Hi everyone,
This is a day late, but still a pretty powerful time to set intentions – perhaps the best this year. I am wishing you all the happiest new year you can imagine!
Calling the circle
As we contemplate this new moon, we summon 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 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 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, 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?
The moon is in Capricorn now – and calls us to examine our relationship with the earth, and look at how we live our lives, how we use our resources. Are our souls and hearts aligned with our head? A new moon falling near new year’s eve gives us a perfect time to reflect on those things as well as remembering and being grateful for where we are. Take a moment to admire the distance you’ve traveled – this year, this cycle – and know that you are on the right path.
Talking stick
The new moon has not fallen so close to the new year since 2005, a time that was still fraught with change for me. This year I am grateful for the peace and calm, no matter what the future may bring. After writing about contentment in my last post, some things have developed that may thrust a bit of change our way in the next year – but for right now, I want to revel in the peace and comfort of where we are. I also want to make sure that change isn’t creeping in because I am edgy with contentment. I don’t think so, but I have to be sure.
I will write more about this soon, but for tonight, what I really want to do is relax, unwind and do nothing – knowing that in all things I am led and will follow the path as it unfolds. And no matter what, I am comfortable with that.
My intention for the coming year is to continue the work I started last year regarding living in a state of gratitude at all times. I want to be more loving, more true to my self, less fearful, more whole – less judgmental, more giving. I want to be good to myself, be a present and caring parent to my amazing son and a loving partner for my extremely loving and wonderful husband. I want to be a good friend to all of those who I am lucky enough to have around me. Most of all, I want to be myself. If I can pull a fraction of it off I will have an immensely gratifying year!
Meditation
Imagine yourself lying on the ground beneath a beautiful old oak tree, the branches now completely bare. The sky above you is soft and yielding – and a bit bright from the cloud cover, as though it might snow any time, yet the air is perfectly comfortable. The ground feels frozen, but strong, and you feel yourself relax against it. As you breathe in and out feel that you are breathing in time with the gentle breeze around you, moving the branches of the oak tree in time with your breath. 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 north.
You step out into the night, and now it is snowing in earnest. You find a furry cloak and a pair of boots by the side of the path and grateful for the warmth begin walking across a field. The snow allows you to walk almost soundlessly, and you note that you cannot hear anything except for the soft snow falling – as quiet as nature ever gets, and you give over to the stillness. After some time, you look behind you, noting the distance that you have walked, thinking of the path of your life and what it looks like as well. Looking forward again, you notice a dwelling in the distance and head toward it. As you get closer, you feel the welcome sense of familiarity as you approach – you have reached the home of your wise woman.
As you are about to knock, the door swings open and you are greeted by your wise woman. She gives you a loving embrace and leads you to the kitchen where she is cooking for you. 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 away from the kitchen, down a hallway with many doors. You enter the doorway that feels right to you, and walk in to a room of power. You can feel the power as you enter, giving you strength, allowing all of your fears, doubts, and obstacles to evaporate and you are just your most purely powerful self. Your wise woman takes your hands and asks you to remember the moments in the last year that empowered you the most. The power of those moments increases the power in the room. Then, when you are ready, your wise woman asks you to visualize your goals for the coming year. When you can see them clearly, she takes your hands and together you focus all of the power in the room as well as the power generated by your past into those goals. You feel them becoming real for you, removing any obstacles along the way. You ask your wise woman any questions that you might have about those goals, or about anything else that you might like to ask her. Finally, when you are finished visualizing, she asks you to reach out and pull all of the energy inside yourself – and as you do, you can feel it radiating out, filling the room. When you are ready, you walk back through the door, knowing that this is a place that you can return to anytime.
As you reach the door 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 power. You repeat it as you walk along the path, feeling it radiate out into the world, directing that power anywhere that you would like to send it. You make your way back along the path, following your footsteps back to the doorway where your journey began.
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 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
Much love to all of you – may the new year be filled with joy, peace, fulfillment, love and power!
Tara
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Winter Solstice (Yule) 2008
Hi everyone,
I have looked forward to this night for a long while and although I won’t be celebrating it officially here until tomorrow night, I honor this longest night by looking deep into the darkness – awaiting the return of the light. I hope your solstice brings you light as well!
