Distaff Day

Woman with distaff in left hand, and spindle in right hand.

Distaff Day (January7) is named for the stick-like tool that holds fibers while a woman uses a drop spindle to spin thread.

Spinning and weaving were never-ending chores for pre-industrial women; most women and girls would spin thread while also cooking, caring for children, or minding the sheep. Because women were seen always with a distaff in hand, it became the symbol of “women’s work”. 

But during the Christmas season women took a break from spinning. January 7th was the traditional day for women to start back to work, and so was called Distaff Day.

Agenda:
1. Journal queries and spindle meditation

2. Review the Divine Laws

3. Prayer candle ceremony

4. Start a fiber project

5. Read "One Year to an Organized Life"

6. Clean and clear the kitchen

1. Journal queries and spindle meditation:

A student using a drop spindle to make yarn.

The Spirit as Goddess is often portrayed as a spinner: Athena, Isis, and Grandmother Spider Woman are all spinners and weavers. Amaterasu spins and weaves sunbeams. The Three Fates control destiny by spinning the thread of life. Frigga works the heavenly spindle to weave the clouds; she has the ability to feel and see clearly.

So, I celebrate two things today:

• My love of the fiber arts;
• And how I create my own destiny with thought and deed.

What are the threads of my life now and how well do they weave together?
Where can I simplify the pattern? 
Where can I add richness?

I’m not much of a spinner, but I always pull out my spindle on Distaff Day, and spin a little wonky yarn. As I work with it I ask the Spirit to give me the ability to slow down, be present, and see clearly.

2. 

Review the Divine Laws:

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.

Today I will review my testimony of Simplicity: Use only my share of the earth’s resources, and preserve time for my priorities.

3. Prayer Candle ceremony:

I'm enjoying a daily prayer candle ceremony throughout Soyal, using small candles and candle ends and choosing a new candle to add each day.

Today I light a white candle for simplicity, and ask the Spirits to bring the rain of loving care down upon the whole world.

4. Start a fiber project:

Every year on Distaff Day I start a new fiber arts project, either hand-sewing or crochet, to connect again with the roots of "women's work" and to keep my hands busy in the evenings (and during zoom meetings).

Last year I made a start on a soft, puffy, blankie for my youngest grandson, using a crescent moon panel I made years ago, and which will be finished for his birthday later this month.

This year, I'm planning an appliqué story picture of chickadees. 

5. Read "One Year to an Organized Life":

I started this book by Regina Leeds (2008) while on the train. It's surprisingly pithy. The subtitle promises I will get "Completely Organized for Good"!

While I don't consider myself to be hopelessly disorganized, I have identified several areas that need improvement: 

• I'd like to be able to find things when I need them (clear out the deepest mysteries); 
• I'd like to have about half as many things in general - specifically, less paper and less fabric;
• I'd like our surfaces to be less cluttered;
• and I'd like to know what is in my refrigerator, freezer, and pantry shelves.

The first section (January, week one) is Time Questions. I consider myself pretty good with time, but the event of leaving and returning from home does create some drama and chaos, such as forgetting to put my keys away, and leaving piles of books, groceries, and paperwork laying around. I think it's caused sometimes by time anxiety, and sometimes by impatience.

6. Clean and clear the kitchen:

In January I kick off a month of deep cleaning. My house has certain mold-related issues that are best done before we get any deeper into winter, and winter is a great time to simplify possessions!

A note about mold: I used to use bleach against mold, but I've been experimenting with safer approaches. The Home Healthy Homes site has a complete list. Today I'm using borax solution - 1 cup borax to 1 gallon water.

I take it one room at a time, and this week I'll clean and clear the kitchen:

• Shine the Sink: Make a solution of 1 cup of borax and a gallon of water in the sink, and let it soak for 1 hour. Use the borax solution to scrub around the rim of the sink and the faucets until they sparkle. Rinse well. (I also have a plastic cup of borax with a toothbrush sitting by my kitchen sink, to apply to the metal sink rim every day.)
• Scrub the mold from the windows with detergent and warm water, then wipe with the borax solution. Wait 20 minutes and repeat, and do not rinse because borax will help prevent mold from growing again. When it's dry, touch up the paint on the windows (moisture often leaves areas of bare paint around my panes).
• Clean the refrigerator/freezer: Remove all the food and the shelves, and clean with a mild detergent. Post a list of what is in the freezer.
• Clear out one box of items we don't use: Put a big box in the kitchen and clear one drawer, cabinet or shelf every day. At the end of the week, find new homes for everything in the box - either donate , or use in an art project.
• Clear old food: Use up or toss all old preserves, spices, and past date canned goods this month.