Looking into the coming Winter

Every day I am amazed to be back at a daily task yet again, and realizing the time spinning; therefore the year spinning; and here we are starting our walk down the chillier path to the deep darkness of the Winter. It is our time to celebrate the hearth, where we find warmth and the sustaining energy to keep us through the long season of short days. One of the great joys of human relationship is the custom of celebration and gift-giving. No matter what faith or belief system we embrace, I believe they all have a deep winter celebration in common. It gives us comfort and hope; encouragement that at this point of the longest nights, we will turn toward the sun once more and begin the walk back to green and growing. I have always loved Christmas. As a child it was a time of wonder and family, and I have never become disillusioned with the mystery and holiness of the birth of the baby to his young and gentle mother. I also observe the Winter Solstice for its natural and supernatural implications. Perhaps it is because my day of arrival on this planet coincides with the shortest day and longest night of the year I feel so aligned and congenial with this "most wonderful time of the year".

As we prepare for the lovely return to introspection, to family, to fireside or lamplight, to favorite sweaters and the hot teas, hot chocolate, warmed brandy and mulled wine, we think of gifts for the ones we love to enhance the celebration of Winter. For crafters and artists, this is a time we create gifts for our families and friends. We also offer our handmade-with-love-and-care items of beauty and usefulness to you; with hope that you might find them to be "just perfect" for someone on your gift list. Please browse the handmade gifts of Etsy and Artfire, and the local shops around you, for truly authentic and genuinely inspired items that will be treasures for all who receive them. Thank you! Please watch for new works of art and craft in my shops as well.
http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/StarflowersCreations

http://www.etsy.com/shop/starflowercreations

Thank you again. In this season we also find many reasons to be filled with gratitude and appreciation for our the blessings and the goodness we find in our world. If I don't get back to writing for you again soon, have very happy holidays - whatever they are for you, may they be blessed and holy, joyful and fulfilling, meaningful and magical!

Ask and receive; trust and believe.

Today I want to show you my most recently completed work. It is a silver wire wrapped beaded cross made using all manner of green beads and crystals at the request of a dear friend. I love to make the beaded crosses, hearts, and other jewelry and ornaments that I create; and it is very delightful to make something that has been specifically requested, knowing that the recipient will love that it has been created especially for her.

In the same way, I began to ponder this idea in the larger realm, and am always reminded that this is the basic truth of my universe. When we identify what we would like and need, and we set this idea out, clearly articulated, we truly will see fulfillment and actualization in our lives. In the same way my friend believed that I could create a piece that would embody the concept she held in her mind's eye, so we also have to proceed out into our futures with faith and trust that our goals are valid, our desires are justified, and that we can create the reality we can imagine.

These days, with so much turmoil and distress in the world, it is very perilous to our spirits to be dragged into negativity. We must not let ourselves be deceived into thinking that we have no power. Rather the opposite, we must never relinquish our personal power, for it is all we truly have with which to effect positive change in this world.