A Christmas Ova

Many years ago I took part in a ceremony based on a Mongolian practice that involved giveaways and invitational prayers. It involved drums and fire, and wide open night skies.

Today, I am adapting this ceremony to being in a beautiful country far from home. I brought three pieces of driftwood from a beautiful beach, with their permission of course, and I'm utilizing some small pieces of coloured cloth as the prayer ties. Add a few Christmas lights, a disco ball (representing all the light on this earth), and even a couple of Christmas decorations with some history for me, and voila! My Christmas Ova.

If you can’t be with me in person be with me in spirit. Do a ‘Giveaway’. Write on a piece of paper , or knot a strip of cloth, to give away all the things, beliefs, or habits in your life that no longer serve you. Write as much as you wish, or make a knot for every giveaway. Feel the releasing, the letting go, the resolve within you, and then burn the paper or the knotted cloth in the fire and release them all. The smoke is a sacrament, so even if you don't have a roaring fire going, burn your prayers in a small bowl or shell, and let the smoke take your giveaways up to the Creator, God, the Universe that can embrace all.

Then take a strip of cloth or a ribbon and tie it on to a branch (could be your Christmas Tree) and send out a prayer, an Invitation. This time, invite spirit to hear your heartfelt request. Do two. The first is something you sincerely wish to invite into your life, to nurture its growth and welcome it in. The second is your wish for the children of the world. A heartfelt, deep wish for all children. Let these arise with honesty and conviction. Feel it, and then release it. You could also choose to send them to me and I will put a prayer tie or two on the Ova for you.

Then take a moment and let the beauty of your thoughts and actions seep in. It’s amazing how powerful this can be, and children love to participate. It's amazing how children tune in right away to the authenticity of the request for other children, and over the years I have heard some deeply profound wishes emerge.

Let the magic of the season permeate every moment. I wish each of you health, deep peace, and prosperity in this coming year.

Regards,

Dale