Stone Medicine guest article by Connie Habash
Ancient Traditions
December is certainly a holiday time in the West, no matter what your religion or spiritual practice. From the Judeo-Christian traditions of Hannukah and Christmas, to Kwanzaa and the Winter Solstice, here in the U.S. it's quite a busy and festive time.
We're certainly used to the commercial aspect of this time of year. Stores galore are packed with Christmas products to decorate your home, car, children, pets, and of course, yourself. Not to mention the flurry of shoppers seeking the perfect gifts for friends and family.
Many of us are unaware, though, of the roots of our rituals during the holiday season. We can look back to some of our ancestors from the European continent to discover that trimming the tree, mistletoe, and even holiday cookies are time-held traditions with special meaning.
The practice of bringing greenery into one's home in early winter goes back farther than the first dated use of a "Christmas tree". Germans began decorating the Tannenbaum (German for “Fir tree”) in the 1500's, in the region of Alsace.
But long before that, pagans (the "country folk") felt that evergreens symbolized life, even in the midst of the season of death. Prior to the Tannenbaum, living trees were put into tubs and brought into homes during the old German feast of Yule, which spanned two months in November and December.
The Ancient Egyptians had a similar ritual, decorating their abodes with green date palm leaves to represent this triumph of life over death. One can see how these practices were easily applied hundreds and thousands of years later to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus in the Christian tradition.
Speaking of eternal life, did you know that the mistletoe you may hang over your door symbolized immortality to the ancient Druids in Great Britain? It also was said to increase
fertility–hence the practice of kissing under the mistletoe! The Druids also hung what have now evolved into wreaths on their doors; evergreen branches were said to keep away evil spirits.
Many of us sing songs about "Yuletide" without knowing much about this ancient holiday. Yule is the time of renewal. It is the Winter Solstice, when the Sun, having completed its shortest day of the year, begins to grow stronger again as the days lengthen from here until mid-June. This new-born Sun–which became the new-born Son in the Christian tradition–is celebrated by the Yule Log. The fire represents the return of that radiant light.
Even the custom of baking cookies during the holidays has roots in old tradition. Many cultures around the world enjoy eating sweets in celebration. As the New Year approached (and for many of the pagan folk in the European continent, that was the Winter Solstice), partaking of sweet treats as one year was ending ensured sweetness in the year to come.
You needn't be of any particular religious or spiritual tradition to enjoy these time-honored rituals and make them meaningful for yourself. Essentially, all these customs celebrate life and renewal. Whether you have a decorated tree in your home or in your community, appreciate the long life-span of the evergreen and endeavor to attain such resiliency and health. As logs burn in your fireplace or candles in your menorah or kinara, you think of the light and life that they represent, and honor the gifts that the sun gives our planet throughout the year. Let the mistletoe bring you joy as you celebrate how love for one's partner carries on life and creation. And if you choose to partake of holiday goodies, eat them mindfully and reverently, envisioning a world more kind and sweet in the coming year.
Copyright 2007, Connie Habash
Connie Habash, MA, LMFT, is a yoga teacher, writer, and psychotherapist in Menlo Park and Mountain View, CA.
You can find out more about her at her website:
Awakening Self
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Stone
of the Month |
Moonstone!
Intuition and Inspiration!
Moonstone glows with its own inner light. This iridescent stone comes in colors ranging from grey and white to peach, purple, blue and rainbow. Each color has unique attributes, but no matter what the color, Moonstone is always inspiring!
Moonstone aligns us with the moon and its cycles. Wear it and feel the depth and power of the dark moon and the inspiration and excitement of the full moon. Use it during the waxing and waning moon phases to help direct your ideas.
During this magical time of year, Moonstone keeps you connected to the elements while enlivening your spirit. It helps you cultivate patience (something we all need around the holidays!). It also helps you become more connected to and at peace with your emotions–it gives clarity to what you're feeling inside and helps you express these feelings outwardly.
Physically, Moonstone helps with female cycles, eliminates cramps and balances moods. It also helps balance water retention.
I work with Moonstone in the element of Air and in the 5th and 6th chakras. It is a wonderful stone that can aid in bringing you the glory, mystery, and power of the moon.
More Moonstone!
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Bastet Jewelry and The Sacred Well
Sacred Well Store Opens
Located in a beautiful setting overlooking Oakland's Lake Merritt, the Sacred Well store opened in October. This store has many of my one-of-a-kind pieces for sale. It also is a great source for readings, rituals, remedies, tools for sacred and healing arts, crystals, and other treasures.
Go for a visit and enjoy a magical store! Sacred Well, 536 Grand Avenue, Oakland, California.
Friends and Resources of Bastet Jewelry:
Awakening Self
Sacred Well
Astrobarry
Elka Vera
Clandestine Belly Dance
Love Bug Clothing
Red Lotus Bellydancing
from the fig tree
Circle of Life
Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine
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