When I send birthday cards to friends, I often write, “May you learn next year’s lessons gently.”  I forget that, while I think of time as linear, it’s really a circle, a wheel of evolution and revelation.  I’ve also learned – and continue to learn – that requests we send out to the Universe often are answered in unexpected, and sometimes harsh, ways.

I often tell people who take my courses not to pray for patience.  Trust me, if you request patience as a life lesson, you will have abundant opportunities to practice patience!

And speaking of abundance – that word is a lesson for us all in specificity.  When we ask for “abundance” we usually mean enough money, good health, plenty of….whatever.  However, just asking for “abundance” also could mean plenty of trials and tribulations, illness, family discord, etc.  If you’re sending a request to the Universe, be specific:  ask for “abundant financial security” or “abundant good health,” or whatever you need.

Richard Bach, in his wonderful book Illusions says, “You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it true.  You may have to work for it, however.”  As you approach the upcoming year, think about how much you’re willing to do to achieve your goals.  Don’t assume that the Universe will provide what you want in the way in which you want it unless you are willing to participate in achieving your goals!

One of my commitments for this year (which begins for me at Samhain in October) is to reassess, and then act on, my relationship with time.  As I write this blog post, I am “on time” with my to-do list today, and I’m grateful for the impetus to write, to create, to be in this moment.  And later today, I will be grateful for the time I take to watch the sun set over the water.

“All my life’s a circle,” wrote musician Harry Chapin, and watching sunrises and sunsets reminds me of this every day.  The Wheel of the Year spins ‘round and ‘round, and all the spokes are connected to deep mysteries, ancient knowledge, and cosmic truths.

I hope you’ll join a new course I’ve created that explores these mysteries, truths, and knowledge. Wisdom of the Sages: Turning the Wheel of Discovery offers a container in which we can safely look both within ourselves and far out into the Universe to discover who we are and our place in the cosmos.

We’ll investigate the relationship among the solstices, equinoxes, cross-quarter days, the five elements, the seven directions, the cosmos, your chakra system, the Gaia principle, sacred sites and energy, and much more.  We’ll learn the concepts behind building altars and shrines, and we’ll create them along with rituals for the Wheel of the Year and for honoring the Moon.

You can be a part of the magic of this course from anywhere in the world – it’s taught in a teleconference format one night each week during January and February.  I so hope you’ll join us! You can learn more about the course (and others I’m offering) here:

https://debbowen.com/product/new-in-january-2019-wisdom-of-the-sages-turning-the-wheel-of-discovery/

I hope you’ll spend time in reflection in this chaotic time of the year.  I hope you’ll be gentle with yourself.  I hope you’ll give yourself permission to make this next year one of fun and gentle lessons.  I hope you’ll make promises to yourself that you will keep.

Blessed be,
Deb