Monday Morning This and That

Happy Monday morning.  I had a great Imbolc even though I wasn't able to find my white candles.  I'd planned on stopping after work on Friday, but there was a huge water main break in the area where I work, and my train wasn't running.  Of course it had to happen just at my train station, on a Friday afternoon when all one wants is to get home, but then, things do happen that are beyond our control, and we have to learn to deal with them. Needless to say, my new route to get home consisted of three trains and a bus.  I knew this was going to take awhile so shopping went out the window, but just think about how good it felt when I finally did get home.

Not being able to get my candles was really the least of my problems. The break had been so huge that water pressure was extremely low around the area.  Hence, there were no restrooms to be found all the way down to 14th Street. I work on 25th Street, and the pipe busted on 23rd Street. Many of the area restaurants were forced to close. It happened while I was running my group, and as soon as I found out, I immediately felt as if I had to go. It was like how, as soon as you polish your nails, everything begins to itch. Ah, that magnificent the power of thought.

So, on Imbolc I cooked almost all day.  For dinner I made the cheddar, broccoli, and potato soup I spoke about, and right now, I am wishing I had made more.  It was so good, but unlike the other soups that I cook and freeze, I just don't think this one would do so well.  I was too darned tired to make my Irish Soda Bread, so we settled for biscuits.  Dessert consisted of seedless red grapes, swiss cheese, and walnuts.  (I love just throwing things together like that.)

The statue of Mary Magdalene that I had ordered didn't arrive, so my altar was devoid of goddess and white candles, but holidays and other special days are what we make of them.  My evening was spent with some quiet time and plans for new beginnings. 

You have to believe in happiness,

Or happiness never comes ...

h, that's the reason a bird can sing -

On his darkest day he believes in Spring.

Douglas Malloch

On Sunday, after my ironing, I began reading "The Healing Wisdom of Birds: An Everyday Guide to Their Spiritual Songs and Symbolism" by Lesley Morrison.  I've had it for awhile; I just didn't realize how darned good it was. I've always been fascinated with birds as evidenced by my almost obsession with the hummingbirds and eagles. This book examines the symbolism of our feathered friends by exploring goddess such as Aphrodite, Lakshmi, Freya, and Athena--to name a few--magical practices and the relationship they share with Shamans, religion, etc., and reveals how they can guide us today. I absolutely love it and find myself unable to put this book down, and I can only hope to get a seat on the way to work so I can get some reading done.

I've had birds off and on throughout my life, and each has taught me a lesson.  From the canaries of my youth, I learned of love...as well as the pain of loneliness.  Shortly after laying her eggs, the female died.  The male, heartbroken, followed shortly thereafter. From my deformed robin I learned that it is possible for one to transcend the boundaries of the wild and the civilized. He taught m about trust and the joy of friendship. And from my parakeets, with their joyous singing from morning til night, I learned that one can find pleasure and beauty in everything. 

Hoping you all have a great day.

Do you ne'er think what wondrous beings these?

Do you ne'er think who made them, and who taught

The dialect they speak, where melodies

Alone are the interpreters of thought?

Whose household words are songs in many keys,

Sweeter than instrument of man e'er caught!

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow