Yule

The Sun is Born

If you consider yourself a green witch, Yule most likely holds some significance personally for you.

One beautiful thing about “being” a green witch is that you can freely adapt your spiritual practice to what best suits you.  Each of us have lifetimes of influences that help us determine what brings us closer to Spirit.  How we do this comes from our intuitive nature and is not dictated by anyone other than ourselves.  If a person can step aside of all the rigamarole surrounding this Holy Day, you’ll see that Yule belongs to no religious group, it is there for everyone. It has been observed by many cultures for thousands of years, predating modern religion.

Personally, I believe being attuned to the earth’s natural forces is of great importance. Especially now as we see our natural environment being used, abused and destroyed on a global scale.  Are we not the caretakers of the Earth, our Mother?

The pivotal points of the year are the solstices and equinoxes in the yearly rotation of the earth. If you look at the plant-life around you, you’ll see they change according to the seasonal cycle.

Seeds drop to fertile soil and some – such as lilac – set their buds during Yuletide for next spring.  Why wouldn’t these seasonal events also be important for us too?  We are a vital component of nature – even if we do nothing more than observe and enjoy it’s beauty.

Ann Murphy-Hiscock in her book The Way of the Green Witch says it best: “By commemorating the seasonal shifts, we can take the time to mark the changes in the energy of our environment and to formally reconnect ourselves  with nature’s energy, which helps us recharge our spiritual batteries.”

Is it any wonder that many of us are tidying up the old year in preparation for Yule, the perfect starting point in the new seasonal cycle.  We too need to harvest the seeds of our thoughts and be ready  to plant them in the inner fertile soil of our hopes and dreams. The perfect time to celebrate the sun’s yearly death (or rest) and re-birth.   The perfect time to let go of those things which are no longer needed and prepare for the things we’ll need as the new cycle gets under way.

Letting your imagination run wild thinking about the possibilities for the new cycle can be a most joyful occasion, even if you’re only a party of one.  I begin my celebration by taking out my favorite collection of ornaments and decorations – many hold pleasant memories of Yuletides past with my children.

Some of the items include natural earth items.  Plants, gemstones and minerals, things that represent the elements of earth, air, water and fire can all generate positive vibratory energy.

Dried herbs, flowers and plants from my garden and around my home have been kept all year specifically to adorn the Yule log fire.  The first flowers are almost always dried and kept for this time of year.  Finding a suitable Yule log and decorating it with seasonal greenery and choice dried flowers, acorns. pine cones and other nuts and seeds is one of my favorite things to do this time of year.

For me, it really isn’t about the giving and receiving of gifts so much as it is a time of reflection and expressing gratitude for all the many gifts already received. Gifts that come from nature and from the many spontaneous blessings the Universe delivers every day throughout the year. Not the kind of gifts typically found in department stores or shopping malls that obscure the real meaning of this time of year for me.

That does not mean that in my joyful spirit I do not like to share with others from the abundance I have. As an agricultural holiday Yule is a natural time, just after an abundant harvest to cook up something  to share with family and friends.  Right now, I have this big ole pumpkin sitting on my counter that I’ve decided to make some pumpkin butter to share.  Maybe with a little rum and maple syrup .  Hmmmmm.

There is something truly magical about Yule.  The day the earth and the sun stands still to allow us a brief respite from the past year as we rest, make merry and look forward to the blessings to come in the New Year.

May your Yule hold much magic, with many wonderful blessings for the New Year.

Wishing you peace, joy, love and happiness, the true gifts of Yule this holiday season.

Judy

 

 

 

 

 

As the Sun Wanes . . .

Giving attention to the waxing and waning moons for the past many years, a passing thought that pops up from time to time is the cycle of the sun.

Here we are at yet another Yuletide.  As the sun begins to slow down for its yearly rest,  I too seem to be finishing up with the past year to make way for the new.

In some ways the year is just a big old clock. A celestial time piece put into motion billions of years ago. Considering just how little time we humans have been known to exist on this planet, its the only thing that seems to have been a constant.  We arrived and over time became aware of the yearly pattern of the seasons.

