Tarot Discussion – Past Lives, Card 18 of the Osho Zen Tarot

Picture of the Past Lives card from OSHO’s Zen Tarot Deck

 

 

Back in 1988, Dr. Brian Weiss wrote a book called “Many Lives, Many Masters” in which he tracks one of his client’s experience with remembering past lives.  Many of us read this book.  For some of us, it resonated and we too began to remember past lives.  For others of us, it simply reinforced what we already knew, that there were past lives that we had lived and that this life time, we have the chance to close some of the circles of unfinished business.

When this card came up for me today, it reminded me that meditation is not simply about “no-thing”.  Sometimes, meditation is about intense focus to allow our subconscious to connect to our conscious mind, and to pass on information.  We are all journeying.  Some of us for many, many lifetimes.  Osho’s commentary struck home for me….

Everybody can penetrate to the past life, or many past lives. But for that you have to go deeper into your meditation, for two reasons: unless you go deeper, you cannot find the door to another life; secondly, you have to be deeper in meditation because if you find the door of another life, a flood of events will come into the mind. It is hard enough even to carry one life....

A glimpse into the eternity of our existence is a gift, and understanding the function of karma in our lives is not something that can be grasped at will. This is a wake-up call; the events in your life are trying to show you a pattern as ancient as the journey of your own soul. ~~Osho~~

I realize that there are some things I need to remember in order to do the job that I came to do this lifetime.  I need to remember to complete my “Earth Mission”.  Perhaps this card will also remind you of what it is you need to do. 

May you successfully complete it in 2010.

Judy@angelsandancestors.com  See my January newsletter for 2010 at http://www.angelsandancestors.com/newsletter/news1001.pdf

See the write up for the New Moon meditation at http://www.angelsandancestors.com/workshop.html#newmoon

Spirit Animal - Owl

While I was doing my medicine wheel, an owl came in on a direction.  It blended so well with the landscape, it was difficult to see.  Now, the above picture is not the Owl that came to speak with me.  If you look closely, you will see how this grey owl blends into the tree trunk.

Owl, blending like this, brings a message about identity.  Who you are is who you let others see you as.  If someone sees you as courageous, then, it is because you show them courage.

Owl asks you, what is it that you want people to see right now?  Do you want them to see a being of integrity, or, a being of greed?  When one is greedy, one cannot be in their integrity, for truth is that we all have enough!  Owl asks you to hear your hear begging to be let out of the glamour of scarcity and greed, and that everyone see the other person as a potential friend instead of a potential competitor. 

Judy@angelsandancestors.com   See the new January newsletter at www.angelsandancestors.com

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. 

   Junco from Wikipedia

Junco brings a New Year’s Day 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:

1. Be in constant touch with the Earth, for you will feel the changes that she is bringing and therefore be better prepared for them.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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. 
5. Get out side each day.  Breath deeply and let the light of the world into your body. 

 

Junco picture from talkaboutwildlife.ca 

Photo © Joanne Bovee.

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

 

 

 

judy@angelsandancestors.com    See our January newsletter at www.angelsandancestors.com   Happy New Year!

Ancestors Speak – Blue Moon (Dec 31 2009)

Tonight, Dec 31, 2009, will be a “Blue Moon”. 

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/091229/science/science_us_sci_blue_moon_1  The New Year's Eve blue moon will be visible in the United States, Canada, Europe, South America and Africa. For partygoers in Australia and Asia, the full moon does not show up until New Year's Day, making January a blue moon month for them.

 

Picture of the moon from www.phys.ncku.edu.tw

Credit & Copyright: Vic Winter (ICSTARS)

 

 

Our Ancestors believed that great magic was at work when the moon appeared to have a blue tinge to it.  The different phases of the moon were all celebrated and a different goddess was attributed to each day of the moon.  The Blue Moon signalled that great changes, usually physical changes, would happen on the Earth.  Of course, each change affected the humans, and so they completed elaborate rituals to honour the Moon Goddess of the Blue Moon, and humbly asked for protection from what ever was to come.

