June Ahern's Blog - Posts Tagged "holidays"

WINTER SOLSTICE THE LONG DARK NIGHT  THE RETURN OF THE SUN

Winter Solstice has been celebrated in cultures the world over for thousands of years. This start of the solar year is a celebration of the return of Light (the sun) and the rebirth of the Sun's power to foster life. 

Ancient cultures built huge stone structures designed to align perfectly with the sun at specific times, such as dawn or high noon. And some ancient peoples performed sacred rituals and celebrated all night, and I'm sure for days.

How will you celebrate? I've been invited to a "ghost story" time in one of San Francisco's historical Victorian hotels. While there I agreed to be filmed with what spirits or ghosts from yesteryear I might pick up. There will be two other mediums. I'm the only one spending the night at the hotel. Hope to get some sleep between ghost visits.

It just seemed like a fun thing to do, sit around and tell stories. That's what our ancestors did during The Long Dark Nights of winter. Stories of their ancient ancestors, of dreams, and visions of tomorrow - spring time. They hoped for better times. 

Sound familiar? Yes, we too hope for better times during the winter of our own lives. We wish others Happy New Year! 

East to West ancestors celebrated this time of year. Iranian people celebrate the night of the Northern Hemisphere's winter solstice as Yada night. It's one the oldest Iranian traditions that has been present in Persian culture from the ancient years. The pagan Scandinavian and Germanic people of northern Europe celebrated a twelve-day "midwinter" (winter solstice) holiday called Yule (aka Jul, Julblot, from the Norse, Jul, meaning wheel.)
What about your culture? What rituals do you follow?
It's really no mystery or need to be any one religious belief why our ancestors celebrated winter solstice: It began with Nature. 

Winter: food became and still can be, scarce. Weather conditions plunge into low temperatures, heavy, cold rains; snow; winds -  illness comes easy with runny noses, scratchy throats, pneumonia, influenza and too often death of the old and very young.

Staying alive in a rugged terrain, lack of food, safe shelter, harsh weather - was and is a main concern. I think of "Naked and Afraid" television show. 

Bringing joy during a hard time: Our ancestors had to have hope; they had to belief better times were on the way, just like we do. Thus we celebrate life with sharing laughter, gifts, foods, just being together. And, like us today, it begins with a focus, a purpose - rituals - why we're celebrating - thanking a Divine Source keeping us alive. 

In olden times families and friends would travel often for miles to mingle and be together just as we do today. Gift giving when visiting the homes of others is a custom nearly all enjoy.

Sprucing up: Decorating trees surrounding homes, decorating inside the home became a festive custom. Red, for the energy of the sun, green for mother nature. Life!

How will you give to those in need? That is part of this sacred time's ritual and celebration. Share what you have - thus we have "gift giving." 

With all that said, you understand why Winter Solstice is a most special event. It's about the birth of light, awaiting the birth of the sun.

A time to vision what is to come; dreams are vivid as the night's are longer and hope to make it to spring gives life to the mind, body and spirit. 

Tonight, if you can, stay up to greet the sun.

Blessed be.


How to Talk with Spirits is one of my books available in paperback and eBook. Review more at www.juneahern.com

THE MAGIC OF LAUGHTER


It's not easy for many at this time of year to feel what we think we should, what others say we should, and what we've been taught to believe.

Just doing that is stressful. Many of us suffer: Sadness, depression, grief, nostalgia, worry - all part of the season, right?

If for just ONE moment, a couple minutes - at least-  you can find some healthy relief will you take it?

Laughter is the best medicine. Honestly. 

In the morning and sometimes later, I go on YouTube to watch a funny video - I enjoy Steve Harvey on Family Feud. Also, I pull out one of Erma Brombeck's books - the younger readers might not know of her. The book  is sooooo funny! I go to sleep chuckling instead of grieving those I'm missing

Sometimes, I watch babies laughing videos - now they're the best. Belly laughs - their wee eyes crinkled up, hands waving in the air. Check a few out.

