January 6th is Epiphany, the final day of the Christmas season. This was the day when the three Magi arrived in Bethlehem to see the baby Jesus, and recognized that he would grow up to be a great helper of people.
And tonight is the Full moon of January, called atalka - the "Stay Inside Moon" - by the Kalapuya of my area, and the Wolf Moon by others, because of the hungry packs of wolves that used to roam for prey at this time of deep winter. The full Wolf Moon is a good time to ponder what I am hungry for, and how to be resilient.
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| Photo by Alan Gillespie |
We are now at the peak of the strong-energy yang phase of the waxing moon, and will soon begin the quiet-energy yin time of the waning moon. The full moon shines her light on everything; use the full moon energy for creatively completing things, and for seeing your next moves, and also to CELEBRATE how far you've come and give thanks for the lessons learned and the blessings received.
Agenda for today:
1. Epiphany queries
2. Vision walk
3. Celebrate stillness
4. Begin to update my Vision Poster
5. Bake a King's cake
6. Make a crown
An epiphany is an insight that might take years to ripen, like when I suddenly understand something that has been hovering just out of my grasp; it's a brilliant feeling of clarity, a gift from Spirit, a moment of transformation. At the same time, it’s no big deal - Light and grace are always in the world; what is sporadic is my ability to pay attention and be present.
On New Year's Day I put the Greek Delphic injunction on my altar - Gnothi Seauton - Know Thyself. Today I will light a blue candle, for stillness, and center on my breathing. When I am grounded, I will begin to observe what I am feeling right now, my emotions and my physical sensations. Just take an objective inventory. As a feeling enters, hold it gently, then let it float away.
After 10 minutes or so, I will stop and write down the feelings I'm having: Worries about my aging body, frustrations with relationships, joys, concerns, and hopes.
After 10 minutes or so, I will stop and write down the feelings I'm having: Worries about my aging body, frustrations with relationships, joys, concerns, and hopes.
What are the themes running through my life?
What might be the message or vision that is ripening in me this season?
What question do I want to shine greater light on?
2. Vision walk:
The full moon shines a bright light on everything, and I might experience intuitive and creative breakthroughs. I might be shocked by the clarity of my insights. I might see some ugliness - the full moon illuminates all the things I've left in the shadows, some heavy truths and some embarrassing mistakes.
Today I'm going to settle in to silence and access my intuitive mind - my connection to the Creator and the Inner Guide - by putting myself into a relaxed, trance-like state, and seeking a leading of the spirit with an open mind and heart.
"Today I call on the Spirit of Light to guide me, bring me clarity and open my eyes.What is the Truth that is coming into focus for me now? What am I longing for; what am I ravenously hungry for?What is my growing edge? What is my next step? What beliefs, obstacles, doubts, or attachments are holding me back? Can I release them now, or can I lean into them and let them guide me?How do I go about putting down roots? What are the conditions that nourish and feed me? What practices help me to stay grounded?
When I'm done with my vision walk, I'm going to write down the one thing I am most hungry for on a slip of paper, and burn the paper to release the wish out to the universe.
3. Celebrate stillness:
To celebrate stillness I will:
- Read from Writing and Being.
- Finish sewing a seed charm.
- Take a long walk, and practice my Root Meditation.
- Begin to update my Vision Poster
4. Begin to update my Vision Poster:
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| Left to right - top row: Synergy, depth, stillness Middle row: Joy, balance, strength Bottom row: Receptivity, abundance, integrity. |
Today I plan to examine last year's poster to see what I've accomplished, remove the items that I've finished or no longer need, and consider what I might like to add for next year.
Supplies: Foam core, oil or aqua crayons, paper, scissors, glue stick
I use the same black foam core board every year: It's divided into nine sections, like the guas in feng shui... it's odd, but it works for me! I filled each section with a background color many years ago, and now I just remove the pictures that I no longer need (if you use a gluestick they should just peel off) and add new ones for my new goals.
I use the same black foam core board every year: It's divided into nine sections, like the guas in feng shui... it's odd, but it works for me! I filled each section with a background color many years ago, and now I just remove the pictures that I no longer need (if you use a gluestick they should just peel off) and add new ones for my new goals.
I get most of my pictures of the Internet, add my own words, cut and paste, and there it is - a map of ideas for 2023.
5. Bake a King's Cake:
A tiny clay doll (or an almond or coin) is placed inside the cake to symbolize the coming of the baby Jesus. Each guest cuts a piece, and the person whose serving contains the doll is considered king or queen of the fiesta, and is obligated to host another party on or before February 2 (Candlemas).
Ingredients:
Yield: 1 large cake
1- Heat milk to boiling. In a large bowl, combine the hot milk with sugar, salt, and margarine. Cool to lukewarm.
2- Meanwhile, dissolve yeast in 1/4 c. warm water. When the milk has cooled, add the dissolved yeast, eggs, and 2 c. flour.
3- Beat the dough until it is smooth and satiny then stir in another 2 c. flour and dried fruit or raisins to make a soft dough. Cover the bowl with plastic and let the dough rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
5-Make sugar paste: Cream butter and sugar together, beat in egg and gradually add about 1 c. flour. Press out flat on a well- floured surface, and cut into strips. Decorate the bread with this paste and dried fruits, to look like a crown covered with jewels.
While the cake is baking, make a crown with yellow poster board, pens, and stick-on jewels, or from pipe cleaners!
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| After baking: The lighter strips are the sugar paste. |
In Mexico, Día de Reyes (Day of Kings) is the main celebration of Christmas, though Christmas Day is growing in popularity. Children get presents today from the three kings, and the family shares a special bread, called Rosca de Reyes (King's Cake), which looks like a large, delicious crown.
A tiny clay doll (or an almond or coin) is placed inside the cake to symbolize the coming of the baby Jesus. Each guest cuts a piece, and the person whose serving contains the doll is considered king or queen of the fiesta, and is obligated to host another party on or before February 2 (Candlemas).
- 2/3 c. milk
- 1/2 c. sugar
- 1-1/2 tsp. salt
- 5 Tbs. butter
- 2 package of yeast
- 4 eggs
- 4 c. flour
- 2 c. dried fruit or raisins
Sugar paste & decorations:
- 1/2 c. butter
- 1/2 c. sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 c. flour
- dried or candied fruits
Yield: 1 large cake1- Heat milk to boiling. In a large bowl, combine the hot milk with sugar, salt, and margarine. Cool to lukewarm.
2- Meanwhile, dissolve yeast in 1/4 c. warm water. When the milk has cooled, add the dissolved yeast, eggs, and 2 c. flour.
3- Beat the dough until it is smooth and satiny then stir in another 2 c. flour and dried fruit or raisins to make a soft dough. Cover the bowl with plastic and let the dough rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
4- Pour the dough out onto a well-floured surface and gently shape it into a ring. Arrange the dough on a greased cookie sheet then hide a foil-wrapped coin in it. Let the cake rise again until doubled, about 1-1/4 hours.
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| We decorated with dried apricots, cranberries, and golden raisins. |
6- Bake your cake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 25-30 minutes.
6. Make a crown:
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| 2022 King |
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