Is it any surprise that our ancestors. without the distractions of modern life as we know it, looked up to the heavens in wonder and awe?

Even now, looking up at the moon and stars, I often think that the skies we see are for the most part the same as the many generations that have gone before us.  When there was nothing much to look at and study but nature, the sun, the moon and the stars,  celestial and seasonal events held much value as people scheduled their yearly life accordingly.

Our modern day distractions keeps so many of us in a mental fog. Awaiting the light of the sun to shine down upon us and lift us out of the doom and gloom of everyday life.  Up at dawn, tuned into the cultural programming devices such as TV and mobile phones that strive to condition us to believe we need to constantly live in fear.

But on this beautiful late autumn day the sun is shining and I’m in the midst of cleaning up my mess from this past year and getting ready to celebrate Yule.  Moving a lifetime’s worth of memories and collections from a larger house to one quite tiny presents many challenges.

Some people can easily let go of things.  No attachments. What-so-ever.

I am not one of those people.  I have almost everything anyone has ever given me.  Gifts are dear to me. I’m not sure people today truly understand that when I express my gratitude for their generosity, it is from my soul.

Being a creative type, I see the value of many things most people throw in the garbage.  I’m better now, but that unusual jar or sturdy box still tugs at my core.

Today I found THE box with my most treasured collection of Yuletide decorations.  Mostly snowflakes, unique garlands and treasured ornaments that adorned holidays past with my sons, now grown and living far away.  The whereabouts of this sacred box unknown among the many unpacked boxes from my move back to my childhood home 5 years ago.

Living on a meager retirement provides ample opportunity to examine the things I’ve collected along my way.  I cannot part with them.  The memories of my boys growing up and the acquisition of each item as I unpack the box brings me ever closer to feeling at home again.

Organizing is probably my most challenging chore.  With my mind thinking about all the possibilities that exist for the coming new cycle, and trying to find ways to organize the things I love and deciding which things to discard that are no longer useful, my ADHD  is in overload.

However this is the most perfect time of all to ponder these things and to organize for all the possibilities. As I contemplate what the New Year may bring, I am trusting that I will give the Universe enough food for thought to sleep on this Yule.

Hopeful that my cherished dreams come to fruition by next Yule.

May you find all your dreams come true for you too.

Judy

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning Anew

Dare I say it? I turned 64 on my last birthday.  As I started to look at all the numbers and astrological placements surrounding the moment of my birth, I started to get a little excited.

For me, this past birthday began a new 9 year cycle.  That, in itself, was something that only comes around once every nine years .   .   . and I am happy I didn’t miss this one!

I’ve had a fascination with numerology and astrology for many, many years. The main difference between what happened at my birth until now is, at my age, there were many years I never had access to all the personal information about all this at my finger tips.  It is unfortunate that most young people today do not use their computers for personal growth.  Whenever my  nieces and nephews ask how to do something, I just say “google it”.  They have the world at their finger tips and don’t seem to understand how wonderful that is!

Some of the things I could have learned having the world at my finger tips growing up.  I never really knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. I think maybe I would learned more about what talents I naturally possess and discovered what I was meant to be.

So, on my 64th birthday . . . feeling the need to finally unpack all the gemstones and mineral specimens I’ve collected for many years, I began a whole new chapter of my life.

The last chapter did not end as well as I had once imagined it would.  Life as I knew it kicked me out and slammed the door. So now,  a new door has finally opened.

My last entry to this blog was made in 2013, just before my 60th birthday.  I had already left Florida and returned to safety and comfort of my childhood home and my family. I am so fortunate to still have both my parents who, as it turned out, really needed me.  While they are both in reasonably good health they do have conditions which having someone close by to keep watch is a blessing. My Daddy is 91 and my Mama is 84 . . . I live next door and have coffee with them most mornings.

The good news is, while I was dealing with a lot of 9 cycle endings . . . my mind was longing for and churning up my creative force. Though  I really wasn’t aware until now,  how this wonderful energy would erupt on my 64th birthday and lead me into this new beginning.

