Christmas Adam

This is the day before Christmas Eve, known by some people as Christmas Adam. I am continuing my Soyal retreat for reflection and brainstorming.

Agenda:

1. Read a novena

2

.

 

Light a candle for discernment

3. Read "Sound Tracks"

4. Soyal retreat practices for discernment

5. Learning brainstorm

6. New narrative for the week

7. Piñata party

Craftivism

Craftivism is such a lovely word: It's craft plus activism, meaning the process of creating and sharing art that speaks a political or social message. Writer and activist Betsy Greer coined the term in 2003, and since then it has spread around the world. 

Many activists share testimonials about how engaging in craftivism has changed their lives, making them calmer and happier people. As an introvert, activism is often a painful challenge; my leadings take me to uncomfortable places- into prisons, and speaking at city council meetings. In between these challenging moments I get to rest with a paintbrush, or a needle and thread.

My crafting makes my activism sustainable; it allows me to slow down, think deeply about issues, and share my passion creatively. It’s a way to voice my opinions visually, and with great power; to use my special powers for the greater good!

Agenda Today:

1. Read "Creativity Takes Courage"

2. Evaluate my creativity habits

3. Discern some craftivism

4. Do the smallest thing

Twelfth Night

The evening of January 5th is called Twelfth Night, the Eve of the Epiphany, the night that the three Magi traveled to Bethlehem to see the newborn baby Jesus.

In Italy, the story goes, the Befana (short for Epiphania) was busy sweeping her floor that night, when the Magi stopped at her house. They invited her to come along with them on their trip to see Jesus but she said she was too busy.

Later she changed her mind and decided to follow, but she couldn’t find them. She continues her search each year on Twelfth Night, flying on a broom, going from house to house and leaving gifts.

Agenda:

1. Review the Divine Laws

2. Prayer candle ceremony

3. Discernment queries

4. Year of Hope and Resilience

5. Resolutions postcard

6. Sweeping

7. Make Focaccia della Befana

8. Leave gifts

Transformative Habits

I've been reviewing some of the transformative habits I've developed over the years. Last week I wrote about the journal-brainstorm process, and a vision walk, which are steps in discernment. Today I'll write a bit more about discernment, and some of the steps after discernment.

Agenda:

I. Read PowerHunch

2. Visualization

3. Review intentions

4. Morning ritual

Full Wolf Moon

Photo by Alan Gillespie

Tonight is the full moon of January, called atalka - the "Stay Inside Moon" - by the Kalapuya of my area, and the Wolf Moon by others, because of the hungry packs of wolves that used to roam for prey at this time of deep winter. The full Wolf Moon is a good time to ponder what I am hungry for, and how to be resilient.

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. The full moon shines her light on everything; use the full moon energy for creatively completing things, and for seeing your next moves, and also to CELEBRATE how far you've come and give thanks for the lessons learned and the blessings received.

Agenda for today:

1. Read "Root and Ritual"

2. Vision walk

3. Celebrate discernment

4. Inspiration Walk

First Quarter Moon

Tonight is the First Quarter Moon; we are one-quarter of the way through the moon cycle. The moon is waxing - getting larger - until it's full again. Now is the time to remain flexible, use my obstacles as fuel for growth, and show full effort for priorities.

Agenda Today:

1. Read Writing and Being

2. Write an epigraph

3. Journal queries

4. Choose a self-cultivation project

5. Make a full effort plan

Retreat for Discernment

I'm having my New Moon retreat day this weekend, a couple of days to be unsocial, and give attention to my theme for the month, which is discernment. As luck would have it, we had a serious ice storm yesterday, and the whole town is shut down. All of my responsibilities have evaporated!

I've chosen the theme of discernment for this month, because I have so much figuring out going on. Today I will sink in to the quiet of the winter and open to leadings of the spirit.

Agenda:
1. Read "A Comfort of Crows"

2. Bird watching

3. Garden plans

4. Living room blessing

Solstice

The winter solstice occurs tonight at 7:27 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. In the Northern Hemisphere, the December solstice happens during the coldest season of the year, when the sun is at its lowest angle and is seen for its shortest period. This is the turning point, the moment of new beginnings - the darkest time, with the brightest hope.

We need to believe in these little myths - that the sun is returning and hope is reborn - so that we can continue to believe in the Big Myths, like justice, mercy, democracy, freedom - "That sort of thing".

“Humans need fantasy to be human. To be the place where the falling angel meets the rising ape.” ~Terry Pratchett, Hogfather

 

And tonight is known as Modraniht, or Mothers Night, by Saxon Pagans. On this first night of Yule the early Germanic and Scandinavian tribes paid tribute to the ancestral mothers who protected and watched over the family, helped with childbirth, and healed illnesses.

Agenda today:

1. Read a novena

2. Light a candle for Discernment

3. Plan a Spirit Guide trance

4. Make candles

5. Mother's Night fire and prayer

Finding clarity

Seeking clearness is the last step in a discernment process. Clarity - that feeling that you know what you stand for, you are sure of your objectives, you have set the best intentions, and you understand your next move - is liberating and empowering.

Most of the time we don't wait for clarity; we act on autopilot, or on other's expectations and assurances, or because the situation is urgent. Waiting for clarity seems selfish or exhausting or just impossible. But being clear in your heart that you are on the right path is a wonderful thing to wait for; it's transformative!

Agenda:

1. Discernment

2. Prepare for clarity

3. A clearness meeting

Mardi Gras

Today is Mardi Gras, which is French for Fat Tuesday - also called Shrove Tuesday, or Pancake Tuesday. We've come to the end of the season of Carnival, which starts on Epiphany (January 6) and ends at Lent. Fat Tuesday is always 47 days before Easter Sunday.

Agenda Today:

1. Word #5 - Discernment

2. Choose a theme for Lent

3. Set intentions for Lent

4. Prepare to fast from plastic

5. Make carnival corn soup

6. Make a screen mask

February Thoughts

February is a month of expectation and quiet growth. The grey veil of winter is still in place, but tinged with pink around the edges and exciting with potential. My dreams may still be dormant, but I can feel them swelling, ready to burst into bloom. I have great hopes for this spring!

The cold, wet days of February are perfect for prayer, reading, writing, contemplation of the deep questions of life, and listening for leadings and inspirations. It's time, though, to step out of the cloister a little and gently re-enter the world of personal relationships. In February I consider love, family, and friendships, as well as self-love and care.

February is also a time of clearing away the excess to make room for growth. I prune my trees, I prune out clutter in my home, and in my heart and my mind. The weather can be frustrating, though; I long to get outside to dig and to feel the sun! I need patience - I know the seeds are growing underground and the ideas are growing in my heart - warmth and sustenance will bring the growth I want.

Agenda:
1. February queries

2. Read It's a Meaningful Life
3. Vow practice

4. Household order

Kakizome Day

Today is Kakizome Day; kakizome means "first writing". Today people all over Japan will take time to use a brush and sumi ink to write out a favorite quote or phrase - the first calligraphy of the new year. Kakizome is a way to express your positive wishes for the New Year. 

Agenda:

1. Christmas retreat

2. Discernment reading

3. Year of Being Rooted

4. Practice my calligraphy

5. Wassail my apple tree!

August Third Quarter Moon

The August Third-Quarter Moon energy is yin - quiet, internal, heart-driven, intentional Being-ness. At this phase we can ease off a bit on actively pursuing goals, slow down, go within, and attend to inner work and self-care.

Agenda today:
1. Renewal plan for next month

2. Evaluation House

3. Review my Purpose

4. Read "The Earth Path"

5. Monthly journal brainstorm

6. Surrender, rest, recuperate