New Year's Eve

Tonight is New Year's Eve - a big night for many people. W and I are traveling north to see family for the New year's weekend, as has been our tradition for a few years now (except for last year when we sheltered at home!)

Agenda today:

1. Kwanzaa principles

2. Christmas retreat

3. Becoming Rooted reading

4. Celebration and synergy goals for 2022

5. Make noise!

Sixth Day of Christmas

This is the sixth day of Christmas and the fifth day of Kwanzaa. It's time to wrap things up for this old year! 

Agenda today:
1. Kwanzaa principles

2. Christmas retreat

3. Becoming Rooted reading

4. Purpose, depth, and career goals for 2022

5. Practice purpose with New Year's resolutions

6. Review my vision poster

Fifth Day of Christmas

This is the fifth day of Christmas and the fourth day of Kwanzaa. My retreat today will embrace the disposition of a toddler... a busy kind of retreat, with lots of short projects and (hopefully) a long nap!

Agenda:
1. Kwanzaa principles

2. Christmas retreat

3. Becoming Rooted reading

4. Service and activism goals for 2022

5. 

Make end-of-year donations

Fourth Day of Christmas

This is the fourth day of Christmas and the third day of Kwanzaa. Today I will enjoy the peace of a day at home with my hubby, doing home projects and sewing, and maybe venture out into the snow for a short walk. Being a retired person is sometimes pretty sweet!

Agenda today:
1. Kwanzaa principles

2. Christmas retreat

3. Sanctuary Reading

4. Sanctuary goals for 2021

5. House of Belief

Third Day of Christmas

This is the third day of Christmas and the second day of Kwanzaa. It sometimes gets harder on the third day to maintain a Sabbath mentality, but a blanket of snow and freezing temperatures has helped! I am enjoying this extended time of retreat from the norm. Today I continue to rest, reflect, and find peace within.

Agenda:
1. Kwanzaa principles

2. Christmas retreat

3. Creativity reading

4. Creativity goals for 2022

5. End of year work list

Kwanzaa and Second Day of Christmas

Kwanzaa is a seven-day African-American cultural holiday - an American holiday inspired by African traditions. The word kwanza is Swahili for “first”, as in "first fruits", because in some parts of Africa this is the season for first fruits harvest festivals. Kwanzaa is a time of thanksgiving for the earth, but also a time to honor ancestors, and a time for African-Americans to celebrate their heritage and learn about African traditions and values.

This is also the second day of the twelve-day festal tide - a sacred, festive season. In some old traditions, this whole season was seen as a sort of Sabbath: Prepare ahead of time and then spend the Twelve Days doing as little work as possible. It's a good time to rest, reflect, and find peace within.

And it's the Third Quarter Moon - now the Moon is waning and light is decreasing again. The Third Quarter Moon energy is yin - quiet, internal, heart-driven, intentional Being-ness. At this phase we can ease off a bit on actively pursuing goals, slow down, go within, and attend to inner work and self-care.

Agenda:

1. Kwanzaa principles

2. Christmas retreat

3. Unity Reading

4. Community goals for 2022

5. Practice unity

6. Map and plan renewal habits

First Day of Christmas

 Today is Christmas, but only the first day of Christmas (what Norwegians would call 1. juledag, or "First Christmas Day"). This is the start of the twelve-day festal tide adopted by the Christian Church: In 567 C.E. church leaders proclaimed the days from December 25 to Epiphany as a sacred, festive season.

Now my preparations are finished, and I can relax with my family, do a puzzle, eat, drink, and generally wallow in joyful abandon. 

In some old traditions, this whole season was seen as a sort of Sabbath: Prepare ahead of time and then spend the Twelve Days doing as little work as possible. It's a good time to rest, reflect, and find peace within.

Agenda:
1. Christmas retreat

2. Love reading

3. Love goals for 2022

4. Open Gifts

5. Put Baby Jesus in the manger
6. Have a feast
7. Christmas pudding

Christmas Eve

Our stockings several year's ago

Tonight is Christmas Eve. We usually wait until Christmas morning to open gifts. That means I have one more day to finish and wrap! And unfortunately, I have a lot to finish...

Agenda Today:
1. Prayer of Your Peace

2. Prayer journal queries
3. Read a novena

4. Make Danish Prune Bread

5. Hang our stockings with care

Christmas Mystery, and Christmas Novena - Day Eight

Advent is over and Christmas is upon us. Today I will tie together some loose ends (finish two gifts, final wrapping, distribute goodies), and settle into the grace and mystery of Christmas.

What is the grace of Christmas? It's an experiential thing. We don't need faith that the sun will rise because we have experienced it. Even in the darkest of times, this season of Light and Love will deliver its grace.

