End of the Cycle

As we come to the end of the year, so ends the cycle of the seasons. It is getting colder and wetter here in the northern hemisphere. December 21st is the winter solstice, the time when the end of the circle signifies the beginning of a moment (a few moons) of silence. It is the time when what has happened in nature over the last 13 moons comes full cycle to it's death and readies for birth.
I take this time to reflect how I have lived over the past 13 moons, since last December. I look up towards Grandmother Luna as the days approach her brilliance and fullness. She beckons me with "What have done dear granddaughter of mine? Have you served yourself in a good way? Have you served your family in friends in a good way? Have you served your enemies in a good way?" I answer to her with a drum beat and my voice, "Yes, Grandmother Luna, as I look back over the past 12 moon cycles I see that I joined in prayer and ceremony with my brothers and sisters with intention of healing the hearts of those who think and act with only their minds. I joined with my family in prayer and service to help my mother, father, sister and brother go through a difficult situation. I joined with my peers of long ago to celebrate our youth and to share who we are today. I struggled to fulfill the commitments I made with myself last December of creating a vehicle from which I could share your knowledge. I was able to complete this step as of this session with you, dear Grandmother Luna. I completed the commitments I have made and am ready to move out into the world with them for the next cycle of 13 moons."
Grandmother Luna smiles down at me. She says, "remember dear one, to continue to take your place as a voice for Nature, to educate those who are looking for assistance through this transitional times. Remember to make your commitments during this auspicious Luna Eclipse on December 21st. And most importantly, remember your self. Find your center and as you do all around you will vibrate to a similar rhythm. Teach others to do the same."
So, for now my friends and readers I say to you... As you come to the end of this cycle of your life, find the silent place, find your core center, breathe, and then create the way you want your life to be. Visualize and Realize the dream. During the dark time of Grandmother Luna go inward, during the light of Grandmother Luna do and create.. And all-ways use your mind as a vehicle to implement the guidance of your heart.

Moon of the Changing Colors

"When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change."

I sit here in a high rise apartment complex about 3 hours west of the Atlantic Ocean and one hour east of the Appalachian Mountain range. There has been rain fall and gray skies most of the month I have been here.

My joints hurt and my heart yearns for the dry desert air and clear blue skies of Arizona. The tall green trees and plush grass is beautiful to the eyes, but I find the narrow streets arched by tall coniferous trees feels confining. I can only dream of the wide open roads and valleys of the West now.

I am here to assist my mother transition to the next phase of her spirit journey. As the leaves on the trees turn beautiful colors in their process of decompensation, so does my mother. She has found a new voice, strong and convicted. She is taking charge of her life at 85 years of age; just as her life on Earth comes to an end. As Nature shows us in the fall, it is a time to reap what you have sowed. I see my mother light up as her children, grand children and great grand children, gather around her in her time of glory. Each coming to 'reap' the wisdom of the matriarch of the family as her days become shorter and her time to go back to Nature comes closer.

My journey here has been multifaceted. I have had the chance to see where I have come from, where the seeds of my journey were first planted and began to grow. I will be attending my 40th High School Reunion this Saturday night, unplanned by me, but definitely planned by Spirit! While driving around the area I have visited the places I used to play as a child, worked, gone to school, movies, bowling, and visited with friends. As humans we can do this, other species can not.

All of this "looking back" has not brought remorse, sadness, or dismay. It has brought to me a sense of place and wonderment. I am able to see that my journey across Turtle Island, this land we call the United States of America, has been a movement of my spirit to explore the diversity of Earth. I have been blessed in my journey to be able to embrace the sometimes treacherous and sometimes joyful trek of Life as being a part of the natural world.

As I see the East from eyes and heart that has seen and felt diverse people, places and things, I KNOW now that all of life is a circle as we are born, so we shall die and that as I enter into the Fall time of my own life I have the opportunity to reap the rewards of what I have sown, maybe a little earlier in my life than my mother has chosen to do, and live for many Moons in the splendor of the beautiful changing colors of the tall trees.

