Cold Moon Visitor

The other night, as usual, I went around the house closing up.  When I turn off the last light and close my laptop here at the kitchen table, the stars are visible out the back slider. I usually open the door and gaze for a moment or two, but this night the sky is so open and clear, I make my way through the dark house, pull on a jacket, and step outside.

The moon is just past the half, illuminating the crusty snow, the bones of the gazebo, the sentinel trees.  Branches overhead intertwine and entangle, yet the stars peek through.  I'm looking for Orion's Belt -- the three stars in a row that point to one of the brightest stars in the winter sky, Sirius.  Each step on the ice-encrusted pavers interrupts the night's quiet.

There they are, three points of light, recognizable amid the jumble of winter constellations whose names I don't know. Orion is the mythological  hunter.  It seems we are all hunting for something in deep winter.

Standing on the frozen ground looking up at the heavens orients me somehow.  It banishes anxieties, large and small.  And there have been some large ones.  The death of my husband's mother.  Starting a new job.  Under the stars, perspective enlarges and stresses take their place in the order of things. Breathing in the frigid air feels like inhaling eternity.

As I walk back to the porch, my echoing foot steps disturb an owl!  I look over my shoulder to see him flying in utter silence, white wings gliding.  He settles himself on a craggy branch.  He is marveling at how little I know about his territory -- the dark night, the frigid winter, the sprawling stars.

The owl teaches us to abide these mysteries. He possesses silent wisdom, vision in the night.  Nocturnal omens like these are charged with the import of dreams. Some underground river of knowing unfreezes and begins to yield it's secrets.

Cold Moon Meditation

Give Yourself the Gift of Serenity in 2013 

Join us for our Winter-into-Spring meditation series on Monday evenings, January 28 through March 18, from 7 - 8:30 pm.  This will take us through the first quarter of the wheel of the year.

Each evening will offer instruction to facilitate ease of meditation.  I will present chakra dynamics, showing how these influence your health, overall sense of well-being, and relationships.   In addition, we will explore other tools for getting in touch with your inner wisdom, whether it be aligning with the rhythms of nature, using oracle cards, or discovering your spirit guides.

Using guided imagery, I will lead the group into meditation, with increasing silence as the group decides. We will vary the background music from week to week so you can find what works best for you.  Each meditation is designed to calm, center and ground you within your being in order to contact your divine essence. We will become increasingly comfortable residing in stillness and silence.

The atmosphere is open and relaxed; wear comfortable clothing and bring a cushion or two.  Photos of our beautiful meditation space are available here on the blog -- please browse to view the space and get acquainted with me. Invite a friend or two for these evenings of deep nurturance.

The fee for the eight week series is $80, payable on the first evening, unless other arrangements have been made. To reserve a spot, you may comment below, leave a message at blueheronhealingct@gmail.com or call 860-563-5682.

Give Yourself the Gift of Meditation in 2013

In the very near future, I'll be posting specifics about our upcoming  meditation circle. I plan to resume on Monday evenings at 7 pm until approximately 8:30.  If you are interested in joining us, save that space on your calendar.

We will most likely begin on Monday, January 28th.  I'm not sure about content but will firm up ideas and let you know what to expect in the coming weeks.  Let me know if there's something in particular that you're struggling with or interested in learning more about.  In any event, there will be a guided meditation every week, with increasing amounts of silence as the group becomes comfortable.

Please invite anyone you think might benefit from this calming practice.  The charge will be $10 per evening and I may extend the number of meetings to 10.  So the fee for the series would be $100.

Looking forward to co-creating a sacred breathing space for us all as we enter this blessed new year.

Julie