Canadian Society of Questers

Several years ago, one of my friends sent me the coolest story of a duck trusting her instincts and going to a policeman for help to save her babies. This Mother is a shining example of faith, of extreme love for her young, of the way Nature is changing with all of her children, and it is simply a great story about having the spirit to survive regardless of the obstacles. Animals and birds are like humans, our future survival depends on the survival of our children. And this Mother Duck has it right!

May all your instincts be for the greatest and highest good!

Judith

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Headline – Mother duck’s ‘bird brain’ saves ducklings
She grabs police officer by pant leg to lead him to her brood trapped under grate
Nicholas Read Vancouver Sun

Headline – Ray Peterson, Special to the Sun / Mother duck shows police officer where her ducklings fell through a grate into a sewer underneath the Granville Street Bridge.

Don’t mention ‘bird brains’ to Ray Petersen, because after what happened this week, he won’t hear a word of it.

Petersen, a community police officer for Granville Downtown South, was walking in the 1500-block Granville Street (directly under the Granville Bridge) Wednesday morning when a duck came up and grabbed him by the pant leg. Then it started waddling around him and quacking.

‘I thought it was a bit goofy, so I shoved it away,’ Petersen said in an interview.

But the duck, a female (he thinks it was a mallard), wasn’t about to give up that easily. Making sure she still had Petersen’s eye, she waddled up the road about 20 metres and lay on a storm sewer grate.

Petersen watched and thought nothing of it.

‘But when I started walking again, she did the same thing. She ran around and grabbed me again.’

It became obvious to him then that something was up.

So when she waddled off to the sewer grate a second time, Petersen decided to follow.

‘I went up to where the duck was lying and saw eight little babies in the water below. They had fallen down between the grates.’

So Petersen took action. He phoned police Sergeant Randy Kellens, who arrived at the scene and, in turn, got in touch with two more constables.

‘When they came down, the duck ran around them as well, quacking. Then she lay down on the grate,’ Petersen said.

While Kellens looked over into the grate, the duck sat on the curb and watched.

Then the two constables, John Schilling and Allison Hill, marshalled a tow truck that lifted the grate out of position, allowing the eight ducklings to be rescued one by one with a vegetable strainer.

‘While we were doing this, the mother duck just lay there and watched,’ Petersen says.

Once the ducklings were safe, however, she set about marching them down to False Creek, where they jumped into the water.

Kellens followed them to make sure they were all right, but elected to remain on shore.

The experience has changed Petersen’s mind about ducks. He thinks they’re a lot smarter than he used to.

And while he never ate duck before, he says he wouldn’t dream of it now.

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Magpies are very resourceful birds with a reputation for stealing anything that is not nailed down, especially if it is shiny. Because of their characteristic of liking valuable baubles and for having picked up gold nuggets and coins, our Ancestors believed that several magpies around your house or yard, or around where you were working, was a sign of good fortune and abundance.

For those people with Magpie power, know that you need to pay attention to those shiny opportunities that come along from time to time. Know that you need to take advantage of them. It is the resourcefulness of Magpie that will help one to be successful. Pay particular attention, too, to the sounds that Magpie makes. One, alone, makes some noise. However, congregations of three or more make a joyful (or not) racket that gets attention. In keeping with the “squeaky wheel theory”, Magpie says that one must speak up and ask for what they want in order to be noticed. If Magpie shows up in your life, and you have trouble expressing yourself, then Magpie says it is time to learn self expression and voice modulation.

Magpie’s black head is symbolic of the black cap of the grad – one that has learned all they can from school and is now ready to move on to something else. In this case, Magpie says to move into using all your special gifts – psychic abilities and intuition – to feel more fulfilled and see the hidden world around you. Black is also about the connection with the Earth. All of Magpie’s needs are supplied by Mother Earth. And, to balance the amount of time in the air, Magpie walks on Mother Earth quite frequently. There may be a message in Magpie’s behaviour that you need to be out on Mother Earth and ground.

White is symbolic of spirituality and of higher consciousness than selfishness and greed. It is time to start looking beyond the level of self gratification. Magpie says to look inward and see what needs to be healed and then look to Spirit for guidance. Magpie may be asking you to soar beyond your current limits. Perhaps you are too grounded and need to balance the grounded-ness with delving in to new mysteries and expanding the current level of thinking.

What ever else may be going on in your life, pay attention to Magpie so you seize the opportunities presented to you.

May you walk in peace.

AUTHOR – Judith has been writing spiritual and technical blogs for the last thirteen years. She is a non-traditional shaman who has studied with shaman teachers from different lineages. As well, she has studied and uses Dowsing, Body Talk, EFT, Reiki, Quantum Touch, Hypnotherapy, Angel Karma Techniques, Angel Therapy, and has taught Star Talker Training classes. She is a seer and medium. The blog was originally posted in August 2008, and is reprinted with Judith’s permission.

