A Ritual For New Year’s Eve 2023

For those of you that have asked questions about how to set your intentions for the new year, I would like to share a beautiful ritual that one of my friends sent to me several years ago. 

I do not use this at New Years, however, this ritual is certainly right for that purpose.   I do use it to set intentions for any time.  It is powerful to use this ritual with the New Moon.

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This is the initial technique - Setting Your Intentions for 2023 or any other time:

You start by asking yourself 4 questions...

1. What do I want this year in my personal life
2. What do I want this year for my financial life
3. What do I want this year for my business life
4. What do I want this year for my spiritual life

Then you write your answers. I feel into my body to identify in my heart what I am being drawn to create from the year. The MOST IMPORTANT part is to write it as if it has already happened.

As an example / template, here is an excerpt in part of what Maureen Collins (an artist) wrote for the category of business:

I am so grateful that this year became such an amazing journey of openness and discovery in my business, as it moved into the corporate world and lecture stage larger than ever before. I was able to deliver my shared vision via “What If? The Movie” through divine energy to hundreds of thousands of souls that were not only open to the information but contributed to the content collectively... AND they further delivered it to many more through word of mouth. This wisdom known to us all was a huge success with so many experiencing heart felt shifts and changes through the material offered by many like-minded souls. It became a place of safety and conversation for all who viewed it, and grew to include new audiences of those opening to the materials being offered by me and other contributors. The opportunity for the community to converse with one another about their own positive belief and pattern changes was a blessing and a joy to my heart, showing me the possibilities for all communities of the world. I loved watching and hearing the shifts and changes clients and friends and family were experiencing as they also awakened to how amazing and powerful they truly are, and reveled in the moments they shared with others in the community ...which triggered more openings and shifts and more sharing and so on. What fun... and so effortless and flowing... I felt like a kid again with all the discoveries...

You get the idea... write it as if it has already happened AND makes sure you include how you "felt" when it happened. Do this for each of the categories (there may be some overlap but the categories are designed to allow for specifics in those four areas of your life). This is a POWERFUL exercise that almost acts as plan for the year but flows through and creates a vibrational resonance with what you are desiring. You can do this over the next couple of days... I promise you it will really make a lovely impact. Then print it out post a couple of copies in places you will regularly see them to remind you what you are creating.

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Ritual:  Burn and Release from Maureen Collins…

On a sheet of paper, I write out all of the things from the current year that I've outgrown, no longer want in my life,  no longer work for me, and anything else I feel I want to shed and leave behind.  On a separate piece of paper, I write all of the things I can think of and feel that I want to grow and expand in the new year.  I then burn each paper in separate dishes or shells, making sure all pieces are turned to ashes.  Then, when cooled, I put them into separate envelopes or containers (film canister, Ziploc baggie, etc.) and mark "to shed" and "to grow" on the container.   Around 5 minutes before midnight, I start visualizing all the things on the "to shed" list, and see them slip away, see them blown away and washed away, out of my energy field, out of my life and  out of my reality.  I go out side and pour the "to shed" ashes into my hand and let the wind scatter the ashes away and release them and all they re present, as the old year fades away.

After midnight, after blessing the new year, with the second container  "to grow",  I visualize all of these goals, desires, etc. coming to fruition, to this level of reality.  I bring that envelope down to the garden, and with a stick dig a small hole, then plant these ashes in the earth, near a tree or in a special place, (for those in apartments, I encourage them to use their favorite houseplant).  The ashes are a reminder of the life cycle, the power of nature and the honoring of Mother Earth, that these seeds of hopes and dreams are nurtured into reality, in the coming year.   This is a ritual that I've shared with many people, and even had a group in Ireland do it one New Years!  You may want to try this and tweak it and do it a way that suits you.

Happy New Year and many blessings! 

Judy

New Year’s Eve - Dec 31 2023

 GOOD BYE, 2023!

I hope that you get to party with family or with friends.  I hope that you celebrate all the good things that happened this year.  I hope that you bless the things that did not go according to plan and set them behind you.

I think that we celebrate the ending of each year because we believe the next year will be so much better!  We all hope to find new ways of doing things, lots of abundance, lots of love from new relationships and from existing friends and family.

I wish you a happy New Year’s Eve!

