For Eva. A Lingering Solstice We measure the solstice and equinox by scientific means. Not all things happen exactly as planned on the date preordained. One thing that I noticed this year, and other years before, is a lingering solstice. Practice and observance A lingering season may affect an ongoing practice. My own practices are slightly fluid, and do occasionally change depending upon the High Day, but an important part of one’s practice is more than just the “doing”. It... Read more
Everyday is (Earth) Mother Day Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity to say, “thank you.” Thank you is the perfect way to rebuild or maintain already existing relationships. For those with daily devotional practices, especially if those practices include the Earth Mother, they should be used to thanking her daily for her bounty. For those with living Mothers, while you may have called them on Mother’s Day, make sure to call them today. Call them to say “hello;” call them... Read more
The Physiology of Wonder An Eclipse Reflection The experience of the eclipse is something I will never forget. The memory of that event will stay with me always. I have never seen anything like that before. The feelings it evoked, however, were very familiar. We have all had experiences with the unexpected and the unexplainable. Many of us are taught at an early age to rationalize away those experiences with a shake of the head, and subtle denial, and the... Read more
The Far Side of the River When I went to see my mother yesterday, I knew the end was near. I really felt that her spirit had already moved on, but the body mechanics were still in place. In looking back over the last week or so, I had a lot of time to think while sitting with my mother. We didn’t share the same spirituality. She was a Roman Catholic, a European one, and a rather devout one. I,... Read more
Standing at the River’s Edge (Part 2) I made plans to take the Amtrak on Friday. I love taking the train; I always have and always will. My ticket bought, I upgraded to a “Roomette”, and made plans to leave bright and early on Friday morning. I received a telephone call telling me that I had better arrive the next day. I cancelled my train ticket and headed out on the road the next day, early. Arrival Arriving at the... Read more
Standing at the River’s Edge (Part 1) Due to a series of events, this February has me standing at the river’s edge, and thinking about the ever-flowing river. Often, we are a part of the river’s flow. On occasion, we can step outside of those waters and think about the broader implications of the passage of the river, the passage of time, and the passing of people from our lives. My mother’s 99th birthday has been moving closer and closer,... Read more
What’s So Special About the Nature Spirits An Imbolc Question An Imbolc Question comes to mind: what is so special about the Nature Spirits? As the deep freeze of winter, here in the Midwestern United States, sidles up to Imbolc, I think about the Spirits of Nature. I always say that the Nature Spirits teach us about the cycles of life. We see it in the reflection of Nature around us that the changing of the seasons is the story... Read more
The Day Without a Year When I was younger, studying with my mentor, they called the Winter Solstice “The Day Without a Year”. For them, they felt that this was at the end of one year and the beginning of the next. While this day is important in our 365.25-day solar calendar, I think of it fondly, each Winter Solstice. My birthday is also this time of year, on the 26th, and I have always felt that it exists... Read more
Agnostic on Proof I step into Nature every day. Let me say that a different way: I step from Nature, more deeply into Nature every day. I do not see this event as a movement from outside of the realm of Nature into it. This is not an outsider move. I do not see myself as outside of the realm of Nature Spirits, but right there, with them. Am I different than the trees in the forest? Yes, while... Read more
Three Prayers for Samhain Samhain is the Season’s End, and we naturally think about other endings. We think about those that we have lost, in the world around us. This includes any creature or spirit in the world, anyone that has lived on this green earth. These could be humans, animals, insect friends, imaginary friends that are no longer with us – any such spirit. There are many ways of interacting with the Ancestors. The easiest and most frequently used... Read more
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In