Garter Snake Tells Us to be Grounded

 

This picture is from www.reptilerange.com, and is not the snake that I saw.

I was walking in Fish Creek park and enjoying the trees and the breeze, when my dog stopped.  His ears went up and he backed up.  Before us on the path was a coiled Garter Snake.  He had not seen one before and was very wary.  Where I grew up, garter snakes were common and did a great job of keeping the mice and rat population under control.  This guy, coiled up on the path, obviously wanted to talk.  Here is the condensed version of the message.

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The Garter Snake (GS) inhabits Fish Creek park and the surrounding park areas that angle off the rivers.  It works to be invisible so that it does not frighten people, and so that Hawk or Crow does not find it, and eat it.

GS lives close to the ground, and that, it says, helps it to stay grounded and in the now moment.  GS is known for its gentleness, and for the affection and attachment it may form with some people or some animals.

GS recommends following these guidelines for grounding.

• Pick a warm spot to ground in.  Cold makes you slow down and makes grounding more difficult.
• Make sure that the spot you pick is safe.  Perhaps travel around the area that you will be using and sprinkle musk, like we do, and keep out other animals.  Or, you may  create sacred space in your own way.
• Get comfortable in your space.  Close your eyes.  Coil inward.  Let your energy drop down into the ground. 
• Plan to bask for at least fifteen minutes in the warmth and grounding.  You will feel so refreshed!

May you be grounded each day!

Blessings,

Judy

It Is About Singing Your Song

 

The other day, while shopping, I heard a three year old singing the most delightful little song.  Her mother quietened her by saying, “No one wants to hear you sing!”  The little girl was crushed!  Then, the two were lost in the crowd.

Years ago when I had a consulting business, I had an unconscious habit of humming while I worked.  The consultants and staff would ask me to stop because they could not concentrate.  Fair enough!  I stopped humming.  Now, I only hum and sing if I am completely by myself. 

I wonder how many of us have lost our voice along our journey because others hushed us.  The strange thing is that music and song are made to be shared. 

I hope that you sing and hum, and add a little dance to your music!  I will listen.

Many blessings,

Judy

Swallow is a Spirit Animal

 

A popular tattoo for both men and women is the image of a swallow.  Some like the stylized version which is more symbolic.  Here is a design that I like.

I began to wonder why Swallow was such a popular choice for tattoos, and why so many people say “Swallow” when you ask them to name a bird.

Some of the reasons that Swallow has such a following are:

1. Our  Norse ancestors tell the story that the Swallow flew around Jesus’ head, and sang songs to distract him from his suffering.
2. British and German ancestors say that if Swallow nests on your house, all within will have good luck.  Additionally, the house is protected from disasters such as fires, heavy wind, and hail and snow.
3. North American First Nations legends tell how Swallow tricked the Sun, and was able to steal fire from the Sun, and bring fire to The People so the people would be warm in winter.
4. Farmers believe that the time that Swallow arrives back from migration will indicate the type of year that farmers will have.  Late arrival means a short and cooler summer.  Early arrival means a long, warm summer which means a good growing season.
5. Farmers also believe that a high flying Swallow meant good weather, and Swallow flying low, close to the ground, indicated cooler, rainy weather.  (Note that because Swallow is an insect eater, it probably tells more about the behaviour of the insects and weather.)

Most gardeners love Swallow and build or buy big Swallow Houses for the Swallows to live in while they are in the north.  The benefit is that Swallow eats so many insects, including mosquitoes.

Swallow has played a role in our belief systems because of the various legends told about it.  If Swallow is hanging out around you, it is a good thing, and she will bring you blessings.

Many blessings,

Judy

Why Get Upset?

 

Replace Anger with Tolerance  -  The sixth chapter of the Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life is considered to be a special magical precept from Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, for replacing anger with tolerance. The essence is: Why get upset if you can do something about something? And if you can't do anything about it, then why get upset?  -Robert Thurman, “Rising to the Challenge: Cool Heroism”

I see many people work themselves into a mass of anger over a situation which they may have not created, and which they cannot control.  I realize that often the anger is about the injustice of a situation, or, I should say, the perceived injustice in the situation.

Often too, the anger is about not tolerating anything that seems to be a compromise.  In this case, the ego is so strong that everything must be either the person’s way, or they erupt in anger.

