兎神社

Usagi Jinja
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兎神社

Welcome to the Rabbit Shrine in Calgary

 "The Little Shrine On the Prairie" 

USAGI JINJA shinto Shrine fellowship.

USAGI JINJA shinto Shrine fellowship. USAGI JINJA shinto Shrine fellowship. USAGI JINJA shinto Shrine fellowship.

Welcome to the Rabbit Shrine in Calgary

 "The Little Shrine On the Prairie" 

USAGI JINJA shinto Shrine fellowship.

USAGI JINJA shinto Shrine fellowship. USAGI JINJA shinto Shrine fellowship. USAGI JINJA shinto Shrine fellowship.

命 Inochi

 

December 1st is 師走一日 Shiwasu Tsuitachi, or the 1st day of the final month of 2025. December is an important month as it marks the end of the year and the beginning of another year of our lives. Another chapter in our lives, and another year of our lives chronologically. It is also a wonderful time to reflect the last year and let go of energies that have bound us in what ever way and conscientiously move towards the new phase with the open honest heart of letting go. Our seeking an open truthful heart is called Magokoro 真心.

As we move towards the 師走大祓式 Shiwasu Ōharahishiki, the Great Year-End Purification which is designated as December 30 and 31. This powerful time is a reminder of just how powerfully freeing a truthful heart is especially as we approach month end. It is also a reminder of allowing this transitional power to be ours more often as we weave it into each month of the year and the transfermational significance that is “the letting go.”

As I’ve said: in these days of purification leading up too and including the penultimate and ultimate days of December, which mark the closing of the year, it is advised that we be honestly searching for letting go of those things that bind. 

The ending of 2025 is a great time to be reflective and willing to "let go" of entrapping energies of the last year and reflect on what has brought us closer to the threshold of ourselves.

It is time to remind everyone to conscientiously use and return your katashiro to be purified by fire. 形代 katashiro are any sacred objects, cloth, paper, wood, or other objects that signify energies we no longer need and that no longer suit us.

Please take a moment when sorting through such objects to settle yourself and breathe deeply. 

Then allow the katashiro to receive the residual cares, fatigues, impurities, and emotional burdens of 2025. 

When we gather these together and return them to the infinite sea of potentialities in the year end Great Purification, we allow the old year’s heaviness to dissolve and create space for renewed 気 Ki- Life force and clear our space, our hearts, our minds of all-stagnate. The invitation to our selves for this shift truly allows our core essence to breathe. 

If you are at distance and need to send things to the Shrine remember mail-delivery tends to be delayed at this time of year. I know how preoccupied by world events and holiday concerns we can all be at this time. Just take a few moments to let go of things and breathe into the new beginnings.

 

Please be sure to return your katashiro soon as they will be included in the ceremony of purification and renewal.

Happy Letting Go Jay Kan’nushi

兎神社では、季節毎に様々な行事を通して自然の神々に敬意を払い、感謝の気持ちを伝えています。 ご参列され、御神徳とご加護を受けられますようご案内します。 神々を「お祀り」して感謝と願いをするイベントだから「お祭り」と言います。感謝と祈願の神事があってこそ「お祭り」。そして、「お祭り」は、自然への畏敬と感謝を再確認する（思い出すきっかけ）という役割もあると言えます。 　遙か昔から日本人が代々受け継いできた伝統文化・習慣が急速に失われつつある昨今。私達の世代で消滅させてしまうのか、次の世代に伝えていくかの選択の時期が来ているのではないでしょうか。 自然の力に感謝し、次の世代に伝えるきっかけにしてくだ

竹神主

Natural Faith

Welcome to Usagi Jinja, your ultimate destination for exploring the power of spirituality through the Great Nature of Shinto. We believe that faith can be a transformative force in our lives. Shinto helps us find meaning, purpose, respect and peace with the strength of nature. 

On this site, you'll find a wealth of information concerning life and the pursuit of Shinto as an attribute to our unfolding lives. The Spiritual Practices of Shinto are held in the daily, weekly, monthly and yearly sacred observances and preyers. 

Join us on this amazing journey of self discovery and the power in the admonishing of Nature.

Kan'nushi Jay

神主のお話　Kan'nushi Speaks Blog

Usagi Jinja!

 

Life Colleagues

Dear all Usagi Jinja Fellowship.

