reminded that at the same time that I was working with the whales I had a client (and friend), J, who was travelling to Arnhem Land to work with the indigenous men there. He had taken bottles of the WHALE ESSENCE that the whales had requested to assist with the work he was doing. At the same time, our skipper, P, was playing and talking about his didge that had originated in Arnhem Land. Ah, the connections!
With the dawn of a new day came the intense feeling of shame (my own and on a collective global level). I was instructed by two whales nearby to play the clapsticks I had made many years before when visiting Bob Randall at Uluru (for those of you who may have known Bob, I do have permission, love and encouragement from his wife to speak of, and pass on his messages).
(Above) Barbara Schacht Randall with her husband the late Indigenous Elder, Uncle Bob Randall.
Image © Barbara Schacht Randall, used with permission.
I sat on the landing area and as I started to play, I was overcome with the energy of shame for not being good enough and that I should stop as not only do the whales not like it, nobody does. Tears were streaming down my face and K leaned over my shoulder and reassured me by pointing out that the whales had come over to the landing. K told me it felt right as she too was crying. I “heard” from the whales that it was not “how” I played or how good or bad the playing was, but the intent and the energy that came with it. In that moment, I was able to witness the feelings of shame and feel the acceptance of my playing from the whales. There was no judgement about my playing but a simple enjoyment and appreciation for what my intent was in the playing. My heart expanded as I played with love and such awe for these magnificent, wise, extraordinary beings.
(Above) Kerrie's clapsticks crafted during her time in Uluru, NT, Australia.
Image © Kerrie Searle, 2023
At that time, Bob Randall placed his hand on my right shoulder. It has been some years since Bob passed, and I was taken by surprise that he was there in that moment. I spent a number of occasions years ago listening to Bob’s story, teachings and wisdom and it has always stayed with me. In that moment, I could feel the shame he felt for simply being himself and I remembered him speaking of different times he had felt this. As I was still playing my clapsticks, the energy of my own and the Collective’s shame was moving through my body and I heard Bob’s voice - in his gentle, yet firm and wise way - saying, “Keep going, keep doing your work.” As my heart opened and expanded even more, the tears continued to flow. I had reconnected with Bob’s wife, Barb, after making the WHALE ESSENCE last year. Barb sent me a beautiful message about my work that can be read on my testimonials page.
We had sailed further south from Rooney Point, which is at the farthest most point of the Fraser Coast and is not subject to commercial whale sight-seeing boats, nor are camping or vehicles allowed. The energy of the land was noticeably different there and I "saw" a group of Butchulla men emerge from the trees. Instead of forming a single line as they had at Rooney Point, they gathered in groups. They told me that they were not just observing, but needed to be vigilant about the humans who drove, camped and walked upon their land here. As I asked why, two 4wd vehicles “thundered” past on the sand. The Butchulla men explained that there are times when the energy is inappropriate and as they were explaining this, they were stamping their feet and pounding the ground with their spears. They told me that this released the energy from the land that was just left behind by the two vehicles. They were angry and frustrated at the lack of respect by humans on their land.
I then communicated with the Butchulla men about our respect and mindfulness of our impact when we were on their land. They nodded in approval and indicated that the playing of our instruments, as well as the song about the whales written and played by S on her harmonium, and the playing by P on his didge, was most welcomed by all of them. I was then told I was to play the drum I had made the next day. I again became aware of Bob Randall standing with his hand on my right shoulder. I then saw the Butchulla men on the shore bow their heads in respect for Bob. They “knew” who he was and there is an unspoken feeling of reverence. In that moment, Bob “vouched” for me, conveying to the Butchulla men that I, and this group, upon the boat, do come in respect. Bob told them that we were there doing “the work.”
The following day saw the whales come with a calm, gentle energy and we again ventured onto K’Gari. I was walking with K and C and was thinking about all the information I had been receiving, when I noticed thousands of tiny soldier crabs on the sand where we were walking. I then heard “thud, thud, thud” each time I stepped on the sand and realised that this was the crabs showing me how loud even the most gentle steps can be. The whales also joined in with a reminder of how they spoke of the “footprints” we left last year, and how this interaction with the crabs was a huge reminder to “walk gently” on Mother Earth.
