Hi everyone,
It has been a cold, frosty week in England, but pretty and light – you can feel it returning. Tonight is the second moon lodge I’m holding in my house – and I’m thinking of all of you!
Calling the circle
As we contemplate this full moon, we call to the spirits of the East, spirits of Springtime, new beginnings, new starts. Element of air, first breath, cool dawn. The power of life, springing forth. We call the spirits of the East and ask them to join our circle.
We call now to the spirits of the South, spirits of strength, power, warmth, clarity, motivation, energy, movement. Element of fire, bright fires lit at midday. The power of light, illuminating us. The fire that is our passion, burning deeply within us always. We call the spirits of the South and ask them to join our circle.
And we call to the Spirits of the West. Spirits of our deepest feelings, our strongest emotions, our truest love. A sunset over a calm ocean, a still lake reflecting back the sky, the still waters that run deep, deep within. Element of water, emanating the power of love. We call to the spirits of the West and ask them to join our circle.
Now we summon the spirits, exerting themselves so strongly in New York right now, the spirits of the North. Spirits of midnight, dark moonless skies in winter, places where truths are told, where laws are made. Element of earth, grounding us. Power of law, karma, ancestral wisdom, we call to the spirits of the North and we ask them to join our circle.
And we call to those spirits above us, angels, stars, heavens, light beings everywhere, those souls not yet incarnate. Children of our children, and to the brightest of moons. We call the spirits above and ask them to join us.
And we call to the spirits below us, to the earth that grounds us and keeps us steady, the green kingdom with its deep roots and to the lava beneath the crust that impassions us. We call the spirits below and ask them to join us.
Finally, we call to the spirits of the center, where all the directions meet and merge and where they meet and merge in each one of us. The central flame. The sacred spirit. This circle is closed, a safe and sacred circle where everyone is welcome and free to express themselves.
Where is the Moon?
The moon is in Virgo – a good, strong healing moon focusing us on ourselves and the way we live our lives. The nice side of Virgo is about healing, peace, kindness, spiritual awareness – its shadow is in self-criticism and recrimination. I have said this before but someone once told me that Virgo is the sign where you slay the dragons of your own making. I like that vision, although I would like it better if I’d simply stop making dragons! Something to think about with this extra potent full lunar eclipse moon.
Talking stick
I have been thinking about my beliefs a lot this month and how I shape and create my own reality. I go back and forth with this one because I do think some things generally are thrown into our path to deal with that are unexpected, difficult, and it can all feel hugely insurmountable and in a real way is happening “to” us. But even then, I think our beliefs shape our experience of those things profoundly. And this month I’ve been more thinking about the beliefs that I have that I can control or at least those ones that I put into the world that then become my reality. Here is a concrete example: I spent a good part of the autumn saying that as a freelancer I never get paid around the holidays. And, no surprise, it happened again. BUT for one of the biggest chunks of missing money the problem was that I had put incorrect account information on my invoice – resulting in nearly a month delay. I am entitled to make mistakes, of course, but in this instance it seems uncanny that I made a mistake that then directly confirmed my belief about getting paid around the holidays.
I had a wonderful talk with my best friend about all of this a week or so ago. Even before the holiday issues came up, there was a period back in July or so when I was getting a bit edgy – a bit bored – a bit complacent – and mostly because things were going well. I don’t want to admit it but I do thrive on a challenge – but at the same time, I want to make sure that the challenges that I am thriving on are not just distractions from the larger challenge of finding my way – living up to my potential as a strong and powerful woman. I am not saying that is why I have had all of these logistical issues around work, pay, taxes, car accident, etc. but I can’t deny that it has made me a lot less bored even if now I wish I could go back!!
My point is (and I say this without any undue beating up on myself) that whether I am directly or indirectly responsible for the current chaos in my life or whether I am just choosing to experience it as overwhelming chaos that is where I am and it is not where I want to be. In keeping with my new moon theme of wanting to lead a bigger and bolder life with fewer safe choices, I want to clear the way for that to be able to unfold. I want to say that it is what I want every day and I’ll let the universe deliver what it will. That is what I want to give myself on this full moon: the permission to think big and positively about the future and to stand up and own up to where I am and why, but with compassion and with love.
I just got back from Spain and while I was there I did a great releasing ritual with Owen, where we took these rocks and then put all things in them that we wanted to get rid of and through them into the sea. We then put our prayers for ourselves and the world into rocks and through them out too, but a different way. Finally, I took the gratitude rock I’d been carrying and left it in a small rock pool where the beautiful crystal clear Mediterranean water flows through all day long – as a shrine to love and light.
I wanted to put it there as a place where the natural world would be ushering in good energy all the time for days when I forget to pray, forget to believe, or just simply don’t feel like it. It was amazing – and I felt so light afterwards. I want to carry that lightness through this year as I mop up the damage of my past and as I remain hopeful and bright about my new experiences. And I hope that this full moon will be a good start.
