LAMMAS - The Turning of the Wheel

I have a wonderful friend who knows much about Celtic ritual. I deeply thank her for introducing me to the “Wheel of the Year” from which I experienced great enjoyment drawing a mandala (see above) inspired by these festivals emanating from Nature’s seasons and the stories of Gods, Goddesses, and everyone in between. She extended an invitation to participate in a local gathering to celebrate the Celtic Festival of Lammas! 

"Lammas" occurs midway between the summer solstice and the autumnal equinox, usually in the first week of August each year.  Traditionally, it heralds the beginning of the harvest season, when the early crops are coming in and the summer fruits are ripe.

 
In Ireland, it is "Lughnasad", the festival of the sun-God Lugh. A time of fairs and feasts when the grain is ripening in the fields but not yet brought into the barn. The God Lugh (whose name in Gaelic actually means ‘August’) was directed by his dying mother-in-law that the way to ensure that Ireland would always have a song was to dedicate the entire month of August to games and festivals.  “Lammas” comes from 'Loaf-mass'—the loaf made from the first-harvested grain.

Our gathering was really lovely. We met in the afternoon at a home near the beach. A poem was read and a story told. We then stepped out to the back yard and were instructed to set about gathering various herbs, plants and branches to bind together in a makeshift form of 'John Barleycorn' then consigning it to the flames of a bonfire to symbolically depict transformation.

 

The festivities ended as the evening sun finished melting into the West. There is inspiration in everything....

New Beginnings 2015

 

 

 
I am needing to establish a new Blog.  Somehow, after nearly four years, my previous blog disappeared online and I have had lots of obstacles in trying to resurrect it. Sad loss for me as I had a variety of examples of mandala work posted as well as the writings.  To see some re-posts of those past blogs just go ahead and scroll down this page. And meantime....I will move ahead and begin again.  ♥♥

Dancing with the Unexpected (RePost from October 2013)

Haven’t we all experienced times when, due to an unforeseen occurrence, our best laid plans seem to just disintegrate before our eyes?  Suddenly all momentum is halted, knocking us off track, causing disappointment, frustration and dashing our hopes.  (Recently, mine came in the form of my computer crashing and taking my blog posts with it.)

In his book Finding Sanctuary in Nature Jim PathFinder Ewing tells us how in Native American culture, any powerful and disruptive force is often seen as a ‘Trickster’ and perceived as a particular animal.  Depending upon the tribe, Trickster is commonly seen as a Raven, Coyote or the Rabbit.   Exploring this tradition is a way of learning to recognize and overcome personal obstacles since these images are meant to reflect back to us, aspects of our own personalities.   Jim states: “Since this is actually the personality at work, observing and understanding the role of the Trickster helps us gain perspective on its antics and we become able to dismiss these occurrences not out of fear or anger but with awareness and acceptance.”  It’s our response to events that determines the outcome.

So, it follows that by valuing and respecting the presence of this Trickster we become stronger, more whole to ourselves and with that – we more deeply connect to the sacred within.    

In her wonderful system of creating collage cards as a means of connecting to our deeper self, Seena Frost, the founder of SoulCollage© makes sure to remind us that while we may create all sorts of collage cards, each representing an aspect of ourselves, we should never forget the ‘Fool’. 

The Fool represents the part of us that is spontaneous, playful, child-like and free.  When we have become too attached to our thinking, entrenched in routine, when we long to break out or just do something different for a change, time for the ‘Fool’ to call on you – a reminder to take a risk, make a change, be silly.  Much like the Trickster the Fool can emerge and surprise us in an unexpected form and moment. 

By understanding their roles we can identify and allow them to express a part of our Self that can be just as welcome as any other part of our personality.  Maybe even more so.  And, why not? These visitors shake up the ego! And, they’ll show up anyway.  While the ‘Fool’ and the ‘Trickster’ may seem to only annoy, tease or even shock, they bring an important message of surrender.  For when the pieces land, we have a new, often more satisfying, joyful, and complete way, of seeing things.  When we accept their presence we open to closer alignment with Spirit.

Beneath my grumbling, I am so grateful for my crashed computer last week.  Yes, really.  I had to surrender (give up any idea of control) and receive the gifts of the moment, of which there were many. The Universe is generous when we follow.  And, this brings me to the mandala I’ve chosen for this posting.  I call it ‘Dancing Queens’.  It is my reminder to expect the unexpected.  Play with it, DANCE, SING, and SHOUT! See you next time! 

Into the Unknown (RePost from August 2013)

 

(A Mandala for personal grounding)

 

Nearly a year ago, while thinking ahead to then upcoming Year 2013, I wondered what might be in store for me.   I was not interested in making lists of hoped-for accomplishments, goals and plans or creating a mental structure with any attempts at managing my time.  Efforting was not in the cards for me.  I drew a hazy mandala of a moon with only a heart at the center.  To me it signified a coming period of not-knowingness while holding to a path of love.  Wonderful, blessed time would unfold, I was sure.  Let it all happen, I was ready.

