Smoothie of the day:
Spinach, parsley, cilantro, papaya, mango,
grapefruit, chia and hemp seeds,
matcha powder and water
Thought for the day
From Eckhart Tolle:
The beauty of today is in all the things :
feeling the gentle breeze on your skin,
the sunlight filtering through the clouds,
the sound of the birds,
the silence of no wind.
You notice the in-and-out flow of your breath,
the feeling of aliveness inside your body.
And then there is the beautiful stillness behind it all,
which is deep within you.
It is through gratitude for the present moment
that the spiritual dimension of life opens up.
~~Eckhart Tolle
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Tuesday, February 26
Planet, Grain, Colour, Metal and Tree of the Day
Tuesday, Mars, Barley, Red, Iron, Oak Tree
_____________________
“Let there be spaces in your togetherness,
And let the winds of the heavens dance between you.
Love one another but make not a bond of love:
Let it rather be a moving sea
between the shores of your souls.
Fill each other’s cup but drink not from one cup.
Give one another of your bread
but eat not from the same loaf.
Sing and dance together and be joyous,
but let each one of you be alone,
Even as the strings of a lute are alone
though they quiver with the same music.
Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping.
For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts.
And stand together, yet not too near together:
For the pillars of the temple stand apart,
And the oak tree and the cypress
grow not in each other’s shadow.
~~Kahlil Gibran, The Prophet
________________________
Celtic Meaning of the Oak Tree
The oak is considered a cosmic storehouse of wisdom
embodied within its towering strength.
Ancient Celts observed the oak’s massive growth and impressive expanse.
They took this as a clear sign that the oak was to be honored
for its endurance and noble presence.
Indeed, wearing oak leaves was a sign of special status among the Celts
(as well as ancient Greeks and Romans).
There are accounts that trace the name “druid” to duir,
the Celtic term for the oak.
The actual translation of duir is “door”
and lore indicates the Celts would access
the ethereal planes of higher thought by “opening the oak door.”
The Celtic meaning of the oak tree includes attributes such as:
Life, Strength, Wisdom, Nobility, Family
Loyalty, Power, Longevity, Heritage, Honor
The oak’s status was (and still is) undeniable.
Further merit to its regal presence is its tendency to attract lightning.
This was considered hugely powerful among the ancients
and is associated with one of their foremost gods, Dagda.
Its attraction for lightning, its size and longevity
(oaks are known to easily surpass 200 years of age)
all make the oak a powerful, life-affirming symbol.
The oak is a living legend
representing all that is true, wholesome, stable, and noble.
When you are in need of stability and strength in your life –
envision the oak in your minds eye.
Picture yourself drawing into its endless energy waves.
Soon, you will find yourself sharing in its power.
There is a reason the oak is considered the king of green realm.
The oak is generous with its gifts.*
*(http://www.whats-your-sign.com/celtic-meaning-oak-tree.html)
________________________
And today for me,
a lovely image and thoughts about preparing
to open more sanctuaries
inside and out of myself….
understanding that the integrity of sanctuary
within one’s self
is quiet, simple, weathered white and peaceful.
Such a delightful experience to explore
the inner places and spaces
of the soul’s beauty.
Truly they are places to dwell and picnic.
They are majestic castles
full of fire and life,
creativity and relationships.
And now the privilege
to experience sanctuary
a place unlike any other
yet imagined, seen or felt.
Quiet, yet deep
Vast, yet simple
Profoundly wise, yet imperfect.
And still, there is a beautiful soft broom
by the door’s opening for sweeping
clean the cool stone floor.
There are windows to open
for breezes to flow
and thoughts to pass by.
And the light filling the space
is like a light in a crystal,
untouchable, yet brilliant.
The warmth of one’s presence
extending to surround and uphold
this light
merging as mother, maiden and queen
being love
being life itself.
Ah, the beauty of sanctuary
where fountains stream
and ponds reflect
and nature’s waterfalls offer secrets of wisdom.
Sanctuaries of love and living wisdom
and the home of willingness.
Willingness to live, to share,
to accompany, to practice, to listen,
to speak gently, to wish with innocence,
and know how to hold open the
place of eternity.
Practicing silence and inquiry
with hands held open
in front, to the side,
on one’s lap, high up, above….
holding open the space
with purity
is an art,
acquired
through time, perception, practice
diligence, devotion and love.
The arts of this living wisdom,
the artistic unfolding
of opening living environments
reflective of the soul
in which to create within
and out of these arts,
in which to be life, be love, be wisdom
be true, be simple itself and with others…..
wells up inside of me,
as common purpose
and true meaning in my life.
Written by Jill LaBelle Sophie
Pictures, in gratitude, from Rumi fb page