Third Day of Christmas and First Quarter Moon

This is the third day of the twelve-day festal tide - a sacred, festive season. I'm in Sabbath mode, spending these Twelve Days doing as little work as possible, resting, reflecting, and finding peace within.

And today I have a whole day alone!

Agenda:

1. Kwanzaa principle

2. Journal queries

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Light a candle for Nature

4. Read "Serviceberry"

5. Soyal retreat practices for Nature

6. Nature brainstorm

7. Days of Passion and Full effort plan

1. Kwanzaa principle:

The second day of Kwanzaa is dedicated to the principle of kujichagulia (koo-jee-cha-goo-LEE-ah), which is self-determination: Thinking for yourself, and deciding what you will say and do with your life. All of us can benefit and grow by celebrating these principles, and I like to journal and plan each year, using these principles as a focus.

Self-determination requires me to understand who I am- personally, historically, and culturally. I need to know the history of my people and where I come from, so that I can live grounded in my past. My English, German, Swiss, French, and Dutch ancestors have much wisdom and insight to offer me.

Who am I, and how do I define myself- personally, historically, and culturally? 
How do I express my individuality?
What might I do in the New Year to better define myself?

2. Journal queries:

Today, at the first quarter moon, I prepare to give full effort to my priorities. I remember that for each opportunity in life there is a challenge. My theme this month is stillness, a peaceful inner space of mindful awareness. The challenge to stillness is "monkey mind", a state of mental restlessness and emotional reactivity; if my mind is in chaos, I will not be able to find equanimity. The practice for meeting this challenge is centering.

How can I better practice mindfulness, day in and day out? How can I stay centered and calm amidst the chaos of life?

 

Journal: As I said last month - something has shifted! I feel lighter and happier. When noise and commotion makes me feel tense, I find I can reach for inner calm, and take myself to a better place (most of the time), and I can breathe through the moment of reactivity and at least stay silent, if not quite yet find a wise Zen Grandma response. 

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Light a candle for Nature:

At Soyal, I review the Divine Laws, as I see them, meditate and write about my priorities, and make plans for the coming year based on guidance from the Spirits. 

Today I am giving attention to my priority of living in unity with Nature

: Live a lifestyle that cherishes and nurtures Creation; be a good neighbor, and advocate for those with no voice"

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

Where can I start with a Natural Living Challenge? Can I identify someone or something in nature I want to support, that I have the deepest affinity for? What are the habits I have that undermine their health and safety? Can I choose a small, entry-level habit, the tiniest next step I can think of that is meaningful but not too threatening?

What is my personal entry point to the "Something Bigger" we owe to nature? What is the bit of nature that I am most passionate about? What skills do I bring to the table? What tiny first step can I commit to in becoming an advocate for the Earth?

4. Read "Serviceberry":

Today I'm reading from "The Serviceberry", by Robin Wall Kimmerer (2024). I got this sweet little book for Christmas last year, and haven't cracked it open since July.

I'm picking up mid-book, and she is talking about asking the serviceberry tree about its economic system. "The practice of observing the living world and taking inspiration for human ways of living from its model is an essential element of Indigenous science. It embraces the reality that there are intelligences other than our own, from whom we might learn." 

She goes on to talk about a field of study called Biomimicry, studying how our social institutions might be reimagined to align with natural principles rather than against them. (Starhawk talks about this too!) She describes the serviceberry tree's system of redistribution of wealth that aids the community of bees and birds. "The relationships created by the gift weave myriad relationships between insects and microbes and root systems." 

5. Soyal retreat practices for Nature:

This Christmas I am 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. Each day I will fit in some reading and writing, some focused walking, and some order-creation. At the end of the day I will brainstorm some goals and resolutions for 2026, based on guidance from God.

My practices today are:

1. Reorder food in the refrigerator. 
2. Waltz Walk in the neighborhood (using the mantra Guide-ing-Light), and use movement and mindfulness to connect to creative energy and my guiding light.
3. Grub just a bit to gently connect to Mother Nature; move a pile of dirt to a better spot and cover it with mulch.

6. Nature brainstorm:

Nature-culture is my way to live as part of nature; sharing my resources with those who share theirs (the bees and the birds, etc.); becoming more aware of nature's needs so I can be a better neighbor; changing my habits so I can cause less harm.

My working definition of Nature-culture is "Humans living in unity with nature: acting in ways that create shared spaces that mimic the diversity, stability, and resilience of natural ecosystems."

My ideas for Earth Unity so far:

• Lead the Earthcare Action group - listen to ideas that arise and where energy is greatest, and suggest actions that build community and have greatest impact for the earth.
• Turn my attention to the climate crisis and biodiversity crisis and write about them. 
• Find my advocasy niche -with the Clean Water bill? Ore. short legislation session?
• Make and share craftivism to spread a message of earthcare.
• Continue the work of research and writing my book.
• Make nature learning and awareness -
   "getting to know nature" - projects of some kind, and lead a Nature Retreat session.

7. Days of Passion and Full Effort plan:

At the third-quarter moon I turn towards full effort. This is also the time of the week when I make a plan for Nature-Culture flow and writing through the next week. My Nature-Culture theme this month is winter regeneration and awareness.

Full effort requires attention; you remember your intentions - what it is you want to do and your deepest reasons why - and also notice your emotions, energy, challenges, etc.

Today I am brainstorming topics in my Winter chapters, and also some garden, advocacy, and community tasks to support that work:

• Awareness of self as animal, winter drawing activities, design a winter nature awareness retreat. 
• Sanctuary for urban animals; sharing plants with neighbors; make a plant list and distribute it, bird care schedule; Do some research for EC Action to determine what plants will best serve our native pollinators.
• Natural living: with less plastic, recycled plastic bags crochet; Prepare a trout friendly tag for a future Meeting event.
• Give Back: Legislation and advocacy, Set intentions for EC in 2026, read up on the Clean Water bill, and legislative short session, write EC report and agenda; send News; Research and plan postcards to legislators (in January) for eonics and food waste bills; schedule a sign-making day. 
• I'm also working on my vision of how we can face the climate and biodiversity crisis with hope, and a possible E-Book blog for sale.