Blessing the way to far far away...

This Thursday at The Red Thread, we held a Blessingway ceremony for Tracey, who is not only journeying to birth for the 3rd time, but is also travelling back to her native New Zealand to live.
This was a moving occasion for us~ our first Blessingway as a group for one of our beautiful Mamas and a fond farewell too. Tracey has been an inspiring and important part of our circle for a while now and we will miss her tremendously!
The Blessingway was a beautiful, heartfelt offering from us all; Marianne had crafted an amazing crown of greenery for Tracey to wear; Mel and Starr played an enchanting flute and keyboard duet; Lizzie sang a spellbinding birthing song which stopped everyone in their tracks, even the toddlers;

we each brought a bead for a birthing necklace and spoke a blessing for Tracey and her birth; we all held hands and wished her well.

As a part of the ceremony we bound our wrists with red yarn, symbolic of our connection to each other and to Tracey. We know that the bonds of friendship formed here will stretch as far as they need to, and that we all remain a circle in our hearts, if not in everyday-ness.
 
Over the years I have been blessed to have some truly wonderful wombyn touch my life, and until now, almost none of them have been close enough for regular cups of tea and hugs. So I know just how far our heartstrings can stretch ~ and it is forever.
Go Well Tracey. Go in Peace and Love on your path to birth and other shores, and know that we are cheering you on from chilly old England.

I would like to say a huge Thank You to all the awesome women who jointly create The Red Thread Mothers Circle, because without you and your open hearts, it would just be a 'lovely idea' rather than the vibrant and loving space that it is. I was honoured to share the Blessingway with you all.
In Circle Blessed x

The hyacinths emerging remind me that the land is stirring under the snow and grey skies, and that the days of winter are drawing to a close. The scent of hyacinth is said to ease grief and depression, and the sight of them shooting skyward in January always lifts my spirits and heralds the march towards spring...
This week the Red Thread came together again after a long break for the end of the year and then a snow imposed break at the start of 2010. Rather wonderfully, the sun came out to welcome us all back as it so often does on Red Thread days! Magical. Hyacinths sat on the central table of the circle as the children played all around and we reconnected over herbal teas and delicious home made snacks. Recently a dear friend bade me "Keep good company" and I am happy to say that within the weave of the Red Thread the company is indeed soothing and sweet ~ A breathe of fresh air to gently bear us into 2010.
Everyone brought something delicious to add to the shared snack and I thought it would be nice to share some recipes here. Thank you Mel and Marianne for contributing these recipes along with your glowing smiles, full cake tins and continuous support of the mothers circle.
Flapjacks
150g oat flakes
150g whole wheat flour
150g mixed dried fruit chopped small
30g desiccated coconut
30g chopped nuts (I used pecans but could be hazelnuts etc)
30g sunflower seeds
100g vegetable fat spread
300ml apple juice (I also added a bit of agave and apple juice concentrate)
Mix all the above together, except for apple juice / liquid. Add juice and mix well. Grease non stick oven tray and cover with mixture pressing well down. Bake at 200 degrees until brown (approx 30mins).
Peanut butter cookies
1 cup plain flour (I use wholemeal or spelt, if using spelt use an extra ¼ cup)
1tsp baking powder
½ tsp bicarb
2tbs sugar (I missed this out)
¼ tsp salt
1/3 cup peanut butter
½ cup maple syrup
1tsp vanilla extract
3 tbs canola oil (I’ve never found this so have used rice bran oil instead) (Mel's note- I've used sunflower oil too which has worked)
Preheat oven 175 degrees.  Combine first 5 ingredients and stir. In separate bowl mix peanut butter with maple syrup, oil and vanilla. Add wet to dry and stir.  Pinch into balls and press down on tray with the back of a fork. Bake for 11 mins, until just golden.
Banana muffins
30g veg spread (I think Pure sunflower spread is the best for baking)
2 heaped tablespoons honey (or maple syrup or agave or concentrated apple juice)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 large ripe bananas
150g spelt flour
1 heaped teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon bicarbonate soda
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Preheat oven 180 degrees
Melt veg spread and honey together with vanilla, then mash bananas into wet mix. Mix dry ingredients together then combine with the wet mix. Spoon into 10-12 muffin cases and bake for 25 mins.

Walking with you

Tonight as I walk

Past the moon in the dark, I realise I’m walking with you.

With millions of long walking women

With silvery, moon walking women

With willowy lake walking women

With you.

I know as I lose all sight of myself And I smile and I spy on the world,

I am safe in the steps of my infinite walk

As the long line of women unfurls.

I shudder in mists and in dusks at the lake but I’m strong in this line with you,

I wait and I watch and I wish in the dark

But I’m sure that I feel all of you.

As we walk on our own, in our boots and spare time, in our feet and our moods and our need

Remember the line

And how far it winds

Walk in strength

Past the moon

Walk as we.

I thank you for walking with me.

Sioux Patullo, 2001 from we’moon

Mistletoe graced our central table for our last Red Thread Mothers Circle of 2009. Revered for its magical and medicinal uses, its primary symbolism is for love, protection and fertility.
It is with this in mind that I asked for Mistletoe's blessings today ~ blessings of Love and protection on all the things that really matter as we wend our way through another festive season. Upon our children, our family and our family of friends, our relationship with ourselves and with the Earth, the Mother of us all.
2009 has been a busy year of manifesting and creating for the Red Thread. The group of women who have so far heard and responded to the call are co-creating a colourful and loving circle in their support and commitment.
We made dream pillows for Autumn Equinox, had a guest Homoeopath visit to talk, been given foot massages and Reiki treatments, held a singing, sound and movement circle together and eaten a shared lunch to close the year. But most of all we have spent time just to 'be' as we are, ourselves and our children, and it has been peaceful, relaxing and a joy.
My wish, on the turning of the great wheel of the year, is that as the sun returns to warm the land, our circle will grow. May its roots grow strongly down, deep down and its branches reach skywards, calling ever more gentle mamas to weave their threads with ours. I hope that 2010 will be a year of expanding, strengthening and sustaining The Red Thread, and that we all continue to find what we need within its safe space.
Blessed Be x