Send your ideas for blog postings and your comments about different blogs to Judith at Judith-hirst@questers.ca, and I will post them on the blog.

Picture from Wild Horses of Alberta Society

When I was born, my Dad was still using horses to pull the hay rake, haul the rack of bales to the barn, and to haul feed to the cattle, especially in the winter. Horses – black, brown, and pinto have been part of my life from Day One. I may go for a long time without seeing or riding or even speaking with horses. Yet, when I need that extra strength, or when travel calls, Horse shows up.

Many people have a passion for horses. Psychologists and psychiatrists link it to the need for male sexuality or for male energy. I think this is a 20th Century concept. Horses have been around since the earliest dinosaurs, and the people had a passion for the Horse then – or they would not draw it on cave walls or create horse symbols to wear around their necks.

Horses are about freedom! The earliest myths and legends talk about flying horses, Horses that spoke with and travelled with Gods. Since Man is not able to do that, then possibly Horses were more spiritual than man. We worshiped them! In Norse, Greek, Roman, Hindu, and North American Aboriginal stories, the Horse plays a key role. When Horse befriended our ancestors, man was able to travel farther and faster. The horsepower allowed man to do more work and encouraged settlement and stabilization of tribes.

There are many legends about wild horses all over the world. It is the spirit and zest for life that draws man to the horse. And, it is that same spirit that fires man’s more brutal nature to tame the horse and beat the spirit out of it. Some men believe that the Horse should not be nobler than man. So those people who have Horse as a guide are very much like the horse – they are fiercely independent. They are intolerant of restrictions on freedom. They are hard on their partners in relationships because the person with Horse spirit needs to be free. Horse appearing may be notice that you need to travel to new territory, either geographically or in spirit. Horse does not stay where the pasture is depleted.

Horse has a strict sense of status, based on leadership abilities and survival skills. There is always a dominant stallion and a dominant mare. The Mares call the shots about grazing, water, and moving, and most often settle disputes. The Stallion is the protector and the lookout. He will often be on high ground where he may easily see what is coming up around the herd.

All horses are protective of the young and the wounded or sick. Many who are healers have Horse Medicine as horses are natural healers. It is this healing ability that has led to the creation of so many healing – riding programs. Horse is one that likes to touch. The Healer may have the gift of healing in their touch. Horse will also gather the herd together to circle the wounded one. Horse probably taught our ancestors about “healing circles”, a gathering which is quite common in spiritual communities today.

Horse communicates with the herd via a shared consciousness or the “herd mind”. If you have been experiencing difficulties in communication with your family and friends and in work relationships, Horse may be telling you to use your other senses to discern what is going on, and to “see” with a bigger picture in mind. This will make your words more win-win oriented, and less inclined to sound selfish.

Enjoy your time with Horse as your guiding Spirit Animal, and may you travel to new places!

Walk in peace.

AUTHOR – Judith Hirst has been writing spiritual and technical blogs for the last thirteen years. She is a non-traditional shaman who has studied with shaman teachers from different lineages. As well, she has studied and uses Dowsing, Body Talk, EFT, Reiki, Quantum Touch, Hypnotherapy, Angel Karma Techniques, Angel Therapy, and has taught Star Talker Training classes. She is a seer and medium. Judith joined Questers in 2007, and now serves on the Board as secretary and blog master.

Tagged Spirit Animal

This year, the Caribou have been in the news many times because of the declining herd size. Caribou are being threatened by man and oil exploration, by disease, by changing food sources, and by the constant surveillance by concerned scientists and wild life managers. This issue started about 2005, and has been growing. There are several articles a month that seem to show up for me. Then, I saw the CBC headline, below, and felt it was time to let Caribou be heard.

Canada’s caribou population disappearing at alarming rate

The National August 1, 2018 https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1290397763647

For years, creatures of the North like caribou, polar bears, Arctic foxes, wolves, seals, whales, narwhales, and walrus have popped up on my radar because of some sort of connection that we have.

I wondered what the importance of Caribou was to me at the moment. I always thought of Caribou as another “Deer”. If that was the case, then I should simply be seeing Deer. So, what is the significance of Caribou and these articles?

Caribou are slowly becoming extinct. They represented a way of life for the Inuit for hundreds of years. The stats are showing huge drops in the number of Caribou, and yet, there is nothing about finding many skeletons of Caribou in one area, showing that a mass hunting of the animal took place or that some disease wiped them out.

