From Dark to Full Moon and all the hearts in between

Imbolc, Valentine's day, Dark Moon, New Moon, Waxing Moon, almost Full Moon. The cycles of renewal this February are so pink and cozy. It seems that right after celebrating Imbolc the world gets its groove back on and the Sun emerges ...

I really enjoyed a little feast and reflection with my ladies last week. I was happy to find a banner from all my research and reflection on the holiday last year: Brigit, Mother Goddess, midwives, breast-feeding, festival of hearth, home, healers, Imbolc, poets, wisdom (hazel) & beer. Our cozy group of five spent time thinking about our maiden selves and reflecting on the qualities that we possessed at the height of our youth. Then using a bit of divination and poetry we described to each other how our current mother selves could incorporate some of the best maiden aspects from our past into our current lives. In that way we really felt like we were bringing about that renewal that the earth goes through at this time in our own spirits.

After celebrating the festival of Imbolc with my ladies, I headed out to George's Fabulous Roadhouse (made the top ten clubs cbc radio 3 list in 2009) to see a

big line-up of male rawkers! It was fun to translate the intimate celebratory atmosphere into a bigger space and feel the greater mood of my community. It was a big line-up with four bands and the crowd really loved our hometown boys The John Wayne Cover Band.

Then the beautiful Sackville, New Brunswick lovefest; The Sweetest Little Thing. My six year old was a really spectacular date. We looked at the huge amount of sweetest little art works for auction, played the cakewalk and won two beautiful cakes, got fantastic polaroids in the photo booth and laughed and danced with friends. We even won a door prize of a big fabulous bouquet from the new local florist Bloom. The next day we ate way too much cake at a little tea party..... Please do enjoy the rest of the winter and our cherished cozy times.

Christian Roots

My Easter Altar, baskets for searching and a few delicious chocolates hidden away for Sunday or Monday:

My altar has some craft pom poms that we will use during this extended break from school. A little lamb from a craft at Imbolc, also a lot of lamb imagery used in Christian teachings. A gardening book to get me thinking about what small plant projects I can take on this year, my thumb is far from green. My lovely mother angel. The box with a medieval cross on it was previously full of cards that I have almost finished giving out in the past 5 or so years. Now its home to a lovely art game, a great reminder to play many games this weekend.

I really enjoyed Palm Sunday at church with my sons & mother. For my spiritual path I have found it essential to attend a Christian church. I want my children to understand and appreciate our heritage and make their own decisions. All sides of our family tree has very strong Christian roots, thus it is important for us to examine and celebrate Christianity together. Hosanna! How beautiful it was to see all the kids dancing around the church pews with palm leaves, smiling and everyone singing together.

I am still getting a few pages of Mary Daly in every few days, the baby has had a bad cold & teething fever. It feels very right to be reading this radical feminist theologian as my Lenten project.

I wish everyone a lovely Break as families gather together and spend time breathing in the new fresh season of renewal. Just finishing up another batch of Spring is here, Bunnies and good cheer Greek Butter cookies.

Love Heidi

the wheel of the year- sharing creativity

Chinese New Year & the New Moon are coming up this weekend. I really enjoy when many differnet traditions share holidays so all the hearts and love of valentines mingling with the arrival of the Year of the Tiger is exciting and invigorating. Its clear to me that the Chinese luni-solar year starts with the New Moon so as to promote entering a new phase or year with a clean slate and the best possible conditions for growth. Goodbye Ox and Welcome Tigress, I am planning a feast.

I received my cards right after attending a great little playgroup with my baby Ferguson.

Here in my town everyone goes to the post office and opens their own box. After I saw the package from Texas I waited until I was outside in the wind to open it and and found three bright hand stamped cards celebrating Imbolc, New Beginnings and Spring/Sun. I was really happy to get three cards as I have spent a lot of time meditating on the maiden/mother/crone aspects of Brigid during this holiday. In my preparations and studying for the celebrations I invited Brigid into my home/hearth with a steady flame and much creative thought this very chilly Canadian February. Even though we are still in the midst of snow and frost, the days have been getting longer which seemed the most noticeble right after Imbolc. There have certainly been a lot of new beginnings for me recently and I feel I have been able to face them with strength and imagination. With patience and faith I await Spring and the renewal it brings