Positive change comes when individuals, groups or countries open to possibility and let go of blind resistance and of resentment of “the other”. As Joe said “the opposition” is not the enemy. I would add from years of facilitating change and resolving conflict, two other aspects: Assume positive intent and drop the self-righteous anger. If you find yourself preferring to be right than preferring to have conditions improve, then guess what? You are perpetuating the problem.
Read MoreShamanic practice in its many forms include animals as spirit guides for a particular journey as well as guides that stay with you for life. Totems or fetishes are the physical representation of that animal that evokes the message of hope, support, and specific strengths a person can rely upon when needed.
Read MoreEarth is a word used to label the tiniest bit of dirt and also used as a synonym for the entire planet: micro to macro perspectives. Earth includes the oil, coal, wood, and minerals we extract from it for fuel; the crystals we mine for scientific application, for jewelry and for healing; the plants and trees that make life possible, etc..
Walking the land, grounding ourselves, and allowing the energy of the earth to enter our bodies balances and heals us.
Read MoreIn fact, time and time again, the ancient Celts honored the three-fold stages of life that are represented in our every breath: intake, still point, and release. Try it yourself. Take a few breaths, mindful of each stage. On the fourth breath, stop at the still point and rest there for a bit. Notice how centered you are, how present in the moment. As the song said “Find a stillness, let that stillness carry me.”
Read MoreThe Celts saw Nature and God as One and saw themselves as One with Nature. The elements brought both calm and storm. Neither was taken for granted, both calm and storm were part of life. Both the inner and outer world were also One. The elements brought messages through the calm and the storm. The individual and community embraced these messages and learned from their experiences. There is such wisdom in such a perspective on life.
Read MoreToday is Labor Day here in the USA. It is a great day to reflect on the meaning of work, labor, and life’s purpose. After the “time-out” provided by Covid-19, my hope is that you will have had a chance to reflect on your work, its meaning and what aspects are important to you at the deepest level of your being.
Read MoreAs I write this looking out at a lake that is calling me, I am reminded that I started this blog to recommend a fun, summer read for Celtic enthusiasts.
Read MoreWe all need “soft days in the fresh” to take stock, ground ourselves, and connect with Nature. Sometimes Nature and the Universe hand such a day to us on a platter. Other times, we need to seek out that place. Perhaps, a walk into a woods, perhaps an old-fashioned lemonade under a shade tree, or dipping one’s toes in the water.
Read MoreWhen I was in high school, yearbooks had captions under each senior’s name. One that was often used was “Music soothes the most savage beast, but I play the drum.” It is actually a misquote. The original was “Music has charms to soothe the savage beast. To soften rocks or bend a knotted Oak.” (Congreve).
Either way, the point was: there is a power to music, especially the drum, that goes back to ancient times. That power may express or incite anger, soothe, or even heal. The simple beat of a drum can do any or all of those. We might first think of the beat of a bass drum or the rat-a-tat of a snare drum in a parade or military marching band. The Scottish tattoo is classic as are other pipe and drum songs, like “When Johnny Comes Marching Home.” Or we might think of the electrified drum beat of hard rock.
Read MoreI had never thought much about how the stars and planets align and what that might mean for my life and the life of our planet. In the last month, there was tremendous celestial activity: three eclipses. The power of the skies was not to be ignored.
Read MoreI find it intriguing and ironic that we are now beginning to see that the Ancient Ones understood and used energy in ways that are just coming into our awareness. You don’t have to visit ancient sites to open to this awareness. A walk in the woods, sitting in a garden or watching a sunset can do it.
Read MoreMy journey to Ireland this spring was cancelled. It was not until a couple of weeks into our stay-at-home status, that I realized I was on an inner journey, just as rich and meaningful as I had hoped to have visiting my beloved stone circles. While I was home alone, I was not alone in having an experience of inner exploration. After zooming and teleconferencing and webinar chat room sharing, I realized that I needed to be journaling this journey just as I would a trip to Ireland. So many observations, insights and ahas!
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