It's Friday...Yippee.

Many days we may not get up with love in our hearts for our

family, our friends, our co-workers. We may, in fact, want them

to show their love for us first. But if we reach out, give love

unconditionally, focus on another's needs, love will return

tenfold. And the act of loving them will lift our own spirits.

We will know love; we will feel love for ourselves and

the many persons close to us.

Unknown

Wow!!! Here we are entering the last weekend before Christmas. I can't believe it, can you? Time has flown by so fast. I've not much to do this weekend. In fact, it will be quite a long weekend for me, I am off until Wednesday, so I plan on stretching things out. It's a cooking weekend, but, with the holidays on the horizon and the freezer still pretty much full, I only have to cook two meals tomorrow. House is decorated. Presents are wrapped and under the tree. Hooray for me. A much needed break.

This is also the day we celebrate the Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year when the earth is farthest from the sun.  From now onward the days will begin to lengthen. The ancients called it Yule and held feasts and rituals to encourage the return of the light. Bonfires were lit in the fields and trees were wassailed with cider. For years we have been hearing that the 'Mayan Long Count' calendar ends on ‘this’ Winter Solstice, December 21, 2012. Heralding the end of an old era and the beginning of something new.  Many predict it will be the end of the world.  Others say that some people will move into the fourth dimension while those who are ready will ascend. 

I believe that this day symbolizes a new beginning, a transition into a new era.  It ushers in the return of the feminine, balancing the energies of the masculine and feminine within ourselves. No longer will we be subject to a patriarchal...or a matriarchal society for that matter either...for the new society will be a blending of the two. It won't happen overnight. It will take time. I see this as a time of personal transition into a new era, a personal renewal that will help us to achieve peace and love in the world and harmony in our lives. 

So, as we enter into this weekend, the first weekend as the old era ends and the darkness begins to turn to the light, gather with friends or take the time alone to center yourself in the space of what peace means to you. Then offer a prayer for peace for all being and creatures everywhere.

Let us be united;
Let us speak in harmony;
Let our minds apprehend alike.
Common be our prayer,
Common be the end of our assembly;
Common be our resolution;
Common be our deliberations.
Alike be our feelings;
Unified be our hearts;
Common be our intentions;
Perfect be our unity.
-- Rig Veda--