Full Cold 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.

This advent season is a time of expectant waiting. We look forward with excitement to the celebration of Christmas; we wait for the return of longer days after the solstice; and we anticipate the arrival of grace in our hearts.

Agenda:

1. Take a vision walk

2. Celebrate Grace

3. Make a piñata

4. Make sweet, salty, or spicy nuts

1. Take a vision walk:

My theme this month is Grace: In the Christian tradition, grace is a gift from God, freely given to us at birth, and when we are open to it, a continual revelation. Grace is a state of being - at peace, free, filled with love & light.

Today I will settle into silence and access my intuitive mind - my connection to the Creator and the Inner Guide - by putting myself into a relaxed, trance-like state, and seeking a leading of the spirit. I call on the Spirit of Light to guide me, bring me clarity and open my eyes. I ask:

How do I define grace? What is the grace I need and want for myself and for the world? 

What is the grace I'm receiving? (What Godly nudges am I feeling this month?) 

What are the habits or practices I could have to open myself more completely to receive grace? How can I extend grace to others?

 

2. Celebrate grace:

One thing I've decided about grace: I did not arrive with strings attached: I don't HAVE to use my gifts of grace for good in the world. But I can choose to receive these gifts (freely given) and reciprocate, or re-gift them!

Today I remind myself of my intentions, and then celebrate my accomplishments and reaffirm this theme for the next two weeks. To celebrate grace I will:

• Make plans for actions for unity with all people of the world.
• Take a walk in the cold rain, and remind myself that rain is a gift of grace.
• Make a crazy papier-mache mess with a toddler (with equanimity and joy)

3. Make a piñata for Las Posadas:
Las Posadas is one really cool Mexican Christmas tradition; it's a series of nightly processions and parties that begin on December 16th and continue until Christmas Eve. (I'll post more about it later.)

Each night of las Posada the party-goers break a piñata. I decided to make a piñata with my grandson this year; they take at least a week to dry.

Note about art with pre-schoolers: Most little kids have a short attention span; expect to create in 5-minute increments. Also, get all set up, including your clean up plans, before you mention art. Then enjoy the little burst of wild creative energy while it lasts!

Piñata-making with a 2-year-old was experiential: He played with the balloon, put two pieces of gluey paper onto the balloon, then got into throwing the paper scraps around. Then he was done. And that was fine! We will follow up with a video about piñatas so he's prepared for breaking it. 

Supplies: Balloon, newspapers and plain newsprint, flour paste, foam or plastic plate, strong string, towels, warm water tub for rinsing hands

1- Tear up all your strips- make large piles of both newspaper and plain newsprint.

2- Make papier-mâché paste in a fairly shallow bowl: Start with 1-1/2 c. white flour and add water, stirring with a wisk, until you have a smooth and fairly thick paste. (I used to make a cooked paste, but this simpler one dries more firmly.)

3- Blow up the balloon and set it in a nest of towels or inside a large bowl to keep it from rolling around. 

The 2nd layer: Plain newsprint going over newspaper.

4- Cover the entire balloon with four layers of papier-mâché. I keep track of layers by alternating newspaper and plain newsprint.


You will need to make another batch of paste- probably another cup of flour will be enough.

4- Tie a harness of strong string around the balloon, from which it will hang.

Cover the harness with another layer of papier-mâché.

5- Let it dry. (I will add the star points and tassels later- check back for photos and instructions!)

3. Make sweet, salty, or spicy nuts:

This is a simple and nice alternative to baked goods. You can make them sweet, or salty-sweet, or spicy-sweet.

Ingredients:

• cooking spray
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 4 c. raw nuts (combine walnut or pecan halves, almonds, cashews, etc.)
• 1 teaspoon salt (optional)
• 2 teaspoons spices (I used half chili powder and half cinnamon on this batch, but cumin and black pepper also work)

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.

2. Heat sugar, water, and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until the butter is melted. Cook for 1 minute and remove from heat.

3. Combine any kinds of raw nuts in a large bowl. Add salt and spices if you want, and stir.

4. Drizzle the butter mixture over the nuts and stir to coat, the spread them out on the foil into a single layer.

5. Bake nuts in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then take them out and stir them around to make sure the syrup has coated them all. Spread back into a single layer and return to the oven for just a few more minute- watch them because they can burn easily. Allow to cool before serving.