As Santa for a toddler, who may or may not remember this Christmas next year, I am totally into the experiential part: We light the advent candles; we make gingerbread; we play with the manger scene - "This is Joseph, the daddy. This is Mary, the mommy. This is the donkey..." He doesn't need to understand anything, but just be in the grace.

From A Druid Way: "One link between the objective and the subjective is awen, inspiration, the flow of spirit, which lets us evoke in others an echo of our original experience. Let the echo be strong enough, let our understanding of this thing called being human, and our skill in working with it, run equal to the task, and music, image, voice, story, object of craft can all serve to unite us in the experience of mystery. An echo from outside awakens a resonance within us."

Agenda today:

1. Prayer of Mystery

2. Prayer journal queries

3. Read a novena

4. Make snowflakes

Alban Arthan, and Christmas Novena - Day Seven

I continue my solstice celebration today with Alban Arthan, the Celtic and Druidic name for the Winter Solstice; it's Welsh for Light of Winter.

The Winter Solstice was never a one day festival - three days seems to be the minimum. The sun appears to stand still for three days, then days begin to noticeably increase in length (and we all sigh in relief). 

Alban Arthan is a celebration of the strengthening sun, and the central theme is renewal; we leave the past behind and greet the new. The world is undergoing constant change and we must change and adjust, too, in order to be able to survive.

"All things which come into being must first be born. Even as creation was borne by the great Mother of the universe, so too must we be born of the spirit to become spirit. The winter solstice is a celebration of being ‘born again’—not of flesh, but of the spirit. It’s a celebration of the birth of the spiritual Son, the Christ, within a person’s consciousness in the process of awakening.” 

From The Path of the Spiritual Sun: Celebrating the Solstices & Equinoxes by Belsebuub (Mark Pritchard)

Agenda today:

1. Druid peace prayer 

2. Prayer journal queries

3. Read a novena

4. Winter nature tray

5. Write a mission haiku

Winter Solstice, Mother's night, and Christmas Novena - Day Six

The winter solstice occurs this morning at 7:58 a.m. Pacific Standard Time. In the Northern Hemisphere, the December solstice happens during the coldest season of the year, when the sun is at its lowest angle and is seen for its shortest period. This is the turning point, the moment of new beginnings - the darkest time, with the brightest hope.

I've recently been reminded that we need to believe in these little myths - that the sun is returning and hope is reborn - so that we can continue to believe in the Big Myths, like justice, mercy, democracy, freedom - "That sort of thing".

 

“Humans need fantasy to be human. To be the place where the falling angel meets the rising ape.” ~Terry Pratchett, Hogfather

 

Agenda today:

1. Prayer journal queries

2. Read a novena

3. Spirit Guide trance

4. Hal Sidu - Healthy Traditions

5. Mothers Night prayer

Christmas Novena - Day Five (and a Solstice Fire)

Today is the fifth day of the Christmas Novena, a Catholic ritual of a prayer recited or sung during the nine days leading up to Christmas Day.

Agenda today:

1. Prayer journal queries

2. Read a Novena

3. Review my core values
4. Paint a plum tree calendar

5. Solstice fire!

Fourth Sunday of Advent, and Christmas Novena - Day Four

The fourth and final part of advent begins today. When I have observed advent well, I find that I am now mostly prepared for Christmas - my house is fairly clean, shopping is finished, and the cupboards are filled with yummy food. I need to complete only a few finishing touches. Even so, I find myself fretting over details!

This is a good day to take a deep breath and go back to the source, back to the Spirit that brings me to this place of light and grace; back to living in Spirit, being Spirit. I remember then that happiness comes in calm simplicity, and awareness in the moment. I experience Spirit through my breath, and with each sensation, sight, sound, smell, and taste. I only need to be fully awake to the ordinary miracle of Being, and keep my focus on the Spirit of Love that guides me.

Today is also the fourth day of the Christmas Novena, a Catholic ritual of a prayer recited or sung during the nine days leading up to Christmas Day.

Agenda:
1. Read a novena

2. Advent wreath ceremony
3. Plan ways to give attention to God

4. Winter Awareness Walk

Christmas Novena - Day Three, and Full Cold moon

Today is the third day of the Christmas Novena, a Catholic ritual of a prayer recited or sung during the nine days leading up to Christmas Day.

and tonight is the Full Moon! The full moon of December is sometimes called the Cold Moon (for obvious reasons), but it is also called the "Not Bad Weather Moon" by the Kalapuya of my area, and that's generally pretty accurate. 

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. But today it's time to CELEBRATE how far I've come, and give thanks for the lessons learned and the blessings received.

