Today, you may note, is the winter solstice. You may also know that the processional of planets through the 12 signs of the Zodiac and the five “Suns” on the Mayan Long Count Calendar of 25,920 years is complete. This day was predicted by some as the end of the world. Well, maybe it was… Symbolically.
A child learns to tie her shoes and that night has a dream that she died. Symbolically, it was the little girl who didn’t know how to tie her shoes that died because that little girl no longer exists. Every day we have a chance to make our lives new, our world new. Every day we have a chance to begin again, to change a bad habit or start a good habit, to help someone in need, to share something, to teach something and to learn something new.
We have been using the term New Age since the sixties but its origin can be found as far back as medieval times in the writings of Paracelsus. It has always implyed a freedom of spirituality, a blending of religious views without the heavy hand of conformity. It was conceived as an age in which people would live in harmony regardless of the flavor of their beliefs, a time of great peace.
So is this the New Age? Has it indeed arrived? Maybe we should we try to live as though it has? How would it feel to celebrate the gift of life every day? To do it in loving memory of those who have passed out of our lives and for those who are still with us who might benefit from our our new attitude?
As a Man Thinketh by James Allen 1902
Mind is the Master power that moulds and makes,
And Man is Mind, and evermore he takes
The tool of Thought, and, shaping what he wills,
Brings forth a thousand joys, a thousand ills: —
He thinks in secret, and it comes to pass:
Environment is but his looking-glass.
I want to wish everyone a Joyous Holiday Season. My gift to you is a bit of Celtic magic from my upcomming book, “How to Lead a Charmed Life”, which will be coming out in the spring. I hope you enjoy it:
Making a Wish with a Cloutie
How will you say goodbye to the Age of Pisces and usher in the Age of Aquarius? Why not make a Cloutie to banish violence, poverty, illness and ask the creator that they be replaced with peace, prosperity and wellbeing. I believe all things to be of our creator and so all things have a spirit of life, the elements of wind, water, earth and sky. In this celebration we call on the spirit of water and of wind but if that makes you uncomfortable you may want to instead ask God to empower the water and wind.
The Cloutie is Scottish Gaelic in origin. In ancient times you would have used a cloutie to rid yourself of an ailment or to remove something bothersome such as warts, a stutter, a bad habit or a bad situation. The traditional cloutie is made from a length of ribbon or a thin strip of cotton cloth long enough to tie around a tree limb or branch.
Preparing the Cloutie;
Take your cloutie first to a natural flowing body of water such as a river, stream, waterfall or well. A fountain will do if you don’t have access to a river or stream but some of the magic of the setting may be lost. Water draws, that is why you need a moving body of water. You are going to employ the elemental spirits of water along with the elemental spirits of air to draw off the negative energy that is causing the embalance or dis-ease in your life and replace it with positive healing energy.
Throughout the ancient world and even among the Native American Tribes water was believed to be an entry way to the other world. In Arthurian legand it was Nimue, the lady of the lake who led Merlin to the mistic island of Avalon.
Take a moment to center yourself. Breathe in the peaceful vibrations of the water. Allow the magic to settle softly upon you. Relax and let all the cares of your busy life drift away on the crystal currents. Close your eyes, now and clear your mind. Focus on the beam of light behind your eyelids. Let the light grow and expand until you are completely engulfed within a beautiful golden orb, as if you were inside a great snow globe without snow. The globe is supporting you, surrounding you with perfect love and perfect trust. Naught but good may enter your golden orb.
Now, with your eyes still closed, call to the spirit of the water, Nicksa, and the undines, lovely water sprites who are only visible in twilight and only to those who believe. Stand between the worlds and see them with your wiser eyes. Delight in their company as they dance for you. Breathe in the energy of the dancing waters and let it recharge your soul.
When you are ready, open your eyes, kneel and dip your cloutie into the water and, as the water flows over and around it, ask the water spirits to draw your dis-ease into the cloth by repeating this phrase three times.
“Water of life flow through me, lift this burden and set me free.Into this cloth my ailment shall go, and disappear with the winds that blow.”
Thank Nicksa and the sprites for their generosity. It would also be well to pledge vigilence in maintaining clean water, that in exchange for their help you will help them by fighting water polution. You can take your cloutie home now.
Tying the Cloutie;
Your Cloutie is ready to be tied to the limb of a tree. An apple tree is good if you have one because it has a generous nature. Air separates heaven and earth and is a link between our spirituality and our conciousness. Call upon Paralda, spirit of the air and the sylphs, divas of wisdom.
“Hear me Paralda, Spirit of the east, and the sylphs, divas of wisdom, as I call to you!
“I render up this miserable rag, this illbred humor, this painful nag.
And when it feels your chilling wind I know this misery soon will end.
Let it rot and let it fray, Peralda take this pain away.”
Cloutie tree near the sacred Madron Well in Cornwall, UK