In a group conversation that same day, I was sharing the messages from the whales, crabs and Orcas. The first Silverback gorilla that I had encountered in Africa in 2019 also joined the conversation. He spoke very strongly about the destruction humans are wreaking on the habitats of many different species around the world. As we humans were discussing this and how some humans make poor choices unintentionally, there was an overwhelming chorus from the animal kingdom that said, “This is no longer an excuse for your behaviour. It will not be tolerated anymore.” At that point, the Orcas unequivocally stated that they were "done with excuses" and that it was time to step up, deepen our connection and make better choices or face the consequences of our actions. The Orcas then indicated that the ramming of the boats in Europe at that time was a way to get our attention!
While we may ponder what difference an individual can make, the animal kingdom is very clear. They say that every small step that each of us chooses to take can have a huge impact on the world when combined with others doing the same. Walking more mindfully and making more connected, kinder choices is not only something we CAN do, but MUST do. We are no longer being asked by the animal kingdom, it is being demanded and expected.
The animal kingdom has for a long time made allowances for the “limitations” that come with being human. When I started this work about 20 years ago, the animals were constantly asking their humans to step up and be more present to both themselves and their animals. What I see now is that the animals will no longer excuse a “limitation” that occurs again and again due to being disconnected. As I was told by the whales just prior to coming to work with them, “You’ve got work to do before you get here.” And I really did.
This reminded me of when I was traveling to Rwanda and Uganda back in 2019 to work with gorillas and visit the grave of Dian Fossey. For months leading up to the trip, I had a constant feeling of dread and was working through a number of layers of my “stuff” (the reason for which became evident when we became lost for over 5 hours in the dark on the mountain and had to be rescued….but that’s another story for later!).
(Above) The Silverback Gorilla who I "met" during my 2019 trek in Rwanda, Africa.
Image © Kerrie Searle, 2019.
In those months, a big grumpy Silverback who had joined the earlier conversation (who was the first gorilla I “met” in the physical on my first trek) had been communicating with me and guiding me as to where, how and when I was to travel. He also made it very clear, “Don’t turn up here until you’ve done the work you need to do!”
When I had eventually arrived at the airport and was sitting in the departure lounge, I became aware of the Silverback’s energy on the seat next to me. Interestingly, even though it was very busy and all the other seats in the lounge were taken, people would walk up to the seat next to me and then choose not to sit there. It was hard not to laugh out loud given that I wouldn’t sit on the chair where this grumpy Silverback was either!
I then received a very stern message from the Silverback, “You can come now as you’ve done enough work.” Thank goodness, I communicated back in a sarcastic tone, as I had planned, booked and paid for a long trip to work with you. He was not amused at my sarcasm. It did make me realise that how I was, and the energy I radiated, would be felt by those gorillas around me and that this Silverback (who also made his presence felt during both my 2022 and 2023 boat trips near K’Gari) would not compromise himself, his family or his home for some human who wasn’t ready or up for the tasks ahead. Something we humans can surely relate to and follow the example of.
Back to my 2023 boat trip… the next day came a message from the whales and dolphins asking for some fun energy. Myself, K, C and T took some JOYOUS ABANDON drops and C and I threw clear crystals into the ocean. We were also placing the WHALE ESSENCE into the ocean and it felt not only fun to see the dolphins and whales come for this, but to give the WHALE ESSENCE “back” to them after they had so wisely guided me on how to make it the prior year. It was such a heart-opening experience. The group again played our various instruments and it was evident that the whales were coming to enjoy the “fun” energy. There were many calves that year, which was such a delight to see, especially when the mums allowed them to come quite close to us to have a curious look. On one occasion, we gently sailed and moved with a mother and her calf for about an hour as she allowed us to be part of her calf’s learning - teaching it to breach and flap its flippers. It was like watching a human child learn to walk and experience things for the first time.