What immediately came to mind is “the old ways are not required anymore – the animals do not have to sacrifice themselves”. That thought made me think of the Monarch Butterfly disappearing. Perhaps the Caribou is now attuning to the next realm or realms and is slowly leaving the planet through an open portal.

Caribou is also about getting ready for new adventures. Every year, Caribou migrates to new pastures, and this happens twice per year. So, Caribou showing up may be a signal for long and wonderful journeys that will completely transform life. Caribou is also about courage – the journeys take a month or so, and the Caribou must swim very cold rivers and seas. At times, all one can see are the head and antlers. The message – keep your head above water (emotions and challenges) and simply keep going. Caribou never turns back.

If Caribou is showing up in your life, take a look at what you need to let go of, and prepare for the transformational journey!

Walk in peace.

From the Editor: I first published this story back in 2007 on my blog. My friend, Aleda, sent it to me. I loved the story and posted it. I believed that it is a grand story with a lesson for everyone. I had many, many, comments and emails from it, which showed that it touched hundreds of people. We seem to need many stories about love and about kindness to help us keep hope, love, and peace burning strong for us all. If you are called to leave a comment, please do. Or, send the comment to me with instructions to publish it, or to keep it private, and I will follow them. My email is Judith-hirst@questers.ca.

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Here is the story written by a thankful Mom!

I have no way to know who sent it, but there is a kind soul working in the dead letter office of the US postal service. Our 14 year old dog, Abbey, died last month. The day after she died, my 4 year old daughter Meredith was crying and talking about how much she missed Abbey. She asked if we could write a letter to God so that when Abbey got to heaven, God would recognize her. I told her that I thought we could so she dictated these words:

Dear God,
Will you please take care of my dog? She died yesterday and is with you in heaven. I miss her very much. I am happy that you let me have her as my dog even though she got sick. I hope you will play with her. She likes to play with balls and to swim. I am sending a picture of her so when you see her you will know that she is my dog. I really miss her.
Love, Meredith.

We put the letter in an envelope with a picture of Abbey and Meredith and addressed it to God/Heaven. We put our return address on it. Then Meredith pasted several stamps on the front of the envelope because she said it would take lots of stamps to get the letter all the way to heaven. That afternoon she dropped it into the letter box at the post office. A few days later, she asked if God had gotten the letter yet. I told her that I thought He had.

Yesterday, there was a package wrapped in gold paper on our front porch addressed, ‘To Meredith’ in an unfamiliar hand. Meredith opened it. Inside was a book by Mr. Rogers called, ‘When a Pet Dies.’ Taped to the inside front cover was the letter we had written to God in its opened envelope. On the opposite page was the picture of Abbey & Meredith and this note:

Dear Meredith,

Abbey arrived safely in heaven. Having the picture was a big help. I recognized Abbey right away. Abbey isn’t sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me just like it stays in your heart. Abbey loved being your dog. Since we don’t need our bodies in heaven, I don’t have any pockets to keep your picture in, so I am sending it back to you in this little book for you to keep and have something to remember Abbey by.

Thank you for the beautiful letter and thank your mother for helping you write it and sending it to me. What a wonderful mother you have. I picked her especially for you.

I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much.

By the way, I am wherever there is love.

Love, God

Walk in peace.

Pigeons are often regarded as pests. In some cases, they are regarded as a delicacy for eating (squib). Some people revere them for their racing abilities. Most of us think of them as the birds that people feed in the parks and squares in the cities. We seldom think of them as a totem animal that may have something to teach us. If Pigeon is appearing in your life, you may be assured that he has a reason. Take into consideration that Pigeon was used by the Chinese for hundreds of years to deliver messages. Europeans adopted this technique and used pigeons to deliver messages in times of war. Pigeons have great courage and may fly 500 miles per day at speeds of 100 miles per hour for 100 miles! So what is Pigeon coming to say? Some of the messages might be:

-have courage and keep focused on the goal at hand.

-how to value the qualities of home, security, and the caring that a loved one provides. (Pigeon often appears as a totem or guide for people that have had a troubled or unsettled childhood, and who seem to have difficulty in finding a solid foundation in all areas of their lives.)

-how to know “true north” (we would call it the compass of integrity), and how to always find one’s way home – to the place in their heart where they know there is truth.

-how to always know where you are and to know where “home” is.

Pigeon’s big message when it first appears to you is to remind you that you must keep your sights and your actions focused on what it is that you want in life. It is reminding you to use all of your senses equally and thus stay balanced. Mostly, Pigeon says focus on where you want to be and start moving to that goal using your inner guidance so that you will always find your way, regardless of the journey.

Walk in peace!