This emotion comes through in today’s Tarot cards.  For example, The Moon card from the Arto Deck is beautiful, and shows Artemis, Moon Goddess, walking the hunt with her dogs and carrying the Hare which is sacred to her.

 

The Arto deck was published by Adam McLean in 2008

 

However, the card shows that emotions play a huge role in the picture’s story. One dog is howling, and one dog is looking protective of Artemis.  The lobster out of the water is unnatural, and speaks of unnatural things happening.  When the Moon card shows up, a reader will tell you that it is time to pay attention to intuition, to watch for magic, and also to be aware of a world going topsy turvey.  Even though the ocean shows calmness on the surface, there are big currents underneath, that are hidden.  The sail boat, sailing with a full sail is also not normal for most often at night, the sails are down.  This means that some power is at work, trying to move goods and perhaps men,  while most people are sleeping. In other words, power is working in the darkness in an effort to keep things hidden. 

Perhaps this is a reflection of how governments around the world have been trying to lie to their constituents about how the government uses money, about food supplies, and about pharmaceuticals that have been put on the market, and were not thoroughly tested.

This Blue Moon signals that 2010 will be a time of reckoning for deceitfulness, and gives warning to individuals to trust in the natural, and what is in their heart.

Happy New Year’s Eve!

Judy@angelsandancestors.com   See our January 2010 newsletter on line at www.angelsandancestors.com

Ancestors Speak – Healing a Cold

    Picture of a cold comes from www.medicinenet.com 

In Calgary, in December, especially around Christmas, people quite often have colds because the weather is so changeable, they may not dress correctly for the fluctuations, and it is so easy to catch a cold from someone else. 

This thought raced through my brain as I drove home from the grocery store after having been sneezed and coughed on by at least six people.  Sometimes a sneeze comes out so fast you simply do not have time to get your arm up to block it.

So, when I got home, I did some research in one of my favourite books – The Five-Elements Wellness Plan A Chinese System for Perfect Health by Barbara Temelie.  And, yes, the small type in the title is part of the title. 

I found the discussion of the cold on page 146, and what she said made sense to me. She talks about the effect of cold or “a cold” on the body as closing the pores.  To release the cold, the pores must be open, and the person must be sweating.  The Chinese Ancestors recommend ginger tea and hot alcohol such as hot spicy wine for a head cold. A rice dish with leeks and onions and hot spices will open up the lungs to strengthen the body’s natural immunity. 

Although I am not much on spicy wine, I love ginger tea.  And, this morning, I woke up with a head cold. I drank lots of ginger tea, took Vitamin C and D, and ate soup with rice and leeks and onions.  By tonight, I am feeling much better. I hope that the cold will be completely gone by tomorrow. 

If you try this, let me know how it works! 

Judy@angelsandancestors.com   See our January meditation for contemplation at www.angelsandancestors.com 

Spirit Animals – White Elk Speaks

These beautiful pictures were forwarded by my friend, Marilyn.  These animals are breathtaking! 

           The pictures are from Johndbrown.com  

White Elk is also a messenger.  He brings the message of wading through the toxic emotions that hold people back.  Have you ever said, “If it weren’t for that time …… when I…..” Or, have you ever said, “It is not my fault!” 

If you have, then White Elk is speaking to you!  He says that it is time to become accountable.  Each emotion that you feel is an honest creation of your body – no one else’s body.  Therefore, what you feel is not created by others; it is created by self.  Take a look at why you needed to feel this emotion.  What lesson is being brought in to the white light for clearing?  If you can not or will not identify the issue, the lesson will cycle again until you clear it. 

Although we have a saying, “Things are not always black and white”, generally speaking, they are!  You either accept that something triggers you, or you don’t.  If you acknowledge that all triggers are all your lessons, and not some other person’s lessons, then you will begin to move fully in to your soul awareness.

As this happens, your awareness, like the antlers on White Elk, reach to the heavens to pull down more white light, that gives you assistance in clearing issues.

