The first gift of the New Year to each of us is the
opportunity to bring forward the previous 21 day Winter Ceremonies and prepare
to step out with them toward building personal ceremony based on personal and
collective observation and experience. At this point it may not even be
entirely clear what this consists of … but, trust, that the wisdom and
knowledge that has been built and accrued in recent months will coalesce
and reveal itself in gentle increments as we seek to remember and 'remember to
remember'.
As we allow ourselves to be 'breathed alive' in this and the
coming New Year ... our time of scheduled community ceremony will happen where
we sit, lie and stand. The conclusion of this 21 day cycle is important and it
is important that it be met.
First, set some time aside for as uninterrupted a time as is
possible. It you need to break up your ceremony, just pick it back up as you
can. There is no wrong way to do it.
To begin, it is suggested that tomorrow, a candle be lit, from the east, for honor the deep, winter fire ceremonies. Greet the sacred herbs and ask for their help, then, 'fan' yourself off with the sage and sweetgrass … incense or wood fire smoke, cedar ... gather these things together, today, for tomorrow's ceremony.
Let us remember that our ceremonies have been directed
toward 'firing the seeds of inspiration' for the year to come. Let us remember
that we, too, are among tomorrow's seeds. At this point we, too, have revealed
ourselves to ourselves, we have seen and been truly 'seen', blessed, honored
and prayed over in 'ways' that only time and the coming seasons will reveal.
And, so, we begin by granting ourselves the gift of time while at the same
time, being 'breathed alive'.
It is into this very personal Circle of Awareness
that we now move, drawing and carrying the illuminating, energizing and warming
fire … into our deepest core intention of Life and Love ... the intention that
Life is meant to be lived in balance and harmony, all days, all ways, now and
forever more.
This Ceremony may include prayers to the Creator of fondly
held dreams and wishes, gratitude points for ourselves and others, as well as
the personal addresses. Endeavor to remain fluid and detached from outcome. Notice
what comes forward for greetings and acknowledgement as well, that which
emanates from our deepest soul, spirit, mental, emotional and physical sources.
Endeavor to observe and not judge. All things are in flux and dynamic
evolution which is and will continue to evolve positively as we breathe and
'are breathed alive' ... Resonate deeply with the chosen, worthy and desirable
'seeds of inspiration' that may reveal themselves as coming forward with us
into the mysterious and as yet, largely unknown future. But, this we know, the
most beautiful of these things, we are able to 'own' and sit with now, in the
'eternal present'. These things will be among the seeds, gifts and prophesies
we bring forward and among those that may await us in the coming year(s). For
we remember the old ones have said, 'that which you recognize, you own'.
Many will be feeling very full and perhaps 'pitched' in
certain ways. Moving into the Center Circle of Life, giving and getting Creative radiance
will offer Sanctuary until the next time we sit together. At that time we will
bring forward a very matured seed that will be eager for planting. The look
forward through the coming year, month by month, will be completed at that
time.
Now, the 7 days following New Year's Eve is a very important time during
which to extend the Quiet Time Activities and 'listen'. I will say no more.
This time is for ourselves, alone.
In the Spirit of Love and Light,
Grandmother