During the last nine cycle, especially the last 5 years, I had pretty much shut down. I existed. That’s about as much as I could muster. I had no self-confidence nor self esteem. The Universe was somewhat harsh . . . but did set into motion events that ultimately answered my prayers.  (And yes, I was a little pissed at the Universe at the time, LOL.)

Thankfully, that cycle is over and I have begun anew a new life for myself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

. . . the anniversary of my 60th birthday . . .

. . . I know it’s been a while . . .

. . . . . . so much has happened during the last year . . . and that most of these experiences and feelings are culminating in trying to clarify my direction for the future is no easy task.

Sometimes . . . when trying to stay positive;  which – as we all know – is the “preferred” state of being;  it’s easy to sweep  some of the negative stuff under the rug . . .

. . . at some point, however, you will have to remove the rug to get rid of all that dusty crap!

Such is how I am experiencing these few remaining days  before my 60th birthday.

Having been born on the Summer Solstice is not an easy date for being born. In fact, in one book that I read (and later discarded) said that being born on this day was especially unfortunate.  Some days, especially during the last year, I’ve felt this just might be true.

Overall, however, I find that I have indeed been blessed in so many different ways.

I am so fortunate to still have parents to go home too after all these years.  I wish I had more to give them at this stag of my life.  Without them, I really do not know where I might be right at this moment.

I have a roof over my head . . . and am hopeful for the future – more or less.

It’s hard staring over at this age. With practically nothing.

Severely lacking in self confidence does not help . . . and though I do have a lot of confidence in my knowledge and abilities . . . this self confidence was not nurtured as frequently as it could have been in the last 30 years or so . . .  even to the point of questioning if I had ever had my self confidence really nurtured – at all.

Trying to overcome this feeling of inadequacy has been the most difficult of all.

At this stage in life . . . no matter who or where you are – you feel a need to access  the past  60 years of your life.  If you’re fortunate . . . life is a bed of roses . . . no worries . . .

. . .  but that has not been my fate thus far . . . but,  then . . .

I’m only 60 . . . lol . . . , almost . . .

 to be continued . . .

The beauty of a blog that nobody reads is that I can pretty much put it all out there . . . to the Universe . . . with some – a few – witnesses . . . and I am grateful to all those who do subscribe . . .  thank you for listening.

Here I am . . .

Doesn’t seem like its been that long since I last posted.  Yet, so much has happened in these past 2 weeks that is most definitely changing my life forever.

No longer in Florida, I sit tonight in my new home . . .  my Dad’s work shed, converted into a rather large studio apartment.

The trials and tribulations of packing all my worldly goods . . . moving them . . . unloading and now unpacking them has been an adventure . . . to say the very least.  Regardless of the size, 14 years of amassing much of the many things I love . . . is now filling the space up . . . and . . . for most part –  in the most delightful way!

To add to the chaos of the adventure . . . getting to really know my Dad does provide some of life’s real tests.

I know that, as a woman . . . over the years , we begin to not only understand our mother’s more, but we see a lot of her in ourselves. Sometimes it frightens us, yet . . . there is a comfort in knowing that what we discover in  ourselves comes from a source that loves us.

I’m not sure all of us see that same perspective from our fathers.  Maybe it’s just me . . . but I do see a lot of myself when I watch my Dad do all that he has the past week.  Getting older now, I can see the frailty of age on the most vigorous man I’ve ever known. A vigor still very much alive.

Understanding more fully my connection to my parents has been a deeply spiritual awakening.

It’s hard to believe I’ve only been here a week.  In many ways . . . it seems like I never left.

Coming home.

Nothing has gone as planned.  Not that I had really planned anything . . . but certainly not expecting what I’m in the midst of!  So far, its been a Murphy’s Law adventure . . . and most everything that could go wrong has . . . but,  at this stage in life, I’m just going with the flow.  Changing the things I can, accepting the things I can’t.

Early on in this dilemma . . . I could see that all this was in answer my prayers. Do I like how the universe responded . . . no, not really . . . but this was probably the quickest, surest way to bring about the necessary changes my life needed. So I accept it knowing that what lies before me is indeed far greater than what I’ve left behind.