Potatoes, Onions and Flies

A few weeks ago a kind neighbor delivered at least 100lbs of potatoes and onions in bags to my back yard for my compost. Win-Win, one would think. I wasn't prepare and didn't have enough fill dirt to cover up the mound of decomposing vegetation. As we broke open the red mesh bags and dumped the hundreds of pre-compost gold nuggets onto the hard ground a thought occurred to me, "What now?" So we frantically started to shovel whatever loose dirt we had over the now mini-mountain of many eyed-potatoes and vintage onions.
A week later I noticed a critter that I have not seen more that 10 times since I moved to Arizona 12 years ago. A Fly! A real, black little pesky being. Now, don't get me wrong, every being has a right to life here on Earth. But when it interferes with my peaceful morning cup of java as I watch the sun rise behind the Cottonwood trees in my back yard, something has got to give! And then more came.... hummm what is going on? Lots and lots of flies! Am I on the East Coast? Over the last two weeks the Monsoon rains have graced our land and the ground is moist, soft and fertile. Perfect conditions for compost... well compost that is covered with enough dirt that is it decomposes underground, not above the ground where the flies have come to feast on a hundred pounds of potatoes and onions!
As I sit here writing and observing Nature, I am in conflict. Don't the flies have a right to feast on the decomposing mound? Haven't I drawn them into my life to teach me about little pesky things in my life? What will I do about the little issues? How will I take care of the problems? Will I follow the natural course of things and manifest enough composting material to satisfy the flies and the decomposing of the veges that have graciously produced themselves to provide nutrients for humans and the Earth.
Nature all-ways teaches us how to be better humans. Now it is my time to act. Will I take care of the things that bug me? How will I accomplish that? When will I choose to take charge of myself and my back yard?
A Big Up for Nature, the flies and the 100lbs of potatoes and onions! Win-Win!

High Desert Monsoons

Monsoons are only heavy rains that happen in the Amazon or places with very large trees and lots of humidity. At least this is what I believed until I moved to the high desert. According to the dictionary monsoon is: the seasonal wind of the Indian Ocean and southern Asia, blowing from the southwest in summer and from the northeast in winter.
2.(in India and nearby lands) the season during which the southwest monsoon blows, commonly marked by heavy rains; rainy season.
3.any wind that changes directions with the seasons.
4.any persistent wind established between water and adjoining land.

HUH? What about the movies that depict the heavy downpour of rain? What about folks who welcome "monsoons for the rain it brings the desert". And then this info came my way:
 Word Origin & History

monsoon
"trade wind of the Indian Ocean," 1584, from Du. monssoen, from Port. monçao, from Ar. mawsim "appropriate season" (for a voyage, pilgrimage, etc.), from wasama "he marked." When it blows from the southwest (April through October) it brings heavy rain, hence "the rainy season" (1747).

Ok, so now I am clear... heavy winds from the Southwest starting with a body of water then down pour on the adjoining land.

Hence, Lots of wind and heavy rain dumping on the desert lands of Arizona, July through August! Some people love the rain, some people carry prejudice about the rain. They don't like the inconvenience that it brings to their "perfect" weather and lifestyle. Like it makes hair frizzy. You don't have an umbrella because it never rains here and then you get soaked and have to go to work. You have to get your windshield wipers changed yearly (because they melt in the hot sun) and you might have to use them because you can not see the road in front of you if you don't replace them. You may win the "wet T-shirt contest" without even trying to enter it and you are 80 years old! They shut the pools down for the 20 minutes it rains at a time because of lightning and thunder.

All in all the rain is exhilarating! It helps the plants grow! It is the giver of life. The strong winds blow away the stale thoughts and unnecessary things in the desert. It helps the seeds propagate.

Good or Bad, it's all the same... The monsoon season is here in Northern Arizona and I am running barefoot in the rain!

Learning to Honor the Elements and Earth

WITH RESPECT WE HONOR THE DAWN AND THE COMING OF THE NEW DAY!

About a week ago I stayed out in the sun and water too long. I was enjoying myself, indulging in the sun, water, and conversation with a friend. Indulging I was and didn't think of how my body would respond to the elements. I was too concerned about what I wanted to do--- relax and create a scenario that imitated the "wealthy lifestyle" of decadent lounging. I was not in an act of service to anything. Not the Earth, not any form of life on Earth, not myself.

