Build a World

I am building a world of Nature-Culture in book form, but I'm slipping a little. I do wake up thinking about my  project, but I rarely take an hour to write. And the other parts - actual garden work and research, painting and craftivism - are also slipping. 

Part of it is that the other big project we are doing is winding to a climax (12 days to a hot tub!) and demanding my attention, and part of it is lack of direction. I think I need a Nature-Culture retreat day soon, to recenter and plan synergy.

Agenda Today:

1. Read "The Creativity Book"

2. Evaluate my creativity habits

3. Craftivism plans

4. Preschool plans

5. Studio

6. Do the smallest thing

7. Love meditation

Xia Yuan Jie and Full Frost Moon

 

Today is Xia Yuan Jie (pronounced "Shaw you-an Jee-a") -- Lower Primordial Festival -- a Chinese festival that falls on the 15th day of the 10th lunar month, usually the full moon of November. It’s the third of a trio of Taoist holidays that honor three Taoist gods, called the Three Great Emperor Officials:

• Tian-Guan, the Heaven Official, gives happiness, and rules over the first 6 months of the year (the yang part), beginning  on the 15th day of the 1st lunar month, at the Lantern Festival.
• Di-Guan, the Earth Official, forgives sins and guilt, and rules over the next 3 months (the yin part), beginning on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, at the Ghost Festival.
• Shui-Guan, the Water Official, rules over the last 3 months of the year (also yin), starting today.

And tonight we see the Full Frost Moon, called that because now is when the first hoarfrost might appear - that white frost that makes walking crunchy, and that requires scraping of windshields. Frost is a reminder that winter is coming, and we all need to finish our outdoor chores and close up the storm windows.

This moon is also known as the Alangitapi moon - the Moving-Inside-for-Winter moon, by the Kalapuya people of my valley.

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. But today it's time to CELEBRATE! 

Agenda:

1. Take a vision walk

2. Read "The Earth Keeper's Handbook"

3. Proaction and reciprocity plans

4. Soul Notes journal

5. Celebrate abundance

6. Hold the world in the light

Soul Notes

I've been struggling lately with the concept of spiritual growth, or daily "sharpening the saw" of the spirit, so I thought a review was in order.

Spiritual growth is the basis for a better and more harmonious life, a life of calmness, clarity, courage, and inner strength. It has (at least) four parts: 

-Awareness practices, such as meditation or journaling, or any practice that keeps you in the present moment or brings greater clarity to your daily life.

-Virtue habits, those little and big behaviors and characteristics of your personality that can improve with practice.

-Soul searching, which is the ongoing quest to understand your purpose and intentions.

-and opening to God or a higher power;  open to the possibility that there is something outside yourself that might love you.

1. Read "Focus on the Good Stuff":

I'm reading this book by Mike Robbins (2007), with the sub-title "The Power of Appreciation". In the introduction he says, "Underneath every dream or goal we have is a desire for appreciation. We want to feel good about ourselves and our lives." He's not talking about being appreciated, but about appreciating ourselves, our own lives, and everyone and everything that surrounds us. Along with appreciation he uses words like empowerment, effectiveness, confidence, clarity, and success.

Chapter Two is What's Wrong with Me?, about self-criticism. If I believe that I create my own reality - the script of my life - then I must know that the negativity I hold for others is actually a lack of appreciation for myself. 

Am I focused on my perceived weaknesses? A bit. I feel that fall short of being the perfect person I aim for. I obsess about any criticism. I doubt my abilities. I deflect or deny compliments.

Transforming negativity: Use this practice when I'm worried about something.

1. Acknowledge negative thoughts and feelings: Just say what presents itself at this time - dissatisfaction with my weight, annoyance with my slothfulness, worry about how I talk to my grandkids... 
2. Create a clean slate: Read these thoughts back until they lose their strength, then let them go.
3. Change my state of mind: Sing a loud song and dance around.
4. Visualize what I want: Ask, "How do I want this experience or day to go?" See and feel it exactly like I want it to go.

Then let it all go, and allow things to unfold as they will.

2. Spiritual growth practices:

My spiritual practices this month:

• Autumn Awareness - Daily time in my garden or neighborhood for a look at the seasonal changes - take 3 photos and note 3 changes.
• Soul Notes journal -  making note of the themes that spring up with my reading and my Ongo group.

3. Soul Notes Journal:

The theme has been forgiveness, and especially self-forgiveness. Last night we did a meditation that took me back to the 12-year old me, trying to get attention and approval, and right on the cusp of making some big mistakes. I can forgive that child for needing love.

Forgiveness Thoughts

Forgiveness is a tedious topic. I try not to give it too much thought, but it is the topic that is coming up today. I will try to focus on freeing the resentments I cling to, because these are a burden, and I want to return to dignity and a ground of love. "Though the action itself may remain forever unforgivable, the human is always forgivable."

Monday is my day to reset for the week and get my ducks in a row - make some plans for health and home, and prepare for Grandson fun.

 

Agenda:

1. Ongo journal

2. Read "The Sweet Spot"
3. Fall Cleaning and Home projects

4. Leaf School plans

5. Creative visualization

Dia de los Muertos

 Dia de los Muertos - the Day of the Dead - is a holiday observed in Mexico on November 2. It’s a family time for remembering and honoring dead friends and relatives - a period when the souls of the dead can return for a visit. It’s celebrated with humor, not sadness.

Today I will continue my sabbath for souls.

Agenda

1. Make Pan de Muertos (Bread of the Dead)
4. Make skeletons
5. Make sugar skulls

Sabbath for Souls

Today is my Sabbath, and it's also the doorway to the dark half of the Celtic year, the opening of a new cycle. Blótmónað is the word for November in Old English; it means Sacrifice Month, but the sacrifice is joyful, as Persephone goes peacefully down to the underworld every year. Peace is the fruit of total acceptance.

In November I see the circle of life in all its full roundness - as it blossomed in spring and as it dies in fall. November is colder and wetter, drawing me deeper towards winter. This is a month when I celebrate the final fruits of summer’s work, and remember to express my gratitude.

The early Gaels believed that the border between this world and the otherworld became thin at this time of year, and so spirits of the dead could visit the living.

This is the time of year to welcome home the souls of your ancestors. But I definitely feel some angst regarding my relatives who moved here to the "New World" to take it away from the Native Peoples, and who bought into the false American Dream, built on the subjugation and decimation of so many other living beings. 

It has become my custom at this time of year to open my heart to healing the soul connection between me and my ancestors.

Agenda:

1. Unity Art for souls

2. Make Soul Cakes

3. Throw the runes

4. Have a soul ceremony

5. Offer ongoing support for my ancestors