12 Happy Chickens

Rituals. We all have them right? Whether it be how you do your clothes each week, do the dishes every night after work or that special bath you take just for yourself. Today I thought I would share one of mine with you- it’s nothing big and fancy mind you but it is something that I look forward to each year because by the end of November I am complaining non-stop about the darkness that covers my world everyday at 5 o’clock and it gets me through the roughest part of winter.

Back in ‘95 I lived in New Mexico for a couple of years. Mostly I hated it. I was homesick, I was an outsider among the Navajo Indians and Oil field workers and I didn’t feel like I fit in anywhere. Luckily it was one of the best things I did for myself because I didn’t have anyone to look to for my happiness but myself. Yes, I called home more than not and blubbered uncontrollably when I thought of home, but at the end of the day it was just me, my two cats, my bird, and the four corners area of New Mexico to be explored, and I did.

I embraced the land more so than the people because I was painfully shy and it was easiest thing for me to do. I rented a horse by the month and rode out across the hills above town. I spent a lot of time at Navajo Lake in the sunshine. I went to the ruins, learned about the Navajo and Hopi Indians and made friends with myself and surprisingly came to the conclusing I like myself!

As time went on I did end up with many friends who were wonderful teachers of the area, the Navajo history, and life when it was all said and done. I miss them especially now when life is a bit quieter and I can sit down and think of them for a bit, and that brings me to the first part of my ritual.

Each year I order Pinion incense and start burning it around the first part of December- (I couldn’t help but jump the gun today). One of my favorite memories is of the smell of winter in Farmington. Anytime I would go outside or drive around town you would smell pinion smoke coming from all the chimneys and it was a soothing, calming, “home” smell for me. Now, it brings back memories of a time that I thought I hated and it makes me long to be back there. I have many feelings that roll around within me when I smell pinion, one is that sometimes I think we (I) get too caught up in depending on others for our happiness and forget that we can take care of ourselves just as good- if we are put in the position. It was one of the biggest lessons I learned while being there.

My other ritual won’t actually happen until Solstice but I don’t want to be without so I order early. I like to burn Bayberry candles for solstice and I finally found real bayberry candles that smell just wonderful. You can order both the incense and bayberry candles from Isabella if your interested.

*According to tradition, bayberry candles burned to the nub on Solstice, Christmas, or New Years will bring health, wealth, friends, and good luck in the coming year.

So what are your rituals? Do you have anything special you do for yourself?