Posted by Michael Finkelstein | January 23rd, 2012

Great Spirit Moon

According to the Chippewa and the Ojibwe, we are entering the month of the Great Spirit Moon. It is cold, dark and unequivocally wintertime. We find ourselves, especially those of us in the north, rushing to and fro, then trying to get back to our homes as quickly as possible.

Something about darkness and chill brings a sense of untended stillness and the feeling of a void. At this juncture, it’s important to remember that although feelings of emptiness end up leaving their mark and can take a toll on us, a pause is as important as the movements that surround it. The fact is, there is no such thing as a void. For when our consciousness enters an empty space it is immediately filled.

As usual, there is a more skillful way to view this season. But, again it requires that we shift, or better yet, expand our awareness. Indeed, though we may not be able to see or hear anything in a given moment, there is still something out there, and we know it. The key is to find a way to appreciate the space that is held for us and to use this powerful time of quiet to incorporate that force of the Great Spirit into our lives.