A bit about Feng Shui

First, it is impossible to report just a bit about Feng Shui.   It is a much involved metaphysical study that scrutinizes your home, the land around it and the relationship each individual occupant has to the present time, the evolving time, the time the home has endured and also the way energy is permitted into the home. Chi is observed to see how it reacts to the shapes, colours, elements and design of each individual room and the pathways that are created or blocked between them. 

You cannot master Feng Shui at a weekend workshop or by reading a few books.

In Eastern Philosophy Feng Shui is also interpreted in conjunction with other kinds of luck that are characterized by astrological and heavenly influences.  Feng Shui is not... simply about hanging crystals, mirrors or other trinkets and it is not entirely about power and wealth.  

I’m certified in traditional feng shui.  I have also interviewed or have been affiliated with every major school of thought or practice. I have reported on the subject matter thru written magazine articles and television programming. Most importantly, I have lived through several feng shui audits myself. 

There is a huge population of believers. There exists great controversy in perceived rules and regulations. There are many disputes about how energy patterns ought to be identified, manipulated and dealt with. 

Nothing is absolute.  All is merely probable and then it changes. 

There are no perfect homes.  We are drawn to our homes for unknown reasons and like the children who become our offspring…. we have nominal choice should they be brilliant, disobedient or challenged in anyway. We can try our best,  but our only true choice is how we manage these circumstances and feng shui can be a coping strategy. 

A learned practitioner eventually understands that even negative energy patterns aid a person in their spiritual growth. Aggressive and overconfident chi can boost the timid. Sick and melancholy stars may influence the healer. Even destruction can be a blessing in disguise for without a catalyst, rebirth is not a possibility.  

Reporting on Feng Shui Philosophy

Like any other divination reading (like tarot/iching) feng shui is a re affirmation of the life you are already living. The worst thing a practitioner can say is “sell your house immediately!”   I believe your family members and home found you. You are the integral link. 

You cannot ever blame your house, the neighbours or God. You can however, make the best of the potential your house has to offer and learn to embrace the potential in a mature and appreciative manner.  Interestingly, you will find that if you own multiple buildings; businesses and vacation properties... you will note that energy combinations repeatedly present themselves. 

I would say that, the good inside you comes from the life you have already lived and is shaped by the acceptance of the energies you are given - but by all means, if you can identify and adjust those energies to bring yourself success and happiness then  - go right ahead - learn to support and modify energy.  Think of Feng Shui's chi identification the same way you would internal chakras and chi we unblock in acupuncture. 

Believing you can create abundance symbolically  - generally makes it so.  We can heal our selves and our homes but living, the healed life is truly a state of mind.  

Feng Shui is just one of many spiritual luck decoders.  It is custom in some cultures, a ritualistic exercise to follow with many and most certainly,  a very strong belief. 

More about your author's link to Feng Shui Philosophy  

A bit about Traditional Christmas Foods

Serving Christmas Pulla

I’m from Northern Ontario. Rural Sudbury, as a matter of fact.  Pretty much everyone I knew was Native, Finn or French Canadian… or a combination of the the three. There were other people- but I didn’t know them. Or at least, I didn’t know them well. 

I’ve been a resident of Southern Ontario for (gasp) 39 years, been with my partner who is French Canadian for 24 years. Did I adapt all his cultural traditions from Montreal, Quebec? … NOPE.  Well, some - but it’s all about what I call mine.  I do the cooking. I am the Mom. 

Every cultural background has their traditional food - Finns have Pulla Bread. It’s yeasty and tastes of cardamom. It takes forever to make, is messy but takes up enough hours to make it a ritualistic exercise in custom and seasonal belief. Even when it dries up (as it will shortly) I feed it to the birds. That’s my seasonal custom. 

Gather Ingredients 

Let it rise

Extra Points if Kids look Finn

Divide into loaves

Dynamics of family change.  What remains? Family tradition and Christmas food. One day my children will (hopefully) remember My Pulla and Christmas meals, as I remember my Moumma’s. (Grandmother’s).