Calling the circle
As we contemplate solstice, we summon 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 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 this solstice. 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
I have just sat down to have the uncomfortable conversation with myself about my dark places in order to write this, and I must say, it isn’t something I feel like doing. Which makes me think that doing it must be necessary. I think that the two things that jump out at me this year are fear of death and being too controlling – in general, and perhaps most specifically controlling what I will or won’t give of myself. They seem unrelated right now, so I will tackle them separately, although as these things unfold there is almost always a connection so we’ll see.
When I talk about fear of death, I mean fear of my own death really. Fear of my not being able to be there to take care of Owen, most specifically. I can really spiral out of control on this one sometimes, letting my mind go to those places about what would happen, who would be called upon to help, what would Gary do too – how would he cope, what if Gary were gone too – and on and on. Owen has asked me about these things and I’ve answered as best as I can, as honestly as I am able. I am never quite able to bring myself to say that I’ll always be there, that his worries are for nothing. I get close, but I feel like I can’t because if it ever happens then he will feel I lied; which of course would be the least of his problems if it happened, but still. It is the one thing that will still get my on my knees to bargain with the God/dess in that very young and childlike way, to implore ‘please, please let me live to be XX age or let Owen be XX age before anything ever happens to me’. But, like my niece dying despite all the tragedy in her family, and like the countless people that are experiencing those sorts of things right now, that bargain is not always struck. Sometimes people do die too young, leaving children behind in terrible and tragic circumstances. My son, I tell myself, would be luckier than most, with the number of people that love him but it really isn’t much comfort. I can suffocate, choke on this feeling when I let myself go there – which I try not to do very often.
The irony is that I have never feared death before in my life. Never felt quite rooted here, like there was a home elsewhere that I missed and wanted to return to. What I conclude from this is that the love I have for my child must be the most intense and beautiful thing in the world if it could pull me in with such power, and also that my happiness and contentment have reached a point now where I feel comfortable with my journey – and have no desire to leave it.
Putting that aside for the moment, or perhaps forever, as I am not sure there is a resolution for it, I am also not at all pleased with myself lately when it comes to giving truly and from my heart – all the time, in every situation. It is difficult because for a long time I think I had poor boundaries; giving and giving until I was empty and then sometimes resenting it. I have gotten better at that in recent years, but now I wonder if it has slipped too far the other way. I have this amazing friend who gives money to anyone who asks him, no matter what his circumstances or theirs, and going on about 10 years ago I decided to be just like that too. And usually I am… but this week, someone asked me for money for a cup of tea, and I didn’t give it to them – not because I didn’t have it, or because I thought tea might mean drugs, but because I was running kind of late and didn’t want to stop to fumble around for the money. That is such a lame reason not to give and I deeply regret it. I have been consciously blessing that man with love since, and I hope that energetically it helps a bit to make up for it, but the main thing I can do is edit (thank you, again, Robyn, for teaching me the real meaning of editing!) and not let it happen again.
More than the above, there is another situation where I’ve withheld too much of my help, my heart from someone I know in need and in this case it will be necessary for me to let my boundaries slip a little. Her need is greater than mine right now, and so even though it won’t be easy, I need to take on a little bit more. And not be so controlling of what I give and how I give it.
If there is a connection between fear of death and too much control of giving, I haven’t entirely found it. But what I do know is that both require an open heart filled with faith and love, which I will endeavor to have. As much as I don’t like my fear but more than that I don’t like any parts of myself that are not generous. I repeatedly drill into Owen that the most important things in this world are love, generosity and gratitude and that with those things he will be sure to be always happy. With the return of the light, I want to leave behind my fear if possible, but certainly want to shed any stinginess and embrace only light and the best angels of my nature; and reach out and see the best in others too. And I don’t ever want to overlook generosity because I might miss a train. So I will sit with that in the darkness and ask the light, the love, for healing. And that is my intention for this solstice.
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 yielding, the air a perfect temperature, and the smells are of ice and night. 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 path in front of you, very clearly leading up a hill in the distance. It is very dark, but the path is lit dimly by the stars and moon, and you are warmed by a large furry cloak. The scenery is somewhat barren, almost desert-like as you wind your way toward the top of the hill. You move toward the top of the hill, sensing that you are coming to a ceremonial place. Your mind feels very clear, empty of thoughts or expectations, but receptive, as you walk. You may begin to hum or sing softly as you climb, repeating the sounds as a kind of mantra, clearing your mind further of all thoughts other than the sounds or words.