Blessings,

Judy

The Voice of the Spirit of Water

Fast flowing Highwood River - taken by J Hirst

My meditations of late have been quite thought provoking for me.  Different beings come in to talk to me, and to guide me, or, to ask me to share information.

This morning, a being that identified itself as “The Spirit Of Water” asked to come into my space to share some thoughts.  I asked the being how I could help.  It said to pass on this message.

For billions of years, there has been an abundance of water on this planet.  There was always enough water for all manner of animals, fish, fowl, and creepy crawly things to have water for nourishment.  There even has always been enough water for man because hydrogen and oxygen combine to make more, when more is needed.  Although my water has been poisoned in many places, it is still plentiful, and can be cleaned.

Understand that water is healing.  It cleanses out the body.  It feeds the cells and thus the blood.  It pours oxygen into Earth bodies to keep them strong.  It ignites the food to help it break down and provide nourishment.  Next to air, water is the bringer of life.

Now more than ever, in this time of change, all humans need to drink an abundance of water.  It is so available, and yet humans are drinking coffee and sweet juices and carbonated drinks – drinks that are toxic and deplete the oxygen.  Stop drinking so much liquid that is not water.  How can water heal you if you only drink a glass or so a day?  Let water be of service to you and to the world. 

Blessings

Judy 

Following The Stars

         

The Once and Future Stars of Andromeda 
Credit and Copyright: ESA/Herschel/ PACS/SPIRE/J.Fritz(U.Gent) / XMM-Newton/EPIC/W.Pietsch(MPE)

The Angels say that the spiral of life can be found every where on Earth, as well as out in the stars.  They say that our Ancestors could travel great distances without compasses because they could read directions in the stars, even though the paths were spiralling around the Earth.  

To our Ancestors, following the stars meant that one received clear direction about which way to travel.  And, when they could not see the stars, the people stayed put. The one constant in life, beside the Sun rising and setting and the Moon lighting up the night, was the stars, and where they appeared.  

The Angels tell us now that if we follow the stars, and look at where they were ten and then five years ago compared to where they are now, that something has shifted.  It could be that the entire Universe has shifted, or, it could be that the Earth has shifted orbit.  The stars tell us that all is going a new direction.  This is not good or bad, simply different.  That means that there are no precedents about what may happen.  Each day is brand new, ready to be opened like a big envelope full of newsy letters.  

This is a time to follow the stars.

Many blessings,

Judy

Caring For Your Body

Now that Christmas Day is over, and many of us have had at least two big meals, new messages are coming to me about body care.

The message that has been coming through in meditation and in dream time is that I need to take care of my body…. and this message is for each of us…. we need to take care of our bodies so that we can stay active and be witness to the changes that are happening on the planet at this time.

I keep hearing the message to exercise.  It speaks that each of us are different and that we need to each find an exercise that works for us.  For me, it is medium effort yoga and lots of walking in nature.

I also keep hearing the message to eat more healthy by making better choices.  I have been getting strong signals from my angels when I make an unhealthy choice of food.  For example, if I choose to eat white bread, I eat a little, and then I get a headache.  White bread converts to sugar too quickly in my body.  If I choose French fries over carrot sticks, I get a pain in my neck.  If I choose an apple over a cookie, I get a warm, fuzzy feeling.  Why the pain and fuzzies?  I have asked my Angels to help me choose better food and to help me stay disciplined. 

As I make the changes, I notice that the energetic changes on the planet do not seem to hit me quite as hard.  When I am making poorer choices around food, I have trouble sleeping between midnight and three o’clock AM.

I am working at taking care of my body.  I hope that you take of yours, too!

Many blessings,

Judy

Boxing Day 2023

 

Photo of Boxing Day comes from StatuatoryCanada.ca as Boxing Day is a stat day in Canada

Boxing Day means that Christmas is over and one must prepare for the New Year.  Boxing Day is also the day of amazing sales in retail stores and online.  The tradition of giving staff the day off the day after Christmas as well as giving them boxes of food and boxes of gifts (usually items that the household no longer requires) has been lost.  It is no longer a day of sharing with others - it is a day of accumulating stuff!

Some folks have traditions for Boxing Day such as seeing friends or relatives and eating up the left overs from Christmas Day.  Others use the day to go skiing or skating.  Some go hiking and if in the mountains, snowshoeing.  

Some of us take the day to rest and enjoy reading or watching a movie.

