Over the river and through the woods . . .

​   It is that time of year when travel abounds! Beginning with Thanksgiving, families busily prepare their homes for the Holiday season and Black Friday opens the door to purchasing gifts. Here in the West Christmas becomes the focus December 25, followed by the Jewish holiday, Hanukkah, December 18-26, and African American families celebrate Kwanzaa, December 26-January 1. I recently became aware of  Saint Nicholas Day, which is celebrated on December 6. It is often referenced as The Feast of Saint Nicholas and is honored by many Western Christian countries. Saint Nicholas of Myra, was a fourth century bishop known for his generosity and kindness to the children, the poor, and the sick. 
    Such are the diverse and heart-felt expressions of kindness, generosity, and an acknowledgment of something greater than ourselves. It is also a time to reconnect with our ancestral lineage and remember those that walked before us.  As we enter this season of celebration our hearts are given the opportunity to move our focus to something truly heart-felt  both from our past memories and stories that were shared by our elders, to the present moment of giving. It is a beautiful opportunity to step away from the "comings and goings" of current events and focus on what brings happiness and joy to our hearts. Most importantly, is the re-membering of our loved ones, and reconnecting to our hearts.
    This Holiday season, offers a time  to hit the pause of button of everyday life and recall the beauty of simple things; making cookies with Grandma, listening to the stories Grandpa shares about his childhood, the silly sayings he may have repeated, and what he knows of the tradition of his culture. Just as rewarding is observing the little kid in each of them as they share these memories.
   Holidays offer us the priceless gift of really honoring where we are from, what our culture truly holds important and why such traditions continue. In a world that seems to be in a blender of issues and concerns, getting to the core of what is truly important, is vital to our understanding of ourselves and others. It offers a deeper understanding of the many cultures in our country, which may, if we pay attention, deepen our respect for the diverse world in which we live. If we will use this time to see the joy of genuine, childlike love and acceptance, without judgment, this Holiday season just may reawaken our heart to the deeper truth of life, love and connection to the divine Flame of Love from which we were each conceived.  Considering these simple truths will make the trip, "Over the river and through the woods" (to Grandmother and Grandpa's house) a more enjoyable and heart-felt event. 

 Those of us at Dancing Flame Medicine Lodge, wish the visitors to this site, to our gatherings and offerings a very Heart-felt Holiday Season. May the joy of the season prepare each of us for entering the Cave of Winter on December 21, to your true North direction.  It is during the winter season we have the opportunity to dream of ways the magic of Truth and Love of this season may be carried into the place of new beginnings, Spring. To dream well, Remember to Tell your Head, it's job is to remember your dreams and Let your Heart lead the Way.  It is then we can begin a  new round on the Sacred Wheel of life, and "Walk our Sacred Paths" fully rested and prepared to carry those dreams into 2025.  
 From my heart to yours, Vicky

" Whispers of our soul bring deep Truths from the wisdom within,"  The old woman
"Let's do this," Book Two, Head to Heart Talks: Walking a Sacred Path