Winter Solstice 2010

Our most recent fortune cookies (Paul ate two).

Hello Everyone!

In Cottonwood, AZ today Paul and I went on an “explore” and wound up going for a hike by a river under a magnificent shelter of cottonwood trees and aspens, all bare except for bunches of bright green mistletoe. Today is the Winter Solstice. It will also be a lunar eclipse of a full moon, the first time this has happened on Winter Solstice in more than 350 years.

An astrologer acquaintance of mine says that tonight is a potent time to release any darkness that holds you back, to let go of any old pattern, grief or pain that has been interfering with manifesting your true life’s purpose. In so-doing you can rekindle your inner fire and plant a new, more positive vision for the coming year.

Anyone who knows Paul and me realizes that we’re not immune to having life issues of our own. Who is? In particular, the topic of “home” has been more than an obsession for the past several years. “Go home” my inner guidance has been saying a very long time. But today, walking under the mistletoe I had a bit of a revelation: is there really any “home” that exists outside ourselves at this point in time?

An old family story came to mind. My grandparents came to the United States as a result of the Russian pogroms when the Jews were forced from their homes at the turn of last century. Imagine “Fiddler on the Roof” minus the singing. My grandfather came to this country first, got a job and sent for his young wife after he saved enough money. After she arrived he wanted to take her out for her first American meal and ordered shrimp which is forbidden under Kosher Jewish law. She was horrified but her husband said “This is your new home! This is what people eat here!” She replied “No! My body is my home.”

“Go home”. I tried it my grandmother’s way. I walked under the trees, visualized myself “at home” in my own skin and came back to myself, breathing, just being. And for the first time in a very long time it felt alright.

Mistletoe grows in the branches of trees and is one of the symbols of Christmas, probably because it is evergreen. But it is also a real life manifestation of “home”. A wide variety of birds use mistletoe for a nest. And not only that, the birds are responsible for the mistletoe being there. Mistletoe finds its way to the tops of these trees through bird droppings. Seriously. Mistletoe is what is known as a hemiparasitic plant. It can thrive quite well like other plants on its own and would not ordinarily be found growing in the branches of other shrubs or trees except via the process of having been deposited there in bird feces. The plant then sends roots into the tree itself in order to survive in what would otherwise be a foreign environment.

This is an extremely rare occurrence in the plant kingdom. Such a surprising ability to not only survive but thrive in such a situation, especially while staying evergreen, makes mistletoe a profound example of Nature’s fertility. Not only that, in places where mistletoe abounds other species become more fertile and abundant as well because mistletoe not only provides housing but food (berries and foliage) for a wide variety of animals and birds. Mistletoe is a symbol of God’s love (or the Goddess’ love in Nordic pagan tradition) and whoever stands under the mistletoe is under Divine protection. No harm will come of them, only a kiss, the symbol of love, fertility and everlasting life.

Paul and I have had quite a few “looking for home” adventures and mishaps in the time we’ve been together. It’s obviously time to change this but we have learned at least one thing: no matter where we go, no matter where we are, we’re always “at home” with each other!

Remember to steal a kiss under the mistletoe this holiday season.

-- Sheryl Karas M.A.

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December Newsletter 2009

© 2009 Paul Hood

Hello Everybody,

It's gotten icy cold in the Arizona high desert. It went down to 4 degrees last night, might be colder tonight. Winter isn't officially upon us-- that doesn't happen until the longest night of the year, Winter Solstice, December 21st-- but it feels like winter around here. It's been making us pause and think about the meaning of the season. Not the reason for Christmas but the reason ALL cultures around the world mark the passing of the longest night and many of them celebrate with lights and gifts and stories around the fire. It's about believing in the return of the light in the darkest night. It's about "salvation" in its original sense: protection or deliverance from harm. It's about hope regardless of whether you believe in a human Savior's birth or a nature-based one. It's an affirmation of that belief in the continuation of life on Earth and a celebration of all we hold most dear— family, friends, love and sharing. Peace on Earth, goodwill towards men ... and women... and, with any luck, all the creatures of the Earth as well.

From Sheryl's first book, The Solstice Evergreen: The History, Folklore and Origins of the Christmas Tree:

WHY THE EVERGREEN TREES NEVER LOSE THEIR LEAVES
Contemporary retelling of an old legend, country of origin unknown

As you know, every year the birds fly south for the winter. They’re very happy living up north in the spring, summer and fall, but in October and November when the rest of us are busy with Halloween costumes and football and looking forward to our Thanksgiving dinners, the birds start to dream about Florida. They feel that nippy autumn breeze that we all find so refreshing and they immediately have a vision of white sandy beaches and palm trees. As they hunt for the last fruits of the summer harvest their hunger brings back memories of the wonderful berries they had on their last winter vacation, and pretty soon the urge to go becomes irresistable. So, they gather together in small groups, which makes the trip more fun, and fly and fly until they feel the warm air and smell the mouth-watering aromas of their favorite winter vacation spot. It’s something they simply must do and none of them ever miss it.

That is, except for one year a very long time ago. That was the year a little bluebird broke her wing and could not fly. The others waited as long as they could but when the air got frosty and it started to snow they all flew away, leaving their injured friend behind. She jumped and flapped her one healthy wing as hard as she could but, as much as she wanted to, she just could not make the journey. She finally had to give up and figure out how she was going to survive the winter all by herself in the snow and ice.

It was terribly cold and the tiny bird was hungry and afraid. She made her way to the warmest place she could find—the forest—and asked the trees for help.

