VALENTINE’S DAY – MERAKI

VALENTINE’S DAY – MERAKI

“Meraki.” [may-rah-kee] May today be a ‘MERAKI’ day. 🙂

Modern Greeks often use the word ‘meraki’ to describe “doing something with soul” … when you put something of yourself into whatever you’re doing.

Meraki is about creative, loving, soul-awakening acts. Whether preparing a meal … caring for a garden … creating something artistic … caring for someone who is ill, lonely, grieving, in pain … arranging a room … tangling … praying for a situation/person … whatever. If it’s done with soul, with passion, with love, then it’s ‘meraki’.

An ancient Chinese proverb offers a gentle reminder of ‘meraki’:
“If there is light in the soul, there will be beauty in the person.
If there is beauty in the person, there will be harmony in the house.
If there is harmony in the house, there will be order in the nation. If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.”

This weekend in some parts of the world, some are sharing ‘light in the soul’ … ‘meraki’ … in acts of kindness, thoughtfulness, loving gestures/actions as they mark Valentine’s Day. Expressing ‘meraki’, they are letting another know that they are ‘hearted’ – loved’.

Sadly, while of this is happening, some are alone, receiving none of the above. They are lonely, isolated because of illness, weather, grief, hurt feelings, poverty, self-hatred, fear – oh the fear caused by politics, evil leaders, equally-evil minions.

This Valentine’s day of commercial love is anything but a day of soul, of joy, of love.
Where is the meraki?

If you are one of those people, my hope is, if only for a moment, you will consider yourself “hearted,” and loved, and receive my little cyber Zentangle® Valentine ‘heart.’ May you experience the love that went into its creation.

May this Valentine’s Day be a little brighter than it might otherwise have been, and bring a gentle flicker of light in your soul.

May the wise Chinese proverb come to fruition, so that there will be MERAKI
“light” in each soul
“beauty” in each person
“harmony” in each home
“order” in each nation
“peace in our hearts, countries, world.”

And may we “be each other’s strength”: https://soulistry.com/lets-be-each-others-strength

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
P.S. If you’re into tangling and would like to have the step-out of my TuliLuv (upper right corner of the heart), just let me know. Happy to send the step out. 🙂

© June Maffin
@soulistryjune.bsky.social
https://soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry







Let’s Be Each Other’s Strength

Let’s Be Each Other’s Strength

I watched tonight’s news. Sure don’t like doing that, but know I need to keep informed because things are moving sooooo quickly – not just in the United States, or Canada, or Ukraine, or … but everywhere. 🙁

What can we do?
We can “be each other’s strength”
… by being kind
… by being gentle
… by being open to hope
for others
and ourselves.

And if we believe in prayer, we can pray for
… those who are letting evil guide their decisions
that they would not be motivated by greed, lust for power

We can pray for this world.
And we can pray for its leaders who are working hard – in spite of personal danger
to keep democracy alive.

Let’s “be each other’s strength.”

***********************

© June Maffin
https://www.soulistry.com/blog
@soulistryjune.bsky.social

Photo: unknown photographer. If you know, please let me know so appropriate accreditation can be shared. Thank you.

All Shall Be Well

All Shall Be Well

A friend wrote: “I don’t know how the world is going to manage four years of this. I really honestly don’t know, because if this is just the beginning, what’s going to happen from here?” Neither does anyone else know what’s going to happen.

But whatever happens, we cannot lose hope.
We cannot let evil win.

While evil may take over for a while,
it must not take away the soul of the people.

I believe we can survive this – the “we” being humanity.

While the United States has been at the forefront since DJT took over the White House, while and his unofficial co-president continue to shock Americans with outrageous statements and decisions, there are other countries in similar predicament … or are on the brink if upcoming elections go certain ways.

I believe that “we” … humanity … can survive.
I believe that we “must.”
I don’t see this as the literal end of the world, as do some.

I draw strength from the words of a woman who lived centuries ago and who wrote these words “All shall be well. All shall be well. And all manner of thing shall be well.” While I wish Dame Julian of Norwich had written “All things ARE well”, she did not. She simply said that they SHALL BE well.

The question for many is — when will wellness happen – for the people of Ukraine? for the people of the city of Djibo, Burkino Faso? for the people of El Fasher, Sudan? for the people of Gaza? for the people of the United States? for the people of Canada, Mexico, Panama?

And will it happen – in our generation? in our children’s generation? in the generation of our grandchildren or great grandchildren or beyond that?

We don’t have the answers, but we must hold fast to the “SHALL BE” well and in the meantime, do what we can to maintain our emotional, physical and spiritual wellness of today.

For some, that means taking a break from social media – from the news – from talking about politics – from certain family members – from certain friends – from certain community / on-line groups that continuously talk about politics.

For some, it means being proactive – calling politicians, writing letters to politicians, being active on social media, speaking up-and out.

And we can send thoughts of protection and loving concern to others in the form of financial support, prayer.

Evil must not permanently destroy the essence of what it is to be human – of taking care of ourselves and doing what we can to bring kindness and compassion into the world around us.

And, we remember to breathe – as this yellow daffodil did in my garden, surrounded by a foot of snow.

