Poetic Peace Pilgrimage -Year 11 – Day 20 – 1/5/2024

i always love this annual time of sojourning in the desert/ocean/sky of the heart and resting in the field way out beyond and way in traveling along the pathless path leading to who knows where… planting so many seeds of peace today along with seeds of harmony which brings rain to wherever it is needed and seeds of compassion and love and simplicity and generosity and wisdom and joy and beauty…

as our Caravan of Re-Joy-Sing honoring our transcendent journey into light, our taking joy in transforming shadow seeds into blooming gifts and witnessing these gifts as dreams coming to us each night for the 12 nights of Christmas/the Festival of Illumination continues sauntering across the desert guided by a constellation and winds down on this 12th day of Christmas with our 11th night’s sun of the airy Aquarius mystery school interbeeing the just right incubator for last night’s initiatory dream with the water bearer, or perhaps more aptly, the electric bearer…

on last night’s eleventh night of Christmas, my true love (Beloved Aquarius) gave to me, a reality and dream of… my packing lightly for traveling with other pilgrims on this flowing odyssey along the rainbow trail meandering with the river of life/light which reminds me of an old story about the water bearer, gifter of last night’s dream, one of my favorite stories:

THE CRACKED WATER POT

A water bearer in India had two large pots, which hung on each end of a pole that he carried across his neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and one half pots of water to his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor, cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After 2 years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.

“I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.”

“Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?”

“I have been able, for these past 2 years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts,” the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wildflowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”

~

may we all embrace our shadows, our unconsciousness with warmth melting the ice into sparkling water of life being who we are and being there for each other… and, tonight, on this twelfth and final night of our light journey across the desert in search of the divine child, the inner inextinguishable light, the christed, anointed consciousness, may we awaken to our ever present inner eternal flame of divine light…

what seeds are you planting for this turn of the wheel?

~

Poetic Peace Pilgrimage – Year 10 – Day 20 – 1/5/2023

i always love this annual time of sojourning in the desert/ocean/sky of the heart and resting in the field way out beyond and way in traveling along the pathless path leading to who knows where… planting so many seeds of peace today along with seeds of harmony which brings rain to wherever it is needed and seeds of compassion and love and simplicity and generosity and wisdom and joy and beauty…

as our Caravan of Re-Joy-Sing honoring our transcendent journey into light, our taking joy in transforming shadow seeds into blooming gifts and witnessing these gifts as dreams coming to us each night for the 12 nights of Christmas/the Festival of Illumination continues sauntering across the desert guided by a constellation and winds down on this 12th day of Christmas with our 11th night’s sun of the airy Aquarius mystery school interbeeing the just right incubator for last night’s initiatory dream with the water bearer, or perhaps more aptly, the electric bearer…

on last night’s eleventh night of Christmas, my true love (Beloved Aquarius) gave to me, a reality and dream of… my packing lightly for traveling with other pilgrims on this flowing odyssey along the rainbow trail meandering with the river of life/light which reminds me of an old story about the water bearer, gifter of last night’s dream, one of my favorite stories…

THE CRACKED WATER POT

A water bearer in India had two large pots, which hung on each end of a pole that he carried across his neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and one half pots of water to his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor, cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After 2 years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.

“I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.”

“Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?”

“I have been able, for these past 2 years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts,” the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wildflowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”

~

may we all embrace our shadows, our unconsciousness with warmth melting the ice into sparkling water of life being who we are and being there for each other… and, tonight, on this twelfth and final night of our light journey across the desert in search of the divine child, the inner inextinguishable light, the christed, anointed consciousness, may we awaken to our ever present inner eternal flame of divine light…

what seeds are you planting for this turn of the wheel?

