Alchemical Healing Arts & Sharlyn Hidalgo
Newsletter #32: Winter 2022
Sharlynhidalgo@hotmail.com
Hello Dear Friends,
Hopefully, the winter is treating you well. I must admit
that I am more withdrawn and introspective of late with less to say. I am more
or less waiting for all of this trauma to pass us with all of its
ramifications. I am honoring my stillness, my procrastination, my lethargy, and
my desire to hide for the time being. And yet I do like to reach out and say
hello as the wheel turns through the holy celebrations.
Happy Imbolc! This cross-quarter holiday in the Wheel of the Year always brings me hopefulness. On my walk yesterday here in Seattle the sky was grey and the temperature cold and yet I was able to spy snow drops, crocuses, and some others little flowers which made me smile. They are anticipating more warmth and light with each new day. Those first little plants that so boldly bloomed even when the temperature these days can be below freezing, I had to tip my hat with gratitude to each one for renewing my hope and for being so brave. So as true as it is that I have been less that joyful, I do welcome spring and the renewal that it brings me.
I also think about Brigid, the muse, the daughter maiden Goddess who shares her inspiration, joy, and new life. I recognize that young maiden energy that lives in my soul in spite of my age. She is youthful, and full of creative anticipation. I recapture that feeling and that creative aspiration. I recognize that like the return of the sun and the blooming of the plant life that I saw yesterday, this creative energy never dies and is always reborn. It happens without our effort. It returns like the sap of the tree or the pushing forth of the buds out of the soil, with the return of the light.
What is the teaching of Imbolc?
The seed is sprouting forth.
Our Hope comes from the light’s new beginning.
Behold! Our maiden Brigid is our muse.
She ignites our inner flame of light.
We seek the spark of her inspiration and fire.
What is the teaching of Imbolc? Create.
Look for the hope. Don’t wait for it. See the signs within and without. We are invited to open up to the new energy in spite of what the daily news reports. In spite of the world’s problems, in spite of our own challenges… It is a choice. And I choose right here and now to focus on the beauty and the wonder that nature is sharing with me. Be it the ice and snow of blizzards or the heat and fire of too much sun and no rain or just the temperate energy that I reside in today… there are signs of hopefulness in the animals and in the folks around me and in the sky and in the earth and the water and the air and the plant life. Join me for a moment today to connect with nature and let’s go out and discover the signs of hopefulness that are so graciously being offered to us…
I send you my love and gratitude for your kindness and support. Wishing you kindness and support in your endeavors until we meet again in the spring.
Best, Sharlyn
Alchemical Healing Arts & Sharlyn Hidalgo
Newsletter #31: Fall 2021
Hello Dear Friends,
I
am enjoying teaching my Celtic Tree Apprenticeship and I am so grateful for the
zoom technology that allows me to share with students all over the world. We
have studied the Birch and the Rowan and next month is the Alder. So happy to
share the sacred teachings of the Celtic trees.
I want to thank everyone who signed up and also for all the
encouragement to begin again.
My new book Celtic Tree Ogham: Rituals and Teachings for the Aicme Ailim and the Forfeda which is about the last ten ogham of the Celtic Ogham tree alphabet will be available December 8th. Again, I am reminded of the healing energies of the tree dryads and nature. I am as resolved as ever to protect Mother Earth. I love these tree teachings and this practice that leads me through the seasons with gratitude. Here is the link on Amazon.
And here is a podcast
of a great interview about my new book: Celtic Tree Ogham coming out in
December. Here is the link to Nancy Yearout's High Road to Humanity on her YouTube
channel: https://youtu.be/CFyDFH5auzU
About the Pharaoh’s Daughter: People are buying my novel and that is thrilling for me. It is always scary to put a new piece of work out there in the world. I am just so pleased that I got it completed, edited, formatted, and published! So grateful for the support! If you have read it or are planning to do so, would you mind posting a review on Amazon? I would so appreciate it and would love to gift you with a tree reading for your thoughtfulness. Just let me know. Here is the link:
I send bright blessings to each of you as we move towards the solstice, winter, and the holidays. I am grateful to still be here and to share my work with all of you.
Love,
Sharlyn