Whatever you choose to do, have a wonderful Boxing Day.

Blessings,

Judy

Merry Christmas December 25 2023

 

Wishing you a very Blessed CHRISTMAS Season and the best in 2024,
and....

To all of you that have been reading my blog and to those of you that send me emails and post comments, “Thank you!”  Thank you for taking time to acknowledge that the writing resonates with you.   

Many blessings,

Judy

 

Christmas Eve December 24 2023

 

Christmas Eve is a special time for many people.  Families have Christmas Eve traditions that they honour - either ones they have created or ones that they have inherited.  Here are some of the traditions that different people have shared with me:

• Drive around and look at Christmas lights
• Go to Christmas Eve church service
• Go out for dinner with family
• Have family over for pizza and games
• Have family over for appetizers and visiting and games
• Deliver hampers to those that need them
• Go to Church service and come home and unwrap presents
• Go tobogganing with family
• Go ice skating
• Order food in and watch Christmas movies

Whatever your tradition is, Merry Christmas!

Blessings,

Judy

Who is Sananda?

I was meditating with a friend a while ago when I felt a new energy around us.  I asked her who the energy was.  She replied, “Jesus”.  

That made complete sense to me.  Sometimes we know energies by different names.  Lord Sananda is an Ascended Master who is also called “Jesus” which was one of his lives on Earth.  Over time, different Ascended Masters have spent time on Earth to help raise the vibration of mankind.

While Sananda was meditating with us, several thoughts came through, with his gentle guidance.

1.  Nurture -  no one is going to take care of you on the Earth plane so you must do a great job of taking care of yourself.  

2.  Sorrow – what appears to be sad to you, and what appears to be unkind to you, is showing you areas of self that you need to work on.  These areas are places where you need to work on self forgiveness.

3.  Heal – this is the time to work on those things that ail you.  Know that you are not responsible for healing others who have not worked on their own healing.  When you work to clear something that causes you pain or illness, and when you are successful, those that need that same work will be sent to you for coaching.  

4.  Love – work to be in a place of constant love of the world and all that is in it.  This is the way of the Angels.

Meditation with Lord Sananda is a wonderful experience.  Call for him as you start to meditate and you see what this energy is like.

Many blessings,

Judy

The Sound of Creation

The Sound of Creation

-Judy Hirst

There was a time when there was quiet, a stillness that surrounded all the Earth.  

Does Creation have a sound?  

Who remembers?  

It was long ago.

Wait, it happens all the time, every minute.

Each of you create as you move through your day.

What does it sound like?

Does it bring peace or is it chaotic?

Where does it come from?

Does it feed your soul?

             ****

Blessings, 

Judy

Winter Solstice Dec 21 2023

Winter solstice is a time to reflect on what you love to do, and find a way to make it happen.  When we are happy, our light – that spark of irrepressible energy that makes us all unique – shines brightly.  Solstice is about being inward focused and concentrating on expanding the self.

We all want success and well being.  Winter is the time to reflect on making it happen, and then offering up these energies at Solstice, to Creator, to make everything happen.

Here is a wonderful prayer/song for you to use today and all days when you need strength.

 

Yule Prayer Song

Mother Earth
I offer to you this song
For I am earth
and to the Earth, I belong
Mother Earth
help me grow as you need me to
Mother Earth
show me what I am here to do

Cause I am growing, I am changing
on this darkest day
I am growing, I am changing
in my darkest place
I am growing, I am changing
on this darkest day
I am growing, I am changing
in my darkest place
Blessed Be!

From - http://www.wicca-spirituality.com/yule-prayer.html
A Yule Prayer Song
-- by special Wicca Spirituality correspondent, Colombe

Many blessings,

Judy

A Message from The Angels

Picture from NASA library

Archangels and Angels have been a part of my life as long as I can remember.  I know that they have helped and guided me in some tough times, and that generally, they try to make my life smoother.  And, as we draw closer to Christmas, we sing about Angels and we decorate with them on our Christmas tree.  We may even use wrapping paper with angels on it as decorations.  Yet, most people do not see or hear the Angels.  The Angels have a message that I am sharing.

The Angels say:

“There are many things that you do not see, and even what you see is sometimes not what really is.  Humans have an interesting way of looking at things and deciding that it does not really exist.  Humans change the perspective, or the situation, to suit what they need to be true for them.  