My Christmas Pulla

Glaze 

Mom shapes Christmas Tradition

It’s the end of the year, it’s cold and the grand finale is being planned and executed.  

I’m the "Mom the Matriarch" and there’s a certain awe in that revelation.  My Children are now young adults.  My own birth Mother and Mother in law do not - will not - have not been the Matriarch for the Holiday season in decades and my Partner and I, have realized that we are and always have been, the ones our offspring look upon to shape our family’s Christmas tradition. 

I didn’t always realize I was the catalyst of how our rituals, customs and holiday celebrations play out. I’ve written before about the Winter Solstice.  I truly respect the evolution of astrological and environmental changes this pivotal time brings.  I have also shared how my family has come to know Christmas. It’s about scholarly debate; traditional & commercial rituals.  

When our children were little, everything revolved around Santa, that great Spirit (I explained) who like a ghost, came into our lives to bestow gifts upon them, because he represented love and cherishing.  We invited extended members of the family that we barely saw through out the year - because it was tradition. I did that for the children… so they would know grandparents, aunts or uncles.

Santa "Ghosts" the Spirit of being Loved & Cherished

Over the years we established routine and modified it a few times, because our family dynamic -like everyone else’s - was subject to change.  What remains today for us, is celebration and commercialized gift giving on Christmas Eve and feasting on Christmas Day. Even the birds are fed special on Christmas Day.  I hope my Children have noticed that.  Some of my Partner’s French Canadian customs are honoured and some of my Finnish roots are - subtly played out throughout the season and I believe there is now a comfortable traditional compromise that pleases us all.

What Christmas has come to be, for us... is

when we spoil our children with gifts,  drink more wine than usual and put great emphasis on the traditional meal that we share. 

A bit about the Autumn season

Melancholy is the season, from warm to cold

Autumn is the outcome as summer harvests and lives unfold. 

Every Autumn we celebrate harvests and participate in life and death celebrations.  Children go back to school, back to seriousness and we all stock pile our summer traditions and outdoor belongings as we get ready to hunker down for the onslaught of winter.  

There’s a sense of ending when Fall comes. Isn’t there?  We don our snuggly woolies and venture out to enjoy the spectacular changing of the leaves.  Each September I feel older; my kids are in a higher grade, and our homestead just experienced another year of decay.

Of course I’ll be participating in many fall festivals, the life/death celebrations and the giving of thanks, but I’ll also adopt a more reflective state of mind.  Maturity? Perhaps that’s it. Acceptance? Yes, Autumn is the time of year that people come to terms with the reality that they have created. Choices, whether self imposed or forced by others- come to fruition in the autumn months. Is it any wonder that this is the time selected for government elections?  Make a choice and stick with it - 

reap what you sow. 

So with the approaching chilly nights, I myself will dispose of my porch’s summer florals and replace them with Autumn dry & preserved imitations. I will vote for the term ahead for governing parties, I will plan my thanksgiving traditions and will set aside time to remember  the death of the season, the passing of many lives and the resting nature of the earth and I'll do it from the comfort of a warmed home and comfy couch.  Does red wine not taste any smoother, than in the folds of Fall?

Autumn Years Ago/Falling Forward.  Blogger's own Children when they were wee.

A bit about Spiritual readings and the like.

It’s a broad industry.  For centuries the divinely skilled (or fraudster) has made money, traded goods, gifted, awed, shocked and advised their way into global acceptance that for the most part - there are indeed some people who can relay messages based on magic, intuition, coincidence or etherial spirt.

I believe.  I think everyone can experience the phenomena, at least once in their life.  I just don’t believe that all psychic medium/channels/spiritual advisors are 100% accurate and belong on one of the prestigious tested | certified American lists like;  www.bestamericanpsychics.com  www.globalpsychicsolutions.com       www.foreverfamilyfoundations.com  www.certifiedpsychicsociety.org 

There are no certifiable associations in Canada. Certainly they'll be many such organizations in Europe and beyond and I’m sure the tools used will be different like using the iChing, feng shui and shaministic practices.

