{"id":2595,"date":"2016-09-22T15:00:01","date_gmt":"2016-09-22T15:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/?p=2595"},"modified":"2016-09-22T15:00:01","modified_gmt":"2016-09-22T15:00:01","slug":"the-cosmic-wheel-turns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/the-cosmic-wheel-turns\/","title":{"rendered":"The Cosmic Wheel Turns…"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to the West Gate on the Natural Calendar!<\/span><\/h4>\n

We are on the art\/life trail ride<\/span>\u00a0discovering natural creative connections. The West Gate opens us to our emotions.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

\"medicine-wheel\"<\/p>\n

The 90 days between fall equinox<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/em>\u00a0or Mabon and winter solstice give us a chance to love our destiny. These twelve weeks also provide time to attend to that which is ready to die. As we relinquish what is no longer valuable we make space to expand into, and rebirth through the creative process of introspection and reflection, a whole and present sense of maturity. \u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

Here\u2019s a short description from the Autumnal Equinox entry in <\/span>Joan Borysenko\u2019s Pocketful of Miracles:<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

Today the cosmic wheel turns and opens fully to the West. The hours of light and dark are exactly equal on this first day of fall. By tomorrow we will be beginning our descent through the Western Gate into the darkness of the underworld. <\/span><\/i>
\n<\/span><\/i>The light is fading and the call of dreams, archetypes and \u00a0synchronicities grows stronger. We have prepared ourselves to listen to their messages so that the wisdom of our unconscious can mature in the growing darkness. We can look forward to emerging from the underworld transformed in six months, on spring equinox.<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/h4>\n

Each year on September 22 the balance of equal light and dark occurs. Like a sunflower imagine your face turned toward the sun. Like a tree imagine your roots planted\u00a0deep in the earth. Focus. It’s the natural time to align with\u00a0the feminine, receptive, nurturing qualities that will midwife a new level of being by spring. For\u00a0the next\u00a0six moon\/months our creative focus will playfully and even dreamily regenerate itself<\/span>…the rejuvenating power of rest and play allows us space to lovingly nurture\u00a0a connection to our deepest creative center…so that\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

“our unconscious can mature in the growing darkness”<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/h4>\n

Last week we took inventory. As any good shopkeeper knows inventory offers a chance to see what is of value and at the same time to clear the shelves of what is no longer valuable. Things that we no longer want are placed on sale, donated or tossed.<\/span><\/h4>\n

\"Dear<\/p>\n

On the trail ride we look around to see what needs to be cleared away so that we can see sign posts. We want to be able to see the signs that line up with our North Star.<\/strong> Our North Star on the art\/life path is our destination, our purpose, our sacred dream. We line up with our Destiny point, our North Star, so that we can experience, express, create and contribute making\u00a0the most playful and sane Life possible. We aren’t looking for perfect we’re eager\u00a0for development.<\/span><\/h4>\n

\"Journal<\/p>\n

Journal page, Drozda, 2009<\/span><\/p>\n

Stay open in mind and heart aware of confusion and the mixed bag of emotions trailing behind each and every one of us. Place attention on natural\u00a0‘slow time’. \u00a0Notice and name feelings that are present within and around. Emotions get triggered through early life patterns, through others, the media and culture.<\/span><\/h4>\n

Here’s a short list of possibilities:<\/span><\/h4>\n

angry<\/span>
\nscared<\/span>
\nconfused<\/span>
\nworried<\/span>
\ndelighted<\/span>
\nfurious<\/span>
\nresentful<\/span>
\njealous<\/span>
\nanxious
\n<\/span>vulnerable<\/span>
\noptimistic<\/span>
\njoyous<\/span>
\nguilty<\/span>
\npained<\/span>
\ntrapped<\/span>
\ndisgusted<\/span>
\nexcited<\/span>
\nsilly<\/span>
\nnaughty<\/span>
\nclever<\/span>
\nconfident<\/span>
\ncurious<\/span>
\nsurprised<\/span>
\nchallenged<\/span>
\nthreatened<\/span>
\necstatic<\/span>
\neuphoric<\/span>
\ndesperate<\/span><\/h4>\n

Take time daily, at this turn of the season,\u00a0to feel and become familiar with the name of feelings. This brings expressive\u00a0power that can be channeled into writing, dance, clay, painting, etc. and in that way do no harm.<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0<\/span>Joan Borysenko<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/em> once again:<\/span><\/span><\/h4>\n

If possible, go out into nature and do the meditation of bridging earth and heaven. Center yourself in your breathing and become aware of the energy of the sun. Now open to the energy of the earth. Breathe in the sun from above and the earth from below, letting their energies mingle and balance in your heart. Breathe out marriage of earth and sun, conscious and unconscious, to all beings. You are the bridge between the realms. <\/span><\/i><\/span><\/h4>\n

You are the cosmic awakener!<\/span><\/i><\/span><\/h4>\n

The Ninety Days Ahead<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n

Here at the West Gate we can sense into the 90 days between equinox and solstice. Then we can stretch our awareness into the 90 days between winter solstice and spring equinox. <\/span><\/h4>\n

Close your eyes for a minute and imagine standing at the start of the next Natural Year in April 2017. Isn\u2019t it exciting to consider the path and the signposts that will appear for you? <\/span><\/h4>\n

