Spirit Speaks - The Energy of Change December 2022

If you are one of the people that felt incredible energy shifts that have been happening to us on Earth since the Full Moon on December 7 2022, then know that you are not alone.  Many that feel the change talk about being tired all the time.  Others speak of feeling small aches in their bodies that sap the energy from them.  These small aches are changes happening at a cellular level in real time.

Astrologers and mystics are writing about the change that is needed to bring humans and the Earth or Mother Nature back into balance.  Shaman talk about the energy required to shift humans from being apathetic and from being narcissists to becoming spiritual beings.  The process is about changing the concept of "taking because 'I' deserve it" to one of "what is in the best interest of all of us as a group".  The change is hard.  

Some of the changes that need to happen on an individual basis include:

• walking away from consumerism as it only supports the greed of shareholders and fills the landfills.
• extending kindness to self and others without harming people along the way
• finding natural ways to walk softly on the Earth such as growing our own food 
• spending time in Nature in contemplation or meditation and healing

For some, these changes will not happen and they will not be able to contend with the growing vibration of goodness and rightness and integrity.  When they cannot shed core beliefs, they will fall to terminal illnesses.

Those that do shift will experience peace, steadfastness, quiet joy, and an expansion of vision - seeing what needs to be done. The stress lifts.  A new connection with animals emerges. 

It is all good.

Many blessings,

Judy

Mindful?

                            

Where do we find time to be mindful?  All the time!  It is a choice to be mindful.  It is a choice to be distracted.  It is a choice to be at one with what you are doing.

When you hear the phrase, "be with me now", then you know it is time to let go of the busy-ness that piles up on our shoulders.  Shake it off!  Breathe! Let it all go.

This is your day to be mindful all day, in everything that you do. 

This time of year, our mind is full and we need to be able to breathe through the stress so that we can accomplish what we need to do without getting all stressed out.  It is difficult to change our behavior. Three deep breaths in and out and you will feel the tension lesson around your shoulders.  Let it go.

Blessings,

Judy

Winter Solstice 2022

 

                                                   Winter Deer - By D. Hirst November 2022

Over the last twenty years, I have attended quite a few winter solstice events and hosted a dozen or so winter solstice ceremonies with my husband.  We love the time of the longest night as the celebration of the closing of Nature’s year and the welcoming of the new year ahead.  There is excitement about moving from a short amount of daylight to a day that gets longer light.

Past celebrations start with smudging all the guests and then creating a sacred space to hold the ceremony. After the sacred space is invoked, I lead several short meditations, we have some drumming and fire ceremony - even if it is the fireplace - and close with a sharing circle and then closing the sacred space.  After the ceremony, we have food and chatting and laughing.  

The ceremony, for me, is a tradition that helps me keep my spiritual balance through out the year.  It is a time where the camaraderie of the Tribe of people that attend our gatherings increases the energy of the prayers and meditations that we do, and, increases the energy in our house. 

I am grateful for our celebrations and togetherness.  I wish you peace, love, and sanctuary at this Winter Solstice.

Blessings,

Judy

It's About Time

 

The grumbling I have been hearing about not having enough time for Christmas… how there is not enough of it; how we don't need daylight savings time anymore; how it seemed to be getting darker at an earlier time, and how much time friends and family take, never mind the amount of time you spend at work. And, who has time for Christmas shopping?

If we did not have clocks and if we did not have time, would we still do the same things?  Would we still need to find food to feed ourselves?  Yes!  Would we still need to make sure that we had shelter?  Yes! Would we still do things with friends and family?  Yes!  We would act mostly in the same way.

So what does it mean when people say, "I can't take time for that!"  What they are really saying is that they do not really want to do the activity in question.

Yet, we need to find the time to be compassionate for our self and for others.  We need to find time to be in harmony with our friends and family.  We need to find time for self healing.  We must absolutely find time to live our life, to love, to meditate, and to be mindful. 

Many blessings.

Judy

Self Care at Christmas

 

Just being more conscious of one's self will make this Christmas a much easier time for you.  The list above is to stick on your fridge, or in your wallet so that you don't forget.  Too often, we forget that if we don't care for self first, no one else will do it for us.  No one can sleep more for us, or drink more water for us.  Others cannot exercise for us or relax us.  Those things must come from inside us.  

Make a pledge to yourself that this Christmas season, you will be kind to yourself first, and then kind to others.  

Many blessings.

Facts About December

 

                                                 Winter snow - Picture by Judy Hirst  

 It is December and Christmas is very close.  Do you know the following things about December?

1.  The Moon celebration is called "The Moon of Long Nights".

2.  During this time, the water is believed to be revitalized.

3.  The event of Winter Solstice, held on either December 21st or 22nd depending on the length of the year. This honours the longest night and the return of the Sun Goddess, Lucina.

4.  Our Ancestors thought that December was a time to  endure, for the elderly to die, and for the world, and their life, to be reborn.

5.  During this cold time of December, our Ancestors spent time on introspection and renewal - weaving new clothes, creating new tools, honouring the Gods and Goddesses.

6.  It is common for people to use this time as time of purification.  People have saunas and roll in the snow. Others participate in sweat lodges.  Some simply steam.  The hot and the cold are the balance to purify our bodies.

7.  The trees that we honour at this time are the family of evergreens - pine trees will be decorated for Christmas

8. The colour traditionally associated with Christmas was dark red.

Many blessings,

Judy

Christmas Thoughts - Happiness

 

How do we know what happiness is?  Is happiness the same for everyone?  These are some of the thoughts that wandered through my mind when I was picking up some last minute Christmas things.

I see people rushing here and there, yanking their children after them when all the while, the child wants to play in the play area or hopscotch on the tiles in the mallway. Kids just want to do things and be happy.  One little fellow said to his mother, "Let's go home.  I'm not happy here."

Happy seems to be a state of mind that just is.  One doesn't have to work at it.  It may be that it is a state of grace.  Or, maybe it is just a place of love – love of life and love of everything.

It is one more thought to explore this Christmas.

Many blessings,

Judy