Water

 

Picture of Elbow Falls from August 2021.

Water is an amazing piece of magic.  It sustains life around it because it carries oxygen and “waters” the plants and trees and birds and animals.  It makes up a great percentage of the human body.  And while it gives life, water can be so destructive as shown by floods, tidal waves, torrential rains, and pounding spring runoffs from the mountains that reshape river banks and wash out bridges.  

Water is healing.  We bathe in it, soak in hot springs, drink it, cook in it, and use it for recreation.  Water finds the path of least resistance and flows in the way that is the easiest.  Yet, if an obstacle obstructs the path, water ruthlessly eliminates the blockage.  

Water stays in the present moment for it cannot go back to a past and it has no idea of the future.

 We too, can be like water and go with the flow and follow the path of the least resistance.  We too can overcome the blocks or obstacles on our path.  

Today, pay attention to the present moment and stay in the flow.  

Blessings

Judy

Mallard Duck Visitors - Spirit Animals

Picture of mama and papa mallard on our deck in May through July 2021 taken from an upstairs window.

I was very blessed the summer of 2021 to have two mallard ducks come and share our yard from May to into August on a daily basis.  Before the hatching season, mama and papa duck would come and sit on our deck in the evening and often come and peer through the patio doors to see what we were doing.  The loved the grass, the bird seed, and the peace in our yard.  We were surprised at how the Mallards accepted our big yellow dog (Labrador retriever) and were content to snuggle in the grass close to where he lay in the shade. 

Mallard as a spirit animal shows many blessings to those that they frequent.  This time, my teachings from the Mallards included:

1. Abundance comes in many forms and from unexpected places.
2. All animals and birds and aqua beings need your protection.
3. Find places and do activities that make you feel comfortable.
4. Be accepting of others even with their differences.
5. Enjoy your deck at any time of the day.

Blessings.

Judy

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!