Autumnal Equinox 2023

 Fall is not only the time of the celebration of harvest, it is a time of preparation for the winter – packing away food to be used through the fall until Winter Solstice, and deciding on what it is we want to keep (harvest) in ourselves, and what we want to discard (pulling out the weeds).

This is also the time that we prepare Mother Earth for her winter sleep.  Traditionally, farmers harvest their fields, and then bale the straw for animal use, or, plough it under.  At the same time, they are preparing for the next crop.

Here are two meditations to use for doing some self work at autumnal equinox.

Releasing a Habit

What are you doing to prepare for the winter?  For the next crop?  When you are sitting in meditation, why not release one bad habit that plagues you? These are the “weeds” of our lives.  Create sacred space by calling in the Angels to be with you and keep you safe while you do sacred work.  Simply sit quietly, and breath in and out on a three count cycle. When your breathing is regular and comfortable, say out loud:  “I freely give up my habit of ________ and I ask the Angels and Great Spirit (substitute the name that you are most comfortable using – God, Jehovah, etc.) take this habit, and take it to the Sun to be cleansed. I offer this request, without any qualifications or strings attached.”

Now, breath deeply and clearly, drawing in sunlight on the in breath, and releasing the habit on the out breath.  This process may take fifteen minutes, or longer. Do not rush it.  When you think you are clear, stop, and check in to see if you can feel the habit.  If you can, continue.  If not, then stop and give thanks.  Release sacred space.

Healing Mother Earth

When the Universe/Great Spirit does something good for us, then we need to reciprocate. This is called “The Law of Reciprocity”, and means that we balance the energy by doing something good ourselves.  In this meditation, you will need a candle, and a comfortable spot to meditate. Light the candle.  Then, create sacred space by calling in the Angels to be with you and keep you safe while you do sacred work.  Now sit in front of the candle, with the candle a comfortable distance from your eyes, and express to the Universe that you will be working on healing a part of Mother Earth.  Close your eyes, and think of the one place that you know of that bothers you because it may need so much healing.  It may be a park, a play ground, someone’s yard, a beach, a forest, or anything that you know of.  Now open your eyes, Stare at the flame, and hold the image of the place that needs healing.  Next, in your mind’s eye, start the process of cleaning up the site, and replacing it with grass or trees, or what ever it needs to make it healthy.  Stay with this process until the site is completely healthy looking.  Now, feel the energy that arises in you from working with the Universe to co-create this beautiful place.  Give thanks for this opportunity to work with Mother Earth.  Release sacred space.

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

Alligator’s Advice

We tend to talk about alligators in comparison to other things such as “alligator skin” in reference to rough, dry skin on one’s hands or legs.  Or, we might talk about “alligator teeth” in reference to large teeth or an “alligator smile” if we talk about someone’s rather predatory smile.  We actually think about alligators and their cousins, crocodile, fairly often in every day life.

I was rather surprised, however, when a large alligator entered my meditation.  Alligator talked about its weaknesses.  I am using a summary of the weakness rather than repeating the whole conversation with Alligator.

“Most of the muscle in an alligator's jaw evolved to bite and grip prey. The muscles that close the jaws are exceptionally powerful, but the muscles for opening their jaws are comparatively weak. As a result, an adult human can hold an alligator's jaws shut barehanded. It is common today to use several wraps of duct tape to prevent an adult alligator from opening its jaws when handled or transported” – from Wikipedia

Alligator was making a point and giving me some good advice.

1. If you don’t know what your weakness is, find out, even by asking others.  Then, correct the weakness if this is possible.  If not, be careful about putting yourself in situations that exploit your weakness.
2. Those larger and stronger or more powerful than you will always be looking for your weakness.  Do not show that side of yourself. 
3. Keep your distance from predators (or strong, bullying people).  And, find out what their weakness is.  You may need to use it.
4. Do not stay in a swamp (job or home) that is becoming dangerous to you.  Get out.  There are other swamps and rivers.  
5. Take what you have learned from one swamp to the next swamp.  Better still, scout out the swamp before you relocate.

Many blessings,

Judy