Rose Cottage

  恭喜发财 - gong xi fa cai   Blessings in the year of the Wood Snake! May you be blessed as we move forward, shedding old skins and finding new opportunities! Blessing tree The year of the dragon (just ended) asked us to evolve, grow up and let go of old patterns. Three next several days (through February 3) seat the new energies.  In the year of the Snake, we enter young adulthood and can thrive with the strength to accomplish our goals.  Snake medicine invites us to explore and exemplify : Wisdom and intelligence. This is a time to seek knowledge and understanding Caution and prudence - plan your actions and reevaluate.  Mystery and intuition - pay attention! Resourcefulness and adaptability. Tenacious and diligent Transformation and renewal.  The Snake's ability to shed its outgrown skin is a wonderful example of letting go of that which no longer serves! And let what's underneath some! Protection and healing.   Gong xi fa cai   In Asian As...

 I'm so grateful to love in this beautiful blue green planet! The first Earth Day celebration was a year after Neil Armstrong saw the earth from the moon - and watched it disappear behind his thumb, when he extended his arm! At that moment,  he realized everything and everyone who was important to him was on that marble!  This year, I was invited to do ASL sign for the songs of the McMinnville Women's Choir at an Earth Day event.  The celebration was sponsored by Zero Waste, and held at the Presbyterian church - which is one of a coalition of local churches with Climate Action groups. Edible Landscapes is an offshoot of Zero Waste, providing food and education to the wider community.  Earth Day Banners - Earth from the Moon The event is a reminder that we make choices that have an impact Every Day, and encourages us to make Greener choices.  Speakers included City Council member Sal Peralta, who reminded us that Zero Waste Oregon started with our McMinnvill...

 Imbolc is one of my favorite 'cross quarter' holidays, (the ones between Solstices & Equinox) : It marks the feast day of the goddess Brigid , a time the goddess washes her face, & is renewed! In Celtic mythology, she is a member of the Tuatha de Dana, and brings wisdom, poetry, harping and Smithcraft. Many sacred wells are dedicated to Brigid. Candlemas and Groundhog's day mark this passage in western calendars, and the Christian saint Bridget has many of the same attributes.  At this time of year, I am drawn to inner cleansing - and after receiving a lovely bundle of kale and herbs from my friend Nikki's garden, I've been making green smoothies for brekkie.  Cloutie flags by a sacred well Fiona Morgan, writing in  We'moon  says:  "A pure new light sparks as we emerge from winter's dark sleep. . .  We recharge our psychic batteries as the entire universe begins to quiver & pulse its cosmic rhythm. Earthlings feel Her intensity acutely as ...

 Gong Hay Fat Choi! Good wishes on the year of the Rabbit! We had a lovely celebration with over a thousand people at a local market and event center.  In addition to performances - a Lion Dance, Tai Chi demonstration, and  dragon puppet; there were stories and crafts for children, and history of Asian presence in our area.  In the late 1800s, the towns around us had a Chinese laundry, and the local paper reported several gatherings for the Lunar New year. Celebrating with family and friends was the heart of the festivities - and we certainly did. Lion dance at Mac Market One of my favorite personal activities is rolling Oranges! The words for 'tangerine' and that for 'wealth' sound similar, and the color reminds us of that of coins. My friend and Feng Shui practioner Gwynne loves celebrating Lunar New Years, and offers several practices: -   'Roll 88 cases, or 88, or 8 single oranges one by one through your front door (& every exterior door that enters...

   The Rabbit year is an especially favorable & mild one, following the more exciting year of the Tiger!  I'm a Tiger, & my Handbook of Chinese Horoscopes says:  "A happier year for the Tiger. Some good news is forthcoming, love & business affairs look rosy. There are still some obstacles, but (s)he will surmount them with little difficulty, & will be quite content with (her) achievements." This is also a good year for those born in Oxen and Snake years -  so welcome!   In general, a Rabbit year brings   "A congenial time in which diplomacy, international relations & politics fare well. We will act with discretion & make reasonable concessions without too much difficulty. Money can be made without too much labor, our life style will be more languid & leisurely. A temperate year with an unhurried pace."   My grandkids enjoy rolling oranges across the doorstep - I  look forward to doing that in Rose Cottage! Another ...