By Julia  Turner Hultgren, MSW
www.mndcalm.com

With a great preponderance of positive aspects to Pluto in the sector of creative energy, the New Moon in Virgo on September 8 is all about deep seated and far reaching change. First, AWOL Mercury is coming back into contact with other planetary energies, having taken a short leave of absence.  This contact at the New Moon is still reflectively retrograde, due to go direct just less than a week, under the influences of the . Having taken time to recharge and regroup, Mercury will be at its scintillating best, bursting with intellect and logic regarding the positive changes ahead. At the beginning of this lunar cycle, Venus and Mars in Libra are also in positive aspect to Pluto from the area of personal resources and values. This dynamic association tells us that we do have the energy and capability to achieve change with altruism and compassion, leading to future abundance. With so many planets in Libra this month, balance must be at the core of all of our actions. And finally, as they have been through out most of the challenging times of the past two years, Neptune and Chiron remain in positive aspect to Pluto, telling us that universal love is not only a possible but necessary factor in how we determine our future. We can and must allow ourselves to be inspired for the common good.

Pluto joins Mercury in its forward motion on September 14 when the Moon is in Sagittarius, giving us a jovial bounce to our stride and positive take on the possibilities our future presents.  Ahh, whee, the gutted mechanisms of our existence begin to take on new form.  For awhile, the expansiveness of Jupiter hovers at the door of communal resources, appearing as though it might offer enthusiasm and solutions for improving the outlook of our financial and ecological morass.  Instead it chooses to join Uranus in its insistence on improved relationships.  Before there will be true wholeness, before we can begin to solve our tenancy issues on Earth, there must be a new flavor of merciful benefactor created.  This does not include past practices of enabling weakness in those who have the capacity to be strong.  Instead, it is a mentoring relationship, such as children in the patient and indulgent sphere of their grandparents, before being launched into successful independence.

The potent Full Moon on the 23 of September expands the influence of Venus and Mars beyond their inner planet status and demands our contemplation of the identity continuum with regard to personal and joint resources—most definitely the theme this month. Indeed, it is likely to be for the next year or two.  In a push me~pull you type of fashion Venus and Mars swap strength between the New and Full Moon.  At the New Moon, Venusian energy dominates, articulating the need to define love.  By the Full Moon, Mars gains strength, saying impatiently, “However we define it, it’s time to get moving!”  With the Sun cloaked by Saturn, we must continue to balance our egos with responsibility and steady growth, while the Moon in Aries impatiently calls for those long awaited developments in the financial, ecological and non- and renewable resource sectors world wide, likely to manifest by late winter.

Also at the Full Moon, Saturn is out of combative aspect with Uranus for the first time since September of 2008, until late spring of 2011, so look for some serious accounting of losses to occur. Also, with the above in mind, perhaps we can wish for some creative ideas for conciliation, sharing and growth to occur in that time.

By Melinda (Mindy) Ribner

The holiday of Rosh Hashanah is upon us – Sept. 8,9,10, 2010.  Rosh Hashanah, commemorating the creation of the soul, marks the beginning of a new year and a new contract for ourselves.  On every Rosh Hashanah, we celebrate the gift of life itself.

There is so much to do, so much inner and outer work before the holidays, but the most basic thing is to give yourself some time to contact your core, the place within yourself, the place that only you can enter, and say ” Yes” to life, ” Thank you God for life”. “   This itself is a powerful spiritual exercise when you repeat these words out loud and also silently many times until you experience an opening in your heart and mind to new blessings, new life, the new moment.  From this opening we become plugged into the Divine, and we can share from the abundance.

Another suggested spiritual exercise at this time is to reflect and review last year’s life,  the accomplishments, challenges, learning opportunities of the previous year and begin writing  stream of consciousness, just writing, “Last year  was a time when I…….  and continue writing without thinking too much. Don’t try to figure your life out. Don’t try to make sense, just keep writing until you feel that you are complete. It is amazing the inner wisdom we have to be in the knowing and not-knowing.  When we know where we have been, we gain insight into where we are going.

It is also good to take time now to formulate goals for the upcoming new year. Meditate, journal, share with friends and simply be with the following questions: What do you want for myself this coming year? What does God want of me?  How can I grow and be more authentically me, serve myself, my friends, God and the world?  I have been given the gift of life, how can I be more alive, grateful and joyful? How do I fufill my life purpose?  My book Kabbalah Month by Month and New Age Judaism have many exercises and teachings to support your growth at this time.

In conclusion, I wish everyone a happy and healthy new year. I share with you some writing on this email that I posted in previous years. I still like it.  Torah teachings are timeless. We keep learning and doing the same things again and again,  and hopefully, the truth goes deeper within us.

