At Yule, our Sun was born once again, and began to grow in strength and vitality. Life, stirred anew at Imbolc, has now taken root and thrives. Our hope for future bounties has been established but is still vulnerable in its youthful state, making nurturing vigilance a necessity.
The Great Wheel is in constant motion and now turns to Ostara, one of the most exhilarating times of the year.
In terms of solar activity, we see the vernal equinox- a day of perfect balance between darkness and light. Agriculturally, Ostara represents a season in which life flourishes and life-giving light grows bolder with each passing day.
Fire is a vital element of this season. It urges the other elements into action by reviving them from their dormant, winter state. Molecules of each element are being energized by heat and light from the Sun and that energy is stirring them to life.
Water, roused from its frozen slumber, actively rejoins the cycle in its various states of matter: mists, dew, rain, streams, rivers and oceans. It ensures life is sustained as it ebbs and flows through nature.
Earth is being revived, awakening into the cycle of reincarnation: birth, life, death and rebirth. Life is springing into action, taking root in every crevice, being supported and protected by the nurturing foundation of this element.
Air is warming and blowing. It’s in a state of flux, even volatile at times. It stirs and gusts to perpetuate life. It carries Water in the form of rain, Earth in the form of dust and fuels the intensity of Fire.
Our God is growing in his strength. He’s youthful, carefree and spry. He’s mischievous but never malevolent. He sees the world through the eyes of an innocent; he revels in the rains. His thunderous laughter is carried on the winds. His feet pound the earth as he joyously races through the forests that are his own. His body is the physical manifestation of fire: the thrill of action, a deep passion for life, the desire for happiness. He is the Greenman and he is with us.
Our Goddess has been restored to her youth and beauty. She walks in wonder through the Earth, reborn. Her spirit carries within it, the echoes of a crone’s wisdom and a mother’s compassion, but her consciousness is new, innocent and unblemished. She sees beauty in the entirety of creation, for all of life springs from her. She dances skyclad and carefree in the rain. Her new song is carried the winds. She wanders the fields, gathering bouquets of wild flowers. And, she is drawn to the fire embodied by her God. She is the Maiden and she is with us.
Spirit encircles us in new growth and renewed life. Spirit is the thread that weaves us together through the fabric of existence, joining us one to another-element to element.
Spirit urges us to use this season of fertility to labor as one, to unite in community. Now is the time to sow that which we want to reap. So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get to work!
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Forgiveness in the air. . .
The first of February is honored by many people in various ways. For our pagan brothers and sisters, it signifies the turning of the Great Wheel to Imbolg, the time of the quickening. For those who follow the Christian path, it is Candlemas, a time to honor St. Bridget. And, those in the secular crowd acknowledge Ground Hog’s day, a festive way of predicting the end of winter (BTW: our little friend foresees 6 more weeks ‘til spring).
Celebrated are beginnings, stirrings, awakenings. But, it is also a time to make reparations, for what better way is there to begin anew, than with a goodwill gesture of making amends?
It’s impossible to pass through this life without causing injury to another. One harsh word, when our tempers are short, can wound an already battered soul. One broken promise, though seemingly insignificant at the moment, can leave cracks that radiate throughout an already strained relationship.
Our intentions aside, the pain we cause others is real (at least, it is to them). Not “meaning to” hurt someone does not, in and of itself, relieve us of responsibility when our actions (or inactions) cause harm.
Granted, we can’t control another’s reaction and yes there are many who walk this earth sure to find insult around every corner. But, we can do our part to make amends whenever possible. To what end? Well, let’s put the shoe on the other foot, for a moment, shall we?
For whatever reason, someone has hurt you deeply, with a cruel jest or harsh scolding. Someone has stolen from you. Someone has lied to you or, worse, about you. Someone has shared your private business with what seems to be the entire world (I could go on, but I think you get the point).
How much sooner would those wounds heal if the person who inflicted them sincerely apologized? How much quicker, still, would the scares begin to fade if the person offered some genuine gesture of atonement?
Though we can’t guarantee that our wounds will be tended by those who caused them, we can make a promise to ourselves that we will do our best to make amends to those whom we, intentionally or inadvertently, injure.
The solar system is now aligned to lend its strength to our offerings of peace, to bolster our courage to request forgiveness and give power to cleanse away the old in order to make way for the new. Take advantage of the season. You’ll be better for it, more importantly, the world will be better for it.
Blessings!
Kira Adora of CSS
Celebrated are beginnings, stirrings, awakenings. But, it is also a time to make reparations, for what better way is there to begin anew, than with a goodwill gesture of making amends?
It’s impossible to pass through this life without causing injury to another. One harsh word, when our tempers are short, can wound an already battered soul. One broken promise, though seemingly insignificant at the moment, can leave cracks that radiate throughout an already strained relationship.
Our intentions aside, the pain we cause others is real (at least, it is to them). Not “meaning to” hurt someone does not, in and of itself, relieve us of responsibility when our actions (or inactions) cause harm.
Granted, we can’t control another’s reaction and yes there are many who walk this earth sure to find insult around every corner. But, we can do our part to make amends whenever possible. To what end? Well, let’s put the shoe on the other foot, for a moment, shall we?
For whatever reason, someone has hurt you deeply, with a cruel jest or harsh scolding. Someone has stolen from you. Someone has lied to you or, worse, about you. Someone has shared your private business with what seems to be the entire world (I could go on, but I think you get the point).
How much sooner would those wounds heal if the person who inflicted them sincerely apologized? How much quicker, still, would the scares begin to fade if the person offered some genuine gesture of atonement?
Though we can’t guarantee that our wounds will be tended by those who caused them, we can make a promise to ourselves that we will do our best to make amends to those whom we, intentionally or inadvertently, injure.
The solar system is now aligned to lend its strength to our offerings of peace, to bolster our courage to request forgiveness and give power to cleanse away the old in order to make way for the new. Take advantage of the season. You’ll be better for it, more importantly, the world will be better for it.
Blessings!
Kira Adora of CSS
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