Meditation
Imagine yourself lying on the ground, under a fragrant white pine on a snowy evening. The snow is blanketing the earth, making it soundless, perfectly still except for your breath. The moon and stars are so bright, shining a light so powerful that it almost feels as though it could lift you off of the ground and carry you. You imagine that you are immersed in that light, floating in it. The light below you begins to swirl, to spiral, until it twists into something of a staircase. You stand up, and begin to wind your way down the staircase of moonlight, beginning on the thirteenth step, the step of transformation, then spiraling around to the twelfth and the eleventh, then around to the tenth, then spiraling down and around and inward to the ninth, then the eighth, and around and inward to the seventh, then the sixth. You pause for a moment on the sixth step, leaving anything behind that you don’t choose to take along with you. Then continuing to spiral down and around to the fifth step, then the fourth, then the third. And around and inward to the second, and then finally the first step. You step off the staircase onto the ground, and walk through the doorway in front of you that heads north.
You step out into the snowy evening, wrapped warmly in a furry cloak and you head out across a meadow. From the top of the meadow you can see that you are in the mountains, with many peaks in each direction. Although the snow is deep on either side of you, the path is clear that goes across the field. In the distance you can see a dwelling, with smoke rising from a chimney. You head toward it, looking forward to the warmth that will greet you. As you get closer you recognize the dwelling – as familiar as it is ancient. You have reached the home of your wise woman.
As you are about to knock, the door swings open and your wise woman greets you, welcoming you in. She gives you a big hug and leads you further into the dwelling, where she is preparing food and drink. She offers you whatever it is that she has cooked for you, and you sit and eat or drink with her, asking any questions that you may have, or asking for any wisdom that she might wish to share with you.
When you are ready, she leads you down a hallway with many doors. You follow her to a door at the end of the hallway and step through. You enter a room filled with mirrors – each one holding a reflection of you. They reflect back at you different times in your life, different ages, different phases, different parts of your personality. You are able to go to each one and have a conversation with yourself at any point in time – at any point in your history, past, present or future – or any part of yourself. Your wise woman moves with you and if you need any comfort or wisdom, she is there for you. Finally, you find a mirror that you think really reflects back all of who you are now, in this moment. You reach your hand into the mirror to yourself and you give yourself a gift – something that you need most at this time in your life. You thank yourself and take the gift. Then, you give your reflection something to hold for you – maybe something that you need to let go or maybe something that you want to see whenever you look at yourself that s/he can hold for you. When you are ready, you leave the room but knowing that you can return to this place whenever you need to meet any part of yourself.
As you reach the front of the house, you say your goodbyes, and while in her embrace, she whispers one word or phrase that will help you to remember your experience. You thank her and then head back to the path that you followed to get here, warmed by your experience and feeling lighter and happier as you cross back through the snowy meadow to the doorway that you walked through.
Stepping back up onto the first step, spiraling upward and outward to the second step and the third, and upward and outward to the third step and the fourth. Then spiraling around to the fifth and the sixth step, and pausing now on the sixth step, retrieving anything that you left behind before, or just leaving it behind in that perfect moment in infinity. Climbing now to the seventh and upward to the eighth, upward and outward to the ninth, then the tenth, and around to the eleventh and the twelfth and then finally to the thirteenth step, the step of transformation, then lying back down onto the earth where you began. And when you are ready you open your eyes.
Prayers for our circle
I haven’t gotten any specific calls for prayers, so much love to all of you!
Tara
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Aquarius New Moon/Solar Eclipse – 6th February, 2008
Hi Everyone,
I’m writing this on election day in America because I want to add the energy of this moon to that energy – to help empower the voices calling for change and for unity. I am thinking of you all!
Calling the circle
As we contemplate this new moon, we call to the spirits of the East beckoning them toward us as Spring approaches, Spirits of new beginnings, new starts. Element of air, first breath, The power of life, springing forth. We call the spirits of the East and ask them to join our circle.
We call now to the spirits of the South, spirits of strength, power, warmth, clarity, motivation, energy, movement. Element of fire, the power of light, bright and powerful. The fire that is our passion, burning deeply within us always. We call the spirits of the South and ask them to join our circle.
And we call to the Spirits of the West. Spirits of our deepest feelings, our strongest emotions, our truest love. A sunset over a calm ocean, a still lake reflecting back the sky, the still waters that run deep, deep within. Element of water, emanating the power of love. We call to the spirits of the West and ask them to join our circle.
Now we summon the spirits of our season, the spirits of the North. Spirits of midnight, dark moonless skies in winter, places where truths are told, where laws are made. Element of earth, grounding us. Power of law, karma, ancestral wisdom, we call to the spirits of the North and we ask them to join our circle.
