Season Of Celebration During A Time Of Departure

Greetings, Gifted Reader!

Yes, Gypsy Stars is late (again!) in posting this blog, but it’s that crazy time of year. You know, this is the period when those of us in North America celebrate a plethora of holidays. Beginning with Halloween (or All Hallows Eve, or Day of the Dead) to Thanksgiving to Hanukkah to Christmas to Kwanzaa to New Year’s (not just on January 1, but beyond with all the various Asian New Years), most of us find ourselves hustling and bustling in an effort to party.

Persian cat...meow

Gypsy Stars would like to know exactly what holidays you participate in and, more importantly, why?

Did you do Halloween this year? Did you wear a costume or go trickin' for treats like me? Meow.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween

And what are your plans for Thanksgiving, or as some label it—a national day of mourning for the First Peoples, or the Indigenous, of this mainland? Read about how Thanksgiving is celebrated in other countries, including Grenada and Japan:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving

Christmas pine

Soon, it will be Christmas and yet another new year. Are you ready for a rebirth or renewal of spirit at this cold and bleak time? Or, does celebrating a new year in the dead of winter, on January 1, not make sense to you? 

Wouldn’t you feel more renewed in early spring when the Sun moves into Aries, the beginning of the Zodiac, and blooming flowers?

Spring roses

What is it about fall and death, anyway? Gypsy Stars recently lost a very close friend and re-examined this time of year. While leaves end their cycles by falling from trees and leaving bare branches behind, other wonders of Nature also hibernate during this season. It's no coincidence that fall coincides with the Astrological sign Scorpio and the Eighth House—the ruler of death and regeneration. No wonder we celebrate so much during this time when heavy thoughts and feelings threaten to permeate our souls.

Spring deer

Dear Gifted Reader, I leave you with this wish for peace and light during these dark times.

Remember you can friend Gypsy Stars on Facebook and 'like' The Urban Goddess fan page, too. And, we have T_zing t-shirts on Café Press.

Good luck, light and love,

Gypsy Stars

http://www.gypsystars.com

Celebrate The Season

Greetings, Gifted Reader!

Here’s to a happy holiday season to all you loyal followers of this blog. Whether you celebrate this time period in a traditional manner or not, we’d like to extend our best wishes to you and those who you care about most.

According to this article on Wikipedia, the day Westerners now know as Christmas was originally the winter solstice:

“In 46 BCE Julius Caesar in his Julian calendar established December 25 as the date of the winter solstice of Europe (Latin: Bruma).”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_solstice

If you read further, you’ll note that there have been many cultures celebrating the sun’s reemergence following winter. Those festivals are entirely expected given that agrarian societies couldn’t harvest during dark, cold months and without stored food on hand, they might even starve. Back in those days without instant electrical power, it must have been terrifying to attempt surviving while the sun’s light was so limited. To see and feel the sun’s heat when the days became longer once again would have been major cause for celebration.

Today, of course, many cultures are influenced by the West and Christmas is acknowledged far and wide. Still, there are rituals that are indigenous to certain countries that will always be. For instance, in Japan, the pine tree is a symbol of longevity because cut pine branches can last for months. Thus, Japanese believe that associating one’s self with pine can attract a long life. 

Below are some photos of one Japanese lady’s holiday pine decorations. Note how she blends the traditional with modern by including hand-cut clothing hanging from a clothesline.

How do you celebrate this season? Whether it’s Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or Christmas, we hope it’s a good time for you. Tell us how it goes at: gypsystars@me.com

You may have noticed that our publishing date of December 17 came and went last week without a posting. Beginning with this issue, this blog will move to the last Saturday of each month. Apologies for this late warning, and thanks for your patience.

Meanwhile, January 23 is the start of the Year of the Water Dragon, signaling a most auspicious time to come. And, with 2012 just around the corner, there should be some clear consciousness-raising going on. Stay tuned, and don’t forget you can “friend” Gypsy Stars on Facebook, “like” The Urban Goddess fan page that supports all metaphysicians everywhere, and purchase a T_zing t-shirt. 

Until the New Year...

Good luck, light and love,

Gypsy Stars

http://www.gypsystars.com