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Thursday, March 21, 2013

Spring Solstice in the midst of the lingering winter

I so wanted spring to come early.  Remember last year when we were already planting and enjoying the sunshine on the first day of spring.  Well, now I am sitting here writing this and listening to the winter storm warnings on television.
Last night I had a break and went to a Spring Solstice party.  A good friend has a great garden and yard in Springfield.  She invited some of us over and had Vera, an ordained priestess, preform a solstice ceremony to rid us all of the old energy of winter and introduce us to the renewing energy of spring. She did this with burning sage.
Vera, explained the four important elements.  Air, water, soil and sun ( or warmth).
The air or wind represents east or west.  It would depend , she pointed out, if you were on the east coast or west coast, because of the oceans.
Next was the water, same directional conformations as the air.
Soil represents the north and sun or warmth, from the south.
So, now we have the four major elements, we were to say the name of the Center that rules us.  I heard God, Energy, The Universe, The Source and Jesus uttered by those around me.  An eclectic group to say the least.
Next, Phyllis, my friend, whose garden it is, told us her vision for her space.  She has already put in a figure eight walkway and several cozy spaces to sit, each away from the other.  It reminds me a a personalized park.
Next we traded plants, seeds, plant starts, and produce (home ground) to link all of our spaces together.
We sang a song the priestess taught us about water, wind, sun and heart beats.
I loved it.
Then we went inside and had a party with wine, food and some of the most interesting talk I have listened to all winter.
It felt good to step outside my comfort zone and learn something new.  I look forward to doing it again next year and hope the weather cooperates more so we don't have to do an short  version.
I am so happy I have such an odd array of friends. I feel truly blessed.
All of you have a great day. If you have never grown any of your own food, make this your first year to do so.  Stop and smell the roses, it is sweeter if they are your own.

7 comments:

  1. That is awesome! Sounds like a fun party for sure! ;
    :) I love that everyone can embrace and celebrate in old ways and new. God is different to us all yet somehow the same ;) Life is good. Dig it!

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  2. Sounds wonderful. I used to conduct Full Moon ceremonies in Jan's back yard for friends. I called on Earth (north), Air (east), Fire (south) and Water (west). And also used sage. A great way to renew and cleanse. Hurry up Spring!

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  3. We want to have a ceremony out here when it gets warmer. Maybe you could do it for us. It was great

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  4. I've never heard of this but it's fascinating. What fun and a great way to respect the earth. You should put this in a novel or short story, Susan. Have a gardener or farmer as the MC and recreate this scene and many more.

    Also, Wanda, what the what?! Cool.

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  5. I'm looking at your photo of crocus and watching the snow falling outside. An interesting contrast!

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  6. WOW! Something I would loved to have attended. Your photo is beautiful.

    For my spring cleansing... I've totally revamped my creative space in the studio. Now if I could be so inspired to do the rest of the house LOL

    Spring Blessings!
    Kelly aka ~Rain

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