An intuitive reading is dependent on a tool that allows the reader to to pick up subtle meanings in symbolism.  It could be cards, stones, bones or tea patterns.
Even palm reading is based on the placement of the lines we have worn into our skin.
The possibilities are endless. It isn’t the tool so much as “How” they interpret. Anyone can learn but it takes special people to not only describe the text book meaning but combine it with potential.

In my experience, 90% of the readings I have ever had- have been horribly vague. But every once and a while I can pull out a gem of recognition and yes, I can honestly say I can validate the incident. I have even been known to pull out my own tarot cards and entertain girlfriends over wine or tea. NOTE: I am not claiming to be a physic medium, neither are most of the spiritual readers out there. They are exploring their intuitive side and they are rather successful at it.

Magical people like the Long Island Medium, John Edward & Sally Morgan get clear messages from spirit. No tools required, their symbolism is brought to their minds from spirit.  These guys are the real Psychic Mediums.  Authentic psychic mediums use no tools; no tarot cards or anything else for that matter. They are evidential and they are rare.  But back to spiritual readers because they represent the majority of who we people, pay to visit for readings.

Lithomancy by Gary L. Wimmer

When a reading is bang on... it certainly is and I have come to know that you don’t need an object or tool to “feel” somebody’s energy because their words and actions can easily provide that information.

When a reading is not good.... you can sense it in the first few minutes. It sounds like a recording that could be read to anyone. I have actually experienced the blurring of sound, repeated interruptions and once when this guy was giving me a past life reading I had an intense ringing in one ear- leading me to believe I was not supposed to listen to his bull shit.

Where did that ringing come from?  Why at that moment?

I do indeed find the process of divination fascinating. I can see how it can be called guidance as sometimes we need to hear from somewhere, some kind of direction.  It’s like taking a peek within your own subconscious and deciding if it could be a probability.

A life journey menu... of sorts.  Just means you have choices.  It's fascinating.

A bit about metaphysical totem encounters and their meanings

For centuries people of faith and nature devotion have linked creature encounters with 

spiritual guidance and interaction.  They draw out warnings, affirmations and subtle messages.  

In Shamanism, the world’s oldest healing tradition, the animal spirit guide from the spirit world, offers insight, guidance and helps people on their life journey. For example; land animals represent your physical and emotional grounding and are linked to intuition and vigilance.  Birds are symbolic of your strengths, desire for freedom and represent harmony with other creatures.  Reptiles help how you see yourself both internally and externally.  Insects help you with persistence and determination and will guide you toward patience and help you develop the ability to be objective.

I got two wasp stings a few days ago while altering the grounds around a home that had  recently experienced a tragedy. As I network with many spiritual advisors and practitioners of energy faith - it wasn’t surprising  (though appreciated) that a few offered the meanings and possible messages that could be attached to this encounter.  What's interesting about their readings... is that none of them had known about my personal life. 

One of two wasp stings

It could have been life threatening.  I am allergic to wasp stings and even have gone into anaphylactic shock, once in my life.  I did not have my epi pen.  I knew I was only 5 minutes away from the hospital and knew to speak up and ask for help. I wasn’t scared at the onset. I got the medication in time, with no fanfare and I am fine. This was noted.

I was told the incident was an outbreak of released energy of anger and jealousy directed toward me and that Angelic protection was there to guide me to take a warrior stance against the onslaught. Wasps are female warriors of stout determination.  Curious that, as I have just started taking an online course in NON CONFLICT COMMUNICATION to ease a troubling ban on communication in my family.  It was proposed that I was confrontational, so I thought learning to redirect my previous mode of speaking, would be for the good of all. The sting encounter was telling me to go ahead, but proceed cautiously as people who have not yet become observant, will be defensive.  People will go to great odds to protect their ego, bringing mention to what they have done wrong will undoubtedly madden them. 