~

Poetic Peace Pilgrimage – Year 9 – Day 20 – 1/5/2022

i always love this annual time of sojourning in the desert/ocean/sky of the heart and resting in the field way out beyond and way in traveling along the pathless path leading to who knows where… planting so many seeds of peace today along with harmony which brings rain to wherever it is needed and seeds of compassion and love and simplicity and generosity and wisdom and joy and beauty…

as our Caravan of Re-Joy-Sing honoring our transcendent journey into light, our taking joy in transforming shadows into gifts and witnessing these gifts as dreams coming to us each night for the 12 nights of Christmas/the Festival of Illumination continues sauntering across the desert guided by a constellation winds down on this 12th day of Christmas, our 11th night’s sun of the airy Aquarius sign proves to be the just right incubator for last night’s initiatory dream with the water bearer or perhaps more aptly, the electric bearer…

on last night’s eleventh night of Christmas, my true love (Beloved Aquarius) gave to me, a reality and dream of… my packing lightly for traveling with other pilgrims on this flowing odyssey along the rainbow trail meandering with the river of life which reminds me of an old story about the water bearer, gifter of last night’s dream, one of my favorite stories…

THE CRACKED WATER POT

A water bearer in India had two large pots, which hung on each end of a pole that he carried across his neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and one half pots of water to his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor, cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After 2 years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.

“I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.”

“Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?”

“I have been able, for these past 2 years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts,” the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wildflowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”

~

may we all embrace our shadows with warmth melting the ice into sparkling water of life being who we are and being there for each other… and, tonight, on this twelfth and final night of our light journey across the desert in search of the divine child, the inner inextinguishable light, the christed, anointed consciousness, may we awaken to our ever present inner eternal flame of divine light…

what seeds are you planting for this turn of the wheel?

Poetic Peace Pilgrimage – Year 8 – Day 20 – 1/5/2021

i love this time of sojourning in the desert/ocean/sky of the heart and resting in the field way out beyond and way in traveling along the pathless path leading to who knows where… such a challenge and stretch today is with being evacuated from my abode in the wee hours of this day to truly i knew not where and being in the not knowing, the feeling of having been dropped on an alien planet, of being homeless and disconnected while still trusting in the invisible realms to deliver me to where i could truly say such a delight today is to celebrate great mother seeding the field for this turn’s cultivation… planting so many seeds of peace today along with harmony which brings rain to wherever it is needed and seeds of compassion and love and simplicity and generosity and wisdom and joy and beauty…

as our Caravan of Re-Joy-Sing honoring our transcendent journey into light, our taking joy in transforming shadows into gifts and witnessing these gifts as dreams coming to us each night for the 12 nights of Christmas/the Festival of Illumination continues sauntering across the desert guided by a constellation and our 11th night’s sun of the airy Aquarius sign proves to be the just right incubator for last night’s initiatory dream with the water bearer…

on last night’s eleventh night of Christmas, my true love (Beloved Aquarius) gave to me, a reality and dream of… my packing lightly for traveling with other pilgrims on this flowing odyssey along the rainbow trail which reminds me of an old story about the water bearer, gifter of last night’s dream, one of my favorite stories…

THE CRACKED WATER POT

A water bearer in India had two large pots, which hung on each end of a pole that he carried across his neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and one half pots of water to his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor, cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After 2 years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.

“I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.”

“Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?”

“I have been able, for these past 2 years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts,” the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wildflowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”

~

may we all embrace our shadows with warmth melting the ice into sparkling water of life being who we are and being there for each other… and, tonight, on this twelfth and final night of our light journey across the desert in search of the divine child, the inner inextinguishable light, the christed, anointed consciousness, may we awaken to our ever present inner eternal flame of divine light…

what seeds are you planting?

Poetic PEACE Pilgrimage – Year 7 – Day 20 – 1/5/2020

i love this time of sojourning in the desert/ocean/sky of the heart and resting in the field way out beyond and way in traveling along the pathless path leading to who knows where… such a delight today is to celebrate great mother seeding the field for this turn’s cultivation… planting so many seeds of peace today along with harmony which brings rainto wherever it is needed and seeds of compassion and love and simplicity and generosity and wisdom and joy and beauty

as our Caravan of Re-Joy-Sing honoring our transcendent journey into light, our taking joy in transforming shadows into gifts and witnessing these gifts as dreams coming to us each night for the 12 nights of Christmas/the Festival of Illumination continues sauntering across the desert guided by a constellation and our 11th night’s sun of the airy Aquarius sign proves to be the just right incubator for last night’s initiatory dream with the water bearer…

on last night’s eleventh night of Christmas, my true love (Beloved Aquarius) gave to me, a dream of… my packing lightly for traveling with other pilgrims on this flowing odyssey along the rainbow trail which reminds me of an old story about the water bearer, gifter of last night’s dream, one of my favorite stories…