By Whitney Wyckoff

In the Northern Hemisphere, halfway between the Summer Solstice and the Autumn Equinox, comes the ancient Celtic pagan festival of Lughnasadh,  (pronounced Loo, or, Lew, with the dh just barely touching the top front teeth in a th), also called Lughnasa (or the modern Irish spelling, Lúnasa, the name for the month of August ) and Lammas, one of the eight Sabbats – one of the High Holidays, or four Greater Sabbats – of the Celtic Wheel of the Year.
August 1 is known as the Feast Day of the Chains of St Peter – in Latin, Peter ad Vincula
The month of August was the first in the Egyptian calendar, and called Gule, which when Latinized makes Gula, and signifies the throat.
Seeing the word at the head of the month’s calendar, the Roman Catholic Church made the day a feast to the Christian daughter of the Roman tribune Quirinus, who was cured of a throat disease by kissing the chain of Peter on the day of its festival.
Lughnasadh was imbued by the Church with Christian symbolism, so loaves of bread were baked from the first of the harvested grain and consecrated on the church altar on the first Sunday of August.
On August 1, the national holiday of Switzerland, it is traditional to celebrate with bonfires. This practice may trace back to the Lughnasadh celebrations of the Helvetii, Celtic people of the Iron Age who lived in what is now Switzerland.
In Northern Italy, e.g. in Canzo, Lughnasadh traditions are still incorporated into modern 1 August festivities.
The village of Morvah, Cornwall, U.K, is the home of the Morvah Fair (held on August 1 every year) which has been described as the biggest Lughnasadh celebrations outside Ireland.
In Scottish Gaelic Lunasda means the 1st of August. In County Mayo, IRELAND, on the last Sunday in July thousands of pilgrims still climb to the summit of “the Reek,” or Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holiest mountain. That day is known as Reek Sunday.
The etymology: the Celtic word nasadh means ‘commemoration’, or ‘to give in marriage’; the Anglo-Saxons call this festival Lughmass; because it takes place between the hay harvest and the corn harvest.
It is also associated with Lugh’s  touching and loving devotion to foster mother, The Royal Lady Tailtiu, (the daughter of an older race, the Fir Bolg),who is said to have cleared the way for the introduction of agriculture in Ireland, thus linking Lughnasadh to the land and the harvest.
After the defeat of her people by the Tuatha De Dannan, she was obliged by them to clear a vast forest for the purpose of planting grain.
She died of exhaustion in the attempt. 
The legend states that she was buried beneath a great mound named for her, at the spot where the first feast of Lughnasadh was held in Ireland, the hill of Tailte.
On this day, Lord Lugh hosts funeral game in her honor.
Traditional Tailtean craft fairs and Tailtean marriages, Handfastings, (which last for a year and a day) are celebrated.
At this gathering were held huge games and contests of skill on the scale of an early Olympic Games.

By Rev. Whitney Wykoff

Solstice comes from the Latin (sol, sun; sistit, stands).

For several days before and after each solstice, the sun appears to stand still in the sky—that is, its noontime elevation does not seem to change.

Solstice, from the Latin for sun stands still, in astronomy, either of the two points on the ecliptic that lie midway between the equinoxes (separated from them by an angular distance of 90°).

At the solstices the sun’s apparent position on the celestial sphere reaches its greatest distance above or below the celestial equator, about 23 1/2° of arc. At the time of summer solstice, around June 20 or 21, the sun is directly overhead at noon at the Tropic of Cancer.

In the Northern Hemisphere the longest day and shortest night of the year occur on this date, marking the beginning of summer.

At winter solstice, about December 22, the sun is overhead at noon at the Tropic of Capricorn; this marks the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

For several days before and after each solstice the sun appears to stand still in the sky, its noontime elevation does not seem to change from day to day.

It is also referred to as Midsummer because it is roughly the middle of the growing season throughout much of Europe.

Litha comes from Saxon tradition — the opposite of Yule. On this longest day of the year, light and life are abundant.

At mid-summer, the Sun God has reached the moment of his greatest strength. Seated on his greenwood throne, he is also lord of the forests, and his face is seen in church architecture peering from countless foliate masks.

Midsummer Night’s Eve is also special for adherents of the Faerie faith.

On this night in County Limerick, Ireland, people processed up the hill of the faery queen Áine, whose name means ‘Brightness,’ and who is a goddess of the sun. They set light to bunches of straw and hay called cliars that they wave among the fields and grazing cattle to ensure good crops and healthy beasts. When the great fire is lit at the top of the hill, Áine and her faery tribe come out to join in the revelry.

This time is known in the Druid tradition as that of Alban Hefin – ‘The Light of Summer’ or ‘The Light of the Shore’ when the countryside around us revels in colorful and fragrant splendor.

At Alban Hefin the spiral of the year has expanded to its widest point and now the hours of light are as long as they will ever be. Then embarking upon the long journey back south, ending at Alban Arthan, the Winter Solstice, in mid-December in the Northern Hemisphere.

The full moon in June is called the Honey Moon. Tradition holds that this is the best time to harvest honey from the hives.

This time of year, between the planting and harvesting of the crops, was the traditional month for weddings. This is because many ancient peoples believed that the “grand [sexual] union” of the Goddess and God occurred in early May at Beltaine. Since it was unlucky to compete with the deities, many couples delayed their weddings until June. June remains a favorite month for marriage today. In some traditions, “newly wed couples were fed dishes and beverages that featured honey for the first month of their married life to encourage love and fertility. The surviving vestige of this tradition lives on in the name given to the holiday immediately after the ceremony: The Honeymoon.”

LORE:

This is a good time to cull magical and healing herbs: fern seed gathered on midsummer’s eve can make one invisible; elderberries ward off enchantment from another; stonecrop, vervain, and yarrow are hung in special places around the house for protection against the evil eye and death.

The Christian religion converted this day of Jack-in-the-Green to the Feast of St. John the Baptist, often portraying him in rustic attire, sometimes with horns and cloven feet (like the Greek Demi-God Pan)

This is the time for the plucking of St. John’s wort (wort=herb), the golden, star-shaped flower that is first of all herbs to be gathered on St. John’s Eve. Called the ‘blessed plant’ in Wales, it is renowned throughout the Celtic lands for bringing peace and prosperity to the house, health to the animals and a bountiful harvest. It is cast into the midsummer bonfires in Scotland, and placed over the doors of houses and farm buildings for its protective powers. For these magical plants are filled with the energy of the sun at its peak, now transformed into green blessings for the human realm.

Taking a tincture of St. John’s Wort to bring in the energy and light of the full Sun makes more sense now!

Correspondances

Traditional Foods:
Garden fresh fruits and vegetables, sunflower seeds.

Herbs and Flowers:
Mugwort, Chamomile, Rose, Honeysuckle, Oak, Lavender, Yarrow, Wild Sunflower/Black eyed Susan, Daisy, Carnation, sunflower.

Incense/ oils:
Lemon, Myrrh, Pine, Rose, Frankincense, Red Mandarin, Pink Grapefruit.

Sacred Gemstone:
Emerald, sunstone, carnelian, citrine.