This means that often most of you see us, the Angels and Guides and Ascended Masters, and that you refuse to believe what you are seeing.  We show you this picture.  You now see it courtesy of advanced technology on your planet.  You would never see this spiralling energy otherwise.  You would not know that it exists.  And yet, even if you don’t know about it, it does exist.  You think this only happens in outer space.  Well, your lack of seeing exists on Earth as well.  There are many animals, plants, insects, reptiles, and fish and birds that exist on Earth that you know nothing about. 

And, although you know nothing about them, all of these forms are connected to you, and you to them.  Look at the picture.  All of the small dots are connected to you and to each other.  Vastness has nothing to do with lack of connection.  You are not separate, and, you are not alone.  Aloneness is something that you create in you head.  Your body has an awareness of all things.  Notice how it reacts to objects around it, even when you are not aware of movement, or interest from some other being/object.

Pay attention to what is going on around you.  Do not let governments or corporations or teachers, lead you around by telling you that they do what is best for you.  All have their own agenda.

This is the beginning of a new year on your calendar.  Decide to act for yourself.

Many blessings,

Judy 

Bear Comfort - Bear Is a Spirit Animal

  

Picture from notesfromthebartender.wordpress.com 

We give babies a teddy bear for comfort.  And, baby snuggles up to the teddy bear, and even cries if the bear is not present.  What is it that gives us comfort in this “bear” image?  Why are we not frightened, instead, of this representation of a large, fierce animal?

Well, Bear looks big and cuddly.  Bear is chubby and that says comfort and safety.  Bear hibernates through the winter so Bear is about sleeping through the tough times.  Bear eats honey so Bear is about sweetness.  Bear is a fisherman.  We all identify with the fisherman. Bear’s ears are just so darn cute!  And, Bear eats berries and grubs and roots and shoots.  All of these characteristics simply support the idea that Bear is not that scary.

When Bear comes to us as a power animal, do not be lulled into thinking that Bear is simply “of the Earth”.  The Greeks and Romans revered Bear so much that they named a constellation of stars after her. A different version of the story says that Zeus was so angry at the mother bear and her cub that he threw them up into the night sky to forever roam around the North Star.   

from www.nmm.ac.uk

So why does Bear come to us in times when we need comfort?  Well, when we need comfort, we are feeling weak or insecure.  Bear is a universal symbol of big and of power.  At our weakest, we need to be reminded that we have all the power that we require within us.  Bear, who hibernates, and who sleeps easily, reminds us to go in and reflect on what we do know and to honour our strengths.  Bear is about teaching the cub (often each of us) how to be a “big bear”.

I wish you a wonderful bear encounter.

Many Blessings,

Judy

Dolphin Dream Visit - A Spirit Animal

Picture comes from an email so the source is not known

My dream time is always very active.  From time to time, Dolphin comes in to teach me or show me a different way to do things.  This blog is about Dolphins for all those folks that dream about Dolphin.

Dolphins have been called the “Ambassadors of the Oceans” because they are so friendly and love to play around ships, boats, and even swimmers.  They more truly should be called the Messengers Of the Oceans” because when Dolphin shows up, she comes to lead a ship through treacherous waters, or help out a sailor, or do some healing work.

When Dolphin shows up in dream time, then these may be some of the messages that she brings.

• You have had your head down, working, for a long time.  You are in danger of drowning.  It is time to come up for air, and see what the world looks like above the surface.
• The Sun penetrates only several feet into the water.  Sunlight does not go through the walls of buildings.  You know this.  Yet, you do not spend time outside.  Are you feeling poorly?  Could it be that your Vitamin D (sunshine vitamin) is low?  Check in with your Doctor and you will find that it is much lower than you think.  
• It is time for a deep dive into the world of your child hood.  Face all the emotional issues from that time before your next big family event, and you will see that your family no longer has a hold on you.  Get some help with this.  Dolphins know how to work together to raise young, hunt food, and keep the pod safe.
• Jump for joy!  Oh, you don’t feel joyful?  Isn’t it time that you discovered WHY it is that you do not feel joyful?  Spend time thinking about what makes you joyful, and what doesn’t.  Get your jump back.

Many Blessings,

Judy

Jaguar - A Spirit Animal

 

Picture of jaguar from www.animals-images.com

On Sunday, in our Solstice Celebration, several people had an encounter with a jaguar. 

