The Quickening Moon - A Garden of Self

I stepped out onto the back porch the other night just about dusk and was struck by the most beautiful sight.  Just coming up in the East was the beautiful moon.  Although she was not entirely full until today, it was simply beautiful.  I stood there for some time just gazing at her.  I continued to go out throughout the evening and gaze upon her.  I love the way she lights the night.  The subtle glow that is everywhere.  Taking Winston outdoors before bed I gazed one last time at her listening to the bat sing his nightly song.  Such a peaceful moment.

The moon this month is known as the Quickening Moon.  A wonderful word to describe this time of the year.  The time just before the spring equinox.  Although many will say it is still winter, spring is already working her magic.  Deep down in the earth the seeds of the coming years flowers and more are awakening. 

The word Quickening means, the first sign of new life.  Those of you who have had the blessing of giving birth know that feeling when you first feel your wee one move.  Somewhat like a butterfly fluttering inside of you.  It is that moment when you realize the reality of the life you are carrying.  

The same is with the birth of Spring.  February brings a time when we first start to see the subtle signs of Spring and rebirth that it brings each year.  You will see the breaking open of the earth to help the bulbs planted last fall to come forth and climb towards the sun and life.  The trees begin their journey also.  Soon the Bradford Pears will start peeking out their tiny white flowers and before one knows spring will be evident everywhere.

A quickening is also at work in us as well.  As the wheel turns and we follow the seasons (some more than most) we know the feelings that each one brings us.  The quiet feel of winter as we retreat into inward reflection and silence.  Yet now spring or a renewal is at work in us as well.  Those of you who are sensitive to the changes know what I speak of.  You have felt it and those of you who have that stirring inside yet quite do not know what to call it... it is the quickening you are experiencing.  Open yourself up to the wonders of rebirth and an awakening of yourself as well.  Who knows what beautiful gardens you will grow this year, not only in the literal sense yet also in the sense of your garden of self.  blessings.

Yearning For Yule

Although this is the official first Yule I will celebrate, I do not think there will ever be a time when I long for it to come as much as I do now.  Samhain came and ended the year taking me into a time of reflection upon myself.  A time where I looked deep into my motives and desires.  Although it was journey that took me to some dark places, it also was a prosperous one and taught me much about myself.  Yet now I yearn for Yule when the time of darkness will let way to a time of coming light.  

It is hard to explain the contentment I feel inside myself as I have finally choosen the path I would travel at that fork in the road.  I dallied there way too long thinking I was moving forward when in truth I was only wandering around the same location for years.  Telling myself I was making progress when in truth I was moving nowhere.  It is good to be up again.  It is good to see new scenery, meet new friends...

This Yule represents a turning point for me.  A turning point to that which I should have been following.  I can tell that the path I choose was right.  I can tell that the darkness that was looming and at times completely engulfing  me is slowly lifting... Yule is but days away.... It comes slowly on the horizon with its sliver of silver.  It reminds me that each day is a new chance, a new opportunity to shed  the past, that which may be unwanted or unsightly; to create a new today, a new tomorrow. 

There are times when we must look inside ourselves and admit that there may be things, even things we may cherish and hold dear, that we must allow to pass and move on.  For it is with this death that we give way for newness to come into us.  It is with the passing of this darkness also that we give way to newness and light.  May this coming Yule fill each you with a sense of newness, a sense of purpose and a sense of love.  May you find that which you search for and wish for and dream for.  As we all know that dreams are born in the dark to be awakened and lived in the light. 

Blessing to all of you.