Kola Bears

       

Snuggling!  One of the greatest joys in life for all beings!  These two Kola Bears, spirit animals, tell us that touch is a much needed in the world.  Hugging, snuggling, keeping one safe, are all parts of this.  Kola also tells us that a big part of touching is trust.  Keeping one’s eyes closed while another watches over you is the greatest form of trust.

We humans, in the decades beyond 2010, have lost much trust in our selves, in our community, and certainly in our leaders.  We are in a place where we need to find a safe place to learn to trust.  Kola shows us that being at the top of a tree, with no place else to go, gives you a space to learn to trust.

Perhaps we need to climb a mountain, or trek a long way from our safe environment to meet ourselves and others that we can trust.

Blessings,

Judy

Parrot Circle

Australian Wreath.....is there anything more beautiful than nature at it's best!! This delightful circle was taken at Lamington National Park, west of the Gold Coast. They are native Australian mountain parrots; the red and blue kind are Crimson Rosella, and the red and green are King Parrots. They are feasting on sunflower seeds which were left for them.

How cool is it that the Parrots in the above picture have all the colours of the chakras?  I heard a quote the other day that zinged right through me.  It was, “All things are created perfectly in God’s world.  If it is not perfect now, it is still in the process of creation.”  I look at the animals in the world and know that quote is true.

Blessings,

Judy

Eagle Picks Up On Energies

Two bald eagles spend the winter in Fish Creek Park where the Bow River winds south and then west.  Here, the water stays open and they can fish.

For the last two weeks, Eagle has been out flying when I am out with my dog.  I get various messages.

• Walking in the snow is like flying in the snow – your thoughts are dusted off with purity from being in Nature.
• This is the time to shake off all commitments around work, politics, and religion.  They serve you not.
• Winter is a time to walk on water, climb mountains, and ride down them.  It is the free-est you can be.

Blessings,

Judy

Mountain Goats in a Dream

Last night, in my dream, there were two mountain goats standing in the snow, watching me.  I asked them what was going on, and they replied that they were waiting to see what will happen next.  They indicated that there are many people who drift up to the mountains on their dream time, it seems, looking for answers.  Most people are quite disappointed when they find only mountain goats.

Mountain Goat says that their wisdom is not appreciated by humans – humans look for the easy road and the fast fix.  Being in the mountains is about being cautious and a risk taker at the same time.  Travelling in the mountains is about finding the easiest and safest route, which means that sometimes you may have to jump from cliff to cliff or jump over a crevice.  Easy is not without its challenges. 

Blessings,

Judy

Peregrine Falcon - Spirit Animal

 

Last night, just after supper, we had quite the surprise!  A large peregrine falcon flew down into the yard, and sat on the fence.  After about five minutes, he took off, and flew through the trees.

I had a very busy day, and I realized that Falcon was coming in with a message for me.  The message, however, is applicable for anyone who is making changes, and who sometimes feels like they are alone in the forest.

• Move when you need to find new territory or when the weather becomes unbearable and food is scarce.   Humans seem to think that they are rooted to one spot.  Falcon moves all over the world.
• Live along mountain ranges, with a valley below, and lots of fresh water.  You will always have food.
• When you see that you have the jump on your prey, take advantage of the element of surprise and do what you need to do.
• Do not haphazardly destroy the food supply or even your enemies.  At some point, you may need the enemy to give assistance.
• The element of air is very healing.  It carries light, and, although invisible, it can cushion you in times of falling.  Learn to work with the air.

May Falcon guide you when you need it to be there.

Blessings,

Judy

July 1 2024 - Happy Canada Day!

 

Ever since I can remember, I grew up with the idea that Canada was special to our family and to many other families around us.

Canada Day was a cause for celebration and for a feeling of pride.

I hope that we can return to that feeling very soon.

THEY ALL CALL IT CANADA

Side by Side and step by step 

Our fathers were marching along 

They were building a road to the future 

With a spade and a smile and a song. 

Out of the wildness and out of the sand 

Grew the land that we live in today. 

Though the job to be done has barely begun, 

There is one thing I'm proud to say: 

My country is my cathedral 

The northern sky its dome 

They all call it Canada 

But I call it home 

The mountains, the lakes and valleys 

Are friends that I have known 

They all call it Canada 

But I call it home 

From the Atlantic to the Pacific 

From the pole to the U.S.A. 

