Epiphany

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.

Epiphany comes from the Greek epiphania, meaning manifestation, or moment of recognition. The Magi had an epiphany- a moment of recognition, when the truth became clear through something simple and striking.

Agenda for today:

1. Epiphany queries

2. Brainstorm a possible self cultivation project

5. Bake a King's cake

6. Make a crown

1. Epiphany queries: 
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.

  
What are my essential truths and values?

What is my growing edge?

What one aspect of my nature could I focus on understanding better this month?

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: Brainstorm possible Self-Cultivation Projects:

When you understand your unique temperament and personality style, your experience of life becomes richer, larger, and more exciting. Knowing yourself allows you to make better decisions, express what you need and want in life, and understand what motivates you to resist bad habits and develop good ones.

I know that my temperament and personality characteristics are not innately good or bad. The language is a problem sometimes - we might all want to be labeled "conscientious" but some of us are just more spontaneous and easy-going, and I'm so glad we are all different! Your strengths and limitations are subjective. Some strengths can become problems if we don't manage the intensity. My conscientiousness can make me inflexible, judgmental, and didactic. I've had to learn to appreciate and love those with a more spontaneous style, and manage the intensity of my expectations of myself and others. (I work to cultivate spontaneity in my personality, and enjoy the paradox of scheduling times to be spontaneous!)

If some of your particular characteristics are troublesome, it's because you haven't yet figured out how to administer them well, or mesh them with other personalities. You can't really change your personality, but you can build on your strengths, moderate your weakness, and set some goals for cultivating yourself.

I think of this as a gentle, loving, gardening project: I am trimming a little here, and feeding this and that, so that I will grow a better relationship with the world. Today I will begin to define some areas where I need self-cultivation. I start by making two lists:

• Make a list of my top-ten strengths - my super powers (mine include humor and playfulness, fairness, order, vision, creativity...)
• And a list some of my character limitations (judgmental, thin-skinned, impatient...)

Then I see if I can identify something about each apparent weakness that is also a hidden strength. For example, my impatience comes from my drive to "get things done"; it's a strength that needs moderating, and it goes on my list of possible self-cultivation projects.

3. Bake a King's Cake:

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).

Ingredients:

• 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 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.

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. 

We decorated with dried apricots, cranberries, 
and golden raisins.

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.

6- Bake your cake in a preheated oven at 350°F for 25-30 minutes.

2022 King

4. Make a crown:

While the cake is baking, make a crown with yellow poster board, pens, and stick-on jewels, or from pipe cleaners!