Medicine Art for Winter Rains

We have a paradoxical relationship with rain. Rain gives us life - we can't survive without it, but it's so inconvenient; we like to complain about it, and try to avoid being caught out in it. We sometimes find it dismal and depressing. (I certainly got tired of rain, as a young person who had to walk to school in it EVERY DAY; and not just gentle showers, but cold, sideways driving rain that penetrated every part of you...)

The importance of rain is undeniable; we need rain, and we are so lucky to have an abundance of it still in my valley. Many parts of the earth have an ever scarcer rainfall, and water conservation there is crucial. 

We are all (de facto) connected to nature because we are a part of nature, but we have built walls to keep nature separate, because our culture is human focused; we've been taught that we are more important than other parts of nature, and that's a hard lesson to unlearn. 

News flash: We are NOT more important than rain!

Agenda:

1. Set a rainy intention

2. Exploring rain (puddle jumping)

3. Collecting rain (permaculture rainwater harvesting techniques)

4. Observing and predicting rain

5. Sounds of Rain meditation

6. Creating with rain

7. Sharing and Thanksgiving

Pongal

Pongal is a four day harvest festival celebrated in India, beginning on January 13th or 14th. The word Pongal means “overflowing and abundance”. It's celebrated as a shift in the season - the end of winter - the day on which the sun begins to move northwards

I appreciate this extra reminder of the returning light: The sun is a symbol of wisdom, divine knowledge and spiritual light, and now it is turning towards us and blessing us with life and energy.

Each day of Pongal has a slightly different focus and theme: 

Today is called Bhogi Pongal, which means "enjoy abundance"; it's a day to honor the rain god, Indra, for providing rain for the harvest. Today farmers anoint their plows and sickles with sandalwood paste to bless them, then bring in the fresh harvest of rice and sugar cane.

 

The second day is called Surya Pongal, named for the sun god, Lord Surya. On this day people cook sweet rice at sunrise, and watch for the rice to bubble out of the clay pot. The boiling over symbolizes good luck and prosperity for the family.

 

The third day is Mattu Pongal, focusing on the cattle who pull the plows. (Mattu means "cow".) The cows are cleaned, decorated and fed treats.

 

The fourth day is Kanum Pongal. Kanum means "to view": It's a day to visit friends and family.

Agenda for Pongal:

1. House clearing
2. Have a fire ceremony
3. Make a rangoli

4. Make Pongal Paanai (Sweet Rice)

5. Recite the Surya Mantra