all images and stories are the property of Catherine Beerda-Basso and are not to be used without given permission...thank you

Friday 23 December 2011

Storytelling...of Memorials and Letting Go


A Solstice Hangover...as the sweet Pixie talks about here...lingers around me.
I feel spent and empty, yet full and content.
Yesterday was a full day for me physically and emotionally.
I worked.
Midday I was off to celebrate Alice's Life and document it
via images for the family...


I won't go into detail...
other then to say
working while crying takes something out of you
but
I would do it again...
and
I will
To see the expression of Love
by those left behind...
the heart open up
exposing vulnerability
your own feeling of loss
your own feelings of immortality
your own feelings of fragility
Beautiful Pain...

*

From there it was back to work in the studio
and then preparations for the evening ahead...



Lanterns were lit
Candles frame the way
The fire burns
(thanks to my contributing husband)
and the time draws near.


The time to open the widow
to that which darkens our doors
and to that which will bring it light...


The sisters where lit and waiting
Waiting to hold the flame for those who would come.
A beautiful anticipation was around me
the energy of women
many women
coming together...

If ever the world sees a time when women 
shall come together
purely and simply
for the benefit of mankind
it will be a power
as the world
has never known
Matthew Arnold, 19th Century Philosopher





The women came
they gathered
they poured out

We wrote down what we anted to release,
but we also wrote down what we wanted to replace
those shadows with

My personal belief is that when we rid ourselves
of something shadow
we need to replace it with something Light
if the shadow space is left empty
that shadow will not only come back
it will bring friends...
because the place is familiar
and easy
thus the burden becomes even heavier

So we wrote what we wanted to leave behind on one card
and then wrote what we wanted to bring in on another card.

Then we were off to 
the fire
the cold of the night
the baptism of the darkest day
back into the Light.


for some of us 
this was the first time meeting
for some of us 
it was the first time burning


whatever the story
it did not matter
they came
exposing their hearts
opening their truths
bearing their souls



a beautiful gathering
hands held
prayers raised
voices sang
and we released
into the fire


then in loud voices
we called to us that which we long to replace
in our lives
that which we want to awaken
and bring back
together we surrendered
to Love...



Psalm 139

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. 1 You have searched me, God,
   and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise;
   you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down;
   you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue
   you, God, know it completely. 5 You hem me in behind and before,
   and you lay your hand upon me. 6 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,
   too lofty for me to attain.
 7 Where can I go from your Spirit?
   Where can I flee from your presence? 8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
   if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
   if I settle on the far side of the sea, 10 even there your hand will guide me,
   your right hand will hold me fast. 11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
   and the light become night around me,” 12 even the darkness will not be dark to you;
   the night will shine like the day,
   for darkness is as light to you.
 13 For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place,
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
   all the days ordained for me were written in your book
   before one of them came to be. 17 How precious to me are your thoughts, God!
   How vast is the sum of them! 18 Were I to count them,
   they would outnumber the grains of sand—
   when I awake, I am still with you.


Blessings to all who let go
and to those who have yet to do so


Thank you to Pixie Campbell 
for keeping the Flame.


I sink into my contentment
as reflections of dreams and spiritual encounters
come forth from those who attended
blessings
blessings
blessings
you Brave, Courageous souls
blessings


Love and Light

5 comments:

  1. Looks and sounds like a beautiful evening. Wish I could have joined you!

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  2. Beautiful as always, Cat. I leave your blog feeling inspired and full of purpose. Thank you for sharing your beautiful words and photos.
    Catherine Denton

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  3. I love that Psalm I think if we could really let it sink in just how much we are loved, adored, cherished - that would be so transforming. xxx

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  4. It is BLISS for me to see your space filled with women gathering their hearts with intention. Love!

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  5. This is just what I love about you xxx the fact you can 'mix' 'intertwine' Solstice and Christmas - Spirituality and Christianity.
    I recently had a BIG burn - it was good for the soul

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Your voice is welcome here, your connection appreciated. Love and Light