**************

© June Maffin
https://www.soulistry.com/blog
@soulistryjune.bsky.social

Those Who Cannot Remember The Past …

Those Who Cannot Remember The Past …

Dear friends, This is not like the kind of post you would normally expect to find here on “Soulistry-Artistry of the Soul”. And yet – and yet, when I think about Soulistry, (its origins, purpose, raison d’être), I think of spirituality and recognize that for me, the essence of spirituality refers to the aspect of human life that seeks meaning, purpose, and connection beyond the everyday material world. That often involves exploring inner beliefs, values, and experiences that connect me to something larger than myself, whether that’s understood as a Higher Power, the Universe, Nature, or simply the interconnectedness of all life.

Soulistry (aka for me, ‘spirituality’) is a personal daily journey of self-discovery and personal growth that hopefully inculcates inner peace within me and a sense of belonging/connection with others for I believe that we are connected to one another – on many levels.

Lately, that ‘connectedness’ has felt fragmented
… as more and more countries are finding their sense of democracy being attacked
… as more and more people are frightened, terrified even, of what they see happening and anticipate even experiencing
… as more and more relationships in families, work places, communities, places of worship are disintegrating.

It’s been less than three weeks since the ascendency of one man to the presidency of the United States which ushered in chaos and fear at very deep levels. Like others, I was upset – very upset – though at first I was not very public with my thoughts. But with each passing day as Project 2025 seemed to becoming a reality, that changed. I posted the following on my personal Facebook page and tonight realized that it was time – and appropriate – to post here.

********************** P.S. It’s lengthy ********************************

If you’ve been following me on Facebook over the years, you know that the past 16 days, give or take a few, my FB postings on my personal page have been unlike me. I’m usually not political in public or on social media. But since DJT moved into the WH, I found myself speaking out – more and more. I don’t see that changing.

And here is why … in high school, I was a history buff. Mr. Jake Snyder was my teacher and he made history come alive for his students. He was a gifted teacher – passionate about history – a teacher who reinforced the words of George Santayana, the Spanish-American philosopher and author of “The Life of Reason” who wrote “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

I learned a lot about WW 11 from Mr. Snyder. And then as an adult, I learned about WW11 from … a visit to Dachau in Germany … a visit to Yad Vashem in Israel … a visit to a Florida school of a Jewish friend’s children where we had to enter via a locked door with a security guard behind bullet-proof glass and then use a code to enter the classrooms.

When I married my husband who was much older than I, he told me stories of what he experienced growing up in the Netherlands during WW11. I wish I’d never heard any of them. They were terrifying. At the time, I thought along the lines of “so glad lessons were learned and won’t be repeated.”

One night, before DJT was elected the first time, while watching the news together, my husband became unusually quiet and held his head in his hands. After a few moments, we talked and his words sent a cold shiver down my spine. “It’s happening again. I see it happening all over again.”

He was right. It is. As much as I miss Hans every day, and wish that cancer had not invaded his body and ended his life, I can honestly say that I am grateful he is not alive to experience what is happening. So that is why I speak up, speak out, blog, write letters … to try and encourage those who cannot see what is happening to look, really look … before it is too late.

And if they need a school refresher update, I encourage them to read their high school history book about WW11. It’s history and easily available to research and authenticate. It’s important to remember that when Hitler first took office, he knew he needed more than just laws to stay in control—he needed loyal enforcers who would carry out his agenda without question. While the SS didn’t officially take over in the first two weeks of Hitler’s rule, the seeds were planted.

What we’re seeing now with Trump’s second term is the same playbook. It’s called Project 2025. Same focus – white male supremacy … different century.

Mr. Snyder taught his students well. Not only did he teach us to learn from history, but to speak up when we saw injustice, when we recognized evil, when we knew deep within our gut that things are not right.

So, that’s what I am doing and I encourage you to do the same because those who believe in and support … DJT and his minions in the United States … the Conservatives and Pierre Poilievre in Canada … the far-right National Rally party of Le Pen and figures like Maréchal … the Fratelli d’Italia party in Italy … the AfD (Alternative for Germany) party in Germany … Călin Georgescu of Romania … are underscoring a broader trend of increasing far-right and neo-fascist influence in global politics … specifically about the future of democratic institutions and civil liberties.

The global surge in far-right movements raises concerns that we must not ignore. We must speak out – resist – speak up – demonstrate – write letters – vote them out of power … not vote them into office.

There are people en route this moment to Guantanamo Bay — where housing is not yet ready, where children and pregnant women and the disabled and elderly will be housed. By any other name – a concentration camp.

“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.”

*************
© June Maffin
https://www.soulistry.com/blog
@soulistryjune.bsky.social

Photo: by the Vegan Monster, Pexels, used by permission

FEBRUARY: Imbolc – Candlemas – Groundhog Day and a Celtic Prayer

FEBRUARY: Imbolc – Candlemas – Groundhog Day and a Celtic Prayer

Another month begins … February 1st … and this year, it’s a day and month with a number of things to mark
… St. Brigid’s Day (more about her, below) 
… Imbolc/Imbolg, a Gaelic festival which celebrates the arrival in longer, warmer days and early signs of spring in some places
… Candlemas (the Presentation of Christ in the Temple)
…  Groundhog Day
… the beginning of Black History Month (well, after recent news events, it’s unlikely there will be any/much official mention of that.
… the anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the United States (1865) – that, too.
… the day the president of the U.S. imposed 25% tariffs on Canada and he and his minions inflicted even more frightening decisions on the American public.

