5th Day of Christmas and Full Cold Moon

This is the fifth day of Christmas, and tonight is the Full Moon! The full moon of December is called the Cold Moon (for obvious reasons). Nature is resting now in preparation for the growing season, and so should I be. No matter how busy I feel, I can slow down, rest more, and pay better attention to the inner growing that is going on.

The turning point of solstice is past- the light born out of the darkness- but it's only the very beginning, not anything complete. I can feel my own tiny inner growing- a flicker of compassion, a butterfly of creativity, a sprout of wisdom.

Agenda today:

1. Kwanzaa principles

2. Update my altar

3. Journal queries

4. Learning goals for 2021

5. Practice stillness and learning

6. Update my intentions poster

1. Kwanzaa principles:

The fourth day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the principle of ujamaa (oo-JAH-maah), cooperative economics - the idea that when we work together, we all profit. Cooperative economics encourages us to meet our common needs by chipping in together. Imagine a world where everyone shares their wealth (even our government) and uses our economic strengths to make the world a better place!

2. Update my altar:
It's time to discern what to put on my altar for the next month. (For my thoughts on altars see About Altars). I generally keep it simple and choose only things that speak to me and feed me, and reveal what I believe in. I ask, what quality of Spirit do I want to invoke?

This month-

• a blue candle- for stillness, thought, and study
• a picture of a mountain- for stillness and meditation
• a piece of quartz- for the purity of winter
• pine cones- for potential growth and enlightenment
• my straw doll- for luck and protection

3. Journal queries:

I am continuing my 12 Days of Christmas mini-retreat, focusing on my priorities and what I'm called to do (or not do) next in my life. Today I am honoring learning, skills, and growth. 

How can I foster my curiosity? What is my Inner Guide leading me to learn?

 

What new skills might be useful in the new year? What specific new skills do I need, to complete my goals and leadings? 

 

What areas of study will lead me to my mission in life? What topics are of interest to me now? What topics will be a challenge to my usual way of thinking? What do I want to learn so I can teach it? 

 

What study will help me to understand myself better, and help me to grow? What social skills do I still need to work on? What will make me more resilient?

 

What are some current events or issues I should understand better?

 

What kinds of resources can I use (books, videos, podcasts, workshops, etc.) and what is my timeline? 

4. Learning Goals for 2021:

I'm finishing up the work of setting goals and resolutions for the New Year, focusing on my priorities, which are Love, Home, Health, Service, Learning, Creativity, and Life Purpose. 

My theme for today is learning, skills, and growth, including self-knowledge, practical and social skills, meditation, and all the varied topics of interest and study that introduce themselves to me as leadings.  Goals might have to do with cultivating my curiosity and my wisdom, improving my mental health and peace of mind, sharing my knowledge, and any kind of inner study, self-growth, preparation or education.

My ideas for learning goals so far in 2021 are:

• Gather toddler art ideas.
• Learn how to use mind media and collage in my paintings.
• Grow in equanimity skills, empathy and unconditional love.
• Study stoic philosophy. 
• Learn leadership and teamwork skills.
• Learn how to discuss differences of opinion.
• Study my personality style, and learn how to manage my quirks without judgement.
• Study antiracism and join in discussions, to become a better ally.
• Learn more about climate change and positive things I can do and teach, including how to change my diet and buying habits.
• Figure out how to motivate myself to make my health habits a priority. 

5. Practice stillness and learning:
My theme for the next 30 days is stillness. I picture this like a climb up a sacred mountain to an isolated cave; the mountain has reached the peak of upward movement, and in stillness holds its place as the highest. This great immovable mountain represents meditation, and the resting of body, mind and spirit.

 

Stillness is a peaceful inner space where I can absorb and integrate my daily experiences; it's my time to read, write, meditate, and pray. When I build quiet into my daily routine, I honor the full rhythm of life- the yin time of stillness balances my yang action. To be wise, I need to be dedicated to my practice and nurture my inner self with intention. Being a mountain allows my ego to disappear for a bit, and all my studies, artwork, and adventures are transformed into wisdom. I can then turn back to the outside world seeing myself as a part of the whole rather than an isolated individual.

I've collected some good books to study this month:

• "Living Earth Devotional", by Clea Danaan
• "Why are all the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?" by Beverly Daniel Tatum
• "Me and White Supremacy", by Layla F. Saad
• "Healthy Habits Suck", by Dayna Lee-Baggley
• "The Great Work", by Tiffany Lazic
• "When Things Fall Apart", by Pema Chodrin
• "Abstract Painting", by Barron's

My Intentions Poster for 2020, organized into 9 sections--
Top- Synergy, Depth, Stillness
Middle- Joy, Balance, Strength
Bottom- Receptivity, Integrity, Abundance

6. Update my intentions poster:

Each year, during the last week of the year, I work on a giant collage Intentions Poster-- a visual way to show my plans for the new year.

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.