Early February brings the little known celebration of Candlemass or Candelaria. In the Christian Church, it marks 40 days after Christmas, a time of “purification” of the Mother Mary before presenting baby Jesus at the Temple.
This date has much earlier, pagan ("country people") roots, however. It has also been known as Imbolc, a more earth-centered celebration in Europe, which speaks of the beginning of the agricultural growing season. Weather forecasting was included in these rituals. Sacred bears or badgers supposedly left their dens on this day, and if they saw their shadow, they’d go back to hibernate longer. Sound familiar? The people of Pennsylvania Dutch ancestry brought the custom to this country where it is now celebrated as Groundhog Day.
February 2 is the date about mid-point between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.
New Moon: February 14
Full Moon: February 28
Meteor Showers: no major showers
Other Astronomical Events: none, except we came close to having a "blue moon" (second full moon in one month) this month; the full moon was on January 30.
Other Observations in the world around us
Light: Light is gradually increasing; we are about halfway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox.
Temperature: We still may have some chilly weather.
Crops: Cool weather vegetables (salad greens, Asian greens) as well as plantings of cucumbers, eggplant, kohlrabi, and corn. Good time for cool weather herbs like cilantro.
Foliage: Hong Kong Orchid Trees usually bloom. Azaleas may start blooming, the pink azaleas first, followed by the white ones. Oak leaves will drop and trees will start to bloom. Oak pollen covers everything like an olive green patina.
Animal Activity: Bird song should be increasing in the mornings, especially by late February. Listen for unusual bird song of birds migrating back north. Look especially for large flocks of American Robins. Unlike up north, where we might see one or two at a time, right now you may be able to see 40, 50 or even more at a time! Cardinals are singing and flitting around a lot. Still should be nesting going on in the rookeries (wading birds like herons, egrets and others).
Monday, February 1, 2010
Ten Ways to Reconnect with Nature, And Ten Reasons Why
Part One: The First 3 Ways/Reasons
by Anne Cederberg
Way #1: Reconnect to nature by spending time in nature every day. Carve out ten to fifteen minutes to just go outside and sit. Find a special place, or several different places. Sit directly on the earth if possible. If not, make sure that your feet are flat and in connection with the earth. Lean up against a tree or enjoy the sun's warmth as it radiates off of rocks and boulders. While there, just be. Breathe in and out, be calm. Notice your surroundings, the sights, the smells, the sensations. Give yourself a few moments of quiet time in nature.
Why? I always recommend this activity to people, and for several reasons. First, just getting outside and being present--not mowing the yard, not barbequing, not reading the paper-- is a huge gift to yourself. We just need to show up and nature will show us the rest. Nature doesn’t teach us anything we don’t know; it reconnects us to our essence. You will discover your own inner presence, your own connection with nature, the calm, grounded, strong place within. Over time, you will be able to get grounded almost immediately. That’s a wonderful feeling!
A relationship with nature is like any relationship--it is built on time spent together, shared experience, familiarity. When we make our nature time a priority, everyone benefits. We benefit from greater peace, balance, joy, and feeling like we are our true selves. The Earth benefits because we often change behaviors and take “inspired action”; there are more effective strategies available to us when we’re grounded.
Way #2: Put your bare feet on the earth, if possible. Dig your feet into the sand, warm your feet on warm rocks, feel the caress of grass on your feet. Pay attention to the textures, the temperature, and the firmness. Then pay even closer attention.
Why? I believe we come into an energetic resonance with the earth. You may feel your own pulse or the tingle of energy between your feet and the earth. You may feel the Earth’s heartbeat. Having your feet on the Earth will help you let go of tension. And remember, you won’t be the only one enjoying.
“Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.” Kahlil Gibran:
Way #3: Watch birds and wildlife. First, in your heart, invite nature to thrive in your yard. You will be surprised at the response! Enjoy this new level of communing.
Then, let yourself be inspired by nature itself as to anything you do in your yard.
If you live in a cold climate, you may feel drawn to help the birds out by feeding in the winter. If you live in a warmer climate, consider planting foliage that will feed and nourish local wildlife, such as hummingbird nectar plants or butterfly larva plants. Information can be obtained from your local extension office as to what to plant in your area.
Whether or not you provide habitat or food, just pay attention and enjoy the other forms of life in your yard.
Why? We humans have a deep need for the natural world. I had a friend who was seriously depressed. Yet she somehow created a garden for herself outside the sliding glass doors where she often sat. She started humbly with potted plants scavenged from here and there. She provided nesting areas for all kinds of life, little nooks and crannies, brush piles, and rocks. Then she began feeding the birds and squirrels. It didn’t take long until her yard pulsed with life. It was one of the most vibrant gardens I’ve ever seen. And in the midst of her pain, my friend reached out to life. She cared for the plants and animals. On days when she couldn’t provide for herself, she always provided for them. They gave her great joy and tremendous learning through observation. It pulled her out of her pain and back into life.
Watching wildlife may not have such a dramatic effect as it did with my friend. But I am always amazed at how many people feel their lives enlarged and enriched by their glimpses of birds, squirrels and butterflies in their yards! I used to joke that people had “Nature Deficiency Disorder”. And now, none of us are laughing. Scientists are discussing its impacts.