I wasn't even in a state of Being. Because if I were, I would have listened to my inner voice that whispered to me after the first 2 hours of decadence to get out of the water and take care of my thirst, hunger, and largest organ on my body~~ my skin! The first night after the swim I was in terrible pain from the burn on my back and arms. I could only imagine the pain one has if one is burned in a fire. I could not sleep for three days. Then the water blisters came. Today as I sit here and write this the skin on my back and upper arms is peeling. It all itches. And I realize that I had harmed my body. The temple of my soul. All for decadence, greed, and most of all: thoughtlessness.

I am reminded by my inner voice, my heart, that this is a reflection of the collective conciseness over the past century. We are all in this together. The body of the Earth is doing what she has to do to heal herself from our greed and decadence. There is no stopping the Earth Changes that must occur to heal the "burn" that we two leggeds have allowed.

I have no answers. I like some of the "creature comforts" I have enjoyed in my childhood and even now. After camping out for 10 days in ceremony a month ago and enduring very cold, windy, wet evenings and nights and very hot days in the mountains of Baja, Mexico, I have to acknowledge that I enjoy my bed, a good shower, and the ability to control my environment enough to cool down in the heat of the day and sleep soundly in a temperate setting. I like to listen to my music. I like to cook my food and not have to forage for wood. I like to be able to offer the same to family and friends.

What then do we do? WE, as a collective consciousness. How do we take the next steps? I don't think we can go backwards. Can WE create a way to not take without giving back to Earth and still maintain our comfort? Can WE do this immediately?

Time will show us. This I know. My prayer for today is that I, myself, learn to appreciate the comforts I have and to ask for guidance as to how I can reduce my greed and decadent desires. Wado!

At This Moment

It is this moment that counts, it is in this moment that what emanates from your heart will illumine your world. It is this moment that I choose to send healing love to our Mother Earth, Gaia. She has been harmed. She will heal herself, with or without two leggeds. This is the nature of Gaia. In her culture life can mend itself. When did we forget? When did we go to sleep and dream a place where we two leggeds believe that we can manipulate and change a perfect system? Our dream time is coming close to an end. Some two leggeds are waking up. They understand in their hearts. "Breath deep my children", Gaia calls to us. She continues her call, "Breathe deep and pay attention to your heart. Is it in pain? If so, praying, worrying, anger, shouting, none of this will bring peace to your heart. It is when you walk in goodness and beauty. It is when you KNOW that you don't have to "steward" this living being your are part of. All you really need to do is Be. I don't know my children if you will be able to sustain that kind of life now after all you have manipulated and changed. This I do KNOW, if you choose to begin now and walk in goodness and beauty, if you choose to reduce your selfishness and greed, healing can happen. As individual two leggeds you have the choice. The outcome I do not know. No matter what the outcome, all is perfect."

It is up to each one of us, beginning with this moment to open our hearts, speak and listen in Love. Nothing more, and nothing less. No judgment. It is what is is now. The future will be written by what we choose to do in this moment. I choose to breathe deeply and open my heart and walk in goodness and beauty.

P.S. Love to LuLuEl for inspiring this Blog today!

Voice of the Desert

As I prepare for 10 days in the Mexican desert I breath deeply to slow down. The desert teaches us to slow down. I will be sleeping in a tent but other than that, all modern communications will be a dream, water will come only from the few gallons I bring with me, fire will be available to warm the midnight chill and early morning dew. The air will be warm during the day and cold (hopefully not that cold) at night. I will be camped at the base of the Sacred Mountain of Kuchima, located in the hills of Baja California, Mexico. The ancestors are known to live in the mountain and will answer your prayers. We will dance in gratitude for the four sacred elements; Earth, Air, Fire and Water. We will re-member that we are connected to the land and to all living things. We will take time for prayer and rejoicing, just as the ancient ones did. People will come from all over to share their culture and wisdom.

I will learn, pray and ask for direction for my life from the 4 sacred elements. I will share my drum and song. I have not been to visit with this land for 4 years. For this I am grateful to be able to do now.

There is no planning for a trip like this... because the land and elementals guide the way. My journey will bring to me the opportunity to immerse myself back into the Mother, back into the womb, where all is whole and complete.

I give thanks for the desert and the mountain for all that she teaches and provides. This is the way of Life. This is the voice of Mother Earth.

