This full moon, I will be doing a despacho ceremony, a traditional Andean offering to Pachamama (Mother Earth), the Apus (Mountains) and nature spirits, as a form of Ayni (sacred reciprocity) by expressing our deep gratitude for all that we receive from these realms.
It is that time again where winter is giving way to spring. This winter has been longer and colder than the last few that I have experienced here in Montana. With Vernal Equinox upon us next week, spring becomes official, hopefully opening the door to warmer weather and new growth. On sunny days, when I step outside on my back deck I hear a chorus of birds singing and I am reminded once again that spring is coming. Although, a few more days of warm sunshine are needed to melt the amazing amount of snow still in my yard.
Winter Solstice is here in the Northern Hemisphere/Summer Solstice for the Southern Hemisphere. This is the longest night for the Northern Hemisphere/longest day for the Southern Hemisphere. In the north, the Sun now turns on December 21 and slowly begins to regain power and increase life-giving light.
In the Northern Hemisphere, ceremony and celebration are practiced as
the light of the Sun returns once again. We show gratitude and
appreciation in ritual ceremony with candles, despacho (prayer bundle),
drumming, singing, gifting and story telling.
While in the Southern Hemisphere, gratitude for the abundance, fertility, and pleasures at the fullness of Summer is marked as the Sun slowly begins to wane in strength.
Take a moment and show your gratitude to our beautiful Sun and may your path be forever illuminated by the Sun and your heart.
August has arrived with a new moon tomorrow night, thankfully the nights are cool and sleep is easy. With each day we are slowly heading into the darkest nights and shortest days as well as the coldest time. I remind myself to stay present to enjoy these last days of summer and not to jump ahead as many of us often do. Staying present means being present in this moment, whatever that may be for you, whether you are doing the dishes or going on a hike. When you learn to become more present with this moment, you become more grounded, centered and focused in life. It is a gift to be present and it does take practice. A good mantra to remember is "With each breath, I am present". Use this as a gentle reminder and remember that it is a practice.
It is the end of July, my roses have completed yet another season of beautiful blooms and it is wonderfully warm outside. Last night, the moon was full and for me it was another opportunity for me to perform a fire ceremony. In sacred space, I do my prayer work dreaming a world of beauty, peace, and love on this powerful day while releasing what does not serve me to the universe. Blowing those prayers into a stick and letting the element of fire release those prayers to the quantum field of possibilities. My space is opened up for infinite potential and possibilities, all I need to do is be present.
"Little Brown Bird" 5" x 5" oil on canvas |
It is so exciting to see all the little sparrows outside getting their
nesting supplies from my backyard. I was delighted to paint what I call 'little
brown bird'. I think that I will be doing a few more of these birds in their brown attire.