Tag: Marriage

THE WHEEL OF A LIFETIME

THE WHEEL OF A LIFETIME

(NE – Infancy) Everything is brand new and there is a blur between the self and
others. There is also a sense of trust that we will be cared for. We are still
deeply connected to our parents.

(EAST – Childhood) We become more independent from our families. Friends are of
great importance and we find a great many things we are interested in learning
and doing.

(SE – Adolescence) We begin to be more independent from our families. Friends
become very important. We struggle with the uncertainties of who we are and what
we look like to others.

(SOUTH – Young Adult) We finish our formal education and begin to settle into
jobs and perhaps marriage and a family. It is a buy time of caretaking,
establishing careers and community involvement.

(SW – Middle Adulthood) We begin to take a look at our life and at how we can
bring to balance. There is often a shift of focus, perhaps from job to family or
form volunteer organizations to personal interests.

(WEST – Middle Age) This is often a time when we discover that there are things
we are clinging to and need to release before we can move on; perhaps it is a
relationship, a job, a house or a grudge.

(NW – Senior) Children are grown and retirement nears or begins. We find we take
more quiet contemplative time for ourselves. We see things more in perspective
and appreciate things we were too busy to notice before.

(NORTH – Elder) We are grateful for what we have and what we have had in our
lives. We are more accepting of things and are able to guide others without
expectations of how they might use that guidance.

It is important to be aware that we reach these stages at different ages. Some
folks reach the South quite young with an early marriage and family. This may
force them into the care taking of the South before they have had the time to
really process the Southwest. Others take many years to sort out who they are in
the Southwest before they take their place in the South.

*Information taken from the old WOTC.
Author currently unknown to me*

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for August 9th is 53: A Steady Pace

53: A Steady Pace

Hexagram 53

General Meaning: Like an ancient old-growth forest — where the subtle play of light, texture and shadows is the product of a process measured in centuries and inches — most things of lasting value develop gradually, at their own pace. The ability to learn from experience — one of humanity’s greatest capacities — implies constant yet gradual progress. The combination of stillness within and determination without are the essence of this dynamic. Good things sometimes sprout quickly; the truly delightful take much longer.

The principle of gradual development applies also to human relationships. For love and marriage or any important partnership to endure, progress must be slow but steady: slow enough to allow for the bonds to knit properly; steady enough to keep moving in the right direction.

You can’t expect to have everything all at once. Development must be allowed to take its proper course and allotted time; events must neither be rushed nor manipulated, but allowed to unfold naturally. In this way, you will come to enjoy long-lasting relationships and achieve success.

The Binding

The handfasting ceremony culminates in hand binding. In the past, couples would have their hands bound together and knotted with cord. Although some witches still like to use cord, many brides and grooms today opt for satin ribbons in purple, green, and white. These are about six and a half feet in length and wound around the bride’s and groom’s clasped left hands. The expression “tying the knot” likely derives from this ritual.

The high priestess coils the ribbons, weaving them in and out of the couple’s fingers before holding their tied hands in the air for a few moments. Ethereal, angelic music plays as the pair begin to walk around the circle, displaying their joined hands and sharing their happiness with everyone. In turn, the guests shower the newlyweds with rice (contrary to popular belief, it’s a myth that raw rice will injure birds). In Pagan times rice throwing was believed to transfer the spirit of the fertile grain to the bride and groom, ensuring that they would have a prosperous harvest and a fertile union.

Once this ancient ritual has been completed, the high priestess unties the couple’s hands and pronounces them handfasted; the groom then kisses his bride. However, it doesn’t end there, because many witches love to follow tradition and jump the broom, which has been propped up against the altar. The drummers bang on their drums as the newlyweds take a running jump over this ornate broom to finalize the marriage. The British phrase “living over the brush” comes directly from this custom; it signifies a couple who have not had an official wedding ceremony but are wed in the eyes of the community. At this point everybody cheers and applauds the newlywed couple and the ceremony is over.

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for June 23 is 32: Endurance

32: Endurance

Hexagram 32
 
General Meaning: Endurance is fostered when inner constancy is coupled with external flexibility. Long-distance runners must adapt readily to changing conditions, while maintaining an inner determination and strength of purpose. Two trees growing near each other adapt to enhance each other’s survival. A strong image of durability is a stable marriage of intimate partners striking a dynamic balance between involvement in the outside world and nourishment in the home.

True endurance is not based on rigidity, for endurance implies movement, not immobilization. Only by adapting to change can we stay in the race; but only by deepening our sense of purpose can we develop the fortitude to win it.

Continuity is achieved through movement, not by keeping still. That which has ceased to grow is close to death. Stay active, but allow yourself time to stay in touch with your innermost thoughts and feelings.

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for June 6 is 53: A Steady Pace

53: A Steady Pace

Hexagram 53
 
General Meaning: Like an ancient old-growth forest — where the subtle play of light, texture and shadows is the product of a process measured in centuries and inches — most things of lasting value develop gradually, at their own pace. The ability to learn from experience — one of humanity’s greatest capacities — implies constant yet gradual progress. The combination of stillness within and determination without are the essence of this dynamic. Good things sometimes sprout quickly; the truly delightful take much longer.

The principle of gradual development applies also to human relationships. For love and marriage or any important partnership to endure, progress must be slow but steady: slow enough to allow for the bonds to knit properly; steady enough to keep moving in the right direction.

You can’t expect to have everything all at once. Development must be allowed to take its proper course and allotted time; events must neither be rushed nor manipulated, but allowed to unfold naturally. In this way, you will come to enjoy long-lasting relationships and achieve success.