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darren r hill : writer, minstrel and journal keeper

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February 27, 2018 By Darren Leave a Comment

The path to hell is paved with Lenten intentions

meh at least there's coffeeI began so well. The ritual. The cross of ashes. The desire to stop. The desire to deepen that spiritual relationship. The knowledge that I can be a better person. The intention of being that person. The journey didn’t last long. A couple of days, a day, hours… less?

Then again, isn’t that the way this ought to be? A journey. A journey with false paths. A journey with stumbling blocks, crevices and the occasional rock fall.

seeking wisdom image from my journal

One reason (excuse?) is an illness. A virus came and walked alongside me for a while. We were obviously close friends. We shared everything. For an introvert, friendship – close friendship and intimate sharing – can be exhausting. I’m still in recovery. The virus has moved on to others, virus is so fickle.

I had planned good things for February. The plans, like my Lenten walk, have gone off track. They are there. Milling around in the woods, in the darker places. I’ll get a light and go find them. The woods are full of birch trees.

Beth / Birch Celtic oracle card

The Celtic ‘Beth’ represents a sweeping away, a purification. It’s also about determination and patience. Beth a metaphor for the metaphor that is Lent. It seems the woods are the place to go. To find my plans. To find my path.

  • Lent leads to Easter
  • February into Spring
  • Lull into life.

 

Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
namaste
d
xox
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Filed Under: Journaling Tagged With: celtic, illness, intentions, lent, Spirituality

September 21, 2017 By Darren Leave a Comment

Gratitude in lean times – Mabon Thanksgiving


It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. I think I read this words somewhere before. It’s today, or around today, that Mabon is celebrated, the second harvest festival. It ties in with the autumn equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. A time of balance before the austerity of winter clothes us.

For those following my intermittent musings on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (links below) you may have noticed the odd gloomy moan. I am struggling to sort out a few things in my life. Work is exciting, hard-going but not overly rewarding at this present time. As the summer disappears and grey skies take hold, I seem to have followed suit with a less than sunny disposition.

However, things are not bad. And this celebration of Mabon has reminded me just what I have. It has stopped me in my tracks and shown what I can be grateful for. Just as the leaves on the trees will turn gold, my blessings are golden too. I am grateful for all I have. I am not in need of anything at this present moment. There may come a time in the near future when I am in need, just like the cycle of the year moves into winter when food and warmth are scarce. Presently I am content. And I am thankful for that.

I pray that this time of Mabon, there is much that you can be grateful for. And I pray that the winter ahead will not bring too much need.

 

Thank you for reading this post. Please share your thoughts in the comment section below.
namaste
d
xox
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Filed Under: Spirituality Tagged With: autumn equinox, gratitude, harvest, mabon, Spirituality, thankful

May 1, 2017 By Darren Leave a Comment

Beltane a symbol not of our time

When was the last time we stopped and gave thanks for the local supermarket? When did we take a moment and think about safety and protection for the transportation of our food?

We have stopped believing in the old ways, the old gods, the old beliefs, as Neil Gaiman points out in American Gods.

Have we lost something? As some celebrate Beltane, they will give thanks and ask for protection for the newly ploughed and sowed seeds. Rituals of bonfires and other esoteric events create spells, enchantments and covenants to protect the land in order for it to bear fruit.

Yes, superstition… but why did that become a dirty word?

Many join in with these rituals without a care or an iota of faith or belief in what they are celebrating. Religion and spirituality have always had that element within.

I stand outside the town’s Co-op mini market. They won’t appreciate a bonfire lit in front of their display window. Will probably think I am one item short of a BOGOF, if I attempt to summon a spirit of protection in the entrance. But at the very least I should not take this shop, and others, for granted.

We abdicated our food production to the farming and retail industry. In return, we demand the right to eat. A human right even. We are able to obtain food and eat it. We don’t take part in the creative ritual, although we do offer a donation of coin in return for sustenance; an offering at the collection plate. This is contactless food production.

We swapped ritual for a transaction. We have lowered our very survival to a financial exchange. Let’s pray the system doesn’t fall apart.

As I think about Beltane, I think about what it has meant, and what it could mean. Is there any symbolism that I can use in my own ‘year’?

At the very least, I should not take what I have for granted. And I wonder, are there any symbolic bonfires I should be lighting this day, for there is no such thing as a mere symbol.

Filed Under: Lifestream, Spirituality Tagged With: Beltane, paganism, prayer, ritual, Spirituality

February 2, 2017 By Darren Leave a Comment

Candlemas – blessing our needs

candle and candlemasTraditionally Candlemas is celebrated 40 days after the birth of Jesus. It was when the child was presented at the Temple; the redemption of the first born. In the church year, it marks the end of Epiphany and one of the twelve great feasts of the Eastern Orthodox Church. In the Catholic rosary, it is the 4th Joyful mystery and the fruit of the mystery is purity and obedience. This marks the other aspect of the Temple visit, that of the ‘ritual purification’ of Mary after childbirth.

The name Candlemas came from the tradition of the priest blessing candles for use throughout the year. The populace would bring along their collection of beeswax columns and they would be blessed, a medieval ‘let there be light’.

What is my Candlemas?

Ritual and minimalism are related companions for me. The more ritual I have the more I focus on what I have and need to do. The more ritual the more I appreciate what I have and I get less distracted by meaningless wants and desires. Of course, that’s the theory if not the practice… or ritual!

Candles were vital in a pre-gas or electrical world. They were a need for the people hence the blessing of them (along with the light and its symbolism).

  • What do I need?
  • What is vital to me?
  • What do I need blessed?

Alternatively, as it is the 2nd February, you can celebrate Groundhog Day instead and predict the weather.

Filed Under: Minimalism Tagged With: candlemas, focus, minimalism, ritual, Spirituality

February 1, 2017 By Darren Leave a Comment

Imbolc – protection in the light

imbolcIt’s Imbolc. It lies approximately halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. It is a Gaelic festival to mark the beginning of spring. The 1st February is also Saint Brigid’s Day or Brigid’s Day as the Gaelic goddess Brigid and the Irish saint overlap/conflict/syncretise*
*delete as applicable.

The festival symbolised protection, both homes and livestock. So today it can represent what we have, where we are and how we are supported.

Goddesses fighting for Women’s Rights

In Wicca, the goddess Brigid’s day can be seen as a women’s holiday. At this time when women’s rights are being challenged across the world, we can call upon the living saints and goddesses to stand up. And guys we mustn’t remain silent either; male and female are equally human.

Imbolc, Brigid and Holy Wells

I have mentioned fallow as my word for February, which ties in here. I leave fallow and I seek protection as I look toward the light months ahead.

Another tradition at this time is to visit holy wells. Drawing from the well is a metaphor often used by creative people. But do we offer our creative wells thanks, gifts, prayers?

This Imbolc what do you seek protection for?

You don’t need to believe in the supernatural, but you can take a moment to reflect at this time.

Filed Under: Journaling Tagged With: imbolc, journal, rights, Spirituality, St Brigid, women's rights

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