Wish Upon a Star
By Janet Morrissey

After we have celebrated and raised our glasses on high for the New Year, we might feel a bit downcast and an emptiness within, but we can bring some of the magic back by looking at the heavens and remembering what we all learned when we were young.

Star light, Star bright,
First star I see tonight,
I wish I may, I wish I might
Have this wish I wish tonight. (anonymous)

David Whyte, a poet and author, writes in Crossing the Unknown Sea, how stars are related to the old Latin root of the word desire, meaning de sider —-of the stars. “A deeply held desire is a star that is particularly our own; it might disappear for a while, but when the skies clear, we catch sight of it again and recognize the glimmer.” Have you looked at the heavens lately? Perhaps, you saw the meteors which were in the skies for some of us to see this month. Perhaps, you still wish upon a star as Pinocchio was told: “When a star is born, they possess a gift or two—one of them is this, they have the power to make a wish come true.”

I invite you to go out and find that special star that is calling to you, inviting you to make a wish for this new year. Because this star is your own and belongs to you, the wish is yours alone. This wish is not for anyone else. It is a wish for you. When you return to your house, write your wish down and put it in a special place. You may want to put it in an envelope and look at it when called to do so. Perhaps, you may go out and view the skies on the same day each month and recall your wish.

Remember: “When you wish upon a star, your dreams come true.” (lyrics by Cliff Edwards)

Best wishes to you all.

I Resolve … to be Intentional
By Maggie Fenton

“Life and death are of supreme importance. Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost. Each of us should strive to awaken. Awaken. Take head, do not squander your life.” Dogen Zenji

“Why should I not sit, every morning of my life, on the hillside, looking into the shining world?” Mary Oliver

The first quote was from my Daily Zen on the 2nd day of this new year – the day I really start thinking about what I want the new year to bring. I don’t make resolutions. Since in my forties, after reading an article about the impracticality of resolutions and suggestion to set intentions instead, this is what I do. After pondering for as long as it takes, I try to settle on one word that best suggests my intention for the year, make a poster or page with the year, word and drawings or pictures supporting the intention and put it in a place where I can see it throughout the year. It serves no purpose other than to remind me to be intentional.

The second quote is one that I have included on my Intention Board since I read it many years ago. They seem to be direct opposites. The first tells me to get up and get moving. There are so many problems. Do something. Even though I’m a Crone – maybe BECAUSE I am a Crone, I have work to do. Get out there. Time’s a’wasting!

Oliver’s quote seems to tell me to ponder, to meditate, to watch the world go by. When I first read it, I had a nine-to-five (and beyond) job running a small I.T. Company. Even though we were small, our clients were not and the demands were high. The stress of balancing client pressure, employee needs, personal loss and life in general left me yearning for time on a hillside simply looking into a shining world.

The phrase I selected from Mary Oliver’s doesn’t tell the poem’s whole story though. She writes
“Can one be passionate about the just, the ideal, the sublime, and the holy, and yet commit to no labor in its cause? I don’t think so.”

So .. I learn the lesson of paradox once again. It isn’t either / or. – it’s both / and. I must spend time on the hill watching the world go by, breathing, centering. Then, and only then, can I “Awaken” so I don’t “squander my life.” My word for the year? Paradox.

One-Day Gathering in San Diego
By Anne Richardson

Crones Counsel is partnering with International Woman’s Day (IWD) to sponsor a One-Day Gathering in San Diego on March 9th, 2019.

The Gathering is a celebration of IWD whose theme for 2019 is “Better Balance.” Their focus is on gender balance globally. For Crones, we are looking for age balance, and balance in other realms of our lives as well.

The one-day Gathering in San Diego will be held Saturday, March 9, 2019, 9:00am – 4:00pm, and lunch is included, $50. Get complete information or register.

If you have questions about this gathering, please contact Anne Richardson at
silicroneally@gmail.com

 

Crones Counsel Dispels Myths of Aging
By Win Fiandaca

Crones Counsel sets out to dispel the myths and stereotypes of aging. We create an experience, whereby we release negative thoughts of growing older and embrace and celebrate ourselves as women who are aging. We are a counsel of women who honor ourselves as crones and who are venerated for our experience, judgement and wisdom. We are wise women, growing wiser!

We welcome and honor you, regardless of age. We sometimes have a few women in their 20s and 30s at our annual gatherings; a larger number of women in their 40s. Lots of women in their 50s, 60s and 70s and perhaps as many as 2 dozen “Honored Elders” who are 80 or more!

Embrace your deep, feminine power. Come to Tucson! We welcome you.