And we call to those spirits above us, angels, stars, heavens, light beings everywhere, those souls not yet incarnate. Children of our children. We call the spirits above and ask them to join us.
And we call to the spirits below us, to the earth that grounds us and keeps us steady, the green kingdom with its deep roots and to the lava beneath the crust that impassions us. We call the spirits below and ask them to join us.
Finally, we call to the spirits of the center, where all the directions meet and merge and where they meet and merge in each one of us. The central flame. The sacred spirit. This circle is closed, a safe and sacred circle where everyone is welcome and free to express herself.
Where is the Moon?
This is such an Aquarius time – lots of planets in Aquarius, sun in Aquarius, and a new moon/solar eclipse. We are talking about the possibility of radical change, but with a few other strong planets placed in Capricorn it also change with an action plan. Change that is possible. I am really feeling the end of a phase, possibly even a long one. I’m not sure what that all means yet, but I read that this is the year of the Rat in the Chinese calendar, the first of the animal signs and the one that sets off a new 12-year cycle. So, feel the change, be the change, embrace the change!
Talking stick
The best part of keeping a log of where I am in each month and what my intentions are is that I can go back and revisit them as I often do when another year comes around. And, having done this for nearly four years now, I am able to see with some perspective where I’ve been. What I have noticed most of all is that the little seeds that I’ve planted do take time to grow sometimes – but they always do grow, and in fact, usually long after I’ve forgotten about them. Those intentions, placed carefully and powerfully and out loud are so incredibly powerful. Last year at this time I was talking about self-forgiveness and somewhere in the last year I really experienced that, but not when I first wrote about it. Months later – and in the context of something else – but it was real and powerful when it arrived.
I am keenly aware of this power as I think about this new moon because it is such a charged one for change. And I want to put some really strong intentions out there, and lots of them. For this month, and for this next phase, as I said last month, I want to live bigger – make bolder choices, particularly in regard to my work and my role in the world. I want to be more present, more helpful, less preoccupied. I want to give back more too. I want to grow my business into a consultancy that tackles social issues and works for change. I want to care more, love, more – be a better parent, a better partner, a better friend. I want to drown out every negative voice of fear or lack and believe deeply that I am safe, whole, protected, provided for.
I know that I will look back on this entry at some point and when I do I want to think of it as the end of one time, and the beginning of another – a turning point where I continued to shed all of the limitations of my past and my beliefs and just reached forward with faith, without really knowing where I was going. And, having said all that, I know it will happen!
Meditation
Imagine yourself lying on the ground beneath a fragrant cedar tree. Although winter, the air feels soft and comfortable and you feel comforted lying within the branches of the tree. Then allow yourself to imagine that you are getting smaller – smaller and smaller until you are so small that you can stand up and walk into the tree that you were lying underneath. Walking into the tree, looking up, note the vast branch system, how tall and high it is, looking down, note the vast root system, reaching down into the earth farther than you can see. Then, notice that one of the roots is larger than the others, and resembles a spiral staircase that you can walk down. Imagine then stepping onto the 13th step, the step of transformation, then spiraling down and around and inward to the 12th step, then down and around to the 11th and the 10th, spiraling down and around and inward to the 9th, then the 8th, then around and inward to the 7th and the 6th step. Then, pausing on the sixth step, note that as you look up you can no longer see the top, and looking down, that you can no longer see the bottom. You are standing in the middle of the spiral, in a moment of infinite perfection. If there is anything that you are carrying that you don’t want to take with you on your journey, you can leave it on this step. Continuing then to the 5th step and the 4th, spiraling around to the 3rd and the 2nd and then finally the 1st step, then stepping into a clearing with four doorways, each pointing in one of the four directions. Imagine yourself walking down the pathway that heads east.
It is early morning, just before sunrise, and it is as if the world is holding its breath. The sky is just becoming light – the full light of morning has yet to break but it will be a beautiful clear day when the sun rises. You begin following a path that heads through a field toward the woods on the other side. The animals are coming to life all around you and you watch as they move around the field, accepting your presence naturally. As you are walking the sun is rising and you are walking into that sun, warming you and leading you along. At the edge of the wood you see a house, lit up and welcoming and you make your way in that direction. As you get closer you realize that you have reached the home of your wise woman.
As you are about to knock, your wise woman opens the door to greet you, ushering you into the house. She brings you into the kitchen and offers you whatever it is that she has been cooking for you and you are able to sit and chat for a while.
