Light One Candle – © Larkin Van Horn Brother stand the pain; Escape the poison of your impulses. The sky will bow to your beauty, if you do. Learn to light the candle. Rise with the sun. — Rumi To many traditions and spiritual paths, Fire is a Guardian, protector and a living being. It … Read more
Lethargics are to be laid in the light, and exposed to the rays of the sun for the disease is gloom. -~Aretaeus This night, having made the preparations I described last week, we begin our spell for the return of the Light. It is based on the Christian practice of lighting candles around an Advent … Read more
Night Fall #1 – Mary McIntyre ©2003I believe in rainbows and all of that. But there are darker colors …and it’s the shade that defines the light. –– Tori Amos As we work with the magic of timing, once again this year, I invite my visitors to join with me in a magical working that … Read more
Dark of the MoonNew beginningsDark of the MoonPlant a seed tonightDark of the MoonWhat we envisionWill come to beBy the Full Moon’s light. Today brings a powerful New Moon, one that touches on Mystery and transformation at the deepest levels. Astrologer Lisa Dale Miller writes, “Sometimes referred to as Lunar Samhain, the New Moon in … Read more
Mother Kali, Mother Kali,Mother of the world-transformingand world-illuminingFiery Dance,O Mother, You are at once the destruction-floodOf Concern-Light and Compassion-OceanFor our heart’s aspiration-flame.— Sri Chinmoy We stand today on the threshold of the New Moon of Samhain, the doorway to the darkest time of our Northern Hemisphere year. From now until Yule, Winter Solstice, the days … Read more
© Jane Dahmen – Maine Fall I am rich today with autumn’s gold, All that my covetous hands can hold; Frost-painted leaves and goldenrod, A goldfinch on a milkweed pod, Huge golden pumpkins in the field With heaps of corn from a bounteous yield, Golden apples heavy on the trees Rivaling those of Hesperides, Golden … Read more
The plum tree, dwindling, contains less of the spring;But the garden is wider, and holds more of the moon.— Zen saying Yesterday, I suggested that you consider the wisdom of our Ancestors who observed this as the New Year (instead of at the end of the Saturnalia/Christmas/Hanukkah/Yule revelries). The veil is now at its thinnest, … Read more
©The glorious art of Willow ArleneaWe have come to be dancedNot the pretty danceNot the pretty pretty, pick me, pick me danceBut the claw our way back into the bellyOf the sacred, sensual animal danceThe unhinged, unplugged, cat is out of its box danceThe holding the precious moment in the palmsOf our hands and feet … Read more
‘Tis The Last Rose of Summer ‘Tis the last rose of summer,Left blooming alone ;All her lovely companionsAre faded and gone ;No flower of her kindred,No rose-bud is nigh,To reflect back her blushes,Or give sigh for sigh. I’ll not leave thee, thou lone one!To pine on the stem ;Since the lovely are sleeping,Go sleep thou … Read more
Once more the liberal year laughs outO’er richer stores than gems or gold:Once more with harvest song and shoutIs nature’s boldest triumph told.— John Greenleaf Whittier This morning, before most North Americans had rolled out of bed, we moved into the time of perfect balance, the Equinox, taken from the Latin for “equal night.” It … Read more