When Is the First Day of Spring 2026? In 2026, the March equinox happens on March 20 at 10:46 A.M. EDT. This falls on a Friday and is the astronomical beginning of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere and the autumn season in the Southern Hemisphere.
Celebrate by hosting a meal with friends or with family. Have a bonfire and offer up tobacco to the heavens and the spirits. Set intentions. Let go of the things that hold you back by releasing them to the fire.
Blessings,
Judy
I was sitting on a Zoom call several months ago, and someone said that nothing is ever black and white, quite emphatically. My mind began to spin! So many things are black and white… horses like the one above, or skunks, or pandas, or penguins, or rabbits, or magpies. My mind whirled. Zebras and Holstein cows and Dalmatian dogs and Puffins and Orcas (killer whales).
So what is that special coloration about? I wondered for a minute. In the material world, we have created so many things that are black and white like soccer balls and barcodes and cars (police cars). I began to think that black and white is a warning that we need to look beneath the wrapping to see what is really going on. Black and white is a warning for us to find our own truth and follow up on it until we are satisfied that we have learned what we need to learn.
Blessings,
Judy
Beaver has been showing up in strange places. Mostly, though, she shows up in places that have been contaminated or wrecked in some way. Her message is clear! “Clean up your act!” she says.
The clean up is about getting rid of junk – compressing it down into the smallest component and giving it away. She also is commenting on the throw away stuff that is so prevalent in the city world. She wants to get rid of containers that are plastic and harmful.
She points to the north where beavers have built a huge inland lake to clean up the toxicity of the land. If the animals can do it, you can do it too!
Blessings,
Judy
What is a mandala? Wikipedia says: “ A mandala (Sanskrit for "circle") is a geometric, usually circular, symbolic pattern representing the universe, wholeness, and the cosmos in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Shinto. They act as spiritual, meditation, and, or ritual tools, with intricate, symmetrical designs organized around a central point to aid, focusing attention and promoting, inner, peace.”
For those of us that do not have an Eastern belief system background, we recognize the circle, the design of the circle, as the circle of life, or of the Universe design of completeness. It resonates with us.
Sometimes, you find a mandala (a spiritual symbol) that resonates for you so loudly that you can hardly hear. The symbol may be quite specific or it may be filled with indefinite shapes. Whatever the layout, there is “something” in it that helps you focus and to become balanced.
A mandala may be used to set and hold sacred space for something, or, for clearing, if the mandala is highly regarded. It may be what helps you find your center in meditation.
This is the day that you start looking for your mandala, if you do not have one.
Blessings,
Judy
Right now, so much change is happening in the world. Often, when we think of fires, we think about the fires in forests, up the mountains, that consume thousands of acres of vegetation and destroy the homes of animals and often the animals. Soon, the fires in Canada and the United States will be happening again.
The Angels remind us that often, when we see disaster, that newness is happening. In the Tarot, the Tower card has fire in it. The card is about change.
The fires that plague forested areas and put residences in peril, are part of a natural cycle of renewal. Most things in the natural world have an expiry date. Sometimes, Nature takes a hand to cause a forest to re-grow with a different main tree, or a meadow to re-grow without a certain weed or other plant. We may study Nature for ever and not understand the cycles and attrition that happens as a matter of course.
When fire happens, there are some messages:
Blessings,
Judy
The poster says:
It may be when we no longer know what to do, we have come to our real work, and that when we no longer know what to do, we have begun our real journey. —— Wendell Berry
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I have many friends who are currently changing their job or career, their home, and even their spouses/partners. It is a time when we are being called to a different path then the path we have been on. For some, it is joyous, as they now get to do what they have always wanted to do.
For others, it is an adventure, and with it comes some fear, because the path is unknown, and sometimes, it means leaving everything behind. As we walk forward, what we had, drops away. We cannot go back! Yes, people say you can go back. However, the truth is that everything changes and even in going back, you do go back to something new. Sometimes, going forward is the better option.
What do the changes mean? More and more, I think it is about choosing to recognize what is right and what is wrong. We are born with this kind of intuition. Yet, many of us trade it for unanimity.
What is your choice, today?
Blessings,
Judy
One animal that is very in tune with the Earth is Badger. She digs many dens and will burrow after prey, if it is worthy prey. She is always busy and it is not often that she is at rest. When she is resting, she provides her teachings. This time, her teachings are about “digging in”.
