Distaff Day Sabbath

Woman with distaff in left hand, and spindle in right hand.

Distaff Day (January7) is named for the distaff, the stick-like tool that held fibers while a woman used a drop spindle to spin thread.

Spinning and weaving were never-ending chores for pre-industrial women; most women and girls would spin thread while also cooking, caring for children, or minding the sheep. Because women were seen always with a distaff in hand, it became the symbol of “women’s work”. 

But during the Christmas season women took a break from spinning. January 7th was the traditional day for women to start back to work, and so was called Distaff Day.

Agenda:
1. Journal queries and spindle meditation

2. Start a fiber project

3. Read "The Simpler Life"

4. Clean and clear the living room

1. Journal queries and spindle meditation:

A student using a drop spindle to make yarn.

The Spirit as Goddess is often portrayed as a spinner: Athena, Isis, and Grandmother Spider Woman are all spinners and weavers. Amaterasu spins and weaves sunbeams. The Three Fates control destiny by spinning the thread of life. Frigga works the heavenly spindle to weave the clouds; she has the ability to feel and see clearly.

So, I celebrate two things today:

• My love of the fiber arts;
• And how I create my own destiny with thought and deed.

What are the threads of my life now and how well do they weave together?
Where can I simplify the pattern? 
Where can I add richness?

I’m not much of a spinner, but I always pull out my spindle on Distaff Day, and spin a little wonky yarn. As I work with it I ask the Spirit to give me the ability to slow down, be present, and see clearly.

2. Start a fiber project:

Every year on Distaff Day I start a new fiber arts project, either hand-sewing or crochet, to connect again with the roots of "women's work" and to keep my hands busy in the evenings (and during zoom meetings).

Last year I made a start on a large appliqué quilt for my older grandson, which took all year, and which I finished just before Christmas (and which he loves!)

This year I'm working on a soft, puffy, blankie for my youngest grandson, using a crescent moon panel I made years ago, and which will be finished for his birthday later this month.

3. Read "The Simpler Life":

I've been reviewing this pretty little book by Deborah DeFord (1998). The subtitle is "An Inspirational Guide to Living Better with Less".

I'm on Chapter 4: Home Simple Home. She defines three areas of focus to create simpler homes, and the first is to clear out everything you don't need.

We have lived in the same home for 37 years, so you can imagine how much we've accumulated: Our closets and shelves are pretty full. "It's time to start un- "stuff" -ing the storage. ... If you routinely unstuffed in logical stages - sorting, shucking, and storing - you can permanently let light, air, and freedom into the storage spaces in your life."

Tips:

• Start in the place that gives me the most pain.
• Start small and enjoy the process. Choose one counter or one shelf.
• Sort into paper bags or boxes labeled Donate, Shed, Trash, etc.
• Once the space is completely clear, decide what should logically go back into or onto it.
• At the end of the week, recycle or hand down what I've sorted out. 

4. Clean and clear the living room:
Every year in January I kick off a month of deep cleaning. My house has mold-related issues that are best done before we get any deeper into winter. I take it one room at a time, and this week I'll clean in the living room. Today, since it's my Sabbath, I'll kick off my cleaning with a ceremonial zen tidy: I'll clear off the surfaces and put away some toys.

Extra chores this week:

• Clean the leaves on the houseplants, and repot if needed.
• Clear the toy box and the craft cabinet; sort out some toys we don't use any more and pass them on.
• Wipe and dust the baseboards and clean the woodwork.
• Scrub the mold off of the door and windowsills with detergent and warm water, then apply Borax solution and do not rinse, to help prevent mold from growing again.