Spirit in the Tree

 

Picture is from a tree at Bankside in Fish Creek Provincial Park

 

“Never say there is nothing beautiful in the world anymore. There is always something to make you wonder in the shape of a tree, the trembling of a leaf.”

― Albert Schweitzer

 Many, many times have I walked past this tree and then on down to the Bow River.  I never saw an image in the tree.  Several days ago, I walked past the tree and I thought I saw a lovely, very slim lady in the image.  Today when I look at the image, I see a warrior, helmet on his head and both arms raised above shoulder height, each carrying "something".  I feel blessed to be able to look at this guardian of the park. 

Today, when you walk in Nature, look for the hidden spirits in trees and in the bushes and grass.

Blessings.

Judy

The Power of Trees

The forest in Peter Lougheed Provincial Park Sept 2021 by Judy Hirst

 “Finland is officially the world’s happiest country. It is also 75 per cent forest. I believe these facts are related.”― Matt Haig

 "A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people."  ― Franklin D. Roosevelt

I have studied with many teachers and all of them sing the praises of the trees!  As the quotes above show, trees are very important to the health of Earth and therefore, very important to the humans on Earth (and all the animals, birds, insects, fish, and reptiles).  

The trees clean the air, hold the earth, provide shelter from the wind, and provide food for many birds, animals and humans.  They even provide the fuel for fire and the lumber for our homes and for other buildings.  

If you have a list of goal that you make for each year, please put on your list that you will plant at least one tree in 2023.  We need to replace our trees that are no longer to help keep the planet alive.

Blessings.

Judy

Creating Sacred Space

 Over the years, I have been taught that sacred space is to be created in very specific ways.  If you look up "creating sacred space", you will find long articles on creating an alter with specifics on what needs to be on the altar.  As well, there may be some long chants for creating the space and keeping it secure.  

I do have an altar.  It holds the items that are important to me.  I am not saying that an altar is not needed.  What I am saying is that you can carry sacred space to any place that you wish to be... to meditate, to be part of an activity, even to work.  

When I need to create a safe, sacred space, then I call in the angels... in my case, the Archangels that I work with, asking them to create a safe, sacred space all around me and above and below me that will keep out all energies and entities that are not for my greatest and highest good.  

This process has worked well for me when I am walking in an area that is unfamiliar. I have used it at work to help keep out the negative energies that some people may carry into my office.  I love using this when I am out in nature, by a pond, meditating.  

I want to say again that there is a place for a formal alter and there is a place for formal ceremony to create sacred space.  This is usually required for gatherings of more than three people.  There are lovely ceremonies to use for gatherings and even for a solitary practice.  Explore them.  Use them.  Know that there are alternatives.

You can figure out what method works for you and practice it in different places.

Blessings.

Judy

Let it Be

 

Have you ever noticed that some people, and many of them are family, see a situation and figure that only they can solve the situation, even though it does not concern them at all?  These people poke and prod and say things that inflame the participants until folks are not speaking to each other.  

Some people call this the “busy body” syndrome.  Another name for those that interfere are “meddlers”. You probably know other words that describe this trait of interfering.  Perhaps you are one of those that sees something going on and you are determined to fix it.

When you look at the quote above, muddy water describes many situations in our lives.  The Natural Earth remedy is to let muddy water settle so that the mud drifts to the bottom of the pail and the clear, pure water is on the top.  When meddlers stir the pot, the situation/water stays muddy and seems to become muddier.  It is especially aggravating when they stir the pot without your permission.  For a Shaman, interfering with others or forcing your will on another, is a type of sorcery.  The First Rule of the Universe is “Do no harm!”.  Forcing your will on another or interfering with others without their permission is sorcery, and eventually leads to wrong intent.

The hardest part about seeing struggles in others is being mindful that each struggle a person receives is a lesson.  

• When you interfere without permission, you muddy the lesson.  
• That means that the person must learn the lesson over and over.  
• When the lesson is not learned, then healing does not happen.  
• Muddying the waters interferes with healing.

If you want to change your behaviour, let the behaviour of others alone, unless you are asked to interfere.  Be conscious that in cases of abuse or bullying, some jurisdictions legislate that you must interfere for the greater good.

Many blessings.

Judy

Lean on Me

   Picture from Soundscapesourcing.com

Through the Christmas holidays, I practiced the idea of “lean on me” in two different ways.  In the first way, I was the leaning person. In December, I pinched a nerve in my back which impeded everything that I was doing.  I had to lean on people for help. 

In the second way, I was the person being leaned on.  A friend was going through some nasty stuff and phoned me for support.  As she had been exposed to COVID, I could not go and comfort her so we spent several long phone calls with her talking and with me listening.  Mostly all you need to do is listen.

Whether you are the leaner or the person being leaned on, there are some truths about expectations:

• The leaner is looking for some understanding, some love, and some kindness.  In general, the person looks for support.
• The person being leaned on does not need to solve the problem.  They just need to be mindful that the person is hurting in some way and that person needs love and kindness.

Many blessings!

Yoga Poses To Relieve Anxiety

 

                                         Picture from Paleohacks…..

Several months ago, a friend sent me the poster/picture above that shows a series of yoga poses that may be used to relieve anxiety.  Each pose uses the wall to achieve balance and to make the moves easier.

She told me that the Covid pandemic caused her to become anxious about life.  She did not want to take medication so she searched for a remedy for the tightness that she constantly felt.  She said that she could not identify one thing that made her anxious, it just seemed life was a cause for anxiety.

I have worked through the routines several times and I have shared them with several friends and asked them to try the routines for at least five days.  The question is, “Do these moves actually relieve anxiety?”

While none of us could identify a real anxiety in our lives, we all noticed that this routine simply made us feel better!  We all felt a new balance in our lives.  

Try this routine and see what you think of the moves. 

Blessings!

Judy

Hearing the Sound of Your Name

 

When I was in my teens, I started to hear my name when I was out walking in the woods or riding my horse in the pasture, checking on our herd of cattle.  Since then, I will hear my name, not in my head, but in the air around me when I am out in Nature, or when I am very quiet and focused on a project. Sometimes, I hear it at night, and it wakes me up.

Many people have told me that they sometimes hear someone/something calling their name when everything is quiet.  They are curious about why they hear the sound of their name.  The first reason that one hears the sound of their name is that the person has the gift of clairaudience  and therefore can hear sounds that many people will not hear.  Secondly, when a person hears their name, it is the Universe alerting the person to something important that will happen in the next while.  

Others have different explanations for hearing one’s name.  For me, hearing my name lets me know that something important will either be asked of me or will be an action around me, within the next 24 hours.  

Many blessings!

Judy