I have been remiss at making blog posts this month.  It has been an introspective time for me. As soon as the weather begins to turn and cool, and the seasons in Southern California are offset from most of the rest of the country by about 2 months, I go inward. This year, it has been about regaining perspective. I’ve been doing extended gratitude lists, working to resolve anger, and seeing the bigger picture. When I say things like this to people, they frequently express surprise that a spiritual teacher has to do this work, but I am, in fact, human, and need to process and refocus as much as anyone. Possibly more than the average person, if I am going to be of service to anyone else.

In addition to the obvious benefits of the work that I have been doing, it has kept me out of a lot of the national and international drama. I am a news junkie; something happens and I am glued to a myriad of news sources, from TV to international media websites to Twitter. This fall, while I am aware that a lot has been going on, and even the basic details of it, I haven’t felt the need to get wrapped up in it. My inner landscape has been much more compelling. As a result, I have had less chaos and fewer adrenaline rushes. It has been rather nice.

As part of my refocusing, I am taking next trimester off of teaching at Matrix International University, with the exception of my advanced Shamanism workshop. This may change, but I have felt a move toward more small, independent classes. I have one group moving through the Tree of Life, and another that may be starting in January up in Canyon Country. I no longer have regular office hours doing readings and healings at The Crystal Matrix, and am only available by appointment. I will still be available, for the time being, once a month up at Kenneally Acupuncture & Healing Light Resource Center, but appointments are strongly recommended there as well. My monthly informal teaching will be incorporating a guidance meditation, at least for the winter months.

I am getting ready to channel the next Faery Spiral book. I can feel it percolating, gathering steam. As part of that process, there may be some events that want to happen. We’ll see. I have to let the process be what it wants to be – I have found that the biggest challenge for anyone, in channeling and many other things, is stepping out of the way and letting things unfold.

These are the themes of the Winter Solstice. Going inward. Allowing ourselves to peer into our own shadows. Getting out of the way and allowing things to develop. In Scandinavian traditions, this is the time of communing with the ancestors, alive and dead, and celebrating the small blessings. The symbolism of the longest night is one of shadow and introspection.

May this Solstice bring you  clarity, enhanced self-knowledge, and healing!