Monthly Archives: December 2017

Happy Holydays & Nurturing the Light of Hope

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From my December newsletter:
Happy Solstice & Holydays     
To those of us in the Northern Hemisphere today marks the beginning of winter. My/our Celtic and Scandinavian ancestors had rituals to welcome the return of the light during this darkest of days. And it’s no coincidence that Hanukkah and Christmas fall around the Winter Solstice both of which celebrate the light. In the Jewish faith, it was a vessel of oil that was meant to burn for one day, and lasted for eight, symbolized by the lighting of the menorah. And for those of the Christian faith, a little bundle of hope born into a time of darkness.

In today’s world, how can we be nourished by the beauty and holiness of the season that is unique to our path? I love the lighting of the menorah but since I’m not Jewish, I created an interspiritual ritual in lighting candles for the seven chakras leading to Christmas. Chakras are energy centers in the body that help to regulate our physical and emotional wellness. Today, I lit the green candle for the heart chakra. Green like our beautiful mother earth. My heart remains open to all the beauty in our world and also holds the grief that is present, both personally and collectively during this challenging time. What rituals bring you light and hope, my friends?

I was pulling runes, a Nordic divination system, when working on the mandala below. When drawing ISA (I) the guidance is to stop and go within. It announces a time of restoration and renewal at the deepest level. I’m entering this space as we approach the year’s end and embracing the stillness after two Christmas seasons in the hospital with my father, who departed this realm last month.

May you take time in our busy world to nurture this inner space, to discover peace and the gifts that are yours to bring to our world in this time of darkness. Not unlike the Magi who, with their gifts, followed a star searching for the Christ light, a symbol of hope in a time of darkness long ago. May it be so.
Let your light shine bright, dear friends!

Happy Hanukkah

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Wishing those of the Jewish faith a blessed and happy Hanukkah during this season of light. I really love this ancient ritual of lighting the menorah. For those unfamiliar with the symbolism of this sacred time: Hanukkah is a celebration of the victory of the Maccabean Rebellion (167-160 BCE) against the attempt by Antiochus to force Hellenistic i.e. Greek pagan, practices upon the Jewish people and symbolizes the re-dedication of the Temple. According to the legend, when the Jews regained access to the Temple, they found only one jar of oil left, enough to stay alight for only one day, but by a miracle, the oil stayed burning for eight days. Occurring around winter solstice, each night for eight nights, another candle is lit on the menorah. The amount of light gradually increases like the lengthening of sunlight.