Week Kavannah: Tikkun\u00a0 Olam. Repairing the world.<\/p>\n
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- Lurianic Kabbalah:<\/strong>\u00a0A 16th-century mystical belief that the world was created by divine vessels that shattered, scattering \u201csparks\u201d of divine light. Humans perform\u00a0tikkun<\/em>\u00a0by gathering these sparks through\u00a0prayer and mitzvot<\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Modern Social Justice:<\/strong>\u00a0Since the 1950s, the term has become a shorthand for\u00a0social action and progressive activism<\/a><\/span>, such as environmentalism and human rights.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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<\/a>Tarot: Queen of Arrows, The Swan<\/p>\n- \n
- Attributes:<\/strong>\u00a0She embodies honesty, logic, and a sharp wit. Like the traditional Queen of Swords, she is highly capable and values\u00a0direct communication<\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/li>\n
- The Swan Element:<\/strong>\u00a0The swan’s presence signals a need to swim toward\u00a0clearer waters<\/span> after a period of sorrow or separation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
One brief shining: Can you feel the sorrow, the sore hearts, the sadness rising in Americans all over this land; the Swan that is\u00a0 our collective weariness with the harsh, coarse hand of a government devoid of love, compassion, and justice swims in her graceful desolation toward states united against rule by whim and fear, standing together like the North Star, blazing in the cold.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nMinnesota: “Don’t attack a winter people in the winter.” A Minneapolis resident quoted yesterday. Going in layers to meet the day. A layer first, close to the skin of warm compassion.\u00a0 A second layer over that one of chesed, loving kindness expressed in action. A third layer of indignation, a layer protective against the winds of oppression, and finally, a layer of gentle fierce anger, an anger that pleads for, no, demands justice.<\/p>\n
Don’t forget a warm hat and boots. Gloves, too, my winter people.<\/p>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nThe Great Wheel: Today, February 1st, marks the beginning of Imbolc, a Celtic cross quarter holiday that lies midway between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. A traditional understanding of Imbolc says it means, “in the belly.” Short hand for quickened Ewes beginning to freshen, that is, lactate.<\/p>\n
After a long fallow time living off the stores of last year’s growing season, the freshening of the Ewes promised milk, cheese, and the birth of new Lambs, pure white Lambs. Family and village wealth increases and the Lambs evidence the imminent coming of a new growing season. Cold weather crops might go in the ground just after Imbolc, providing fresh greens for the table.<\/p>\n
Imbolc also celebrates the Celtic triple goddess, Brigid. She is the goddess of the hearth, inspiration, and the smithy. She warms the home, inspires bards and poets, and heats the blacksmith’s fire. Fire is her element and her holiday reminds us each year that Great Sol has begun to warm Mother Earth with new intensity.<\/p>\n
This Imbolc I’m celebrating the fire in the belly of Minneapolis citizens. Their actions can birth a Spring of justice and compassion if we can keep the pressure on, turn up the heat.<\/p>\n
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Imbolc and the Moon of Deep Friendship Renee Good and Alex Pretti, say their names Sunday gratefuls: Dr. Josy coming to change Shadow’s bandage. Shadow, enconed. Cool weather. Protein. Exercise. Roxann and Tom, recovering. The resistance in Minnesota. In Minneapolis. A gentle, angry people. Political pressure. Finally, Democratic pushback. Minneapolis nominated for the Nobel Peace … Continue reading A Winter People<\/span>
- The Swan Element:<\/strong>\u00a0The swan’s presence signals a need to swim toward\u00a0clearer waters<\/span> after a period of sorrow or separation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
- Modern Social Justice:<\/strong>\u00a0Since the 1950s, the term has become a shorthand for\u00a0social action and progressive activism<\/a><\/span>, such as environmentalism and human rights.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n