Moose are one of the more ancient four legged ones. In Alberta, we see them in the foothills, in wooded areas, and sometimes even along the rivers in the city. Moose was named from the Algonquin word “Moz” which roughly means stick or twig eater. Moose are totally herbivores and may eat up to 112 pounds of food per day in the summertime as the winter time is almost a time of fasting for them. Their great size – averaging six and a half feet at the shoulder, and one thousand pounds – makes sustenance a full time occupation. Their colouring allows them to blend into the bush, grass and water that are their habitat. Moose runs at about twenty-eight miles per hour, and swims quite rapidly as well. Even with its huge antlers which may weigh seventy-five pounds, the bull moose will move silently through the forest, and will appear invisible as well. When we do see Moose, it is so powerful a presence, one cannot help but feel a sense of the majestic force of Nature.

Our Ancestors have many legends surrounding Moose. Some are that those born with Moose’s shape – long legs and arms – will have Moose’s ability to connect with the higher realms. Moose’s gifts – presence and invisibility are also the message to those Moose appears to. Moose says to go and do what ever your journey is without drawing attention to yourself. If Moose has antlers, the message is to open up the crown chakra and connect to the universal consciousness and connect with the Heavens and Mother Earth and understand that balance is required. Moose reminds you that you do have great wisdom and that the wisdom is to be shared discretely; and that one should not be troubled by the garbled advice from those around them.

Moose’s habitat in summer is water. In the water, Moose pulls up the tenderest shoots of marine plants, and feasts on the water lily, a brilliant yellow flower. This is a reminder that one must constantly plunge the depths of emotion to find the true moments of love and swallow them whole to incorporate them into one’s being, for love is the one true thing. All other emotion must be examined, and blessed and released to prevent this density from holding one back from growing into their full power.

© November 2008 Judith Hirst, and used with permission from the author. Judith is a Sage-Healer-Shaman who works with the Ancestors, Goddesses and Gods, Great Spirit, and angelic realms to move quickly to the source of issues or blocks. In the 3D World, Judith works as a Systems Business Analyst.

Years ago, a reader asked me why she was seeing a “Fairy Penguin” in her dreams and seeing pictures of them when she looked in magazines. The reader was seeing a Spirit Guide. What I have learned is that when a spirit guide pops up in your life, it is there to help you focus on what is happening and what will be happening for the next week or two or even for a month.

As you can see from the picture, the Fairy Penguin has beautiful colouring that reflects the message that it may bring to people. Some may call the feather colour blue, and others will call it indigo. Whichever, the colour blue is associated with our throat chakra while the colour indigo is associated with the third eye or brow chakra. So, what is the message in the colour blue? Fairy Penguin is telling you to speak the truth, or your truth which may be the same thing, depending on the circumstances.

This thought brings to mind the book, “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz. In his book, Ruiz lays out the first agreement.

1. Be Impeccable With Your Word
Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

Are you speaking your truth? Are you walking your truth? Are you aware of a situation that is a lie or cover up, and is it time for you to “uncover” the truth? The throat chakra is about communication as well. Just as you ask what the Penguin is trying to say – the Penguin may be saying to you that you need to communicate more and with a different tone/technique than you are now using. If people do not understand you, it may be their challenge or it may be yours. Generally, it is both. Those around us mirror that which we struggle with. An interesting thought is that the throat is used to express the will of the Creator (or God/Goddess). Are you needing to express a spiritual truth that you have been suppressing? If so, this little Fairy Penguin might be telling you about new beginnings and to get actively involved in something that expresses the creative voice and will of Creator and Universe. What is it that has been nudging you in the last several weeks – a conservation type project – perhaps helping with the Fairy Penguin, or is it about taking an active role in your community?

If you see the blue as more of an indigo colour, then the message is bringing you an awareness of your third eye. The third eye is about “seeing” what is beyond the visible or beyond our concept of reality. The fact that you saw a Fairy Penguin that others seem to be missing. Remember that the “Fairy” part of the Penguin’s name is about 4th Dimensional Reality, about magic and mystery, and about the unknown. Is your awareness growing? Are your psychic abilities now starting to present themselves? Are you doing anything – taking training, meditating – to help this process? The colour indigo is also a reminder that one needs to seek the highest truth (there is that truth thing again!) and usually the highest truth is that message or way of living that happens with Divine guidance.

The Blue Penguin or Fairy Penguin grows up to sixteen inches tall. His small size is certainly similar to what we believe the size of fairies to be. The white breast is associated with the colour of spirit. The dark and light contrast may be about moving between spirit and form, or between the light and night of the world. As the Penguin may move between the water and land, the little Blue Penguin also moves between the seen and the unseen. There is a very definite invitation in the “bark” of the penguin to take the “plunge” and move into the emotion and experience of working with the unseen. Remember too that water is always about emotion, so when an animal or another water related being speaks to you from the water, they are asking you to dive down into your emotions and examine them, and “swim” through them to get out the food or what you need and let the rest go.

