A Focus Point for A Meditation

This meditation focus comes from the book that I wrote, “Earth Wisdom Meditations: Contemplations For People Who Love The Earth”.  

I was sitting on the bench by the Bow River looking into the water.  A tree beside the river dropped a leaf into the water to my left.  I watched it float down past me.  I was just watching this leaf, and thinking, and I heard the words.  I wrote them down, and, eventually, they became a meditation for me that I use when I get stuck in my daily life.  Saying the words slowly and quietly, over and over, help me focus.

If you try this meditation, please let me know if it works for you.

Blessings,

Judy

You can see more about this book here.

Earth Wisdom Meditations: 111 Contemplations For People Who Love The Earth [Paperback]

Judith Hirst (Author)

Valentine’s Day 2025

Check out the amazing ways to celebrate Valentine's Day, even if you are single, or, by yourself for Valentine's Day.  This wondeful posting was on www.Gogratitude.org. 

#1: Hug a Tree
Appreciate Nature. Go hiking. Surround yourself in
the great outdoors. Soak up the beautiful energies
of Mother Earth. She has a heartbeat. Tune into it.
Express your Love and Gratitude for all the blessings
the Earth bestows you.
Then listen. Who knows? She may have a message for you.

#2: Sit Under the Stars and Appreciate the Cosmos
We live in a vast Universe. Contemplating the Infinite
need not make us feel small.
With love in our hearts, we remember our Connection
to All-That-Is. And recognize we are THAT too, the
realization of which fills our soul with the WONDER of
the Mystery.

#3: Express Appreciation to Your Beloveds
Expand the traditional sense of Valentine's Day Love
to include all your Beloveds. Your kindred. Your soul-
mates. Your friends. Your family. Your children. Your
parents. Your animal companions.
Make it a point to consider what you most appreciate
from those closest to you. Then make sure to express it.
Face to face. Or call them up. Or email them. Or text them.
Or write them a note.

#4: Hug Your Self
Love your Self. Appreciate your Self. Feel deep compassion
for your Self. This is probably the most important thing any
of us could do on Valentine's day and every other day.
For it is only as we Love, accept and honor ourselves -
ego shadows and all - that we can truly love and uplift others. 

I love this.  I love that we need to do self care, and that we can show our appreciation to ourselves.  It is time!

Blessings,

Judy

The Robin Academy

 

Fall is here, and the robins are gone.  I miss their happy chirping in the morning.  I miss how they follow us around to see where we will be digging in the yard or garden.  It gives them a chance for good worms.  This story happened at the beginning of August.  

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

As my dog and I completed our morning walk the other day, we rounded the curve at the big maple tree, and came upon a flock of robins – at least twenty.  They looked mostly young, and they were sitting on roots, and low shrubs.  In the manner of a Professor addressing his class, was what appeared to be a much older Robin, sitting on the ground, addressing the youth around him.  Some of the young robins were fluttering at each other – typical kids!

I caught all of this at a glance.  I told my dog to wait and the two of us stopped to see what would happen next.

The Professor Robin gave a sharp chirrup, and the robins got quiet.  He started to speak.  It sounded like he was telling them about the long journey south, and what they would need to do to prepare.  Some of the young robins still had spots on their chest.   He flew up and then back down.  He kept chirruping, and flapping his wings.  And then, as he turned to look around, he spotted us.  He let out a squawk, and all the robins took off.

I was laughing at the remarkable resemblance to our school system that I saw in the Robin Academy.  I even thought how Professor Robin looked like the Dean of the English Department in university.  

It was a fun morning, to see how robins prepare their young.  I am grateful for the experience.

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

Blessings,

Judy

Lightning strikes a Tree

“Lightning is good.  When Lightning strikes a tree, people say that tree has been blessed and they go to gather that wood for special purposes.”  -  Apache Tradition

Last week, lightning hit a tree on Poplar Island, an island in the Bow River, and part of Fish Creek Park.  The tree burned for a long time, for it was a large tree, and had lived a long time.

I began to think about the tree.  One of my thoughts was that the Elementals had decided that this tree was special, and that it should not suffer the fate of being chewed down by beavers, and then becoming part of the next beaver dam.  

Instead, the Elementals decided that this tree would be transformed from tree to charcoal.  It then becomes a wonderful instrument of cleaning and healing for all the animals that ingest it.  As it washes into the river, it becomes a natural filter.

It seems to me that this is how humans may transform – with one flash of great light they become less than they were before and then so much more.