Special Activities:
An Ideal time to reaffirm your vows to the Lord and Lady or your dedication to following the old traditions.

http://www.religioustolerance.org/summer_solstice.htm

http://www.wicca.com/celtic/akasha/litha.htm

http://www.druidry.org/obod/festivals/hefin.html

By Melinda Ribner

We rely on weather forecasts when planning our days’ activities, stock forecasts or charts to guide or monitor investing, might it also be helpful to have a kabbalistic forecast for the month that serves as a guide to our spiritual growth? 

“Thousands of years ago, the Jewish mystical tradition known as Kabbalah revealed a very profound and powerful system for healing and transformation.  Though the knowledge remains obscure, it has influenced many current forms of healing.  According to Kabbalah, the Jewish calendar as a whole is a road map for personal transformation.

“To the unitiated, this material may seem mystical or superstitious, but that does not make it less true.  Many things exist beyond our powers of conception or reasoning. Just as there are various season and fluctuations in our weather, there are also fluctuations in the spiritual energies available.  Those who are attuned to these energies are aware of such changes and know how to use this knowledge for their personal growth and success. Rather than promoting fatalism, this knowledge actually increase our capacity to make meaningful and effective choices for our highest good.” (Kabbalah Month by Month, introduction) 

Welcome the Month of Tammuz on Saturday and Sunday, June 12 and 13:

“From a secular perspective, many think of the summer as a carefree time, a time to travel, relax, have fun, but according to Kabbalah, Tammuz is a heavy and challenging month.  The heat one experiences is not just physical but also emotional and spiritual. That is why we need to be mindful of the emotional intensity of this month and why it is important to be particularly sensitive to ourselves and others this month.  Tammuz is still ultimately a good and wonderful month but only if we know how to use its intense energy constructively.  When we do this we grow through challenges in ways that may not be possible at any other period of the year.”  Kabbalah Month by Month( Page 247-8)

“The divine permutation for the month is reversed. Tammuz can be a time of reversals. We expect one thing to happen but something totally different happens. As much as we may like to think we are in control of our lives, we need to realize our limitations, let go and invite God into our lives. This is one of the deep teachings of this month.

“As hard as it may be, we must realize that whatever happens to us can be an opportunity for growth and healing. We grow the most when confronting our greatest challenges. Tammuz is a month of judgment, we need to accept that nothing is accidental or coincidental. Through we have free will, everything is also divine providence.  (Kabbalah Month by Month, pg 251)

“The astrological sign for Tammuz is Cancer.  The Hebrew word for cancer is sartan, which means ‘ Satan”, a name that reveals the difficulty of the tests of this month. The ruling body of Cancer is the moon.  The moon is always changing, making Tammuz an emotional time with many ups and downs.  One has to learn to ride the emotional rollercoaster of Tammuz.” Kabbalah Month by Month)

“The Torah portions reflects what is happening during the month.  ”This week’s Torah portion Korach reveals the struggle within the Jewish people.  Two hundred and fifty men, the leaders of the Jewish people were followers of Korach claimed that Moses had concentrated too much power in the hands of his family and tribe, the Levites who served in the mishkon, the holy Tabernacle hosting the Divine Presence. Though they were jealous of Moses and Aaron, they did not express this directly. They couched their argument in idealistic terms, claiming that the entire assembly , all of them are holy.” ( Kabbalah Month by Month, pg260) If we look at what was happening on the external level, it sounds that the accusations might be true. Yet, we learn this month, that what is presented is not always what really is, and we must look beyond the external to perceive what is hidden and real. 

As we enter into this month, the world arena has many challenges and catastrophic events before it.  The BP oil spill is polluting the oceans, the economies in Europe are collapsing, Iran and Hammas threatening to destroy Israel, US stock market is plummeting downwards, the recent flotilla incident with the Free Gaza ship with so many nations in the world condemning Israel before they knew the facts. You know what is happening in our world as well as I do.  This is some of the heat of Tammuz. It is easy to be worried and concerned about what is happening in our world.  Additionally, I imagine that there are also challenges in our personal lives, in our relationships and even within ourselves as well.  Often what is happening on the macro level is reflected in the micro level as well.  

How do we grow through our challenges and tests?  How do we see God amidst all the turmoil?  This is the question of the month that we must be mindful of.  According to this month, the fixing of this month is seeing. What we see reflects our thinking.  This month we need to breathe, meditate and open to see life more clearly and calmly. We need to question our assumptions.  We can easily become upset about something that is not even true or do not know to be true. Take a moment to review how your recent responses to events in your life.  If you are upset about something or someone, might you be making assumptions that are not true.  As my teacher Reb Shlomo would often say, “What do we really know? “

We can all acknowledge that a response of fear, worry or anger to any challenge will not be helpful. Even though it may sometimes be an automatic response to become frightened and upset by major challenges and changes that occur in our lives, these emotions do not help us to cope or grow through the challenge.

 What helps us to grow? Faith and gratitude is what helps us to transform.  If we believe in God, if we talk to God, if we connect to God, we can find peace amidst chaos and strife, we can grow through challenges and become happier and better people. Learning Torah, reading psalms,  personal and standard prayer, and meditation are each essential. And sometimes we have to simply let go of our struggle and our resistance to life as it is and get down on our knees ( metaphorically, usually) to call out for divine assistance and faith. Try it sometimes.  Get down on your knees and open yourself to God. It is one thing to stand before God, and another thing to be on your knees before God.  I know that Jews do not usually do that. We Jews used to kneel before the Christians adopted this practice and then we stopped doing it so as to distinguish ourselves from them.  If you have never gotten on your knees before God, either literally or metaphorically, you may not yet have opened yourself to receive divine love and compassion.

Thankfully, God is very much alive.  As we say in our the Ahsrei prayer, ” God is close to the brokenhearted and those who are crushed in spirit, God saves.”  It is we who need to call out and open ourselves to receive. 

Blessings for a transformational Tammuz. Melinda Ribner.

