New Worlds of Body, Mind & Spirit Since 1901
On March 15, the annual Shinto fertility festival Tagata Honen-Sai is celebrated. Carrying a giant wooden phallus through the streets, worshippers bless local farmers and farms with fertility. With the New Moon, turn your focus to fertility: nourishment, growth, and rebirth. What is started now grows with the waxing Moon, becoming gloriously full, abundant, and bright. What has lain dormant during the Moon's darkness can now be resurrected and enjoy rebirth. Whatever your focus, be it a ...
In late February, winter winds down and spring approaches. Although the first signs of life appear, such as sprouts of crocus and snowdrop, the weather can still turn nasty. Few things are as frustrating as a bright sunny day followed by a blizzard. When cold weather keeps you inside when you'd rather be outdoors daydreaming about spring flowers, work a little magic to help turn the wheel of the year. If you have a fireplace or a wood stove, build a fire in it. Otherwise a small fire of twigs ...
In parts of northern Spain, women have adopted this day as a celebration of a St. Agatha, a virgin who was tortured and killed in the third century for refusing the attention of a man. Two women are selected to be mayoresses for a day to parade around dressed in lavish black and red adornments. Men do the chores while the women celebrate. Today is a great day to honor women. Ladies, dress up for a night on the town or gather at someone's home for some quality girl-talk. Gentlemen, give the ...
This is a good time for resolving conflicts in your home, work, school, or circle of friends-let go of old grudges and confront issues in a respectful, constructive manner. Before you talk to anyone with whom you have a quarrel, whether in person, by phone, or e-mail, take a shower or bath (or wash your hands well). As you do, call on Concordia, Roman goddess of harmony and agreement, to help smooth the conversation: Goddess, sweet Concordia dear, I ask your guidance in my time of need. I ...