It is the week of November 9 and it has been an an amazing last week honouring the harvest, the harvest moon and one week ago having our annual Aki Matsuri (Harvest Festival November 1). 

This festival is a very honorific time to note nature and be in deep appreciation for the bountiful harvest  of fall time. The Shinto Norito Prayer was honouring Inari Okami, god of harvest with much talk about the beautiful giving of nature through bestowing life unto us through food.

 The camaraderie and love that people feel for one another, was honoured throughout the day with beautiful communion and the presentation of community members bringing harvest items that they could graciously help people with for a reciprocal remuneration. 

Usagi Jinja spiritual tools such as kototama (faith in the power of the spoken word) chinkon (requim of our ancesters) and ibuki (life breath of vitality) then allowing these energies to help centre the fellowship for grounding and accessing the presence and guidance of Inari Ōkami and Yaoyorozu no OKami.

Distilling oneself in the presence of the great Nature Spiritual practice when the Earth Jewel (Magatama) and utilizing the universal light of life. These energies are of utmost importance especially with the turmoil we see now in life. 

All of us are moving through deep transformation and uncertainty as politics of whatever country we are in and policies that are enacted on the people in said countries becomes even more tumultuous. 

Spiritual grounding practises become a prime sacred endeavor and offer a way to return to our unshakable center and the living rhythm of life itself. 

Ultimately, we can draw vitality, clarity, and courage from the divine source within and around us especially found in our approach to natural worship and recognizing what’s real. 

Blessings Kan’Nushi Jay

O'ShoGatsu New Year Gathering Celebration and Prayer

It has been a very involved year, this Year of the Snake, with travel, ceremony, and festivals. I am in great honour of the blessings and accomplishments of so many of you and welcome the coming year of the Fire Horse.

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“Truth is none of us need to work so hard to become spiritual. We are spiritual right from spirit itself; you need only to remember that fact. Spirit is within us all. God dwells within us.”

Kan'nushi Jay

Spirtual Services

はつみやまいり Hatsumiya Mai Ri Baby Blessing 1st Shrine Visit

しちごさん Shichi Go San Seven Five Three Childrens Blessings

けつこんしき Kekkon Shiki Wedding Ceremony

いれいさい Irei Sai Celebration Of Life

お祭り巡行 O-Matsuri Omikoshi Junkou on July 19 2025 Max Bell Arena went beautifully and weather was spectaculer!

Usagi Jinja Také KanNushi giving opening Prayer.

巳年2025 year of the snake

蛇

At Usagi Jinja, we believe that all religions have the potential to lead to a deeper understanding of God and the universe. We honour and respect all paths towards enlightenment, and strive to create a community that is inclusive and welcoming to all.

神道を通して私達は自然に近づきます。 Shintō o tōshite watashitachi wa shizen ni chikadzukimasu. Through Shinto we immerse ourselves in nature.

Jay Kan'nushi

地域社会での活動 Chi'iki shakai denokatsudo Community Outreach

Kan'nushi Jay is an accomplished public speaker. He has done many speaking engagements for schools, organizations, and in leadership conventions. He has been called to do this work all across Canada and in many parts of the world. If you would like to book him to speak for your organization or school please reach out and contact us.

Contact us

Kan'nushi Jay Creasy

Jay “Také” Creasy is currently a Kan’nushi (Shinto priest) studying with

Ito Chihiro of Japan.
A Kan’nushi , also called shinshoku, is the person responsible for the maintenance of a Shinto shrine as well as for leading worship of a given kami. The characters for Kan’nushi are sometimes also read jinshu with the same meaning. Originally the Kan’nushi were intermediaries between kami and could transmit their will to all mankind.
Founded 25 years ago by Kan’nushi Jay Creasy, the Usagi Jinja shrine is one of the few true Japanese Shinto shrines outside of Japan, and the only Shinto shrine in Alberta.

Usagi Jinja (Rabbit Shrine) offers spiritual services as well as operates three yearly festivals. Please visit our writings section to learn more about Shinto.

The picture here depicts Kan'nushi Také with his teacher Gūji Ito Chihiro honoring  Také for his continued shinto practice abroad.

"Here we see once again, that the Great Spirit reveals itself in the simplest of things."

Jay Kan'nushi

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