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Next week's winter solstice brings us the darkest day of the year, but it's followed by a dawn that promises rebirth and a gradual flow towards the brightest. It's a lovely reminder that, like the sun that always rises, we can also rise, one dawn at a time, no matter how dark our days seem to be.

As the year draws to a close, please enjoy this month's The Spiritual Read,which includes a new clip from the audiobook of Till Death Don't Us Part, great poems from the Soul Writing and Celtic Mysticism class participants, a new writing prompt, recommended reading, book nook photos, The Last Laugh, and more.

I wish you much love and gratitude for the gift of your presence throughout this year and look forward to seeing you again in 2023.

Nollaig Shona Daoibh ages Beannacht,

Enjoy an Excerpt

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Enjoy this creepy scene from Till Death Don't Us Part about a black figure that was lurking behind me in the dark

Poem of the Month

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This month's poem comes from Irish poet Tommy Makem. It's sad, hopeful, and echoes the message of the Winter solstice.

WINTER, a sharp bitter day
the robin turns plump against the cold
the sun is weak
silver faded from gold
he is late in his coming and short in his stay
Man, beast, bird and air all purging, all cleansing,
earth, already purified awaits the rite of spring
Her bridal gown a virgin snow and frosts in her hair
A snowdrop by the road today bowed gracefully
and high upon the wing up in the sparkling nothingness,
a lone bird began to sing
Can gentle spring be far away?

~ Tommy Makem

Book Love

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This month's book love comes from Pamela Howard. Thank you for sharing your experience and a lovely photo of your morning ritual.

Soul Poems

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This section includes some short poems written by participants of my Soul Writing class series. They wrote such beautiful haikus, quatrains, and bardo poems that I thought it would be wonderful to share their work here.

Let It All Go

Harsh with nostalgic winds, where does the ship moor now
Thoughts flow freely in and out
Uncertainty weeps the mourning gale
Doctors bring grief unmeaning
Like trees bring shade but then a mess as leaves turn brown
What is the truth
Tomorrow I'll sit and let it all go

~ Jena Helfrick

In the Moment

In the quiet mist
The scent of ancient redwoods
Breath in the moment

~ Joanne Hamilton

Book Nook

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This month's book nook comes from Bethany in Dublin. Could there be a prettier place than this rosy corner to read Till Death Don't Us Part?

Ogham Poems

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Last month, I had a lovely time teaching Celtic Myth, Magic & Mysticism at the Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Centre. A wonderful group of international students wrote some beautiful short poems as we explored Ogma, the god of poetry and inspiration, and the ancient Ogham language. I'm delighted to share some of their Ogham-inspired quatrains here.

Ancestral Sequence

Gales break water
arrives a faint walker below shore
footsteps belong to what shall surface

~ Seán Ó Connor

Ogma’s Encouragement

Now, GO!
Be Light, Man, and Be Merry Now!
Lots of Good Becomes Light!
Now, Do Much [for the] Earth!

~ Steven Vogel

Writing Exercise: The Living Room

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This month's prompt is an exercise in seeing the magic in the ordinary.

Take a stroll around your living room. What's the story behind items in the room and the memories connected to those items? What is the furniture like, and what are the colors? What is outside the window? How is the light? What have you forgotten? What catches you by surprise? How do you feel in this space? What else comes to your awareness?

Now, sit with this experience and write a 200-300 word prose essay about any insights you gained. This is a lovely practice for being present with the everyday details of our lives. Here's one I wrote: Bronx, Living Room. Morning

Recommended Reading

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The Last Laugh

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Wishing you all a happy holiday season surrounded by loved ones seen and unseen, and a blissful, prosperous, and peaceful new year.

Deepen the Connection

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