Please feel free to invite others to join this list.  My book Kabbalah Month by Month is available online or in bookstores all over, even in Israel.  It offers guidelines, meditations, strategies, stories to promote personal growth and healing each month

From Kim Miller

 This is a 40 day Kundalini meditation.  There are 2 different options below, so if either speaks to you, please join in. If you can commit to do the meditation daily it is most effective…you can do 40 days or continue as long as you like… 

The words SA TA NA MA are the component parts of the mantra “Sat Nam” which means “Truth is my Identity”.

 This meditation stimulates the nerve endings in the fingertips, balancing the right and left hemispheres of the brain. This positively changes your habits and works through insecurities.  This meditation will shift your spiritual unfoldment into high gear… :O)

 *Begin by tuning in by chanting Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo 3 times.

 *Sit with spine straight in easy pose-cross legged. Cross forearms below the wrist and hold them in front of the chest with the arms out slightly. Palms are face up and slightly turned outward toward the chest. To start, the thumb and second finger tips of each hand are touching with the rest of the fingers extended straight. Look at the tip of the nose and recite the following mantra aloud:

 Sa Ta Na Ma

As you recite each syllable, touch the thumbs to each fingertip, starting with the index finger:

 Sa- index finger

Ta-middle finger

Na- ring finger

Ma- little finger

 * Continue repeating this sequence, always starting with the index finger. The pace between each movement is approximately 1 second per fingertip.

 * Practice for 11-31 minutes.

 * To end, inhale, hold the breath for a few seconds, focus the eyes upward, exhale and relax.

By Melinda Ribner

Praise be to God. The month of Sivan, the month of fulfillment, the month of creativity, the month of love, will be arriving on  Friday, May 13. The holiday of Shavuos, the holiday of commemorating the receiving of the Torah, takes place of May 18 – May 20.
 
Kabbalistic Forecast for the Month  “Sivan is one of the most beautiful months spiritually and physically. Just as the trees and flowers are blossoming, so are we. Sivan is a time of gaining clarity of vision, discovering one’s life purpose and receiving guidance and direction on actualizing our personal life goals.  A wonderful time for travel,  Sivan is also a time of increased love and intimacy.  This is demonstrated by the giving and accepting of the Torah which could only occur during this month. A covenant between the Jewish people and God, the Torah is an expression of love, commitment, dedication and intimacy.  It is an everlasting partnership, likened to a marriage. Interestingly enough May and June that correspond to Sivan have always been a popular time for weddings.
 
“It is said that when the Jewish received the Torah, they were of one heart, so unified that were likened to one being. In the Torah passage that describes Israel’s encampment at the foot of Mount Sinai at the time of the new moon in Sivan, the word ” encamped’ is in the singular rather than the plural form. It is this unity that enabled the Israelite to receive the Torah.  Sivan is a wonderful time to deepen existing relationships and open ourselves to meeting new people whom we will be able to draw closely to our heart this month. There is an openheartedness in Sivan that makes it easy to communicate and bond with many different kinds of people.”. Excerpt from Kabbalah Month by Month.
 
Astrological Sign: Gemini : Gemini is the energy that does not want to be contained.  Mercury, the ruling planet for Gemini, was the Roman messenger of the gods who flew from the heavens to the earth. Similarly, the Torah , given, in this month is the messenger between heaven and earth.  People born under this sign are thought to be mercurial, quick to move from place to place, physically and mentally. Geminis want to leave the earth and fly to the heavens. Geminis are creative and skillful communicators. The planet of Mercury is associated with communication and intelligence.” Kabbalah Month by Month. ”
 
In case some of your are wondering, “Judaism does embrace astrology. teaching that we are born under a certain constellation and with a certain destiny. Our sages say that the length of life, number of children, and sustenance depend not on merit but on destiny. Yet it is also said that Jews are not subject to astrology.  Rashi, the great Torah commentator said that prayer, charity and mitzvot can improve our mazel and this is what is meant when the Talmud says ” Jews are not subject to astrology.”  ” New Age Judaism, page101)
 
Torah for the month:  Shavuos, the holiday celebrating the receiving of the Torah, culminates the completion of the journey that began on Passover, the holiday commemorating the departure of the Jewish people out of Egypt. The Jewish people left Egypt, not just to leave a place of bondage, but the Jewish people left Egypt so as to receive the Torah and enter into the holy land of Israel. The purpose of the exodus was not simply to become a free people living in the Land of Israel, but to be a people who would love, know and serve God. It is not that God needed or needs our love and service, but through our love and service to God, we human beings receive the greatest good. According to our teachings, the desire of God was and is always to bestow goodness upon all of creation.  
 
As Rabbi Moses Luzatto said in his book, The Way of God,  ” Since God desired to bestow good, a partial good would not be sufficient.  God alone is the only true good, and therefore, His beneficent desire would not be satisfied unless it could bestow that very good, namely the true perfect good that exists in God’s intrinsic Essence. Even though created beings can not emulate God’s perfection in this own right, the fact that they can be attached to God allows them to partake of it.  They can thus derive the greatest pleasure from that true good to the greatest degree possible. The purpose of all that was created was therefore to bring into existence a creature who could derive pleasure from God’s own good, in a way that would be possible for it.”
 
   
When God finished creating the world, the Torah tells us ” God saw that it was good.” After God created Adam, the Bible reveals that ” God saw all that He had made and behold it was very good.”. The human being was different than other creatures and was capable of receiving the greatest goodness.  What distinguished the human being?  Rabbi Moses Luzatto, in his book, later explains that the gift of free will was what made the creation of the human being ” very good”. It is our free will, our ability to make choices, that makes us unique among all the other creatures.
God blesses everyone and everything but the greatest blessing is our free will.  That is because God wants our heart to be an offering, not a compulsion. For this reason, God is hidden until we learn how to choose. If God was not hidden, we would have no choice but to love God for we would be overwhelmed by God’s love and goodness.  With God’s concealment, we have free will and the power to choose and co-create our reality.
 