You are winding your way to the top of the hill now, around the hill, slowly, until you finally arrive. You make your way into the ceremonial circle, but you are alone there and there is no fire lit. You spend a few moments feeling that you are at the same time completely whole and alone and yet connected to the earth below you and the sky above, dispelling any fear that you might feel. The words of your song become clearer now and you sing with more confidence and strength now. The song grows stronger and stronger, and you can sense that the power of it is increasing. You realize that you have created a power that is strong enough to cast a light into even the darkest night, and as you are thinking that, you focus your intention into the circle and a fire bursts forth. The light radiates from you, through the fire, and outward until you and everything you can see or imagine is shimmering with light, with love. You become aware that the light has reached your heart, and is warming it – until you are overwhelmed by that love. The love radiates out from your heart, through your body, and calls those you love into the circle with you. They arrive, one by one – guides, friends, ancestors – all those that you love. You bask in the connectedness that you feel with those who love and support you. Then, the love spreads outward from your circle, reaching out into the heavens, surrounding this world and every other realm, uniting with every other light soul until the entire world feels completed filled with love. The love is so powerful that you lose all thought, all reason, and can only rest in it. You know and feel how loved you are, as much as you know and feel how beautifully you are able to love. Finally, when it feels as though the world is glowing on its own, the circle grows still. You look at the people in your circle, asking for any guidance or offering any words to anyone there that needs your guidance.
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 step back into the circle one more time, joined by everyone present. You are once again able to return to that place of warmth, light and perfect love. When you are finished, you leave your circle, walking silently back to the path. Your wise woman accompanies you, then gives you a hug goodbye. She presses an object into your hand to take along with you to remind you of this night.
You walk back down the path, heading back to the doorway, contemplating the object in your hand, but also just filled body and soul with song and light. 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 want to call on this extended circle and the New York circle in particular to reach out with your love and light and hold Nina in that place. She’s just been dealing with a lot for a long time and needs a rest, and so at this solstice I would offer a prayer that Nina can take a break from thinking, worrying, praying, manifesting and having faith while we have those things for her for a while.
Much love to all of you – you are a beautiful light in the world, which needs all the light it can get!
Love and many blessings,
Tara
I have looked forward to this night for a long while and although I won’t be celebrating it officially here until tomorrow night, I honor this longest night by looking deep into the darkness – awaiting the return of the light. I hope your solstice brings you light as well!
Calling the circle
As we contemplate solstice, we summon 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 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 this solstice. 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
I have just sat down to have the uncomfortable conversation with myself about my dark places in order to write this, and I must say, it isn’t something I feel like doing. Which makes me think that doing it must be necessary. I think that the two things that jump out at me this year are fear of death and being too controlling – in general, and perhaps most specifically controlling what I will or won’t give of myself. They seem unrelated right now, so I will tackle them separately, although as these things unfold there is almost always a connection so we’ll see.
When I talk about fear of death, I mean fear of my own death really. Fear of my not being able to be there to take care of Owen, most specifically. I can really spiral out of control on this one sometimes, letting my mind go to those places about what would happen, who would be called upon to help, what would Gary do too – how would he cope, what if Gary were gone too – and on and on. Owen has asked me about these things and I’ve answered as best as I can, as honestly as I am able. I am never quite able to bring myself to say that I’ll always be there, that his worries are for nothing. I get close, but I feel like I can’t because if it ever happens then he will feel I lied; which of course would be the least of his problems if it happened, but still. It is the one thing that will still get my on my knees to bargain with the God/dess in that very young and childlike way, to implore ‘please, please let me live to be XX age or let Owen be XX age before anything ever happens to me’. But, like my niece dying despite all the tragedy in her family, and like the countless people that are experiencing those sorts of things right now, that bargain is not always struck. Sometimes people do die too young, leaving children behind in terrible and tragic circumstances. My son, I tell myself, would be luckier than most, with the number of people that love him but it really isn’t much comfort. I can suffocate, choke on this feeling when I let myself go there – which I try not to do very often.
The irony is that I have never feared death before in my life. Never felt quite rooted here, like there was a home elsewhere that I missed and wanted to return to. What I conclude from this is that the love I have for my child must be the most intense and beautiful thing in the world if it could pull me in with such power, and also that my happiness and contentment have reached a point now where I feel comfortable with my journey – and have no desire to leave it.