Read more from Badger:
https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/12/when-badger-appears-to-you.html
https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2024/06/badger-away.html
https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2025/03/badger-on-teaching.html
Blessings,
Judy
Early in school, we learn that the day starts in the country with the Rooster crowing up the Sun, and telling the animals and humans that day is starting. From that place, think of Rooster as the Master of Ceremonies for each day. Rooster crows that “a really big show is starting” and that truly describes the miracles that happen each day.
Unfortunately for many people, because their head is down, and because they are self absorbed, they miss the beginning of the show. They miss the commentary by the master of ceremonies, and they miss the magic and the miracles. If people do pay attention, they focus on those things that are dark and appear broken.
What if you had a rooster to awaken you each day to the beauty of the rising Sun? What if you could harness the energy of the miracles? What would you do?
Do it now!
Blessings,
Judy
We have all hear the motivational words about working harder to go beyond our limits which implies that our limits are self imposed. Perhaps they are; perhaps they are not. Who is to say? What is interesting however, is that Giraffe has been appearing almost daily to me in some form. She may be in a picture, a painting, a vision, on a blog, or even on a billboard. Usually this kind of repetition means that there is a message on hand.
Giraffe brings messages about:
This meditation is a re-statement of the Buddhist “Loving Kindness Meditation”.
LOVING KINDNESS MEDITATION
(Take a deep breath in)
(Speak this line on the out breath) May I be filled with loving kindness,
(Take a deep breath in)
(Speak this line on the out breath) May I be well!
(Take a deep breath in)
(Speak this line on the out breath) May I be peaceful and at ease
(Take a deep breath in)
(Speak this line on the out breath) May I be happy!
The next round replaces the word “I” with “you”.
The third round replaces the word “you” with “we”.
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Many blessings,
Judy
The poster says:
Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful; for beauty is God’s handwriting - a wayside sacrament….and thank God for it as a cup of blessing. —Ralph Waldo Emerson
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As we move in to March, remember that there are many types of blessings. Actions that seem harsh may turn out to be exactly what you need.
The blessing may be:
-missing an accident
-a bird song
-someone offering you home made cookies that they brought to the office
-a smile and a pat on the back.
The angels tell us that often, we are so busy in our heads and looking at how we can show how smart we are that we forget to look for the blessings.
May March shower you with blessings!
Many blessings,
Judy
This is one of the greatest pictures – a butterfly blessing a golden retriever (a great dog). Some days, you feel like no one loves you, and then someone unexpectedly gives you a blessing. This is what friendship is about.
Let a friend give you a blessing today!
Blessings,
Judy
I have been experiencing some intolerance for gluten and therefore, for some grains. I love granola in the morning because it carries me through my longest meetings right from the time I eat it, at around 7:00AM to 12:30PM and beyond. Granola also makes a wholesome snack.
Hearing that I was having some issues with gluten, a friend of a friend who is gluten sensitive, sent the following recipe to me to try. I am grateful that she is a kind and thoughtful person because this recipe works for me.
This recipe is very, very good, and very easy to make. My husband now likes to enjoy it for a filling breakfast.
Grain Free Granola
2 cups sliced almonds or 1 cup each of almonds and crushed walnuts
1 cup each sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds (raw and unsalted)
3/4 cup each unsweetened coconut and raisins (raisins or other fruit is optional)
1/2 cup each sesame seeds and ground flax meal
1/4 cup each honey coconut oil or a bit of almond oil and olive oil
1 teaspoon vanilla (optional)
1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, combine nuts, seeds, flax meal, coconut and raisins. In a small saucepan, combine butter and honey and heat until melted. Add vanilla and almond extract to the butter and honey, and pour over the rest of the ingredients. Mix well. Spread granola onto a large baking sheet and cook for 30 minutes. Let the granola cool, then break into small clusters. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
Blessings,
Judy
I have been hearing from many people who are having experiences with OWL. While they may be surprised at this, I am not because our stories and legends are full of stories about Owls working with humans. One of my favorite stories is the version of Merlin that has Archimedes, the Owl, as one of his teachers.
Owl’s current advice is:
Blessings,
Judy
The poster says: I’m not giving up. I’m just starting over.
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Sometimes, we just need to know when to throw in the towel, and, start over. There is so much magic in just walking away from something that is not serving your needs. It is awesome!
This was a lesson that I had to learn in my twenties. I was frustrated with the job that I was in. I felt that I was really in the wrong place. My angels encouraged me to think about the right place for me, and to make the change. I did.