\"gateway,<\/h4>\n

And isn\u2019t it refreshing to know that we are going inward for the next six months to be deeply acquainted with the\u00a0rich inner dark\/feminine nurturing and nourishing guidance. <\/span><\/h4>\n

There is a Rooting Quality to the Journey<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

Symbolically we’re moving\u00a0down and in<\/strong> so that we can consciously reconnect with our true nature. We do this creatively. We don’t isolate. We continue to take part in the day to day and\u00a0remain in the world…as we explore\u00a0the power of being not of the world<\/em><\/strong>. <\/span><\/h4>\n

We\u2019re on the art\/life trail ride and the whole point is to have an adventure looking for creative ways to address what hops out onto the path ahead. Knowing that we can support one another as we elect the direction, the timing, and the content of our path helps us to be confident and courageous. <\/span><\/h4>\n

First Come Back Home<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n

When you\u00a0are willing to start from Home<\/strong>\u00a0you become your own \u00a0‘Here-O’ in the art\/life story. Home is your deep wide Center<\/strong>…this is where you are anchored and aligned with your most\u00a0creative connection.<\/span><\/h4>\n

Consider, as my mentor\u00a0points out, that you and me and we\u00a0are the front line of 2000 generations of women…our mothers, grandmothers, great grandmothers, great great grandmothers…the entire\u00a0feminine lineage all the way back to the beginning… have spiraled through time and space to make it possible for us to be\u00a0standing here now. How stunning is that!<\/span><\/h4>\n

Present<\/span><\/strong><\/h4>\n

\"Being<\/h4>\n

Being Present, Drozda, Acrylic\/canvas, 9 x 6″, private collection<\/span><\/p>\n

At the equinox\u00a0we make space for the masculine\/active and feminine\/receptive attributes to join and bring us…Home<\/strong>.<\/span><\/h4>\n

Within we can picture\u00a0a marriage of inner masculine\/doing and inner feminine\/being…Home<\/strong>. <\/span><\/h4>\n

From Home<\/strong> it’s possible to discover the creative response rather than the stress reaction to current events.<\/span><\/h4>\n

This Is Your Life<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

At the equinox you\u00a0look inward\u00a0toward an\u00a0exciting and dynamic intuitive opening to the \u2018Life\u2019 quadrant of the Natural Year. The 90 days between fall equinox and winter solstice give you the chance to love your destiny through introspection and reflection. The result is a new level of strength.<\/strong><\/span><\/h4>\n

I look forward to the unfolding of this quieting turn within. <\/span><\/h4>\n

I\u2019m glad that we are here together. We’re practicing balance and creative connection. we’re aligning with our sacred destiny. We develop a more empowered art\/life role exploring Life\u00a0around us. We lean into the feelings that rise up as we sing and dance\u00a0and play as part of every day.<\/span><\/h4>\n

Exercise: Meditate on balance:\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0take inventory\u00a0on how you handle your feelings especially those that create disruption and pressure. Notice how you manage your and other people\u2019s emotions. How easily is your peace of mind disturbed? Consider the\u00a0ways you can reduce negative stress in your life. Imagine\u00a0bringing more balance to your Life for this quarter. Is it possible\u00a0to go to bed earlier? Might you\u00a0wake up earlier to begin\u00a0the day with less rush? Have you developed\u00a0non-violent communication skills…this encompasses self talk as well as what is said…or even thought…about others. Are you\u00a0eating for\u00a0health and well-being?<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0The west Gate opens us to our ability to reflect upon, repair and\/or release\u00a0unhealthy relationships.\u00a0The equinox point is an especially powerful time to fine tune relationship skills. Notice how you’re doing if you are in the role of a family caregiver. If you have a high-stress job, pressure-filled commute, or find yourself enmeshed in personal drama can you develop practices that will release the pressure…such as moving the body or taking time for breathing exercises.<\/span><\/h4>\n

Dear Future, <\/span><\/h4>\n

We have no crystal ball. We have no knowledge of the who, what, how, when, where that is\u00a0before us…however traveling together we’re curious\u00a0to see what’s on the trail up ahead!<\/span><\/h4>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Welcome to the West Gate on the Natural Calendar! We are on the art\/life trail ride\u00a0discovering natural creative connections. The West Gate opens us to our emotions.\u00a0 The 90 days between fall equinox\u00a0or Mabon and winter solstice give us a chance to love our destiny. These twelve weeks also provide time to attend to that […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[167,36,79,193,99,166,189,206,2,3,32,183],"tags":[37,46,22,66,211,43,49,146,10,38,212,16,30],"class_list":["post-2595","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-act-iii","category-artlife","category-buddhism","category-creative-life","category-donna-iona-drozda","category-lifestyle-flow","category-natural-calendar","category-natural-energy-management","category-natural-time-management","category-slow-time","category-starting-over","category-voluntary-simplicity","tag-artlife","tag-cycles","tag-donna-iona-drozda","tag-fall-equinox","tag-joan-borysenko","tag-lunar-phases","tag-masculinefeminine-time","tag-natural-calendar","tag-natural-time","tag-natural-time-management","tag-pocketful-of-miracles","tag-slow-time","tag-starting-over"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p6htPT-FR","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2595","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2595"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2595\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2610,"href":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2595\/revisions\/2610"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2595"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2595"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.donnaionadrozda.com\/lifecycle\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2595"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}