Winter Solstice - The Longest Night is December 21 2024

 The shortest day and the longest night – the time that our Ancestors called “mid-winter” is that time that tells us that Nature is still working.  If the day remained short, and the night was long, then the rotation of the planet changed.

Our Ancestors had elaborate rituals to ensure that the planet kept turning, or, as they thought, that the Sun kept revolving around the Earth.

The diagram below shows the angle of the Sun in the north.  Now, with all of the availability of science, we no longer look to the sky to see what will happen.  We have dropped doing the rituals and doing the work to keep the Sun going.  

Winter Solstice

Sat, Dec 21, 2024, 2:19 a.m.

Mountain Time

This post should give you several days to prepare for Solstice and to invite friends over for a meal, if that appeals to you.

Enjoy the Solstice.

Blessings, 

Judy

Happy Thanksgiving Canada - October 14 2024

 

Here is a lovely prayer to use for Thanksgiving if you are looking for something new to share with family or friends.

The Canticle of the Creatures

Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord,
All praise is Yours, all glory, honor and blessings.
To you alone, Most High, do they belong;
no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.
We praise You, Lord, for all Your creatures,
especially for Brother Sun, who is the day through whom You give us light.
And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor,
of You Most High, he bears your likeness.
We praise You, Lord, for Sister Moon and the stars,
in the heavens you have made them bright, precious and fair.
We praise You, Lord, for Brothers Wind and Air,
fair and stormy, all weather's moods,
by which You cherish all that You have made.
We praise You, Lord, for Sister Water,
so useful, humble, precious and pure.
We praise You, Lord, for Brother Fire,
through whom You light the night.
He is beautiful, playful, robust, and strong.
We praise You, Lord, for Sister Earth,
who sustains us
with her fruits, colored flowers, and herbs.
We praise You, Lord, for those who pardon,
for love of You bear sickness and trial.
Blessed are those who endure in peace,
by You Most High, they will be crowned.
We praise You, Lord, for Sister Death,
from whom no-one living can escape.
Woe to those who die in their sins!
Blessed are those that She finds doing Your Will.
No second death can do them harm.
We praise and bless You, Lord, and give You thanks,
and serve You in all humility.

Written by St. Francis of Assisi

Blessings,

Judy

Tiger Explains How To Blend

 

                                               picture of Siberian Tiger from PBS.org

I have this vivid memory of sitting with a Tiger, on some rocks, overlooking a small lake.  I am sure that I was in dream time, sometime in the last several nights.  I know that I was not frightened, and the feeling was like I was with an old friend.  We sat and talked.

Tiger was explaining to me that I needed to go out more and practice blending in to the rest of the people or into the environment around me.  He said that I should look less happy, and more sad.  He suggested that I walk with my head down, and that I not meet people’s eyes.  He said that I should slouch along, and not walk upright.

Tiger says that the best way to camouflage is to imitate what is around you.  And, even if you are strong and fearless, drawing attention to yourself is often fool hardy.  Tiger’s advice, “always keep something in reserve”.

I am not sure why this advice was important for me to have.  It does, however, seem glued to the front of my mind.  I think that over the next several days, the reason for this teaching will be explained.  At least Tiger made the information stick in my mind.

Many blessings,

Judy

Owl Wants To Work With Humans (Spirit Animal)

Picture of Great Horned Owl

It is not often that OWL pays continued visits.  However, over the last several weeks, a Great Horned Owl has been showing up around the neighborhood, in pictures, in dream time, and in meditation.  

The message is always the same – “I want to work with you and with others”.

OWL is regarded as a teacher and has been regarded in this way for thousands of years.  

If OWL is showing up for you now, pay attention.  Look to what is going on in your life.  

• do you need to be a night owl?
• do you need to watch behind you and around you all the time?
• do you need to move about your business more quietly, and not share what you are doing with others?
• do you need to be more solitary?

If Owl is showing up for you, feel the blessings of its love and attention.  You may learn much!

Many blessings,

Judy