I can’t possibly imagine how someone can perceive me as threatening, so I will now be extra careful not to project words or actions that make people feel bad about their decisions.  That choice makes me feel better as a person. Learning to stand up for one’s self and combine compassion, is a life lesson that is difficult to learn. 

Respect the sting.  I'm also thankful for the nudge to stand proudly in a place of protection. 

A bit about.... Dog Days of Summer

The Old Farmer’s almanac lists the traditional period of the Dog Days as the 40 days beginning July 3rd and ending August 11th, coinciding with the ancient (at sunrise) rising of the Dog Star, Sirius. These are the days of the year with the least rainfall in the Northern Hemisphere.  Least?  I don’t know if global warming affected that or not, but as I type today in Toronto, Canada- it has been raining - off and on.

My Dog Finn epitomizes the Dog Days

According to the 1552 edition of the The Book of Common Prayer  the "Dog Daies" begin July 6th and end August 17th, just a little fluctuation there. This corresponds very closely to the 1611 edition of the King James Bible (also called the Authorized version of the Bible) which indicates the Dog Days beginning on July 6th and ending on September 5th, okay... another variation.   

Basically, it’s the most sultry period of summer.  In the latitude of the Mediterranean region,  this period coincided with hot days that were plagued with disease and discomfort. Of course anyone who grew up without air conditioning  can relate - regardless of global location.  

To me, it’s the time when you wish to be at a cottage retreat, the thrills of summer city life are slowest and yard sales are starting to get boring. It’s also the time that I affectionately refer to as “summer fading”.  A solemn

peak period before nature matures and  back to school shopping begins.

In reflection of the winter of 2013-14, I for one, am going to relish every dry heat moment this period is offering us.  I’m going to surrender myself to the ripe floral blossoms, thick foliage and the sweetness of morning coffee outside.... Cuz it just ain’t gonna get any better! 

Please take a look at EW's Fading issue, available online soon.  www.energyworksmagazine.com

A bit about May Celebrations

First, there’s May Day.  Western europeans and the north american generations that

were born from them- celebrate the first of May. It’s an ancient northern hemisphere spring festival that has blurred into an International Workers Day. 

Originally from Pagan tradition it merged with Christian celebration and happily settled as local custom with dancing, dining, acknowledging spring fertility and recognizing the ability to work for a living. In others words, it has become a great excuse for a party. 

My Finnish cousins celebrate with with food and beverage.  The Brits have the May Pole and frolic about. It’s nice out...we all just survived a reluctant spring and now it’s time to have a little fun.

Kids, campfires & fireworks.  May 24 Weekend

Here in Canada we have another May Tradition;  May 24.   It doesn’t always land on the 24th of May... but often does.  Growing up, I had thought it referred to a case of twenty four beer, the beverage consumed at the unofficial start of cottage season. It's actually called Victoria Day but nicknamed May 24. 

Across most of Canada (except the East Coast) Canucks celebrate Victoria Day.  It honours Queen Victoria’s birthday.  May 24, 1819 is Queen Victoria's birth date. The dates don’t always line up, but the celebration does and there are hours of traffic into cottage country.  This year, I’ll already be  in cottage country and my family will join the hordes of others.... inching their way up. It’s tradition and so - it is. 

There will be fireworks. Often you can see the flares from cottage to cottage, luck is when they go off at different times, so you merely have to reposition your chair to get a continuous view. Ah May 24 Weekend....we all open up our cottages, slather on bug repellent and get outdoors. 

Large Cities provide fireworks for the public for those who don’t have the chance to get away.  Every patio is full, parks are teaming with day users and backyards are once again- alive with life.  Its the season kick off, don’t you know!  

May is promising.  Get out there and enjoy it. 