The full moon is a time of fruitfulness, creativity, and completion, and also strong (sometimes overwhelming) emotion. This month I am in mourning, but I am also experiencing many moments of joy, and I want to acknowledge and embrace the whole spectrum of my emotions.

Agenda:

1. Read a novena

2. Journal queries
3. Celebrate Joy

4. Write about a rosy future

Christmas Novena - Day Two

Today is the second day of the Christmas Novena, a Catholic ritual of a prayer recited or sung during the nine days leading up to Christmas Day.

Agenda:
1. Read a novena
2. Dawn prayer for Creation

3. Rattan nest balls

Las Posadas and the Christmas Novena

Tonight is the start of Las Posadas, a nine-day Mexican celebration that begins on December 16 each year. Posadas is Spanish for "lodging", and the nine days represent the nine months of Mary's pregnancy.

Tonight is also the start of the Christmas Novena in Italy. A Novena is a Catholic ritual, a prayer repeated daily for nine days. It can take place at any time of the year, but one of the most observed is the Christmas Novena, recited or sung during the nine days leading up to Christmas day. Las Posadas comes from that same tradition.

Agenda:

1. Listen to novenas

2. Set out our crèche

3. Have a Posadas procession

Practice Equanimity

Right about now, as the holiday energy builds and social demands increase, I need to review practices that help me to maintain an even-temper, patience, and grounded-ness.

Equanimity is an expression of love: It’s the serenity we exhibit when we have to wait, and also the kindness we show to those “difficult people” who don’t listen to reason, who interrupt, who are overly sensitive, or who are so annoying. Equanimity allows us to let go of frustration and irritation, and treat those people with skill and gentleness. It allows us to counter disrespect and contempt with compassion, and to remember that human needs are not always logical, but are always more important than our schedule.

Equanimity is a habit that requires love and self-control; it requires that you cut people slack and allow them to be imperfect; that you relax and let go of time anxiety; and that you acknowledge your impatience and irritation but don't act on them. It's powerful; it opens hearts. People feel liberated when you let them know that you are unruffled and in no hurry. Your patience is a gift to them, and will allow them to heal and grow.

And it's not only useful with in-the-moment situations, but also for grounded-ness in the face of world upheaval and fears about the future. Life is a rainbow of chaos, and equanimity is a super-power that will get you through.

Agenda:

1. Daily equanimity practice

2. Daily love journal

3. Practice with pleasure and pain

Family Love and Joy

During this week of Advent my theme is "family love and joy". Of course, the joy of the season is spontaneous and un-planable, but I do these three things to create the right conditions:

• 

  My children painted these plaster houses when they were young.

  Take the time to consider what my friends and family will want most this season. In other words, I become less self-focused and more generous in all ways. 
• Be respectful, patient, and kind (no matter how stressed I feel).
• Take care of myself so I can be calm and present for the spontaneous joy when it arises.

These are obviously year-round aspirations, but I need a strict reminder now, because, somehow, everything seems so important: I have high expectations (both of myself and others) and I feel we must get this right.

Agenda this week:
1. Journal queries
2. Check in with my family
3. Card-writing practice
4. Make simple gifts

5. Take care of myself

Third Sunday of Advent

We made it through the second week of advent. It's been a bumpy ride for us this year, but we made it, holding on to each other. 

Agenda:

1. Journal queries

2. Advent wreath ceremony
3. Plan activities for family fun

Lussi Night and Luciadagen

Tonight is Lussi Night in Norway and in Sweden, and tomorrow is Luciadagen (pronounced LOO-sha-da-gen), or St. Lucia’s Day, or St. Lucy’s Day.

It's hard to sort out all the Lucys: We have St. Lucia, a Sicilian woman in the reign of Diocletian who became a Christian martyr. Because her name means light, she was appointed to be the patron saint for the eyes.

We also have the older Roman goddess Lucina, also the goddess of light, and of childbirth- bringing children to light.

And in Scandinavia, we have Lussi, a female demon or witch accompanied by an entourage of gnomes and spirits called Lussiferda.

Agenda:
1. Lusse-vigil
2. Set out more candles
3. Make Lussekatt (St. Lucia buns)

Human Rights Day

Today is Human Rights Day: The United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on this day in 1948.

2021 Theme: EQUALITY - Reducing inequalities, advancing human rights

This year’s Human Rights Day theme relates to 'Equality' and Article 1 of the UDHR – “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.” The principles of equality and non-discrimination are at the heart of human rights. This includes addressing and finding solutions for deep-rooted forms of discrimination that have affected the most vulnerable people in societies, including women and girls, indigenous peoples, people of African descent, LGBTI people, migrants and people with disabilities, among others. Equality, inclusion and non-discrimination, in other words - a human rights-based approach to development - is the best way to reduce inequalities.

