Magia Bella: bella-magic.com

I skipped last month’s NaBloPoMo theme on “Change”, since I didn’t have the energy to write every day, and couldn’t see writing about “change” every day. Don’t think I can write on “want” every day either, but I’m thinking the whole subject/NaBloPoMo thing could be a good tool for spurring deeper consideration of thoughts and beliefs. Joining the NaBloPoMo wagon ride once more… see you in February!

photo credit: amanky

Am I excited about today? You betcherass I am! Welcome, PRESIDENT Obama!

And remember, folks:

“Government can only do so much. … we’re going to have to take responsibility — all of us.” - President Barack Obama

I’m still alive. Changes are afoot.

Mercury retrograde may be going on, but even if you don’t ascribe to the theory that the movement of the planets have a subtle effect on our lives, it doesn’t hurt to have a schedule of time set-aside during the year to regroup, revisit, and reorganize.

I am doing thusly.

From a personal journal: “The lesson being provided by this session of Merc Retro: ‘cool your jets’. Not just the usual ‘be prepared for delays and snafu’s’, but a yet another level of not assuming other people’s circumstances, reasons, motivations. I also have to let go of clinging to personal expectations and presumptions. Seeing how much my reactions are a chosen thing, and that in the space between realization, breath, and reaction, the opportunity for choice. To laugh, to cry, to let go, all or none of the above - there’s time for choice, and for freedom if and when I’m ready for it.”

Alora. So. Letting go of these things can be as easy or as a painful as you make them to be. Thankfully, it seems to be getting easier - at least, it is in this go ’round.

…Winter Solstice to those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, and Summer to the Southern. Be well, all.

photo credit: bandita

Okay, slightly later than first quarter. Work with me here.

It’s the usual refrain: working too much, not enough relaxing and reflecting. I’ve wanted to do some tarot readings for internal clarity; think I’ll go get the cards now while the household is asleep. A little kala would be good, too.

photo credit: much ado about nothing

So, what did I learn?

1. I’m not a spiritual pundit. Not that I ever thought I was.

2. My practice (for lack of a better word) is so internalized and, well, personal that it’s hard to write about it.

3. I strongly believe that each person has their own path to walk, and as such, feel odd writing anything that may resemble markers for others trying to find their path.

4. There was little-to-no humor coming through the posts. That is NOT my usual modus operandi. I need to get past “this is spiritual stuff, we must now put on our serious face.” (Serious Cat is Serious). As I’m writing this on November 26, you’ve probably seen a bit more relaxation and (gasp!) humor in the previous couple of posts.

I may set a reminder to post once a week, even if it’s just to write down the moon phase and what godself is trying to communicate through my thick skull. Oh, and I need to re-engage the sitting practice, but that has nothing to do with this blog. Well, yes it does, but no it doesn’t. Sorta. Nevermind.

I appreciate religion for providing forms in which to express our spiritual selves.

I do not appreciate religion giving us means in which to excuse our ugly behaviors.

Religion is a human-made container, and as such, reflects the best and the worst of who we are.

Let’s work on improving our religions, okay?

photo credit: Cellach

At the time of this posting, the US Thanksgiving holiday is being belched, farted, and slept out. Except, that is, for the midnight-madness shoppers at the outlet malls. I hope all that celebrated had a happy one.
photo credit: David Boyle

One of the many things I’ve learned from observing and celebrating seasonal changes is that not only is there a season to everything (duh), but the internal cycles of expansion and contraction should be honored as well. I’m noticing this as I go through the metric boatload of RSS feeds that I enjoy, but don’t have time to give proper attention. I need to expand personal time, and so need to contract informative yet distracting information sources. Time to distill it down to the most highly useful feeds.

You’d think that the cycle of Fall/Winter would also bring about a time of physically slowing down, but here in south-central Texas, the “winter” months are fantastic for getting work done around the property. It’s the overheated months of late Summer & early Fall that only the bare minimum should be done. Plants don’t like to grow during that time, and even the grass goes brown and dormant. This difference in traditionally observed seasonal activity provides a lesson: what other people or customs might say is a time of contraction or expansion should weighed by your own observations and needs.

I still have trouble allowing the contraction periods of life to work through their natural course. There’s always more to see and do. If I don’t contract and distill, however, the teacup will overfill.

Expand and contract. Lather, rinse, repeat.

photo credit: m0dlx

[Oh, and Happy Thanksgiving, U.S. readers!]

I was going stir crazy on Tuesday, and got out for a bit. Walked around the outlet mall, made a few small purchases. The cane made a clicking sound when I put pressure on it with each step: click… click… click. My steps were slow and measured, and my mind concentrated on working the cane in time with the injured ankle. It was a surprising, nicely meditative experience.

[my foot, my cane]