A bit about.... International Women's Day

Today I attended my first IWD gathering.  I’m in my mid 50’s, a former barbie doll type raised by Archie Bunker male influences and subservient matriarchs, so I sat there and wondered... do I fit in?

In attendance were recognizable female activists, celebrated authors, documentarians, doctors, lawyers and Queen’s Jubilee Medal recipients - all from my neighbourhood; Roncesvalles Toronto.  And then there was me.  It took me all of ten minutes to realize that I was an example of the change that is needed to validate the importance of International Women’s Day.  Women need to acknowledge their own self worth.  

In ratio to the history of mankind, there are far too many years that women haven’t achieved any equal status.  Couldn’t even vote a hundred years ago.  No woman in my immediate family has ever earned an equal salary, higher level of education (and perhaps too honestly) during my childhood I have witnessed the disproportionate injustices of domestic abuse.  How would I know any better? 

I do know of crotchety grandfather types who poo poo the efforts of recognizing gender equality.  They still exist.  They have patted me on the head. The begrudging thought that women have the audacity to require a day of celebration is beyond some. Isn’t that sad?   Hopefully this way of thinking will come to pass for all of society.  This isn’t  exclusively feminism, its humanism and its a celebration.

Karyn with Toronto City Councillors; Gord Perk & Sarah Doucette

So over tea and nibbles we women gathered and I too, took pride in the achievements I have brought to our community. I have had the opportunity to lead, advocate and promote ideals that benefit society and I would like for my daughter and her friends to know, that they are capable of great things.  This is what International Women’s Day is all about.  Pass on the strength.  

Want to know a bit about me? 

http://keepitin.wix.com/karynklairekoski1

A bit about Lent.....

Lent is a solemn religious observant time frame, that occurs about six weeks before Easter when Christians prepare themselves with prayer, penance (self punishment), repentance, (express sincere regret/remorse) almsgiving (charity), atonement (balance out wrongs you committed) and practice self denial (no explanation needed).

As a Christian youth, I remember no chocolate till Easter, to which you will be given a few- chocolate treats. But I don’t exactly remember having treats before lent either.  I remember Pancake Tuesday - the day before and Ash Wednesday, the first day of lent which was significant because we got a dab of soot placed upon our foreheads. 

Lent is a fasting time, though I can’t remember eating any less. Fasting and abstinence was more severe in ancient times. Perhaps this is why Pancake Tuesday was such a big hit because it was the last day to consume the sweet of syrup and the flour batter of pancakes. Just exactly how Mardi Gras got into the mix and the flashing of ta tas came into tradition - is a mystery to me, doesn’t really sound religious... but okay?  

The other rites are imposed because the enactment is to become a better person, as man’s sins are what led Jesus to be crucified. No guilt there.  

Lent - a rather dismal time

According to the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus spent 40 days fasting in the desert, where he endured temptation by Satan. The ash received on the first day of lent represents our observance of human mortality and is a sign of mourning and repentance to God.  One gets those ashes from the burning of the previous year’s Palm Sunday ceremony.  They burn the palms in a ritual. 

Remember that thou art dust, and to dust thou shalt return.

—Genesis 3:19

Repent, and believe the Gospel.

—Mark 1:15

Lent is observed until Good Friday, which is the actual murder date of Jesus Christ. Honestly there isn’t anything “good” about that day and then of course we get into the entire Easter tradition which is the witness of Jesus’s ghost and other paranormal activity. That's all fodder for another post.

Lent today for me is a mere vague memory.  It's a grey time of year, not yet spring, still cold and unbearably long.  

A bit about self healing: reiki/pranic/spiritual/energy

Admittedly, most would think that reiki, spiritual or energy healing could only work dependent on belief.  Apparently, practitioners believe otherwise.  If healing energy is sent, it is received. Therefore if you believe you are sending this energy yourself, then it works.

Here’s the jest of it; someone (or yourself), draws from “somewhere” and delivers “energy” into your body, thereby healing you.  From personal experience, you don’t always feel anything and that’s when - for some like me, a person questions whether it works or not.

