Imbalc

Today is Imbalc (pronounced Im-molc), the Celtic Sabbat that falls between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It's celebrated sometime around the first of February, as the "beginning of the end" of winter.

Imbalc means "surrounding belly" - the Earth Mother’s womb; soon the seeds in the womb of the earth will begin to swell and creative forces will begin to come alive in the world.

Imbalc is sacred to Brigid, the European and Celtic goddess of healing, crops, poetry, and creativity. As a sun goddess her powers are light, fire, inspiration, and vital energy: Wow! She’s one of my favorite images of the Spirit.

Brigid is the maiden aspect of the Great Goddess and so her color is white; her symbols are a sun-wheel, Brigid's cross, snake, and cock (herald of the new day).

Agenda for today: 

1. Read "Everyday Simplicity"

2. Make a Brigid's Cross

2. Make Irish seed cake

3. Seed blessing ceremony

4. Have a fire

Busy Sabbath

Today is a Sabbath so full I'm already feeling anxious. But now I take a breath - let it out - and let go of the need to do everything. I will choose my three top priorities, and let go of the rest.

Agenda:

1. Choose top priorities

2. Read "Everyday Simplicity"

Guiding Light

This week of advent I focus on the Guiding Light of God. My image of God is the Creator Spirit of earth and sky, and the Love and Light that lives in all people. I think of Light as Truth, with a capitol T.

I try to live always awake and listening for the message of love, and always feeling a connection to Creation, but I often get distracted. I often feel disconnected, disengaged, and detached. This week I plan to take some time to heal my relationship with my Guiding Light.

In one of my favorite books, "It's a Meaningful Life; It Just Takes Practice," by Bo Lozoff (2000), Bo describes why to create a personal spiritual practice - because "We must be willing to do the spiritual work that gradually brings us into communion with what is eternal and divine within us".

Bo says that daily spiritual practice is how we clear the slate so that bad habits can't as easily flourish, and also to become more aware of the depths of our being. We practice so that our default mode becomes generally more spiritual than worldly, and we develop an equanimity that helps us breeze through life.

Agenda:
1. Read a novena

2. Christmas Retreat Brainstorm for Renewal

3. Spiritual reading

4. Plan a spiritual practice

5. Winter Awareness Walk

Christmas Eve

Tonight is Christmas Eve. Advent is over and Christmas is upon us. Today I will tie together some loose ends (finish one gifts, final wrapping), and settle into the grace and mystery of Christmas.

What is the grace of Christmas? It's an experiential thing. We don't need faith that the sun will rise because we have experienced it. Even in the darkest of times, this season of Light and Love will deliver its grace.

As Santa for a 2-year-old, I am invested in the experiential part: We light the advent candles; we cut out cookies; we play with the manger scene - "This is Joseph, the daddy. This is Mary, the mommy - she's going to have a baby. This is the donkey..." He doesn't need to understand anything, but just be in the grace.

Agenda Today:
1. Read a novena

2. Read "Meaningful Life"

3. Plan a spiritual practice

4. Prayer candle ceremony

5. Make Danish Prune Bread

6. Hang our stockings with care

Our Guiding Light

This week of advent I focus on the Guiding Light of God. My image of God is the Creator Spirit of earth and sky, and the Love and Light that lives in all people. I think of Light as Truth, with a capitol T.

I try to live always awake and listening for the message of love, and always feeling a connection to Creation, but I often get distracted. I often feel disconnected, disengaged, and detached. This week I plan to take some time to heal my relationship with my Guiding Light.

Agenda:
1. Read a novena

2. Set an intention

3. Prayer journal queries

4. Watch Hogfather with a Friend

Hungry Ghost Retreat

Today is my new moon retreat day, a chance to spend time alone with my inner guide. 

A retreat (even a short one) needs some definition or it is just a vacation: I want to broaden my inner experience and gain clarity. I need open-mindedness and a little discipline in order to maximize my effort. The most important components to arrange are solitude, silence, and simplicity. I will do less talking, less business, and more personal thought and action. 

My theme today is Depth: What is my Truth, my intentions, and my purpose?

Agenda:

1. Retreat plan

2. Read "The Earth Path"

3. Truth Walk

4. Garden observation

5. Permaculture tips for August

6. Set a sacred intention

7. Healing art practice

New Year's Day

Today is the first day of a new year in my part of the world. I celebrate many beginnings throughout my year, but January 1 has emotional importance because it’s the New Year of my childhood.

January gets its name from Janus, the two-faced Roman God of gates and doorways; it's a month to look back with reflection and forward with hope. I stand at the doorway of this coming year with my mind open and curious, without fear or judgment, and with hope for the gifts that the year will deliver.

As I stand here, I remember that not all gifts are rosy. I thank the Creator for the shadows and mysteries, and potent gifts of sadness. When I live in the reality of the moment more than in my hopes and expectations, I can receive the riches that are hidden within my most challenging experiences - the gifts of compassion, self-awareness, creativity, wisdom, patience, love, strength of character, and integrity.

Agenda for today:
1. Kwanzaa principles

2. Christmas retreat

3. Truth reading

4. Spiritual goals for 2022

5. Set the tone for the New Year
6. Eat Hoppin' John

New Year's Eve

Tonight is New Year's Eve - a big night for many people. W and I are traveling north to see family for the New year's weekend, as has been our tradition for a few years now (except for last year when we sheltered at home!)

Agenda today:

1. Kwanzaa principles

2. Christmas retreat

3. Becoming Rooted reading

4. Celebration and synergy goals for 2022

5. Make noise!