Contents of this enews:

• Welcome letter- Celebrating in the Dark of the Year
• Poetry, by Terra
• Self care article --  Happiness in the Face of Death by Terra
• Astrology Brief, by Jyoti Wind
• Internet News and Links
• Upcoming Classes: the Midwives Way-Birth Overview Course,
  Reiki I & II

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Welcome Letter— Celebrating in the Dark of the Year

Dear Ones-

This fall has been one of transition – moving my office, moving my home, and the death of my father.  The work & unsettling of moving was brightened by the after glow of creating a new space.  The passing of my father was a release from his body which was a fragile shell left emptied by Alzheimer’s.   His death is sadder than I ever thought it would be.  I give myself space to cry—even though it seems like everything is “supposed to be” back to normal again.  I know grief lasts and goes through its seasons—but the world still is here full of beloveds and work and home.  The light calls me away from the dark of grief. At the funeral meal we were laughing after crying at the graveyard. We must leave space for the grief through rituals and remembering.  We must also leave space for celebrating.  Sometimes they overlap.

So I am pondering the celebration that must happen, even in the darkest of times.  In fact at this time of year when it is literally darkest in the northern hemisphere,  people of many traditions have practiced calling back & celebrating the light--  Winter Solstice, Hanukah, Christmas—all these are ways we remind ourselves of the inner life.   People are always & ever experiencing loss, the impermanence of this earthly existence. There is war, death, torture, betrayal, disease, broken relationships, lost jobs, destroyed homes.  It is into this darkness that we pray for light to shine again.  We call for salvation from the cold and emptiness of darkness-literally & emotionally.  At the same time babies are always being born, love is rediscovered, we feel gratitude for what we have rather than focus on what we don’t have—these return us to the balance and fullness of life.  This interplay of light & dark, emptiness & fullness is what life is about.  To experience some different calls to the light, check out the websites in On The Internet

And I realize more & more that we must tune in to what is not lost in death. Divine love, love beyond the personal-  that is our only true hope, the only true light that will never desert us.  Tuning it to that inner light, over & over, is what we can hold on to beyond all loss and pain. We must practice it each time we start to close ourselves in the face of some darkness, outer or inner—that stupid driver that almost killed us driving; the painful remark lightly made by someone we love; discovering we have a dreaded disease; inner feelings of being a failure; losing everything in a disaster; watching helplessly as a beloved suffers. 

May you experience the Blessing of Knowing the Light that can not be extinguished in this season of the longest night.

Love & Blessings & Happy Solstice, Hanukah, & Christmas—whatever Happy you celebrate!

Terra

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Poetry

I fly into the new moon night

turning my dark inside out into light.

The Darkness that’s come to Shadow me- Go!

It’s time for power & light now to show.

Am I the half moon, shining?

            My mind's earthbound eyes see me

            as waxing & waning.

                                    You are the Sun

                                    & see only my endlessly shimmering fullness.

                                    You are the Light

                                    You see my Light

                                    Let me burst into the eternal flame that

                                    You are.

Oh

You are the Truest Treasure~

The Light that illuminates all the universe to see.

The Vibration that sings me everything to hear.

The Touch that impresses me with all there is to feel.

The Food that nourishes me with every taste.

The Fragrance that sends the sweetest essence directly to my brain,

Imbibed into my deepest, oldest sense.

You are my Source.

I am made from you. 

I am you.

Om.

by Terra

thanks to Jyoti W for sharing this:

Wild Geese

By Mary Oliver

You do not have to be good.

You do not have to walk on your knees for a hundred miles through the desert, repenting.

You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves.

Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on.

Meanwhile the sun and the clear pebbles of the rain are moving across the landscape, over the prairies and the deep trees, the mountains and the rivers.

Meanwhile the wild geese, high in the clean blue air, are heading home again.

Whoever you are, no matter how lonely, the world offers itself to your imagination, calls to you like the wild geese, harsh and exciting— over and over announcing your place in the family of things.

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Self care article:

" Happiness in the Face of Death"

God, please help me to have the courage to change what I can, serenity to accept the things that I can’t, and wisdom to know the difference.

Death is certain.  Happiness is ephemeral. Yet we all seek happiness and try to avoid death.  This human life is a great gift, allowing us, through free will and consciousness, to make choices.  We can choose to remain aware of our limited lifespan, to spur us on to use it to the fullest.  The Dalai Lama set it out very logically: 

“The topic of the awareness of death is organized around three roots, nine reasons, and three decisions.”

First root:  Contemplation that death is definite

1. because death will definitely come and therefore cannot be avoided.
2. because our lifespan cannot be extended and diminishes unceasingly.
3. because when we are alive there is little time to practice

First Decision:

I must practice.

Second root:  Contemplation that the time of death is indefinite

1. because  our lifespan in this world is indefinite
2. because the causes of death are very many and the causes of life are few
3. because the time of death is uncertain due to the fragility of the body

Second decision:

I must practice now.

