Shamanic Solstice, and Christmas Novena, Day 8

I feel the darkness of winter in my body and my heart; some mornings my bones ache and I can't shake the gloom. The expectation of joy and good cheer are not helpful.

I've been reading an article by Jade Grigori, a Shaman teacher, about Winter Solstice in the indigenous north: 

Winter Solstice: A Time of the Shaman’s Gift Bringing

"The underlying aspects of the various cultural Winter Solstice celebrations lies rooted deep in Shamanic origins. Amongst the Saami (Laplanders) and Siberians, Buryats and Altaic tribes, all of the far northern climes, there was and is a very common motif in the Shamanic practices surrounding the Winter Solstice ceremonies."

The shaman was called on by the people to go into a deep trance, helped along with mushrooms and/or shamanic drumming. The purpose was to access and deal with burdens of Inner Darkness:

"At the time of the Winter Solstice the days have descended into the depths of darkness. It is at this moment, however, that the Sun begins to return, and with it, the days begin to lengthen. As the days become longer more light radiates into the world. This natural rhythm of the dance of Earth and Sun is a trigger within our psyche. 

As all the things that have remained hidden in the darkness begin to be revealed in the greater light of day, so do all the things that we tend to hide in our own Inner Darkness begin to be brought forth into activity as the days lengthen, just as seeds left in the darkness beneath the soil begin to sprout and grow in response to the emerging light. Generations upon generations of experiencing this cycle of our own Soul’s dynamic led the people of ancient cultures to utilize the very same patterns of nature to deal effectively with their burdens of pain and suffering, of anguish and trauma that had laid hidden within the Inner Darkness of their own Soul."

Jade suggests that we can use Winter Solstice ceremonies to release our burdens and the grudges we hold, forgive the debts owed us, and start fresh - be reborn, accepting how things are.

The Shaman also receives a symbolic gift for each person, which he or she sings into the Soul Essence of each person, as a blessing and a gift of the Spirit.

"The ceremonies performed at the Winter Solstice are powerful in their transformative effect. They are empowering of each participant in the awakening of each to their own inherent spiritual gifts. They are ceremonies of compassion and liberation, ceremonies of blessing, well-being and abundance in the year to come."

Agenda today:
1. Prayer journal queries
2. Spirit Guide trance

3. Christmas Novena, day 8

1. Prayer journal queries:

This week of advent my focus is the Guiding Light of God. My image of God is a Spirit of Love and Light that lives in all people. Today I will ask and answer these queries:

What is the Inner Darkness beginning to be revealed in the emerging light?

What spiritual gift do I long for?

What people in my life can I hold in the Light?

2. Spirit Guide trance:

I plan to perform my own interpretation of a Spirit-Guide ceremony, with an intention to receive a message or a gift or an insight of some kind, from my Inner Guide. As a Quaker, I've got lots of experience in listening to the small, still voice, but this is a different thing: I am going to be directive, and specific.

1. Set the Mood: Light a candle and dim the lights. Turn on my primal drum music very softly. Settle into the peace of the darkness.

2. Craft a Clear Intention: Today I will call on the Spirit of Love to guide me in the New Year, and ask "What can Love do?"

3. Relax, breathe, walk or float: With each breath, allow my awareness to deepen and become softer. No stress. No rush. Walk or float in a void.

4. Go through the Door: When I feel ready, see myself moving through a doorway or opening into another space. Take time to settle here, in the safe, dark, warm, womb.

5. Invite my Inner Guide: Call on the Spirit of Love, and ask my questions. Ask for what I need: A blessing, a message, a leading, and/or healing.

6. Open myself to messages and gifts: I may get a vision, or thoughts, or just a feeling.  

7. Give thanks and return: Saying thanks out loud is a how I acknowledge the reality of the gift. Then, turn around and exit the way I came in. 

8. Journal: Take a few moments to remember my experience, and write it down in my prayer journal.

3. Christmas Novena, Day 8:

From the WorldSSPS site:

In Communion with the Victims of Human Trafficking

We pray for the victims of human trafficking, enslaved in various ways that they may be healed from the hurts and suffering inflicted to them.

We pray for those who are working in various organization in different countries that they deal with the victims of human trafficking as persons, worthy of their dignity with love, respect and compassion.

We pray for all educational and international institutions that they may help in building up necessary formation programs for the prevention of human trafficking and also make use of their resources to give assistance to the victims.

God of Justice, we pray for those that enslave: the trafficker and abuser, the pimp and the client, the slave master and unjust ‘employer’. We ask you to guide them with your voice of justice and conscience of goodness. Speak to them in their dreams, thoughts and words. Help them to understand their actions and recognize your grace. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.