This is the second day of the twelve-day festal tide - a sacred, festive season. In some old traditions, this whole season is seen as a sort of Sabbath: Prepare ahead of time and then spend the Twelve Days doing as little work as possible; rest, reflect, and find peace within.
This is also the start of Kwanzaa, 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.
Agenda:
1. Review the Divine Laws2. Christmas retreat
1. Review the Divine Laws:
I am again making the 12 Days of Christmas into a mini-retreat for myself, and using the Soyal Way of Being as a guide for my days; that is, I'm keeping Mother Earth in my thoughts as I move quietly and respectfully about my days, in order to establish the right mood for the coming year, and reach a unity of everything in the universe.
At Soyal, I review the Divine Laws, as I see them. A Divine Law is anything that comes directly from God: a natural law, universal truth, principle, or a rule of conduct that is inherent and essential in human society.
My top ten Divine Laws, with abbreviated definitions, are:
- Love: Practice habits of listening, generosity, patience, care, and kindness with my community, my family, and the earth.
- Integrity: Be whole and undivided, and hold to my values and principles.
- Community / Unity: Commit to moving forward together, with Light and Love, not letting our differences prevent cooperation.
- Earthcare: Live a lifestyle that cherishes and nurtures Creation; advocate and educate about the climate crisis.
- Simplicity: Use only my share of the earth’s resources, and preserve time for my priorities.
- Peace and Equanimity: Stay calm and patient with people and problems, not obsessed with any thought, and not acting with aggression or anger.
- Equality: Treat every person and creature with respect and love, knowing that there is that of God in all; work to correct shortfalls in my community.
- Discernment: Think before acting; listen within deeply, and seek clarity; make wise choices, with an open mind.
- Witness: Speak truth through my words, writing, artwork, and actions, and lead by example.
- Purpose: Lead the best life I can, and grow into being the best person I can be.
This week I will reflect on these Divine Laws, my conduct in the past year, and the conduct of people as a whole. I will also listen for any guidance on a way forward.
2. Christmas retreat:
I'm also doing some reading and writing every day, focusing on my priorities and what I'm called to do (or not do) next in my life. My plan is to contemplate, honor, and practice a different one of my life priorities on each of the 12 days, and set some goals and resolutions for 2023, based on guidance from God.
Today I am honoring Love and my receptive nature, all those yin qualities of being open, soft, gentle, unconditionally loving, nurturing, and trusting.
What is the condition of my marriage, family, and friend relationships? What do they need of me this next year?
With whom am I struggling or feeling distant, and how can I open to healing our relationship? When problems and conflicts arise, do I try to resolve them in a timely fashion?
Do I keep my word, follow through with my responsibilities, speak truth, listen well, and show loyalty? What can I improve? How and when can I be kinder?
Where in my life do I need to be more generous - giving freely of my time, energy, love, possessions, encouragement, laughter, hospitality, service, and forgiveness?
How can I better love and care for myself? Can I manage my personality quirks with love and respect?
How can I better show my love for the earth, for creation, and for God?
3. Kwanzaa principles:
Kwanzaa was created to introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African culture, called the Nguzo Saba, which in Swahili means the Seven Principles.
Kwanzaa was created to introduce and reinforce seven basic values of African culture, called the Nguzo Saba, which in Swahili means the Seven Principles.
All of the Kwanzaa principles focus on community because in African philosophy a true human is always a person-in-community; this is reflected in the African saying, "I am because we are"- a good counter balance for the Me First thinking of the American culture. All of us can benefit and grow by celebrating these principles.
The first value is Umoja (oo-MOH-jah), which is unity - the unity of working and playing together with family and community, in harmony.
4. Love reading:
Becca says that community and friendship are "critical in the fabric of humanity ... Even the beloved introverts among us require consistent connection in order to be well".
She goes on to describe how challenging it is to create new connections that truly nurture us. I was happy to read that she doesn't ascribe to the trendy idea of dumping our "toxic" relationships (which I think is a cop out). She says, "Sometimes it's worth your time and energy to be the catalyst that actively shifts the dynamic of a friendship from one of, let's say, criticism and shaming of others to one of mutual empathy and support and admiration".
5. Love Goals for 2023:
My ideas so far for love goals next year:
- Continue to care for and nurture my grandson and his self-discovery (and open my heart and arms to a new grandson, due in February).
- Study and practice equanimity and patience habits, as well as loving kindness.
- Continue to nurture my deepest friendships with monthly moon gatherings on zoom, and some in-person gatherings when the weather gets better.
- Find a way to share my Medicine Art practice with my community.
Today I light a pink candle for love, and ask the Spirits to bring the rain of loving care down upon the whole world.
7. End of year work list:
This week is the traditional time to complete and tie the old year closed, and allow the New Year to start fresh: Finish old projects and old business, pay debts, make apologies, call neglected friends, and return borrowed items. I have a few of these kinds of things to do! I'd like to do them in the spirit of Sabbath - that is, with reverence and attention.
Today I will make a list of tasks and symbolic acts I can do in these last few days, and put them on my calendar. My list this year:
- Monday - Transfer the compost, and finish calendars
- Tuesday - Clear duck bed, and make bread
- Wednesday - Clear the driveway, and return juicer
- Thursday - Mark bathroom fan hole, and bind new calendars
- Friday - Finish seed charms, and send Earth news
We have postponed the Christmas dinner to today. After our feast we will reheat the Christmas pudding I made a month ago, by steaming it again for about an hour, then slide it out of the pudding basin onto a plate.
Then we will put some brandy into a metal ladle (about 1/4-cup), heat it over a candle flame until it steams a bit, set it on fire with a match, and pour the flaming brandy over the warm pudding.
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