Clearly, what is needed is some calm – some sense of hope – some reminder that joy, love, light are still here.

When I took this photo, I was reminded of a lovely Celtic prayer based on the Caim (Gaelic – meaning a ‘circling’ / ‘enfolding’) used by early Celtic Christians, based on a prayer found in the Gethsemane Chapel, Wells Cathedral, England.

Still used by those who value its benefits of ‘protection’ or ‘sanctuary’), I remembered St. Brigid – one of Ireland’s patron saints.  Presumed to have been an early Christian nun, abbess, and founder of several monasteries of nuns, it said that she often visited homes and farms to offer blessings of protection … “enfolding/circling” of homes and livestock.

This is the Celtic prayer known as the “Enfolding Prayer.”

“Encircle me this night with your presence.
Keep joy within.  Keep bitterness out.
Keep generosity within.  Keep greed out.
Keep love within.  Keep self-seeking out.
Keep light within.  Keep darkness out.”

I am praying this prayer each night and do a second verse … replacing “me” with specific focus: Americans, refugees, the world, etc..

May each of us do what we can to keep bitterness, greed, self-seeking, darkness “out” so that joy, generosity, love, and light may be kept “within”.

****************************************

 

WatermarkedEncirclePrayer

© June Maffin
https://soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry
@soulistryjune.bsky.social

IMAGES OF PEACE

IMAGES OF PEACE

There she was,
perched on the fence
as I drove by.

She looked so peaceful.

I hadn’t noticed her before
though I’m sure she was there
when I had driven by that place, many times before.
She was a welcome respite in a day
seemingly empty of peace.


Images of peace are welcome,
all the time,
but particularly days such as these,
where politics scream at us in the news, conversations, social media
causing sleepless nights and stress-beyond-stress.

Miss Cat-Perched-On-A-Fence “spoke” to me
and I realized that my walks had had no focus
so that day
I made a decision.
No longer would I wait for something to attract my attention on my walks and drives.
I would intentionally ‘focus’
and “look for” images of peace

Where have you seen images of peace?
What have been those images of peace?
When did you last experience/see/hear something that brought a deep sense of abiding peace?
When did you last experience someone who brought a deep sense of peace?

Was the sense of peace in a conversation? in the experience of Nature’s wonder?
Was it in a phrase you read or heard?


For me that day,
it was a four-legged feline beauty,
perched on a fence,
doing nothing,
other than simply be-ing and in doing so, she radiated peace for me.

Thank you little one,
for blessing my day
in a way I wasn’t expecting
and for reminding me that there are unexpected blessings around us every day,
when we open our eyes
and ears
and hearts
to see
hear
and feel them.


****************

© June Maffin
soulistryjune@bsky.social
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry
https://soulistry.com/blog

Screenshot
GRATITUDE CHANGES EVERYTHING

GRATITUDE CHANGES EVERYTHING

It’s difficult to be grateful
~ when going through a difficult time personally;
~ when politics seem to occupy the attention of news and social media;
~ when phones become a barrier to conversations between parents and children, between friends and are even a safety hazard as people walk across streets texting, eyes focused down rather than up and looking around to make certain it is safe to cross the street;
~ when health issues are frightening and compounded by financial costs for the medical care;
~ when you believed what someone told you only to realize the words and promises were lies and you/your family/country will pay dearly for believing in that person.


But when gratitude fills our hearts and minds, it fills our souls
and we are changed.
How?

Look closely at the this lovely piece of art by calligrapher and teacher Gerry Jackson Kerdok.
When I saw this particular work of hers, it deeply touched my spirit.
Look at the creative interplay of the “U” and “D” which form the shape of a heart
… a gentle reminder of the importance of gratitude in our lives.


The artist – often overlooked, unappreciated, forgotten.
May we join in gratitude for the artists in our world
artists who can create magic
with pen and ink, watercolour or acrylic or oil, wood carving knife, video camera, cell phone camera, flowers, fabric, food, music, dance, digital camera, writing, drama
and the list goes on.

How impoverished our world would be without artists
and without the finest Artist of all – the Creator of the Universe.

When we express gratitude, we are changed. I

© June Maffin
https://www.soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry
@soulistryjune.bsky.social

Calligraphy Artist: Gerry Jackson Kerdok (used with permission)
Her work has been shown in juried shows in North America, Europe and Russia.

WE MUST REMEMBER: The Holocaust

WE MUST REMEMBER: The Holocaust

Today, January 27th, is International Holocaust Remembrance Day, the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the concentration camp at Auschwitz. And we must remember. We must remember the horrors that happened when good people did not believe what was happening.

We must remember the hatred and lust for power which resulted in intimidation, intolerance, corruption, horrifying violence against Jews, Roma (gypsies), homosexuals, political activists, the disabled (physically and mentally).