The next time someone makes you angry, or sad, or hurt, or alone, simply say: “This is my emotion, and I own it.  I allow it to be, and then I clear it.  I do not need this lesson any longer.”

Be free!

 

Judy@angelsandancestors.com  see our updated list of events at www.angelsandancestors.com   Watch for the free January 2010 newsletter at the same home page.

Tarot Discussion – Silence Card 17

 

Osho Zen Card # 17.. Silence

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here is the write up that goes with the card:

The energy of the whole has taken possession of you. You are possessed, you are no more, the whole is.
This moment, as the silence penetrates in you, you can understand the significance of it, because it is the same silence that Gautam Buddha experienced. It is the same silence that Chuang Tzu or Bodhidharma or Nansen.... The taste of the silence is the same.
Time changes, the world goes on changing, but the experience of silence, the joy of it, remains the same. That is the only thing you can rely upon, the only thing that never dies. It is the only thing that you can call your very being. ~Osho~

This was the card that I pulled that goes with where I am in my life on this day – I am in Silence. There truly is joy in it.  The whiteness of the park this morning reflecting only the minute particles of sunlight trying to push the fog aside. And, the silence, created by the muffling effect of the hoar frost, gave comfort to the promise of something new.

May you have profound silence today, and in the silence, hear the answers that you have been seeking.

Judy@angelsandancestors.com   Check out Judy’s new meditation workshop.

Buddha Speaks – A Master’s Tears

This Zen story really resonates for me around a holiday time.  The story is about showing compassion, something that is part of the eight noble truths.

  Buddha picture with cobras from   bearspace.baylor.edu

 

 

 

 

 

One day, Ch'an Master K'ung-yeh was travelling on the road and met some bandits who wanted to rob him.

Tears fell from the Master's eyes.

The bandits started laughing and exclaimed, "What a coward!"

Master K'ung-yeh then said, "Don't think that I'm crying because I'm afraid of you. I am not even afraid of birth and death. I feel sorry for you young people. You are strong and healthy, yet instead of doing things that are beneficial for others, you hurt people by robbing them. Of course, what you are doing is not acceptable and cannot be tolerated by society. What is worse is that you will all go to hell and suffer great pain. I am so worried about you that I cannot restrain myself and am shedding tears for you"

The bandits were moved and decided to give up their evil ways.

May you find compassion for those that you do not understand.  May you seek understanding from the wisdom of the One.

Judy@angelsandancestors.com www.angelsandancestors.com   See our Angel photo gallery http://www.angelsandancestors.com/galleryAngel.html

Spirit Animal – Nightingale

 

Picture of the nightingale from www.mlahanas.de

 

 

 

 

    

Since I was little, I have been intrigued by tales of the Nightingale.  She is featured in many fairy tales, such as “The Nightingale” by Hans Christian Anderson.  In all of the stories, people want to own the Nightingale to possess her beautiful song.  On this Christmas Day, Nightingale brings a message that true freedom is not about being able to capture and control things and people or animals; true freedom is about being free to let all beings act and live exactly as they are meant to… unconditionally as nature intended.

Nightingale’s message is also in this beautiful traditional Christmas carol from Spain. 

The Gift

A poor orphan girl named Maria
Was walking to market one day
She stopped for a rest by the roadside
Where a bird with a broken wing lay
A few moments passed till she saw it
For it's feathers were covered with sand
But soon clean and wrapped it was travelling
In the warmth of Maria's small hand
She happily gave her last peso
On a cage made of rushes and twine
She fed it loose corn from the market
And watched it grow stronger with time
Now the Christmas Eve service was coming
And the church shone with tinsel and light
And all of the townfolks brought presents
To lay by the manger that night
There were diamonds and incense
And perfumes
In packages fit for a king
But for one ragged bird in a small cage
Maria had nothing to bring
She waited till just before midnight
So no one would see her go in
And crying she knelt by the manger
For her gift was unworthy of Him
Then a voice spoke to her through the darkness
Maria, what brings you to me
If the bird in the cage is your offering
Open the door and let me see
Though she trembled, she did as He asked her
And out of the cage the bird flew
Soaring up into the rafters
On a wing that had healed good as new
Just then the midnight bells rang out
And the little bird started to sing
A song that no words could recapture
Whose beauty was fit for a king
Now Maria felt blessed just to listen
To that cascade of notes sweet and long
As her offerings was lifted to heaven
By the very first nightingale's song

Listen to Garth Brooks sing “The Gift”  www.youtube.com/watch?v=96FEIeBpOcU 

Merry Christmas!

