March 29, 2022

When James and Katrin bought the land next to our cottage in Ireland, they arrived with goats and chickens and a resonant philosophy of living lightly on the land. They built their small house with a composting toilet, rain water collection system, and solar panels. We were thrilled to welcome them. However, to now supply their massive vegetable gardens and hazel trees with adequate water, they recently wanted to suss out a place for a well and contacted a dowser. She found a strong source of water and said it was connected to another source, pointing in the direction of the cottage. She was very likely pointing to our well. There was immediate concern that this new well would draw off of ours but the dowser knew the man who drilled the cottage well and his opinion was there would be no issue as our well is very deep. However there seems to be no small amount of skepticism about this man’s memory or veracity.

This also raised the question of exactly where the cottage well is located. I know, you would think we would know. But a well is not indicated on any of the official land registry document maps, nor is it indicated in the title search and survey documents we received when we bought the cottage that simply stated there was no idea where our water came from. Perhaps off the roof, the inspection concluded. Which is beyond ridiculous. However the prior owner had said the well was in the parking strip across the road and we took her at her word. And fortunately we’ve had no reason to look for the well until now. 

As our dear neighbor Mick said, “Welcome to rural Ireland.” And he laughed at the idea that we would find anything on any map or report. But having lived in the neighborhood for decades, he knows exactly where the well is. And he knows it’s been paved over when upgrades were done to the road. Lovely. At least we know where our well of water is from Mick’s well of wisdom.

There was a moment in all this when I thought we might have to seek divine intervention. But we have Mick and there is something divine in that. Some might refer to Mick and Mary as the pillars of this rural community, but I would offer they are much more the deep roots. Mary remembers being present for births that happened in the stone cottage that was, decades ago, replaced with the current cottage. She has wonderful stories of her visits to the old and new cottages, including knowing who slept in each room and how the furniture was arranged. She and Mick have watched life unfold in this community their whole lives. They are both deep wells of history and wisdom. 

This is the wisdom of people in community who grow up and grow old together. This is the wisdom of compassion and caring that flows through generations. And this is a deep well of wisdom I drink from when I am in Ireland. 

Beannacht,
Judith

March 14, 2022

Today I paid $8 a gallon for diesel. One month ago almost to the day I paid $450 for 500 litres of heating oil for the cottage. Today I paid $940. And that price was a special offer. We are now limited to how much oil we can purchase and we are being told prices will continue to increase and limits will decrease. Yet as friends and neighbors are deeply concerned about how they will be able to heat their homes, they continue to collect and donate supplies for the Ukrainian people. They continue to explore how they can create more places to house refugees. They continue to open their hearts. 

This is the landscape of their resolve. It is beyond inspirational.

Beannacht,
Judith

March 13, 2022

I accept all people as my own
and open my heart to share with them.

Being in Ireland, being in Europe without an ocean between us, the energy of the horror that is unfolding in Ukraine is both immediate and palpable. So is the energy of the response to it. Across this nation people are gathering supplies for shipment to the Ukrainian people and Éire has thrown open her doors to the refugees. All are welcome. No need for visas, no need for paperwork. Once they arrive, and they are currently streaming in through the Dublin Airport, they are treated like Irish citizens. They are able to get shelter, medical aid, and economic support. No questions asked. 

This welcoming flows directly from Ireland’s heritage where hospitality was the law and every person was considered to have honour and value. I’ve written much about the ancient civil codes, the Brehon Laws, that are the foundation for for this welcoming.

There is an almost fierce warrior spirit in this. Standing strong in an ancient tradition of how to treat each other, how to be in right relationship in community. 

I know. I write much about the Irish people. I believe we have so much to learn from them. And…here we are again. I reflect on the refugee situation in the US and long for a time when we see those people as our brothers and sisters, a time when honouring and honour stands strong.

Beannacht,
Judith

March 12, 2022

It was a gentle landing after twenty-four hours in transit. Our first night at the cottage with a fire in the stove, candles lit, and Rory, the amazing musician who is renting the cottage, playing music. The perfect entry into the rhythms here in Ireland.

Of course I brought a long list of things to do and a rather fierce determination to get through that list in the two weeks here. Scheduling time to connect with friends and colleagues. Sorting out the new water pump. Getting some artwork framed. Organising a plan for cottage landscaping. Meeting with my car hire contact at Shannon Airport to book the vehicles I need for the upcoming journeys. And more.