Exact numbers of those who died in concentration camps in the Holocaust are unknown, but it is estimated that six million Jews, 15,000 homosexuals, unknown political prisoners, the disabled, and about 1.5 million out of an estimated 2 million Gypsies (Roma) were murdered in the Gypsy Holocaust – Porajmos).

Records of one concentration camp (Auschwitz) show unbelievable facts: 1.1 million died … 960,000 Jews (865,000 of whom were gassed on arrival), 74,000 non-Jewish Poles, 21,000 Roma, 15,000 prisoners of war, and up to 15,000 other Europeans.

Many try to forget the reality of what happened in Europe to these people, including clergy who also died while doing their best to support and protect the vulnerable.

Many denied the reality of the Holocaust then.

Many deny the reality of the Holocaust now.

But we must remember these words of Martin Niemöller
“First they came for the Socialists,
and I did not speak out because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists,
and I did not speak out because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left to speak for me.”

What gave rise to the Holocaust then – anger, hatred, fear –
is happening now and growing.

If Niemöller’s words are not taken seriously
… if history is not remembered
… if action is not taken
… if people do not speak up
there will be no one left to speak.

Democracy will no longer be the reality.

We must remember.

Remember that
“It didn’t start with gas chambers.
It started with politicians

dividing the people with ‘us vs them’.
It started with intolerance and hate speech,

and when people stopped caring, became desensitized
and turned a blind eye.”
<Auschwitz Memorial>

We must remember and become educated about the atrocities of the past. We must educate today’s children so they know the truth. We must do our part in speaking up and speaking out.

We must remember.

Not to remember will have dire consequences.

These sites might be a beginning towards knowing the truth.
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/gay-men-under-the-nazi-regime
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/genocide-of-european-roma-gypsies-1939-1945
https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2011/10/world-war-ii-the-holocaust/100170/
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-murder-of-people-with-disabilities
https://www.newsweek.com/international-holocaust-remembrance-day-2020-timeline-events-hitlers-rise-power-nuremberg-1483916?fbclid=IwAR2yaunjq1ueOzXF6CYLNy05UhCAEmEVrE1_SqMKqg5xTprUL-z7QoI4nvA


© June Maffin
@soulistryjune.bsky.social
https://soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry

TURNING FEAR INTO HOPE

TURNING FEAR INTO HOPE


Fear.
It’s palpable.
And it’s growing
and growing
and growing.

Fuelled by conversations
and social media
and political actions
it is a word 
that resonates
and leaves little space for anything other than fear.
 
What to do?
We could let the fear grow and grow until
physical, emotional and spiritual paralysis sets in.


Or, we could transform our understanding of fear
and our approach to it.     
into hope and

F
 ace

verything
that is

A
  gainst


R
  eason


with

H
  ealing


O
  penness
and

P
  ossibilities
of peaceful action and response, by and for

E
  veryone

 

Will changing our approach to a single word bring about change?
change
in our actions, our attitudes, our abilities to cope?
   

How will we know
if we don’t try?


When fear attacks
may we Face Everything that is Against Reason
with
Healing, Openness and Possibilities of peaceful action and response by and for Everyone.


Hope really is the only thing stronger than fear.


© June Maffin

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WM-HopeStrongerThanFearhttps://soulistry.com/blog
@soulistryjune.bsky.social
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry
www.medium.com/@junemaffin

SHE SPOKE

SHE SPOKE

She spoke on January 21, 2025
with courage.

Feeling self-confident or not,
she stood before Goliath
using the ‘sling and stones’
of word, of gentle voice, of eye-to-eye contact.

Her sermon has been shared countless times. 
Her words have been quoted and debated
and thousands upon thousands have heard
words of hope
through her.

Like David,
she taught Goliath
an important lesson:
Never underestimate the power of God
however that happens
even if
even if
and maybe even if
and especially
through a woman.

© June Maffin

**********
May God bless Bishop Budde. May she continue to listen to God’s still, silent voice within. And may she, her family, staff, and people she serves be protected from physical harm, emotional distress, and spiritual dis-ease.
Amen. So be it. Amen.

CONDUITS OF HOPE

CONDUITS OF HOPE

I will never forget the conversation.
“You are so lucky to be a Canadian and living in Canada.
We are terrified of what will happen with our country if Obama doesn’t get into the White House.”

The fear expressed at the time was palpable. 
I could feel it!

That was then. 
This is now.
And today, another Presidential Inauguration.

This time,
the fear is beyond palpable in the United States. 
It has spread far beyond the borders of the United States. 

The world is watching and hopefully remembering a man who swayed the masses into believing
that he … and only he …
could make their country great again. 
He didn’t the first time.
He won’t this time.

While the world seemed void of hope – then 
and the world seems void of hope – now
nature and history provide Conduits of Hope:
flowers growing in the desert … in cement … along a wooden fence
Rosa Parks … Malala … Barack Obama and his election – twice! … Bishop Budde … 

Strong reminders of tenacity, courage and hope.

Conduits of hope ARE around us.

May we look for Conduits of Hope.