Hopefully I will exceed my greatest expectations.

Time . . . and patience . . . will tell.

The Wishing Moon Prayer . . .

Writing is a pleasure for me. Most of the time I have so much rolling around in my head that its hard to stay focused. Writing helps me focus.

I’m a very private person . . . and to me, my conversations with God are between me and my Creator. Since I began writing out my prayers . . . I have found that I can more easily express what my heart has to say . . . and I can remember the conversation.

But tonight . . . I’m sharing my wishing moon prayer . . . I don’t know why . . . but I have a strong feeling I’m suppose to.

October 13, 2012

Dear Lord ,

I thank you for this day and for helping for me accomplish all that I have done to release me from my old life, in preparation for my future.  Guided by your love, I know that what is ahead of me is far greater than that which I am leaving behind. Open my heart and guide me with your wisdom . . . so that I may share all that you’ve shown me of your creation and how deeply important all of it is to the happiness of all mankind. Help me to understand more fully my connection to our mother Earth . . . from which you formed each and every being that dwells upon it.  On this night, one of my wishes is that I will be able to touch the lives of others with your ancient wisdom  and their hearts will be open to the spiritual force you have imbued within every thing.  Help me also to remember this and understand more fully.  As new people enter my life, I wish for you to bless them with your love and guide me to do the same.  Open my heart to those who oppose me  . . . so that perhaps their hearts may open to your love.  Help me to respect the many different ways others come to you.  Bless too, my family. Watch over them and keep them safe from harm.  Bless them with an abundance of love, good health and good fortune.  Not knowing what the future will bring . . . I wish for your guidance in knowing what to do to sustain myself while living on mother earth . . . work that will have meaning, for myself and others.   I am so grateful for all that you’ve given me and for the wisdom you’ve shown me.  Thank you too for watching over me and keeping me safe from harm. May your love guide me all the days of my life.

Amen

Inspiration . . . .

Sometimes I miss them.

But tonight was the perfect night for lighting my little outdoor fire pit, and think about my future.  As I’m finishing packing for my move back home to North Carolina, tonight turned out to be a lovely opportunity to get inspired thinking of all the possibilities I have available for my new beginning.

As fate would have it, I was unable to photograph the event due to my camera lens locking up . . . a problem I did eventually find a solution for.  Not wanting to spoil the mood of my Gate of Inspiration meditation, my instincts told me to just enjoy the fire and think . . . and make a wish or two for the future.  Being able to talk with God . . . the Universe’s Life Force . . . can be a wondrous thing . . .

Along the way on my spiritual journey, I learned of a special time of  year  when the universe gives us a little window of time . . . an opening . . . a gate on which to meditate on what inspires us.  Found on Steve Nelson’s website Gaia Astrology ,  I’ve come to enjoy reading his moon magic section.  On the topic of the Gate of Inspiration . . . he has this to say:

Gate of Inspiration, Oct 12-13 (6:40 pm – 6:40 pm) – Dance and Be Free

“A Muse Gate opens every 40 days, 9 each year. The witch queen Cerridwen stirs her caldron for a year and day to brew the “greal” of  Inspiration. Nine maidens alternate their breaths to keep the magic fire burning, each maiden is a Muse. Whatever is blocking energy flow comes before the Gate to be let go. This is a time to release body tensions that hold old ways of thinking and feeling. Breathe deeply and move freely (dance!) to shed the old and open to the special magic of this new time.”

Also being the time of a wishing moon, it felt like the most perfect time to think of and wish for what’s possible ahead of me while asking for help in letting go of the many fears and self-doubts I have.

As I connect more and more to the energies of mother earth . . . the more strengthened I am . . . even though my once lovely garden is now overgrown with weeds . . . it welcomed me on this, one of my final evenings here at my home of the past 14 years.   The frogs . . . who have been silent now for many weeks . . . began croaking again . . . earlier, before sunset . . . several birds had gathered on the wire overlooking the garden . . . a lovely amber-colored butterfly  flew out of the flowers while some of the birds sang . . . yes, this would be a perfect night for expressing my appreciation for teaching me so much during the past three years while encouraging me to continue, at my new home.