I’ve accomplished much on that list. I’ve also had the opportunity to be reminded that fierce determination is perhaps a rhythm best left behind when I come here. And a reminder that slowing down and taking life as it comes is exactly why I come here. 

In the five months since I was last here I’ve been periodically reminding my tradesman, Tom, that I hoped to also do some painting while here, painting that requires him to prep the walls. Two days after I arrived he stopped by to say hello and let me know he was off to Spain for a holiday and that the painting would be, as they say here, put on the long finger. I had also asked our plumber Declan for a list of preventative maintenance projects. Crickets.

Yet these men are two of the best in the area. And, now that covid restrictions are lifted, they are absolutely overwhelmed with work. While they haven’t tended to the cosmetic and preventative projects (Tom’s comment – if it’s not broken why fix it?), they have been absolutely responsive to emergencies like the water pump failing. Declan came over on the Saturday before I flew over, ordered the necessary part on Sunday and had the new pump installed before I arrived on Tuesday. Tom has been here twice in recent months to fix a septic system crisis. They have my back when it comes to urgent issues. The other things on the list will get done. Sometime. Things just take longer here.

I am reminded of this as, on the drive to the cottage, I pass several houses that have been under construction for years. Things just take longer here. So breathe. It will happen. 

And so I’m relaxing into the Irish rhythms and sensibilities and no longer running around with my hair on fire. I chuckle at myself that it took three days. I’m also relaxing into the rhythm of deep gratitude for this humble cottage, these men and neighbors who have my back, and this land that reminds me to breathe.

Beannacht,
Judith

March 6, 2022

Tomorrow I return to the land of my ancestors, holding this knowing in my heart and soul as I walk Ireland’s mystic landscapes and seascapes.

Ancestor Prayer

When you were born,
The earth became your body,
The stone became your bone,
The sea became your blood,
The sun became your eye,
The moon became your mind,
The wind became your breath.
When you passed to the Otherworld,
Your breath became the wind,
Your mind became the moon,
Your eye became the sun,
Your blood became the sea,
Your bone became the stone,
Your body became the earth.
When we were born, you did the same for us:
You called forth the earth and rocks;
The sea arose and the sun descended;
The moon shone down and the winds sang.
For those who come after, we shall do as you did for us
When we are gone, we shall do as you did before.

Ancestors, we honour you.

Beannacht,
Judith

March 4, 2022

anthropocentric:
considering human beings
as the most significant 
entity of the universe

Note: I started this blog post two weeks ago. And then the horrific invasion of Ukraine happened and it just didn’t feel right to continue. It was important to step back and acknowledge what was unfolding. The horror, yes. But also the resilience and spirit of the Ukrainian people and the solidarity of others around the globe, for within this spirit and solidarity there is hope and inspiration. I stepped away to focus my prayers with all of that. Now, the ancestors are calling me to back to the writing.

I connect with ancestors every day. The portal guardians. The ancestor who has shown me rituals and ceremonies of ancient Ireland. Periodically I connect with my dad and others in our Irish lineage. If you’ve followed this blog for any length of time you know I also write about ancestral connections. More a communion, really.

And there is often the question of which ancestors I’m referring to. Some are biological. Some are soul ancestors of my past lives. Some are ancestors that have lived at least one life on Earth and those I connect with are generally mystics and wisdom keepers from more ancient times who are deeply concerned about the trajectory of our human condition. 

Yet not all ancestors are human. Indeed, in many ancient cultures trees, mountains, and stones were also considered ancestors. Mother Earth herself is our most ancient ancestor. And indeed, we are all woven together in the web of life and share, are blessed with, a sacred animating life force energy. Everything in that web holds a vibratory signature. Everything in that web holds ancient wisdom…if we are willing to listen for it and join our vibration with theirs in sacred communion. If we are willing to abandon our anthropocentric cultural conditioning. If we are willing to accept that we are not the center of the universe.

As we hold a sacred intention that all life on this precious planet will thrive, that there will be peace and harmony, we need all the wisdom and power available. We need the wisdom and power of all the ancestors. They share this intention. They are standing with us.

Beannacht,
Judith