When you are ready, she leads you from the kitchen down a hallway with many doors. You find the door that feels right to you and then walk through. The room is filled with the light of the sun and you sit in the centre of the room, letting the light warm you and fill you with its energy, hope, optimism. Then, as the moon passes in front of the sun, the room grows dark. When the room is fully dark you are able to think about anything that you need to finish or let go before you can move forward into the next phase of your life – anything that requires resolving. You release whatever it is and feel it float out of the room and up toward the moon. You spend some time in total peace, total quiet, total dark. As the moon shifts away from the sun and the light returns to the room, you imagine all that you would like to see in this next phase of your life, unafraid to dream huge. The light and your intentions fill the room, creating a powerful energy for hope and for real change, which then radiates out of the room, surrounding the whole of the world. You feel yourself connected to all of the others sending that same energy into the world. As you are connected to that energy, your wise woman motions for you to reach your hand toward the bright light. When you do, you retrieve an object – something for you to take away to remind you of your intentions. Finally, when you are ready, you get up to leave the room, but remembering that this is a place to which you can return anytime.
Stepping back into the house, you head back toward the kitchen, sharing any last minute thoughts. As you reach the door of the house you say your goodbyes, and while in her embrace, she whispers one word or phrase to remind you of this journey. You thank her and then you return to the path away from the wood and back through the field, by the full light of morning now. When you reach the doorway of the east you say goodbye to this place, offering thanks for the guidance, and walk through the doorway.
Stepping back up onto the first step, spiraling upward and outward to the second step and the third, and upward and outward to the fourth step and the fifth. Then spiraling around to the sixth step, and pausing now on the sixth step, retrieving anything that you left behind before, or just leaving it behind in that perfect moment in infinity. Climbing now to the seventh and upward to the eighth, upward and outward to the ninth, then the tenth, and around to the eleventh and the twelfth and then finally to the thirteenth step, the step of transformation, then back into to the tree. Stepping out of the tree, you find your place beneath it, again enjoying the sweet breath of the breeze. Then feeling your consciousness return to the space you are in, and, when ready opening your eyes.
Prayers for our circle
I can’t help it – I need to send out a prayer for Barack Obama tonight – that his message and light shine brightly. And to all the candidates, that they understand the power and energy that he was able to raise and bring that too, should they be picked to lead the country. I hope that they can all embrace the calls for unity and change!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXyqcx-mYY
Love to all of you as well!
Tara
I’m writing this on election day in America because I want to add the energy of this moon to that energy – to help empower the voices calling for change and for unity. I am thinking of you all!
Calling the circle
As we contemplate this new moon, we call to the spirits of the East beckoning them toward us as Spring approaches, Spirits of new beginnings, new starts. Element of air, first breath, The power of life, springing forth. We call the spirits of the East and ask them to join our circle.
We call now to the spirits of the South, spirits of strength, power, warmth, clarity, motivation, energy, movement. Element of fire, the power of light, bright and powerful. The fire that is our passion, burning deeply within us always. We call the spirits of the South and ask them to join our circle.
And we call to the Spirits of the West. Spirits of our deepest feelings, our strongest emotions, our truest love. A sunset over a calm ocean, a still lake reflecting back the sky, the still waters that run deep, deep within. Element of water, emanating the power of love. We call to the spirits of the West and ask them to join our circle.
Now we summon the spirits of our season, the spirits of the North. Spirits of midnight, dark moonless skies in winter, places where truths are told, where laws are made. Element of earth, grounding us. Power of law, karma, ancestral wisdom, we call to the spirits of the North and we ask them to join our circle.
And we call to those spirits above us, angels, stars, heavens, light beings everywhere, those souls not yet incarnate. Children of our children. We call the spirits above and ask them to join us.
And we call to the spirits below us, to the earth that grounds us and keeps us steady, the green kingdom with its deep roots and to the lava beneath the crust that impassions us. We call the spirits below and ask them to join us.
Finally, we call to the spirits of the center, where all the directions meet and merge and where they meet and merge in each one of us. The central flame. The sacred spirit. This circle is closed, a safe and sacred circle where everyone is welcome and free to express herself.
Where is the Moon?
This is such an Aquarius time – lots of planets in Aquarius, sun in Aquarius, and a new moon/solar eclipse. We are talking about the possibility of radical change, but with a few other strong planets placed in Capricorn it also change with an action plan. Change that is possible. I am really feeling the end of a phase, possibly even a long one. I’m not sure what that all means yet, but I read that this is the year of the Rat in the Chinese calendar, the first of the animal signs and the one that sets off a new 12-year cycle. So, feel the change, be the change, embrace the change!
Talking stick
The best part of keeping a log of where I am in each month and what my intentions are is that I can go back and revisit them as I often do when another year comes around. And, having done this for nearly four years now, I am able to see with some perspective where I’ve been. What I have noticed most of all is that the little seeds that I’ve planted do take time to grow sometimes – but they always do grow, and in fact, usually long after I’ve forgotten about them. Those intentions, placed carefully and powerfully and out loud are so incredibly powerful. Last year at this time I was talking about self-forgiveness and somewhere in the last year I really experienced that, but not when I first wrote about it. Months later – and in the context of something else – but it was real and powerful when it arrived.