I believe... so let’s start off with the assumption that I expect a reaction.  I just am not certain that there are a multitude of true healing conduits out there.  Honestly, the industry of energy healing practitioners is full of those who think they are healing and also - there are those that pretend they are healing. Often there is money involved.  Need I say more.

The origins of reiki is as a Japanese tradition, made public in the 1920’s.  The linage of true masters is still going strong today.   Of course even in biblical times there was knowledge of “the laying of hands” so the idea of spiritual energy is evident in many cultures and has sifted down from generation to generation.  

I took my first “course” (that only lasted a weekend) from someone who borrowed characteristics from many sources of pranic/spiritual/energy/reiki healing.  Did I master it? NOPE.  Had anyone else in the class? Unlikely but we all got an introductory taste of what the power of belief and visualization could do.  

Years, years,  later I turned to the study of self healing to recover from a hard time in my own life.  With the help of online networking, I was able to find groups of more qualified energy workers, who gave me additional insights to ethereal healing.  

This is not to say that I have mastered the art, just that I believe it is possible.  There are subtle differences between the components of each belief system and none is absolute.  One or two healing sessions will not heal a person completely.  

Because I simply could not afford Master treatments,  I chose to go the route of learning self healing.   I chose  Reiki’s 5 precepts and methodology, sometimes I add in chakra work.  What I do notice, is that when I stop for any great length of time.... I start to feel unbalanced again.  

I also find healing in nature

To me, self healing is like prayer and mediation. It’s simple quiet time in total solitude and I seem to need it.  I have never been the kind of person that benefited from a strong support family, aside from a couple of great Gal Pals, I have lacked family empathy, so for someone like me, self healing has been my only option.

If you learn to integrate daily practice, (which even I have not been able to adapt) then you can identify when you are hyper aware of subtle changes and reactions.  You feel when your body needs more exercise, rest or requirements from a more specific diet.  You become very in tune with yourself, and that, is not a bad thing. 

A bit about Valentine's Day

I’m guilty.  I’m one of those romantic saps who use Valentine’s Day to mark anniversary dates with my life partner.  We didn’t marry on this lust loving day, nor have we ever given it much commitment.  We simply used this as a date, that sorta solidified when we officially became a couple.  We met after New Years, we were in love by Valentine’s Day.  It’s been twenty three years and it has become, as simple as that.

Several martyrdom stories have been invented to go along with this early Christian liturgical celebration.  One Saint Valentinus performed weddings for soldiers who were forbidden to do so (marry that is) and the whole “longing” sentiment was established. Valentines were notes of farewell as the men went off to battle. 

Dance with my, my Love - Long for me, when I go off...

In the Middle Ages the tradition of courtly love flourished and presenting flowers, sweets and greeting cards evolved with the presence of cupid. We love to love.  

Today, Valentine’s day is very, very commercial.  Dinner out, chocolates, wine and roses, not to mention scheduled romantic 'steal aways' encouraging the purchasing of lingerie and sexual accoutrement!  But that changes.  With all that passion most couples have children.  Interestingly enough, the Canadian statutory holiday 'Family Day' almost always coincides a day before, or around Valentines Day.  

We buy chocolates for our kids.  That’s what we celebrate.  The ultimate fruition of love is your children and the children they will have,  and all this loving and cuddling is the real reason why we feel intimately drawn to another person.  We see our future in them and the spark of Valentines, is just a wonderful perk along the way. 

Of course if couples do not go the route of raising children, the physical release of lovemaking is a continued expression of a primal need.  Mankind thrives on it.  Who is to say what amount of intimacy is the appropriate amount?  Not I.

I personally think if you have been lucky enough to find someone who continues to love you, then that in it’s self, is cause for celebration.  Happy Valentines.  Tell someone you love them.  

A bit about Chinese New Year & how it relates to Feng Shui

The Spring Festival, or Chinese New Year is an important traditional Chinese Holiday.

