The Magic of Clouds

"All that surrounds us is maintained by nature spirits. Though invisible to humans, they are the true cause of all that is beautiful in nature." ~ Rudolph Steiner

Wonder is all around us. Just gazing upwards during our comings and goings of the day can bring us inspiration.

All afternoon yesterday, the clouds were busy overhead creating their millions of masterpieces. With the help of the Wind and the Sun, the magical orchestration continued into the twilight.

A kaleidoscope of colors ranging from soft watercolors to dramatic darker hues creates the tapestry of cloud portraits. Snapshots that change second to second, ever illuminating our minds and souls.

Bridging the thoughts between Earth and Sky, the clouds remind us of the infinite possibilities of our creative abilities.


Even in the darkness of a rainy day, the clouds remain, to connect us with Spirit and enfold us with love.If we ever need to connect with our Higher Self, we need only to take a moment to look to the skies. And behold the magic of the clouds.

To Haiti, With Love

"The night is the mother of the day,
The winter of the spring;
And ever upon old decay
The greenest mosses cling.

Behind the cloud the starlight lurks,
Through showers the sunbeams fall,
For God, who loveth all his works,
Has left his hope with all."

~ John Greenleaf Whittier

Last weekend my mother brought me a gift -- a small wooden plaque displaying a poem given to her by her great grandmother. The poem is entitled "The Silver Lining".

In 1909, James Mudge compiled a beautiful book called Poems with Power to Strengthen the Soul, and "The Silver Lining" is within its pages. Probably penned before the end of the 19th century, the author is unknown, which only adds to its mysterious appeal.

In the preface for his book, Mr. Mudge says:

"Poetry is of the very highest value for the inspiration and guidance of life, for calling out the emotions and opening up spiritual visions. It carries truths not only into the understanding, but into the heart, where they are likely to have the most direct effect on conduct."

Mudge listed "The Silver Lining" under the section HOPE - Progress, Optimism, Enthusiasm. Stating his collection of verses was those "which would have intrinsic spiritual value and elevating power; those whose immediate tendency would be to make people better.... words that would send the spirit heavenward, or even earthward with any added love for humanity..."


In honor of all the brave Haitian souls -- those who have passed on and those who survived the earthquake -- I offer this poem along with a few others for you. Someone once told me "your thoughts are prayers, and they are heard and responded to". So my thoughts of love, peace and healing are with you, dear brothers and sisters of Haiti. No man is an island. We are all One.

"THE SILVER LINING" (author unknown)

There's never a day so sunny
But a little cloud appears;
There's never a life so happy
But has its time of tears.
Yet the sun shines out the brighter
Whenever the tempest clears.

There's never a garden growing,
With roses in every plot;
There's never a heart so hardened
But it has one tender spot.
We have only to prune the border
To find the forget-me-knot.

There's never a sun that rises
But we know 'twill set at night;
The tints that gleam in the morning
At evening are just as bright.
And that hour that is the sweetest
Is between the dark and light.

There's never a dream so happy
But the wakening makes us sad;
There's never a dream of sorrow
But the wakening makes us glad.
We shall look some day with wonder
At the trouble we have had.

*** *** ***

"Let us believe,
That there is hope for all the hearts that grieve;
That somewhere night
Drifts to a morning beautiful with light..."
~ Frank L. Stanton

Keepers of the Flame

Today is St. Brigid's Day, and in her honor I purchased some handmade beeswax candles from a unique local shop called "The Unexpected Joy".

These special golden hued, honey scented candles are lovingly prepared by the female monks of Saints Mary & Martha Orthodox Monastery, a Russian Orthodox monastery in Wagner, South Carolina.

Having once lived briefly near Kildare, Ireland, where Brigid's well is found, I feel a special kinship with this goddess and saint.

According to legends, if you leave a ribbon or strip of cloth outside your home draped over a tree limb or shrub on the eve of Brigid's Day, she will bless the cloth with her special healing powers during her nightly rounds.

As the Keeper of the Flame, tending the fires of the hearth is one of Brigid's attributes. In Celtic myths, she is also the goddess of poetry and healing. Bringing us her gifts of light and inspiration, she helps us celebrate the start of February, or Imbolc.

While visiting Scotland almost a decade ago, I happened upon an intriguing antique shoppe in the little village of Ballater. Amongst the shelves was a tea set, in almost mint condition. The dainty pale yellow colored tea cups were adorned with an unusual floral pattern -- apple blossoms. Today they hold a place of honor in my tea cabinet at home.

At that time, I did not know the Druid myths about Brigid. That she was said to own an apple orchard in the Otherworld and her bees brought magical nectar to Earth. I only knew that there was something special about the little tea cups that urged me to purchase them and carry them across the Atlantic Ocean.

So in honor of Brigid, I light a beeswax candle to keep her flame bright and continue the light. And inviting friends and family to drink a cup of tea in one of her special tea cups, I distribute her healing cloths.


