Anne Key's Blog

A big thanks to everyone that entered the Giveaway for my new memoir, Burlesque, Yoga, Sex and Love. I'm putting books in the mail today!

As I'm finishing my second memoir, I'll be back on the blogging -- promise!

Today is the cross-quarter day between Fall Equinox and Winter Solstice, often called Samhain, the first day of Winter. This day heralds the beginning the Season of the Dark. Welcome the nights as they grow long, for this is the season for contemplation, examination – the season for inward exploration. In this season we have the chance to fully and consciously walk each step of our inner journey.

I feel so scattered at this important juncture. I’m finding it difficult to sit down and concentrate; so many directions are pulling me in so many ways. I need to take this moment as I find myself before the Gate of Winter and dig-in, and find my root. All of the unanswered questions, the undone tasks—those will have to wait. For now, it is encircling myself around the cord that runs through me and connects me to the all.

For the last few days, through the haze of copal and bright orange marigolds, I have seen those that have already crossed over and journeyed through the unconscious, the relatives and friends, the lineage of ancestors that help me on my path. I do not forget them, and hope they do not forget me.

Stop and prepare as we enter the season of the Dark. Take root; know your connection. Welcome those that have already crossed over with a bit of their favorite food or drink along with a candle and flowers next to their photo. Seek their advice, and show gratitude for their protective presence in our lives.

Once rooted, savor the long nights; this is our opportunity to focus deep within ourselves. When we return this Spring, may our inner light shine through unobscured, with the lustrous brilliance and clarity of inner wisdom.
Blessings to us all as we enter the Winter -- Anne

A note on seasons, names and dates: The Greeting of the Dark is the first day of Winter, celebrated on the cross-quarter day at the midpoint between Mid-Autumn and Mid-Winter. This day is at the cross of the quarters, the quarters of the year being the equinoxes and solstices. Astrologically, the First Day of Winter may be calculated as the date the Sun is at 15° Scorpio, which currently Falls around November 6th and 7th (Other methods for determining the cross-quarter days and charts showing the date ranges for the seasons can be found at: http://www.archaeoastronomy.com.) This festival is commonly called Samhain (pronounced sow' en, from the Gaelic, meaning “the end of summer”), traditionally celebrated October 31st. The term Halloween, common parlance in the United States, descends from the Catholic tradition of All Hallows Eve, or Hallowe’en, which is observed on October 31st, literally the “eve” of All Hallows Day. All Saints' Day, or All Hallows Day, occurs on November 1st and All Souls Day on November 2nd.

Today is the midpoint between Summer Solstice and Fall Equinox, at the cross of the quarters, marking the first day of autumn. Here in Albuquerque, we are in the midst of the monsoon season. Every afternoon the clouds begin to gather over the Sandia Mountains, and then move across the city, bringing a show of lightning and splatters of rain.

I am caught at this time of year – part of me wants to lounge in the warmth, sip wine, and watch the lightning. Another part of me wants to keep things moving, get everything done before turning inward at winter. My urgency is at direct odds with my desire to stretch out on the chaise. Maybe part of this season’s lessons is balance and prioritization, because really, only so much can get done. The reclining in August is oh so sweet, and not to be missed.

Take a moment to be in your moment, whether that is full steam ahead or stretching out in the shade. We only have this time now, so breathe it in fully.

Brightest Blessings to you at the turn of the season -- Anne

N.B.: This cross-quarter festival is commonly called Lammas (from the Anglo-Saxon for “loaf mass”) or Lughnasadh (from the Irish god Lugh), traditionally celebrated August 1st. Astrologically, the First Day of Fall may be calculated as the date the Sun is at 15° Leo, which currently Falls around August 6th and 7th.

Today is Mid-Summer, the Summer Solstice. This is a time of magic and love, as penned by Shakespeare. Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we are living in the moments of the most light of the year. Solstice means “sun ceases” (originally from Latin), and it is at this point that the sun stills, rising and setting at its northernmost position on the horizon the few days before and after Mid-summer, drenching us in almost unrelenting light.

This year, the inescapable light of Summer Solstice shines in every corner of ourselves, radiating our luminous selves and illuminating the dark hidden spaces deep within. This is the moment to embrace ourselves as whole—to love, honor, and cherish each thread of our cloth.