It is the last day of the last month of the lunisolar calendar.  Lunisolar (lune = moon/solar=sun) So both the moon’s phase and the year’s season are acknowledged and are used to predict the constellation or... astrological phase.   Ancient Chinese Secret stuff.

RED for Chinese New Year Celebration:  This display is actually a Feng Shui enhancer & cure. 

There’s actually fifteen days of rituals that are noted that honor deities and ancestors.

House cleaning and purging is key to sweep away all the bad of the year before. The color red is applied freshly and liberally, debts are paid out and incense is burned for a variety of reasons.  Most recognize the gift exchange of red envelopes with money or chocolate coins in them. And of course, we see red and gold paper lanterns and such.  

I was introduced to the Chinese New Year when I studied Eastern Energy Philosophy. I practice traditional feng shui and harmonize annual energy patterns that merge into the year, (several days after the Chinese New Year).  Somewhere around February 4/5 chi moves into homes with different intensities, like a bio rhythm. 

I have always used the Chinese New Year as a start to my Feng Shui cures & enhancement strategies.  My newly adapted custom goes like this;  I use the cleaning and purging of pre Chinese New Year as a way of starting with a fresh slate.  Ritualistically I clean and then prepare a room for what it is about to need. Then I go about doing it in time for the annual influences to take effect.

In my dreary Canadian winter, the celebration of The Chinese New Year is welcoming and it helps me kick start a new year, mindful of what obstacles or blessings I may encounter.  A little preventative medicine. 

A bit about the month of February

It’s an odd word, no?  February. 

“Februa” means cleansing or purification.  It reflects the rituals that are needed to be undertaken before Spring. The Romans and Celts regarded February as the start of Spring.  Chinese Astrology and Feng Shui energy charts are calculated; either on the 4th or 5th of February because the energy of this month, is considered a new time.

It’s a shorter month having only 28 days, in non- leap years, that is.  February hosts the Christian festival of the lights (Candlemas Day), the days before lent starts, ground hog day, Valentine’s day and (in Canada) Family Day. 

Depending where you live, its a time that we are weary of winter and greatly need to anticipate spring, hence Ground Hog Day and Candlemas Day:

Forceful Forsythia Buds in February

If Candlemas brings

   wind and snow,

Then spring will very soon show.

But if it's clear and bright,

Then spring won't come so right.

Then there is Shove Tuesday & Ash Wednesday, depending on the calendar year, which contradicts the chocolates of Valentine’s Day because Ash Wednesday heralds the start of Lent which is a time of fasting and repentance in preparation for the Easter Celebration.  

We have less days to pay bills, still more days of chilly weather, a time when we lube up our pasty white winter bellies for some amour and chocolate.

But my favorite time is the cleverly calculated Family Day long weekend; A statutory holiday tagged onto a school PA day.  Families can hunker down in warmly lit homes or brave the elements and go somewhere wintery or even, dare I say; take off a few extra school days and go somewhere tropical.... if you can afford it. 

February can go surprisingly fast after the cold dragging days of January.

I’ll tell you what is magical about February. Despite the blustery winds and lingering snow,  my forsythia and pussy willows are boldly showing signs of February budding.  Not the big showy blossoms of spring, but the modest hardening of where a bud will be - perfect to take inside to force.

There’s a hope in that act.  Bring it in, warm it up and life springs forth. 

Fearless Pussy Willow Buds

Force.  February Force.  It’s that last push of resilience to get through winter; thorough household cleaning, applying your cures and enhancers for your feng shui energy audit, validating your loved ones with either romance or quality time and doing so, with great anticipation of early spring.  

Happy February!   

This reflection is dedicated to Nikki & Katie; two of the great loves of my life who will spend the better part of February in a Northern Ontario Cabin.

Their family camp is nestled along a “big watered” shoreline property, that silently sits in a of heavily forested remote area, with nothing but the winds, winter wildlife, swaying saplings and the solitude of the heavily drifted snow.  I wish I could be there with them!