~

THE CRACKED WATER POT

A water bearer in India had two large pots, which hung on each end of a pole that he carried across his neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and one half pots of water to his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor, cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After 2 years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.

“I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.”

“Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?”

“I have been able, for these past 2 years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts,” the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wildflowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”

~

may we all embrace our shadows with warmth melting the ice into sparkling water of life being who we are and being there for each other… and, tonight, on this twelfth and final night of our light journey across the desert in search of the divine child, the inner inextinguishable light, the christed, anointed consciousness, may we awaken to our ever present inner eternal flame of divine light…

what seeds are you planting?

Poetic PEACE Pilgrimage – Year 6 – Day 20 – 1/5/2019

Named Journey 5 Aquarius

i love this time of sojourning in the desert of the heart and resting in the field way out beyond and way in traveling along the pathless path leading to who knows where… such a delight today is on this first new moon following soulstice, our ninth holy day as we turn around the sun, our day to celebrate great mother seeding the field for this turn’s cultivation…

as our Caravan of Re-Joy-Sing honoring our transcendent journey into light, our taking joy in transforming shadows into gifts and witnessing these gifts as dreams coming to us each night for the 12 nights of Christmas/the Festival of Illumination continues sauntering across the desert guided by a constellation and our 11th night’s sun of the airy Aquarius sign proves to be the just right incubator for last night’s initiatory dream with the water bearer…

on the eleventh night of Christmas, my true love (Beloved Aquarius) gave to me, a dream of… my packing lightly for traveling with a family and i’m down to one of my favorite peaces – co-ordinating the colors i’ll wear on this flowing odyssey along the rainbow trail which reminds me of an old story about the water bearer, gifter of last night’s dream, one of my favorite stories…

THE CRACKED WATER POT

A water bearer in India had two large pots, which hung on each end of a pole that he carried across his neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and one half pots of water to his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor, cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After 2 years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.

“I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.”

“Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?”

“I have been able, for these past 2 years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts,” the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wildflowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”

may we all embrace our shadows with warmth melting the ice into sparkling water of life… and, tonight, on this twelfth and final night of our light journey across the desert in search of the divine child, the inner inextinguishable light, the christed, anointed consciousness, may we awaken to our ever present inner eternal flame of divine light…

what seeds are you planting?

Poetic PEACE Pilgrimage – Year 5 – Day 20 – 1/5/2018

Named Journeying 5 Aquarius

our Caravan of Re-Joy-Sing pilgrimage honoring our transcendent journey into light, our taking joy in transforming shadows into gifts and our witnessing these gifts as dreams coming to us each night for the 12 nights of Christmas/the Festival of Illumination continues sauntering across the desert guided by a constellation and our 11th night’s sun of the airy Aquarius sign proves to be the just right incubator for last night’s initiatory dream with the water bearer…

on the eleventh night of Christmas, my true love (Beloved Aquarius) gave to me, a dream of… my packing lightly for traveling in the company of a family of supporters and i am down to one of my favorite peaces – co-ordinating the colors i’ll wear on this flowing odyssey along the rainbow trail which reminds me of an old story about the water bearer, gifter of last night’s dream, one of my favorite stories…

THE CRACKED WATER POT

A water bearer in India had two large pots, which hung on each end of a pole that he carried across his neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and one half pots of water to his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor, cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After 2 years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.

“I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.”

“Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?”

