Elk - Spirit Animal

 North American Elk picture from Wikipedia

 

 

Whenever we drive to the mountains, to Banff or Lake Louis, or in other park areas, we were constantly on the alert for Elk.  I have had past encounters with Elk on the road, and, in their majestic way, neither the bull or cow Elk will give way.  If Elk appears in your life, and you have a strong, personal energy, Elk may be reminding you that you descend from a lineage of royalty, and to carry yourself accordingly.

Elk is very strong and agile, and can run for miles.  When wolves or cougars attack the herd, all the Elk scatter in different directions to confuse the predator.  And, if cornered Elk will fight to the death either predator.  The message that Elk's strength and courage sends to you is to first understand the environment you are in - either home or work - and watch for changes in energy indicating that some danger is occurring for you.  The message is also about standing your ground and answering to your own principles.  When you are attacked, fight for what is true relentlessly.  To keep from being provoked, Elk cautions that you should take time for yourself and retreat to Nature occasionally, or simply spend time in solitude, away from friends and family.  This time of recharging will regenerate your strength and power.

Elk is well known to The People of the plains and the mountains.  Many of the stories told by the Ancestors tell of Elk being very large - as in giant large, and that in the days of creation, Elk created the mountains and the valleys by dragging its antlers through the ground in pursuit of those who would harm Elk.  Elk is also known as an animal that protects, and therefore is the totem animal for some, and the spirit guide for others. 

When Elk walks into your life, you may be sure that you are in for an adventure!

Many Blessings,

Judy

My First Drum

 

Picture is from the website native-drums.ca 

My first drum came to me in 2001 when I was out in Vancouver.  I was in this great shop of indigenous crafts and clothing.  The lady managing the store asked me what I was looking for and I told her that I was guided to the store to buy a drum but that I was not seeing a drum that called to me.  She said, “Aaahhh.  Wait a minute.”  

She came back about five minutes later carrying a beautiful drum.  She said, “I think this drum is for you.  It just came in this morning.  It is made by a young lady after her first moon and brings the strength of the young girl now woman and her Ancestors. She said that the first drum that a person makes is special and that she was guided to not keep it.”

I took the drum and the drum stick and gently beat the drum.  The tone was powerful but gentle and vibrated through my body.  I knew the drum was for me.  I turned the drum over and there was a little carved paddle attached to one of the support sinews.  I asked what the paddle was for.  The manager replied that it was a gift of good luck.  Again, I knew the drum was for me.  I beat out a few more notes and happily paid for the drum.

I took it back to the house we were staying at, and smudged the drum and hugged it and introduced myself.  I asked the drum for its name but it was not ready to share it with me.  During the next week, we were at several drumming sessions.  Every time I played her, my drum sounded sweeter.  And yes, eventually the drum gave me her name.

Now twenty some years later, the drum is still beautiful and still sounds sweet.  She hangs on the wall in our meditation room when I am not drumming.

Clients and students have asked me if they should buy a drum or make a drum.  I have made several drums.  Each is different.  My first drum still resonates with me the most.  I do not think it matters whether you buy a drum or make a drum as long as the drum or the drum making process speaks to you at a soul level.  I think everyone should have a drum for the resonance of the drum beat creates balance and healing like nothing else.

Many blessings,

Judy

Sadness On Losing Someone

 

Picture Taken by Judy Hirst in Summer of 2022 in Elbow Falls Recreation Area

I know that we have all lost someone and that we all grieve in different ways.  I want to talk about the sadness that we can feel when someone we have had adventures with and laughed with and made plans with, passes suddenly.

My Uncle died several weeks ago.  I didn’t feel grief like I have with other people who have died.  Instead, I felt and still feel this heavy sadness that is like a blanket that I cannot shake off.  It stays with me.  I am doing fun things, liking walking my dog with my friends and out of no where, the weight of the blanket wraps around me and I lose track of the conversation.  I look up to the sky.  I am lost momentarily.  And then someone calls me back.  

Or, I am busing doing household chores, and I stop because I remember a time where we were out to dinner or sitting on the house steps drinking iced tea and telling stories.  Or he was showing me pictures of my cousins, spread out in different places.  

I am sad.  I am sad for me. I am sad for his wife and for my cousins.  I am sad for all the people that knew him and loved him. 

I am sad for all the people that have lost people this year in wars, violence, illness, and accidents.

I know that time will balance out the sadness to memories and the happy times.  Eventually, peace will come.

Blessings,

Judy