Our Spring Equinox Gathering

 

The other day a Reader asked me what I do for Spring Equinox.  What a great question!

This year for Spring Equinox, we had a gathering of fourteen people, all friends that have been coming to our gatherings for years.  Since we did not have any gatherings through COVID, the day was so fun for our tribe to get together. 

After everyone exchanged hellos and hugs, and got tea or water, I hustled the group into the family room where we had a roaring fire going in the fireplace.  First item is to get everyone smudged and cleansed for the ceremony that we have.  Each person either brings a drum or rattle or takes one of our instruments.  As we wait for the smudging to finish, we begin drumming and rattling, clearing the energy in the room.

After the smudging, I open sacred space in the tradition of the Shaman of the Andes.  We open the four directions and above and below.  Then I give a brief overview of what we will cover during the session and advise who our Spirit Guide will be for the session.  In this session, it was Quan Yin. 

We do a quick around the circle introducing ourselves and why we are glad to be present today. Next, I sent around a jar filled with words. Each person drew out a word for this is the trait or issue that they will work on for the next three months.  For example, some of the words were - Forgiveness, Compassion, Leadership, etc.

 My husband then handed out crystals and provided a beautiful meditation on breathing into who we are. I led a meditation with Quan Yin as our guide that took us around the world.

We ended with a sharing circle where each person talked about what was on their mind.  Some talked about their meditation experience.  Some talked about what was going on for them at work or in encounters with different people.  Each experience was blessed.

The last part of the ceremony is that I closed sacred space.  Folks return the crystals and instruments and move to the dining room for refreshments and visiting.

The whole ceremony took place in one hour and ten minutes.  Remember, when we are in sacred space, time moves differently.

The energy in the house is incredibly fresh and gentle after a gathering.  Folks talk about feeling peace and calmness, and being happy.

A gathering does not need to be large.  We have done gatherings with four of us.  If you are feeling the urge to gather with like minded people, go for it!  The experience is always unique.  Each person grows with the experience.

Many blessings,

Judy

Water

 

Picture of Elbow Falls from August 2021.

Water is an amazing piece of magic.  It sustains life around it because it carries oxygen and “waters” the plants and trees and birds and animals.  It makes up a great percentage of the human body.  And while it gives life, water can be so destructive as shown by floods, tidal waves, torrential rains, and pounding spring runoffs from the mountains that reshape river banks and wash out bridges.  

Water is healing.  We bathe in it, soak in hot springs, drink it, cook in it, and use it for recreation.  Water finds the path of least resistance and flows in the way that is the easiest.  Yet, if an obstacle obstructs the path, water ruthlessly eliminates the blockage.  

Water stays in the present moment for it cannot go back to a past and it has no idea of the future.

 We too, can be like water and go with the flow and follow the path of the least resistance.  We too can overcome the blocks or obstacles on our path.  

Today, pay attention to the present moment and stay in the flow.  

Blessings

Judy

Mallard Duck Visitors - Spirit Animals

Picture of mama and papa mallard on our deck in May through July 2021 taken from an upstairs window.

I was very blessed the summer of 2021 to have two mallard ducks come and share our yard from May to into August on a daily basis.  Before the hatching season, mama and papa duck would come and sit on our deck in the evening and often come and peer through the patio doors to see what we were doing.  The loved the grass, the bird seed, and the peace in our yard.  We were surprised at how the Mallards accepted our big yellow dog (Labrador retriever) and were content to snuggle in the grass close to where he lay in the shade. 

Mallard as a spirit animal shows many blessings to those that they frequent.  This time, my teachings from the Mallards included:

1. Abundance comes in many forms and from unexpected places.
2. All animals and birds and aqua beings need your protection.
3. Find places and do activities that make you feel comfortable.
4. Be accepting of others even with their differences.
5. Enjoy your deck at any time of the day.

Blessings.

Judy