Laughter good for the belly and the soul.

It's actually a stress reliever for the physical body. Good for the digestive system. Try it. Laugh, out loud - ready? ho ho ho, hee hee, hee ha ha ha ha... feel that stomach contract? If not doing it more heartily. Once again, with feeling HO HO HO  HA HA HA HE HE HE for say 30 seconds.

And, if in public, your laughter will effect others- sure they'll think you're a bit off - but! they'll get a kick out of your crazy out loud laughing and at least crack a smile.

When you laugh, you breathe deeper, clear out your lungs. Really, do it for about 60 seconds. Go on... I dare ya.

Catch your breathe. Feel the energy in your body. Laugh again.

Bust a gut! Pee your pants.Now, your physical body is more stress free and has a chance to heal what is out of alignment.

My big sister who inconveniently  died on me - suddenly, -poof gone! ! How could she, being my bestest friend and fellow spiritual student and also the High Priestess of our coven. 

Anyway - she and I laughed all the time. We were quite irreverent - not mean to anyone, just about life and the silliness of some - drama, drama people - you know what I mean.

Always felt greatly loved being with her. Always. Now I think of her, yes, I feel sad for a moment but then mentally I see us siting on her country home porch in our flannel nighgowns, drinking tea with milk and honey and laughing and talking about spiritual and magic things.

Who will you bring happiness to today by laughing with them?

Merry, jolly, peace to all. Do the best you can for a few seconds my fellow humans. Be kind.


How to Talk With Spirits: Séances, Mediums, Ghost HuntsJune Ahern author of four books and more about her teachings at june ahern do com and sf coaching dot com.

Soon the days will grow shorter and the nights, longer. 

How will your life activities change?

How will your energy be different?

Your spirit feels it. Do you?

Each season brings change not only weather wise but your body and mind health.

Celebrate today - September 22, 2020 - Fall or Autumn Equinox or to my pagan family - Mabon.

Mabon, a pagan is also known as the Harvest Home, is a reminder to reap what you sow, give thanks to Mother Earth for the bountiful foods she provides. Count your blessings no matter how insignificant they might seem: my eyes still see, my ears hear, my legs continue to carry me and so forth. 

And rest; prepare for the long, dark, cold times to come.

We busy humans rushing here and there. Even if not physically our minds race;  Internet searches are often frantic - something to meet the demand of the brain's numerous pathways going - where? 

If you stop for a moment you'll feel your body and psychological shifts changes and become aware of the overall effects of the season.

Slow down TV binge watching  - well maybe just The Haunted Bay, Amazon Prime with moi investigating ghosts. Instead, read, draw, journal and have STORY TELLING TIMES with friends and family! Maybe include photos with it.  Really, you'll like it. (Caution: make sure the stories don't turn into "roasts" or are demeaning.)

With the changing weather we go through seasonable colds, sniffles, allergies. One might conjure up illnesses during with  "OH NO! Is it Covid? or ask self,  "Why do I feel so tired? Why's my eyes, sinus' throat ache?"

The Fall weather often brings a weakening in the body. Care for it properly. 

Eat local vegetables and fruits in Fall colors for a healthier body. 

Hunker down, nap more and go to bed earlier: Sleep brings more vivid and perhaps meaningful dreams at this time. 

Pay attention, take note. Are they telling of future manifestations? 

Secure a good dream book to help interpret your dreams.

The spirits and ghosts are preparing will arrive in this season.

June Ahern's special All Hallow's Eve Halloween Presentation: Historical Story Telling, Ritual for Connecting with Ancestors plus Trick 'r' Treat Fun Prizes is coming up 10/29/20.
For more info see  june ahern dot com Review her books, YouTube ghost investigations links, contact info and more. 
June Ahern has authored four books. Her,  How To Talk With Spirits: Seances, Mediums, Ghost Hunts, tells of her murder cases and has inspired a film in progress.

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