Reminding us in the midst of winter that spring is on the way, Brigid brings us hope. May her healing light and love bring the same to you and yours.

"Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all." ~ Emily Dickinson

Peace in the Clouds

"If there is light in the soul,
there will be beauty in the person.

If there is beauty in the person,
there will be harmony in the home.

If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation.

If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world."
~ Chinese Proverb

The cold air has come to visit the South this month, and we are very glad for our sunny days as the temperatures dip. One of the blessings of living in the Carolinas in the winter months is the abundance of sunshine.

Another wonder of Nature that blesses us is the magnificent display of cloud formations. In the cities and in the countryside, there is a work of art in every bit of sky.

Which reminds me of a remarkable book called Of Earth and Sky, Spiritual Lessons from Nature, compiled by Thomas Becknell. In Michael Tlanusta Garrett's contribution,"Owning the Sky", Cherokee children are taught to "lie down on Mother Earth and look up at the sky" to help resolve conflicts about ownership of objects. It is the Cherokee's belief that the cloud people can speak to us, children and adults, in a variety of pictures and shapes.

As the Chinese proverb above suggests, living in harmony with each other is a process involving every part of the Universe. And as Dr. Garrett says, "True wisdom comes to us when we let go of the attachments that bind us and draw upon the sacred Medicine of all our relations."

May the beauty of the clouds and their messages bring you a peaceful and light filled focus in this New Year.

The Goodwill Season

"The nutmeg has a great warmth in its powers. And if a man eats a nutmeg, it opens his heart and gives him a good, clear mind.

Take nutmeg and in the same weight cinnamon and some cloves, and pulverize all. Make tartlets with this powder, with flour and a little water and eat them often.

It will damp the bitterness of the heart and clean the dull senses, and it makes your spirit happy and reduces all bad humors in you and will give your blood a good humor and makes you strong." ~ Hildegard von Bingen

This past month has brought many blessings. Travelling through my home state has opened my eyes to the beauty of this season. Solstice, Yule, Christmas, and the upcoming New Year bring their familiar celebrations to us here in the South.

Spiced tea, eggnog, and my Mom's colorful and delicious cookies add good cheer and happiness. Delivering gifts to friends on Boxing Day is always a delight.

Mother Earth is once again changing her wardrobe. Walks along the old ricefields in Middleton Place have gifted me with muted photographs of winter, spiced with the colors of nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves, along with a little ginger.

Truly a season of peace on Earth, goodwill toward men.

Spirit of the Lake

"May there always be an angel by your side." ~Blessing~

Sunsets over Lake Monticello are dramatic pieces of art this time of year.

Often overlooked by nearby Columbians even though it is just a mere 25 minutes drive north of this city, this clear and tranquil lake offers a peaceful respite and beautiful photo opportunities.

The drive up Highway 215 is full of rolling hills and heavily wooded scenic views.

On a recent visit, the sunshine was attempting to push through ethereal cloud cover over the lake, and provided a glimpse of the light blue colored sphere hovering over the surface.

Could it be the Spirit of the Lake? Let your intuition be your guide.

A Sunny Thanksgiving Day in the South

"Thanksgiving is a day of great power. There is enormous strength derived from family and friends uniting together everywhere in prayer and celebration to give thanks to the Divine for the gifts and good fortune in their lives."

~ Gary Scott

Today is Thanksgiving Day in the United States. It's a time of getting together with our family and friends, dining together, and giving thanks for everyone and everything.

I am grateful that today has been a beautiful, sunny Fall day. Golden, red, and brown leaves have cascaded and draped our streets and lawns with Autumn's rich palette. The temperature has hovered in that comfortable, walking weather that so typifies this time of the year in the South.

So after having a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, my Mom and I took a walk along our city's century plus aged canal beside the Broad River. The mighty river was much more subdued than it was a few days earlier after the heavy rains. The dam is still overflowing like a waterfall, though, and provided a very peaceful, and healing experience just listening to it's roar.

And then we stopped by the Lutheran Seminary and walked the labyrinth. All the time, counting our blessings for so many things. This labyrinth is one of 24 in South Carolina and it is based on the original one located in Chartres Cathedral, France, also known as a Medieval style labyrinth.

Walking a labyrinth is part of a pilgrimage. And Thanksgiving is part of a spiritual feast as well as a physical one. So it seems fitting that one of the symbols of Thanksgiving is a cornucopia, which reminds us of abundance in our lives.

"The angels are pouring a cornucopia of prosperity upon you and your life, and ask that you open your arms to receive. Some treasure will come in the form of brilliant ideas, and others as opportunities. With great love, the angels will work with you to realize your highest dreams and to bring miracles into your life." ~ Doreen Virtue

So wherever you are today, please take a

moment to be grateful. Your kind thoughts will be held in the great cosmos and bring light to us all.

Wishing you an abundance of peace, love, and light.