Last night, as I was falling asleep, my Black Jaguar, who sits on my Sacral Chakra, popped in and asked, “Why don`t you write about jaguars as spirit animals?” So, today, I will write about jaguar.

Jaguar is sacred to indigenous people in South and Central America.  They call it “the animal that kills with a bite”`because the Jaguar kills its prey with a single bite.  Jaguar makes a loud coughing noise.  She is unable to roar.  

In Munay-Ki, Jaguar is a totem that reflects integrity, steadfastness, truth, and the ability to blend in with the day or the night.  Her skills include climbing, running steadily for hours at a slow trot, and keen night vision.  The people with this totem or spirit animal, are generally agile, loners and leaders, and very good orators.  Most Jaguar people are writers and thinkers, and do something to change the world.

Jaguar likes to live in caves, close to water, much like the hermits or isolated monks do. If she appears to you, she may be reminding you that in the Northern hemisphere, people should be moving into a hibernation or isolation stage in their life.  Winter is a time of regeneration.  This is a time to heal, to refresh the mind, and to contemplate one’s next steps.  When we don’t take this time, people get out of balance.

 

Black jaguar image from www.worldwildlife.org  

 

 

Have jaguar dreams tonight.

Many Blessings,

Judy

Truth From A Buddhist View

                                               Picture of wild lily by J Hirst in July 2023

When we had our Winter Solstice gathering, one of the things that we did was pull a card with one word on it.  That word is the thing that we will work on over 2024.  The card that I pulled was “Truth”.  Interesting to me is that stuff that I do every day is supporting that.  

In my study of all things Buddhism, I came across a little book called “The Little Book of Zen Haiku, Koans, Sayings” from Barnes and Noble, and edited by Manuela Dunn Mascetti.  Now, Koans are stories that are meant to be puzzling to help the student gain enlightenment after meditating on the story – sometimes for great lengths of time. 

The Koan that I am sitting with is called “Tipping Over A Vase”.  

Hyakujo wished to send a monk to open a new monastery.  He told hi disciples that whoever answered a question most ably would be appointed.  Placing a water vase on the ground, he asked, “Who can say what this is without calling its name?”

The Chief monk said, “No one can call it a wooden shoe.”

Isan, the cooking monk, tipped over the vase with his foot and went out.  

Hyakujo smiled and said, “The chief monk loses.” And, Isan became the master of the new monastery.

The point of the Koan is to show that truth, as symbolized by the water vase, can only be shown. The cooking monk makes this demonstration very effectively.  

One of the leadership tools that I used to teach in my Organizational Behaviour Class was “How to Refute Rumour”.  The only way was to ignore it, not comment on it, and show the employees what the truth was.  

Truth is healing! It gives us a spiritual peace.  We feel balanced and at one with all things… Nature is our friend.  Sadly, we as a civilization seem to have moved far from Truth.  Perhaps we have reached the furthest swing of the pendulum and we are now ready to start kicking over vases, politicians, corrupt CEO’s and Boards, to get at the Truth.

May you find Truth in all you do!

Many Blessings,

Judy

Earth Keepers In Munay-Ki

Picture from the video MELODIAS DE ANGELES on You Tube

I saw this picture, and it made me think of the Earth Keeper Rites in Munay-Ki.   

Earth Keepers are about:

-unconditional love

-holding the Earth in your heart

-seeing the galaxy as an integral part of the Earth

-holding each action that happens on the Earth in love and being with it without fear or anger.

-compassion.

-bigger than either masculine or feminine - it is about the combination, or neutrality of the opposite energies

-a place of PEACE

My wish for December is that all humans find a place to be without fear and anger, and that all find enough water and food to sustain them.  For if if the people are satisfied, they will then turn to looking after the Earth, for they see that to keep themselves fed and watered, the Earth Mother must be cared for.

Blessings,

Judy

Themes of Humanity

A while ago, I was reading the fascinating book "MYSTICAL TRAVELER: How to Advance to a Higher Level of Spirituality" by Sylvia Browne.  In it she discusses that there are forty-seven themes that classify the human  experience experience.  Themes, remember from high school English, are the major topics or qualities or characteristics of a story.  With that in mind, think of each human then, as a "story", and you will see why this intrigues me.

