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Another sense that we often overlook is sound.  Our world is so full of sounds that it can become noise.  By focusing on singular sounds, we can encourage a sense of calm and freedom.  For example, find a place where you can hear birdsong … then stop walking, close your eyes, breathe, and listen carefully.  Allow this natural music to fill your mind and take you to a still place.

In our everyday, we hear a lot of music. We tend to pick the same radio station or music tracks over and over again.   Try something different this month.  January is a great time to do something new.  So why not choose a music genre that you don’t usually hear.  And really listen.  Stop, close your eyes, breathe, and listen.  Allow your brain to engage with the new combinations of notes and tones.  This is like exercise for your sense of hearing.

Sound can also play an important role in meditation.  The resonance of tones are associated with centres in our bodies.  By creating the tone or even just listening to it, we experience a connecting and soothing affect.  The word AUM is made up of four tones ahhh-oooh-mmmm – then silence.   The first tone resonates in the lower body, the second in the centre body and the third in the head. These are followed by a moment of silence allowing the resonance to flow over your whole self.  Usually this is repeated three times.  Give it a go!

Yule is the celebration of the return of the sun as it rounds the corner from the solstice of the longest night of the year.   Of course, we have much winter yet to endure but the lengthening of the days ensures us that spring will return.  So think of this as a season of new light and clarity.  In the northern hemisphere, this is the middle of the dark season – a time when a community celebration is much needed; whether in ancient times or modern, the Yule season is a very welcome event.

Create your own seasonal altar to remind you of the coming light.  Many candles, sparkling ornaments and twinkling lights serve to let your friends and family know that the dark times will pass.  Your decor can include the evergreen plants such as pine, holly, and ivy.  The greens are accented with the red of the holly berry and the white of the mistletoe berry … often seen together as the mistletoe is a parasite plant to the holly tree.  These had symbolized  the blood of the Goddess and the sperm of the God for at this holy-day they come together again in the primordial sense. 

The Earth Goddess is in hibernation at this time, and so this is the season of the God.  The joy at the rebirth of the sun is a pagan model that has transformed into a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.  The God is the holly king, the Ghost of Christmas Past from the Dicken’s tale, or Santa Claus – joyful, robust and laughing.   The Goddess is beyond ancient, the wraith, the Ghost of Christmas Future – diaphanous, pale, and fragile.

Yule is a time to count your blessings – the sun is returning and with it hope for renewed clarity and fresh beginnings – mentally and spiritually. Blessed be to you and yours. 

The late fall is a season of slowing down … reflecting … preparing.  We can all use a break from the daily grind.   Take time to just sit with yourself.  If you have “busy mind”, try some deep belly breaths making your exhales twice as long as your inhales.

Do you remember nodding off at an event that went just a bit too long for you as a child — but you really, really wanted to stay awake and not miss anything.  Try now to close your eyes but pull them slightly open.  This allows your tears to soothe the eye and gives you a moment to just rest in the day.

Make some hot apple cider by steeping apple juice with cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves and cardamom.  The lovely brew is soothing on the throat.  The scent is calming to the mind.  And the taste is sweet but spicy.

Take care of yourself as the season changes from fall to winter.  The winds are harsher; the temperature is colder.  Let yourself be filled with breath, scent and peace.  Bright Blessing this Samhain season.  Namaste.

 

Oranges — so lovely at this time of year.  And they have so many uses — besides just eating them.   You can poke an orange with cloves  and place it in a beautiful bowl to let the scents of the two mingle for a natural freshener.  You can slice one and let the pieces dry in the oven to make a citrus potpourri.  Even the peels can add a wonderful zest to your cooking.  Just replace lemon zest with orange zest and give it a try.

Here is a great Halloween craft with oranges … instead of using pumpkins.   Just cut the top off and scoop out the fruit.  Then cut the eyes and mouth from the rind.  Place in a tea light and you have a cute mini jack-o-lantern that smells amazing.  As always, be safe with the candles.

Oranges … full of vitamin C and healthful phytochemicals.  It’s a good fruit for avoiding exposure to toxins because of the thick peel.  Naturally sweet and tasty, oranges are like candy from nature.  And the smell of an orange is uplifting and cheerful — in aromatherapy, orange is known as an antidepressant and anti-inflammatory essential oil.   Enjoy!

Samhain is all about respect for those who have passed.  The fall day’s are beautiful right now and it is a wonderful time to visit a cemetery.  As you wander among the stones, ponder the remembrances of all the people that piece of land has affected or influenced.

If you find a family plot or mausoleum, consider the stories of that family.  Remember the war dead or tiny children who have left this earth too early.  Notice that some graves are well tended;  others less so.  To honour the season, perhaps take care of a scraggly plot?  And certainly, pick up any litter you find.

This is also a good time of year to answer the questions of children about death and other mysteries.  In the bright sunshine, pass on your joy of life and respect for death.