Putting that aside for the moment, or perhaps forever, as I am not sure there is a resolution for it, I am also not at all pleased with myself lately when it comes to giving truly and from my heart – all the time, in every situation. It is difficult because for a long time I think I had poor boundaries; giving and giving until I was empty and then sometimes resenting it. I have gotten better at that in recent years, but now I wonder if it has slipped too far the other way. I have this amazing friend who gives money to anyone who asks him, no matter what his circumstances or theirs, and going on about 10 years ago I decided to be just like that too. And usually I am… but this week, someone asked me for money for a cup of tea, and I didn’t give it to them – not because I didn’t have it, or because I thought tea might mean drugs, but because I was running kind of late and didn’t want to stop to fumble around for the money. That is such a lame reason not to give and I deeply regret it. I have been consciously blessing that man with love since, and I hope that energetically it helps a bit to make up for it, but the main thing I can do is edit (thank you, again, Robyn, for teaching me the real meaning of editing!) and not let it happen again.
More than the above, there is another situation where I’ve withheld too much of my help, my heart from someone I know in need and in this case it will be necessary for me to let my boundaries slip a little. Her need is greater than mine right now, and so even though it won’t be easy, I need to take on a little bit more. And not be so controlling of what I give and how I give it.
If there is a connection between fear of death and too much control of giving, I haven’t entirely found it. But what I do know is that both require an open heart filled with faith and love, which I will endeavor to have. As much as I don’t like my fear but more than that I don’t like any parts of myself that are not generous. I repeatedly drill into Owen that the most important things in this world are love, generosity and gratitude and that with those things he will be sure to be always happy. With the return of the light, I want to leave behind my fear if possible, but certainly want to shed any stinginess and embrace only light and the best angels of my nature; and reach out and see the best in others too. And I don’t ever want to overlook generosity because I might miss a train. So I will sit with that in the darkness and ask the light, the love, for healing. And that is my intention for this solstice.
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 yielding, the air a perfect temperature, and the smells are of ice and night. 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 path in front of you, very clearly leading up a hill in the distance. It is very dark, but the path is lit dimly by the stars and moon, and you are warmed by a large furry cloak. The scenery is somewhat barren, almost desert-like as you wind your way toward the top of the hill. You move toward the top of the hill, sensing that you are coming to a ceremonial place. Your mind feels very clear, empty of thoughts or expectations, but receptive, as you walk. You may begin to hum or sing softly as you climb, repeating the sounds as a kind of mantra, clearing your mind further of all thoughts other than the sounds or words.
You are winding your way to the top of the hill now, around the hill, slowly, until you finally arrive. You make your way into the ceremonial circle, but you are alone there and there is no fire lit. You spend a few moments feeling that you are at the same time completely whole and alone and yet connected to the earth below you and the sky above, dispelling any fear that you might feel. The words of your song become clearer now and you sing with more confidence and strength now. The song grows stronger and stronger, and you can sense that the power of it is increasing. You realize that you have created a power that is strong enough to cast a light into even the darkest night, and as you are thinking that, you focus your intention into the circle and a fire bursts forth. The light radiates from you, through the fire, and outward until you and everything you can see or imagine is shimmering with light, with love. You become aware that the light has reached your heart, and is warming it – until you are overwhelmed by that love. The love radiates out from your heart, through your body, and calls those you love into the circle with you. They arrive, one by one – guides, friends, ancestors – all those that you love. You bask in the connectedness that you feel with those who love and support you. Then, the love spreads outward from your circle, reaching out into the heavens, surrounding this world and every other realm, uniting with every other light soul until the entire world feels completed filled with love. The love is so powerful that you lose all thought, all reason, and can only rest in it. You know and feel how loved you are, as much as you know and feel how beautifully you are able to love. Finally, when it feels as though the world is glowing on its own, the circle grows still. You look at the people in your circle, asking for any guidance or offering any words to anyone there that needs your guidance.
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 step back into the circle one more time, joined by everyone present. You are once again able to return to that place of warmth, light and perfect love. When you are finished, you leave your circle, walking silently back to the path. Your wise woman accompanies you, then gives you a hug goodbye. She presses an object into your hand to take along with you to remind you of this night.
You walk back down the path, heading back to the doorway, contemplating the object in your hand, but also just filled body and soul with song and light. 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 want to call on this extended circle and the New York circle in particular to reach out with your love and light and hold Nina in that place. She’s just been dealing with a lot for a long time and needs a rest, and so at this solstice I would offer a prayer that Nina can take a break from thinking, worrying, praying, manifesting and having faith while we have those things for her for a while.
Much love to all of you – you are a beautiful light in the world, which needs all the light it can get!