May we see Conduits of Hope.

May we believe in Conduits of Hope.

May we be Conduits of Hope.

Photo: Laura Hope – Unsplash – used with permission

© June Maffin
@soulistryjune.bsky.social
https://soulistry.com/blog

REALITY-NOT ALWAYS EASY

REALITY-NOT ALWAYS EASY

aches and pains
can become reality
not always easy

death
can become reality
not always easy

grieving personal losses
can become reality
not always easy

saddened by losses of others
who have lost family/friends/homes/employment/relationships
not always easy

politics
becomes reality
not always easy

time is needed
to acknowledge reality

time is needed
to face consequences

time is needed
to begin to heal

refocus is needed
to remember lives that are leaving or already gone

refocus is needed
to celebrate times when bodies were agile, flexible, without pain

refocus is needed
to acknowledge life is different
and realize life has become a different reality

life continues
not always easy

so we take each moment as it comes
we take each day as it comes
not always easy
but survivable

we got through yesterday
we will get through today

and as for tomorrow
… tomorrow will be today when it arrives
and the next day
will be yesterday

reality
may not be easy
yet hope is always possible, around the corner, someday


******************

© June Maffin
www.soulistry.com/blog
@soulistryjune.bsky.social







January 20, 2025-Martin Luther King Jr. Day And …

January 20, 2025-Martin Luther King Jr. Day And …

January 20, 2025 is Inauguration Day in the United States.
It is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

It is not a co-incidence that the two are happening on the same day this year.

While it is true that what is coming is darkness,
it is also true, as Martin Luther King Jr reminded us,
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”


Light.
Love.
Hope!

Light can drive out darkness!
Love can drive out hate!

Let us not lose sight of the hope that is is Light and Love.


*************
© June Maffin
@soulistryjune.bsky.social

LAUGHTER

LAUGHTER

Laughter — it is SOOOO good for the body and soul. Sadly, there’s not been a lot of that these days. Politics … anger … fear … seem to have taken over.

Our soul needs regular doses of laughter!

When my Dutch-born husband, Hans, was alive, there was a lot of laughter in our home. His delightful laugh and great sense of humour still bring a smile to my face. And today, laughter bubbled out of me when I reread his response to something I posted on social media the year before he died.

I wrote:
“India Foxtrot Yankee Oscar Uniform Charlie Alpha November Uniform November Delta Echo Romeo Sierra Tango Alpha November Delta Tango Hotel India Sierra, Charlie Oscar Papa Yankee Alpha November Delta Papa Alpha Sierra Tango Echo Tango Oscar Yankee Oscar Uniform Romeo Sierra Tango Alpha Tango Uniform Sierra. “

And he replied …
“Alfa November Delta Whiskey Hotel Alfa Tango India Sierra Tango Hotel India Sierra Alfa Lima Lima Alfa Bravo Oscar Uniform Tango Whiskey Hotel Alfa Tango Alfa Mike India Tango Oscar Charlie Oscar Papa Yankee Alfa November Delta Papa Alfa Sierra Tango Echo.”

I laughed then. And I laughed this morning when I saw this photo and remembered our online conversation.

How I wish I had a recording of his voice – and his laugh! I can “hear” both his voice and laughter in my head and heart, but oh how wonderful it would be to have actual recordings.

So often we think of taking photos of our partner/spouse, children, parents, siblings – at various ages/stages in their lives. I treasure the photos I have. But their voices??? It never crossed my mind to record their voices.

Gratefully, I have voice recordings of my son, but recordings of the voices of my parents, siblings, Hans? Not one. And now, that they’ve all died, I can’t.

A gentle encouragement to you — if you don’t have recordings of the voice of your loved one(s) voice, get started now. Record them reading to you. Let them know what you’re doing and record a conversation.

And record their laughter. 🙂
Your soul will thank you.

© June Maffin
@soulistryjune.bsky.social
https://soulistry.com/blog

The STAR!  The LIGHT! EPIPHANY!

The STAR! The LIGHT! EPIPHANY!

Long ago, it is said, that a star appeared in the sky – a star that was unlike any other. All were amazed – and perhaps, even the lambs. 🙂

Years and years ago, I made this banner for Epiphany, the season of light – which began January 6th for many around the world.

The banner was made out of a black velvet-like fabric and white fabric paint was dabbed on the fabric to create the images. The black velvet-like fabric is fading, the lines of the star are still crooked and every year I take it out and hang it as a gentle reminder of a dreary, wintery weather’s day when I decided to try painting on black velvet-like fabric and the hope and peace that such a reminder of light in the Season of Epiphany brings.


I find Epiphany and its symbolism of ‘light’ to be helpful during the winter months of weather, the winter months of war, and the winter months of the soul, which so many around the world are dealing with these days as democracy is being threatened.

I hope you do, too, and that you wibring light into your home in a variety of ways.


May light be within you.
May light be around you.
May light walk before you and walk behind you.
May light envelope, embrace and sustain you and this world.
And may the awe and wonder of the wee lambs as they gazed on the star – the Light – be instilled in the hearts of all so our world is a place of hope, lovingkindness and peace.

