Day 4 of Our Yule Retreat

Blessings

Dec 23, 2024

Welcome to this special edition within Liminal Walker Musings… Honoring the 12 Days of Yule!

This retreat space is created here just for you, as token of gratitude for being a subscriber! My invitation is for us to embrace this time of year by contemplating, practicing and writing together. Releasing the hustle and bustle that can accompany this season, even if only for ten minutes, and deepen into simply being present and authentic with what is here. Intentionally honoring what is unfolding in our lives, while having fun and celebrating along the way!

Please feel free to share your insights, feelings and especially your poetry related to the key word of the day in the comment section. At the same time, there’s no pressure. Write for yourself, write to share within this safe community, but most importantly, take time to contemplate and reflect. How is this theme showing up and moving in your life?

For more on this Sabbat of Yule please see my latest post.
Prior Yule Retreat Posts can be found HERE.

Ritual

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Let’s take a moment to relax and be still
Allowing the breath to both deepen and widen
Fully inhabiting the body, being present.

Let’s now spend a short time checking in with ourselves
where are you holding tight or feeling tense
Take a deep breath and focus on that area
with the exhale let it relax.
repeat as necessary.

Keeping your attention within
Ask yourself, “what am I grateful for in this moment”
What is the first thing that pops up for you?
Take notice of what that is.

Then three times silently repeat
“_______ is a blessing in my life, I am grateful”
(fill in the blank)

Take this in as a precious gift
allow it to warm the body and the heart

Today, we light the fourth candle of Yule
Our devotion today is…

BLESSINGS

Day four of Yule is an invitation to count your blessings. Especially around the simple things, the items you might be taking for granted, like:

Your breath
Running water
A warm bed at night
Hot food on the table
A home that protects you from the elements

This season of Yule, as well as Christmas, can be a stressful time. Which makes it important to pause and take a moment in remembrance, reflecting on our blessings and giving thanks in return. It’s also a time to pray for those in need, those lacking the necessities of life, and to share in the spirit of giving.

Gratitude, for me, is not so much about the things I have or have been given. What touches me the most are the blessings inherent in life itself. During this time, a Yule tree is erected, and I love the symbolism it represents. The aspects it points to are the very things I am most grateful for.

Once the Yule tree has been raised, it’s adorned with symbols that represent gratitude and joy. The Yule tree is a reflection of the Tree of Life, reminding us that every action and relationship is part of a larger, interconnected whole. The roots of the tree symbolize the stable force in our lives: the foundation we stand on, our ancestors and the underworld. The trunk serves as the passageway, embodying the connection between our physical and spiritual natures. The branches illustrate our expression and potential, with each limb portraying different aspects of our lives. The leaves and fruit illustrate the ongoing cycles; budding, growth, blossoming and decaying. Reminding us of the eternal nature of change and renewal, showing us how deeply connected we are to everything.

So, let’s take care of each other.

Tarot Reading

Aspects of Blessings and Gratitude:

THE TOWER: At first glance, this card seems foreboding, even cataclysmic. Where are the blessings in that? Look deeper… The Tower crumbles because its built on faulty thoughts, beliefs and attitudes. You are not being destroyed; rather, it’s the removal of the ways we oppress and restrict ourselves. Tragic looking on the surface, underneath it’s a powerful gift of transformation, the phoenix arising from the ashes.

THE HANGED MAN: This card represents the willingness to see life from new perspectives. By entering a suspended state, we gain access to deeper truths and the realities of life. Truth may not always be accommodating, yet it can set us free. We may go in kicking and fighting, but we come out transformed. Both the journey and the transformation are blessings.

FIVE OF PENTACLES: This card depicts poverty, hardship and exclusion. Yet in the midst of adversity, the children are playing in the snow and building a snow-person. Reminding us of our inherent resilience. It’s not about spiritual bypass, but about encouraging us to seek support and connection with others. We don’t always need to stand alone as a mountain; we can ask for help in navigating life’s challenges, and in doing so, find strength in community.

After thoughts: Reminding me that the lotus is born from the mud.

Deck is: Winter Waite: Santa's Helpers

Journal Prompts or Questions for a Tarot Spread

What in my life needs to be celebrated right now?
How can I deeply appreciate the blessings I already have?
What gifts are hidden in my current challenges?
How can I cultivate more gratitude within my daily living?
How can I expand my capacity for giving thanks?

Poem

May your eyes see the beauty in life's landscapes
May your ears hear sweet songs of morning birds
May your nose be filled with the fresh scent of evergreens
May your mouth taste the delicious delicacies of this season
May your body be healthy and strong
May your spirit be wise, curious and overflowing with wonder
May your heart spill over with care and loving compassion

May we all find solace and rest in the dark
May we all rejoice in the returning light
May we all plant seeds of grace and community
May we all recognize our interdependence with everything
May we all see through the eyes of the heart
May we all know the alchemy of opposites coming together
May we all be blessed with the grace of this amazing life!

Prior Yule Retreat Posts can be found HERE.

Thanks for being here on this Yule Retreat! As I mentioned before, this retreat is a gift to you, my subscribers. I’ve also been asked about ways to contribute, if you’d like, a cup of chai would be wonderful!