Love and many blessings,
Tara
Friday, December 12, 2008
Full Moon in Gemini, 12th December, 2008
Hi everyone,
It has been three years now since I moved the moon newsletters to a blog format, four and a half years of writing them altogether, and it continues to be such a great part of my life. Thank you so much for your continued feedback, participation and encouragement – I am very proud of the space that has been created and can’t tell you how much it still gives back to me, even after all this time.
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, those lovely, watery spirits of our season. 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 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 Gemini this month – asking us to speak the truth, face our fears, but perhaps, even with the light disappearing by the minute, to a bit lighter. It is a fun-loving moon too, so perhaps it can light the way to the solstice, so close now.
Talking stick
I was reading over previous posts at this time of year to see if there were patterns, similarities, and while I found that there were, what I also found was something unexpected but very welcome: progress.
For some reason, this time of year historically has me questioning my beliefs, or the status quo, or my happiness – something. In short, it is a time that I can be restless, seeking, not content to be content. But I don’t feel that way this year. Perhaps because of Melissa’s death I have had those conversations with myself earlier, or maybe it is that I have really started to embrace peace with where I am instead of always wondering where I should be. I had this thought a week or so ago, wondering if this is the way my life stayed for the rest of my life, with little or no change, how would that be for me, and I realized that it would be fine – I would be happy. Now, of course life is change, and it won’t stay the same in that way, but it feels like a huge relief to feel that contentment and I’ll embrace it for as long as it lasts.
In the midst of this contentment and seasonal joy, I have been so busy. In fact I don’t have the time to write much more than this but will be more thoughtful at the solstice. I am aware of it coming and feel its energy building. I did rebuild my altar in this timeframe and feel stronger and more at peace for doing it, and am glad it is done before the solstice came. I’ve also built a family altar, so that Owen and Gary can contribute when they feel like it, which feels excellent.
Until Solstice then!
Meditation
Imagine yourself lying beneath a soft pine tree, whose branches reach all the way to ground so that you can lie inside its embrace. It is a cool nearly winter night, but you are warmed by the pine’s branches, which blanket you. As you look up, you can see the light of the full moon reaching between the branches, shining down until it is touching you, reaching right into your heart. With each breath, the moonlight feels as though it is reaching through you, deep into the earth, then upward into the sky again. As it moves through you and into the earth, you feel it spiraling deep below you, 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 firm ground and head out toward the west.
You step out onto into a winter desert – the landscape illuminated by the soft moonlight, so bright it feels like you can see into the night for miles. Yet it is still night, with all that night is, as you set out on the path. You find that although the path is illuminated you still need to walk carefully on it, as it is narrow and there are cactus and prickly pear on either side. You are aware of the night creatures that are out as well, perhaps stopping to observe them as you make your way along. In the distance there is a cliff, with a dwelling that feels familiar to you, and you make your way toward it. As you get closer you see the familiar markings and know that you have reached the home of your wise woman.
When you get to the house, the door swings open and your wise woman greets you, welcoming you in. She gives you a big hug and leads you to the kitchen where she is cooking. 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 away from the kitchen, down a hallway with many doors. When you find the door that is right for you, you step inside. In the centre of the room is a giant cauldron, and she leads you to it. She stands at the cauldron and begins to stir it, and asks you to look inside. Inside the cauldron you see your life – all of its moments, the happy, the sad, the angry, the vulnerable, the peaceful – and as she stirs, it begins to merge and change into an elixir of pure happiness. She asks you to add anything that you need to the cauldron, to add it to the recipe of your happiness. It may be things that you need to let go of, it may be warm thoughts, or love – whatever it is that you need to add. As it is added, the elixir grows stronger, more potent, more complete. When you look into the cauldron now, you see only yourself reflected back at you, knowing that you are the emanation of that pure happiness. You reach your hand into the cauldron, and spread the elixir all over yourself, finally drinking a little of it. All the barriers to happiness slip away and you held in a moment of pure happiness, pure beauty.
When you are ready, your wise woman leads you away from the cauldron, but reminds you that this is a place to which you can always return; that the cauldron is always simmering for you here. You make your way to door then walk through when ready.
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 happiness. You thank her and then head back to the path that leads back across the desert. The light is increasing now, as dawn approaches, and the sky is about to burst to life. You make your way back to the place where you began and return to the staircase.
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, under the beautiful pine tree, with the moon shining through. And when you are ready you open your eyes.
Prayers for our circle
I haven’t received any specific prayer requests, so much love to all of you as we come closer to solstice and the holidays!