Happy Epiphany Season!

***************************
© June Maffin
https://soulistry.com/blog
www.facebook.com/groups/soulistry

EPIPHANY – Light in the Darkness

EPIPHANY – Light in the Darkness

I love the word ‘epiphany.’    Epiphanies are those “ah-hah!” moments in life when we suddenly ‘understand’ … ‘get it’ … ‘gain insight’ into the nature or meaning of something (or someone) we hadn’t grasped or understood previously.

Many around the world are celebrating the Season of Epiphany beginning today, January 6th.   Its origin began long ago, when it is said that a star guided three Magi to travel great distance to pay homage to the baby Jesus.  Not surprisingly, the image of a star is often seen as a metaphor for bringing light in the midst of darkness … a darkness of any kind: physical, emotional, spiritual, political, financial, vocational etc.. 

In the western and northern parts of the world, it is winter – a time of darkness.  Throughout the world, with the growing rise of ‘strongman leaders’, the light of democracy is slowly being extinguished.  Welcoming the Epiphany through images helps to bring light to ourselves.

I’ve been enjoying “light” since the beginning of the Season of Advent:
…. Royal blue lights appeared four weeks before Christmas (for the Season of Advent). 
… Red and green lights were added for the Season of Christmas and its Twelve Days of Christmas. 
… And just before heading off to bed last night (Twelfth Night), the coloured lights were removed and white tiny lights for the Season of Epiphany took their place.    In this part of the world, which is usually dark, rainy and gloomy, I find that this ‘tradition’ helps me dispel some of the dreary-weather and dreary-politics of the world.

What about you?  How can you encourage Epiphany to make a difference in your life this year?   Perhaps you could

Choose a S.E.W. to guide you in the coming year.  During the Season of Epiphany, I choose a S.E.W. (Star Epiphany Word) which I hope will guide me in some way to a transformative self-growth epiphany.  Last year, my S.E.W. was the word “create.   I wanted to *create* … create more Soulistry reflections … create special handmade cards for friends and shut-in’s …  create change in my health … create more opportunities to play … create ways to bring light into the world around me in terms of kindness, compassion, social justice.   This coming year, my S.E.W. word is “open.”A separate Soulistry reflection about the S.E.W. can be found at https://www.soulistry.com/blog and search for “S.E.W.”

… Weave tiny white lights around your home as a gentle reminder to welcome the Light that comes into the world through ordinary people who bring kindness, caring, gentleness, peace, patience, goodness, compassion, love, hope.  The tiny white lights encourage me to give thanks for the ‘bearers of light’ especially the ‘bearers of light’ in hospitals, care facilities, ambulances, paramedics, fire and police stations.

… Make handmade origami stars.
 They’re easy to make (YouTube has easy-to-follow videos), are a creative outlet, simple to do, and remind me of the Star the Magi decided to follow.   Over the years, as I have worked on and strung the paper stars in various places – across windows, across mirrors, suspended from leaves of large indoor plants – I invite them to be a metaphor that I be guided in making wise decisions.

… Light some white candles and bring light into the darkness of the winter evenings.  A gentle, contemplative act and invites a gentle peace in my home and within my soul.

.
.. Think of ways you could be the light in the world around you and bring the light of patience, generosity, forgiveness, gentleness, self-control, thoughtfulness, goodness, compassion, kindness to others and your self so that work of Christmas doesn’t stop with Christmas. 
As educator, theologian and civil rights leader Howard Thurman wrote:  “When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with their flocks, the work of Christmas begins: to find the lost, to heal the broken, to feed the hungry, to release the prisoner, to rebuild the nations, to bring peace among the people, to make music in the heart.”  

While the Season of Epiphany can last anywhere from 40 to 63 days (because the date of Easter changes each year), for however long the Season of Epiphany lasts, may it be a Season of Light in your life and this pandemic world, and in its own way, continue “the work of Christmas.”  Happy Epiphany!

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© June Maffin   https://soulistry.com/blog     As always, you are welcome to share.

 

SEW: Star Epiphany Word

SEW: Star Epiphany Word

Ahhhh, words – I love them.  

Every year during the Season of Epiphany (the season in Christianity that remembers the star that is said to have guided the Magi to the Christ Child), I love to choose a “Star-Epiphany Word”: SEW.  My SEW is a word I hope will ‘guide’ me (as a star) in the coming year to ‘epiphanies’ and “ah-hah” moments of life.

The word I’ve chosen for this year is ‘OPEN.’ 
I want to be ‘open’ to what the Creator / Universe / By-Whatever-Name has for me in terms of personal growth, relationships, expansion for “Soulistry”.

I want to be ‘open’ to possibilities, learning, sharing, networking and …

What about you?
What word do you choose to guide your year?
What will you be SEWing?
It could be anything!

Write the word down and when something happens to confirm your SEW in the coming year, make a note of it in your journal.  At the end of the year, read about your SEW and see how you chose the word that was right for you because you are intentional about this choice so w
hatever word you choose, it will be the right word for you.

© June Maffin
https://www.soulistry.com
www.soulistry.com/groups/soulistry
@soulistryjune.bsky.social

TWELFTH NIGHT

TWELFTH NIGHT

It’s Twelfth Night!  Tonight!