If you receive Blue Penguin as a guide, you have been given a great gift! Enjoy your time with the guide, and remember to thank it and honor it.

© August 2018 Judith Hirst. Judith is a happy systems business analyst and a non-traditional shaman who has learned and continues to learn that healing happens in many ways. Sometimes the healing happens from a story in a blog. She is grateful for the clear guidance from Great Spirit and from her Angels for the messages that go into each blog.

Picture from Rocky Mountain Outlook Community News

Have you ever had a dream where you are either walking along a river or canoeing along a river, when all of a sudden, a large speckled fish jumps out at you? More often than not, the fish will be a trout! We currently associate the trout with fly fishing, and all the mysticism that follows fly fishing. Think – “A River Runs Through It” – the movie about learning of life through fly fishing trout. Trout are found the Americas (Argentina has great trout fishing), China, New Zealand, Ireland, Russia – you are getting the picture. Trout are found in all areas of the world.

The trout, then, is an icon or symbol of life at its primitive form. The trout like colder water over warm water; are fussy about what they eat, and as a group, seem to have definite food preferences, and are described as predators. Some species will eat their own eggs or hatched young. The majority of the species spawn in the fall or early winter – the rainbow trout spawn in the spring. With all this information, what then, is the message that the Trout brings?

Trout is about living in the present. The trout lives in a water environment and water is about emotion. The trout’s message is not to get lost in the emotion. Instead, use the emotion to carry you to that place where you grow and thrive. The trout hunts; it is a predator. However, it does not hunt its prey to extinction. Fly fishermen marvel how the species hunts one type of larvae for several hours and then, as a community, switches to a different prey. Man could indeed take a lesson about how to hunt without hunting to extinction.

The trout is also about swimming upstream and not taking the easy road. It may be telling you to “rise above the water” (emotions) for the rainbow trout is noted for “walking on the water” when on the hook and seemingly in danger. Many trout escape their captors using this technique. The trout jumps out of the water to catch food. It is also about being still. Many trout quietly spend the day in the shade of a log or a river bank, slowly swimming, taking life as it comes. The trout literally waits in the calm side of islands or in the calm pool created by rapids, taking the food that is carried down stream to them. Trout then, is also about patience. When Trout appears to you, take note of the surroundings that you are in. This will help you decipher Trout’s message.

Walk in peace!

Editor’s Note: This is a reprint of an article written by Judith Hirst in May 2007, in the Angels and Ancestors May Newsletter. Reprinted with permission.

Every morning, and sometimes in the evening, the dogs and I walk in the provincial park along the Bow River. When we walk on weekends and evenings, my husband Roger joins us. And, if we are blessed, we are also joined by one of the wild ones. In this picture, the black capped chickadee came to talk to us. The time is early fall, and there is a flock of about twenty chickadees that hang around one bushed area of the park. Through the fall and winter, when they see me coming with the dogs, they fly around us and around my head and will sometimes land on my shoulders. If you have heard the song of the chickadee, you will understand that it becomes quite complex. By December, I was pretty sure that they were saying, “Here comes she!” and not “chick-a-dee-dee-dee!”.

When a wild animal recognizes you and pays attention to you, there is an expectancy that you will listen to them, and to keep the balance, provide something for them. Sometimes I take them the black seeds they love so much. However, many times, they don’t eat the seeds; they just like to sit on my hand and “talk”. We have learned so much fear in dealing with “wild” animals. It is interesting to me that we call them wild because they don’t live with us. They live in a different environment, close to and part of nature. They happily share their knowledge with us, if we ask, and if we show respect.

The information that the chickadees bring to me include:

1. asking me to see with my innate knowledge of all things, instead of with my westernized logical mind. The chickadee’s black cap is a reminder of the higher wisdom available to us.

2. showing me the truth about whatever has been on my mind during my walk that day. It the chickadee that brought me the message about teaching people how to clear their karma, and why we need to clear karma now.

3. reminding me to keep all things in balance – work, play, body, mind – and of course the chakras. Chickadee incorporates some of the chakra colors. The black on the chickadee represents the black/red of the first chakra. Part of one’s balance is about being grounded, something that I work on to balance my meditations.

I love the chickadee’s cheerful greeting. Even if I meet no other humans, I am acknowledged as being part of the woods, and the All. There is great comfort in the feeling of belonging.

May you have a chickadee visit, and may it bless you!