Preparing my fire pit for an evening’s festivity is one of my favorite things to do.  I still have some small branches from last year’s Yule tree . . . I savor them during my fires at special times throughout the year. Many other dried herbs and flowers that I’ve saved go into it as special offerings of thanks for the beauty they brought into my life as well as to draw more positive or release negative energies of one variety or another.   I have an old stool without a seat, that I use to set the pit on while I load it with these garden treasures . . . and it is quite beautiful to me, even unlit.

It always amazes me how the wind responds to me in the garden.  I’ve had times when I thought surely it would be too windy for a fire . . . and then, the moment I step into  the circle . . . and light the fire, it calms.  Even more wondrous is when, after asking a question . . . a short gust will blow, as if answering my request.

Magical moments.  Spiritual moments.

While there is not much I will miss here in Florida . . . losing my garden is my greatest sorrow.  I’ve spent many magical moments there . . . and I want to carry those lovely memories with me to my next.

Having many very long branches from trees I pruned early in the spring, now dry enough to burn . . . I placed them around the pit . . . letting the tips burn . . . then pushing it into the fire to keep it going.  Just before coming in for the night . . . I took them out and let the tips cool. I’ll use them again tomorrow and will bring the ends with me for the fire I’ll prepare to dedicate the space for the new garden I will soon be working on . . .

Inspired by the hope of a brighter tomorrow . . . the fire blazed strong and clear.  A good sign.

Leaving behind the troubles of the past . . . and heading toward a new uncharted future is both exciting and terrifying.  On this night, however . . . I am comforted in knowing that this end, while not how I imagined it would be . . . was an answer to my many prayers.

I am grateful.

This New Moon . . .

I guess being a moon child, born into the sign of Cancer, makes me more sensitive to its phases.

I find that I am inspired by the moon. I sometimes don’t understand why others aren’t. Especially other women.

If it is true “there are no coincidences”, then the fact that a woman’s cycle follows that of the moon was, perhaps,  in some sort of divine plan.

Crescent New Moon April 23 2012

I like believing that.

Perhaps that’s why I find the moon the perfect focus point for meditation, prayer, whatever . . .

I must say I’m having a lovely moment on my journey.

I hope you are too.

Blessings,

Judy

Getting ready . . .

Night in the Garden . . . April 1, 2012

Today, I’m tidying up the garden in preparation for my night in the garden. I’ll be writing more later but felt the urge to send this out into my universe early

Tonight we’ll be able to see the first signs of the new moon’s waxing crescent. A time for planting the seeds of thought for our new ideas and projects. Great night to meditate.

One of my favorite web-sites is Gaia Astrology. You won’t find your daily horoscope there, but you’ll find some useful monthly timing information. Like this:

Crescent New Moon, Apr 22 -27 – Time to Sow

It’s time to bring forward what we wish to be realized. Farmers plant seeds when the crescent appears, seeds are fertile on every level. Moon magic is strongest Sunset to Moonset when the Moon is in the 7th House. Meditation now opens doorways, wishes take wing and prayers bring blessings for this Moon and year. Crescent Moon with Jupiter and Venus brings abundance and love. Whatever we plant in our inner garden grows and flowers for many Moons. All new beginnings are favored.

Steve Nelson is the writer and offers an interesting astrological perspective for all to ponder.

Enjoy.

1st Night Waning . . .

How fortunate.

I thought there would be of thunderstorms. As it turns out . . . the chance, according to TWC on the web, only 10% chance of rain.

I so enjoy my fire-side chats with Spirit  under a full moon.

Tonight it seems as if I’m playing peek-a-boo with Mother Moon, with all the cloud cover and gentle wind.

Tonight, the first night waning after yesterdays full moon . . . the first full moon of the new zodiacal year . . the time to certainly thank our Creative Source for the bounty we have in our lives.

Tonight, however, is a night for letting go. By the fire I sit. Thinking.

Thinking of the things I need to release, let go . . . all those things which hinder me.

Into your hands Great Spirit.

May Your sunrise bring peace, love and freedom to all mankind.

Namaste.