Though non-structure or non-planning is not really like me I was curious.  I adopted a relaxed focus of just ‘being’.  It felt natural to simply follow my intuition including doing some inner housekeeping.  So I released a couple of long standing group commitments, said goodbye and let them go. (They hadn’t really been working for me for awhile anyway.)  Then, I released one more after that.  As I created more ‘space’ in my life, there existed no shortage of new connections to slide in and fill up the vacancies.  Was I just trading in one set of habits, people, activities, for another?  What would be the point?  But, I allowed it all to just unfold unhampered by too much thinking.  And, very soon I realized there was a difference.  

The new year began by dishing out its challenges, none easy.  But, I also met new friends and the rhythm of my activities shifted.   We attract those who resonate with us at the same vibrational pitch and when that vibrational level changes, often so do our connections.  As time progressed, I found that somehow, I was managing to create a more deeply authentic and accepting way of responding and conducting my life.  Silence became more than an equal partner with the ‘noise’ of my days.  Knee-jerk responses disappeared as I slowed enough to just sit with things for a bit allowing them to settle.  The business of calmly ‘looking within’ had paid off as had learning to trust my intuition more fully.  I found lots more support and nurturance in my friendships.  I felt relaxed and content almost daily even with periodic uncertainty.  Shifting, changing, yes, but still very much me, for how far away from our basic true self do we ever actually get in life?  In fact, it seems our life’s journey is most often all about becoming more of who we are and who we are meant to be.

A wonderful writer, Jeff Brown, in his book Soulshaping puts it as follows:

Growing is all about leaps into the seeming unknown. Before you can find your way home, you must linger in the place of not knowing. Stay here until the next step organically arises. Sit until the questions that need to be lived show themselves. By surrendering to the unknown, you create the space for a deeper knowing to emerge.

Befriend your confusion. Don’t be fooled by its chaotic appearance—this is good confusion. It’s a sign that your soul is in transition. Welcome it as a friend that has come from far away to bring you home. Be open to it. Keep it close. Become a master of not knowingness. (Soulshaping) Jeff Brown

Namaste....

What is your Spirit path? (RePost from Summer 2013)

For such a long time I was a seeker.  I enjoyed it all, each spiritual practice I investigated felt like a wonderful inner adventure.  I learned and grew as my way of viewing others and the world expanded.  After my childhood and teens experimenting with a few religions, I concluded formal religious practice was not for me.  And so, I moved into psychology and then free thinking and then eastern spiritual practice.  I look back and tend to smile – I did take it all rather seriously.  And, I wonder, whatever was I seeking?  And, for so long?  Yet, in the end, it all just feels like ‘my path’.

These days I am stabilized in a spiritual practice that feels right for me.  I have come from searching “out there” to realizing, it all lies within.   The time we spend learning to just be with ourselves, to observe, to question, to contemplate, to enjoy solitude, and finally, to simply hear the wisdom in wonderful deep silence itself is like gold in our lives.  We are nurturing that inner Light; our very own Godliness or Buddha nature and even when we stumble, it’s all good.  The answers unfold, the peace comes, and we find we can simply relax into what IS.

The rhythms and movements of nature, as always, are a huge part of my sense of connection and aliveness.  It can feel wonderful but also overwhelming to imagine how we are a part of everything in the universe, the planets, the stars, and the sky – all the forces of nature we observe and experience!  To honor that connection whole heartedly and consciously bring it into my life, I spend time celebrating each Season as it begins. Sometimes I find myself at the ocean, sometimes the mountains and woods, one’s own patio, whatever is at hand - step out, connect and then - create! I just created a mandala based upon my impression of a local meadow at peak of Spring, just as it gently melts into summer.  I slowed to savor the time and deeply feel it.

Spring Equinox Year 2012 (RePost)

Above is a Mandala I created to honor the time of the Spring Equinox.  As well, I was moved to participate in a Full Moon Ceremony in the mountains where I live.  Along with a circle of others present, in a clearing, we chanted and faced each of the Four Directions to invite and connect with our Ancestors.  The full, very bright moon shone down on us as the sky became dark. The fire blazed at the center.  We released things felt to be no longer useful or beneficial and we sent out Intention for what we now wished to manifest.  The tall, thick pine trees cast their outline against the sky on the encircling ridge above.

A wonderful time was had by all.  Ho!

The Native American Culture says --

o  The Earth is our Mother; Care for Her
o   Honor all your Relations
o   Open your Heart and Soul to the Great Spirit
o   All Life is sacred; Treat all beings with respect
o   Take from the Earth what is needed and nothing more
o   Do what needs to be done for the good of all
o   Give constant thanks to the Great Spirit for each day
o   Speak the Truth but only for the good in others
o   Follow the rhythms of Nature
o   Enjoy Life's journey but leave no tracks

Meet you here again soon...♥ ♥ ♥