Well Folks! its that time of year once more where I have been extra busy preparing a Christmas gift for everyone on the message boards I visit during the year.
It is now the 8th year I have done this [5 years with picture], for me its a time to try and bring in a little something special that resembles the true meaning of what Christmas was meant to be about.

If you go to this link you will find your gift {{{ENJOY}}}
http://www.sacred-echoes-art.com/Christmas2007.html

The symbolic meanings behind the painting & blessing/poem.

The Earth Goddess with her head bowed towards you, and hands in prayer position, thus connecting heart to lips is...Namaste - the supreme sweetness that dwells within my Heart and Soul, Honours and Acknowledges that divine light that dwells within you.
The symbol on her forehead is Celtic for sun or bringer of light, for although the Earth Goddess is Of The Earth, [resides in the womb of the earth] she also holds the sacred light within that gives birth to All life.

Snowdrop = Hope, New Growth, Spirit, Feminine Strength, and was used by the Medieval & Celtic monks for healing wounds.

Ivy [English] = Feminine, Joining of Hearts, Magical mate to Holly, Immortality, Friendship and Fidelity, Inspiration, Symbol of Knowledge and Understanding, Plant of the Goddess. The Celtic Holy Wells were ‘Dressed' with Ivy.

Holly = Masculine, Son of the Goddess, Light is Reborn, Protective & Lucky, Flower of Good Will, Health & Happiness, Joy - symbolizes life amidst the apparent death of winter, one of the seven sacred trees of the Irish chieftains, Love of God, Unconditional Love towards others, Foresight, Protector of the Earth Goddess, Power of Peace, and symbol of the faerie realm
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THANKSGIVING

4.30a.m finds me in my wood,
Seeking peace, quiet and solitude
From the harshness of day-to-day life,
I give Thanks for this, my little sanctuary.
Within the stillness of the morning
I listen to the birds awakening,
Greeting this cold and wet November day
With trills and whistles
That pierce through the lingering mists.
I give Thanks I was here to listen to their songs.

For the pain and the suffering I have experienced,
I give Thanks,
For I learnt Humility, Understanding and found my Strength.
In caring for others
I give Thanks,
For I learnt compassion and forgiveness.
For the many people I have met over many years,
Both cruel and kind,
I give Thanks
Because they all helped to shape the person I am today.

For my babies who have grown into
Beautiful caring young women,
I give Thanks,
For they brought me joy, tears, frustration, concern,
Worry, laughter, hope and ultimately, Love.
For my babies that were called back home to spirit,
And for the 3 special people who were able to reach me,
And teach me through all the pain,
I give Thanks
Because even now I feel their continued
Gentle, caring and loving support through the veils of Spirit.

For the Grandfather, Great Spirit, Creator, God,
Or whatever names you are known by,
For it truly matters not.
I give Thanks
Because you birthed our Mother Earth
And gave us life and free will to choose.
For the light and the dark, the good and the bad,
I give Thanks
For it brings balance, growth, learning,
And hopefully a better understanding of what life is truly about.

THANKSGIVING
Through ALL of the above,
We learn the meaning behind the words
Thanks - For all that has been given life, both seen and unseen.
Giving - Giving back too life what you can, in any way you can.
Don't allow the mistakes of the past to take away the truth and meaning
Behind the words.

© A. Clarke

Hello Everyone

 I've been super busy painting and decorating hand made memory boxes [see picture], ready for a Christmas mind/Body/Spirit fair this weekend. Its going to be in Lincoln at Lincolnshire in England at there Showground. So if anyone is around that area do come in and say Hello.

SAMHAIN.... [‘sa-ween'] Celtic New Year....also known today as Halloween the poem below brings Samhain back to the sacred, and its true meaning. [Death doesn't always mean physical death].

Samhain....Brings death in order that there be new life,
As we mourn what was not meant to be,
We move into the darkness to empty ourselves
That we may enter the quietness,
For in the quietness lies the emptiness...
And the source of life.

In death comes transformation,
Bringing new insights
That can dissolve boundaries,
For a greater understanding...
And to reveal hidden beginnings
Of the mysteries to life.

In death comes a sweet surrender,
Letting go of control,
Allowing your heart to sigh and cry,
While night holds your dreams and your sorrows
So that illumination and hope,
Can step forth from the light held in the darkness.

In the new light of a day dawning,
Your heart starts to remember
That your dreams were worth keeping,
On that path that leads to you.
Through disappointments and solitary melancholy,
The dark with all its tricks, will seek out your fears
Until your true strength is revealed,
Leaving you only....
FREEDOM.

© A. Clarke.

THE PINK RIBBON - Breast Cancer awareness month

I wear my pink ribbon with pride,
As testimony to those that have survived
That silent killer called cancer.
But I also wear my pink ribbon,
For all those that bravely fought and lost
There battle against this intruder.

This intruder that comes in unannounced
Without an invitation,
Stealthily invading our bodies,
Trying to escape detection,
Destroying us slowly from inside out.
It shows no mercy and takes no prisoners,
For destruction and pain is its game.

It does not matter whether you are famous,
Offering riches will not exempt you
In this little game of Russian roulette,
It shows no pity for those that will be left behind,
Or any remorse for those that are left disfigured,
In order that they may survive
One of the cruellest games in life.

So I wear my Pink Ribbon with pride
In honour of ALL women,
Who have struggled in their grief,
To come to terms with the scar's
That have been left behind,
After their emotional and physical battle
Against a silent killer that hides within.

I sing my chants to honour your life,
I sing my chants to heal your pain,
I shed my tears to cleanse your wounds,
I send my prayer that Compassion and Love
May always be your companion in life.
That inner wisdom will be your gift of knowing
That the true beauty of a women
Is held within your nurturing heart.

Ho! It is done

© A. Clarke