Halloween Post

Samhain Tanka

 Journey to within;

time to look beyond the Veil.

The Crone is calling.

What is past will now come forth

to search for a place to rest.

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Samhain - pronounced "Sawain" because Gaelic makes no sense - is the fall celebration to remember ones ancestors, release what no longer serves you, and prepare to rest and heal during the Winter to rise again in the Spring. 

It is the time when the Veil between our world and the Other World - the Sídhe (pronounced "Shee" because, hey, Gaelic), the Realm of the Faeries/Fae - is the thinnest. It is referred to by some as the Witch's New Year.

Shooting Stars

Just a short post before the meteor shower tonight!
Whenever I watch a meteor shower, I have a strange experience. I can hear the meteors.
This probably sounds like something I'm making up, and maybe it is just an overactive imagination, but I really do hear the meteors. They sound like if wind chimes and a slide whistle had a baby. That's honestly the best I can describe it. Maybe I'm just subconsciously romanticizing the situation?
I also hear snow falling, but other people have confirmed that they hear it, too. Only when I talk about the sound of shooting stars do people look at me like I'm crazy.
I always look forward to the Perseid Meteor Shower. I think that it might be because it always occurs the week before my birthday, though.

Music of the Stars Haiku  

 Symphonic Cosmos;

unheard sounds burst into light.

Can the Heavens weep?

Red Birds

My Grandma Gardner and I had an inside joke about cardinals. She remembered this, even after several strokes. She could no longer recognize who I was, but the link between me and cardinals remained. The last time that I saw her before her departure of this world, she looked at me and said "you like red birds, don't you?"
I often visit my Grandma Gardner in dreams. It wasn't until recently that I realized she has been visiting me here for some time. I was thinking about totem animals (as I often do) while driving in my van, going about 10 mph over the speed limit. Suddenly, a cardinal flew into the road in front of me, and I slowed down for fear of hitting it. It was nothing unusual - cardinals always fly out in front of my van. Then, it dawned on me. Cardinals always fly out in front of my van specifically when I'm driving way to fast.
Sorry, Grandma G; I didn't mean to make you worry. I'll stop speeding.

Red Bird Haiku  

 Wings like candied fruit

guide me safely down the road.

Singing songs of home.

Dark Moon

A lot of people refer to the Dark Moon as the New Moon. This is a common misconception - how can something be new if it has not yet begun? I don't go around correcting people, but I do my best to refer to it correctly and to be ready with an explanation for those who ask. When the Moon is cloaked, this is the Dark Moon. The first Waxing Crescent after the Dark Moon is the New Moon. I suppose it doesn't really make a difference - these are only Human titles - but for my purposes, I wanted to explain what I meant when referring to the Dark moon.
I love the energy of the Dark Moon. I was told years ago that the Dark Moon is not time for Magik. I now do not necessarily believe this to be true. I use it as a time of preparation and recovery of energy. I also use it as a time of study and appreciation. The Dark Moon is my time to refresh and rejuvenate all aspects of my being and spirit.
It is associated with the Crone who, in turn, is associated with wisdom. It is not a time to be afraid, but a time to put faith in the Moon's power and trust that it still shines on us though we can't see it. It is when what is done can be ended, and what has yet to be can begin.

Dark Moon Haiku  

    Pearl-studded blue gown,

made even more radient

by the Moon's non-light.

Chaos and the Universe

Today at Service, we had a guest speaker come in and talk about the Law of Attraction. One of my favorite Laws, and the one I have the most trouble with.
I love it because it's so easily proven; I have trouble with it because I too often use my Vibrations for others and find myself getting the short end of every stick. I never seen to have enough left over for myself, but I always seem to find plenty to give. This, I find, is a common problem. Maybe it's because it's not actually a problem? Perhaps we spend all our energy on others because we are not meant to heal ourselves, but to find someone else to spend their energy on us?
That would be the nature of Chaos, wouldn't it? One cannot harness it, but can only work with it. Chaos can be influenced, but never changed. Lets have three cheers for dichotomies!

Sparkly Tanka 

 Let it be lit up -

the twinkle we cannot see;

the brightness we feel.

Invite electricity;

razzle-dazzle when we hug.

Wild Womanhood

UPDATE: Some one is at my office building to fix the AC, and he is my new hero. Seriously, I'm about ready to marry this guy.
As I prepare for some car camping with friends this weekend (which will be so luxurious in my mini van), I can't help but think about Wild Woman philosophies. I am inherently drawn to the aspects of Wild Womanhood, but there are a few things standing in my way of achieving it. For one thing, I am self conscious about my physical body. I exercises it constantly, but there are certain things about it that cannot be changed. My body consciousness is psychological, and irrational, and not my fault. It's not vanity that's my problem, I promise. Once I learn to accept my body and exist outside of it, I will be on my way to Wild Womanhood!
Wild Womanhood is one of those Tao concepts that I love so much, but it essentially means being free to exist as you are simply because you do. Something we all want, and maybe some of us have it, but another concept needs to be set into motion to achieve this state: Harmony. To be truly Wild you need to live in Harmony. One needs to exist Harmoniously with themselves, others, Nature, technology, Past, Present, Future, and all the Chaotic Vibrations. It sounds arduous, but I bet it's not. I think it's one of those great "ah-ha" moment. This path probably doesn't have stepping stones; Wild Womanhood is more like a river than a path. Eventually I'll leap off that waterfall at the end.

Moving River Haiku

 

Shiver in the rush;

flowing regardless of me.

The water is cold. 

 

 

 



Thank You, Super Moon!

Ah, Super Moon. I loved the Super Moon. It was pretty much just awesome for me. Again, I will use the concept of Tao and not attempt to find words for how lovely and migikal the Super Moon was. I'm also typing this at work, so I need to be brief and discreet.
It gave a lot of things to a lot of people, and came at just the right time for me. I needed an energy pick-me-up in this time of personal transition.

 

Super Moon Haiku

 

Bringing Dawn to Dusk,

swollen with bright, joyous beams.

Harder not to dance.



Active Peace (in the OutDoors)

If there's one thing I've learned, it is that Peace is not natural. Chaos is natural; Peace is about accepting the Chaos and being/molding yourself to conform to your personal Chaos. This doesn't make much sense, but that's because the Peace I'm discussing is an ideal not to be defined by words.
In the essence of time and being not confusing, I'll simply describe it a Tao. Those of you familiar with Zen practices should recognize this term; Tao is to be obtained, but not necessarily understood (kinda, sorta).
To apply this ideal to Nature - which I do - some deep re-understanding is required. First, we all need to remember that we're animals. Humans are just big-brained animals. We NEED to be outside. Don't get me wrong, I like to watch movies and play video games as much as the next person, but not being outside is detrimental to humans.
There's a term: Nature Deficit Disorder. A lot of people think it's bull, but it suggest that behavioral and cognitive problems in youths can be linked to the amount of time spent indoors vs. outdoors. Based on my own experiences as a person with severe ADD and manic depression, I know that at least and hour of outdoor time is more important to my stability than my cup of morning coffee. But you can read more on that by yourselves. Anything by Richard Louv (the man who coined the phrase), especially his book "Last Child in the Woods", or my personal favorite (especially for getting in touch with the Tao of Nature) "Coyote's Guide to Connecting with Nature". I'd force the latter upon camp counselors - there's a whole section of nature connection games at the end that are stupendously fun!
http://www.plt.org/why-environmental-education-is-important

 

Natural Student

 

Lessons never taught

are always the ones best learned.

Listen to what's there.