Once upon a time, a young woman was having a really hard day with her three little girls (twins, mind you, plus a younger girl). The girls were not having a hard day; in fact, they were having a ball jumping from twin bed to twin bed, giggling, screaming, egging one another on. The youngest of the trio watched in awe from a nearby rocking chair, dreaming of when she too could join the mayhem.
“Stop it! Do you want to go into time-out AGAIN?” the mother screamed.
“Mommy is gonna put us in time out again! Mommy is gonna put us in time out again, we better stop!” one of the twins howled, not stopping at all.
“We’re baaaaad! We’re so bad, we are driving mommy craaaazzzzy!” Ping, ping, ping went their little bodies against the chenelle bed coverings, which were a shade of 80’s dusty rose. The sun streamed in the only window in the room and the mother thought that if her girls weren’t acting like circus monkeys, they may very well look angelic.
“Right now, you must stop right now before someone gets hurt and we’re all piled up in the station wagon going to the ER!” The mother was now standing between the twin beds in the small room, trying to tackle them as they jumped over the ‘river’ between the beds.
“Mommy, you’re in the river, the big fish is gonna get you!” one twin warned.
“Yeah, mommy, you might get eaten and then what will you do?” the other twin added, smacking mommy’s butt as she jumped to the bed.
At that moment, possibly because of the lack of control but maybe because THIS MOMENT was the pinnacle of many moments which had not gone as planned for the young woman, she screamed at the very top of her lungs, in a voice she herself did not even recognize: “GOD HELP ME!”
All three of her daughters stopped and stared, like wee possums blinded by a car’s high beams. A few seconds of utter stillness unfolded. But it did not last.
“There’s the fish now, he’s coming for mommy’s legs!” one twin pointed at the floor.
“We need to rescue mommy!” the other twin shouted.
The young mother angrily threw up her hands. “That’s it, we’re going in the car. Who wants to go on the roller coaster road? Let’s go, now!”
And she put them all in the station wagon. She did not know where she was going, or for what purpose, other than to GO. She had to get them out of that room, or she might have really and truly drowned in the river of insanity.
Off they went down the roller coaster road. The mother accelerated a bit at the top of each hill, letting the car glide freely at the bottom. The movement, the breeze, soothed them for a short while but then the girls began carrying on once again. The young woman began to sob silently, the tears clouding her vision. “What have I done? Is this my life?” she asked herself.
At that moment, she heard another voice in the car: “Pull over here.” Her entire body went stiff with fright, and she pulled into the very next driveway she saw. Gripping the wheel, she looked at the non-descript Cape, a small ring of wildflowers crowding the mailbox. There was no name on the box, and she did not know what to do. Again, she heard the deep, primordial voice: “Knock on the door.”
She approached the door and knocked, wiping the tears from her eyes. An old woman in a floral apron opened the door. “Yes, how can I help?”
The young woman stared at the lady, looked back at her daughters in their carseats, and turned back to the lady and said the only thing she could say, which was the truth. “I don’t know. I don’t know why I’m here.”
The old woman opened the door wider and stated, “Oh, good, then. Means God sent you. Do come in, dear, and bring the girls with you.”
And so she did. The young woman and the old woman sat, and talked as the girls played with a boxful of toys the old woman had sitting by the stove. The young woman cried and cried to the old woman, telling her about the immense fear she had about being a good mom (or not), trying to “do it all” and failing miserably, or so she thought.
The old woman nodded, shared a few tales of her own when her children were ‘rascals’ and the two women eventually laughed about the hardships of raising these little precious things called children. Although she did not understand why she was led there, the young woman felt a bit more stable for coming, and the girls appeared to be calming down as well. She thanked the old woman for her kind hospitality.
The old woman stood up, straightening her apron. “Now, you must do this, what I’m about to tell you. Whenever you are vacuuming, changing a diaper, washing dishes, anything, say ‘Thy Will Be Done.’ Over and over, you say that. Hum it, if you’d like.”
The young woman said the phrase back to her; the old woman affirmed. THY WILL BE DONE.
And so, the young woman and her three daughters returned home. The young woman, not seeing how ‘Thy Will Be Done’ could hurt anything in her world ( she was not overly religious-), began uttering this, just as the old woman had told her to do.
Three weeks passed. The sun was high in the sky, and it was a lovely early summer day. The girls had gone outside in the yard, where the young woman could watch them from the living room picture window. She noticed they were singing; their little hands were waving in the air, and they were moving in a circle.
The young woman moved closer to the window, not believing her eyes. Her three daughters were singing, “God is in me, God is in me, God is in me!” Her joy and amazement melded into a state of grace, for she was overcome with an indescribable state of bliss.
And then she saw it: In the picture window’s reflection, a golden light entered the top of her head and moved throughout her entire body. As she watched her own reflection in the picture window change, she became without words, and thoughts. The image became more distinct, and her daughters kept singing. The young woman watched her eyes turn an otherworldly shade of emerald green as her own hands shot into the air and she began to sing, “God is in me, God is in me, God is in me!”
