Author Archives

I'm an artistic, creative, somewhat eclectic person with a huge passion for painting, dance,sunsets,travel,friends and life in general. Being an artist is an exciting path with which to journey through life.

• Whispers of the Ancient Ones by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on April 27, 2022 • ( 19 )

  

  Moving from town to town – by train, bus and ferry – I have walked and walked the ancient land of the Scottish Highlands. From Paleolithic to Mesolithic to Neolithic and on to Picts, Celts, Scots, Romans, French and English… Read More ›

• From the Archives: Grainne – Sun Goddess/Winter Queen by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on April 2, 2022 • ( 4 )

  This was originally posted on June 24, 2015. You can see the original comments here. In the ancient Celtic world the Goddess was the One who expressed Herself through the many.  Grainne is such a one. She is both Winter… Read More ›

• On Ukraine, War and Goddess’s Protection by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on March 23, 2022 • ( 31 )

  

  We have all been horrified by the Russian invasion of Ukraine as we witness the brutal bombardment of not only military sites but also of civilians, neighborhoods, hospitals, churches, historical sites and nuclear power plants. It has been called the… Read More ›

• Hawk – A Soaring Visionary by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on February 23, 2022 • ( 8 )

  

  Hawk, beautiful and deadly, soars high in the air –  circling and circling –  its piercing eyes focused below. Spotting Hawk, one is amazed by its elegance and power while feeling a strange and ancient connection to this magnificent bird…. Read More ›

• From the Archives: The Serpent and the Goddess by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on February 18, 2022 • ( 14 )

  Moderator’s note: This marvelous FAR site has been running for 10 years and has had more than 3,600 posts in that time. There are so many treasures that have been posted in this decade that they tend to get lost… Read More ›

• Andraste, Celtic War Goddess – a Non-violent Approach, by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on January 26, 2022 • ( 19 )

  

  Mythology can be a helpful lens through which to view the march of history. The goddesses and gods are archetypes, illustrating the many facets of human experience for us, while at the same time lighting the path of connection between… Read More ›

• Stag – Majestic Messenger of Light by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on December 21, 2021 • ( 8 )

  

  The seasons turn and again we reach the Winter Solstice – the longest night which marks the sun’s return to light in the northern hemisphere. Stag, in all his antlered majesty, symbolizes the return of the sun’s life-giving rays. 

• Seal – a Soulful Clown by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on November 24, 2021 • ( 10 )

  

  Seal – ever curious – stands up in the water gazing about with her dark, soulful eyes before diving again into the enigmatic, mysterious sea. Seal initiates us into wonder by her extraordinary presence filled with playfulness, adaptability and deep… Read More ›

• Elephant – Earth’s Gentle Giant by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on October 27, 2021 • ( 15 )

  

  Elephants amble along through forest and savannah in unity with each other, generally causing no harm. They have long symbolized intelligence, power, wisdom and loyalty. 

• Spider Wisdom – Creation and Destruction Part 2 by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on August 28, 2021 • ( 11 )

  

  In addition to being viewed as a Creator Goddess and a Destiny Weaver, Spider is associated with many other aspects of life. Some of these aspects fall into what we would consider the light – the good – and others… Read More ›

• Spider Wisdom – Creation and Destruction, Part 1 by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on August 28, 2021 • ( 6 )

  

  Spider, the eternal weaver of webs, has symbolized creation since people first began storytelling. Cultures worldwide have associated Spider with the Creator Goddess, weaving – and through association with women as they were the weavers who spent endless hours creating… Read More ›

• Remembering Karolina by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on July 28, 2021 • ( 21 )

  

  Early in the morning of July 15, 2021, I was sitting amid the chaos of boxes in my new home which I had just closed on a week earlier. I had woken at 5 am to a leak in the… Read More ›

• Are Bees Begotten from Bull? by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on June 23, 2021 • ( 13 )

  

  At first glance the ancient belief that bees were birthed from dead bulls seems odd. But if we delve deeply into pre-historical artifacts we discover the mythopoetic roots of this idea.

• Bull, Oracle of Strength and Prosperity by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on May 26, 2021 • ( 9 )

  

  Bull, with its components of aggressiveness, stubbornness, virility, and ferocity, is emblematic of masculinity. But Bull is also associated with fertility, abundance, strength, and determination. Viewed by some cultures as a solar symbol – in the oldest myths, we find… Read More ›

• Wren, Herald of Dawn by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on April 28, 2021 • ( 9 )

  

  Wren, the first bird to sing at dawn, is known as the Herald of Dawn. It calls out its joy as each day begins. 