Shaman are teachers and we teach our protégées that when a person comes to us with a story, and wanting our sympathy and support, that we, the Shaman, should ask the question, "What is really going on here, and what is the story behind the story?"  It seems that the story behind the story is actually another story that that human came to Earth to experience.  We need to look at the “theme” of the individual and reason for coming to Earth.

Ms. Browne has presented the themes in alphabetical order. I am presenting a broad over view of the information. Her first several themes include:

1.  Activator - focuses on achieving a goal that others ahead of her have not completed...

2.  Aesthetic Pursuits - driven by an innate talent, the individual is a slave to the passion that drives them.  An example of an individual that seemed to exemplify this theme would be Beethoven. 

3.  Analyzers - those that pay very close attention to all detail, and need to know why something works the way it does.  Scientists fall under this category.

I could go on about each theme...however, that would spoil the read for you.  

Just to satisfy your curiosity, give the book a read!

Blessings,

Judy

When Badger Appears to You

Badger in an inquisitive moment! Courtesy Microsoft clipart.

 

Did you know that badgers are by nature very playful? This trait is because Badger is part of the same family as otters (very playful!), ferrets (also playful) and weasels. Most of us though, tend to think of badger as grumpy and perpetually fierce. Most of what we know comes from Britain where they have lived forever, and are one of the favoured animals of the Green Man - keeper of the forest and all things wild. 

Badger may be solitary or may live in clans of up to about a dozen members. They are very family oriented and will stop at nothing to protect their mates and their young. Badger's courage is widely admired as it has been known to fight wolves, bears and man, and send them all fleeing. For this reason, many European coats of arms feature badger as a prominent insignia - to show stamina and courage. In tribal cultures, the badger skin was a worn as a head dress to show that the chief or warrior was strong and full of courage, just like a badger. Indeed the black stripes on the badgers head, around the eyes is reminiscent of war paint used from the time of the ancients. 

When Badger appears in your life, you may be sure that it is now time to put fear aside, and to take the step beyond compromise. Badger encourages you to stand your ground, to be firm in your boundaries, to speak your truth and stand in your power, and to disregard what others may think or feel about what you are doing. Be sure that when Badger appears you are in a place where all you love is being or going to be challenged. She says that you must fight now or risk losing all forever.

Blessings,

Judy

Ostrich - A Spirit Animal

This wonderful picture of a giraffe and an ostrich having a chat, came in a slide show in an email. I don't know who to give photo credit to, however, Bravo! for a great picture.

Ostrich walks the Mother Earth because it cannot fly. It therefore, must gather all of its wisdom from the Earth. By walking all the time, Ostrich is totally grounded even though its neck, which is about truth and spiritual truth, is very long and reaches to the Heavens to bring down Divine information, just as Giraffe does. Ostrich has very large eyes and tends to appear dreamy and unfocused, often fooling those who would steal up on it kill it for its skin and feathers. Ostrich will either flee on its incredibly long, speedy legs, or will turn and fight with death dealing kicks. The very young birds or injured birds camouflage by lying flat on the ground and burying their heads in the sand.

If Ostrich appears to you, it brings messages such as: 

-check to see if you are grounded, and if not, walk the Earth with bare feet, if possible.

-are you too dreamy with your thoughts and eyes sky ward instead of paying attention to what is around you on the Earth?

-is it time to be a little less visible? Have you been attracting those energies that do not agree with you?

-do you need to take a look at those around you to determine if they are true friends? Perhaps it is time to “kick” some of them out of your space.

-is it time to work on your clairvoyance so that you truly “see” what is really going on around you?

Ostrich feathers have long been considered a valuable possession. The feathers are used by the Egyptian Goddesses, especially the Goddess Maat, to symbolize truth and justice. If Ostrich is appearing to you now, perhaps it is time to take a look at any injustices you are feeling around you. Are you the cause or the recipient of injustice? Perhaps it is time to let truth prevail.

May you see each moment clearly!

Blessings,

Judy

Celebrating Winter Solstice On Dec 10 2023

 

Picture credit to my brother.

Some folks have asked how we celebrate Winter Solstice.  Each year it is slightly different.  This year, I was guided to have our celebration early because of the weather ahead so we scheduled for the 10th of December.  Winter Solstice is about the shortest day and the longest night.  By having our celebration on the Sunday, 11 days early, we had a bit more daylight and we started early…at 4 PM. 

