Midway through October? I ask myself how these months seem to fly by. My mother used to tell me, “The older you get, the faster years go by.” Well, she was absolutely correct. Although, I hear younger people saying the same thing. It seems life is moving at a rapid pace for everyone on the planet.
    In my “neck of the woods” nearly three quarters of the crops are harvested. With such dry conditions, a plume of dust hoovers over the land as farmers diligently work the fields. Being a farm girl, I love observing these dedicated men and women who honor and respect this beautiful planet, and enjoy knowing their efforts feed so many. Of course, these crops not only fill the bellies of people, these rich crops are used to create many useful and sustainable by-products. Hats off to these dedicated, hard-working farm people. One bumper sticker sums it up well, “If your belly’s full, thank a Farmer.”
    October will conclude with the “spooky” holiday of Halloween. Such a festive time of year when children (and big kids) dress up in all sorts of costumes and make believe their someone or something else. Halloween dates back some 2,000 years to the Celtic festival of Samhain. This festival marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of the “darker” half of the year. The word Halloween is a combination of the Scottish words “hallow” and “een,” which means “holy” or “saint” and “evening,” respectively. You might research a bit more of its origin and discover some other interesting facts. Pondering these holidays are a great way to see the common ways many cultures share in celebrating the same concepts and ideas; just in different ways. It is, indeed, true, we have more in common than we have differences.
Reminders:
Thursday, October 17 at 7:26 a.m. the Hunter’s Full Moon heralds in a time to begin to gather what is needed for winter. It is a time of high energy; a time to Reflect, Release and prepare to Receive. Each full moon offers such a time to consider: What’s come up? What are you ready to experience, and What are you ready to let go of in order for your intentions to manifest.
The Deepening into Wisdom circle meets that evening from 6:30-7 p.m. This will be the last circle for 2024. What a perfect time to use the questions offered with this full moon. If it’s your first time visiting this circle, consider checking us out this Thursday. Weather permitting, we will be outside around a small fire, so dress warmly and bring something to use as we sit on the ground and feel the connection to the fire, Earth Mother, and each other.  

Lastly, a reminder the deadline to sign up for the “Using the Mandala as a Compass” is Friday, October 18. Read more about this very interesting and helpful tool for guiding one's life on our webpage under Community Events. We are confident you will leave this event learning something “you didn’t know you didn’t know!” 

“Autumn heralds in a time to harvest, and from the West, we can hear the whispers of our Creator,” from Book One, The Container.
“West: A place to listen to the ‘voice’ of our Heart,” From Book Two, The Compass
​

   The last blog asked the question, “What do I really need.” Hopefully, you paused after reading the blog and asked yourself that question. More importantly, that question settled into your heart and your head pondered it for a while. That was several weeks ago, has your head and heart come up with any answers?
    Let’s add another very important component to consider: What do I hold dear to my heart? Most of us begin with our loved ones and move to our health and our loved one’s health, and then add to the list their career, financial security, and go from there. When I was a Home Economics teacher, later renamed Family and Consumer science (FCS) Core Values were taught. It was deemed one of the most important skills for living to know in order to begin truly knowing oneself. Interestingly, many schools have deemed FCS an unnecessary class since it is not needed for college and removed it from the curriculum. I won’t get on that tangent but, seriously, unnecessary?
   The truth is our Core Values undergird every decision we make in life. Whether its deciding what to do with one’s life, choosing a career, a friend, a partner, selecting a hairdresser, doctor, to what color to wear each day. That’s right, every single thing you do is determined by what you deem important in your life. I recall in the 80’s the focus was on values clarification and the teachers were instructed to not engage in sharing their values with their students. It was noted that to talk about your personal values may influence the students and parent’s may complain if those values were contrary to what they were teaching their children. I recall asking how that was possible when how I decorate my room, the clothes I wear, how I treat the students displayed my values? I never got an answer to that question.
   With information readily available with the tips of our fingers, search for more information about Core Values and how they influence our lives, your head will be more than willing to consider what pops up. While you are doing that research, listen to your heart. Pay attention to what rings true for you, that’s your heart speaking to you. Designate some time to begin to understand what basic values influence and guide your life, grab a piece of paper or your journal and at the top write: What do I hold dear to my heart? Keep at it and you will develop a closer relationship with your heart, and your head will be grateful it could help!
 
September Events:
Thursday, Sept 19, from 6:30-8p.m is our next Deepening into Wisdom Circle. If you are looking for a community, or simply curious about this circle, come check us out. Our last Deepening into Wisdom circle in 2024 will be October 18. We welcome you to join us. Read more about this circle on the Events page of our website: www.headtohearttalks.com or contact Vicky at: [email protected].

Thursday, Sept 17 at 10:34 p.m. the Harvest Moon will appear in preparation for the official welcoming of Fall with the Autumn Equinox, Monday, Sept 23 at 8:43 a.m.  Such a marvelous partnership that offers us the opportunity to pause and notice the abundance received from our dreaming in the Winter, planting in the Spring, and tending and taking action in the Summer with what is necessary to bring those dreams to fruition. Of course, Summer offers a time to play and have adventures to balance those efforts by allowing us to bring out our inner child. Fall brings the beauty of the harvest, colorful leaves that blanket Earth Mother and offer their richness to nourish her over the Winter. It is the West direction that beckons us to slow down and look inward. As we gather around a fire snuggly wrapped in sweatshirts and blankets, it is, indeed, a time to end the busyness of the year and appreciate the completion of a cycle.