We're on united brotherhood 

And united we will stay 

The people across the border 

And far across the foam 

They all call it Canada 

But I call it home

~ Author Unknown

Blessings,

Judy

Confucius Speaks — About Good People

“Good people live wisely and improve customs.” is the meaning that Confucius attributes to the 53rd meaning of the I Ching or Book of Change 

 

 

Picture of the 53rd cast of the I-Ching

The translation of this cast (shown below) comes from a translation by Wilhelm, both in English and French.

On the mountain, a tree: The image of DEVELOPMENT. 
Thus the superior man abides in dignity and virtue, 
In order to improve the mores. 

The tree on the mountain is visible from afar, and its development influences the landscape of the entire region. It does not shoot up like a swamp plant; its growth proceeds gradually. Thus also the work of influencing people can be only gradual. No sudden influence or awakening is of lasting effect. Progress must be quite gradual, and in order to obtain such progress in public opinion and in the mores of the people, it is necessary for the personality to acquire influence and weight. This comes about through careful and constant work on one's own moral development. 

I saw this cast of the I-Ching, and immediately realized that this is actually the journey of our lives. It takes well into our adult hood before we develop the credibility to have others look to us for answers, or for leadership.  The Mayans believed one was not truly a Master or a true teacher until the person reached 52 years of age.

The irony of this, is, that while many of us believe in the wisdom that comes from age, we have created “Masters” programs in our Universities and Business Schools that purport to give a twenty-two to twenty-six year old the same knowledge one has at fifty-two.  Does it work?  In most cases, no!  The other sad fact about this hypocrisy is that the twenty-something wants to earn the same as the fifty something, and feels it is “due” to them because they have the education. 

Blessings,

Judy

Badger Away!

 

This is post is a copy of what I wrote in my journal after a trip into the mountains in Kananaskis Country several years ago.  

**************************************************

As we drove home from the mountains Thursday, we saw a wide variety of animals and birds.  I was surprised to see a big badger run away from us, and across the road and into the grass. 

Badgers are typically dawn and dusk beings as they are very much a loner type animal.  This badger, however, was on a mission, and ran across a busy two lane highway.  The irony of me writing this story is that one of the characteristics of badger in all the legends is that Badger is the Keeper of Stories.  Before the written word was so prominent, all traditions handed down their history by story telling.  In each family was one member who could recite the family lineage right back to the oldest memories.  We lost our tradition of story telling in the 1700’s with the growth of the Industrial Revolution and its need for written instructions to keep the spread of machines growing.

Back to Badger!  Badger is an underground dweller.  It reminds us to stay grounded.  She also reminds us to dig deeper into the issues that are occurring in our lives because the surface problem is not at the root – the root is generally always hidden beneath the layers – of dirt, or of stories, or of self deception.

Badger likes to be by herself because she is very strong and self confident.  Her questions are:

• Are you lacking confidence in something?
• Are you seeing only the surface of a story?  Do you need to dig deeper?
• Are you using your stories to cause harm?  Are someone else’s stories causing you harm?
• Do you need to tell a story to teach something?
• Does your story need to be told so that you can let go of it?

May Badger come to you in your dreams and give you a way to get to your roots!

Many blessings,

Judy

Black Squirrel - A Spirit Animal

  Black squirrel picture from Wikipedia..

After several inches of snow last night, I expected the yard to be very quiet.  Instead, I saw a miniature snow squall erupt from the mountain ash tree.  Three black squirrels were chasing one another through the tree, around the tree, and then back up the tree.  This lasted for about five minutes, and then all three of them shook off the snow, and climbed up on the bird feeder to forage out some sunflower seeds.

Squirrel and her companions sat on the bird feeder and munched, and glanced at the house, as though wondering whether I would put out more food.  Squirrel has never been shy about letting me know when more is needed.  I then realized that Squirrel’s lesson today is about trust!  Just as she trusts that there will be food in the yard, she tells me to trust that Great Spirit will provide for me.  Just as Squirrel feels comfortable and safe in my yard, Squirrel tells me to feel safe and comfortable in Great Spirit’s yard – Mother Earth.  The message that was coming through, loud and clear, was that I was not trusting enough, and in being somewhat reluctant to trust, I was limiting myself to all the treats that might be handed to me or left out for me.

