FOI Autumn Equinox letter
Dear Friends,
At this time of balance in the year’s turning...
Recently I watched the beginning of ‘Question Time’ on the BBC which followed a busy evening’s AGM where I handed the leadership mantle of ‘my’ Morris side over to another member of the group. This was a side I had founded seven years ago. I felt like a mum at the school gate waving ‘my baby’ off to their first day at school to inevitably develop a new allegiance to their class teacher thereby transplanting my centrality. I knew it was the healthy thing to do but still feel the loss. Such transitions happen all the time but each has potential for pain as well as growth.
But back to the BBC programme...there a politician actually apologised for a past blunder ‘from the bottom of my heart’ and it did sound genuine...and was even commented on as unusual by the political colleague sitting next to him. Perhaps what marked these two out was that they were both new to political front line debate. Not yet cynical and word-slick; they were still able to be ‘real’ and in the new phrase from Nicola Sturgeon’s lauded campaign, they were being refreshingly ‘authentic’.
The reason I picked this out is that I feel this is something that balance can bring...balancing between head and heart; balancing between strategic needs and the pragmatic; between the transcendent and imminent...not either or but both and. Emphasising the huge need to move away from the easy black and white solution that further entrenches the differences without bringing arguing parties to the table. Part of finding some sort of workable solution to a problem is the need for both parties to listen to each other, which again requires balance. Apology and its bed fellow forgiveness are both part of the balance equation. One does happen without the other but attempts to move to a coherent whole are aided when both are present.
Perhaps we should look to the story of Isis herself gathering the fragmented parts of her beloved to form a coherent whole again; all but the ‘vital’ bit which is refashioned to serve current mutually accepted needs.
Divine Mother; may we too find balance and peace in our lives,
Find ways through difficulties when paths seem over grown and impenetrable;
Hold the flame of hope true when it gutters and wanes.
May we feel the warmth of your love and protection in these shorter days;
As we prepare for the dark, quiet and rest of your eternal holding.
Blessed Be All in the Love, Truth and Beauty of Divine Being.
From Cressida, this September Equinox 2015.
Dear Friends,
At this time of balance in the year’s turning...
Recently I watched the beginning of ‘Question Time’ on the BBC which followed a busy evening’s AGM where I handed the leadership mantle of ‘my’ Morris side over to another member of the group. This was a side I had founded seven years ago. I felt like a mum at the school gate waving ‘my baby’ off to their first day at school to inevitably develop a new allegiance to their class teacher thereby transplanting my centrality. I knew it was the healthy thing to do but still feel the loss. Such transitions happen all the time but each has potential for pain as well as growth.
But back to the BBC programme...there a politician actually apologised for a past blunder ‘from the bottom of my heart’ and it did sound genuine...and was even commented on as unusual by the political colleague sitting next to him. Perhaps what marked these two out was that they were both new to political front line debate. Not yet cynical and word-slick; they were still able to be ‘real’ and in the new phrase from Nicola Sturgeon’s lauded campaign, they were being refreshingly ‘authentic’.
The reason I picked this out is that I feel this is something that balance can bring...balancing between head and heart; balancing between strategic needs and the pragmatic; between the transcendent and imminent...not either or but both and. Emphasising the huge need to move away from the easy black and white solution that further entrenches the differences without bringing arguing parties to the table. Part of finding some sort of workable solution to a problem is the need for both parties to listen to each other, which again requires balance. Apology and its bed fellow forgiveness are both part of the balance equation. One does happen without the other but attempts to move to a coherent whole are aided when both are present.
Perhaps we should look to the story of Isis herself gathering the fragmented parts of her beloved to form a coherent whole again; all but the ‘vital’ bit which is refashioned to serve current mutually accepted needs.
Divine Mother; may we too find balance and peace in our lives,
Find ways through difficulties when paths seem over grown and impenetrable;
Hold the flame of hope true when it gutters and wanes.
May we feel the warmth of your love and protection in these shorter days;
As we prepare for the dark, quiet and rest of your eternal holding.
Blessed Be All in the Love, Truth and Beauty of Divine Being.
From Cressida, this September Equinox 2015.
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