Twelfth Night is a festival for those following the Gregorian calendar that takes place on the last night of the Twelve Days of Christmas and marks the coming of the Epiphany tomorrow – January 6th.

What is Twelfth Night all about? Twelfth Night is a night of celebration, partying and merriment where a Twelfth Night cake with a bean or coin inside, (aka King’s Cake in both the UK and the Netherlands; Martha Washington’s Great Cake in the U.S.) is ceremoniously presented and eaten; a crowning of mock royalty happens; lots of music, plays, puppets, theatre and singing; and wassail, a toast of spiced ale or cider (or hot apple juice/cider with a cinnamon stick for flavour) is offered for good health. Yummmm!


In some homes, it’s an excuse for everyone to dress-up a la masquerade.  In other words, Twelfth Night is an opportunity to feast, and play, be silly and have fun!


Historically, around 1601, William Shakespeare wrote his ‘Twelfth Night’ play, a comedy, as entertainment for the close of the Season of Christmas and set the stage for the Twelfth Night feast with Orlando’s words: “If music be the food of love, play on; give me excess of it.”  In 1849, Queen Victoria marked Twelfth Night with an abundance of music, theatre performances and dance for her court which the populace began to imitate.

Many well-known painters depicted the frivolity of Twelfth Night: … Peter Brueghel the Younger painted “The King Drinks” showing the King drinking to himself, a costume procession, general feasting and merry making … Jan Steen, (known as the most prolific of Twelfth Night artists – six on that theme!), focused on the role of music, symbolism of the Epiphany star and the waffles that are served royalty on Twelfth Night, and even included eggshells littered on the floor in one of his paintings. And poets like Robert Herrick’s 1660 “Twelfth Night: Or, King and Queen”):  “Now, now the mirth comes” got into the celebration of the festival.


Let’s re-discover the Twelfth Night, bring some celebration and festive merrymaking into our lives, and welcome the light of the Epiphany when dawn breaks in the morning … in spite of the political tension in many countries.


Or maybe, let’s re-discover Twelfth Night because of it all.
… pick up the phone and call a friend
… let social media be the bridge for you to celebrate Twelfth Night.
… or simply put some apple juice in a pot on the stove, add a cinnamon stick and when it’s been cooking for a while and has “cooked down”, pour yourself a cuppa and as you gently sip from the cup, consider celebrations in your life in the past that brought you joy and dream of celebrations in the future.
… get dressed up – make a crown and put it on your head and crown yourself king/queen for the night. 😉

May this Twelfth Day end with a festive spirit … a spirit filled with joy and hope!
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© June Maffin

As always, you are welcome to share
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Soulistry-Artistry of the Soul offers reflections throughout the calendar year. If you are looking for a particular subject, theme, holiday – whatever – type the word into the Search bar https://www.soulistry.com/blog

Tomorrow – we welcome the Season of Epiphany and its themes of light and images of stars. And yes, “Soulistry” will offer reflections throughout Epiphany. Stay tuned. 🙂

CHALKING   THE   DOOR – A Ritual for Epiphany

CHALKING THE DOOR – A Ritual for Epiphany


Have you ever noticed a mysterious series of letters and numbers which looked like a math equation, inscribed in chalk over a doorway (or at your church, or at the home of a friend) at/around January 6th – Epiphany – and wondered “What is that?”

It’s called “Chalking the Door.” And as some ‘chalk the door’ on the eve of Epiphany, on Epiphany itself or sometime during the Season of Epiphany, thought it might be interesting to explore its origin, what it means and why it could be a fun ritual for individuals/families to do. So, here goes. 🙂

Some “chalk the door” (literally write on or above the entrance of their home in chalk) with a particular inscription of specific numbers/letters which changes each year. This year, the inscription is: 20 + C + M + B + 25 Here’s a quick ‘translation’. The letters “C, M, B” can represent yhe initials of the Magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar) who were reported to visit the baby Jesus on January 6th, or they can represent abbreviation of the Latin phrase, Christus mansionem benedicat which means “May Christ bless this house.”

The “plus” “+” signs are said to represent the Cross of Jesus. The “numbers” change every year.- The “20” at the beginning and the “25” at the end represent this current year: 20 (2000) plus 25 (+ 2025). Next year the inscription will be “20 + C + M + B + 26”.

“Chalking of the door” is a centuries-old ritual throughout many parts of the world and can be a wonderful family activity and spiritual practice, invoking the Creator’s blessing and protection on all who live/work/visit the home. In some respect, it is similar to what Jewish people have done for centuries when they attach a mezuzah to the front door/doorpost in response to a mitzvah (a commandment) believing in protection for those who pass through the door.

When to do the “chalking of the door”? Some do it on New Year’s Day. Some do it on Twelfth Night. Some do it on a day of their own choosing between New Year’s Day and Epiphany. And some do it on Epiphany (January 6th). The actual date of the “Chalking of the Door” isn’t the important thing. Being intentional, making the time to invite and welcome the Creator’s presence and protection, is the focus.

How does the Chalking of the Door ritual unfold?