Love has more meaning when it is a matter of choice for God and for people as well.  It is a heavenly gift that God allows us to love other people, and to love God. It is the love of God within us that enables us to love God and other people.  When we truly love, we feel God’s presence and that feels wonderful.  Love is unconditional,  not based on what we receive. But rather through love we receive the love we are giving.  Reb Eliyahu Dessler in his book Strive For Truth provided much clarity on this subject and asked  an interesting question.” Is giving the result of love or does love come from giving?  Do we give to people we love? Or do we love people we give to. It is customary to think that giving is a byproduct of love. We love someone so we give to them. Reb Dessler says that If you want to love others, you should give to them.  Become involved in something that is for their benefit. Giving breaks down the psychological barriers between people. We come to love the people we give to. “  New Age Judaism, page 129
 
On Shavous we celebrate God’s gift to us. The Torah that we receive on Shavuos is God’s love letter to us, containing all the secrets that lovers share in times of intimacy.  For many of us  however there are times  when we read the Bible, we question its relevance to us today.  In those cases we need to search our hearts and pray that the secrets of Torah be opened to us. If the Torah were not relevant, did not contain the secrets of the universe, it would not be as treasured as it is.  Finding teachers and books who make the Torah and Judaism exciting, vibrant and sweet is also essential. 
 
On Shavuos we receive the Torah anew. By connecting and learning Torah, by living by the guidelines of Torah, we become attached to God. When we are attached to God, we know and love God, and that is the greatest joy.  It was for this reason that we were created, yet it must also be our choice. 
 
The deepest Jewish teaching that I know is that this world was created for love. Within God was the desire, but not the need, to love and be known. It was for this reason that God created the worlds. At the core of the heart of the human being , made in the image and likeness of the Divine, is also the desire to love and be known. And it is through love, that we know ourselves and God.
 
 
Suggestions for  Increasing love and Intimacy in Sivan..
 
1. Appreciate, and acknowledge others each day, especially your spouse and children.
 
2. Add romance to your life.  Buy flowers, and gifts for no reason.
 
3. Extend yourself by doing favors for others.
 
4. Open to meet new and different people.
 
5. Fully, receive with gratitude all that you are given from others.  Appreciate and acknowledge every gesture of thoughtfulness.
 
6. Make “I” statements about what you want and feel. Refrain from criticizing others, especially your spouse.
 
7.  If you find yourself upset and resentful, take time to be with yourself, and pray about what you are learning at this time.  Consider what you can give to another person. 
 
8. Spend time in nature. 
 
9. Recharge and nurture yourself with meditation and Learning Torah.
 
10. Speak to God in your own words.  Express your gratitude and ask for what you need and want. 
 
 These suggestions come from Kabbalah Month by Month.
 
 
May we  each be blessed this month of Sivan and on the holiday of Shavuos to open our heart to love God and other people in the deepest way. May we make the choices that promote goodness and love in the world. 
 
Love and blessings, Melinda Miriam Mindy Ribner
 
 
PS. Unless  otherwise indicated, most of the  words in this message are excerpts from my book New Age Judaism. This book contains an introduction to Kabbalah, meditation as well as kabbalistic teachings on love, sexuality, transforming suffering, as well as many subjects that are associated with the new age like holistic healing, vegetarianism, astrology, etc. The book is only $10. What a bargain!! All my books can be bought online or in bookstores.

This month of Nissan is the headquarters for newness. A sign that we are close to God is that everything feels new, full of wonder and possibilities. These are the precious moments in life when we may be doing what we always do, and suddenly our consciousness is lifted upwards, our hearts open and we are filled with the awareness of the sanctity of life itself. We are so happy to simply be alive. This is a taste of the joy of Nissan.
 
The scent of Spring in the air makes us aware of the new life emerging in nature and that reminds us to pay attention to the new energies stirring within each of us as well. This is the month to leave our personal restrictions and move to greater freedom. There are significant life changes possible in Nissan. If you feel stuck in a  life routine that is limiting, take heart, Passover is coming, Nissan is here.  Nissan was the month when the Jewish people were redeemed from Egypt, it will be the month in the future when the final redemption will take place, and in every Nissan there is the hope and expectation that something new and wonderful will happen. In this month we celebrate the holiday of Passover.  Many of us are already planning for where we will be for the Passover Seder.
 
 At the Passover Seder we are reminded that the exodus from Egypt was not just a one time historical event. The Hagaddah says, ” In every generation one should regard himself as though he personally had gone out of Egypt. ( Ex. 13:8)  Metaphorically, we are still in Egypt. The Hebrew word for Egypt is Mitzraim which means ” narrow straits” which represents all psychological, emotional, spiritual  and physical constraints. While we are in the physical world, there are varying degrees of bondage that we experience. On Passover particularly and throughout the month of Nissan, it is a propitious time to free oneself from internal and external constraints, to make a personal exodus from our personal mitzraim.
 
 How do we really move forward to greater freedom in our lives?  That is the question. The very rituals in the observance of Passover help us break through limitations and go forward in the ways that our soul yearns to do. We can not do it alone. We need to receive divine assistance. We need to forge a stronger connection with God through prayer, meditation, and doing acts ( mitzvot) that place ourselves in alignment with Divine blessing. We feel most alive and vibrant when we are connected to God. Give yourself time each day in personal prayer to stand in the question. What does God want of me?  Listen carefully to what opens within you.
 
 In this month of Nissan, it is particularly important and helpful to watch your speech. The healing dimension for this month is speech. It is through our speech that redeem or enslave ourselves.  We create our reality through our speech.  Be sure to take time each day to express your gratitude to God and people around you. A word, a look, a gesture of appreciation, a blessing to another person just for being in your life can be a holy passport that opens gates for greater freedom for each of you. We may never know how precious words of blessing and appreciation are to both the giver and receiver. 
 
King Solomon said in Proverbs” A man’s belly shall be filled with the fruit of his month Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” Make a strong effort to increase virtuous speech and eliminate loathsome and forbidden speech such as speaking ill of others. Remember that you also have the right to limit what you hear from others as well. You do not have to listen to loshon hara. Note how your energy increases when you engage in virtuous speech and how your energy decreases when you speak ill of others. The therapist in me wants to remind people to make ” I statements”, to take responsibility for one’s feelings rather than vent one’s frustrations and blame others for the feelings that are clearly your own.
 
