  Spiritual
This week: Edited by: Sophy New Year  
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Hi, I'm Sophy New Year ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter. As we find ourselves at the beginning of Passover with the mailing of this newsletter, and Easter coming up later this weekend for many Christians, this week we'll talk about Spring and the general spirituality and power of rebirth, renewal, and resurrection.
The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book Finding Your Religion, compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred.  |
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Rebirth, Renewal, Resurrection
Spring is a time of rebirth and renewal, as trees that appeared dead with their cold, gray branches suddenly burst back to life as little green leaves pop out all over. The cold dark ground of winter also comes to life as the crocus and daffodils poke their heads through the ground, bringing bright colors to the surface, and robins return to feed on garden worms as the soil begins to warm. No wonder (in the Northern Hemisphere anyway) Spring is a time of celebration and worship for followers of a variety of spiritual paths, many of whom have religious observances that have to do with rebirth, renewal, and resurrection.
Pagan religions celebrate Vernal (Spring) Equinox on or near the first day of spring. Day & Night are equal length on this day, and it is a time for planting and celebrating the first signs of fertility and rebirth. As Paganism predates most of the world's religions, symbols like eggs, chicks, and rabbits have been adopted from the Pagans by Christians in their Easter holiday. In fact, the word Easter comes from the name of the goddess Eostra, Ishtar or Astarte.
Speaking of Christians, Western Christianity will observe Easter this coming weekend -- on Sunday, April 12. Orthodox Christians will observe Easter the following Sunday, April 19. All around the world people who profess Christianity as their spiritual path will celebrate the risen Christ, whose message of hope, love, and salvation, could not be halted -- not even by death.
And usually within a few weeks of Easter, either before or after, followers of Judaism celebrate Passover. Passover (also known as Pesach) is an eight-day celebration that begins on the night of the fifteenth day of the month of Nissan of the Hebrew calendar. The highlight of the Passover celebration is the ceremony of Seder Meal. In 2009, Passover begins at sunset on April 8th and will end at nightfall on April 15th.
From the beginning of human history, spiritual observances and religious holidays have been in tune with nature -- which makes perfect sense. Early humans sought to find their way in the world, as we all do, and desired meaning in their lives, as well as understanding the world around them, including the spiritual realm. Since they lived much closer to the land than we do now, originally dwelling in caves and other very basic shelters, they were more in tune with nature especially in terms of the seasons. So of course their spiritual connections would begin with the natural world around them.
Spring, no matter where one lives or what spiritual path one follows, is a time of hope (meaning, even if you don't live in the Northern Hemisphere, the promises and hope of Spring still hold true). What once appeared dead and gone suddenly springs to life again -- and does so again and again each year around the same time, as the days grow longer and warmer. Of course early humans celebrated at this time of year, grateful for the return of the growing things around them and the beautiful flowers bursting from what had previously been seemingly barren soil. It reminded them, and reminds us, that what appears to be dead is never really gone, what has died can and will be reborn.
My spirit was especially nurtured by these truths several years ago. My father died in October, 2002, just as the leaves were getting ready to fall from the trees and the earth was preparing herself for a long, cold Winter. As that Fall turned into Winter, my sadness for the loss of my father was matched only by the cold, harsh, dark, landscape outside my front door. The world seemed dead and without hope, both outside and inside my heart, as I mourned the loss of a wonderful man. Then of course, several months later, the brown grass started to brighten and turn green. Tiny green shoots from tulip bulbs emerged from the ground, as the first brave robins returned to our front lawn. Seemingly overnight, the dark branches of our trees were covered with tiny green leaves -- not there one moment, literally there the next. And the dark stark landscape was awash with life and color.
As the world around me burst back to life, with the most beautiful shades of green I'd ever seen, my spirits were lifted by the hope implicit in this gift from nature -- the arrival of Spring. The cold, dark of Winter would not win, would not remain -- new life would emerge, renewed and refreshed, to bring beauty to our surroundings and peace to our souls. And though I still missed my father dearly (and still do) I knew that my sadness and sense of loss would gradually lessen, and be replaced by good memories of my father, and the blessings he gave me. Which of course was the case -- but it was the arrival of Spring 2003 that reminded me of that hope and promise.
I'll close my words with a favorite hymn we sing on Easter Sunday at my congregation:
In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.
Wishing all of you a Happy Spring, and a blessed Easter or Passover to those of you who will be observing those sacred holidays this week!
Sophy New Year |
Below you'll find some offerings from other WDC members about Spring, Easter, Passover, and the general themes of renewal, resurrection, and rebirth. Please let the folks know if you read their piece by leaving a thoughtful comment or review.
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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Now for a few comments about my last newsletter about writing your own creation story:
From Elaine's Beary Limited*~ 
I enjoyed this newsletter and I kept a few notes from the letter. I think I may try to send you something on the creation short story.
Would love to see your story if you were able to come up with one -- glad you enjoyed the newsletter! 
     
From spidey 
So very interesting! This sounds like a great writing exercise! I'm going to give this one some thought.  Great newsletter!
Glad you enjoyed the newsletter, thanks for letting me know. How'd it go with the writing exercise?
From Katya the Poet 
Gorgeous newsletter, again!
Thanks Katya!
From Zeke
I enjoyed your newsletter this week. I thought you might be interested in the following piece I wrote a few years ago. | | | Invalid Item
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Glad you enjoyed it, and thanks so much for sharing your Creation Story in the form of a lovely poem. Nice job!
Please keep your comments and suggestions coming, they are greatly appreciated! And on behalf of myself and the other regular Spiritual Newsletter Editors larryp and kittiara -- thanks for reading!
Until next time! Sophy New Year
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Spiritual: April 08, 2009 Issue [#2988]
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