Truly yours

My dear,
In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love.
In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile. In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm.
I realized, through it all, that…
In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.
And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there’s something stronger – something better, pushing right back.
Truly yours,
– Albert Camus, The Stranger

Little Miss

 Throwback to 2013, with Little Miss hosting a Valentine's Day Tea.

The Way Will Open

 

 

 

 
NF Challenge -- February 14
This challenge begins during a time of converging paths, each with their own pressures: PhD classes, interpersonal conflict, editing work, physical challenges, emotional balance, spiritual wholeness. At times it feels like I am navigating under a starless sky, and all I can do is trust the sails and be grateful that the water lifts the boat.

I hadn't meant to make an Earthsea challenge, and it's been forever since I read the books, but here we are. Writing often reveals the Way; as Ged found, words have power to restore balance to what has been upset.

The way will open.

icy, cold, and dreary

 The weather forecast is for continued icy, cold, and dreary. My new dogwalking client had A Situation, so I went over to do a couple dog-walk-in-the-rain trips and now I'm spent, soggy, and chilled to the bone.

Thank the gods for hot tea and warm baths.

 

Year of the Ox

Moonlit Morning

 

Imbolc

Imbolc is a time of renewal.

Traditionally sacred to Brigid of the Celtic Isles, it is a time for inspiration, preparing for new beginnings, and celebrating the return of light after having weathered the dark period of the year. Clean your home, especially the windows and doorframes, which were traditionally hung with a Brigid's cross for protection. The floors were swept and cleaned and then rushes were laid as a Brigid's bed to attract the goddess, who was said to visit virtuous households and bestow blessings of prosperity and fertility. These rituals are the origin of the "spring cleaning" that we still do, a way to open our homes and our selves to the blessings of the new year, a time to prepare for abundance.

This is a time to focus on the in breath and the restoration it brings. Reconnect with your breath and your body. Prepare yourself for creativity and for manifestation. This is the time when we look to the animals to see what the coming year will hold, and Groundhog Day is the modern incarnation of this ancient Imbolc divination.

Light candles and kindle the spark of creativity that has come with you through the dark days of Autumn and Winter.  Think back to Halloween and all that came since, and light a candle in thanks for having the wisdom that completing another cycle has given you. The Christian tradition adopted this Celtic tradition as Candlemas, a festival of candles and togetherness in light.

A wand of White Birch, a tree of beginnings sacred to Brigid, was traditionally laid in the home so she could use it to bring back the Spring. The Norse rune, birch, is the first of the runes, reflecting this association with inception.

Colors associated with Imbolc are white (purification and new beginnings) and green (fertility and growth). Brigid is a fire goddess so don't let your candles remain dormant; embrace the spark of life and the flame of creativity that comes with it. This is a very feminine season, symbolized by the chalice. Celts would make pilgrimages at this time of year to sacred pools and sacred Wells referred to as "the chalice of the earth."

It is a time for re-connection.

Take stock of your body, your home, and your land.

Prepare each of them for the coming year with an open heart, full of clean fresh new breath for the coming year. Fill yourself with the love that the universe has for you.