Welcoming in October 1 2023

I love the fall, and the feeling of peacefulness that it brings, as Mother Nature blankets up her charges and puts them to sleep.  I love walking through the dried grass with my dog and feeling the crispness of the grass and the air against my skin.

Autumn in our yard… picture by Judy Hirst

 

Just as Mother Nature cleans up the plants and the trees, and even the water and earth, we, too, need to clean up before the long winter rest.  We need to let go of old hurts, angers, resentments, and victimizations that we have hugged to our souls.  These wounds, for they are wounds, cripple us because we cannot move forward with our lives in ease.  The wounds may also cause us to become ill. The word “ill” by the way, is a word that means “attributing evil or an objectionable quality”, or, “causing suffering or distress”, or “not normal or sound <ill health>”.  One can see from Merriam-Webster’s definition that our hurts fit our ills.

I found a lovely prayer to offer up to the Goddess, who, one must remember is an aspect of Great Spirit.  It comes from Zsuzsanna Budapest, from her book, “The Grandmother of Time”.  She suggests writing out all the names of those people that you have issues with, and that you burn this list, as you say this prayer.

Dearest Goddess, 

I have come a long way this year, carrying my burdens.  I would like to take them off my shoulders and give them back to you to recycle, to bury, to compost.  Here, I offer you my resentments against friends, family, and (fill in you own needs here), and ask you to absorb them into your black universe.  Relieve me of them and allow me to walk more lightly.

    Now – Burn this list either in candle flames or in your smudging bowl.

I feel all light, happy and cleansed now.  Dearest Goddess, you are my true strength and guide.  I thank you for being accessible and answering your children’s call.  I honour you and thank you.

    Now – take the ashes and throw them into living water to let them wash away.  As you cast them off, don’t think about this anymore.

This is an amazing process!  If you are not comfortable using the term “Goddess” even though she is an aspect of Creator, then use the term “God”, or what ever you are comfortable with.  Each term is simply the aspect of Creator that resonates for us!

May all your prayers be heartfelt!

Many Blessings,

Judy

Ox as a Spirit Animal

Image of Oxen from www.afb.org/

Oxen pulled the carts and wagons that helped the pioneers cross North America from the East to the West coast.

 

 

“Dependable, calm, methodical, patient, hardworking, ambitious, conventional, steady, modest, logical, resolute, tenacious. Can be stubborn, narrow-minded, materialistic, rigid, demanding.” This is the description for OX, in the Chinese Zodiac.

Ox is actually a bull that has been neutered either because of its very gentle disposition which makes it ideal for pulling work, or because the bull is not a good breeder. The best Ox is actually one with horns because the horns help the yoke stay in place. The horns also enable Ox to defend against predators. 

Our Ancestors preferred Ox’s draft capabilities over that of a horse or mule where steadiness over speed was required. Ox is sure footed, patient, and generally gets along with anyone or any team-mate. Ox is also stronger, and not likely to injure itself because it is methodical in what it does, and does not jerk or rear against the harness or driver. Ox has also been used for riding because again it will go much longer in the day than a horse will travel.

As Ox is part of the family of cattle and bovines, it brings some of the same messages. If Ox is in your dreams, or shows up in pictures for you, then it does bring you a message. Some of these messages might be:

a) Are you pulling your weight in the world? Ox takes on huge loads and moves them, without protest. Have you been whining and complaining about your lot in life? Are you labelling yourself as a victim? Ox is here to remind you that everything is fair and for a reason. Put your back into what you do, and you will forget about being a victim.

b) Do you help others? Ox is in training for his part as a draft animal by age two to three, and usually will work for four to six years. Ox has committed his life to helping mankind move forward. If you are feeling low self worth, Ox suggests that you find someplace to volunteer. Helping others is the surest way to improve self esteem.

c) Are you working hard, and doing everything yourself? Do you feel unappreciated? Ox reminds you that most animals work better in a team. Why do you try to do it all yourself? Find a good team-mate, and split the work load. Bring your life back into balance.

Ox is a great example of being able to go with the flow in life, and not get excited or emotional.

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.