It's Earth Day

"She's givin' birth to the planet world, in her dance in her dance you can see it in her dance, a lover of the land, a lover of the land."
Mother Earth Giving Birth as her body spews the fire within. The spewing ash then nourishes the deadened land around it and gives way for the gestating seeds to sprout and grow. A volcanic eruption is Mother Earth's way of replenishing her cells. It is not about humanity, it is about Life herself.

Can we adjust our ways and view the life process as a miracle that will enable Life to continue on this ball of life we call Earth. Did you ever wonder where the word "Earth came from?" As sited on the online Etymology Dictionary:
"EARTH: O.E. eorðe "ground, soil, dry land," also used (along with middangeard) for "the (material) world" (as opposed to the heavens or the underworld), from P.Gmc. *ertho (cf. O.N. jörð, M.Du. eerde, O.H.G. erda, Goth. airþa), from PIE base *er-. The earth considered as a planet was so called from c.1400."

A rose by any other name is still a rose.... we are from the Earth as we are material beings. As we do unto the Earth we do unto ourselves.

So Today, and Everyday, let us treat the Earth as we would like to be treated ourselves; with respect, with care for good health, with love, with no malice, with nurturing and understanding.

Blessings to our home!

MOTHER EARTH SPEAKS

Breezing along Highway 89A on my regular Saturday trip to Sedona this morning, I heard Mother Earth calling out to the man in the huge earth moving truck that was working to expand the highway.

“How dare you disregard my offspring! How dare you pull from my body the follicles that feed you? I have begotten the ones whose roots tentacle down into my skin to be replenished so that they may grow and bear fruit for you. As you, and your kind, bulldoze the epidermal layer of my body you play like ill-mannered children who have not been taught to value anything but yourselves, and you toss away the life I have given you as if it were your own waste material.

How dare you forget that even your own waste material is of value when disposed of deep into the ground, then covered over, so that it may decompose and feed itself back to my body as nourishment for the next cycle of being. How dare you dig deeper, ripping and tossing, as your siblings the Creosote Bush, the Yucca Plant, the Prickly Pear, are crying out in anguish and pain?

When your large, yellow, metal, ride toy on large black rubber wheels roll over the hills and valleys of my exquisite body, the pathways I have formed to move the waters and provide the prickly habitats for indigenous critters are demolished. You have left water on over night, to soften my body so that you can carve it away in a few days, which has turned to ice and brought shivers to the lizards. As you tear into my body, take lubricant from my veins, water from my cells, and explode missiles down deep in my belly, why do you wonder about my quaking, the uncontrolled spilling of my waters, and the shifting of my skeleton?

How dare you mix the very lubricant of my body, with the minerals of my own life support to create a sealant that will not allow my skin to breath and my offspring to survive? Isn’t the road you have here enough?”

Road to Sedona
© Shayna DeArmon 2001

Finding Nature Indoors

Today I find myself in-doors. The windows are open, and I am organizing the stuff I have in the extra two bedrooms. Freshening up, one would call it. The breeze gently moves the white lace curtains in the kitchen and the sparkly purple twirly thing with long 1 inch wide "tassels" dangles by the window in one of the bedrooms. The air moves and things become alive in the house. Of course my indoor plants are happy for the fresh spring air caressing their leaves. The sun is still shining in and there is light in this shelter with four walls I live in. I turn on the gas stove and I have brought fire into my home to help me cook the eggs from my chickens in the back yard. Water pours out of my faucet as I clean the dishes. Every thing that is in my home is made from earth, including this computer. I can see the mountain through the glass (sand ) windows of the bedrooms.

Hummmmm, one thinks, Is there really a division from outdoors to indoors? I have found Earth, Air, Fire and Water within my four walls.

Now that I notice it.. there really isn't any difference at all... the confines of the walls makes it feel like there is a separation... However, as quantum physics tells us, there really isn't any solid thing after all! Actually it's all moving particles...And When I am inside, I am outside. It's just all a matter of perspective.

As I get closer to the realization that everything is connected and I am not separate from any of it, I begin to Know that All that is; is Nature.

WoW, It's Bloomin' Out There!