As soon as I muddled through all of those thoughts, Squirrel chattered happily to the other two squirrels and they bounded down the pole, across the yard, and up the fence to disappear to a neighbouring yard.   I realized that I had received a very great gift.  I am grateful!

 I would love to hear your squirrel story! You can send it in the comments or email me at lightstationwisdom@gmail.com.

Blessings,

Judy

Cougar Cares!

Cougar is out in the foothills, east of the mountains, these days because it feels a change coming to the areas west of the mountain ranges.  It comes out to talk to people, and instead, scares them, because people know that Cougar is a ruthless predator.  Cougar wanders the countryside, hoping for someone who will listen.  She hears the rumblings in the Earth.  It sounds like the rocks grinding together in an avalanche.  She notices that the ground animals seem to be more above ground, then below.  A time of change is coming, she says.  This change simply means that one needs to move to a new hunting territory.  And so she moves.

Blessings,

Judy

Bear Movement

In January 2024, we had abnormally high temperatures ranging from plus 4C all the way to plus 15C.  This weather has confused the animals and birds.  Here is what bear has to say.

Picture is from an email from a friend.

Great Bear comes out of his den early, and sees the ground covered with snow.  He pauses.  He says that the seasons of the Earth and the seasons of the Bear are no longer in synch.  By Bear’s calendar, it is time for him to wake up.  The agreement is that The Spirit of Mother Earth will have food available when Bear wakes up.  In the Northern Hemisphere, this is not happening.  Yes, there is some green sprigs of grass in places.  However, the insects are still buried deep in the bark and the ground.

Bear notices the movement of the Sun.  Many Moons ago, Bear could predict where the Sun would be in the sky, and could plan his route around his territory.  In his mind map of the terrain, he could mark the far boundary by the Sun’s position. Now, he cannot.  Sometimes the Sun seems to bounce around the sky.  Sometimes, it seems like there are two Suns, superimposed on one another.  Bear also feels the pull of the Sun – it has extraordinary strength.  This has caused Bear to be pulled to be outside, and not underground.

As Bear rambles, looking for food, he remembers that there was rumbling in the Earth while he slept in his cave.  The rumbling is new, like the mountain is restless.  As Bear swings his head around, he senses too, that the birds are moving, heading North, even though this seems early.  Bear grunts to himself and wonders if all the land is now in movement.

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

Mountain Goat Speaks - Spirit Animal

Picture is from an email and an unknown source.

One of the last times we drove up into the mountains this summer, we saw Mountain Goats roaming in the lower pastures along the mountain range.  The road that we use closes October 15.  In the past, the mountain goats have looked relaxed and pay little attention to what is around them.  This time, however, the mountain goats were on high alert and seemed anxious.  Even the youngest goats were not capering like they normally do.  The following came to me in a meditation.

Mountain Goat Beings

We, the Mountain Goat beings are so happy that we live on the mountains.  We look at the destruction of the waters and oceans (the Gulf of Mexico, the tar sands, and the pollution of the rivers) and say, “Animals have never done this much damage to anything!” Man, so far, has left the mountains alone.  The mountains are the wisdom keepers of the Earth.  All information passes from one side of the globe to the other through the vibrations carried through the Earth, from one mountain to another.  

The Mountain Goat herd lives on all the highest mountains, and we carry wisdom up and down the mountain.  We anchor the light so that it can reach the valleys more easily.  At one point in our history, the peoples that lived in the valleys and up the foothills, regarded us as spirits that brought news and brought them foretelling of the weather.  We were treated with respect by man.  Now, our lives are in danger from what you call “big game hunters”.  We do not see their hunting as much of a game.  They use high vision heat tracking seeing things to find us, and they corner us.  They do not even eat us. These hunters are our worst predator and generate fear for our kind’s future.