The more mindful we are of our speech, the more powerful our words are when we do speak.  That is why it is said that when a tzaddik ( righteous person) speaks, God fulfills his decree. Guard your tongue carefully. Don’t waste words and your words will be more powerful. You can actually heal people with your words.
 
 What has been shared above has been taken from my book Kabbalah Month by Month.  There is so much more information available in the book to guide you through this upcoming month.
 
 Please feel free to share this with others and invite them to join the Kabbalah of the Heart list. Always feel free to drop me a note to introduce yourself to me and let me know how you are doing. I do try to answer all emails.

By Melinda Ribner

Tevet, the darkest month of the year, brings challenges that force us to tap into our inner resources and become stronger. In many places in the world, during the month of Tevet, the weather is cold, the sky is gray, and we find ourselves spending more time inside than outside in nature. These physical conditions reflect the spiritual themes of the months. This is the month not so much to go forward or start new projects, but to be with oneself, to process deep feelings, purify and complete the projects at hand..  I recall that my astrologer friend Nina informed me the Mercury and Mars are retrograde in Tevet, so that seems to be in alignment with the kabalistic forecast.

  Kabalistically, the month is devoted to the healing and transformation of anger.  When it is cold outside, people get heated up inside.  People become angry more easily in Tevet.  You might notice that occurring with friends or even with yourself.  Remind yourself that it is the month of Tevet.  

The challenge this month is to cultivate patience, and remember that nothing happens by accident and there is goodness within each challenge.  During this month, make a conscious effort to let go of the need to be right and attempt to see everything and everyone in the best light.  You will know how you are progressing spiritually by observing your anger level. Becoming angered easily is a sign you need to purify yourself.

 We must make a decision to work on anger because being stuck in anger has so many negative consequences.  It renders us victims who are powerless and unable to go forward in our lives.  When we are angry we are not free.  We are slaves to our emotions.  We are out of control.  We lose our center when we blame other people or events for our own unhappiness.  That is why during this month the Torah portions we read all about slavery.  Long before the holistic movement made the connection between the mind and the body, Kabbalah said that anger was the root cause of illness, because it actually disconnects us from God’s energy and from who we really are. If we want to heal ourselves from illness, we have to heal and transform the anger we feel inside.  Joy and love are such powerful healing forces in life.

  When you find yourself becoming angry, make an effort to calm yourself and not speak or act impulsively.  Train yourself to take long deep breaths, visualize the release of tension through the breath. Make a habit of speaking in a soft and gentle voice so when you are angry you will not raise your voice too much.  Give yourself time to look at the situation differently.  Try to be detached, objective, as if it were happening to someone else. Imagine yourself on a mountain top looking down from that vantage point.  Assume responsibility for your feelings, making I statements such as ”I feel this ______ – when you do________.   Do not blame the other person for your feelings.  It is ultimately your choice whether to be hurt or angry. Raise your vibration by doing something nurturing or enjoyable. See the good in the other person.

When you are angry you may want to seek the support of others to ventilate your feelings or write a letter expressing those feelings freely, but do not mail it. Read it over many times as Rabbi Kalanymus Kalman Shapiro of Piaseczno recommended. Feeling our anger is different than expressing it. After speaking your anger in a safe place, consider  how you might express yourself differently to the actual person who has hurt you.

 Speak to God about your hurt and anger.  Reb Nachman recommends that we spend an hour each day in conversation with God.  Pour your heart out to God each day, even if it is just for a few minutes.  Visualize yourself standing before God.  You can express your feelings to God as a child would to his or her parent. Always, ask to better understand what you can learn from the challenges in your life and how to respond to them in a positive and loving way.

According to Kabbalah, this month is under the domain of Esau. When we are angry we give energy to the side of negativity. We weaken our connection to the Holy One and to all that is good. It is not that we need to become doormats or passive, but that we control our anger so we can make choices that are life affirming. This month is actually a time of great light, for the greatest light is hidden in darkness.

 There is so much more written in my books, Kabbalah Month by Month, Everyday Kabbalah and New Age Judaism.    Love and blessings, Melinda (Mindy) Ribner