What a Wonder-ous time of the year it is --- Spring.. Reminds us all of new life! Yes, it can happen.. we can completely go dormant, then Spring into New Life! Resurgence, hummm, what does that mean? To rise again.

Can Spring teach us how to rise again, day after day, week after week, year after year? How come we humans think that life is like a ladder? How come we think that we get on the bottom step and go up, one step at a time and then reach our goal? And then what happens once we reach the top? Either we have to step down, one step at a time, or just fall all the way down and start over again.

However, Nature teaches us that there is a cycle: every day, month, and year. And within those cycles we begin to grow, change, produce, and go within or decompose, then begin again... Never ending cycle.

This morning Tree showed me her new creation for Spring:
Isn't she lovely?

Birthing a new Vision

I find myself in a place that I am very familiar with, the chance to birth a new vision for myself, to create a new way of life, to grow and flower into the beautiful artwork that Nature continuously does everyday. I learn from the natural environment that life is forever on the move. So why do I have a core belief that I am "safer" if I stay with the same job or ideals? Why do many of us live that way. Nature is our teacher, she is speaking out to us... grow, change, and become the fullness of the mature apple tree or the magnificent flower. And what happens next to the apple tree or flower? The apples drop to the ground to dispense seeds to grow new trees. The leaves fall and the branches are bare. Come Spring the buds show again and a new cycle begins. The flower starts in a seed that pops through the soil, the stem grows towards the sun, then it buds, then the petals spread and whala! we have beauty. The insects drink from the nectar of the flower and then the flower begins to wilt, die, and wait until the next cycle of life for it.

Today, I must think like the Apple Tree. I must put aside my thoughts of fear that I will not be able to grow and let it happen. Apple Tree in my back yard is budding now... And so am I. I am looking forward to seeing the fruits of my labors manifest into a way of life in which I can offer nourishment to those around me and fulfill my own destiny of life.

Power or Force?

Do you use Power or Force? When the Earth expands, shifts, rocks or rolls the things that are upon it can be destroyed or moved into a better condition. Is Earth using Power or Force when it moves? Both, it depends on how it moves. It can destroy or just change the lay of the land. How about Air? When it's a strong Wind there is much force and things are destroyed. When it's gentle, it's a pleasant breeze. We all know about relaxing in Water enjoying the gentle sway of her support. However, when the river rages She can destroy. And Dear Fire, WoW! When Fire arrives She can be in her Power and transform coal into a diamond, or use her Force and take down thousands of homes and chapperell.
The elements teach us; because they are us, we are Earth, Air, Fire, and Water.
Today is a new day.

Will we choose to use Power or Force? Will we use Force to insist that our Will be over others? Or will we stand in our Power to assist others and ourselves to create a more harmonious and balanced way of living.

Who Am I?

Funny how we identify ourselves in terms of what we do and have very little insight as to who we really are. I think this is because Life is such a mystery and reaching "enlightenment" as do the yogis is like doing the Limbo at the lowest level, almost impossible for most. If I think of my self in terms of Earth, Air, Fire and Water, and understand that is what makes my body, the idea of who I am becomes a little easier. Then, who or what is thinking for me? Is it just electrical impulses? I think not.
Does Tree think? How would we know? How 'bout Rock? They are also Earth, Air, Fire and Water.
According to the ancient people, Tree and Rock do store knowledge and share it with us.
Yes, it's a mystery....But this is one thing I know for sure. I am me; and you, and you are me, and Rock and Tree.

The Desert Smells Like Rain

It's been raining and snowing a lot this winter here in Northern Arizona. I hear people complaining; saying they want it to stop. For the past 8 years there has been a terrible drought in this neck of the woods and talk about not enough water to serve people and all living things. Yes, water does serve the living, without it there would be no life. My bio-family lives on the East Coast of Turtle Island (USA), they too complain about "the horrible weather they have had this winter. I stop to ponder. Why do we humans place judgment on the elements? When did that happen? Is it because we are so imbalanced with our environment that we don't realize the there is a "time for every season"? That to keep life going on Mother Earth there must be the cycle of change; the cycle of Earth, Air, Fire and Water?
Hummmm, let's brainstorm why rain and snow are not appreciated: frizzy hair, wet clothes, moldy houses (in the Midwest and East Coast), can't drive to work in snow and ice, gray skies, flooded homes and streets and just not fun to experience for a multitude of personal reasons.
Now let's brainstorm reasons rain and snow could be appreciated: abundance of food and water for every living thing, snow angels, time off of work and school, beautiful flowers, fun cloud formations, rivers and ponds to play in, and Life it's self.