I am keenly aware of this power as I think about this new moon because it is such a charged one for change. And I want to put some really strong intentions out there, and lots of them. For this month, and for this next phase, as I said last month, I want to live bigger – make bolder choices, particularly in regard to my work and my role in the world. I want to be more present, more helpful, less preoccupied. I want to give back more too. I want to grow my business into a consultancy that tackles social issues and works for change. I want to care more, love, more – be a better parent, a better partner, a better friend. I want to drown out every negative voice of fear or lack and believe deeply that I am safe, whole, protected, provided for.
I know that I will look back on this entry at some point and when I do I want to think of it as the end of one time, and the beginning of another – a turning point where I continued to shed all of the limitations of my past and my beliefs and just reached forward with faith, without really knowing where I was going. And, having said all that, I know it will happen!
Meditation
Imagine yourself lying on the ground beneath a fragrant cedar tree. Although winter, the air feels soft and comfortable and you feel comforted lying within the branches of the tree. Then allow yourself to imagine that you are getting smaller – smaller and smaller until you are so small that you can stand up and walk into the tree that you were lying underneath. Walking into the tree, looking up, note the vast branch system, how tall and high it is, looking down, note the vast root system, reaching down into the earth farther than you can see. Then, notice that one of the roots is larger than the others, and resembles a spiral staircase that you can walk down. Imagine then stepping onto the 13th step, the step of transformation, then spiraling down and around and inward to the 12th step, then down and around to the 11th and the 10th, spiraling down and around and inward to the 9th, then the 8th, then around and inward to the 7th and the 6th step. Then, pausing on the sixth step, note that as you look up you can no longer see the top, and looking down, that you can no longer see the bottom. You are standing in the middle of the spiral, in a moment of infinite perfection. If there is anything that you are carrying that you don’t want to take with you on your journey, you can leave it on this step. Continuing then to the 5th step and the 4th, spiraling around to the 3rd and the 2nd and then finally the 1st step, then stepping into a clearing with four doorways, each pointing in one of the four directions. Imagine yourself walking down the pathway that heads east.
It is early morning, just before sunrise, and it is as if the world is holding its breath. The sky is just becoming light – the full light of morning has yet to break but it will be a beautiful clear day when the sun rises. You begin following a path that heads through a field toward the woods on the other side. The animals are coming to life all around you and you watch as they move around the field, accepting your presence naturally. As you are walking the sun is rising and you are walking into that sun, warming you and leading you along. At the edge of the wood you see a house, lit up and welcoming and you make your way in that direction. As you get closer you realize that you have reached the home of your wise woman.
As you are about to knock, your wise woman opens the door to greet you, ushering you into the house. She brings you into the kitchen and offers you whatever it is that she has been cooking for you and you are able to sit and chat for a while.
When you are ready, she leads you from the kitchen down a hallway with many doors. You find the door that feels right to you and then walk through. The room is filled with the light of the sun and you sit in the centre of the room, letting the light warm you and fill you with its energy, hope, optimism. Then, as the moon passes in front of the sun, the room grows dark. When the room is fully dark you are able to think about anything that you need to finish or let go before you can move forward into the next phase of your life – anything that requires resolving. You release whatever it is and feel it float out of the room and up toward the moon. You spend some time in total peace, total quiet, total dark. As the moon shifts away from the sun and the light returns to the room, you imagine all that you would like to see in this next phase of your life, unafraid to dream huge. The light and your intentions fill the room, creating a powerful energy for hope and for real change, which then radiates out of the room, surrounding the whole of the world. You feel yourself connected to all of the others sending that same energy into the world. As you are connected to that energy, your wise woman motions for you to reach your hand toward the bright light. When you do, you retrieve an object – something for you to take away to remind you of your intentions. Finally, when you are ready, you get up to leave the room, but remembering that this is a place to which you can return anytime.
Stepping back into the house, you head back toward the kitchen, sharing any last minute thoughts. As you reach the door of the house you say your goodbyes, and while in her embrace, she whispers one word or phrase to remind you of this journey. You thank her and then you return to the path away from the wood and back through the field, by the full light of morning now. When you reach the doorway of the east you say goodbye to this place, offering thanks for the guidance, and walk through the doorway.
Stepping back up onto the first step, spiraling upward and outward to the second step and the third, and upward and outward to the fourth step and the fifth. Then spiraling around to the sixth step, and pausing now on the sixth step, retrieving anything that you left behind before, or just leaving it behind in that perfect moment in infinity. Climbing now to the seventh and upward to the eighth, upward and outward to the ninth, then the tenth, and around to the eleventh and the twelfth and then finally to the thirteenth step, the step of transformation, then back into to the tree. Stepping out of the tree, you find your place beneath it, again enjoying the sweet breath of the breeze. Then feeling your consciousness return to the space you are in, and, when ready opening your eyes.