The first tree she came to was a birch. "Oh, pretty birch tree," she said, "my wing is broken, and my friends have flown away. May I live with you in your branches until they come back for me?"

"No! Certainly not!" answered the birch tree, drawing her green leaves back in disgust."I can’t have the likes of you in my beautiful branches. Go away!”

"The birch is not a very strong tree," said the bluebird to herself, "Maybe, I’m too heavy for her. I’ll ask the oak instead." So the bird said: "Great oak tree, you are so strong, would you let me live with you until my friends come back in the springtime?"

"In the springtime!" cried the oak. "That is a long time from now. I can’t trust you to be in my branches so long! You might eat some of my acorns. And don’t say you won’t. I know your kind. All birds are alike—always eating whatever they can get. Be off with you!"

"Maybe the willow will take pity on me," thought the bird, and said: "Please, gentle willow, my wing is broken, and I could not fly south with the other birds. May I live in your branches until the springtime?"

The willow did not look gentle just then because when she heard that request, she drew herself up proudly and said: "Excuse me? I don’t know you, and we willows never converse with strangers without a formal introduction. It is quite likely there are trees somewhere that will take in strange birds, but I’m not one of them. Leave me at once."

Poor little bluebird did not know what to do. Her wing was not well enough to fly, but she hopped away as best she could. Before long, however, she heard a voice.

"Bluebird, bluebird," it said, "where are you going?"

"I don’t know," answered the bird sadly. "and I’m so cold."

"Come right here, then," said the friendly spruce tree, for it was her voice that had called. "You can live on my warmest branch all winter if you want."

"Really? You’ll let me do that?" asked the little bird eagerly.

"Of course," answered the kind-hearted spruce tree. "If your friends have flown away, you need the trees to help you. Here, hop up to this branch where my leaves are thick and soft."

Just then another tree spoke up.

"My branches are not very thick," said the friendly pine tree, "but I am big and strong, and I can keep you and the spruce safe from the North Wind."

"I can help, too," said a little juniper tree. "I can give you berries all winter long, and you know how good juniper berries are."

So the spruce gave the lonely bluebird a home; the pine kept the cold North Wind away; and the juniper gave her berries to eat. The other trees looked on and gossiped among themselves.

"I wouldn’t allow strange birds on my branches," said the birch.

"I wouldn’t give my acorns away," said the oak.

"I never have anything to do with strangers," said the willow, and the three trees drew their leaves closely about them.

That night the North Wind rushed down from the mountains and frolicked in the forest. It inhaled deeply, puffing its cheeks out big and round and then blew with all its might, laughing as the leaves let go of their branches and flew in the air.

“Hee hee!” the North Wind shrieked. I’m going to dance with every leaf in the forest!”

But suddenly, just for an instant, the world froze. Glistening snow crystals hung on every branch, and as the moonlight shone through them, rainbows could be seen in all directions. The Frost King had arrived.

"Wait!” said the Frost King. "Let the trees that have been kind to the little bird with the broken wing keep their leaves."

And then, just as suddenly, he was gone. The world unfroze and the North Wind resumed its wild dance.

The next morning every tree in the forest, except for the spruce, the pine and the juniper, was stripped bare. The others stood there silently, feeling ashamed, with all their beautiful leaves sitting in piles all around them.

And that’s how it is every winter to this very day.

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LEARN ABOUT THE PINE TREE -- ITS SPIRITUAL SIGNIFICANCE AND HOW IT IS USED FOR EMOTIONAL HEALING

Sheryl's Blog Post: "Flower Essences of the Christmas Season -- Pine"

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BOOKS HAND-AUTOGRAPHED BY THE AUTHOR (Sheryl Karas)

THE SOLSTICE EVERGREEN: THE HISTORY, FOLKLORE AND ORIGINS OF THE CHRISTMAS TREE --
The evergreen has been a potent pagan symbol in almost every culture, from prehistoric Japan to Northern Africa, from Native America to Medieval Germany. The Solstice Evergreen explores the rich spiritual heritage of this ancient symbol in depth and includes a great many myths, legends,and folk tales from across the globe as well as dozens of black and white illustrations. Gathered together in this book for the first time, this rich collection of mythology presents a unique perspective spanning many cultures and centuries.

THE SPIRITUAL JOURNEY OF FAMILY CAREGIVING --
For five years, ending in 2005, I worked as a Family Caregiving Consultant at the Alzheimer's Association and Del Mar Caregiver Resource Center helping families taking care of loved ones with incurable progressive memory loss and dementia. Trying to find services needed to provide basic care is what brought people in to see me first, but as the caregivers became more ensconced in their caregiving roles inevitably emotional and spiritual issues would become their primary concerns. My role shifted to providing a combination of practical and spiritual care. During this period I wrote a caregiver newsletter every month and this book is the result.

Unsigned copies of "The Spiritual Journey" and a nice variety of journals featuring our photography are also available online at http://stores.lulu.com/healingcommunicationpress .

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WHERE TO FIND OUR ART

Beautiful Photographic Prints by Paul Hood... http://PaulHood.imagekind.com/
Art and Photography by Sheryl Karas... http://SherylKaras.imagekind.com/
Art notecards, T-shirts, mugs and other gifts featuring our images... http://www.zazzle.com/paulnsheryl
Brand New Shop, coming SOON... http://www.etsy.com/shop/paulnsherylart

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WHERE TO FIND OUR VIDEOS

http://www.youtube.com/user/healerteam

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THANKS FOR ALL YOUR REFERRALS!

Simplest way to tell people about us? Forward this newsletter via email, Facebook, or Twitter, etc. and include a note saying you like us. It's easy!