Welcome to the light! Winter Solstice 2015
Today is the shortest day and the longest night in the northern hemisphere.
The first day of winter.
Which means days will start getting longer and nights shorter.
Winter is a time to restore, to hibernate, to be cozy. This week as the days grow longer, the moon grows larger as well culminating on a full moon on Thursday night, Christmas Day. Read more…
53 Interesting Facts About The Number 53: Grinch, 53, Steals Christmas
As much as I love Charlie Brown’s Christmas, and can relate to the toys on Misfit Island, the Dr. Seuss’s How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is my favorite holiday story with its moving message that
"Maybe Christmas," he thought, "doesn't come from a store." "Maybe Christmas...perhaps... means a little bit more!
But it wasn’t until I started this fu poetry writing experiment Read more…
Brooklyn Movie Review by Ron Wells
Written by Nick Hornby from the novel by Colm Toibin, and directed with love, affection, humor, and an understated edge by John Crowley, the story follows Eilis as she chooses to leave her family in Ireland for the powerful pull and mystery of America. It is here where she will stay in a boarding house for Irish girls run by Mrs. Kehoe (the always wonderful Julie Walters), and eventually find her first job and her first love. At one point she will be called back to Ireland, and Eilis will have to make not one, but two life changing decisions.
Jedi vs Sith Lightsaber Battle Near You
May the force be with you!
At Burning Man in 2007, my son and husband rushed off to the Man: rumour in Kidsville was an epic light saber battle was going to take place and they were giving out over 10,000 light sabers to do so! Indeed, Watto’s junk yard provided 11,000 lightsabers for the ultimate Jedi battle on that Thursday night!
Pick a side of the force and use that venerable, ancient, glowing tool: the lightsaber, in the ultimate nocturnal showdown this weekend!
It’s a massive battle of Jedi vs. Sith in Los Angeles, SF, NYC, and other cities on Star Wars Episode VII opening weekend with up to 2000 warriors expected in New York City and Los Angeles. All ages welcome to this FREE EVENT.
In LA on 12/18, gather at 8p, split into Jedi and Sith at 9p, and let the battle will begin.
these light saber shoes not recommended for battle
the mirror before you
If you come across a true sage who has realized his true nature, you will not be required to do anything in the way of spiritual disciplines.
This is because through his teachings, he will reveal your true nature, as by placing a mirror before you.
“Nisargadatta Maharaj /ˌnɪsərɡəˈdɑːtə ˌmæhəˈrɑːdʒ/ (17 April 1897 – 8 September 1981), born Maruti Shivrampant Kambli, was an Indian Guru of Shiva Advaita (Nondualism), belonging to the Inchagiri Sampradaya, a lineage of teachers from the Navnath Sampradaya and Lingayat Shaivism,” according to Wikipedia. “The publication in 1973 of I Am That, an English translation of his talks in Marathi by Maurice Frydman, brought him worldwide recognition and followers, especially from North America and Europe.[1]“
As we move full steam ahead toward 2016, remember the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson:
Be not the slave of your own past – plunge into the sublime seas, dive deep, and swim far, so you shall come back with new self-respect, with new power, and with an advanced experience that shall explain and overlook the old.
Artwork above by Leslie Rinchen-Wongmo, trained in the rare Buddhist art of silk applique thangkas from the Tibetan cultural tradition. His Holiness the Dalai Lama gave his blessings to Leslie’s work and encouraged her to make images that speak to the spiritual aspirations of people across religions and cultures. Her Weekly Wake-ups provide a thread of inspiration to set the week on the path to awakening
#COP21 and climate change: drowning in info, starving for wisdom, lacking in action
Where we are at COP21? Stay tuned!
The 21st Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21/CMP11), otherwise known as #COP21 or “Paris 2015”, held from the 30th of November to 11th of December 2015, is coming to a close.
shoes in Paris represent protesters
plant in soil of contemplation, reap in harvest of action
What we plant in the soil of contemplation, we shall reap in the harvest of action, advises Meister Eckhart.
What have you planted in the soil of contemplation this year? What actions have led to the harvest you are reaping? Finding any poems?
love: the dark matter that connects everything
“This love is actually part of you; it is always flowing through you,” reminds Ram Dass. Read more…
It’s KRAMPUS Night! The book, the movie, the event, THE LEGEND!
In the new movie, Krampus, which opened Dec. 4, a family lacking the holiday spirit, accidentally summons a creature out of ancient folklore, Krampus, who wreaks havoc on their holiday.Adam Scott, Toni Collette, and Emjay Anthony star in this black-comedy horror film from director Michael Dougherty.
Who?
According to Wikipedia, “The Feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated in parts of Europe on 6 December. In Alpine countries, Saint Nicholas has a devilish companion named Krampus[13] On the preceding evening of December 5th, Krampus Night or Krampusnacht, the wicked hairy devil appears on the streets.
Today?
Sometimes accompanying St Nicholas and sometimes on his own, Krampus visits Read more…
Let it snow! Santa Paws is coming to town!
Will it be a white Christmas for you? While we may get snow dusting the mountains above town for a few days here and there each winter, and it has been unseasonably cold this past week (with freeze warnings for the citrus farmers in Ojai!), it is very rare for it to snow in coastal Ventura county where most people live.
However, it will be snowing on Main Street at the annual Downtown Ventura Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony Friday, Dec. 4 at 5pm. Meet in front of the Mission Trees at 211 E. Main St. There will be pre-ceremony fun including an interactive snow globe photo booth and dancing! The ceremony includes local choirs and dancers leading up to the arrival of Santa via firetruck at 6pm. When the trees are lit, snow will fall!
It will snow again Saturday, Dec. 5 from 6:15-8pm as part of the holiday festivities planned for the Street Fair and Winter Wine Walk! Rain or shine, the snow will blow!
Clear skies are predicted with temps in the low 60s and sightings of Santa expected.
Keep track of Santa’s progress this Christmas eve here with help from NORAD. The site also has a countdown and music.
Santa will be busy Saturday night guaranteed but another great way to get some Santa time in for you is a visit with Santa Paws!
Yes, Santa Paws is coming to town! Read more…
art predator 