This morning I learn an article a couple of lady who ‘forgot’ to mild one of many candles on the Menorah or what I might name the ‘Tree of Life’ for the Jewish celebration of Hanukkah which takes place over a interval of eight nights starting in December. I used to be struck by her concern as a result of she had forgotten one of many ‘guidelines’ and missed an evening. Twice over a interval of years…
Whereas studying her reflection I famous that she appeared to get near the underlying that means behind the lighting of candles (current in each extant custom) on the darkest time of yr – she believed that she was bringing mild into the literal darkness of evening and kindling the divine spark inside herself.
Ah, isn’t that the purpose behind our human have to mild candles no matter custom presently of yr?
After all, lengthy earlier than the appearance of candles humankind lit fires for heat, and lightweight, additionally reminding us that this time of yr we nonetheless have a good time the Powers of Fireplace, powers that embody the lighting up of the darkest nights. Right this moment we regularly use candles greater than open fires to specific that energy.
However again to this lady’s story. She remained involved that she hadn’t completed her ceremony ‘proper’. She concluded by saying that after studying to do the lighting ‘correctly’ she felt extra spiritually current and pleased with herself for ‘getting it proper’.
Hmmm…
My desires have taught me that ‘forgetting’, dreaming, or having the identical expertise twice earlier than or throughout ceremony signifies that there’s a message I have to pay shut consideration to as a result of some perception is attempting to develop into embodied. Was it attainable that Spirit was attempting to inform her that ‘forgetting’ to mild one of many candles on the ‘Tree of Life’ may a means of letting her know that what was vital was her intention to combine the sacred into her life in an embodied means with out worrying in regards to the guidelines?
Naturally I have no idea the reply to this query, however after writing and celebrating my very own ceremonies for roughly 40 years by drawing on my creativeness, many mythological traditions, and my very own experiences I’ve discovered that these winter rituals are fluid and what’s most vital is to pay attention and attend to the name (s).
Masking is a vital a part of winter festivals for a variety of causes. Evil hides in the dead of night, and it is a time to uncover that presence in oneself and in others. The creating and carrying of masks permits individuals to behave out shadow responsibly, establish vulnerability, conceal harmless selves behind the protecting protecting and to align oneself with the Powers of Nature to banish darkish forces whereas additionally with the ability to take part in different festive ceremonies, ought to one select.
Yearly appears to develop into more difficult maybe as a result of I get previous, but in addition as a result of with annually we appear to have sunk deeper and deeper into private and cultural denial with regard to what has develop into a suicidal relationship with ourselves and the Earth.
By making a masks I’m asking for assist to guard myself from malignant forces and to deal appropriately with the shadow components in my very own life, so I don’t get caught by them. I additionally hope that the creation of a masks will assist find me in a bigger context than my very own as a result of our tradition is self – destructing together with the creatures and vegetation that belong to the Earth. I remind myself that prefer it or not we stay interconnected. My intent is to acknowledge what is occurring in order that I’d assist open the door to artistic change, or maybe tougher, to bear witness to ‘what’s’ with out false hope.
My masks emerged from photographs I selected that ‘caught’ me although I didn’t know why. I initially selected the mandala. Over a interval of a couple of week I put three photos collectively in a collage, including feathers to the entire. I gained’t truly put on this masks as a result of the photographs I gathered are pasted on the cabinet, however the intent is there. I’m permitting the that means of mixed messages seep by my bodily understanding from throughout the room…
On the identical time my normal nervousness is operating excessive.
This suits with the central picture – the mandala that I lifted from the Abiquiu Information (thanks Carol if you happen to learn this). My sense is that I’m being drawn into the pressure discipline of a quickly spinning wheel – one that’s shifting too quick and goes each methods without delay. I must be current for no matter this implies. I do know nothing in regards to the mandala or who created it, however it could be Pueblo in origin as a result of I acknowledge the ability of the Nice and Little Bear within the stylized claws which are shifting outward from the middle vortex. Bears are above all probably the most highly effective Root Healers current through the Winter Ceremonies of the Pueblo peoples, in addition to being symbolic/concrete harbingers of demise and rebirth in all Northern Indigenous cultures. Though that is an summary picture I additionally ‘see’ jagged mountains shifting – presumably in reverse (the Mountain Mom?).
The impact of this mandala is unsettling due to its ambivalent spin, and since it’s sandwiched in the midst of the 2 different photographs my eyes go to it first. Under the collage is a inexperienced vining plant that I intentionally included as a part of the masking course of. Little by little the (private) that means behind this masks appears to be turning into clearer. My hope is that no matter is ‘mistaken’ right here will be contained or reversed. With the ability to nonetheless the chaos that swirls about may enable beneficent spiritually embodied forces to decide on a life affirming path in unison.
I’m not an energetic participant through the ‘vacation’ season even once I really feel lonely. I’ve made this alternative yr after yr as a result of I’ve an issue with a lot ‘stuff’, sentimentality, chopped up timber, and compelled collective cheer. I do word that I expertise heightened nervousness throughout this turning, maybe partially as a result of I’m being pulled into the collective towards my will. Prefer it or not as I mentioned earlier than, I’m related to the entire. I keep near house with my animals, write, watch birds, and create and have a good time my very own rituals. I work together with the shifting winter climate patterns whereas taking pleasure from the astonishing magnificence that surrounds me…
However most of all, I put my belief within the Knowledge and Energy of the Bears…