Judith

Around the world, the Eagle is revered for its majesty, size, fierce look, and for its ability to soar so high. A sports team adopts it as a team name. Countries use it as their symbol. Shaman and warriors have worn its wings and claws to represent their power. In the Inca Tradition, the Eagle/Condor represents the Winds of the East. The prayer for the East goes,

To the winds of the East. Great eagle, condor Come to us from the place of the rising Sun Keep us under your wing. Show us the mountains we only dare to dream of. Teach us to fly wing to wing with the Great Spirit. – Alberto Villoldo, PhD. published in his book – Mending the Past and Healing The Future With Soul Retrieval…

The words linking Eagle to Great Spirit give one the sense of the majesty of Eagle, and why our Ancestors believed that Eagle was a traveler between worlds. Stories are told that one may watch Eagle soar up into the sky until she disappears. At that point, she walks with Creator and the Ancestors that have gone before.

Eagle has only ever killed for need, never for greed! If Eagle appears to you, then perhaps she has a message that someone around you is using you to satisfy their greed by using you and what you know. Eagle is known for her swiftness. She counsels that what ever you need to do, you must do it swiftly. However, before striking, Eagle rides the wind up high, and scans the land to see the “big picture”. She does not ever get caught in details. Eagle is a shining example that one must look at the consequences of all actions to see how it affects a much larger plan – Great Spirit’s plan. Often humans only have thoughts for themselves and not for others.

May you live your life with the grace of Eagle!

Tagged Spirit Animal

This winter, the Blue Jays have been hanging out in our back yard, teasing our dog, and stealing all the peanuts and sunflower seeds they can from the seeds I put out for the birds and the squirrels. Our birds are wonderfully colorful and noisy! It made me think of a blog that I wrote ten years ago. I hope that you enjoy it.

–Judith

Spirit Animal – Blue Jay

The Blue Jay wears the many colours of Father Sky. Although, Blue Jay is native to most of North America, one may go years without seeing Blue Jay, almost the way we see old friends from time to time. Even though we do not talk every week, we have no doubt that should we need them, they will always answer our call.So, if you are starting to see Blue Jay, he is answering your call.

You may say, “I have not called on Blue Jay”. However, you may have asked God or Great Spirit to show you what is next in your life, what is holding you back, or what your next step is. Blue Jay wears the colour blue and the little blue crest (cap) as part of his messenger duties from Great Spirit. Blue Jays do not have naturally blue feathers. Rather, their blue colouring is from light refraction on their feathers. When Blue Jay feathers are removed from the bird, they turn darkish as the light refraction no longer works.

Our Ancestors have passed down stories that say this colouring was a gift from the Gods because of the impossible tasks Blue Jay was given to do. One of the traits associated with Blue Jay is the “Trickster” aspect of his behaviour. Blue Jay steals – eggs and other things – destroys nests or other things, plays jokes and shape shifts. All of these characteristics have caused the other birds and animals to shun Blue Jay. Many humans shun him because of his harsh, noisy call, and his habit of making a mess of bird food or other things. Yet, by these actions, Blue Jay plays an important role in teaching everyone to take better care of what they have, to value home and family, to be discerning about what they believe, and to keep their sense of humour.

Blue Jay comes to you as a teacher. He uses noise to distract. Are you easily distracted by noise or commotion? Now is the time to work at being more disciplined. He shows you how easy it is to take away another’s power. Yet, shunned and mostly alone, Blue Jay walks his talk (integrity) and stands in his power. Blue is the colour associated with the throat chakra – the chakra of truth. Regardless of how one views Blue Jay’s voice, he teaches us that when we have something to say, it does not matter how harsh it sounds if it is the truth. Being able to stand alone and say what needs to be said is Blue Jay’s lesson in leadership.

Blue Jay comes to tell you that it is time to step into your truth, and find the resources within to acknowledge that people (governments, corporations, family, employers) have been taking advantage of you – whittling away at your nest (income and home) and that now is the time to make changes. Just as Blue Jay shifts shape from bird to human, he tells you that you may shift to be anyone you wish to be. The power is within you. Blue Jay recognizes talent, and he says that you, too, have talent. Recognize that it needs nurturing and developing, and that along with Blue Jay as a teacher, you will need to find other teachers of strength and integrity to help you cultivate the innate skills that are within you.

If Blue Jay is working with you, now is a good time to remember how connected everything is. Blue Jay represents the blue of the skies and the oceans and the point on the horizon where they become one. Just as the wave cannot exist on its own, Blue Jay’s feathers do not exist without the nurturing life support of Jay’s body. He reminds you that your light cannot shine without nurturing the body and the soul, and that now is a good time to get started on your journey to live harmoniously with the Earth.