Happenings:
Check out the Using the Mandala as a Compass to find your True North retreat listed on the Community Events page. If you are ready to explore a deeper understanding of your life, this retreat will offer you a simple, every day, every year opportunity to Walk a Sacred Path aware of your basic needs and values. Or as the Buddhist would say, wake up and become aware; allow the Buddha within to guide your life. Whatever form of spiritual beliefs you practice, become aware of it, honor it, pay attention and watch it become your guiding North Star.
 

After a “bang up” 4th of July complete with rain storms, lightning and an abundance of gray clouds, the heat of summer is in full swing. Each morning Grandfather Sun’s bright face begins his ascent in the East as a new day is heralded in with the intense heat and humidity summer offers. As surely as he descends in the West each evening, it is assurance all is well here on Earth Mother. Father Sky has a way of providing guidance with the certainty that life continues to unfold despite anything we humans do. Just as the East, provides a visual reminder of new beginnings, the South brings the warmth of summer, where we experience relationships, growth, and the dreams of all sorts of possibilities. The West offers a time to step back and reflect on what has unfolded as a means to “harvest” the experiences and choose which seems in alignment with our heart’s desires. It is during this autumn season we choose which of those desires to take into the darkness of the winter and allow our hearts to “speak” to us. Ah, the wisdom and beauty of the North direction. Through this circular sacred walk, Spring simply appears.

With Spring in our rearview mirror, Summer offers us the opportunity to use our childlike remembering of simply playing through the adventure’s life offers, as we begin to grow into the next moment of life. Fed with the nourishment of love our hearts begin to grow and expand as we step outside what we have known to the world outside, we become aware of the infinite possibilities in front of us. Now might be a good time to consider what’s your next adventure? Is now a good time to step into something you have always wanted to know more about or to take action to move toward?  Just as surely as our gardens and yards require attention, so the growth of opportunity and knowing awaits your presence. 

This I know, life unfolds with each moment! With that knowing, wouldn’t it be wise to truly notice what is directly in front of you, rather than allow our busy minds to always be thinking about what’s ahead of us? “Using the Mandala as a Compass,” retreat is an introduction to notice what is right in front of you. It is an opportunity to consciously live with nature as a partner that will guide you through life, and, it is a reminder that you are never truly alone. We are offering this retreat in October; listen to your heart and see if it’s something that may help you during the autumn season. Check out the Community events link for a bit more information.
Until then, play, laugh, dance in the rain, hug a tree and re-member we are all one big family . . . . This I know!
                                              From my heart to yours, Vicky

 
July 21 at 6:17 a.m. the Buck Full Moon energy officially arrives. The name comes from the fact that buck drops their antlers and begin growing news ones during this moon. Our next Deepening into Wisdom circle is this Thursday, July 18 from 6:30-8 p.m. Perhaps it is time to drop something from your life that you have outgrown in order to make room for something new that’s been eagerly awaiting to emerge. Join us as we share some stories about our lives that have brought us to this point of “releasing and making room” for something new. Bring an open heart, a cover for your lap, a friend and a willing to share something that just might help another seeker, such as you! 
               
         "I love the ingenuity that occurs when the creative heart and masterful mind collaborate."
                                                               These are the old woman's words.
                                   from "Fences,"  Head to Heart Talks: Walking a Sacred Path

This week’s happenings:
Summer officially arrives Thursday, June 20 at 4:50 p.m. with the Summer Solstice. This event has been celebrated as the high point of summer, or midsummer, since Neolithic era. This astronomical phenomenon occurs when the Earth’s axis is tilted closest to the sun, and the sun is farthest from the equator. In the Northern Hemisphere, the summer solstice is the longest day of the year. Culturally speaking, this event is celebrated in many different ways across the world as a means to show reverence and respect for the significance of this annual event. According to some cultures this event represents a time of transition and can remind people there is hope in the world. It can also be a time to honor the importance of cycles, and to remind us of the many changes and opportunities to grow in our lives we have. Most importantly, to remember, each of us are our best personal guide: The wisdom is within!

Speaking of wisdom, this month’s Deepening into Wisdom circle is Thursday, June 20 from 6:30-8. What a perfect time to gather and share what cycles, or changes are occurring in our lives. By sharing our experiences with others, we deepen in our personal wisdom by hearing another person’s perspective. There is no doubt, we are more alike than we are different, it’s simply a manner of witnessing how others move through their cycles of life. Consider the power of gathering at such a time as the summer solstice . . .  the energy will be “electrifying!” Bring a friend, an open heart, a cover for your lap and a willingness to meet other like-minded individuals. Read more about this circle on our website. www.headtohearttalks.
 
Follow up: The “Using the Mandala as a Compass” Saturday was delightful. A very small, intimate retreat that reminded those in attendance of the beauty available when there is a willingness to “go with the flow,” and allow “the teachings to guide” the retreat. If your heart calls to participate in the first level retreat, send a note to Vicky, [email protected] There is room to schedule another one in mid to late October, before the busyness of the holidays begin.  Until then, have a perfectly fun-filled, playful, adventurous and heart-felt Summer!