Third root:  Contemplation that at the time of death nothing helps except practice

1. because at the time of death our friends are of no help
2. because at the time of death our wealth is of no help
3. because at the time of death our body is of no help

Third decision:

I will practice non-attachment to any of the wonderful things of this life.”

 His Holiness, the Dalai Lama, Advice on Dying and Living a Better Life

But what is the practice?  Non-attachment does not mean non-engagement or aversion. It does not mean dour seriousness.   It means holding fast to what is eternal—the inner self.  Various means to practice holding awareness of this inner self exist—some are meditation, chanting, self-less service, devotion.

Part of practice can be bringing oneself into more happiness, the easier to become non-attached.  Happiness and gratitude can be cultivated, they are not just accidents we come across during our day.  See the websites for HeartMath, Reflective Happiness, and Go Gratitude!  for more helps on growing your happiness and gratitude.

May all beings be free from every type of suffering.

May all beings be peaceful.

May all beings attain full enlightenment.”— Hindu prayer

If you’d like to have a healing session with Terra using her unique combination of Ayurveda, Maya healing, massage, reiki, flower essences & women’s knowledge call her at 720.628.5015 or email at resourcing@earthlink.net.

Giving the Gift of Health - To yourself, to your loved ones Reflexology, Nutritional Consultation and Intuitive Counseling with Margot Hawk Margot has over 40 years of experience and is nationally known for her compassion, insight, and ability to help you find the resources to heal you. She has changed the lives of people with such diverse issues as heart disease, epilepsy, depression, diabetes, and chronic fatigue.

Reflexology is the science of massaging the feet to activate reflex points which stimulates blood flow and healing throughout the entire body.

Sessions last 75 minutes. Cost $75. Mention this WiseWomanhood email and receive a 10% discount! Sessions in Boulder must be scheduled between

12/17 and 1/3. Call soon as availability will fill quickly. 303-443-0264.

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Astrology Brief 

The Winter Solstice occurs at 11:35 AM (MST) on Dec. 21st. We are entering the last quarter of the astrological/pagan year and it's always a good time to tie up loose ends and bring things to completion. A Grand Trine in Earth brings a flow of Earthy resources: money flow, housing and house sales, the aspects of life that ensure our practical survival. Remember your stewardship of this great female planet we live upon.

Venus will go Retrograde on Dec. 24 (2:36 AM  [MST] ) in the wee hours of Christmas Eve Day, and we will be rethinking goals and value structures as we go into the New Year. If you pace yourself this Christmas, you won't have buyer's remorse as you're wrapping and giving gifts, with Venus Rx.

On Dec. 30th, at 8:12 PM (MST) there is a New Moon/Blue Moon and this brings the unusual, the 'once in a lifetime' types of situations. Be open to new information and experiences.

Time to update the files with new and useful information.

Happy New Year!

Jyoti Wind is an astrologer of 35+ years, writer and collage artist. Consultations for natal charts, astrocartography maps and fertility year-long chartings. call 303.541-9106. email: wind9106@msn.com, or visit her web site at www.starshine-galaxy.com.

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News on the Internet

Please forward me informative, inspiring articles you see on the internet to share here with others

All news is good news this month!

This is very cool - check it out.  Thanks to Laine G, Glennis W, Angel O  and Adrienne L for sending me this!       www.GiveMeTheMasterKey.com

Another useful site is: You can become a member for free and there are lots of different things available here. www.heartmath.org

About happiness:  this is about increasing happiness through developing good mental hygiene habits www.reflectivehappiness.com

Upcoming Classes with Terra

All classes require preregistration .  If you organize a class with 5 students (or 5 people you refer take a class), you get to attend free!!  Call or email Terra for details:   resourcing@earthlink.net  720.628.5015

IF YOU WISH TO END YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO THIS NEWSLETTER, JUST REPLY WITH “UNSUBSCRIBE” IN THE SUBJECT

Terra Rafael & WISEWOMANHOOD

My OFFICE is at the Tree House, My work phone is 720.628.5015.  My practice is specializing in womens holistic health, using ayurveda, maya massage & healing, reiki, flower essences, and midwifery.   Office hours are Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesdays.  I now offer “punch cards” for visits at a reduced rate—initial visits of 1 ½ hr are still $108, single hour follow-ups $75, 5 follow-ups (@ $65 each) are $325, and 10 follow-ups (@ $ 60 each) are $600. I also offer ½ hr follow-ups for $40. Follow-up visits can cover any of the modalities I offer.  Special rates for Students, Pregnant Women & Seniors, $90 initial visit and $60 for follow-ups.

Terra Rafael, Registered Midwife, Ayurvedic Practitioner
Maya Abdominal Massage,
Reiki ~ Flower Essence

**NEW ADDRESS** 
737 29th Street, Suite 201,
Boulder, CO  80303
720.628.5015