This is beautiful. Thank you. Last year I moved toward a more seasonal spiritual practice of resting, reflecting, releasing and cocooning during Yule and Imbolc and setting my intentions and planting seeds for what I want beginning in March with Ostara. It felt strange to not start right out of the gate on January 1 with setting intentions, but as I let myself practice in this new way (to me), I really loved how it felt more symbiotic and connected to Mother Earth.
thank you juliet for these reflections, i absolutely love the idea of decolonizing our ideas of how to enter into a new year. hustle & grind culture convinces us that we need to hit the ground running from jan 1st, but you have reminded me of the power of a slow start. slowing down helps clarify & strengthen intention. this is the wisdom of our ancestors, thank you for bringing it to us!
Thanks Juliet for all that you have offered here. Loved loved the incantation. And your comments about reflecting on colonization. I would like to add, capitalism and patriarchy to that as well. I find all three are a facet to this mad and contracted way of looking and relating with the natural world. On a personal level then finding where that lives in me. Where are my blind spots are. Where do I colonize? How do I get caught up with all this consumerism? How do I shame the feminine?... Well wasn't expecting all that to come out here in this comment. But there it is. Thanks again Juliet - looking forward to your podcast.
I noticed yesterday the struggle I'm experiencing in trying to balance to energy of the society I'm part of (which is all new year, new me! and such right now) and what the Earth is telling me to do (rest, reflect, recharge).
I am of the belief that the Universe is ordered chaos and so are we. We are curious by nature and we think and feel deeply. The issue is when we put limitations on ourselves because I think many view that they need to be resilient and stoic and not be vulnerable, especially around others. We have complex needs but that doesn't mean hardship. The journal prompts and article made me think deeply and feel deeply and that not everything I've done or said has been right and that's okay. Every step, every moment we're still growing and finding our ways and that is comforting.
I could not agree more, Yasmin. If you have not tried writing before, I urge you to do so. You have a way with expression 🖤 We are not constrained to an identity or form of being, that goes against the very nature of being human.
Yes, I do write. I've written a poem about what I've been witnessing these past three months in Palestine and another influenced by Palestine. I am going to share both at a poetry society I'm member of. I've been conflicted about whether I should have this voice, in regards to Palestine, but I've done it anyway. I also have done smaler poems inspired by Palestine. Thank you for your reply!
What validation I just got to reading this and felt like a huge hug that wrapped around me saying “you got this” and that intuitively I have been doing some of these things this year already! That invocation I beautiful as well. Thank you for sharing your gifts!
Isn't wondering and enlightening when we realize what we are deeply drawn to is what nourishes us? I am so happy it gave you a form of connecting to what your intuition has been speaking to you. 🖤
I'm just starting this spiritual journey and I'm glad I found your inspiring words. This January, just as the snow covers the forest near me as it sleeps, so should I rest and reflect on everything that brought me to this moment.
Yes yes yes, Dalila🙌🏽 Nature informs us the best. We have had our first snowfall this Winter today and it inspired me to write a piece on what happens during this time with the Earth.
Ceci! I love this so much, I have been intentional with the language that I speak especially during prayer and practice. Excited to share more with you all.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful reflective piece Juliet. We lack critical thinking and curiosity in society. My journey in life has taught me there is more than one way to do something, and to remain open to a new way that feels right to my soul if the current way isn’t working. We are so accustomed to dysfunction that we don’t feel the urge to question anything. I talked about the importance of resting amongst other reflections in my last essay of 2023. You’d enjoy reading it and I’d love to know your thoughts: https://open.substack.com/pub/soulwisdom/p/being-and-becoming?r=a9uns&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Thank you, Vipul, for your thoughtful feedback. I appreciate it so much. It's hard for many, including me, to see beyond the veil over our eyes for a long time. It's a life process but one that many are feeling called to disrupt, and for that, I am most excited. What will the future hold when we live intentionally and let go of old constructs? 🙏🏽
Thank you for sharing your article, I will give it a read tonight. 🖤
It is exciting to imagine what life would look and feel like beyond old constructs. For me it’s been a continuous journey of being aware of when I am meeting my edges with a situation and then reflecting on where the discomfort is coming from (usually because I believe something outdated and current situation is presenting something different to that). As I let it these constructs go I realise that is true freedom - to live outside of the shackles of my conditioning and choose to live life my own way.
This is beautiful. Thank you. Last year I moved toward a more seasonal spiritual practice of resting, reflecting, releasing and cocooning during Yule and Imbolc and setting my intentions and planting seeds for what I want beginning in March with Ostara. It felt strange to not start right out of the gate on January 1 with setting intentions, but as I let myself practice in this new way (to me), I really loved how it felt more symbiotic and connected to Mother Earth.