I wish you a flash of inspiration!

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

Leopard Guides Me

Leopard is back this morning, sitting in my meditation room. I feel comfortable with her, and I wonder if she is replacing another of my Spirit Animals.  “No,” she quips, “I am just joining your zoo!”

 

                                        Picture from Wikipedia

While I thought this was an odd thing for her to say, I guess it did make sense.  I seem to always have a lot of spirit animals around me.  In fact, when I drew a card from the Animal Tarot deck the other day, the card that came up was “The World” which literally means all the animals in the world. I love them all!

Leopard then stepped forward and said that she would be working with me. She reminded me that often, in my “Word Of The Day” meditation, I receive the word “Clarity”. She told me that one of the gifts of Leopard is the ability to see clearly – they have keen eyesight, and can clearly for a mile. She said that being up in a tree also allows them to see great distances clearly, and to map out what approach they might take to kill an animal that looks like the next dinner.

Leopard told me to think about how easily we had connected.  She says that I have good intuitive abilities and that I need to use them even more then I think I already do.  She says this time of change is going to bring great challenges that will require instinct and intuitiveness to get through.  Leopard showed me walking in a woods/forest and foraging for food.  

One of the things about Leopard is that even though they like their solitude, they do also like the tactile.  Touch is important for Leopard and she said that it is important for me, and that when ever I could, I should touch people.  Touch is a way of connecting and of protecting. 

I thanked Leopard for her teachings, and she padded off.

Blessings,

Judy

About Cheating

This is a funny time in the world.  When you watch the news, most of what is broadcast talks about people cheating on others, people in power cheating those without power by taking bribes and making decisions that are not for the highest good; and about cheating in sporting events.  

I came across this story in my studies on Buddhism, and thought it was appropriate for the times.

A Man Named Wise 

Once upon a time, the Enlightenment Being was born in a merchants' family in Benares, in northern India. He was given the name Wise. When he grew up he began doing business with a man whose name just happened to be Verywise. 

It came to pass that Wise and Verywise took a caravan of 500 bullock carts into the countryside. After selling all their goods they returned to Benares with their handsome profits. 

When it came time to split their gains between them, Verywise said, "I should get twice as much profit as you." "How come?" asked Wise. "Because you are Wise and I am Verywise. It is obvious that Wise should get only half as much as Verywise." 

Then Wise asked, "Didn't we both invest equal amounts in this caravan trip? Why do you deserve twice as much profit as I?" Verywise replied, "Because of my quality of being Verywise." In this way their quarrel went on with no end in sight. 

Then Verywise thought, "I have a plan to win this argument." So he went to his father and asked him to hide inside a huge hollow tree. He said, "When my partner and I come by and ask how to share our profits, then you should say, 'Verywise deserves a double share."' 

Verywise returned to Wise and said, 'My friend, neither of us wants this quarrel. Let's go to the old sacred tree and ask the tree spirit to settle it." 

When they went to the tree Verywise said solemnly, "My lord tree spirit, we have a problem. Kindly solve it for us." Then his father, hidden inside the hollow tree, disguised his voice and asked, "What is your question?" The man's cheating son said, "My lord tree spirit, this man is Wise and I am Verywise. We have done business together. Tell us how to share the profits." Again disguising his voice, his father responded, "Wise deserves a single share and Verywise deserves a double share." 

Hearing this solution, Wise decided to find out if it really was a tree spirit speaking from inside the tree. So he threw some hay into it and set it on fire. Immediately Verywise's father grabbed onto a branch, jumped out of the flames and fell on the ground. He said in his own voice,, "Although his name is Verywise, my son is just a clever cheater. I'm lucky that the one named Wise really is so. and I've escaped only half toasted!" 

Then Wise and Verywise shared their profits equally. Eventually they both died and were reborn as they deserved.  The lesson, “A cheater may be clever but not wise.”

Blessings,

Judy

A Poem about Life

I seem to be doing new things daily, a change from where I was a year ago.  I wondered why I was moving forward, doing all these new things.  Then, I read this poem and I realized that I was being given a great chance to be in service, for you see, I am one!

 

Just One
Unknown

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.

One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal

One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.

One step must start each journey.
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.

One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true,

One life can make a difference,
You see, it's up to you!

Many blessings,

Judy

Understanding Prudence - A Buddhist Lesson

           

This is a tale that talks about listening to those that are wiser than you are, and recognizing that they are wiser.  This, for me, was difficult when I was in my teens, twenties and in my early thirties.   When I was doing my lessons on understanding the Buddhist way, this story came up, and reminded me of my foolishness.  

