What a past 24hrs it has been! I purposely went to bed early last night and set my alarm for 1:30am... because I thought the eclipse was going to be most visible at 1:44am. Turns out... it was 12:44am here... eeps.

That said... From what I understand... nothing could be seen here on the westside of ABQ due to cloud cover. I stayed up... trying to get photos of ... well... anything... and did manage to get some shots... but not what I was thinking I would get. Ah well.

Sometimes the best laid plans..... well... you know.

So... the first shot is from around midnight... right before I took a nap... and it shows a glorious full moon. The middle one is from around 2:30am... when I had about 5 seconds of sky before it got all cloudy again. And then the last one... is from 3am... when it went back to a briefly clear sky... and a mostly full moon.

Today I got some wonderful items from a dear friend... she is clearing out and refining her own life... and felt it was time to get rid of alot of her stuff. And so now... I have this incredible art installation in my house comprised of bones... stones... gourds and such. I am beyond thrilled. It is amazing.

And I also got this fabulous info from another dear friend (who saw it on this blogpost) ... about the Winter Solstice... and I thought it was only befitting that I in turn, pass it on to you....

Vicki Noble writes: "At Winter Solstice, a (metaphorical) seed is planted in us. Over the coming year, this seed–planted in the darkness of Winter—will sprout and grow, becoming something manifest in our lives by the fall harvest time. What is it you would like to bring to birth in this coming year? What do you care about and want to protect? What act of power can you make that would transform your fears and doubts into confidence and empowerment?
How can you improve your health, your job, your relationships? These are the ruminations I would suggest you entertain on this powerful Winter Solstice; make it count!
From midnight to late afternoon is your Tuesday window of ritual activity . Fast from gossip and irritability; imagine peace in your heart. Say mantras to help your mind relax and release its habitual patterns. Go into nature, meditate, pray, and be contemplative. Say prayers for all your ancestors; and then say prayers for all your family and friends. When you’re done with that, say prayers for all beings without exception." ((you can read more about Vicki Noble HERE))

*photos by Elaine A. Russell

I went up into the mountains late this afternoon in celebration of Summer Solstice.

I was trying to clear my head... as I've been feeling really "off" lately.

Many traditional celebrations on this day include hiking & camping... generally being out in nature... and bonfires.

"Solstice (pagan) festivities in Europe were "Christianized" when the Church set June 24th as a holy day celebrating the birth of St. John the Baptist. Jesus referred to John as "A burning and shining light" and so traditional pagan customs of lighting bonfires were easily appropriated for the Christian holiday."

"In Summer Solstice (Native American celebration) --we enter the Season of Shawnodese, the summer, the time of the Noon-day Sun. This is the time of the Coyote - the trickster aspect of Creator. During this season we are again presented with an opportunity to heal the doubt and fear blocking our heart's function. Growth, Trust, and Love make up the spirit path, the path of power of Shawnodese, from the outer circle of the Wheel of life to the inner circle where the power of life is focused in the elements of Creation..."

Links about Summer Solstice:
here
here

--------------> photos by Elaine A. Russell

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