“I have been able, for these past 2 years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts,” the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wildflowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”

may we all embrace our shadows with radiant warmth melting the ice into sparkling water of life… and, tonight, on this twelfth and final night of our light journey across the desert in search of the divine child, the inner inextinguishable light, the christed or anointed consciousness, may we awaken to and be warmed by our ever present inner eternal flame of divine light…

Poetic PEACE Pilgrimage – Year 4 – Day 20 – 1/5/2017

named-journeying-january-5-2917-aquarius

our Caravan of Re-Joy-Sing pilgrimage celebrating the Feast of the Incarnation, the 12 Days of Christmas and honoring our transcendent journey into light, our taking joy in transforming shadows into gifts and our witnessing these gifts as dreams coming to us each night for the 12 nights of Christmas/the Festival of Illumination continues sauntering across the desert guided by a constellation and our 11th night’s sun of the airy Aquarius sign is as true to form as the previous signs in providing just the right incubator for last night’s initiatory dream with the water bearer…

so, last night, on the eleventh night of Christmas, my true love (Aquarius) gave to me, a dream of… my packing lightly for traveling in the company of a family of supporters and i’m down to one of my favorite peaces – co-ordinating the colors i’ll wear on this flowing odyssey along the rainbow trail which reminds me of an old story, a favorite of mine about the water bearer, gifter of last night’s dream…

THE CRACKED WATER POT

A water bearer in India had two large pots, which hung on each end of a pole that he carried across his neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and one half pots of water to his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor, cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After 2 years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.

“I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.”

“Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?”

“I have been able, for these past 2 years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts,” the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wildflowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”

may we all embrace our shadows with radiant warmth melting the ice into sparkling water of life… and, tonight, on this twelfth and final night of our light journey across the desert in search of the divine child, may we awaken to and be warmed by our ever present inner light…

Poetic PEACE Pilgrimage – Year 3 – Day 20 – 1/5/2016

Named Journeying January 5 Water Bearer

our Caravan of Re-Joy-Sing pilgrimage honoring our transcendent journey into light, our taking joy in transforming shadows into gifts and our witnessing these gifts as dreams coming to us each night for the 12 nights of Christmas/the Festival of Illumination continues sauntering across the desert guided by a constellation and our 11th night’s sun of the airy Aquarius sign proved to be the just right incubator for last night’s initiatory dream with the water bearer…

on the eleventh night of Christmas, my true love (Aquarius) gave to me, a dream of… my packing lightly for traveling in the company of a family of supporters and i am down to one of my favorite peaces – co-ordinating the colors i’ll wear on this flowing odyssey along the rainbow trail which reminds me of an old story about the water bearer, gifter of last night’s dream…

THE CRACKED WATER POT

A water bearer in India had two large pots, which hung on each end of a pole that he carried across his neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it, and while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water at the end of the long walk from the stream to the master’s house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For two years this went on daily, with the bearer delivering only one and one half pots of water to his master’s house. Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor, cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection and miserable that it was able to accomplish only half of what it had been made to do. After 2 years of what it perceived to be a bitter failure, it spoke to the water bearer one day by the stream.

“I am ashamed of myself, and I want to apologize to you.”

“Why?” asked the bearer. “What are you ashamed of?”

“I have been able, for these past 2 years, to deliver only half my load because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your master’s house. Because of my flaws, you have to do all of this work, and you don’t get full value from your efforts,” the pot said.

The water bearer felt sorry for the old cracked pot, and in his compassion he said, “As we return to the master’s house, I want you to notice the beautiful flowers along the path.”

Indeed, as they went up the hill, the old cracked pot took notice of the sun warming the beautiful wildflowers on the side of the path, and this cheered it some. But at the end of the trail, it still felt bad because it had leaked out half its load, and so again the pot apologized to the bearer for its failure.

The bearer said to the pot, “Did you notice that there were flowers only on your side of the path, but not on the other pot’s side? That’s because I have always known about your flaw, and I took advantage of it. I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back from the stream, you’ve watered them. For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate my master’s table. Without you being just the way you are, he would not have this beauty to grace his house.”

may we all embrace our shadows with radiant warmth melting the ice into sparkling water of life… and, tonight, on this twelfth and final night of our light journey across the desert in search of the divine child, may we awaken to and be warmed by our ever present inner light…