This story ends here, although the woman who told me this story did not end it there. She shared many things, and this story came up because we were talking about Jesus the other day at the monthly circle I hold here at Avalon, Wise Women Talking. I wanted to share it with you because it is a reminder that miracles happen, that God is indeed with us, and angels are among us. Although you may not always know ‘what to do,’ you can always sing, and you can always ask for help. God is in YOU.
May Spirit speak to you this Yule season. You never know what may unfold.
Shine On,
Mary Katherine
FEATURED PRACTITIONER & EVENT: Vivian Rae
So it was Covid, and I needed a massage. I had seen this new name on our Healers Forum (FB) and was curious if she was taking new people? Turns out she was and that someone was Vivian Rae; at the time, I recall Vivian telling me she had just moved to the area from Bar Harbor. Incorporating tuning forks with the massage, I was deeply enveloped in the theta state of healing. But massage is only ONE of her many talents!
Vivian practices Ayurvedic medicine, is an herbalist, a sound practitioner and a peristeam hydrotherapist. In a recent interview, she stated, “I work in person and virtually, offering Ayurvedic Health Consults, Pelvic Health Steam Consults, Bodywork, Sound Therapy, and Herbal Products. I love integrating these modalities and giving my clients full spectrum guidance on their healing path. Ayurvedic consults support the foundation of a person’s unique constitution and teaches how to balance through food therapy, herbs, lifestyle, and environment. My Pelvic health steam consults offer an ancient and powerful way to connect to the root, release trauma, balance hormones, support pelvic health, replenish cycles, and provide sexual healing. My bodywork integrates sound therapy, herbal oil, and essence attunement so that the physical and energetic body feel vital and whole. And my herbal products are made from organic ingredients and many local herbs and support self care practices and nurturing for the whole body.”
UPCOMING EVENTS with VIVIAN RAE:
- 12/21 -Winter Solstice Sound Meditation
- 1/11-Pelvic Steam Ceremony
- 1/17-Sound Meditation
Want to know more or have a question? Visit Viv’s lovely website, sign up for her newsletter and find a nourishing winter experience with her healing medicine:
https://www.viviraewellness.com/about-vivian
WINTER SOLSTICE RITUAL and JOURNAL PROMPTS:
Mark the turn of the Wheel into Winter this Saturday, 12/21 by stepping into the North Direction! Ways to honor this time include powering down: quiet reflection, journaling, and rest; walks alone are on the menu. This can be a busy season, compelling us to go-go-go. The Winter Solstice is your choicepoint to STOP. In fact, Solstice means Sun-Standing-Still.
WINTER SOLSTICE RITUAL :
What would really renew you? This time of year (the solstice) got conflated with Christian doctrine but the message is the same: Hope is Here, among us. God is With Us (Emmanuel). The Light IS Everlasting…and YOU too have a chance to be re-born. Who do you want to be next? What can you leave in the decaying leaves of Fall for a true re-birth? Who, or what has been dead-weight in your life?
MAKE the room dark (if you can do this ritual right at sunset on the 21st–the initiatory point of the longest night of the year–that would bring extra magic to this ritual).
LIGHT a white Candle and set your sacred space in your usual way–simply making the intention of honoring the Solstice is a great way to “tune-in.” Take a few deep breaths through your heart. “Arrive” in your space; if it is your tradition, call in your helpers–power animals, ancestors, angels, guides. Meditate as long as you’d like–give yourself the lusciousness of SPACE!
PREPARE your Sacred Water: In a pot that can handle boiling water, place a medley of dried herbs in the pot. Clarifying and cleansing herbs could be rosemary, cedar, lavender, sage, and eucalyptus. A sprig from your Christmas tree would be great as well. You want to place your candle as close to the pot as possible. Put a tea kettle on to boil water. While you wait for it to boil, write down a few thoughts and reflections to the questions above. A glass pyrex bowl would be better than a pot however I have cracked many “heat resistant” glass bowls!
WHEN YOUR WATER is ready(and when you are ready), pour the hot water over the herbs. You have a few choices as to how you can interact with this sacred water, now infused with clarifying and healing herbs:
- Say a prayer into the water for what you are calling you, what you are ready to birth
- Say a prayer for ALL that you are letting go of, and all that you are ready to say goodbye to. A good, simple template is “I lovingly let go of_____.” Or “I lovingly cut my karmic ties with______.” Be creative!
- Say a prayer outloud for a new teacher, a new love, a new job, a new anything: We are in the time of the Christmas angels. Prayers spoken now through Epiphany (01/06) are heard BY MULTITUDES. Be intentional
- Say a prayer of gratitude, offering outloud all that you have learned this year, all that you have accomplished, all that you have been blessed with
As you breathe in the various aromas of the herbs, watch the steam swirl and rise up into the air. Trust that your prayers are being carried to where they need to go. With presence, know that YOU are part of ALL THAT IS and that you are RE-BORN!
JOURNAL PROMPTS for the WINTER SOLSTICE (or anytime during the “12 days of Christmas”)
The Winter Solstice marks the sun moving into Capricorn, a sign known to “get things done.” If you have ever heard the saying “Those who succeed just simply didn’t give up,” they were probably talking about a Capricorn, who personifies “Perseverance.”