We have a group - our tribe - that comes to our meditations and celebrations.  Including my husband and me, we had 17 people in front of the fire.  Yes, we have a fire to light the way and to carry away all that we throw to it.

Our steps for the evening included:

1. Smudging everyone
2. Drumming
3. Welcome and quick overview of what will be happening
4. Opening Sacred Space
5. The theme
6. Breathing exercise to support the theme
7. Meeting the guides for this evening
8. Several quick meditations
9. Sharing Circle
10. Closing Sacred Space

The experiences that folks had were amazing!  It was fun for all of us.  The evening helped to wipe out some anxiety and restore balance.  The energy was so high!  It all felt right.

Blessings,

Judy

The Tree Of Life Explained in Lakota Terms

The CHA WAKAN card - Tree of Life, #32, from The Lakota Sweat Lodge Cards by Chief Archie Fire Lame Deer and Helene Sarkis

In many traditions, the TREE OF LIFE is recognized - for all people see the tree as having roots buried deep in Mother Earth, and branches reaching up to Great Spirit, and Father Sky.  

The Lakota say that the humans are like leaves - when we become a certain age, or ripeness, we leave this plane and go into the Spirit World.   We die, our bodies go to the Earth, like the leaves from the tree.

The guidance on this card is one that is timely, as we move towards Christmas, a time that is very stressful for many people who either visit family or have family stay with them. 

"Open your heart to all your brothers and your sisters and to all of creation, relinquishing your judgements and expectations (of yourself and others).  Allow all our relations to be exactly who they are; accept all that you are."

If you feel the need to judge or criticize someone tomorrow, stop and ask yourself  - "Why does this bother me so much?"  For, often what bothers us in others is what we can not deal with in ourselves.  If we can identify why it bothers us, we are on the path to releasing that issue, like the tree releases the leaves.  When we release something that has bothered us for ages, we feel a deep stillness and peace.  The Shaman says that one must continually work on themselves-- if you believe that you have dealt with an issue and yet you remember it, then the issue is not solved.  Work towards Oneness and Peace!

Be compassionate...

Many Blessings,

Judy

Moose Is An Ancient Four Legged One

 

Moose in the snow from a set of winter pictures of Jasper, Alberta

As we approach Christmas, notice that in many yards in Calgary, and I am sure elsewhere, there are stunning light displays of a moose.  Some are large while others are small.  Since moose often comes to the city and hangs out along the river in Fish Creek Park.  Moose seems to represent the wildness and ruggedness of the West.  Here is a bit about this huge animal.

Moose are one of the more ancient four legged ones. In Alberta, we see them in the foothills, in wooded areas, and sometimes even along the rivers in the city. Moose was named from the Algonquin word “Moz” which roughly means stick or twig eater. Moose are totally herbivores and may eat up to 112 pounds of food per day in the summertime as the winter time is almost a time of fasting for them. Their great size – averaging six and a half feet at the shoulder, and one thousand pounds – makes sustenance a full time occupation. Their colouring allows them to blend into the bush, grass and water that are their habitat. Moose runs at about twenty-eight miles per hour, and swims quite rapidly as well. Even with its huge antlers which may weigh seventy-five pounds, the bull moose will move silently through the forest, and will appear invisible as well. When we do see Moose, it is so powerful a presence, one cannot help but feel a sense of the majestic force of Nature.

Our Ancestors have many legends surrounding Moose. Some are that those born with Moose’s shape – long legs and arms – will have Moose’s ability to connect with the higher realms. Moose’s gifts – presence and invisibility are also the message to those Moose appears to. Moose says to go and do what ever your journey is without drawing attention to yourself. If Moose has antlers, the message is to open up the crown chakra and connect to the universal consciousness and connect with the Heavens and Mother Earth and understand that balance is required. Moose reminds you that you do have great wisdom and that the wisdom is to be shared discretely; and that one should not be troubled by the garbled advice from those around them.

Moose’s habitat in summer is water. Here, Moose pulls up the tenderest shoots of marine plants, and feasts on the water lily, a brilliant yellow flower. This is a reminder that one must constantly plunge the depths of emotion to find the true moments of love and swallow them whole to incorporate them into one’s being, for love is the one true thing. All other emotion must be examined, and blessed and released to prevent this density from holding one back from growing into their full power.