I am now one that lets those that know, lead, and I offer to support them.  When I feel sure of my ground, I will offer to lead, and step back when another feels strongly.  I am getting more wisdom as I keep my mouth shut.

May you enjoy this lesson!

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

The story of Prudence…

Once upon a time there was a caravan leader. He went from country to country selling various goods. His caravans usually had at least 500 bullock carts. 

On one of these trips his path led through a very thick forest. Before entering it, he called together all the members of the caravan. He warned them, "My friends, when you go through this forest be careful to avoid the poisonous trees, poisonous fruits, poisonous leaves, poisonous flowers and even poisonous honeycombs.

"Therefore, whatever you have not eaten before - whether a fruit, leaf, flower or anything else - must not be eaten without asking me first." They all said respectfully, "Yes, sir."

There was a village in the forest. Just outside the village stood a tree called a 'whatnot tree'. Its trunk, branches, leaves, flowers and fruits look very similar to a mango tree. Even the colour, shape, smell and taste are almost exactly the same as a mango tree. But unlike a mango, the whatnot fruit is a deadly poison!

Some went ahead of the caravan and came upon the whatnot tree. They were all hungry, and the whatnot fruits looked like delicious ripe mangoes. Some started eating the fruits immediately, without thinking at all. They devoured them before anyone could say a word.

Others remembered the leader's warning, but they thought this was just a different variety of mango tree. They thought they were lucky to find ripe mangoes right next to a village. So they decided to eat some of the fruits before they were all gone.

There were also some who were wiser than the rest. They decided it would be safer to obey the warning of the caravan leader. Although they didn't know it, he just happened to be the Enlightenment Being.

When the leader arrived at the tree, the ones who had been careful and not eaten asked, "Sir, what is this tree? Is it safe to eat these fruits?"

After investigating thoughtfully he replied, "No, no. This may look like a mango tree, but it isn't. It is a poisonous whatnot tree. Don't even touch it!"

The ones who had already eaten the whatnot fruit were terrified. The caravan leader told them to make themselves vomit as soon as possible. They did this, and then were given four sweet foods to eat - raisins, cane sugar paste, sweet yogurt and bee's honey. In this way their taste buds were refreshed after throwing up the poisonous whatnot fruit.

Unfortunately, the greediest and most foolish ones could not be saved. They were the ones who had started eating the poisonous fruits immediately, without thinking at all. It was too late for them. The poison had already started doing its work, and it killed them.

In the past, when caravans had come to the whatnot tree, the people had eaten its poisonous fruits and died in their sleep during the night. The next morning the local villagers had come to the campsite. They had grabbed the dead bodies by the legs, dragged them to a secret hiding place, and buried them. Then they had taken for themselves all the merchandise and bullock carts of the caravan.

They expected to do the same thing this time. At dawn the next morning the villagers ran towards the whatnot tree. They said to each other, "The bullocks will be mine!" "I want the carts and wagons!" "I will take the loads of merchandise!"

But when they got to the whatnot tree they saw that most of the people in the caravan were alive and well. In surprise, they asked them, "How did you know this was not a mango tree?" They answered, "We did not know, but our leader had warned us ahead of time, and when he saw it he knew."

Then the villagers asked the caravan leader, "Oh wise one, how did you know this was not a mango tree?"

He replied, "I knew it for two reasons. First, this tree is easy to climb. And second, it is right next to a village. If the fruits on such a tree remain unpicked, they cannot be safe to eat!"

Everyone was amazed that such lifesaving wisdom was based on such simple common sense. The caravan continued on its way safely.

The moral is: The wise are led by common sense; fools follow only hunger. 

-from Buddhanet.com

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Many blessings,

Judy

My Dream of Eagles and Horses

I dreamt that I was walking the dogs when we heard a racket to the left of us as the sun was rising.  There were five eagles sitting in one tree along the river. As we watched, the eagles lifted off the perch, one by one.  Later as we walked, we saw several horses playing in a field.  It was a wonderful dream that felt like love and freedom.  It felt like I was in harmony with the Earth and the animals.  I wanted to stay there.

When I woke up, all I could see in my mind were "eagles and horses".  Later, as I was looking for some information to send to a friend, I found a link to John Denver singing "Eagles and Horses". See the words later in this post.