May you have nothing but blue skies!

Go in peace.

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.”

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 labeling 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. Let Ox be your guide!

Go in peace.

This article was originally published in the Angels and Ancestors Magazine – JANUARY 2009 Volume 3 Issue 4- and has been republished by permission of the author, Judith Hirst.

Hooray for the activists and wildlife experts and environmentalists that have raised everyone’s awareness about the plight of animal kind. The Universe or Creator put animals (the two legged, the four legged, the finned, the furred, the feathered ones and the unseen) to balance the plant life and to create a beautiful garden. In addition to creating a marvelous ecosystem, each animal and plant works with mankind to provide humans with something that they need. It may be anything from food to medicine to information.

There are three aspects of animal that may be sent to guide us – the mythic (the physical aspect); the symbolic or archetype (the universal story that each animal carries to us); and finally, the energetic which is the spirit of the animal which speaks to our soul. To further set some language guidelines around the discussion of spirit animals, we need to talk about totem, power and spirit animals. Some writers and speakers use these words interchangeably. Setting some definitions around the words will help our discussion and create understanding.

When we hear the word “totem” we may tend to think of the totem pole. Well this would be a good starting point in understanding the totem animal. The totem animal usually represents a group of people such as a tribe or village or city. This animal has become a physical symbol for this group of people. Athletic groups use mascots and very often these mascots are animals. For example, the Calgary Stampeders use a horse as a symbol of the stampede. At each football game, the horse gallops or stampedes across the stadium whenever a touchdown occurs.

A huge number of schools and universities and even pro teams use the bear as their mascot or symbol. The bear represents size, intimidation. It is a force to be reckoned as one thinks about the physical image of the animal. (We are talking about a large bear – grizzly, Kodiak, big black.) This then is the totem for that team. The mythic level of the bear speaks to the size, strength, wisdom and protective nature of the animal. Bears protect their young ferociously, and are very maternal. This speaks to the nurturing within the team and the way they support each other, generally on and off the field. Hibernation equates to the teams on and then off season. Each team hibernates to prepare for the next season. The bear has been worshiped as a deity for eons. Cave drawings show it as one of the oldest clan animals. All the mythologies speak of one bear god or goddess. Astrology even recognizes the bear in the sky. Therefore, energetically, the bear transfers its strength, size and loyalty to the spirit and soul of the players on the team. “We are Bears!” becomes more than a chant. It becomes an identity.

So, is the bear a power animal as well? Yes. Understand that a power animal is the animal that comes to you as part of your journey, to lend you their strength and knowledge. The animal has chosen you, and you feel an affinity for it. You may even have some of its characteristics. It has chosen you, as part of its life journey to share its power with you. People who work with their power animal will find that at some level, they are bear, and they may dream or vision as if they were bear. If bear is your power animal, you may have a keen awareness of the seasons and be fond of honey or salmon or fish. You may have more than one power animal, and they may change through out your life. Generally though, we all have one animal that journeys with us all of our life.

How does the spirit animal fit into this? Regardless of the fact that you have a power animal or that the group you belong to has a totem animal, you may be visited by different animals physically, in dream time, or even through a series of coincidences. The coincidences might be that you see a picture of a bear. Several hours later, you hear a song about a bear (The Bear Came Over The Mountain, is a song that comes to mind). Shortly after the song, you may meet someone who has been nicknamed “Bear”. The spirit animal, then, is a message from the Universe (substitute God, Creator, Higher Self or your belief system if this makes you more comfortable). Looking at the characteristics and the mythology of the animal will help you determine what the message is. For example, if you are doing too much and are thinking about taking on some new challenge, the bear when it appears, depending on the season, may be telling you to be conscious of self care, family care, or stepping back and retreating into your “den”. The closer the animal comes to you physically, the more sure you can be that you are not “hearing” the animal’s message. The more the spirit animal is ignored, the more often it will appear, and it may be joined by animals similar to it. For example, the bear may be joined by the badger, the wolverine, or polar bear.

The appearance of a totem animal, power animal or spirit animal in one’s life is not accidental. As we make soul contracts with other souls who incarnate as humans, so too do we make contracts with animals. And since we humans live in separateness, it is the animal who remembers and honors the contract. Now take a look at what animals are around you in your home, at work, or in your casual life. What do they do to support you or to guide you? What are their traits? Are they like you? These are the types of questions that we will explore in upcoming blogs and stories.

(This article was written by Judith Hirst and first appeared in The Angels And Ancestors Magazine, February 28 2007 Volume 1 Issue 5. Reprinted by permission of the author.)

Go in peace.

