?Come to the Mountain.

The Phoenix flew to the summit and found the pathway in.

Into the Heart ? the Sacred Heart of Radical Love.?

Like many, December can be a difficult month for me ? for many reasons. The accumulated effects of poverty, illness, loss and trauma makes managing my mental and emotional state imperative. I KNOW how powerful I am. I KNOW how powerful we all are ? including you!

Several years ago I published a blog regularly on my old Handmade-Hope website. There I felt the freedom to share my thoughts, as well as whatever creative project I was pursuing. 

I am a maker at my core, and as a sustainable quilt artist, I ventured into the blogosphere to promote my custom art quilts, and soon discovered that consistently sharing on my public blog was very beneficial for my overall well being. Publishing a personal blog demanded a higher level of mental and emotional clarity from me, and writing articles about whatever was going on in my world was good therapy.

I am excited to return to the practice with this initiatory article for my new blog - Stellar Threads. 

December 2014 Initiation

Without a doubt, December 2014 brought me into a major ?rite of passage? initiation into a new way of walking in the world. As a result, I created Tune In 2 Self, a website inspired by my journey through the life-altering event. (For the curious, you can hear more about that at https://tunein2self.com/HOME.)

December 2023 finds me mostly grateful. Another traumatic life event tests my resilience in deeper ways. Losing everything (and I mean everything) in a household fire in recent weeks marks this December with an opportunity. As Bobby McGee echoes in my mind ? ?Freedom?s just another word for nothing left to lose.? - I am here and breathing, and I have nothing left to lose. With this December?s initiation I invite you to one of my favored places ?

A Place Called Gratitude

As we approach the end of the year, it's a time of reflection, renewal, and preparation for what's to come. The journey into the new year is not just a change in the calendar; it's an opportunity for deep spiritual renewal and setting intentions for a year of growth and love. Here are four key themes to consider as we prepare for 2024.

The Winter Solstice

The Winter Solstice, the shortest day and the longest night of the year, has been celebrated for millennia as a time of rebirth and new beginnings. This natural pause in the cycle of seasons offers us a moment to reflect inwardly. It?s a time to honor the darkness and embrace the return of light, symbolizing hope and renewal. As we experience this pivotal point in the solar cycle, let us align our energies with the natural world and remember that after the longest night, the light always returns.

Cycles of Initiation & Wisdom

Life moves in cycles, much like the seasons. Each phase we go through is an initiation, a passage into a new level of understanding and wisdom. As we prepare for the new year, let's recognize the cycles we?ve completed and the lessons they?ve brought us. This is a time to honor our journey, acknowledging both the challenges and the triumphs. Understanding these cycles helps us move forward with greater wisdom and prepares us for what the next cycle holds.

Preparing the Space for Dedication

Creating a sacred space is a powerful way to set the stage for the new year. This can be an actual physical space in your home or a metaphorical space within your heart. Cleanse and clear your chosen space, fill it with objects that hold meaning, and set intentions. This act of preparation is a dedication to yourself and your journey, a way to honor your past and embrace the future. It?s a reminder that you have the power to create and nurture the environments you thrive in.

2024 - A Year of Radical Love

As we step into 2024, I am reminded by a phrase my daughter often uses - Radical Love. She reminds me that radical love IS the solution ? perhaps the ONLY solution, for those ?dark night of the soul? moments. 

I declare 2024 my Year of Radical Love. This is a call to embrace love in its most powerful form ? love that breaks barriers, heals wounds, and creates profound connections. Radical love is about extending kindness and compassion, not only to those around us but also to ourselves. It's a commitment to understanding, empathy, and action in the face of challenges. Let this year be marked by a love that is transformative, a love that dares to change the world, starting with our own hearts.

As we journey through these last days of the year, let us take these themes to heart. May we find in them a source of inspiration and guidance as we prepare to step into a new chapter filled with hope, wisdom, and radical love. Happy New Year! ?

Breathe deep and walk in Beauty.

Terri