- Are your plans on target, are they realistic, achievable?
- What changes in your life are you ready to accept, if your wildest dreams came true?
- Are you ready to receive what you hope to manifest? Are you approaching your goals by the best route?
- Is other help available, whether in Spirit/spirit allies or physical mentors, friends, or teachers in your midst? Call them in
- What factors are still not fully fleshed out yet? What needs a bit more time to simmer?
At year’s end, it is a great time to “take stock” of the year, reviewing any highlights, trials and triumphs. If we don’t stop to reflect, we can’t make sense of our unique experiences
Happy Solstice Soul Friends!
WWT: Ongoing circle at Avalon is well into its 2nd year! I want to thank my co-pilot and co-plotter for this nourishing circle where the original intention was to ‘express freely’ –we do that and so much more! Last week, on 12/15, Nancy and I offered a Healing Circle. I also provided a “Rituals for the Winter Solstice” mini-gift bag for all attendees. If you are curious, interested, or looking for a soulful connection with women, join us next month!
OUR NEXT WISE WOMEN TALKING CIRCLE will be on Sunday, January 19th from 12:30-3 PM. Details to come for our 2025 theme!
BLACK BEAN SOUP recipe!
Black Bean soup is a lovely, vegan, GF treat to serve on the winter solstice! This particular dish can be as straightforward or spicy/extravagant as you want. I tend to enjoy a little heat in my food so keep that in mind…adjust as necessary!
Black Beans (4 x 15 oz cans)
1 medium sized onion
2 stalks celery
2-3 medium sized carrots
1 container of veg broth
1 x 15 oz can of diced tomatoes (Rotel is best! They’re already mexican flavored)
1 small can of chopped green chilis
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 medium sized sweet potato
3-4 cloves garlic
S/P-to taste (*add a little salt to the 1st step, ie. sauteeing the mirepoix)
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp parsley
A shake or two of red pepper flakes (skip it if you don’t want spice)
A shake or two of chili powder (skip it if you don’t want spice)
A shake only of cayenne (skip it if you don’t want spice
Peel and cut sweet potato into thirds and boil; once it is “just soft” (ie, not boiled to death), drain water in colander and let cool
In a large non-stick frying pan or a dutch oven, heat up about 2-3 TBS of oil (olive oil best) on medium heat.
Make mirepoix by dicing the onion, celery and carrots; you can crush or finely chop the garlic. Mirepoix is a traditional base for all soups; essentially medium chop the “trio” (onion, celery and carrots) then crush the garlic in when the onion begins to look translucent. If your pan is too hot, you may get a little burn on these veggies–for this soup, that’s ok! It will add a subtle smoky flavor. But not too much! *Sprinkle a little salt over these veggies as they will “sweat” more easily and cook more easily if they are salted
Chop and/or dice the red pepper and add to pan
As these things cook down, you may add your other spices; cook for about 5 minutes
Turn off heat or remove from heat altogether and prep your beans:
__With 2 cans of the beans, place entire contents in a cuisinart and pulse until they come out a grayish color, with some bean ‘skins’ visible
__Dump /scrape ‘bean paste’ in the dutch oven where you sauteed your mirepoix; if you sauteed the mirepoix in a frying pan, transfer both mirepoix and bean paste to a big soup pot
__Open the last two cans of beans and dump those in the dutch oven or soup pot
*Note: if you do not own a cuisinart, a blender will probably do although I have never put beans in my blender
Add the entire container of veg broth
Your sweet potato should be nice and cooled off by now; dice it and place in soup pot or dutch oven.
Add the can of chopped green chilis and your can of Rotel diced Tomatoes
Slowly bring your soup up to a simmer. A WHISK will be your best friend during this process because that bean paste will want to sink to the bottom and stick. Stir in the LOVE of the returning sun!
Let your black bean soup simmer, stirring occasionally. Turn it off for at least 15-20 minutes and let it “get happy” as it ‘sets’ –lid is slightly on, or “askew” so some air can escape
ACCOUTREMENTS to black bean soup: (my favorite part, but many of these things will make it not-vegan, fyi):
__CILANTRO! Yum.
__A dollop or two of SOUR CREAM!!
__Shredded cheddar or your fav cheese (the vegan cheese options aren’t bad! Especially if they melt into the soup)
__Tortilla or chips (or both!)
__chopped scallions
*Note: It is visually appealing to “swirl” your sour cream in a spiral into the black bean soup. This reminds us of the ongoing cycle of life, the returning sun, the changing seasons. Remember: We welcome WINTER on the Solstice!! Time to comfort yourself with warm, nutritious foods!
*As with most soups, this one gets better after a couple days! Makes a killer huevos rancheros as well
ARE YOU STILL WITH ME, SOUL FRIEND?! I thank you kindly…
CSA BOXES FROM AVALON! ORDER NOW! ORGANIC PRODUCE for YOU!
Our beautiful farm boxes of Avalon are now available for the 2025 season! We want to thank all of our customers who purchased a farm box last season–we truly could not do this without you!
- Drop-off in Portland for any who can’t make it out to Hollis!
- Half-shares (every other week-) available
Embodying the Divine Feminine 