We have been taught not to give up and to carry on. What for? Usually, to serve someone else’s agenda. If you are doing what feels right to you, regardless of how it looks to others, then you are doing the “right” thing. Right action is about making your heart sing.
Blessings,
Judy
On life's journey faith is nourishment, virtuous deeds are a shelter, wisdom is the light by day and right mindfulness is the protection by night. If a man lives a pure life, nothing can destroy him. -Buddha
We often complain about our lives and how hard they are. One of the lessons in this short quote is – lead a good, pure life, and the way is not so hard.
If life is hard, then it is growing pains. The person is moving away from faith and being good and kind and industrious. When we move off the path of doing things that are right, we grow and stretch our learning, and we hurt our selves and others along the way. There are not any shortcuts. It is life.
Blessings,
Judy
Every once in a while, I read a story that says - this animal is an angel in disguise. For me, the story below is such an example of an angel.
Enjoy!
Blessings,
Judy
It's no secret that a good dog can help you get through hard times. There's something about a dog's smile and constant love that is impossible to resist even during great sorrow. I just read a story that makes this especially clear and has an extra tug on the heartstrings.
Michelle Michalek writes from Buffalo, New York and tells the story of her beloved younger brother who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer at the heartbreakingly young age of 20. Upon receiving his diagnosis, he had only one request. Jeremy wanted a pit bull puppy. So Michelle immediately took up the task of finding him the perfect puppy. She found a brindle puppy that was sure to be perfect on the same day that Jeremy had lung surgery. A few days after he came home, Michelle picked up the puppy and brought him to her brother.
Knowing the dog was unlikely to understand her, she explained on the drive that he was to be the best friend to a very sick, but also very special boy. The dog must have understood because when Michelle brought him into the room full of family and friends, the pup made a beeline for her brother. For the next three years Jeremy and his dog Remy were inseparable. Jeremy often told Michelle that if it wasn't for his beloved canine that he would have lost it. Remy was there and strong through the worst of the disease.
When Jeremy began to get much worse, he worried about Michelle. The thought of leaving his sister bothered him terribly, so he convinced Michelle that she needed a puppy as well. Michelle was understandably reticent, but Jeremy insisted and she finally agreed. Knowing that Michelle had always wanted a yellow lab, he began to search for the right puppy in the newspaper and making phone calls.
Jeremy found Michelle a wonderful lab pup that she named Tritan. For the next several years they raised the puppy together. He helped them laugh when they wanted to cry. It was the last thing they did together. Three months later Jeremy passed away. Remy and Michelle were devastated.
Tritan though, would not let them sink deep into their depression. Tritan wouldn't allow Remy to ignore his food, harassing him to eat. He also pestered him until he would get up and play. Tritan wouldn't let Michelle stay in bed and mope either. He jumped on her, yanked of the sheets, barked and eventually got her out of bed every morning. He never left her side. He comforted her when she cried. He made her smile when she didn't want to. He couldn't replace her brother, but Tritan gave her a similar sort of unconditional love. Michelle realized that her brother knew exactly what he was doing when he got her Tritan and understood what he meant when he told her she would realize one day that he was right to get her a dog. Michelle says, "There is no greater gift than the last gift my brother gave me, my yellow lab Tritan.
Beaver has been on my mind a lot these past few weeks, and it seems that almost every day I see a picture of Beaver on a magazine, calendar, or on my laptop. This means that Beaver has something to say to me.
Perhaps Beaver has been speaking to you, too. What does he say?
Blessings,
Judy
Many people love Valentine’s Day because it is a chance to share love in February which is often cold and isolating in the north. Some men find it a great time to propose to the person that they want to spend the rest of their life with. For some folks, it is a chance to party. Regardless of how you feel about the day, here is my wish for you.
May your day start with gentleness and a hot cup of coffee or tea.
May you feel the warmth of Mother Earth as she holds you and every person on Earth, in her nurturing.
May you move gracefully through the day, allowing any challenges or road blocks to slip peacefully away.
May you be filled with loving kindness and be well and happy!
Blessings,
Judy
One of the most difficult things to do, I think, is to hold the light every minute of the day, especially when you have to work at a job where this may be difficult.
Light in this case is defined as goodness, kindness, respect, integrity, unconditional love, and compassion. The person is without ego, goes with the flow, and lives in gracefulness, without judgement and criticism of others. Some folks are lucky to be born in this state and to hold it through out life. Others of us have to work at it.
How do you find ways to keep your light present when people are arguing, or back stabbing, or even crying?
Blessings,
Judy