By Melinda Ribner

Please take a moment to forward this post to five friends or family members. We each have a responsibility to uplift others and connect them to the holiness of Torah and God. We all know Jews who are disconnected or in need of a more spiritual entry into Torah who would appreciate the kind of Torah in this newsletter. We all know non- Jews who are interested in Judaism, Israel and this newsletter is a good entry for them as well. This is one of the venues that I have identified for myself to make a small contribution to healing and uplifting people. I thank you for supporting me and this work by sharing my teachings. ~Melinda Ribner At a time of the year when the days are shortest and the nights are the longest, the holiday of Hanukkah comes to help us find the light within darkness. Unlike most Biblical Jewish holidays that require lots of preparation and have certain restrictions, the holiday of Hanukkah has neither. One simply lights the Hanukkah menorah for eight nights and one is plugged into Divine light and blessing. It is simple, but profound. There is a treasure chest of blessings that has been accumulating for thousands of years that we can draw upon at the time of Hanukkah. The Hanukah candles radiate hope, faith and unconditional love, reminding us to dream again, and that our dreams are beautiful and important. Even though we may not have lived our lives as fully as we would have wanted, even though we may have even harmed others, or ourselves or have been hurt by others, the light of Hanukkah reminds us of who we really are and who we can. Hanukkah is also known to be a time to find one’s soul mate or to have the love for one’s spouse ignited. May those of us who are still looking for our soulmate be blessed with Chanukkah eyes. May those who are married be blessed also with Chanukkah eyes. Unfortunately, people too often light the Hanukkah candles and then quickly move on to other activities without taking the time to receive its spiritual gifts. One of the problems we have in life is that we do not know how to receive. We shop too much, we eat too much, we are running here and there, constantly busy when we need to take time to simply be, to feel what is occurring within us and be present to what we truly need and want in our lives. When we try to meet our spiritual needs with material things and various distracting activities we will never be satisfied. Meditative gazing upon the simple sweet light of Hanukkah can fulfill us in the way we have yearned for our entire life. Consider taking the Hanukkah challenge this year and meditate with the candles for eight days. This is a spiritual practice that will be transformational. Even if you do it for just one night, or even for ten minutes on one night, you will receive much benefit. Meditating on each night of Hanukkah will help us transform our lives in ways we have always hoped. No matter what is happening in the external world, Hanukkah teaches us that we can be free, we are holy, we are loved unconditionally and we need not be limited by our fears or guilt. We can live our lives with greater integrity, love and beauty. What a divine gift! And it is free to all who open to receive it. On an even deeper mystical level, gazing at the lights of Hanukkah provides a glimpse into the eternal light of God, the hidden light, the holy light, the light before creation, the light of our own souls. The light of God has burned forever and will burn eternally. When we really get a glimpse of this holy light of Hanukkah, we know deeply that life itself is truly miraculous. Even though we Jews as individuals and as a people have faced and will face many challenges in life, the light of Hanukkah reminds us that God is with us. And now more than ever, this is a great comfort. If we are truly blessed, the light of Hanukkah will reveal to us that the Jewish people are eternal, all the wondrous things that have been predicted for the Jewish people will be fulfilled, and we will be quite joyful. As you prepare to light menorah candles this year, take a few moments to center yourself with deep breaths. Prepare yourself so you can be present as you can be as you do this mitzvah of lighting the Hanukkah menorah. Energetically connect to the thousands of Jews who are lighting Hanukkah candles throughout the world at this very time. Make a connection to the Jewish people who have been lighting Hanukkah candles for generations. As you say, the blessings with this consciousness assume your place with the Jewish people throughout history and align yourself with Divine Will. Assume your place in this ancient lineage of righteous people, prophets, sages, martyrs and ordinary Jews, like you and me, who have celebrated Hanukkah for thousands of years. If you can, place the menorah by the window to indicate your desire to share this light of miracles with others. The mission of Jewish people has always been to share the light of God with others. It is a spiritual principle that when we share our spiritual light with others, our light is not diminished but is actually increased. The more light we share with others, the more light flows through us. Sample Meditative Instructions Imagine yourself standing in front of the Menorah in the Holy Temple. The miracle of Hanukkah occurred in part within the Holy Temple. You can access this memory within your consciousness. This was a time and place for the most intense and palpable revelation of the Presence of God. Whenever we pray, we do a mitzvah, we seek to return in our consciousness to the Presence of God that was revealed in the Holy Temple. Read the Al Nissim blessing found in Jewish prayer books slowly. Then light the candles and say the Hanukkah blessings. As you light candles on your own menorah, you will ignite the space deep within yourself where you are most powerfully and intimately connected with your soul. Within your heart is your holy temple. This holy temple within yourself holds your deepest dreams and holiest visions. Although this may be a little uncomfortable, keep your eyes open and continue to gaze at the lights. The holy light of Hanukkah has the power to purify and to transform. Take note of the various colors of light within the flame. Be gentle with yourself, allowing space for any discomfort without running away. Simply be with the light as much as possible. If your mind begins to wander too much and you find yourself filled with extraneous thoughts, simply take note of this and bring your focus back to the breath and the gazing. Imagine that you can cast into the light anything you want to get rid of. Exhale your negative thoughts into the light. Cast your fear, your guilt, your regrets, and your insecurities into the flame. The more you are able to let go, the brighter the light will be. You can close your eyes if you need to do so, but continue to meditate, allowing the light to be experienced within you. Now, as your eyes are closed, imagine that you are a Hanukkah candle and the light of Hanukkah burns within you. Your body is the candle and your soul is the flame. As you identify with this candle, becoming this candle, experience yourself as a being of great light. Visualize the light of your soul radiating and shining brightly in this world. While the candles are burning, alternate between keeping your eyes open and closed. Gaze directly at the light. After gazing for ten minutes or more, you will find yourself in a heightened spiritual state and you will be able to listen deep inside to your own soul. The candles are symbolic of the soul. Each night the light offers a high frequency vibration. If you want, you can even ask a specific question or simply ask for guidance. Then, listen to the light. It is helpful to have your journal or a piece of paper and write on the top of the page in the name of God or the light of Hanukkah. “This is what I have to say to you… ”When you are ready, write in stream of consciousness the words reflecting your present thoughts and feelings. Simply write from the heart without judging or evaluating. This is just for you. You will be amazed at the wisdom that pours out of your own soul. Done with intention and prayer, you will receive answers to your questions. Melinda (Mindy) Ribner, L.C.S.W. is a spiritual psychotherapist and healer in private practice (www.kabbalahoftheheart.com). She is a teacher of JListen To Light: Meditation for Hanukkah By Melinda Ribner Please take a moment to forward this email to five friends or family members. We each have a responsibility to uplift others and connect them to the holiness of Torah and God. We all know Jews who are disconnected or in need of a more spiritual entry into