Agenda:

1. Journal queries

2. Choose next steps

3. Take the human rights pledge

First Quarter moon of December

Photo by Alan Gillespie

 At the First Quarter Moon we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - growing in light and energy, creating a time for decisive action. Kiki Ely, in her book  Living Lunerly, says, "A good way to remember this is by looking at the perfect line of shadow down the moon's center: this is the moment to draw a firm line, boundary, or decision in your life and stick to it."

Now is the time to use obstacles as fuel for growth and show full effort for priorities. If you've been observing the advent time at a slow pace, you can begin to add more light and liveliness now.

Agenda:

1. Journal queries

2. Make a full effort plan

3. Make sweet, salty, or spicy nuts

Testimony of Peace

Quakers have a testimony of peace;

by testimony we mean a call to bear witness by our words and actions to our ideals. 

Our Faith and Practice says: 

"Our peace testimony begins with opposition to war and is a positive affirmation of the power of good to overcome evil. We seriously consider the implications of our employment, our investments, our payment of taxes, and our manner of living as they relate to violence at all levels. We remain sensitive to the covert as well as the overt violence inherent in some of our long-established social practices and institutions, including unfettered capitalism and the unjust distribution of wealth. We work to change those elements which violate our conviction that there is that of God in everyone."

Agenda
1. Journal queries

2. Plan a Quaker Christmas celebration

3. Advent prayer for peace

Rohatsu

Rohatsu is Japanese for "eighth day of the twelfth month," so it always falls on December 8th.

Today Japanese Buddhists observe the enlightenment of the Buddha. It's also known as Bodhi Day. Here's the short explanation:

After years of searching for answers, Siddhartha Gautauma finally vowed that he would sit under the Bodhi tree until he found the truth. Siddhartha fasted and meditated under the tree for a week, and on the morning of the eighth day he was enlightened by the principles at the heart of Buddhism. After that he was called the Buddha - The Enlightened One.

In Japanese Zen monasteries, Rohatsu is the last day of a week-long sesshin, an intensive meditation retreat. Participants maintain silent meditation at all times, even while eating and doing chores. And each evening's meditation period gets a little longer, until on this last night they sit up all night. The Rohatsu Retreat gives participants the opportunity to realize their own Buddha nature.

Agenda today:

1. Zazen Meditation

2. Make rice kheer

3. Decorate with a string of colored lights

Advent Unity and Peace

My theme for this week of Advent is "Striving to find unity and peace with all the people of the world".

One way I do that is by learning about the advent or winter traditions and beliefs of people throughout the world.

This year I decided to learn more about the advent customs in Switzerland, the ancestry of my mother's grandfather, Noah Hunsberger Jones. His earliest ancestors in this country were English Quakers (hence the name Jones) and Swiss-German Mennonites, both of whom left Pennsylvania for Canada after the Revolutionary war.

Agenda:

1. Research a Mennonite Christmas

2. Make Swiss caramels
3. Make pocket prayer quilts 

St. Nicholas Day Kindness

My grandson's first St. Nicholas Day, last year!

Today is St. Nicholas Day. My theme for this week of Advent is "Striving to find unity and peace with all the people of the world". One way I do that is to try to be in harmony with the people I interact with (especially those who irritate me), and one way I do that is to work at being a kinder person. 

Kindness is simple, honest, peaceful, and joyful, and it leads to generosity, patience, integrity, and unity. When I commit to being kind, I give my life greater meaning and depth. This week I intend to-

• Practice holding my tongue (including inside-my-head-talk); less snapping at people!
• Try to follow through with any strong, generous impulse that comes into my heart - if it is mostly reasonable.
• When I am impatient, cruel, or clumsy, just take a breathe, accept myself as I am, apologize, and gather my resolve to begin again.

Agenda Today:
1. Advent Prayer
2. Kindness meditation
3. Random Acts of Kindness
4. Make little scrap birds

2nd Week of Advent and St. Nicholas Eve

Today starts the second week of advent. Advent is a time of vigilant waiting; I wait for something mysterious and unscheduled, with quiet excitement, and expectation. If I fall asleep to this awareness I risk missing the moment of joy, courage, or insight; the gift of grace that has the potential to feed me in ways I need.

And tonight is the eve of St. Nicholas Day. Nicholas was born in Lycia, which is now part of Turkey. Legend says he was a kind and generous man, who protected the poor and did many great deeds.

Agenda today:

1. Joy of Giving meditation

2. Journal queries

3. Donate to Toys for Tots
4. Make pfeffernüsse

5. Advent wreath ceremony

6. Plan activities for unity and peace

7. Fill shoes, deliver gifts