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

When?

Sun Circle... © S. Roger Joyeux and used with permission...

 

 

I am doing some reading on various teachings from Buddha, and I am finding that I enjoy the teachers as well as the various lessons from Buddha.  

One reading that strikes chords in me, at various chakras is the teaching "When".  Perhaps it will strike a chord in you as well.  

It makes me think of the the book "Outliers" which talks about the best performers of any work or art having to put in their "bootcamp" time of 10,000 hours before they can be great.  If we cannot determine even when to start, we will never be great.  In fact, we won't even make mediocre.  

When?

At this time, while you have all the opportunities, if you do not do your best to achieve the pure, stainless path to enlightenment when will you do it?

If you don't meditate, don't practise the graduated path to enlightenment, especially bodhicitta, in this life, then when?  
When will you practise? When will you have this realization?  
If, in this life, you don't achieve renunciation, bodhicitta and sunyata, as well as the two stages of tantra, when will you?

When will you have these attainments?  
When will you become enlightened?  
When will you perform perfect work for sentient beings?  ~~~~~~Lama Zopa Rinpoche~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Blessings,

Judy

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