40 Days After Christmas; Presentation of Jesus At Temple

Forty days after Christmas, on February 2nd - Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Methodists, Lutherans, Latin and Roman Catholic Churches recognize the Presentation of Jesus at Temple. More specifically; when Mother Mary presented the Christ Child as a baby, she had to, as it was law.  This date is heralded as the “fourth Joyful Mystery of the Rosary”. 

The event is described in the Gospel of Luke; Mary and Joseph took the baby Jesus to the Temple in Jerusalem forty days after his birth to complete Mary's ritual purification after childbirth, and to perform the redemption of the first born, in obedience to the Law of Moses.  Luke explicitly says that Joseph and Mary take the option provided for poor people (those who could not afford a lamb) (Leviticus 12:8,) sacrificing "a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons." indicates that this event should take place forty days after birth of a male child, hence the Presentation is celebrated forty days after Christmas. Everyone had to do it.

Upon bringing Jesus into the temple, they encountered Simeon. The Gospel records that Simeon had been promised that "he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ  (Luke 2:26).  Simeon prayed the prayer that would become known as the Nunc Dimittis, or Canticle of Simeon, which prophesied the redemption of the world by Jesus:

St Michael's Cathedral, Toronto Canada

Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace; according to Thy word: for mine eyes have seen Thy salvation, which Thou hast prepared before the face of all people: to be a light to lighten the gentiles and to be the glory of Thy people Israel (Luke 2:29 -32) 

Simeon then prophesied to Mary: "Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed"  (Luke 2:34-35)

The elderly prophetess Anna was also in the Temple, and offered prayers and praise to God for Jesus, and spoke to everyone there about Jesus and his role in the redemption of Israel  (Luke 2:36-38) And so, it came to be known.

There is a spiritual aspect surrounding the recognition of the Christ Child for observers. It is felt only through faith. It’s teachings have continued through scriptures, study and art. 

Great works of art have been created to immortalize this event. The Brooklyn Museum showcases “The Presentation of Jesus in Temple” by James Tissot. 

Some time in the late 1400’s an unknown Russian Artist painted, what has come to be known as, Sretenie.  The Menolgion of Basil II also depicts the Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, it was painted sometime in the 11th Century and its artist is also unknown.

Stained glass artist Franz Borgias Mayer (1848-1926) was commissioned by St Michael’s Cathedral to create a stained glass window showing the sacred event, in Toronto Canada.  There is also the statue of Virgin of Candelaria which has become the Patron Saint of the Canary Islands.

The birth of any child is celebration for all families everywhere. It is of little wonder, Christians place so much emphasis on the birth of Jesus Christ. 

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A bit about Epiphany

Revelation

  In Christianity, the epiphany refers to a realization that Christ is the son of God.  Don’t confuse this date with the Orthodox Christmas, which is for Churches that follow the Julian calendar.   The Gregorian calendar, which more accurately accounts for leap years is recognized by everyone else.  Orthodox Christians follow the first testament of the bible not the second testament or any other versions. 

In 2014, Epiphany landed on January 6th, Orthodox Christmas on the 7th.  Protestant believers don’t understand the significance behind this holiday which is mostly observed by Catholic & Anglican Christians.  It’s all about the Three Kings Day and the Twelfth Day or Night of Christmas or rather.... the last day of the Christmas Season.  

Some faiths make honour of when the wise men visit the Christ Child, some put emphasis on the baptism of Jesus by John and some commemorate Jesus’s miracle of turning water into wine. 

Eventually the word epiphany has been come to be known as when a person has a sudden, intuitive perception or insight.  An Ah Ha moment! This is the magical - metaphysical - spiritual aspect of revelation.  For a deity to suddenly appear, we have to accept the manifestation of spirit.  It appears religion is full of psychic mediumship. Epiphany is proof that you believe in Spirit. Ta Da!