If we avoid getting upset, often we can see a different way to resolve our feelings because we can see a solution for the situation.  It is hard to think outside the box if we are sitting in the box and stewing about it.

If you want to read more about anger and being upset, check these blog posts.

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2024/04/dealing-with-anothers-anger.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/06/resentment-is-frozen-anger.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/09/anger-is-irritating.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/04/release-past-grudges-and-anger.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2024/03/overcoming-helplessness.html

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Blessings and peace,

Judy

Spirit Says One Learns In The Space of Silence

 

The poster says:

This is what I want: My little piece of silence, the world full and blooming all around, and me here listening to the wind.

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There is only one real rhythm; in Silence you hear it. When you live to the rhythm of this Silence, you become it slowly.    - Mother Meera

Mystic writers say that we are moving now into the time of Oneness – a time where we will all be as one.  These writers say that we need to be still, and to listen.

For me, silence is about stilling one’s own mind so that you can hear the messages from the life around you. 

I have written about this before.  Check out….

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/06/the-beauty-of-silence.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2024/02/feeling-silence.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/08/feel-silence.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2023/11/silence-and-meditation.html

https://www.lightstationwisdom.com/2024/04/we-must-be-silent-to-hear.html

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Many blessings,

Judy

On Being Mean

Quote is from OliviaLucieBlake.com

“The moment we begin tolerating meanness, in ourselves and others, we are using our authorial power in the service of wrongdoing. We have both the capacity and the obligation to do better.” – Martha Beck

I saw this quote today, and it rang through me.  I believe that we have all been treated meanly at times, and through that process, we have learned to be mean.  Some of us may have had parents who treated us meanly either as a means of “toughening us up”, or, because they resented us and what being a parent means.  Look at this word and how many meanings it has in this paragraph.  No wonder we are confused about how to act!

The Old English definition of “mean” is common, as in the mean or center between very poor and very rich, or very uneducated and very educated.  This explanation, for me, is fitting.  When we act “meanly”, we are acting in a selfish, unkind, malicious, cruel, spiteful way.

Well, I am sure that you have heard it all before.  I don’t MEAN anything by this post.

Blessings,

Judy

“I Am A Rock “ Says Spirit

I had an epiphany the other day when I was thinking about Great Spirit, God, Source, The ONE, whatever name you wish to put on Spirit.  

I was day dreaming.  In my day dream, I saw pictures of Sedona and the great rocks there.   The one to the left is called ‘Spirit Rock’.  I have seen it.  I felt pleasure and comfort when I saw it.  

For years, I have had dreams about Uluru Ayers Rock.  I dreamt of it before I actually knew what it was. That is the second picture in this group.  It is in Australia, and, it is old.  This rock has been the destination of many a pilgrimage.

And, the last picture in the group is of Stone Mountain, outside of Atlanta, Georgia.  I was there in 2001, and my husband and I climbed the long way up, and down, and it truly was the experience of a lifetime!  

My epiphany was that many of us associate “God” with a rock.  Or, perhaps I should say that we associate spiritual places with rocks.  And, when I had this thought, I heard, “I am a rock”.  

I then heard, “And, I am everything else as well!”

What is interesting to me is that all of us resonate with the idea of God being a Rock.  In fact, if you Google Spirit Rock, you will see that it comes up millions of times, all over the world.

The comforting thing for me when I saw this was “I guess Great Spirit  really is omnipotent.  She/he can be in many places at once.  And, it has been in many places for a long time.

  The idea of the “rock” is quite spectacular in its own way because the rock is so big, majestic, and so everlasting.  If I was a being that was trying to establish communication with a species that seemed to have difficulty communicating, I too would try to communicate through symbolic, living things like a rock.  

It now makes more sense to me as to why monks established monasteries on big mountains (rocks) to be closer to Source.  It also gave those people below them something to look up to and to communicate with, and to view as an intermediary to Creator.

 

We all got into trouble by using intermediaries because most intermediaries had their own agenda which seems to include power, riches, etc.   Being able to do one’s own communicating with the One Source has a big advantage in avoiding the politics and expense of using someone else.   

I wonder if all rocks carry great power, or if there are new rocks appearing.  

I look at the world wide fascination with crystals, or as some people call them, “rocks”, and I have to believe that Spirit is moving through “I am a rock” through crystals, as well.

I like that idea. 

Blessings,

Judy