Blessings,

Judy

Wood Caribou

Picture from www.deer.rr.ualberta.ca Years ago, my husband and I spent a week in Jasper, and hiked the mountains and explored springs, falls, and natural wonders. One of the natural wonders that was a surprise is Wood Caribou. I had no idea that caribou existed as far south as Jasper National Park. Every where we went, we saw signs up advising of Caribou crossing, and notices to stay away from them because they were quite aggressive with humans. We thought that seemed fair since humans are the predator that has caused the most damage to the Wood Caribou. In spring, Caribou climbs to the high alpine meadow of the Rockies. Since hiking trails now lead to some of these meadows, we expected to see herds of them. However, they were invisible. Perhaps this is part of their message to us. Knowing that the males are significantly larger than females, and that both of them will each weigh 450 and 250 pounds respectively, it is hard to believe they could hide so easily. Most Caribou are predominantly brown to olive, with whitish under parts, buttocks and legs. There is some geographic variation. Some populations in Greenland and northeastern Canada have nearly white coats. Both sexes are antlered.  Caribou offers many messages. - every year, take two big trips. A change of scenery allows you to appreciate what you have. - learn how to use your environment to your advantage to feel safe and to enjoy the abundance of it. - do not be afraid of adventure. Being a risk taker keeps us interested in life and helps us stay alert for predators (those who would use us to their own advantage). - enjoy the wilderness and protect it. Everything came from it, and most life depends on it (logging, gas, oil, coal and mining in general). Many blessings, Judy

Llama’s Thoughts (Spirit Animal)

Llama in Peru – picture from animals.nationalgeographic.com 

Over the past several days, Llama has popped up in pictures, in conversations, and even as shapes in the clouds and trees.  The place where Llama originated is Peru, and with the Incan culture, according to Wikipedia.  The wiki goes on to say that Llama originated forty million years ago on the plains of North America. Llama then migrated south – one thinks probably because of the cold and the ice – and prospered in South America.

Llama is a herd animal, and when others of its kind are not around, it will gravitate to people or other animals.  A common sound one hears around Llama is a hum, and it will become a loud type of braying noise if the Llama or the herd (or offspring) are threatened. 

Llama does have a message.  

We have survived for millions of years beyond humans because we go with the flow of the movement of the Earth.  We do not try to conquer or change the surroundings we are in.  Our family is important to us, so we take care of them.  We easily bond with sheep and goats and can become their protectors.  We ask why humans, who seem stronger than others, do not try to protect those that are weaker?  Surely this is what the alpha must do?  We have learned, too, that there is safety in the higher regions.  We left the plains and the lowlands and opted for a mountain existence.  Our instincts tell us that another big change or big water (flood) is coming again for the plains (of North America).  We say that you too must find higher ground to be able to survive millions of years.  You need to lead the herd to a safe place.

Since before the days of the Incas, Llama has served mankind.  This message seems to be one more service that Llama is doing.  We are grateful!

Many blessings,

Judy

Buffalo’s Guidance

                                          

I sit quietly and fall into my meditation.

Snort, and pawing, and more snorting.  I know that Buffalo has arrived.  As ever, he comes in with his big head shaking a greeting, and his snorts telling me that he is well.  He settles in for a visit.

Buffalo has visited before and provided a view of the future, where things are just a bit wilder, and where animals each have their own power.  

Today, Buffalo is talking about restoring balance to the plains and mountains, and indeed, to the world.  Buffalo says that keeping the animals locked up is not the answer to restoring balance.  Nor is conservation of animals the way to go.  Some species need to die down before they can evolve to the next thing that they were meant to be.  And, in some cases, that species is no longer required as a training place for souls.  A new, improved (isn’t that what marketers say?) animal is waiting to be activated by soul groups.  

Buffalo says that the challenge that faces humans is not that the other species are dying; the challenge is that perhaps the human race has reached its pinnacle and needs to die off.  Buffalo says that his kind is pushing for more freedom, much like humans have been for a very long time.  He complains that fences are too much control, although he understands the need to keep animals off roads and railway tracks.

He shook his head and gave me a lick, and told me he needed to get back to the others, and he was gone.

Blessings

Judy

What Do You Do With Your Days?

 

“Every day that we wake up is a good day. Every breath that we take is filled with hope for a better day. Every word that we speak is a chance to change what is bad into something good.”
Walter Mosley

“Every day is different, and some days are better than others, but no matter how challenging the day, I get up and live it.”
Muhammad Ali

 Your imagination is your preview of life's coming attractions. --Albert Einstein

We have our days generally planned out for the week.  We want to make our days matter and we want to make sure that certain tasks get done.  Since we love the mountains, we go as often as we can because the mountains inspire us, heal us, and show us animals and trees and birds in new ways.

Each of us gets to choose how we spend our time.  How are you choosing to spend your day?

Blessings,

Judy

You Are A Guest!

