“Once upon a time, when women were birds, there was the simple understanding that to sing at dawn and to sing at dusk was to heal the world through joy. The birds still remember what we have forgotten, that the world is meant to be celebrated.”
~Terry Tempest Williams,
When Women Were Birds
🕊
Image: Linocut by Robert Gillmor
Saturday March 20, 2021 is Spring Equinox.
Time to celebrate Spring!
Dance a jig, say a prayer, light a candle,
make an offering to Gaia, sing to the trees…
Offer gratitude to Mama Earth.
Celebrate the turning of the seasons.
Spring is here.
🌱
#season #growth #rebirth
#grateful #wheeloftheyear #ritual
#joy #flowers #celebrate
#honor #sacredearth
#balance
This is an online shamanic gathering. Through a guided shamanic process, we will ask for guidance regarding how we can best honor and support the clearing, rebalancing and healing of Mama Earth.
All are welcome. Please note that this gathering will focus on tending the rivers and creeks of the Rocky Mountain Region.
Monday March 29, 2021 at 6pm MST
Online via Zoom
FREE
Led by Nancy Lankston
To take part in this powerful and beautiful group tending work,
please email nancy@sacredearthtribe.org and ask for a link to the Zoom gathering.
In these turbulent times, our communities need our support more than ever. We will gather in a space of non-judgment and compassion to journey together. We will ask for guidance from Spirit regarding how best to support our communities right now.
Tuesday February 9th, 2021 at 12pm MST
Online via Zoom
FREE
Led by Nancy Lankston
Create sacred ceremonial space in a quiet place where you will not be disturbed by other people or loud noises. Set up a small altar, light a candle, and have your shamanic tools nearby. You are welcome to rattle or drum along during the shamanic journey process.
To take part in this powerful and beautiful group work,
please go to SWB Event Page and sign up to receive the Event Link.
Winter Solstice is upon us in the northern hemisphere.
Our Earth has reached a transition point in its journey around the Sun (far right in the graphic above). Here in the north, our days have been getting shorter and shorter since summer. But now, the light begins to return to us. Our days will gradually lengthen and lighten until Summer Solstice in June (far left in the graphic).
At Winter Solstice, our ancestors paused to celebrate this seasonal shift and the return of life giving sunlight. Now is a time for earthy rituals.
Light a candle, say a prayer, walk in nature and offer our Earth and Sun gratitude for the alchemical magic of sunlight, water and soil that sustains us all.
🌞🌎
#CyclesandSeasons
#ReturnoftheLight
Image: Wikipedia
At the beginning of February, we celebrate a strange and wonderful holiday known as Groundhog Day. We are told that if the prophetic groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, sees his shadow on this day and runs quickly back into his burrow, winter will last at least 6 more weeks.
The idea of waiting and watching for the first inkling of spring is not new. The ancient Celts celebrated Imbolc in early February long before Groundhog Day existed. Celtic stories tell us that the Cailleach—the divine hag Goddess who rules over winter and death—gathers firewood for the rest of the winter on Imbolc. If the Goddess Cailleach wishes to make the winter last a lot longer, she will make sure that the weather on Imbolc is bright and sunny, so she can gather plenty of firewood. But, if Imbolc is a day of foul weather, it means the Cailleach is asleep and winter is almost over.
The Cailleach was worshipped by the Celts as the sacred Earth Mother in her bare winter form. And she is not just a dark and evil hag who arbitrarily decides how long winter will be. The Cailleach is also the Bone Mother who collects the bones of the animals that die in the winter. The Bone Mother is said to sing or pray or sleep over the bones all winter long. She does this out of love, so that the animals will cross over and can return as new life in the spring.
There is a magic to Imbolc and the early days of February. It is there, running just beneath the surface. Can you feel it?
Mama Earth holds the seeds of spring safe for us all winter. As the cold wind blows and the snow piles up, she holds them safe in her soil.
The wheel of the year is slowly turning towards spring and new growth. And beneath the surface of Mama Earth, the seeds are beginning to quietly stir. Spring is stirring in the ground beneath our feet.
☾☽
Imbolc is traditionally celebrated at the halfway point between winter solstice and spring equinox. In 2020, this halfway point falls on February 4.
Light a candle or two tonight, and offer up a simple prayer of gratitude in honor of Mama Earth and the return of spring.