Buffalo Knows - Spirit Animal

- Picture courtesy of Microsoft Clip Art

The buffalo has always had a special place in my life. When I was six or seven, I tried to get into the buffalo compound at the zoo because it was so fascinating to see these large creatures eating hay just like our cows did. When I was fourteen, a lone buffalo crossed the prairie from about fifty miles to the north of our farm to some two hundred or so miles to the south of us where he would join a small herd. The sight of this buffalo going straight across the fields, regardless of fences or humans or interference from dogs, was amazing!

The farmers along the buffalo's path all reported on its progress. In many instances, it frightened the cattle and caused some minor stampedes from one side of the pasture to the other. Buffalo simply ignored them all.

Buffalo, in the natural setting, always faces the storm, always finds the shortest or easiest path between itself and its destination, and generally moves with the herd for safety and protection - unless it has a different calling. If a major storm interferes with Buffalo's travels, he finds the middle of the storm and simply walks through the storm, head down, to get through the weather in the shortest possible time. Buffalo never wonders whether the decision is the right one, it simply "knows".

How many lessons can Buffalo give us on living life? The most basic are: 

1. always follow the easiest path. If the path is not easy, then that destination is not for you.

2. in times of difficulty, put your head down and keep going. This is the quickest way to get through the problem.

3. always follow the crowd, unless it doesn't make sense to you. Then, move out and follow your own path without letting anyone or anything deter you.

I wish you "Buffalo Medicine".

Blessings,

Judy

Orbs in Our Yard

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture of orbs in Judy and Roger's back yard taken by our friend Caro, and used with permission.

Orbs are happy things!  It seems that they appear in our house and our yard when ever there is something very happy, joyful, or very spiritual going on.  I have seen pictures where the Orbs seem to be sitting and waiting for someone to come and discover what ever the Orb is sitting.  A good example was the Orbs waiting in an old barn in South America for someone to come and find the 1940's cars, mostly in new condition.  Making that discovery would indeed be a happy time!

The Orbs above appeared after a day of workshop that I was teaching.  I could hear them and feel them in the house and I knew that they would be stronger in the yard.  I said that if anyone wanted Orb pictures, now would be a good time.  I hear the orbs as a very high pitched hum or frequency disturbance.  

Our Ancestors, in Norse, Celtic, and Greek traditions, claimed that Orbs were Faery lights, or were souls who had not crossed over, or were impish spirits sent to spy on the humans.  

When Orbs appear to us, it seems that they are drawn by the light and the energy, and that they want to be part of the celebration.  They feel organic and intelligent, with a sense of goodness about them.  It seems, the ones we see, are similar to us in energy and are from a different time and space.

We were simply delighted to have all this little visitors hanging out around the deck in the trees.

May you have new light in your life.

Blessings,

Judy

You are a Visitor Here

  

   "Lady Traveler" from Microsoft Clip Art....

 

                                                           I have been experiencing many different lessons of life over the past twenty years.  Early in this adventure, after each experience, I usually would say, "Wow!  That was intense! I am glad that I am through that!"  As I grew older and wiser, I realized that the lessons were the journey. And, as I traveled around the world, I realized that the lessons of life were very much paralleled by the challenges one faces traveling in different countries where we cannot communicate in a common language and thus revert to signing and engaging in a genuine exchange.  Words do limit how another interprets what one says. 

I had pretty much forgotten about my earlier discoveries as I am busy learning new things all the time.  Then, the other day, I found this passage when I was working through some Buddhist teachings.  I loved the phrasing!  It took me back to the earlier times when I was a visitor in so many countries and cities.  

May you enjoy this teaching as I did!

                                      Dhammavadaka

Remember always that you are just a visitor here, a traveler passing through. Your stay is but short and the moment of your departure unknown.

None can live without toil and a craft that provides your needs is a blessing indeed. But if you toil without rest, fatigue and weariness will overtake you, and you will denied the joy that comes from labour's end.

Speak quietly and kindly and be not forward with either opinions or advice. If you talk much, this will make you deaf to what others say, and you should know that there are few so wise that they cannot learn from others.

Be near when help is needed, but far when praise and thanks are being offered.

Take small account of might, wealth and fame, for they soon pass and are forgotten. Instead, nurture love within you and and strive to be a friend to all. Truly, compassion is a balm for many wounds.

Treasure silence when you find it, and while being mindful of your duties, set time aside, to be alone with yourself.  
Cast off pretense and self-deception and see yourself as you really are.

Despite all appearances, no one is really evil. They are led astray by ignorance. If you ponder this truth always you will offer more light, rather then blame and condemnation.  
You, no less than all beings have Buddha Nature within. Your essential Mind is pure. Therefore, when defilements cause you to stumble and fall, let not remorse nor dark foreboding cast you down. Be of good cheer and with this understanding, summon strength and walk on.  

Faith is like a lamp and wisdom makes the flame burn bright. Carry this lamp always and in good time the darkness will yield and you will abide in the Light. 

Note - I believe this was written by  Shravasti Dhammika ... I thank you for this writing.

Blessings,

Judy

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.

Owl Wants To Work With Humans (Spirit Animal)

Picture of Great Horned Owl

It is not often that OWL pays continued visits.  However, over the last several weeks, a Great Horned Owl has been showing up around the neighborhood, in pictures, in dream time, and in meditation.  

The message is always the same – “I want to work with you and with others”.

OWL is regarded as a teacher and has been regarded in this way for thousands of years.  

If OWL is showing up for you now, pay attention.  Look to what is going on in your life.  

• do you need to be a night owl?
• do you need to watch behind you and around you all the time?
• do you need to move about your business more quietly, and not share what you are doing with others?
• do you need to be more solitary?

If Owl is showing up for you, feel the blessings of its love and attention.  You may learn much!

Many blessings,

Judy