 

This being human is a guest house. 
Every morning a new arrival. 

A joy, a depression, a meanness, 
some momentary awareness comes 
as an unexpected visitor. 

Welcome and entertain them all! 
                                      —Rumi 

Last night, I could not sleep!  I would close my eyes and get different thoughts and visions.  All of them were filled with information and insights.  The vision that stayed with me though, because it was so profound, was one that I call – You Are A Guest.

In this vision or dream, a beautiful lady is sitting across from me in a setting similar to a living room.  She is in a big chair and I am on a sofa, and a coffee table – round and about three feet across – sits between us.

She is telling me that she is disappointed in me.  She asked me to look after her house, and she comes home to find that it is completely messy.  She tells me that there are holes in the carpet, burn marks on the furniture and the floors, and that her water is not running full force.

I am stunned!  I have no recollection of house sitting.  I don’t believe that I have met her before, although she is lovely, and I don’t recognize the house.

She asks me if I would allow guests to behave like that in my home.  I reply that we don’t allow smoking in our house, and that none of our guests would behave like that anyway.  

She then asks me why I have not cleaned up before she returned home.  

I am sputtering for an answer when she says, “Never mind! I won’t ask you to do this again!”

Now I am really confused because I don’t remember her asking me in the first place. 

I decide that I must defend myself.  I begin saying that I have not been asked to look after her house, and then the scene changes.

She takes me by the hand and walks me through charred forests and meadows.  She then walks me through deserts and drought land.  I see animals and people starving, dying, and dead.  We then move to places where water flows over the land, down streets and through houses.  And, we walk over mountain tops where the snow caps are clearly receding, based on the marks of where snow lay earlier.  The next stop is different places where open pit mining is happening – huge great holes in the earth.

The scene changes again, and I am back in the living room, sitting in a big, comfy chair, with a hot cup of tea in my hand.

The lady tells me that humans have been thoughtless guests in her home – the planet.  She asks me what she should do.  I tell her that most often, the landlord evicts abusive tenants.  They seldom get a second chance.  

She smiles and says that she has served her eviction notice.

I wake up, and wonder what is next for all of us.

Many blessings,

Judy

About Marmot

One of the reasons that I love going to the mountains is to see the animals, especially the marmot.  

Marmot’s make a high pitched whistle to alert their family that an intruder is in the area.  Dogs counted as intruders!  Humans, on the other hand, were seen as a great source of food.

I think our Ancestors must have seen these little guys as miniature beavers.  They must have been surprised to have these furry little mountain ambassadors come to the camps to check out the food supply.  Marmots are very curious!

We noticed that Marmot acted like a gardener for Mother Nature.  They dug tunnels and brought up fresh soil that enriched the top soil which looked depleted from heavy snow falls and lush vegetation.  Marmot moved rocks around, and picked up small pieces of paper, stashing them we know not where – caretaking the park site.

For me, Marmot is an example of Oneness working.  She looks after the environment around here in harmony with the mountains, trees, vegetation, other animals, and, yes, people.  She is cheerful and funny.  She provides a sense of the elemental relationship of interdependent ecosystems.  She forgives us our humanness.  She remains with the mountain after we leave.

Many blessings,

Judy

Is There A Right Choice?

                         

Poster comes from an email from a friend

Several days ago, a friend and I were talking about how one can know if they are making the right choice.  Her opinion was that if it moves you forward, then it is the correct choice.  I did not disagree with her.

However, later, as I thought about it, I think that there are many factors to making a right choice.  For me, if a choice feels right and resonates through my heart, then it is the right choice for me.  Granted, it may not be the right choice for someone else.  

One of the easiest, safest places for me to make my choices is out on a walk in the forest in the park or in the mountains.  Nature provides a balanced, neutral space for us to unravel our inner thoughts and to focus on a particular point without pressure.  

I also think there are degrees of choices that warrant more consideration than others.  For example, the choice of whether I have oatmeal or eggs for breakfast is a very simple choice and does not affect world peace.  Other choices like whether to take a plane or drive to a far off destination has more impact on everyone.  Similarly, the choice about whether to support one political party over the other, or whether to support the SPCA or not, can have consequences that you are not aware of.  Those choices may affect both humans and animals.  The choice to support or not, however, is not right or wrong because that judgement comes from outside.  Each choice that you make is right for you.

Many blessings,

Judy