(Above) The mother and her calf sailing with our boat.
Image © Kerrie Searle, 2023
We then looked back and saw a group of whales chasing after us. When they caught up, they began circling the boat and “showing off” to our appreciative clapping and sounds of fun and delight at the display they were putting on. They were rolling, flapping their flippers, banging their tails and breaching. The more we cheered, the more they played. Then a lone dolphin appeared amongst the whale group. One of the humans on board asked if it was lost, to which it communicated, “No, I’ve come to join in the fun!” It was riding the waves created from the whales breaching and moving through the water. Time and time again, they kept coming back to the boat to continue their play.
(Above) One of the whales flapping its tail.
Image © Kerrie Searle, 2023
The energy of that day was filled with fun and as I was playing my clapsticks and drum, the Butchulla men joined in with their sacred dancing on the cliff line along K’Gari. They were stamping in time with my clap sticks and, I too, found myself stamping in time with them as I played. My heart was singing with joy and felt this was the lighter side of my work as that day, and indeed the whole trip, had been a time of giving back to the whales, dolphins and the ocean.
As the group of whales eventually turned and left, I felt such a strong, heartfelt, “Thank you” from the whales and dolphin.
(Above & Below) The joyous display of the whales.
Images © Kerrie Searle, 2023
I conveyed this to the other humans and the feeling was so strong that I began to cry at the intensity of it. This reminded me of the deep work that the WHALE ESSENCE is doing, bringing the much needed collective conscious connection to the planet.
On our last evening at anchor, we were playing our instruments to another whale mother and her calf. As the sun set, there was a feeling of peace and calm.
(Above) Sunset from the boat, reflecting our feeling of peace and calm.
Image © Kerrie Searle, 2023
There was a knowing that we had given something back and deepened the connection to not only ourselves, but to other beings that share this planet with us - both physically and energetically. And there were also smiles and nods of approval from the Butchulla men as we sang and played, present in the moment.
Back on land, I found myself in the Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens. As I sat with my bare feet on the earth and my back against a tree, I was greeted by six kookaburras right above me who began to sing together. I knew that I was exactly where I need to be. Nearby I saw a public sign stating that this area had been a camping site for the Butchulla people and it listed the three laws that the Butchulla people have lived by:
1. What is good for the land comes first
2. Do not touch anything that does not belong to you
3. If you have plenty you must share.
Painted alongside these words was stunning artwork: Buthou (dolphin) Dreaming by Conway Burns.
(Above) Artwork: 'Buthou (dolphin) Dreaming' by Conway Burns - photographed in the Hervey Bay Botanic Gardens.
Image © Kerrie Searle, 2023
Some words of wisdom from Auntie Joyce Smith, Butchulla Elder:
Wanya nyin yanman wanai djinang djaa
(Wherever you go, leave only footprints)
All were strong messages from the whales, dolphins, Butchulla people, Bob Randall and the Silverback. There will be times when we doubt ourselves, times when we fall and times when we feel it’s all too much and want to walk away. Times when we feel that what we do doesn’t make much of a difference. Yet, as I witnessed that week, when each person contributes to the Collective, anything is possible! It requires each and every one of us to step up, show up and take responsibility for our actions. And when we don’t get it right, pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, take responsibility and learn the lesson or as the whales made clear, “Face the consequences!”
I sincerely hope that you have enjoyed the messages passed on from such wise beings. As I head north again in a few months for my next adventure with the whales, dolphins and others, I am open to all possibilities of what may come. If you resonate with the WHALE ESSENCE or the JOYOUS ABANDON blends, you can purchase them or any of my other blends from my online store.
If any of this resonates for you or your animal, and you feel that I can be of any assistance, please don’t hesitate to read more about my services here, browse through my range of essences, creams and sprays here, or you can get in touch directly here. Additionally, visit this page to learn more about attending one of my upcoming workshops.
Warmest wishes!
Kerrie Searle
Animal Communicator
Note: This article was originally written for my email newsletter - Messages from the Animals - you can receive new articles directly via email, by signing up free here.