Blessings,

Judy

What About Cardinal?

Picture of "Cardinal" from Wikipedia....

 

As I was writing Christmas cards, I noticed how many of the cards have a picture of the "Cardinal" on them.  I looked at the cards I had accumulated and realized that I had not really bought a box of cards on birds.  Yet, several cards in a row were showing me Cardinal.  Therefore, there must be a message for me.

First, the brilliant red Cardinal is usually found in through Ontario, Quebec, and some of the Maritimes, and then down into Maine and the eastern States.  In western Canada, the Cedar Waxwing is more orangey-red than red in colour.  When the early explorers and settlers saw this bird, the crest reminded the people of the red robes of Catholic Cardinals, hence the name.  Cardinal, then, does have significance for people on either a religious or spiritual journey - and often the two are exclusive of each other.  

My task is to figure out what Cardinal was trying to say to me.  The colours of Cardinal - black and red - are about the base chakra, and a reminder to be more in touch with Mother Earth and to stay grounded.  The base chakra is about survival - having food and shelter and feeling secure from harm - the very issues that our Ancestors faced when they ventured out from their cave or their village.  Cardinal is very much about survival and she knows which seeds to eat, summer or winter, that will benefit her.  At this time of year when over indulgence may become a habit, Cardinal reminds us to eat healthily and to avoid harmful foods.  I paid close attention to this information about food and eating because we have many social eating situations over the next several weeks.

Cardinal has a very high, loud whistle that echoes through the air.  Cardinal may be singing to its mate - male and female sound alike.  The message is to integrate our masculine and feminine traits and then use the combined skills of intuition and logic to achieve a very large goal.  Only by moving forward with our being totally integrated will we achieve the steps on our life mission.  This message is especially true for me right now as I am working on new workshop materials. I see the message that my communication must also be loud and clear!

As the colour of Cardinal is red, one often associates attributes of life with the colour.  So, Cardinal's message in this area is to live with assertiveness, courage, and to be pioneering in the areas of work/hobby that one does.  Cardinal may also imply that one is insecure, or fearful, or even self pitying or a victim, and urges the individual to be more like Cardinal - full of fun and life.

Again the message of courage and pioneering struck a chord with me as I am working on several things that go beyond the information that I have learned, and synthesizes ideas into something more - in fact, being a pioneer.  That message of pioneering felt good and right, and was affirming the steps that I am taking.  I am grateful for the message.

Blessings,

Judy

Listening To Your Body

 Ballerina from Microsoft Clipart

Each of us is unique - in our height, weight, colouring, and in what we enjoy doing.  We do the things that speak to us, as the ballerina in the picture does.  Not many of us can be dancers because we do not have the body or the desire to to dance in the fashion of ballet.  However, sometimes our bodies cry out just to dance for joy, or to sing because we are happy and love life!  How often do you suppress these joys?  How often do you dishonour your body?  It is a living organism that will survive without our working mind, as science has proven.

As I move further into the journey of spirituality and the path of the Shaman,  I find it easier and easier to listen and really hear my body.  I was looking for a way to explain this to my clients when I came across this quote from OSHO.  I believe this is more eloquent than any phrasing I may use.

"Your body has its own wisdom — it carries the wisdom of the centuries in its cells.

Your body is feeling hungry and you are on a fast, because your religion says that this day you have to fast — and your body is feeling hungry. You don’t trust your organism, you trust a dead scripture, because in some book somebody has written that this day you have to go on a fast, so you go on a fast.

Listen to your body. Yes, there are days when the body says, “Go on a fast!” — then go. But there is no need to listen to the scriptures. The man who wrote that scripture has not written it with you in his mind, not at all. He could not have conceived of you. You were not present to him, he was not writing about you. It is as if you fall ill and you go to a dead doctor’s house and look into his prescriptions, and find a prescription and start following the prescription. That prescription was made for somebody else, for some other disease, in some other situation.

Remember to trust your own organism. When you feel that the body is saying don’t eat, stop immediately. When the body is saying eat, then don’t bother whether the scriptures say to fast or not. If your body says eat three times a day, perfectly good. If it says eat one time a day, perfectly good."  ~~Osho~~

What Osho says is that our body, with all the past knowledge it carries, is both our Ancestor and our self in one.  We need to listen to the wisdom or our Ancestors.

In loving kindness,

Judy