Tara
It has been three years now since I moved the moon newsletters to a blog format, four and a half years of writing them altogether, and it continues to be such a great part of my life. Thank you so much for your continued feedback, participation and encouragement – I am very proud of the space that has been created and can’t tell you how much it still gives back to me, even after all this time.
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, those lovely, watery spirits of our season. 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 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 Gemini this month – asking us to speak the truth, face our fears, but perhaps, even with the light disappearing by the minute, to a bit lighter. It is a fun-loving moon too, so perhaps it can light the way to the solstice, so close now.
Talking stick
I was reading over previous posts at this time of year to see if there were patterns, similarities, and while I found that there were, what I also found was something unexpected but very welcome: progress.
For some reason, this time of year historically has me questioning my beliefs, or the status quo, or my happiness – something. In short, it is a time that I can be restless, seeking, not content to be content. But I don’t feel that way this year. Perhaps because of Melissa’s death I have had those conversations with myself earlier, or maybe it is that I have really started to embrace peace with where I am instead of always wondering where I should be. I had this thought a week or so ago, wondering if this is the way my life stayed for the rest of my life, with little or no change, how would that be for me, and I realized that it would be fine – I would be happy. Now, of course life is change, and it won’t stay the same in that way, but it feels like a huge relief to feel that contentment and I’ll embrace it for as long as it lasts.
In the midst of this contentment and seasonal joy, I have been so busy. In fact I don’t have the time to write much more than this but will be more thoughtful at the solstice. I am aware of it coming and feel its energy building. I did rebuild my altar in this timeframe and feel stronger and more at peace for doing it, and am glad it is done before the solstice came. I’ve also built a family altar, so that Owen and Gary can contribute when they feel like it, which feels excellent.
Until Solstice then!
Meditation
Imagine yourself lying beneath a soft pine tree, whose branches reach all the way to ground so that you can lie inside its embrace. It is a cool nearly winter night, but you are warmed by the pine’s branches, which blanket you. As you look up, you can see the light of the full moon reaching between the branches, shining down until it is touching you, reaching right into your heart. With each breath, the moonlight feels as though it is reaching through you, deep into the earth, then upward into the sky again. As it moves through you and into the earth, you feel it spiraling deep below you, 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 firm ground and head out toward the west.
You step out onto into a winter desert – the landscape illuminated by the soft moonlight, so bright it feels like you can see into the night for miles. Yet it is still night, with all that night is, as you set out on the path. You find that although the path is illuminated you still need to walk carefully on it, as it is narrow and there are cactus and prickly pear on either side. You are aware of the night creatures that are out as well, perhaps stopping to observe them as you make your way along. In the distance there is a cliff, with a dwelling that feels familiar to you, and you make your way toward it. As you get closer you see the familiar markings and know that you have reached the home of your wise woman.
When you get to the house, the door swings open and your wise woman greets you, welcoming you in. She gives you a big hug and leads you to the kitchen where she is cooking. 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 away from the kitchen, down a hallway with many doors. When you find the door that is right for you, you step inside. In the centre of the room is a giant cauldron, and she leads you to it. She stands at the cauldron and begins to stir it, and asks you to look inside. Inside the cauldron you see your life – all of its moments, the happy, the sad, the angry, the vulnerable, the peaceful – and as she stirs, it begins to merge and change into an elixir of pure happiness. She asks you to add anything that you need to the cauldron, to add it to the recipe of your happiness. It may be things that you need to let go of, it may be warm thoughts, or love – whatever it is that you need to add. As it is added, the elixir grows stronger, more potent, more complete. When you look into the cauldron now, you see only yourself reflected back at you, knowing that you are the emanation of that pure happiness. You reach your hand into the cauldron, and spread the elixir all over yourself, finally drinking a little of it. All the barriers to happiness slip away and you held in a moment of pure happiness, pure beauty.
When you are ready, your wise woman leads you away from the cauldron, but reminds you that this is a place to which you can always return; that the cauldron is always simmering for you here. You make your way to door then walk through when ready.
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 happiness. You thank her and then head back to the path that leads back across the desert. The light is increasing now, as dawn approaches, and the sky is about to burst to life. You make your way back to the place where you began and return to the staircase.
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, under the beautiful pine tree, with the moon shining through. And when you are ready you open your eyes.
Prayers for our circle
I haven’t received any specific prayer requests, so much love to all of you as we come closer to solstice and the holidays!
Tara
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