That incantation is so beautiful! Thank you!
thank you juliet for these reflections, i absolutely love the idea of decolonizing our ideas of how to enter into a new year. hustle & grind culture convinces us that we need to hit the ground running from jan 1st, but you have reminded me of the power of a slow start. slowing down helps clarify & strengthen intention. this is the wisdom of our ancestors, thank you for bringing it to us!
Thanks Juliet - love this!!!
Thanks Juliet for all that you have offered here. Loved loved the incantation. And your comments about reflecting on colonization. I would like to add, capitalism and patriarchy to that as well. I find all three are a facet to this mad and contracted way of looking and relating with the natural world. On a personal level then finding where that lives in me. Where are my blind spots are. Where do I colonize? How do I get caught up with all this consumerism? How do I shame the feminine?... Well wasn't expecting all that to come out here in this comment. But there it is. Thanks again Juliet - looking forward to your podcast.
The incantation felt gorgeous to read, thank you for sharing.
Thank you! I sat with it until it felt embodied rather than trying to put words together without intention.
I noticed yesterday the struggle I'm experiencing in trying to balance to energy of the society I'm part of (which is all new year, new me! and such right now) and what the Earth is telling me to do (rest, reflect, recharge).
May you listen to your rooted connectedness to the Earth, she is a fierce teacher.
I am of the belief that the Universe is ordered chaos and so are we. We are curious by nature and we think and feel deeply. The issue is when we put limitations on ourselves because I think many view that they need to be resilient and stoic and not be vulnerable, especially around others. We have complex needs but that doesn't mean hardship. The journal prompts and article made me think deeply and feel deeply and that not everything I've done or said has been right and that's okay. Every step, every moment we're still growing and finding our ways and that is comforting.
I could not agree more, Yasmin. If you have not tried writing before, I urge you to do so. You have a way with expression 🖤 We are not constrained to an identity or form of being, that goes against the very nature of being human.
Yes, I do write. I've written a poem about what I've been witnessing these past three months in Palestine and another influenced by Palestine. I am going to share both at a poetry society I'm member of. I've been conflicted about whether I should have this voice, in regards to Palestine, but I've done it anyway. I also have done smaler poems inspired by Palestine. Thank you for your reply!
What validation I just got to reading this and felt like a huge hug that wrapped around me saying “you got this” and that intuitively I have been doing some of these things this year already! That invocation I beautiful as well. Thank you for sharing your gifts!
Isn't wondering and enlightening when we realize what we are deeply drawn to is what nourishes us? I am so happy it gave you a form of connecting to what your intuition has been speaking to you. 🖤
I'm just starting this spiritual journey and I'm glad I found your inspiring words. This January, just as the snow covers the forest near me as it sleeps, so should I rest and reflect on everything that brought me to this moment.
Yes yes yes, Dalila🙌🏽 Nature informs us the best. We have had our first snowfall this Winter today and it inspired me to write a piece on what happens during this time with the Earth.
Beautifully conveyed. Thank you for the incantation; I plan to memorize it to replace colonial prayers. I am grateful you continue on your path. 🫶🏼
Ceci! I love this so much, I have been intentional with the language that I speak especially during prayer and practice. Excited to share more with you all.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful reflective piece Juliet. We lack critical thinking and curiosity in society. My journey in life has taught me there is more than one way to do something, and to remain open to a new way that feels right to my soul if the current way isn’t working. We are so accustomed to dysfunction that we don’t feel the urge to question anything. I talked about the importance of resting amongst other reflections in my last essay of 2023. You’d enjoy reading it and I’d love to know your thoughts: https://open.substack.com/pub/soulwisdom/p/being-and-becoming?r=a9uns&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
Thank you, Vipul, for your thoughtful feedback. I appreciate it so much. It's hard for many, including me, to see beyond the veil over our eyes for a long time. It's a life process but one that many are feeling called to disrupt, and for that, I am most excited. What will the future hold when we live intentionally and let go of old constructs? 🙏🏽
Thank you for sharing your article, I will give it a read tonight. 🖤
It is exciting to imagine what life would look and feel like beyond old constructs. For me it’s been a continuous journey of being aware of when I am meeting my edges with a situation and then reflecting on where the discomfort is coming from (usually because I believe something outdated and current situation is presenting something different to that). As I let it these constructs go I realise that is true freedom - to live outside of the shackles of my conditioning and choose to live life my own way.
🌱🌱🌱