Torah who would appreciate the kind of Torah in this newsletter. We all know non- Jews who are interested in Judaism, Israel and this newsletter is a good entry for them as well. This is one of the venues that I have identified for myself to make a small contribution to healing and uplifting people. I thank you for supporting me and this work by sharing my teachings. ~Melinda Ribner At a time of the year when the days are shortest and the nights are the longest, the holiday of Hanukkah comes to help us find the light within darkness. Unlike most Biblical Jewish holidays that require lots of preparation and have certain restrictions, the holiday of Hanukkah has neither. One simply lights the Hanukkah menorah for eight nights and one is plugged into Divine light and blessing. It is simple, but profound. There is a treasure chest of blessings that has been accumulating for thousands of years that we can draw upon at the time of Hanukkah. The Hanukah candles radiate hope, faith and unconditional love, reminding us to dream again, and that our dreams are beautiful and important. Even though we may not have lived our lives as fully as we would have wanted, even though we may have even harmed others, or ourselves or have been hurt by others, the light of Hanukkah reminds us of who we really are and who we can. Hanukkah is also known to be a time to find one’s soul mate or to have the love for one’s spouse ignited. May those of us who are still looking for our soulmate be blessed with Chanukkah eyes. May those who are married be blessed also with Chanukkah eyes. Unfortunately, people too often light the Hanukkah candles and then quickly move on to other activities without taking the time to receive its spiritual gifts. One of the problems we have in life is that we do not know how to receive. We shop too much, we eat too much, we are running here and there, constantly busy when we need to take time to simply be, to feel what is occurring within us and be present to what we truly need and want in our lives. When we try to meet our spiritual needs with material things and various distracting activities we will never be satisfied. Meditative gazing upon the simple sweet light of Hanukkah can fulfill us in the way we have yearned for our entire life. Consider taking the Hanukkah challenge this year and meditate with the candles for eight days. This is a spiritual practice that will be transformational. Even if you do it for just one night, or even for ten minutes on one night, you will receive much benefit. Meditating on each night of Hanukkah will help us transform our lives in ways we have always hoped. No matter what is happening in the external world, Hanukkah teaches us that we can be free, we are holy, we are loved unconditionally and we need not be limited by our fears or guilt. We can live our lives with greater integrity, love and beauty. What a divine gift! And it is free to all who open to receive it. On an even deeper mystical level, gazing at the lights of Hanukkah provides a glimpse into the eternal light of God, the hidden light, the holy light, the light before creation, the light of our own souls. The light of God has burned forever and will burn eternally. When we really get a glimpse of this holy light of Hanukkah, we know deeply that life itself is truly miraculous. Even though we Jews as individuals and as a people have faced and will face many challenges in life, the light of Hanukkah reminds us that God is with us. And now more than ever, this is a great comfort. If we are truly blessed, the light of Hanukkah will reveal to us that the Jewish people are eternal, all the wondrous things that have been predicted for the Jewish people will be fulfilled, and we will be quite joyful. As you prepare to light menorah candles this year, take a few moments to center yourself with deep breaths. Prepare yourself so you can be present as you can be as you do this mitzvah of lighting the Hanukkah menorah. Energetically connect to the thousands of Jews who are lighting Hanukkah candles throughout the world at this very time. Make a connection to the Jewish people who have been lighting Hanukkah candles for generations. As you say, the blessings with this consciousness assume your place with the Jewish people throughout history and align yourself with Divine Will. Assume your place in this ancient lineage of righteous people, prophets, sages, martyrs and ordinary Jews, like you and me, who have celebrated Hanukkah for thousands of years. If you can, place the menorah by the window to indicate your desire to share this light of miracles with others. The mission of Jewish people has always been to share the light of God with others. It is a spiritual principle that when we share our spiritual light with others, our light is not diminished but is actually increased. The more light we share with others, the more light flows through us. Sample Meditative Instructions Imagine yourself standing in front of the Menorah in the Holy Temple. The miracle of Hanukkah occurred in part within the Holy Temple. You can access this memory within your consciousness. This was a time and place for the most intense and palpable revelation of the Presence of God. Whenever we pray, we do a mitzvah, we seek to return in our consciousness to the Presence of God that was revealed in the Holy Temple. Read the Al Nissim blessing found in Jewish prayer books slowly. Then light the candles and say the Hanukkah blessings. As you light candles on your own menorah, you will ignite the space deep within yourself where you are most powerfully and intimately connected with your soul. Within your heart is your holy temple. This holy temple within yourself holds your deepest dreams and holiest visions. Although this may be a little uncomfortable, keep your eyes open and continue to gaze at the lights. The holy light of Hanukkah has the power to purify and to transform. Take note of the various colors of light within the flame. Be gentle with yourself, allowing space for any discomfort without running away. Simply be with the light as much as possible. If your mind begins to wander too much and you find yourself filled with extraneous thoughts, simply take note of this and bring your focus back to the breath and the gazing. Imagine that you can cast into the light anything you want to get rid of. Exhale your negative thoughts into the light. Cast your fear, your guilt, your regrets, and your insecurities into the flame. The more you are able to let go, the brighter the light will be. You can close your eyes if you need to do so, but continue to meditate, allowing the light to be experienced within you. Now, as your eyes are closed, imagine that you are a Hanukkah candle and the light of Hanukkah burns within you. Your body is the candle and your soul is the flame. As you identify with this candle, becoming this candle, experience yourself as a being of great light. Visualize the light of your soul radiating and shining brightly in this world. While the candles are burning, alternate between keeping your eyes open and closed. Gaze directly at the light. After gazing for ten minutes or more, you will find yourself in a heightened spiritual state and you will be able to listen deep inside to your own soul. The candles are symbolic of the soul. Each night the light offers a high frequency vibration. If you want, you can even ask a specific question or simply ask for guidance. Then, listen to the light. It is helpful to have your journal or a piece of paper and write on the top of the page in the name of God or the light of Hanukkah. “This is what I have to say to you… ”When you are ready, write in stream of consciousness the words reflecting your present thoughts and feelings. Simply write from the heart without judging or evaluating. This is just for you. You will be amazed at the wisdom that pours out of your own soul. Done with intention and prayer, you will receive answers to your questions. Melinda (Mindy) Ribner, L.C.S.W. is a spiritual psychotherapist and healer in private practice (www.kabbalahoftheheart.com). She is a teacher of Jewish meditation and Kabbalah for over 25 years. Author of Kabbalah Month by Month, New Age Judaism, and Everyday Kabbalah, she is also the Founder and Director of Beit Miriam (www.Beitmiriam.org) and travels throughout the United States and Israel sharing the joy of meditation and Kabbalah. Jewish meditation and Kabbalah for over 25 years. Author of Kabbalah Month by Month, New Age Judaism, and Everyday Kabbalah, she is also the Founder and Director of Beit Miriam (www.Beitmiriam.org) and travels throughout the United States and Israel sharing the joy of meditation and Kabbalah.