We also have so much to learn from nature. More human lives would have been saved in the tsunami if people had watched the animals. Closer to home, I used to work in a local bird sanctuary. We had a young Sandhill Crane that had spent most of its life orphaned and roaming our hospital and sanctuary grounds. It had never flown away. Then, a day or two before Sarasota took a direct hit from Tropical Storm Gabrielle, the bird took off. After the storm passed, the bird returned. In retrospect, we all should have paid more attention.
For some more fascinating and uplifting reading, look at materials from the biomimicry movement, which looks to nature for answers to our human needs and problems.
Excerpted from “Inside, Outside, and All Around: Our Divine Connection with Nature”, by Anne Cederberg. Anne is a professional Interpretive Naturalist with a history of mystical experience in nature. This excerpt was published in Natural Awakenings/Sarasota in June 2007.
by Anne Cederberg
Way #1: Reconnect to nature by spending time in nature every day. Carve out ten to fifteen minutes to just go outside and sit. Find a special place, or several different places. Sit directly on the earth if possible. If not, make sure that your feet are flat and in connection with the earth. Lean up against a tree or enjoy the sun's warmth as it radiates off of rocks and boulders. While there, just be. Breathe in and out, be calm. Notice your surroundings, the sights, the smells, the sensations. Give yourself a few moments of quiet time in nature.
Why? I always recommend this activity to people, and for several reasons. First, just getting outside and being present--not mowing the yard, not barbequing, not reading the paper-- is a huge gift to yourself. We just need to show up and nature will show us the rest. Nature doesn’t teach us anything we don’t know; it reconnects us to our essence. You will discover your own inner presence, your own connection with nature, the calm, grounded, strong place within. Over time, you will be able to get grounded almost immediately. That’s a wonderful feeling!
A relationship with nature is like any relationship--it is built on time spent together, shared experience, familiarity. When we make our nature time a priority, everyone benefits. We benefit from greater peace, balance, joy, and feeling like we are our true selves. The Earth benefits because we often change behaviors and take “inspired action”; there are more effective strategies available to us when we’re grounded.
Way #2: Put your bare feet on the earth, if possible. Dig your feet into the sand, warm your feet on warm rocks, feel the caress of grass on your feet. Pay attention to the textures, the temperature, and the firmness. Then pay even closer attention.
Why? I believe we come into an energetic resonance with the earth. You may feel your own pulse or the tingle of energy between your feet and the earth. You may feel the Earth’s heartbeat. Having your feet on the Earth will help you let go of tension. And remember, you won’t be the only one enjoying.
“Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.” Kahlil Gibran:
Way #3: Watch birds and wildlife. First, in your heart, invite nature to thrive in your yard. You will be surprised at the response! Enjoy this new level of communing.
Then, let yourself be inspired by nature itself as to anything you do in your yard.
If you live in a cold climate, you may feel drawn to help the birds out by feeding in the winter. If you live in a warmer climate, consider planting foliage that will feed and nourish local wildlife, such as hummingbird nectar plants or butterfly larva plants. Information can be obtained from your local extension office as to what to plant in your area.
Whether or not you provide habitat or food, just pay attention and enjoy the other forms of life in your yard.
Why? We humans have a deep need for the natural world. I had a friend who was seriously depressed. Yet she somehow created a garden for herself outside the sliding glass doors where she often sat. She started humbly with potted plants scavenged from here and there. She provided nesting areas for all kinds of life, little nooks and crannies, brush piles, and rocks. Then she began feeding the birds and squirrels. It didn’t take long until her yard pulsed with life. It was one of the most vibrant gardens I’ve ever seen. And in the midst of her pain, my friend reached out to life. She cared for the plants and animals. On days when she couldn’t provide for herself, she always provided for them. They gave her great joy and tremendous learning through observation. It pulled her out of her pain and back into life.
Watching wildlife may not have such a dramatic effect as it did with my friend. But I am always amazed at how many people feel their lives enlarged and enriched by their glimpses of birds, squirrels and butterflies in their yards! I used to joke that people had “Nature Deficiency Disorder”. And now, none of us are laughing. Scientists are discussing its impacts.
We also have so much to learn from nature. More human lives would have been saved in the tsunami if people had watched the animals. Closer to home, I used to work in a local bird sanctuary. We had a young Sandhill Crane that had spent most of its life orphaned and roaming our hospital and sanctuary grounds. It had never flown away. Then, a day or two before Sarasota took a direct hit from Tropical Storm Gabrielle, the bird took off. After the storm passed, the bird returned. In retrospect, we all should have paid more attention.
For some more fascinating and uplifting reading, look at materials from the biomimicry movement, which looks to nature for answers to our human needs and problems.
Excerpted from “Inside, Outside, and All Around: Our Divine Connection with Nature”, by Anne Cederberg. Anne is a professional Interpretive Naturalist with a history of mystical experience in nature. This excerpt was published in Natural Awakenings/Sarasota in June 2007.
Winter Solstice/Holiday Sail Photos
Hoist the sail!
Enjoying the ride
Looking Up
Wintry SunsetHere are some photos from our Winter Solstice/holiday sail, and some of the hardy souls who braved the chilly temps. All photos generously supplied by "Shells"! Thank you, Shells!
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