Life is a Journey As we journey through the seasons, their rhythms and qualities, we come to understand the challenges and joys of life. This course explores times of change as expressed in the outer world and their reflection in our own lives.
Samhain Solstice – Imbolc threshold Aligning the soul We humans transport flesh and bone bodies in our daily journeys and yet there is another, intangible, contribution to our experience of our presence on earth. Most people have an awareness of something else about themselves. Many call it the soul. Words cannot be found to define what this 'soul' is. It enters our consciousness in those occasions of unreality, times when we act intuitively. It seems it can only be experienced within the knowledge that 'I am alive'. We may be awake or asleep, but it is as if the soul is continually there, watching over our functioning whilst on earth. How often has it occurred that you 'met someone before' when being introduced to a new acquaintance. You may not have met before face to face but there is something about the person that is familiar, that connects you to them. What is this? Philosophers suggest that we exist in many dimensions and realms, scientists theorise about time, linear, cyclical and eternal, theologists offer us a connection to the Divine. Ideas evolve and change, the land alters from day to day, we move from town to town and feel the different energies, Yet at the threshold, between Samhain and Imbolc or at any place of balance, there is neutrality. This goes beyond peace, harmony, love, war, discord and hate. Words might describe it as the heart of the matter, our essence, it is the quality of our 'being' and it connects us to others and the world around us. A connection that brings neither benefit nor harm. It is probably easier to define neutrality by what it is not rather than what it is. It is not passive or active, but has full awareness, such total knowing of situations and surroundings that it can step aside and be non involved in the emotional, mental, physical and spiritual energy attachments. Neutrality is an energy of unquestioning acceptance. Once this is understood you know you can go anywhere any time with no drama. In the darkness a light is shining And so, in aligning the soul, we feed it with knowledge and experiences. Enjoy the beautiful sunrise and sunset that occurs at this time of year. Golds and pinks suffuse grey blue clouds with promise and hope for another warmer, brighter, longer day. We are leaving the restrictions of the Samhain darkness and entering into the light of Imbolc – the stirring in the belly. The Goddess Brigid is brightening the earth realm. Her gift with the dawn on 1 February is the dew that forms as she travels across the land, drawing in her season. We welcome her and collect the dew, with its wonderful energy and healing properties. We shall use it during the year to enhance our lives, physical and spiritual.