Red Tail Hawk - Spirit Animal

Red Tailed Hawk – In the tree over the trail – picture by Judy Hirst

  Although the picture of this hawk is not too clear, you are seeing her just as I saw her on my walk, and how I see her many times when I am out in Nature in the park.  Today, she gave me a gift – a long tail feather which she dropped in front of me as I walked into the park.

In the indigenous belief system, Hawk represents a messenger. She tells us she is present to confirm our thoughts and actions.  She tells us if we walk with integrity. 

Hawk is a master hunter.  One of the things she does is ride the wind up high, and then strikes when the moment is right.  Today, she swooped into a flock of blackbirds and plucked one out of the air in mid flight.  She is swift.  She shares with us several things:

1. We too must take advantage of an opportunity at work or home as quickly as possible.  Indecision will loose the moment.
2. We can be like the blackbird – be in the right place or wrong place, as our destiny has been written.  If we are in the right place, we must look around to see who else wants to be in that space and act accordingly.  
3. Whatever our plans, things may descend upon us –things that we cannot control.  We too must learn to ride the wind and go with the flow of life.  We are not always in the driver’s seat.

Hawk signifies union with Great Spirit.  This bird may signal  the changes necessary for our spiritual growth, if we pay attention.

Many blessings,

Judy

Nature’s Camouflage

This picture comes from an email entitled “Nature’s Camouflage” 

Spirit animals send us many messages as they cross our path.  The same animal may appear to three people at the same time, and give each of them a different message.  In this instance, a message about “blending in” is foremost.  Often, as powerful as we are, we do more good, or have a greater effect, if we simply blend in so that others do not see us and take exception to us or avoid us.  Sometimes, simply by being present in a locale, we can influence others with the energy that surrounds us.  

The other message from camouflage is that in hiding in plain sight, we are often safer than if we try to hide off the beaten track.  By hiding, we often think that we are reclusive.  What may really happen is that we do end up drawing attention to ourselves because of our “abnormal” behaviour.  Our Ancestors saw wizards and wisdom keepers (reference Munay-Ki) as specialists who could be consulted when the local Shaman did not have a solution for the problem confronting the tribe.  The wisdom keeper lived in isolation and was obligated to help when the situation seemed without solution. The very fact that the wisdom keeper lived apart and seemed hidden made them more mysterious and more sought after.

As a helpful hint, there is a cougar lying on a rock towards the bottom of the picture above.

May you find ways to hide in plain sight.

Many blessings,

Judy

Apple Cider Vinegar as Medicine

Picture is from Insider.com

When I was growing up, apple cider vinegar was in a bottle in the cupboard in the kitchen.  It was used from everything like baking to bathing cuts on piglets, or putting on chicks that were getting picked on by other chicks.  I actually did not know how it was created, so I looked it up.

From altmedicine.about.com -- Apple cider vinegar is a type of vinegar made by the fermentation of apple cider. During this process, sugar in the apple cider is broken down by bacteria and yeast into alcohol and then into vinegar. Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid (like other types of vinegar) and some lactic, citric and malic acids.

Why am I so interested in apple cider vinegar?  I was in the grocery store the other day and was buying apple cider vinegar to add to my bath water to draw out toxins.  One of the Shaman Teachers that I had years ago told us that to clear toxins out of our body to use a Sweat (Lodge) or a wood sauna.  Failing that, he said, have a very hot bath with a cup of apple cider vinegar in it.  It seems to work!

While I was getting my apple cider vinegar, two ladies were discussing how apple cider vinegar took the planter warts off feet.  One lady explained to the other how she had plantar warts for years, and paid lots for medication prescribed by her doctor.  Finally, she read an article about dipping cotton balls into apple cider vinegar and taping them – she used duct tape – to her feet all night.  She said that it took about four nights of this, when she noticed that the warts were drying up.  Now, she walks pain free and once a week she puts apple cider vinegar on socks and wears them to bed to ensure that the warts do not return.

Apples are said to be the perfect medicine. Johnny Appleseed knew what he was doing when he spread them across America.

Many Blessings,

Judy