Forwarded blessings for winter solstice

I wish everyone light and friendship for the coming year. May it be a good one. I’d like to share today’s message from Mama Donna with you…

Blessings of the Returning Solstice Sun

The Sun, source of light, love and
power in the universe
Whose radiance illuminates the whole Earth,
illuminate also our hearts
That they, too may do your work.
- Sanskrit prayer for peace

The return of the retreating sun, which retrieves us
from the dark of night, the long nights of winter, is
a microcosmic recreation of the origination of the
universe, the first birth of the sun.

The Winter Solstice is an anniversary celebration of
creation. Since the earliest of human times, it has
been both natural and necessary for folks to join
together in the warmth and glow of community in
order to welcome the return of light to a world that
is surrounded by dark.

And through the imitative gesture of lighting fires,
like so many solar birthday candles, we do our annual
part to rekindle the spirit of hope in our hearts.

One by one, in tiny increments,
candle by candle, gesture by effort,
wish by prayer, concern by care,
we feed the life-fires of the soul
and light the infinite universe,
little by little from within.

With bright blessings.

xxMama Donna

* (c) Permission is granted to copy, reproduce, reprint
or promulgate in any manner this copyrighted material
so long as correct attribution and contact information
is included.
*****************************************************
Donna Henes is an internationally renowned urban shaman,
eco-ceremonialist, award-winning author, syndicated columnist,
popular speaker and workshop leader whose joyful celebrations
of celestial events have introduced ancient traditional rituals and
contemporary ceremonies to millions of people in more than
100 cities since 1972. In addition to her popular public rituals for
equinoxes and solstices, she is the official Grand Spirit Marshall
of the world famous Greenwich Village Halloween Parade and the
Mistress of Blessing Ceremonies for NYC Earth Day Festivities.

She has published four books, a CD, an acclaimed quarterly
journal and writes a column for UPI (United Press International)
Religion and Spirituality Forum. Mama Donna, as she is
affectionately called, maintains a ceremonial center, spirit shop,
ritual practice and consultancy in Exotic Brooklyn, NY where she
works with individuals, groups, institutions, municipalities and
corporations to create meaningful ceremonies for every
imaginable occasion.

For information about upcoming events and services contact:

Mama Donna’s Tea Garden & Healing Haven
PO Box 380403
Exotic Brooklyn, New York, NY 11238-0403
Phone: 718/857-1343
Email: CityShaman@aol.com
www.DonnaHenes.net
www.MamaDonnasSpiritShop.com/
www.TheQueenofMySelf.com

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donna_Henes

http://youtube.com/watch?v=yAR-aIiQ_xE

Read her blog at:
www.myspace.com/queenmamadonna
queenmamadonna.blogspot.com
mamadonnahenes.gaia.com

You’ve got a friend (Carole King)

When you’re down and troubled
And you need a helping hand
And nothing, whoa nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me
And soon I will be there
To brighten up even your darkest nights.

You just call out my name,
And you know wherever I am
I’ll come running, oh yeah baby
To see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall,
All you have to do is call
And I’ll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.
You’ve got a friend.

If the sky above you
Should turn dark and full of clouds
And that old north wind should begin to blow
Keep your head together and call my name out loud
And soon you’ll hear me knocking upon your door.
You just call out my name and you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you got to do is call
And I’ll be there, yeah, yeah, yeah.

Hey, ain’t it good to know that you’ve got a friend
When people can be so cold?
They’ll hurt you and desert you.
Well they’ll take your soul if you let them.
Oh yeah, but don’t you let them.

You just call out my name and you know wherever I am
I’ll come running to see you again.
Oh babe, don’t you know that,
Winter spring summer or fall,
Hey now, all you’ve got to do is call.
Lord, I’ll be there, yes I will.
You’ve got a friend.
You’ve got a friend.
Ain’t it good to know you’ve got a friend.
Ain’t it good to know you’ve got a friend.
You’ve got a friend.

Autumnal Agony?

The fall colors are spectacular — both here and in the Hudson Valley, where I grew up. But the cold, foggy days of fall are here as well. Both images suit my mood swings, which are enhanced by the events in the world around me and far away.

This morning I received the October issue of “The Queen’s Chronicles” by Donna Henes (www.donnahenes.net), an urban shaman whom I had the privilege to meet this past summer. And the lead article gave me a real boost. She reminds us of the power of our thoughts, the power of positive thinking, and encourages us to do what we can in our immediate environment. No individual can take on the world, but we can do a world of good in the neighborhood.

The journey of life offers some interesting twists and turns along the way, and we meet the most fascinating people, who can enrich our lives, encourage us, and expand our perception in helpful ways.

What I read this morning reminded me of how important it is to treat everyone with respect, and to reach out to everyone — not just the selected few whom we deem to be on our wavelength. (Yes, I tend to be guilty of that. Quite arrogant, if you ask me!) When I have been open and communicative, there have been wonderfully uplifting exchanges with sales clerks, auto mechanics, dental technicians.

Today I will keep my eyes open and be aware. We are all here together on this planet. Everyone and every encounter is a matter of consequence, as the Little Prince would say. After a few decades, I took that book off the shelf and find it just as delightful as I did back then. The past few days I have been pondering my own perceived matters of consequence, and settling these into a better perspective as well.

So, rather than slipping into an autumnal depression due to events and sensations both inside and out, I will focus on the positive aspects and reach out a bit further to promote peace and understanding.