No doubt we’ve all had the experience where we understand something important has happened, and yet we know it will take time and reflection to figure out exactly what it is. I feel that way about this year.
I’ve sort of been hoping that some version of Reverb (miss your wise presence Kat McNally!), or some set of reflection questions would appear this month that might help me sort through and tease out greater meaning or assist in clarifying or contextualizing, I like doing such reflections in a group context which is why blogging challenges appeal to me – not only am I curious about what others are thinking, but the fact that a group is focusing together amplifies the energy and thus makes tapping into it easier and the possibility of diving deeply easier as well. But alas, no set of tantalizing questions has made itself known to me. So I think I’ll be forced to cobble together something myself, and simply trust that no matter what the starting point is, I’ll find my way in and perhaps discover something interesting. Susannah Conway has put together her annual December Reflections prompts that many people use as daily photo prompts, and recently I discovered the Proust Questionnaire from the 1880s, which seemed dazzlingly unfamiliar to me until I later realized Vanity Fair has done their own version interviewing various folks beginning in the 1990s. And, I do in fact, have my own personal traditions of reflecting on the year, so I can tap into and tweak those things as well. So I’m think I’ll begin my dive, with the intention of blogging most days in December, using some form of these questions at least to start with, and see where I’m inspired to go.
Susannah Conway’s prompt for December 1 is red, and I’ll start there.
When I think about this year, nothing reflects red better than my Persephone-honoring pomegranate necklace. Earlier this autumn I wrote about deep diving with Persephone and exploring the archetypal energy of Queen of the Underworld. I’ve worn the necklace frequently as a touchstone in this adventure. I’m crazy about those vintage Japanese beads that manage somehow to magically glow from within, just as pomegranate seeds seem to me to do.
The felt flower was made for me this year by a beloved friend and it, too, has deep significance regarding my soul’s journey, and in particular spiritual work which unfolded more deeply this year. Inside the flower I have a favorite set of earrings – of rubies and turquoise, both of which hold significance for me in this journey as well.
The printed flower is a Tattly. I’ve been wearing temporary tattoos all year. I started primarily because of immersion into some sacred geometric studies I’ve undertaken. I’ve always found it incredibly helpful to have touchstones and talismans when doing sacred work and the temp tats have worked for me, allowing me to change them up as I’ve explore different forms. I enjoyed working with them so much, now they’ve become a natural part of my adornment and when I’m not wearing sacred geometry shapes, I’m wearing flowers.
At the start of the year I set an ambitious goal of reading 100 books. Although I haven’t counted yet, and there’s still time to power through a number more, there’s no doubt I fell way short of that goal. But a most curious pattern appeared in the books I did read – two distinct themes. Many many many of them were “mythological” in nature, exploring the lives of various gods and goddesses, and many others were about flowers. None of these books were actually on the list of those I was planning on reading, and so it’s interesting to see how I was pulled in those directions.
So as I consider what 2017 was about for me I will definitely be holding it as a year of Pantheons and Posies.
What about you? Are you feeling the call to try and make sense of this year – and does it feel different than the ways you might have chosen to do that in the past? What have you noticed about themes in your year? Did unexpected things show up in a big way? What red things are you noticing? Do tell – you know I love to hear.
I am doing December Reflections as well. I totally get the trying to make sense of the year thing. I’m hoping 2018 is a little easier to navigate. Looking forward to more of your posts, Deborah, they are always so informative. I’ll be on the lookout for my something red for today.
It’ll certainly be interesting to see what 2018 holds for all of us. Hopefully large doses of joy amidst whatever else unfolds. I look forward to seeing what we create. And I hope you see red today – in the most fun ways. 🙂
I think I’ll do some ‘tap and tweak’ as well Deborah. This has been a crazy year on many fronts, especially politically. We’re building up to nominations for president in a couple of weeks. The election will happen in 2019.
I love the idea of choosing a colour and your photographs of personal precious items with their petals says much. I think I will put pedal to the petal in some way. No red especially, but as I type I have a red scarf hanging over my computer monitor in full view. And when I checked my garden this morning there are a few budding red roses 🙂
You ask if any themes have emerged this year. This is what I will focus on – as I think about it, I’m thinking that prayer has been a focus in the latter part of this year.
Thank you for this lovely thoughtful post.
I take delight in knowing your garden is budding some red roses Susan. And how synchronistic that you should mention noticing that prayer has been a focus for you. Just today I picked up a book by Christine Henderson entitled
A Rose A Day: A Book Of Sacred Rose Prayers.
Yes, I’ve been feeling that same lack this year… while also finding that this time I’m not particularly interested in being asked questions (or in identifying bests/worsts of 2017, so I don’t think that December Reflections are going to work for me either). Like you, I’m just going to jump in and see what happens!
Again and again this year I think all of us have discovered that things that once worked for us, or that appealed to us, simply don’t any more. Maybe this has been the year of finding our new way. Or perhaps more accurately, the beginning of finding our new way. Because I certainly much clarity or cohesiveness. Hopefully 2018 will bring more of that.
Beautiful post again, dear Deborah.
Thinking of red the first thought was about a small rose-tree, which I bought early this year for my husband. It was meant for indoor, but I noticed it didn’t flourish at all. Trusting my instincts, I took the rose-tree outside in a larger pot and I literally saw it grow and getting stronger.
Typing this message in the corner of my eye I see two other red ‘things’. One is the color of my computer-mouse (black with dark red on top) and it reminds me of the pleasure blogging gives me and especially the connecting part of it.
The other red…my package of cigarettes. The brand has a red color and thus the package also and this is my constant reminder of a ‘negative’ in my life, which I still need to work on. Not an easy task to confront and tackle, but it’s on my mind more and more and if I believe the ‘stop-smoking-guru’s’ that is the first step in the process to quit.
As always, this year has been about positives and limitations and 2018 will be not different…I learned this year, that is ok.
XxX
I love all your connections to red Patty. And yay for the rose rescue! I totally relate to your love of blogging and the appreciation of the connections it offers – I’m so glad to share this world with you.
It sounds like you’re navigating the smoking journey with great awareness, and I wish you great ease when the time is right for you to stop. Interestingly, just today I was looking at some vintage images that were of cigarette cards that used to be included with cigarette packages.
I expect your right that 2018 will have its share of positives and limitations. May we all find our way with an abundance of love and light and compassion.