I am not sure why this is important.  Perhaps it is because the eagle and the horse represent freedom - freedom of movement, of thought, of infinite possibilities.  Whatever the reason, I invite you to enjoy the two links to movies about "Eagles and Horses" and lose yourself in the mystery.

Pictures from Microsoft Clip Art...

The Song - EAGLES AND HORSES

Horses are creatures who worship the earth 
As they gallop on feet of ivory 
Constrained by the wonder of dying and birth 
The horses still run, they are free 

My body is merely the shell of my soul 
But the flesh must be given its due 
Like a pony that carries its rider back home 
Like an old friend that's tried and been true 

I had a vision of eagles and horses 
High on a ridge in a race with the wind 
Going higher and higher and faster and faster 
On eagles and horses I'm flying again 

Eagles inhabit the heavenly heights 
They know neither limit nor bound 
They're the guardian angels of darkness and light 
They see all and hear every sound 

My spirit will never be broken or caught 
For the soul is a free-flowing thing 
Like an eagle that needs neither comfort nor thought 
To rise up on glorious wings 

I had a vision of eagles and horses 
High on a ridge in a race with the wind 
Going higher and higher and faster and faster 
On eagles and horses Im flying again 

My body is merely the shell of my soul 
But the flesh must be given its due 
Like a pony that carries its master back home 
Like an old that's tried and been true 

My spirit will never be broken or caught 
For the soul is a free-flowing thing 
Like an eagle that needs neither comfort nor thought 
To rise up on glorious wings 

I had a vision of eagles and horses 
High on a ridge in a race with the wind 
Going higher and higher and faster and faster 
On eagles and horses Im flying again 

Words and music by john denver and joe henry

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

March 1 2024 Signals Spring

A sleeping world emerges to new possibilities

Weakening winter's icy grip 
And birdsong and bleating lamb
Announce to all the promise
That in due season
Creation bursts into life.
And whilst leaves that fell in winter
Lie upon the ground
Soon to feed the earth
In nature's wondrous cycle
Of death and rebirth
Within the tree is a stirring of new growth
-Author unknown

Yes, the onset of March  and the promise of Spring.  Longer days, warmer sun, and the thoughts of birthing and planting.   This is what occupied the minds of our Ancestors.   Every spring equinox, they honored the Sun for returning after its '’sleep”.  How will you bring in Spring this year? 

Blessings, 

Judy

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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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

Sacred Laws of The Ancestors

   

Baker Creek in Banff National Park - Picture by Judy

 

 

From the beginning of time, all peoples around the globe have believed in Sacred Laws  - the laws of nature, not man made laws.  Sacred Laws define how the four elements - air, earth, water, fire - interact with one another.  Sacred Laws reflect how the Stone People, Plant People, Tree People, four leggeds, finned, furred and winged-ones all interact.  The Sacred Laws also prescribe how the two legged - Man - shall interact with the Earth and all that is upon it.  

The Sacred Laws are about the weaving of the energy between all things.  It is this set of Laws that allows the Australian Aborigines to communicate with one another across the outback without the use of cell phones.  The Laws have dictated that hunters will take the lives of the animals or other live things, with respect.  The Laws are about balance.  Therefore, the Nature of the Sacred Laws permeates all things as both creation and evolution.

For thousands of years, many MEN have forgotten what it is to be in balance.  False laws and rules have been made.  The laws and rules end up serving the few, using resources unnecessarily, and creating the environment of scarcity and consumerism.  The Sacred Laws are now reinforcing the need for Balance on the Earth.   Indeed, it is interesting that in most indigenous societies that our Ancestors lived in, Sacred Laws were put into context as a way of life.  The Norse created "Praiseworthy Virtues".  

What is praiseworthy?  
1. Gifting is praiseworthy.  
2. Generosity is praiseworthy.  
3. Moderation is praiseworthy.  
4. The maintaining of frith ***in all circumstances is praiseworthy.  
5. Courage is praiseworthy.  
6. The seeking of good over ill is praiseworthy.  
7. Hospitality is praiseworthy.  
8. Courtesy is praiseworthy.  
9. Tolerance is praiseworthy.  
10. The pursuit of wisdom and knowledge is praiseworthy.  
11. The defence of freedom is praiseworthy.  
12. Industriousness is praiseworthy.  
13. Vigilance is praiseworthy.  
14. The protection, nurturing and forbearing of kin is praiseworthy. 
15. Showing respect for elders is praiseworthy.  
16. Loyalty to friends and kin is praiseworthy.  
17. Keeping an oath is praiseworthy.  
18. Honouring the sanctity of marriage is praiseworthy.  
19. Refraining from mockery is praiseworthy.  
2o. Refraining from arrogance is praiseworthy.  
21. Making kin, honour and justice more important than gold is praiseworthy.  
22. Cleanliness is praiseworthy.  
23. The maintaining of one's dignity in all situations is praiseworthy.  
24. Good organization is praiseworthy.  
25. Persistence is praiseworthy.  
26. The rule of law is praiseworthy.  
27. To try ones steel against an opponent fairly is praiseworthy.  
28. Respect for the dead is praiseworthy.  
29. For a man to never strike a woman is praiseworthy.  
30. To not abuse one's power is praiseworthy.