In this moment of solstice, in this moment of stillness in the unremitting Light, spend a moment to find your center. Breathe in to that place, feeding it with love and support; for with a strong stance in our center, we can open wide. Open to being grateful for everything that has been illuminated, the desirable and the difficult. Expand to encompass the wholeness, the holiness, of it all.

This Mid-Summer day, let’s hold precious each thread of our existence; breathe in the magic that is the cloth as whole, as holy, and unfurl ourselves to what only we can be. For therein lies the gift to the all.

Blessings of the Light to you this Mid-Summer’s Day!

A little bit more spring cleaning needed, and this morning it was my altar. While removing all the little items that accumulate on the altar and wiping away the dust, I began thinking that this is the season of discernment. So much is beginning to grow, and I need to decide what stays so that I can get rid of what I don't need and give room to what I want to cultivate. To do that, I need clarity and determination. There is the idea that we plant the seeds, and then they grow, but that doesn't take into account all the other seeds that the winds blow, that the birds drop, that travel in the fur of cats until they fall off. Some of these seeds are beautiful serendipitous opportunities, while others might be taking up valuable space. Add these to the seeds I have planted thoughtfully in my soul, and there are lots of sprouts. This is the season of discernment. Choose what to cultivate. I thoughtfully replace some things on my altar, leaving space in between for new growth.

Went to a wonderful full moon ritual last night. We were atop a crest in Petroglyph National park, surrounded by lava rock and overlooking Albuquerque. I stood in the west, the direction of the sunset, and spoke of my wish for endings. May all of our endings this year happen with ease. May our old ways, our old stories, our old skins slide off freely, and may we revel in the newness this year brings. Blessed be.

Today is the Spring Equinox, the height of spring. Today at the equinox we take a breath in at this moment of balance, when the northern and southern hemispheres are bathed in equal light. I feel like I am trying to precariously balance on one foot, the other barely touching the ground, then lifting – and I am in balance for just a few seconds before I have to put down my other toe to catch my fall.
This year, the year of the Snake, is a wonderful year to rid ourselves of old thoughts, old relationships – anything that binds and constricts us, any old skin that doesn’t let us move in new ways. Bright green shoots are poking their heads up, and my darling husband has already planted pansies to brighten the yard. The air is thick with kinetic potentiality (I’ll let my science friends chew on that phrase for a bit!).
Take a moment today to feel yourself in balance – either imagined or real. Take a look at all of the green shoots sprouting in your life. They won’t all come to fruition, and some might crowd what you’d rather have bloom. Take time to decide what needs to go to make way for the new.
Always my brightest blessings to you! Love -- Anne

Tomorrow, Sunday morning, is the first day of spring. The solar cycle today is at the mid-point between Winter Solstice and Spring Equinox, the day when winter passes and Spring emerges and we begin to notice the longer days. I call this day the Greeting of the Light, as we welcome back the longer days now as the season of the dark begins to wind down. In the Celtic calendar, this day is a fire festival honoring Brigit, goddess of healing and the fire-wrought arts

I think of this as the moment I open my eyes, noticing the light of dawn but not quite ready to get out of bed. I huddle down a little longer in the down next, snuggled against my slumbering sweetie, and slowly open my eyes. Six weeks from now is Spring Equinox, and things will be full steam ahead then. But in this sleepy moment of dawn, when light begins to spill over the horizon but the sun has not yet come up, take advantage of this moment. What realizations did you have during these past long winter nights? What have your dreams told you? Take this time to embody all of the workings of winter. Maybe think of this as the shavasana before class begins, when we prepare ourselves to be whole.

If you get a chance one of these mornings, let the light of dawn spill onto your face, your chest. Open your heart to this early light of spring, and feel yourself cleansed and whole.

There is no way for us to remember this day without thinking of Patricia Monaghan. We miss you.

Bright Spring Blessings to all -- Anne

And…a little note on nomenclature: This festival is commonly called Imbolc (spelled either Imbolc or Imbolg, and pronounced “imolk”, from the Gaelic, meaning “around the belly”), traditionally celebrated February 2nd, or on the night before, February 1st. This festival is also referred to as Candlemas, originating from the Church of England. For the Northern Hemisphere, the First Day of Spring may be calculated as the date the Sun is at 15° Aquarius, which currently Falls around February 3rd to 4th.

How about a sneak peek into my new memoir? Here's a taste from my article recently published in La Tolteca (see page 14): http://issuu.com/latolteca/docs/la_to...