– You’ll need a chalk (and a board/cardboard if you don’t want to do it on the actual door).
– Write the inscription on the door (or board if you’d prefer but chalk washes off so write it on the actual door if you can. 🙂
– Let others in the home know about it so they can be there.
– And, you’ll need a hammer and nails/tacks to put the inscription on/over the door

The ritual (writing the inscription on/above the door and offering a short prayer) can be done by one person who lives in the home; it can be shared by people living in the home; and an ordained person can be invited to preside at the ritual. There really is no formal way of “chalking the door” and no particular date when it’s done other than ‘sometime in the Season of Epiphany.’ It’s a custom, a ritual, which we make our own. So – “Do your own thing.”

Chalking of the Door Prayer
It can be informal (use your own words) such as “May all who enter this door be welcomed with peace and lovingkindness. May all who leave this door be blessed and manifest the peace and lovingkindness wherever they go. So be it. Yes. So be it.”

It can be semi-formal (something similar to the following)
“Holy One, Creator, God, (I/we) ask your blessing on this entrance and home and upon all who live here (work / visit here). May they may be blessed in ways that will be nourishing to their body, mind and spirit. May peace dwell in this home. May laughter and joy be experienced. May kindness, patience, thoughtfulness, and respect be present in conversations and actions. And may All That Is Good be present in the waking and sleeping of all who dwell herein. Amen

It can be formal, based on an ancient Celtic prayer (below):
God who is Three, God who is One, give blessing to the house that is here. Bless it from roof to floor, from wall to wall, from end to end. May your Spirit alone dwell within these walls to bring joy and laughter. We call upon the Sacred Three to save, to shield and surround this home. The circle of God around it. The peace of Christ within it. The life of the Spirit above it this day and night and every night. May the Triune God be the protector of this place. Peace be here in the name of the God of love. Welcome be here in the name of the Christ of peace. Joy be here in the name of the Spirit of life. God who is one. God who is three, bring light for the day and rest for the night. We call upon the Sacred Three to welcome, guide and nurture all who enter here; the Circle of God around friend and stranger; the Peace of Christ within it; the life of the Spirit above all who stand at the door this day, this night and evermore. Amen.” <adaptation of Celtic prayer by Christine Sine, used with permission):


May the “Chalking of the Door” be a blessing to all who read it on a front door and a blessing to all who decide to “chalk the door” this year.

© June Maffin https://soulistry.com @soulistryjune.bsky.social

TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS – Drumming Possibilities

TWELFTH DAY OF CHRISTMAS – Drumming Possibilities

Merry Twelfth Day of Christmas!

We’ve come to the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas and it’s time to  “drum possibilities” because on this day, as the song goes, the drummers were drumming.

Why?  What?  Music ethnologists remind us that every culture has utilized the drum for a multitude of purposes to touch the heart and communicate emotions, actions and messages in a variety of ways: social dances, feasts, sporting events, religious rituals, prelude to war, ceremonies, weddings, births, funerals, etc.

When drummers drum, they are trying to gain interest or support in some way.   In fact, the phrase “drum up” has become a favourite of people in business (drum up sales), as excuses (drum up an alibi or story), in advertising (drum up more customers) and yes, in politics (drum up support for a particular Bill / Amendment / Candidate), too.

As interesting as are the gain interest/support uses of the drum image, I’d rather “drum up” possibilitiesopportunities to
… be creative
… do acts of kindness
… experience joy
… make a difference
… dream
… be involved in self-care
… ‘think’ and ‘respond’ before ‘reacting’
… imagine
… be hopeful
… find ways to keep the Spirit of Christmas alive throughout the year.

Journalist, English writer, poet, philosopher and lay theologian, G.K. Chesterton reinforced the hope that the Spirit of Christmas is lived every day by people of all religions and by people of no religion:  “Christmas which is now over, ought to go on for the remainder of the twelve days … (in) our own topsy-turvy time we all hear such a vast amount about Christmas just before it comes, and suddenly hear nothing at all about it afterwards … I am going to plead for a longer period in which to find out what was really meant by Christmas and a fuller consideration of what we have really found.”   <G.K. Chesterton>

Chesterton’s point of view is simple … Let’s keep Christmas alive in our hearts beyond this, the Twelfth Day of Christmas, so that Christmas isn’t just one day, or only for those who are Christians, or only for the Twelve Days of Christmas.  It’s for us all to enjoy, to keep, to maintain throughout the whole year.

Even though the Season of Christmas draws to a close this night known as Twelfth Night – and yes, another Soulistry reflection about Twelfth Night will emerge later today –  may the Spirit of Christmas continue to be alive every day!

© June Maffin
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Thank you for your encouragement of Soulistry and its blog,

Special thanks to calligrapher Cari Ferraro for permission to use her lovely work highlighting today’s blog, reminding us of the theme of each of the Twelve Days of Christmas, and to James Toose for permission to use his image of drummers.


‘Soulistry’ Reflections appear on the blog and on the Soulistry FB group throughout the year about a variety of themes, subjects and thoughts.  If you have a subject/theme you are looking for, feel free to use the magnifying image and search.