Peace to You

Reposted from 2009.

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A ship’s compass, a windrose, identifies the source of directions as solar sky paths at four key dates: Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Fall Equinox and Winter Solstice. The windrose’s shape is echoed in sundials, stone medicine wheels, ceremonial containers woven from intent and Navajo wedding baskets woven from sumac. People all over the world have captured this pattern in many ways for many reasons.

Stones, stars, the directions, weavings, time – these speak to us out of the past. If you listen the words can be intuited; an alive spiritual communication.

How many times has the wheel turned – the sun aligning with the markings on the windrose and ceremonial containers? When will it end? What gateway experiences will happen along the way? How many times have people gathered for community, warmth and comfort on the longest night of the year? How often are they kept apart?

Blessings to you and yours. May your next trip around the sun be fruitful, enjoyable and peaceful.

*FLICK*

When my son was in kindergarten, the United States was attacked. Now, he’s in high school and we’re still fighting two wars that were both justified as being necessary after that attack. The world is settling into the idea of war being not just inevitable, but permanent. Ongoing. Endless. Normal.

Let me go out on a limb and say that I think this sucks. Crazy talk? Maybe.

I’m not going to rehash what got us here. Opinions are so polarized at this point that perhaps the less we talk about that the better. Why argue and separate ourselves even further when it will do no good?

But, can we agree that it is a sad state of affairs? I mean, is it possible to feel good about forever killing? There has got to be a better way to spend the rest of our days. And I believe we can get there. Even now.

It’s going to take thousands of baby steps to do it. You’ve heard of death by a thousand cuts? This is life by a thousand hopeful acts. (Did someone say points of light?)

Whatever else you believe in, spend some time and try to also believe that peace is possible. Giving this a thought and acting on it is timely for some – the season of peace on earth, good will toward men. Everyone else has their time and place to do the same. Please us it. I would like my son to remember a time in his life when there was no active war.

Give it a try. What can you lose? A thought for peace has to cost less than blood. Consider this blog post a flicked lighter in a dark crowd. Flick your own. Spread the glow.

Peace.

Warm Wishes

At this time of year our home contains a spirit brought into existence through ritual. Many of the trappings and practices were first put into place thousands of years ago, in many corners of the world. The earth remembers these rituals and answers to them.

We invite representatives of nature into our home and give them places of honor. Wreaths herald the return of the sun – the distant king of our winter sky. The queen, the evergreen, is festooned with silver and gold. She perfumes the air with her dying breath - a sacrifice has been made as the old year dies away. A Yule log is sparked to remind us of the returning light.

Family and friends gather and exchange gifts to help each other through the cold months to come. Groups make a joyful noise to drive away evil and brighten the long night.

The very best of the season to all.