How grounded and balanced do you feel as we head into the holidays?
With Thanksgiving behind us, we’re now officially in the holiday season! This long, lovely weekend was fun and family-filled — we had the whole Roth/Donovan/Castro gang with us on T-giving day for the first time in several years and all 3 grand-cuties spent the night. (Yes, if we’re not connected on Facebook or Instagram, you may not know that we welcomed Parker Max Roth on November 3rd — that’s him with his adoring cousins!).
Then the day after, the rest of my family typically comes in, though a few couldn’t make it this year and we had our post-Thanksgiving gathering of footballing, feasting, and gabbing. AND on Sunday morning, I’ll join our wonderful new Minster at 4thU, Rev. Jonipher Kwong, to talk about the Chair of Joy™ (see last month’s Picks for more about that) and other simple, but powerful practices to get us through the holidays.
So, yes, all of that is amazing and… it’s also a LOT. I’m already looking at the huge “to-do” list that’s even longer than usual for the month of December.
How about you? Are you already feeling overwhelmed by what’s ahead?
Hopefully not, but if so, the upcoming Gemini/Sagittarius Full Moon on November 27th comes at a perfect time to remind us to take some time to create concrete strategies to support us through the (hopefully) happy whirlwind.
We entered the Sagittarius season on November 22nd and its positive, uplifting, social energy can carry us through the month as long as it’s tempered with some solid planning and self-cae practices. (You can read about some of my daily favorites HERE)
Sag also compels us to expand our horizons, spiritually and intellectually, to search for meaning in the world and within ourselves. You can read more about that in my Sagittarius New Moon blog from 2022 (the dates may be off but the information is timeless), then join us on Thurs., December 14th for my virtual
With the rational, mental energy of this Gemini Full Moon, we’ve got a solid counter-balance to the sometimes over-the-top Sagittarius Sun energy shining down on us. (Remember, while the Sun and Moon dance cheek-to-cheek on the New Moon, they’re tango-ing in opposite signs on the Full Moon)
Gemini is ruled by Mercury, the planet of communication, so on this Full Moon you may also be drawn to examine how you think, then communicate what you’ve discovered. Just be sure to listen, and not just TALK in all your social situations this month… communication is a two way street!
My Deb’s Picks this month reflect all of those themes in one way or another, with a few holiday treats thrown in.
Check them out below and let me know what resonates with you.
Then, be sure to join us for my upcoming Gemini/Sagittarius Full Moon TeleMeditation next Monday, November 27th at Noon — click HERE for details on how to join us. Hope to “hear” you then!
***And btw, Happy Thanksgiving! Or perhaps more appropriately, Blessed Indigenous People’s Day. I wrote about the many facets of this holiday in my latest Seasonal blog for the Wellness Universe and also talked about it in my November 2020 #InnerGoddessTeam video — definitely click on the links and check both of them out.
*** ONE MORE THING!! I’ll be sharing the pulpit at 4thU this Sunday, Nov. 26, talking about the Chair of Joy™ and a few other simple tools to help you “Choose Joy” in this holiday season. I’d love to see you in person (at 76th and CPW), or in our sacred Zoom room — just go to www.4thu.org and you’ll find the Zoom link in the yellow box.
PURPOSEFUL SCRIBBLES™ w/LISA GRUENLOH
I’ve known Lisa for over 15 years and have been involved with several of her powerful brain-children (Empower Parties and Purpose Journeys are two). This one looks like another winner, and a perfect blend of Gemini’s urge to write & communicate, and Sag’s impulse to go deep and find meaning. Purposeful Scribbles is a quarterly journal-based subscription and community, designed to encourage you to “use your inner and outer voice in ways that connect, uplift, and inspire well-being and positive impact”. If you’ve been wanting to start, sustain, or deepen a meaningful journaling practice AND do it in a supportive community, this is for you! Just click HERE to learn more.
HYPNO-THRIVE w/MARY LOU RODRIGUEZ
I was connected with Mary Lou recently and loved hearing about all of the brain-enhancing work she does (get the Gemini connection?!). She describes herself as a “brain trainer and money mentor” and offers a terrific assortment of hypnotherapy tools to help you shift your stories, upgrade your beliefs, and transform your habits. You’ll learn new ways of thinking to break free from anxiety, trauma, addiction, and unwanted behaviors. Definitely check out her website and see what fits for you!
THREE TOMATOES HOLIDAY PARTY – Dec. 5th, NYC
I was introduced to The Three Tomatoes more than 10 years ago and love getting their “NYC Insider’s Guide for Women who aren’t Kids”. Each week, they broadcast dozens of offers, tips, articles and exclusive giveaways. AND they offer wonderful events, like their annual Talent Show and this upcoming Holiday party. Granted, you have to be in NYC to attend these live events, but you should still subscribe to their newsletter and get lots of fun, useful tidbits!
SOHARMONIUMS HOLIDAY CONCERT Dec.18, 8pm at 4th Universalist Society
What a thrill — two of my most beloved communities are coming together — my wonderful women’s chorus is presenting their Winter concert in my beautiful UU church! We’re representing three generations of women and will serenade you with our usual captivating repertoire, ranging from classical to contemporary to holiday favorites… all melodies to warm you on a chilly winter’s night. Sadly, we won’t be streaming it as we did during the pandemic, so I hope you’ll join us LIVE!
WOMEN’S SELF-RENEWAL RETREAT w/RENEE TRUDEAU Jan. 19-20 Kripalu Yoga Ctr.
Ahhh… I love Renee’s retreats. If you haven’t been yet, it’s time! The name of this one is “Sing, Dance, Pray: Romancing the Beloved” — and the Beloved is YOU! You’ll do all of that, and also sit in stillness, in nature, and in yoga nidra. Renee has been leading these for more than 20 years and is always bringing in new tools, practices, and experiences. If you’re in transition anywhere in your life, or just in need of some powerful, sacred self-care, I hope you’ll join us there. Just click on the link to learn more and register!
I hope some of these Picks will help support you through this busy holiday time. And as always, if you have any events or resources to share, I’d love to hear them!
With grounded holiday blessings,
Deborah