Judith Hirst is a member of the Canadian Society of Questers, and one of the team on the Public Relations Committee. If you have any questions about this article, please send them to Judith at Judith-hirst@questers.ca. If you have an animal in your life and are not sure about what it is telling you, send us the question. We’d love to share this information with all our readers.

Tagged Power Animal Spirit Animal

Juncos like the mountains, and can be found flying around the Rockies, and go as far north as the tundra. They are a shy, hardy little bird.

Junco from Wikipedia

Junco brings a New Year’s message. Remember, that she eats seeds and insects, and likes to be in flocks with her kind, hopping about on the ground.

Junco’s message:

Be in constant touch with the Earth, for you will feel the changes that she is bringing and therefore be better prepared for them.
Seeds are precious and bring many nutrients to our bodies – to both Juncos and to humans. Eat more seeds to get healthy. And, ban those organizations that would modify the seeds that nourish us, for they put poison into our bodies.
Being in isolation makes you see things in a skewed perspective. You are not the most important person on Earth, and mostly, people do not care about you if they do not know you. Join a flock (community) and find out about others. When you stop thinking about yourself so much, then life becomes much more pleasant. Join communities that do good things! Helping others is an amazing energy boost.
Talk about your soul longings and what it is you like and dislike. Better still, before you talk about them, make a list of what interests you, and what bores you. You might even be surprised.
Get out side each day. Breath deeply and let the light of the world into your body.

Junco picture from talkaboutwildlife.ca

Juncos range over western North America, right up into the North West territories.

Reprinted, with permission of the author, Judith Hirst.

Over the past years, Bobcats have been very abundant in Calgary. We live two streets over from the boundary of Fish Creek Provincial Park, and in the last year, we have had several Bobcats in our front and back yard, and the pair seem to roam our cul-de-sac in a very unconcerned way. I was thinking about the lessons that might be associated with Bobcat, and I found a blog that I wrote back on May 8, 2008. As I read it, I realized that Bobcat has been around Calgary a long time. I am pleased to share this blog with you.

Spirit Animals –Bobcat

Bobcat is often associated with new lessons and with growth in spirituality. Weighing in between 15 to 25 pounds, the Bobcat doesn’t move fast. However it can leap up to eight feet to land on prey. Bobcat will actually pounce on yearling fawns and antelope. In November and December of 2007, bobcats were sighted by residents who live along Fish Creek Park in Calgary.

On January 11, 2008, a Bobcat walked into Paul Nicholas’s store in Whistler. The tourists had been taking pictures of the bobcat and it sought shelter in the store, “far from the maddening crowd”. Mr. Nicholas said that he and his customers were not fearful because the Bobcat was calm and went in and sat behind the cash register in a crouch very much like a house cat. In November and December of 2007, bobcats were sighted by residents who live along Fish Creek Park in Calgary. This reclusive animal is listed as a “sensitive species” in Alberta. So, why is it suddenly showing up in different places?

If you have Bobcat as a spirit animal, then Bobcat has a message for you. It is time to make a change. While Bobcats teach us to be alone without being lonely, and to quickly train our young to fend for themselves, these Bobcats are saying that it is time to come out of isolation and walk with people again. Bobcats show they carry magic and mystery by their black and white markings against their beige or brown fur. Because the animal blends so well with desert, plain, forest and mountain, the Bobcat is regarded as the keeper of secrets of wisdom. In Munay-Ki, we call them Wisdom Keepers.

The Bobcat is choosing NOW to share the wisdom. One lesson it teaches is how to draw from the land to live. Bobcat eats carrion, mice, rabbits, squirrels, rats, and insects so it never wants for food. It is discerning in where it goes and who it allows to see it. This animal has keen night vision so sees equally well in the darkness and the light. Therefore, very little can be hidden from this animal.

People with this spirit animal usually have keen psychic ability and are also very perceptive about other people’s body language and actions. This animal moves silently and often startles those that meet up with it. Are you cloaking or masking yourself? It has a very large yowling sound which sometimes paralyzes its prey. When the true you does emerge, are you startling those around you? Maybe now is the time to expand your knowledge and share what you know.

-from a blog posting – May 8 2008 on angelsandancestors.blogspot.ca

Go in peace.

Spirit Animal–The Message from Pigeon

Spirit Animal – Moose

Spirit Guide–Fairy Penguin / Blue Penguin

Spirit Animals – When Trout Swims Into Your Life

Spirit Animal–Ox

Spirit Animals – Setting the Language

Spirit Animal – Junco

Juncos like the mountains, and can be found flying around the Rockies, and go as far north as the tundra. They are a shy, hardy little bird.

Spirit Animals – Bobcat

Spirit Animals –Bobcat