Lammas

Traditionally, Lammas celebrates the first harvest, the first fruits and the first loaf of bread. The hours of daylight are shortening as the Sun God begins to reduce his power and gives way to the Moon Goddess
. The plants begin to drop their seeds in preparation for the oncoming winter to restart the cycle of birth and creativity once again.

So too, can we plant our seeds for growth by manifesting our dreams and desires. Spend time in nature, listening, smelling and observing. It is a good time to be familiar with the foods that we eat and their connection to the earth.  Give thanks and be grateful for individual prosperity as well as the abundance of beauty provided by Gaia.

In celebrating Lammas, we give thanks and honor the Sun God for all that we receive and share amongst family and friends. Similarly, we can reflect on our achievements and give thanks and honor ourselves.

Blessed Be.

December

It’s December. In the Southern Hemisphere we recently celebrated the Summer Solstice – the longest day of light. Although where I live the skies were filled with grey, looming clouds and much rain, I could still feel the brightness earlier in the morning and later each evening.

The Christian celebration of Christ’s birth has also just passed. What was once a gathering of family and friends to enjoy a meal and each others company has now become a commercial event towards materialism, heightened by capitalism. The focus of this humble celebration has been lost to societies expectations with so much pressure for people to spend more and more each year.

For me, this time of year has been incredibly stressful. I decided to step away from the chaos and I asked myself what it was that I wanted. At a time when the world is in the midst of a financial shift, it would be so much easier to bring love and joy into not only this festivity, but into every day. It was amazing to feel the relief once I decided to be true to myself, instead of what others wanted of me.

As I reflect back on the year that is almost past, I am astounded and forever grateful for the blessings I have received. Now, I begin to think about my intentions for the energetic and fruitful year that will no doubt be 2012.

Blessed be. 

11.11.11

What an amazing day last Friday was. I felt the energies creeping up towards something special the night before. So many wonderful events taking place all at the one time, it is no surprise this was indeed a special day which included: 

• World Peace Day; 
• Remembrance Day for our war veterans; 
• 11th day of the 11th month of the 11th year. Numerologists everywhere will agree that this is very significant. On it's own, 11 is considered a master number but three of them together is very magical; 
• a full moon; and 
• as believed by some, the dawning of the new Age of Aquarius. 

 I felt a very calm and peaceful energy around me all day. I started my day with my usual morning yoga and we welcomed the full moon at 7.17am as it set high in the sky, but not luminously visible. That night, I was lucky enough to attend a yoga meditation, chant, gong and healing circle. The energy around my fellow yogi's was that of true love and healing. At 11.11pm, we mustered some more energy with our chanting to welcome the new age, the Age of Aquarius.

There are many philosophies and ideas as to when the Age of Aquarius actually starts. My theory is that the energies are strong regardless if it is was on 11.11.11, or will be on 20,12.2012 or even a few years after that. It doesn't really matter because the unification and harmonisation of Mother Earth is strong and increasing all the time as more people become consciously aware.

Follow your heart

When Steve Jobs passed away, the world mourned. Apple friend or foe, he was widely recognised as a brilliant man who did everything he could to make improvements and changes to the world. And he did. 
 


I received an email with a transcript he had written during his time of recovery. I found it to be quite profound and I was pleased that he had taken the time to write the words. Towards the end of his note, this is what he wrote:

“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary." Steve Jobs

This resonated with me in such a way that I keep re-reading it.

I think about my own life and see the reality this dogma. The dogma of society, where I fulfil the expectations and desires of others. I wake up each day before I get ready for work and I wish that it was already over, as it is at the end of the work day that I am able to do the things that make my heart sing. I am grateful that I have begun to make the changes, that I am moving towards living a life that is true to me.

In our hearts we truly know what we are to become, all that we can be and all that we can do. It only takes a few moments of our time to stop, to listen and to be aware. That little voice that keeps suggesting we make changes is intuition and by listening to this inner wisdom, we are following our heart. 
 

Beltane

Beltane. A celebration of love and creativity. 


In the Southern Hemisphere the wheel is reversed while our Northern friends experience Samhain. On both sides of the planet the connection to the spirit world is stronger allowing greater communication.


Father Sky fills the days with more light and warmth. Mother Earth is fertilised and we see life regenerated amongst nature. 


I like to bring this renewal of energy into my life with creativity and joy. I give thanks for the opportunities and abundance that I have and I give thanks for those that I am about to receive. 


Like the wheel, our lives constantly turn with new creations, new opportunities, new beginnings, new love. Beltane is time to open the heart to receive joy, love and creativity that is destined to be ours.

Detox

I'm detoxing and although I am not a stranger to this process, I find each time I do them I learn something about myself. I become connected to my mind and body, and I learn to listen to my inner wisdom even more than before.

A few months ago, I did a ten day juice detox. It was quite intensive with only juices, no shakes or solid food of any kind. The same week that I started the weather changed into an unpredicted and early cold snap. I used lots of ginger and drank lots of herbal tea, but it didn't seem to help. After seven days, I felt miserable from being constantly cold and hungry. I realised it was time for me to transition out.

This 28 day detox is much gentler with lots of green smoothies and yummy salads. You could say that I have just eliminated bread, coffee, alcohol and any other foods that don't fall into the fruit and veg category. Since I don't eat meat and generally maintain a 70-80% raw vegan diet anyway, this shouldn't be too hard. However, the first three days were hard as my body immediately dispelled toxins resulting in irritability and headaches. I knew that once I came through the elimination phase I would feel light and energised.  

Similarly, just as I began this program a cold change in the weather prevailed and has hung around. The cold has not really bothered me this time but at the midway mark I was low in energy and hungry. I contemplated quitting but have instead decided to continue and gradually add some nuts, seeds, goji's and other super foods to ease back into my usual routine. I feel satisfied with this decision as I know it is the right one for my body at this time.

I am now into my third week and I feel great. My skin looks clear, I've lost a little bit of weight - certainly the high carb and alcohol pudge I had accumulated has gone. And I have learnt that for me personally, detoxing during colder weather is difficult. Detoxing whilst working a full time job is also hard. Whilst it is good to give the organs a rest from heavy foods, it is ideal to attempt this when rest, meditation and yoga can be taken as and when needed. 

Choices

Every day we are each faced with choices. What to eat? What to wear? Who to call? And when?

Even on my yoga mat I find I have choices every time I step onto it. What is my intention for this practice? How do I feel today? Will I push forward with energy to rejuvenate and explore new aspects of the asana? Or will I modify my practice, maintaining strength and alignment, to nurture and nourish my body and mind?

I find the biggest choice I have to make is ‘how will today be for me?’

Instead of pondering the question, I think only of the answer. I choose to have a great day. I choose to feel amazing and share love.

If I repeat this as a mantra each day, once, twice, three times or even fifteen times – as many times it takes to believe it.

Believe it and it will be so.