Prayers for our circle
I can’t help it – I need to send out a prayer for Barack Obama tonight – that his message and light shine brightly. And to all the candidates, that they understand the power and energy that he was able to raise and bring that too, should they be picked to lead the country. I hope that they can all embrace the calls for unity and change!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjXyqcx-mYY
Love to all of you as well!
Tara
Sunday, February 03, 2008
Imbolc, 2008
Hi everyone,
Every year I get this out a day late for some reason – sorry about that! Finally, with a beautiful fire in the room, I am getting this out. I hope you are enjoying this celebration of light, fire, and purification. I read a great bit of Irish folklore about the Goddess Cailleach, who on Imbolc gathers twigs and sticks for her fire. If it is a cloudy day, then the winter will be shorter as she is not out gathering. If the skies are clear, it is her doing and she has gone in search of wood, indicating a long winter. This year’s was bright and clear here, not sure about the skies where you are!
Calling the circle
As we contemplate Imbolc, we summon the spirits of the East, spirits of Springtime, new beginnings, new starts. Spirits of the returning light that we celebrate tonight. Element of air, first breath, cool dawn. The power of life, springing forth. We call the spirits of the East and ask them to join our circle.
We call now to the spirits of the South, spirits of strength, power, warmth, clarity, motivation, energy, movement. Element of fire, bright fires lit at midday. The power of light, illuminating us. The fire that is our passion, burning deeply within is always. We call the spirits of the South and ask them to join our circle.
And we call to the Spirits of the West. Spirits of our deepest feelings, our strongest emotions, our truest love. A sunset over a calm ocean, a still lake reflecting back the sky, the still waters that run deep, deep within. Element of water, emanating the power of love. We call to the spirits of the West and ask them to join our circle.
Now we call the spirits of the North, spirits of Imbolc. Spirits of midnight, dark moonless skies in winter, places where truths are told. Element of earth, grounding us. Power of law, karma, ancestral wisdom, we call to the spirits of the North and we ask them to join our circle.
And we call to those spirits above us, the moon in her many faces, angels, stars, heavens, light beings everywhere, those souls not yet incarnate. Children of our children. We call the spirits above and ask them to join us.
And we call to the spirits below us, to the earth that grounds us and keeps us steady, the green kingdom with its deep roots and to the lava beneath the crust that impassions us. We call the spirits below and ask them to join us.
Finally, we call to the spirits of the center, where all the directions meet and merge and where they meet and merge in each one of us. The central flame. The sacred spirit. This circle is closed, a safe and sacred circle where everyone is welcome and free to express themselves.
Solstice thoughts/Talking stick
This winter hasn’t been as dark or as dreary as the last one in the UK, and I am finding it a bit easier to feel the light returning without clinging to the desperate need for it to return. Like last year, to celebrate Imbolc, Owen and I went out into the field to see the baby lambs. The whole idea of birth in the middle of winter seems a little incongruous but it is wonderful and has really kept me in touch with how life is beginning all the time. When I talk about the energy of winter I will often say it is the earth holding the seeds until they are ready to grow. Perhaps where you are the seeds are not quite ready to do that, but here in England a good many snowdrops, crocuses, and daffodil shoots have popped up over the last week. There will still be frost and even possibly snow – but there is life just beneath. As I continue to sort out some of the logistical muck that is this winter for me, I feel full of light and hope.
Meditation
Imagine yourself lying on the ground beneath a beautiful but leafless old oak tree, in the middle of a field, under a starry, windless sky. The ground feels cold, but all around you are the beginnings of Spring, small plants forming a soft green carpet. As you breathe in and out feel that you are breathing in time with the stars, that you are a part of the setting that surrounds you. Then allow yourself to imagine that you are getting smaller – smaller and smaller until you are so small that you can stand up and walk into the tree that you were lying underneath. Walking into the tree, looking up, note the vast branch system, how tall and high it is, looking down, note the vast root system, reaching down into the earth farther than you can see. Then, notice that one of the roots is larger than the others, and resembles a spiral staircase. Imagine then stepping onto the 13th step, the step of transformation, then spiraling down and around and inward to the 12th step, then down and around to the 11th and the 10th, spiraling down and around and inward to the 9th, then the 8th, then around and inward to the 7th and the 6th step. Then, pausing on the sixth step, note that as you look up you can no longer see the top, and looking down, that you can no longer see the bottom. You are standing in the middle of the spiral, in a moment of infinite perfection. If there is anything that you are carrying that you don’t want to take with you on your journey, you can leave it on this step. Continuing then to the 5th step and the 4th, spiraling around to the 3rd and the 2nd and then finally the 1st step, then stepping into a clearing with four doorways, each pointing in one of the four directions. Imagine yourself walking down the pathway that heads north.