• Rabbit, The Feminine, and The Moon by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on March 24, 2021 • ( 13 )

  

  Rabbit plays in tall grasses, dances in the moonlight, nibbles on nature’s greens, then freezes if danger is sensed. With a thump as a warning, rabbit hops away in a flash, disappearing down its rabbit hole.

• Sacred Geese by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on February 24, 2021 • ( 13 )

  

  The end of winter is near in the northern hemisphere. Though the cold persists the days slowly grow longer. If you’re lucky you might soon see a skein of geese flying overheard on their way to their northern nesting grounds… Read More ›

• Mother Goddess and Mothers Hold the Key

  By Judith Shaw on January 27, 2021 • ( 13 )

  

  I am of my mother – from the swirling stars of the cosmos through the long passage, contacting and expanding – birthed of her body, nourished by her love.

• The Magic of Winter Solstice with Polar Bear by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on December 20, 2020 • ( 8 )

  

  The Winter Solstice awakens in us a sense of awe as we witness the majesty of the crisp, cold night sky spread across the heavens – whispering songs of mystery and meaning – songs meant to awaken the need for… Read More ›

• Turkey – Abundance, Gratitude and Connection to Mother Earth by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on November 25, 2020 • ( 12 )

  

  In the United States turkeys are equated with Thanksgiving. But there is so much more to Turkey – a gentle creature who forms strong attachments. Reputed to be dumb, Turkey is in fact quite intelligent and curious, with the ability… Read More ›

• Cat – Mysterious and Magical by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on October 28, 2020 • ( 19 )

  

  Cat moves elegantly through our lives with grace, independence and an unquenchable self-assurance. “My dog believes its human; my cat believes its god” is a saying reflected by the beliefs of our ancestors. Since Neolithic days cats have been associated… Read More ›

• Doe – A Gentle Being by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on September 23, 2020 • ( 13 )

  

  A magical moment occurs when in the dappled light of forest trees you spot a gentle doe staring at you with her deep, dark, liquid eyes. We all feel the grace and peace she bestows – awestruck by an instant… Read More ›

• Salmon of Wisdom by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on August 26, 2020 • ( 15 )

  

  Salmon, ancient symbol of wisdom and transformation, has been venerated by humankind since our pre-historic days.There exists one cave painting of a life-sized salmon – most likely part of a more complex composition – in the l’Abri de Poisson cave… Read More ›

• Butterfly – Soul Transformation by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on June 24, 2020 • ( 9 )

  

  I offer this look at the life and stories of Butterfly as a healing salve for our very troubled world. In this time of great, world-wide transformation, as we grapple with the many, many racial, social, economic and environmental injustices… Read More ›

• Cow, Nursemaid to Humanity by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on May 27, 2020 • ( 17 )

  

  Our human connection to Cow goes back to the days of prehistory. Aurochs (wild oxen), cattle’s wild ancestors, are found in prehistoric cave art throughout Europe, India and Africa. About 10,500 years ago modern cattle were domesticated from only 80… Read More ›

• Dolphin – Friendly Guide, Ambassador of Peace and Play by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on April 22, 2020 • ( 10 )

  

  Anyone who has seen dolphins frolicking in the sea, understands the allure of these mysterious creatures who live in the water and yet are not fish. Highly intelligent and communicative, Dolphin inspires a sense of joy in our hearts. Often… Read More ›

• The Mountain and the Goddess by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on March 25, 2020 • ( 26 )

  

  Mother Earth does not discriminate. She cares for all her children in all their varied forms. Our ancient ancestors considered Earth and its many geological elements to be feminine and/or associated with goddesses – from caves, to rivers, lakes and… Read More ›

• The Truth Revealed by Coronavirus – It’s All Connected by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on March 19, 2020 • ( 14 )

  

  Coronavirus is revealing many truths to this world – a world grounded in the patriarchal consciousness of domination and separation for millennia. Though still on the fringes of social awareness, the ancient wisdom of community and connection remains alive and… Read More ›

• The Serpent and the Goddess by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on February 26, 2020 • ( 38 )

  

  The otherworldly energy of Snake – it’s vitality, its uncanny ability to sense danger, and its ability to shed its skin and reappear as if reborn must have invoked feelings of awe in our ancestors. All across the pre-historic world… Read More ›

• Wolf – The Call of the Wild by Judith Shaw

  By Judith Shaw on January 22, 2020 • ( 17 )

  

  Howling wolves on a winter’s night sets the human heart aflame with fear – their legends are terrifying. Yet there is another side to Wolf. Deeply relational by nature, wolves are highly intelligent animals, excellent hunters and devoted to family…. Read More ›