Pass it forward: Let's rejoice when the rain and snow falls upon us! Let's do as the Hopi Nation does- Ritually dance for the coming of the wet seasons. Let us learn to joyfully WALK BAREFOOT IN THE RAIN!

Mother Nature's Lessons

The world is awake, at least for this week, with the advent of the Hatian earthquake. In one moment 10s of thousands of lives are gone and a city demolished. Mother Nature is speaking to us. She is saying, I am a living breathing being and I move and change. Just a few thousand years ago people understood this. Yes, lives were lost, but not at the same devastation as this loss.

Have you ever watched the birds and small critters in your yard? Do you notice their patterns? And those who live in areas with larger animals, do you watch their patterns?
The animals know when changes such as colder, hotter, and earth movements happen. If you see a change in their patterns, know that something in the weather or Earth will be happening different.

Be Aware! Watch over periods of time and you will learn how these animals react with each type of change.

Now is the time to take our test. As a species we will pass the test and survive, or not, that is our choice. What changes do each of us need to make in our lives to prolong our wonder-full journey as a being on Mother Earth....
Watch, learn, and then act.

Snow, Rain, Warm Sunny Days

It's January 8th and Turtle Island (North America) is experiencing wild, wet, dry, cold and warm weather patterns. Odd how folks in North Dakota and Iowa are under massive snow drifts, the East Coast is experiencing snow and ice, and I sit here in Arizona awaiting the warm sun, calm breeze, and clear skies. In the old days I wouldn't know what was going on 1,000 miles away. My perspective of the world would be built around the experience that my immediate environment was having... Just what I could see and feel.

Today my world is gentle, calm, clear, dry and warm. Does this affect how I interact with people around me? You bet it does. Those people who are in their homes with 4 feet of snow around them, children at home who are unable to get to school, and parents who can't get to work today to make the money they need to pay bills; are having a much different experience than I am. At the same time, there are folks who are stuck because of the snow and ice and are loving it!

Take time to think about how your environment affects you. In what direction do your thoughts go today? Are there grey skies? Does that make you happy or sad? Is the sun out bright and the air warm? Will you be able to get to work? Will you take time for a walk in the sun?

Does it really matter what is happening 1,000 miles away from you? Will you allow the information that is fed to you by TV, Internet, and Radio affect how you feel about you own environment? And if you do, will you not take the time to re-evaluate it, to examine how your personal environment (Nature that is around you) affects how you think and feel?

Today... take a moment and feel yourself outside.... How can you make the best of this day and how can you enjoy whatever it is that Nature has provided for you today? Every aspect of weather is important to the balance of Nature and life. With gratitude en-joy the gifts of Nature!

It's in the Air

It's the third day into the year 2010, and actually it's the beginning of a new decade. Anniversary dates are funny like that. When you complete a year then it's counted. Yet you have completed it so why shouldn't it be noted as the next number when you begin that year? What am I saying? Well, when you think about it we have completed a full 10 years into the 21st century, and now should really be noted as the second day into 2011.

Modern humanity has forgotten about how cycles work. Most everyone is feeling a NEW BEGINNING as the New Year has begun. This is because we have completed one whole cycle of 10, which means completion, and have begun at # 1 (11) again!

It's in the Air, can you feel it?
People are feeling like they will have a better year, that their struggles of this past year are over and they can now create the future they want... letting go of the past cycle and moving forward.

The days are longer, there is more sunlight, plant life is preparing for resurrection (funny how Christianity hopped on that train for the end of the month of December!) and people rejoice at the opportunities that await them to create a new future for themselves.

It is a wonder-full day, this 3rd day of the New Year. Earth, Air, Fire and Water are all-ways moving through all living things. The elements are the physical manifestation of our desires. Put them together and we can create anything that we desire...

Now, take a moment and blow Breath into your Dream. Air moves and stimulates that dream to come into Being. Today It is So!