***Frith means PEACE      Praiseworthy actions come from the Odinic Mysteries.

After reviewing this list, one feels that the Sacred Laws should be our guiding light.

May all that guides you, be Sacred!

Blessings,

Judy - Lightstationwisdom@gmail.com   If you have a thought or comment on this article, I would love to hear it.

Eagle Says Remember!

I was having really strange dreams!  One that I remember occurred and  I could not focus in on the message in the dream, and everything felt slightly wrong.  

Then, my dream scape shifted.  I was walking with my sister.  I looked up, and there was this large Eagle sitting in a tree slightly ahead of us, and up on a branch.  She looked at me and said, “Remember!”  

I remembered that Eagle is about seeing the bigger picture.  She is about looking at beginnings and endings.  I know too that she is about riding the currents and finding a way to stay aloft without doing much work. 

At that moment, she jumped off the branch, and caught a current and soared up into the air.  Then she dived down towards me.  I stuck out my arm in case she wanted to land on it.  Instead, just above my arm, she swooped back up into the air.

She went so high that I thought she might disappear.  Then, she came floating down, as the wind caught her wings.  It made me remember that we do not need to be in control of things.  We can let them happen, in the easiest manner possible.

I woke up with a lighter heart.

Many blessings,

Judy

One Person Makes a Difference!

I seem to be doing new things daily, a change from where I was a year ago.  I wondered why I was moving forward, doing all these new things.  Then, I read this poem and I realized that I was being given a great chance to be in service, for you see, I am one!

 

Just One

Author Unknown

One song can spark a moment,
One flower can wake the dream
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.

One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal

One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.

One step must start each journey.
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.

One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true,

One life can make a difference,

                                                            You see, it's up to you!

Many blessings,

Judy 

Family Trees

One of the things that I have noticed as I have been working with people over the years, is that people are proud of their family trees.  Not the “son of a son” type family tree, but the big old trees in their yards or on their acreages.  These trees have stories of time and family involvement.  

Let me give you a “for instance”.  We have an apple tree in our yard that is now nineteen years old.  Her name is BJ.  She is our family tree.   She is now quite large and shields our yard from the folks across the back fence.

  

 

This is a picture of BJ in bloom taken in late May of 2009 

 

 

When my husband and I married, our neighbours gave us a gift certificate as a wedding gift.  We bought an apple tree and named her with the initials from our neighbours.  That was in 2004.  She was hardly a twig!  We have nurtured her, fed her, sang to her, and babied her. The second year, she had five apples. Since then, she has always produced apples, although we have lost many of them to heavy hail storms.

BJ is a living record of our life together.  Our Ancestors understood the importance of being able to have visible legacy, such as a tree or a grove, that they could point to and show that the family not only honoured Mother Nature and the Green God, but that the tree or grove was distinctive, and honoured the family.  

Here is another story of a family tree or set of trees.  The summer that I was nine, my parents had forty small maple trees shipped to the farm.  My Dad said that they were needed to create a wind break along our quarter of a mile lane and some of them would shade the garden and protect it from the wind.  The trees did not seem much taller than me.  They grew quickly and sturdily, and, by the time I left home, the maple grove was fully grown.  Every time I returned to the farm, the grove was a touch point for me.

I have heard the stories of many family trees.  Trees planted for each child born into the family.  Trees planted to honour the passing of a family member.  Trees planted when the family moved to a different house and yard.  Trees planted when someone graduated either school, college/university, or in a trade.  One of our neighbours has a yard full of cherry trees and apple trees as they planted a tree when each of their four children were born.

Perhaps it is time to think about planting a family tree.

