“If the simple things of nature have a message that you understand, rejoice, for your soul is alive.” – Eleonora Duse

Nature has so many things to teach us if only we take the time to quiet our minds and listen. Her wisdom knows no bounds. The great actress Eleonora Duse knew this. If you’ve not heard of Duse, you’re in for a treat!

It is easy to get caught up in the December holiday hustle and bustle yet this is the time Mother Nature sets aside for us to relax and rejuvenate before the growth season begins again. This is the darkest time of the year where I live in New York and I find it fascinating that during this time, we, humans, have found so many ways to honor the light.

This year the Winter Solstice (solstice means “sun standstill”), which marks the beginning of Yule, is this Friday, December 21st. Winter Solstice is the longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. Some of my friends believe it’s a celebration of dark times but it is not. Yule, like Christmas which follows it, is a time of honoring the blessing and return of the light to our lives.

In fact, this weekend will be jam packed with celestial events! In addition to Friday’s Winter Solstice, the Sun will enter the sign of Capricorn on the same day, quickly followed by the Full Moon in Cancer on December 22nd. Yes, it’s the year end meet up of the celestial Dad and Mom!

I have many Capricorn and Cancer people in my life. Capricorn is ruled by Saturn, the great father and god of time. Capricorns build things, they frequently know what they want to be when they grow up at a young age and work steadily toward that goal. What better way to start off the return of light than with the astrological sign of methodically achieving goals. Cancer is ruled by The Moon, the nurturing Mother Goddess and brings forth gifts from the romantic, emotional realm of creative writers, poets and musicians. We couldn’t ask for a better match in terms of following our hearts and turning our dreams into reality.

Speaking of dreams… Do you have a song to share? Do you know someone who could use a little nurturing and guidance to help make their voice shine? A gift from the Music and Magic Packages could be just the thing! I have designed a full suite of offerings in addition to music lessons for inspired gift giving!

As we move toward the longest night of the year, we are also traveling through the Christian season of Advent. This is the third week of Advent. Advent is a time of reflective waiting, as Christians await the birth of Jesus. Each week of Advent has a theme. This week’s theme is “Joy”.

I ask you to take some time this week amidst the December chaos of holiday parties, performances, last minute shopping, and cooking and baking, to think about whether or not YOU are really in tune with YOUR JOY. Sometimes when we have a plan and still aren’t making progress, it’s because we’re disconnected from our Joy.

One question I ask myself at year end is, “Which people and activities brought me the most joy throughout the year?”  Shhh… I’m going to let you in on a secret. I make little notes to record these experiences, save them up in a pretty jar, and read them on New Year’s Eve!

What will your Yuletide reflection be? Whatever it is, I hope it’s Joyful!

If you feel so called, click here to join the Voice and Biz Alchemy group on Facebook and share your thoughts. I’d love to hear from you.

Wishing you a Joyful Holiday Season filled with Love and Music,

If shining in your personal or professional life a goal for 2019, you may enjoy my new offerings. Click on the photos to find out more about what’s new for Voice and Biz Alchemy in 2019!