Judy@angelsandancestors.com   www.angelsandancestors.com   See our Angel photo gallery http://www.angelsandancestors.com/galleryAngel.html

From Judy – Christmas Eve Tale of Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer

This story comes from my friend, Geoffrey Keyte, Director of Healing International at http://healinginternational.ning.com

The Story Behind the Story of Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer

Rudolph…

from www.guy-sports.com

 

 

 

 

 

A man named Bob May, depressed and broken hearted, stared out his drafty apartment window into the chilling December night.  His 4-year-old daughter Barbara sat on his lap quietly sobbing.

Bobs wife, Evelyn, was dying of cancer.

Little Barbara couldn't understand why her mommy could never come home. Barbara looked up into her dad's eyes and asked, "Why isn't Mommy just like everybody else's Mommy?" Bob's jaw tightened and his eyes welled with tears.

Her question brought waves of grief, but also of anger. It had been the story of Bob's life. Life always had to be different for Bob. Small when he was a kid, Bob was often bullied by other boys. He was too little at the time to compete in sports. He was often called names he'd rather not remember.

From childhood, Bob was different and never seemed to fit in. Bob did complete college, married his loving wife and was grateful to get his job as a copywriter at Montgomery Ward during the Great Depression. Then he was blessed with his little  girl.

But it was all short-lived. Evelyn's bout with cancer stripped  them of all their savings and now Bob and his daughter were forced  to live in a two-room apartment in he Chicago slums. Evelyn died  just days before Christmas in 1938. Bob struggled to give hope to his child, for whom he couldn't even afford to buy a Christmas gift. But if he couldn't buy a gift, he was determined a make one - a storybook!

Bob had created a character in his own mind and told the animal's story to little Barbara to give her comfort and hope. Again and again Bob told the story, embellishing it more with each telling.

Who was the character? What was the story all about? The story Bob May created was his own autobiography in fable form. The character he created was a misfit outcast like he was. The name of the character? A little reindeer named Rudolph, with a big shiny nose.

Bob finished the book just in time to give it to his little girl on Christmas Day. But the story doesn't end there. The general manager of Montgomery Ward caught wind of the little storybook and offered Bob May a nominal fee to purchase the rights to print the book. Wards went on to print,_ Rudolph the  Red-Nosed Reindeer_ and distribute it to children visiting Santa Claus in their stores.

By 1946 Wards had printed and distributed more than six million copies of Rudolph. That same year, a major publisher wanted to purchase the rights from Wards to print an  updated version of the book. In an unprecedented gesture of  kindness, the CEO of Wards returned all rights back to Bob May. The book became a best seller. Many toy and marketing deals followed and Bob May, now remarried with a growing family, became wealthy from  the story he created to comfort his grieving daughter. But the story  doesn't end there either. 

Bob's brother-in-law, Johnny Marks, made a song adaptation to  Rudolph. Though the song was turned down by such popular vocalists  as Bing Crosby and Dinah Shore , it was recorded by the singing  cowboy, Gene Autry. "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" was released  in 1949 and became a phenomenal success, selling mo re records than  any other Christmas song, with the exception of "White Christmas."

The gift of love that Bob May created for his daughter so long ago kept on returning back to bless him again and again. And Bob May
learned the lesson, just like his dear friend Rudolph, that being different isn't so bad. In fact, being different can be a blessing.

Judy@angelsandancestors.com  Merry Christmas from our house to yours… www.angelsandancestors.com   See our Angel photo gallery http://www.angelsandancestors.com/galleryAngel.html