Many blessings,

Judy 

July 1 2023

                                               Picture is from Kelvern Celtic Society page

Our Ancestors had stories and ceremonies for every month of the year.  July rolls around and people talk about how Julius Caesar created the Western world calendar in about 45 B.C.  July is named after him.   

The patron Goddess of July is the Goddess, Athena.  She has many aspects – Warrior goddess, goddess of wisdom, goddess of goodness, goddess of common sense.  Most of us know her as a Greek goddess, however, she has roots in African and Celtic belief systems.

Some of the things to know about July from an ancestral belief system are:

• the gemstone for July is a ruby
• July is about prospering, enjoying and attuning with nature
• in Europe, sometimes called the month of the barley harvest
• days grow shorter as a sign of reversal
• the strongest healing properties in July are prevention and protection
• the tree of July is the oak tree

Happy July 1! 

Many blessings,

Judy

Great Horned Owl - Spirit ANimal

  Image from http://wdfw.wa.gov 

I was driving out of the parking lot at Fish Creek Park after teaching an evening workshop, when a big Great Horned Owl flew out of the tall grasses beside the road and across the hood of my vehicle.  I had already slowed to almost a stop so the big bird was safe.  It flew up into a tree close by the road and looked down at me.  It then hooted.  I started driving again.

As I drove home, I wondered about the message that Owl was sending me.  As I filtered through what I know of Owl, I realized that she has some unusual capabilities.  First, her eyes face forward while most birds and animals have eyes on the side of their head.  So, to allow her full range of vision, she is capable of turning her head ninety degrees either way which gives her the appearance of being able to do the impossible – to turn her head completely around.  

Second, she can fly silently because of the setting of the feathers on her wings.  Most birds fly with a flapping noise.  This silence gives her the mysterious ability of seemingly to appear out of thin air.  Owl is also associated with Athena, the goddess of wisdom.  And, because of their unusual characteristics, Owl is also considered wise.

Third, Owl has very keen hearing and can hunt a mouse by sound alone, simply by listening for squeaks and for scampering sounds.  Owl’s ability to hear so well has created a mythology around its ability to hear humans and to hear human thoughts.  Some say that Owl hears one’s cry for assistance and brings down wisdom to help the person in need.

Owl is a loner bird. After she raises her young, and trains them in the hunt, she and her mate go their separate ways until the next mating season.  Being solitary, much like a monk or wizard, also gives the Owl the air of being wise and contemplative.  Our Ancestors believed that Owl could fly into the heavens and talk with the Gods and Goddesses so that Owl had no need of other company.

What Owl’s message is, then, is that it is okay to be alone and by one’s self.  Contemplation is okay.  Simply following one’s own needs and harming no one is a way to be in service.  As well, learning to use one’s gifts in the quiet times is a good way to determine if the gifts are to be used in service to mankind in a direct way or in the indirect way.  

Owl does bring a touch of magic to our lives.  Enjoy her visits.

Many blessings,

Judy

Serenity

"Serenity At The Bow River at Bankside"  

Photograph copyright Judith Hirst-Joyeux

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of my clients asked me how to find serenity. I was taken aback! Serenity, to me, is a state of being - not a destination.  I wondered if I misunderstood the concept. I looked it up.

serenity   The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | Date: 2008 

se·ren·i·ty / səˈrenitē/ • n. (pl. -ties) the state of being calm, peaceful, and untroubled: an oasis of serenity amidst the bustling city. ∎  (His/Your, etc., Serenity) a title given to a reigning prince or similar dignitary.  Â© The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English 2008, originally published by Oxford University Press 2008.

I realized that it is a state of being. However, it is a destination as well.  I thought about where in the world I go to find serenity. I came up with "my list of serenity sites".  These are my places of oasis of serenity.  Here they are, in no particular order.

• The spot along the Bow at Bankside
• The angel sanctuary in my back yard
• The Fairy Tree along Fish Creek
• The secluded picnic table along Fish Creek
• The bench on our deck at 9:30am when it is cool in the summer
• The top of the rock pile at Moraine Lake when others are not around
• The hidden trail along the river close to Kananaskis Lodge
• The log by the beaver lodge on Pine Island
• The flat rock saddle on Cathedral Rock

These names will not resonate with most people.  And, that is okay.  These are my spots for serenity.  Because each person has a unique idea of what serenity is, their destination will be quite different. It may be a beach, a park bench, a library, a cathedral... it doesn't matter.  

When you are in serenity, it seems easier to feel The Divine.

Wishing you moments and places of serenity.

Many Blessings,

Judy