When you step through the doorway you see a pathway lit entirely by candles, heading off into the distance. You follow the candlelit path as it winds through the night. It seems to spiral around, so that even as you are walking farther and farther, somehow you feel as though you are walking inward as well. The candles are reflecting each other’s light, a kaleidoscope of color in the darkness. The path begins to widen, and you realize that you are coming into a ceremonial circle, also lit all the way around with candles. You move into the circle, where you are joined by your friends, guides, and ancestors, and finally, your wise woman enters, carrying a large candle, which she places in the center of the circle, then comes to stand by your side.
For a while you are still, feeling the light fill the night, fill all the dark places in the circle – filling any dark places in you. You become increasingly aware of your breath, and the effect that your breath has on the flames, how it increases the intensity of the light, how it sends the warmth outward. You are aware that everyone in the circle is consciously focusing their breath now, moving the light, the flame as one flame, out into the world. In your mind you are able to direct this light wherever it is needed – to warm any of the cold places. As you do this you are able to imagine Spring, with all of her bounty, and the true abundance of the earth and all of her gifts. Your wise woman leads you to the center then and puts her hands on your belly. She says one word or phrase, offering you a blessing for whatever it might be that you are hoping to give birth to in the Spring. One by one, everyone in the circle comes and places their hands on your belly, offering you a blessing for something that you are manifesting in your life right now. You look down when they have finished, and your whole body is glowing with the light of the flames. You feel the light contained in you, but know that you have the power to direct wherever it is needed as well, that this is what you will take away from the circle.
When you feel that your time in the circle is complete, your wise woman leads you out of the circle and to a beautiful stone table that has appeared, filled with all kinds of food and drink, and those in your circle join you at the table for a beautiful celebration. You can converse freely with them here.
When the meal is finished and it is time to go, you say your goodbyes to your guides, friends, ancestors. Finally, you say goodbye to your wise woman, and head away from the circle, back onto the pathway lit by candles, but now also lit by the light contained within you. The path leads you back to the doorway where you began. You give one last look, then walk through the door.
Stepping back up onto the first step, spiraling upward and outward to the second step and the third, and upward and outward to the third step and the fourth. Then spiraling around to the fifth and the sixth step, and pausing now on the sixth step, retrieving anything that you left behind before, or just leaving it behind in that perfect moment in infinity. Climbing now to the seventh and upward to the eighth, upward and outward to the ninth, then the tenth, and around to the eleventh and the twelfth and then finally to the thirteenth step, the step of transformation, then back into to the tree. Stepping out of the tree, you find your place beneath it, again enjoying the sweet night air. Then feeling your consciousness return to the space you are in, and, when ready opening your eyes.
Prayers for our circle
I haven’t gotten any specific calls for prayers, so lots of love to you all!!
Tara
Every year I get this out a day late for some reason – sorry about that! Finally, with a beautiful fire in the room, I am getting this out. I hope you are enjoying this celebration of light, fire, and purification. I read a great bit of Irish folklore about the Goddess Cailleach, who on Imbolc gathers twigs and sticks for her fire. If it is a cloudy day, then the winter will be shorter as she is not out gathering. If the skies are clear, it is her doing and she has gone in search of wood, indicating a long winter. This year’s was bright and clear here, not sure about the skies where you are!
Calling the circle
As we contemplate Imbolc, we summon the spirits of the East, spirits of Springtime, new beginnings, new starts. Spirits of the returning light that we celebrate tonight. Element of air, first breath, cool dawn. The power of life, springing forth. We call the spirits of the East and ask them to join our circle.
We call now to the spirits of the South, spirits of strength, power, warmth, clarity, motivation, energy, movement. Element of fire, bright fires lit at midday. The power of light, illuminating us. The fire that is our passion, burning deeply within is always. We call the spirits of the South and ask them to join our circle.
And we call to the Spirits of the West. Spirits of our deepest feelings, our strongest emotions, our truest love. A sunset over a calm ocean, a still lake reflecting back the sky, the still waters that run deep, deep within. Element of water, emanating the power of love. We call to the spirits of the West and ask them to join our circle.
Now we call the spirits of the North, spirits of Imbolc. Spirits of midnight, dark moonless skies in winter, places where truths are told. Element of earth, grounding us. Power of law, karma, ancestral wisdom, we call to the spirits of the North and we ask them to join our circle.
And we call to those spirits above us, the moon in her many faces, angels, stars, heavens, light beings everywhere, those souls not yet incarnate. Children of our children. We call the spirits above and ask them to join us.
And we call to the spirits below us, to the earth that grounds us and keeps us steady, the green kingdom with its deep roots and to the lava beneath the crust that impassions us. We call the spirits below and ask them to join us.
Finally, we call to the spirits of the center, where all the directions meet and merge and where they meet and merge in each one of us. The central flame. The sacred spirit. This circle is closed, a safe and sacred circle where everyone is welcome and free to express themselves.
Solstice thoughts/Talking stick
This winter hasn’t been as dark or as dreary as the last one in the UK, and I am finding it a bit easier to feel the light returning without clinging to the desperate need for it to return. Like last year, to celebrate Imbolc, Owen and I went out into the field to see the baby lambs. The whole idea of birth in the middle of winter seems a little incongruous but it is wonderful and has really kept me in touch with how life is beginning all the time. When I talk about the energy of winter I will often say it is the earth holding the seeds until they are ready to grow. Perhaps where you are the seeds are not quite ready to do that, but here in England a good many snowdrops, crocuses, and daffodil shoots have popped up over the last week. There will still be frost and even possibly snow – but there is life just beneath. As I continue to sort out some of the logistical muck that is this winter for me, I feel full of light and hope.
Meditation
Imagine yourself lying on the ground beneath a beautiful but leafless old oak tree, in the middle of a field, under a starry, windless sky. The ground feels cold, but all around you are the beginnings of Spring, small plants forming a soft green carpet. As you breathe in and out feel that you are breathing in time with the stars, that you are a part of the setting that surrounds you. Then allow yourself to imagine that you are getting smaller – smaller and smaller until you are so small that you can stand up and walk into the tree that you were lying underneath. Walking into the tree, looking up, note the vast branch system, how tall and high it is, looking down, note the vast root system, reaching down into the earth farther than you can see. Then, notice that one of the roots is larger than the others, and resembles a spiral staircase. Imagine then stepping onto the 13th step, the step of transformation, then spiraling down and around and inward to the 12th step, then down and around to the 11th and the 10th, spiraling down and around and inward to the 9th, then the 8th, then around and inward to the 7th and the 6th step. Then, pausing on the sixth step, note that as you look up you can no longer see the top, and looking down, that you can no longer see the bottom. You are standing in the middle of the spiral, in a moment of infinite perfection. If there is anything that you are carrying that you don’t want to take with you on your journey, you can leave it on this step. Continuing then to the 5th step and the 4th, spiraling around to the 3rd and the 2nd and then finally the 1st step, then stepping into a clearing with four doorways, each pointing in one of the four directions. Imagine yourself walking down the pathway that heads north.
When you step through the doorway you see a pathway lit entirely by candles, heading off into the distance. You follow the candlelit path as it winds through the night. It seems to spiral around, so that even as you are walking farther and farther, somehow you feel as though you are walking inward as well. The candles are reflecting each other’s light, a kaleidoscope of color in the darkness. The path begins to widen, and you realize that you are coming into a ceremonial circle, also lit all the way around with candles. You move into the circle, where you are joined by your friends, guides, and ancestors, and finally, your wise woman enters, carrying a large candle, which she places in the center of the circle, then comes to stand by your side.
For a while you are still, feeling the light fill the night, fill all the dark places in the circle – filling any dark places in you. You become increasingly aware of your breath, and the effect that your breath has on the flames, how it increases the intensity of the light, how it sends the warmth outward. You are aware that everyone in the circle is consciously focusing their breath now, moving the light, the flame as one flame, out into the world. In your mind you are able to direct this light wherever it is needed – to warm any of the cold places. As you do this you are able to imagine Spring, with all of her bounty, and the true abundance of the earth and all of her gifts. Your wise woman leads you to the center then and puts her hands on your belly. She says one word or phrase, offering you a blessing for whatever it might be that you are hoping to give birth to in the Spring. One by one, everyone in the circle comes and places their hands on your belly, offering you a blessing for something that you are manifesting in your life right now. You look down when they have finished, and your whole body is glowing with the light of the flames. You feel the light contained in you, but know that you have the power to direct wherever it is needed as well, that this is what you will take away from the circle.
When you feel that your time in the circle is complete, your wise woman leads you out of the circle and to a beautiful stone table that has appeared, filled with all kinds of food and drink, and those in your circle join you at the table for a beautiful celebration. You can converse freely with them here.
When the meal is finished and it is time to go, you say your goodbyes to your guides, friends, ancestors. Finally, you say goodbye to your wise woman, and head away from the circle, back onto the pathway lit by candles, but now also lit by the light contained within you. The path leads you back to the doorway where you began. You give one last look, then walk through the door.
Stepping back up onto the first step, spiraling upward and outward to the second step and the third, and upward and outward to the third step and the fourth. Then spiraling around to the fifth and the sixth step, and pausing now on the sixth step, retrieving anything that you left behind before, or just leaving it behind in that perfect moment in infinity. Climbing now to the seventh and upward to the eighth, upward and outward to the ninth, then the tenth, and around to the eleventh and the twelfth and then finally to the thirteenth step, the step of transformation, then back into to the tree. Stepping out of the tree, you find your place beneath it, again enjoying the sweet night air. Then feeling your consciousness return to the space you are in, and, when ready opening your eyes.
Prayers for our circle
I haven’t gotten any specific calls for prayers, so lots of love to you all!!
Tara
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