THE DAY OF THE CANDLE

I recently returned from a week in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. I needed to rest, and I have fond memories of having spent lovely weeks there in the past, teaching and conducting retreats. Many of you reading this newsletter participated in those events over the years, and will agree that they were sweet, and often magical times of learning, relaxing and regenerating, and meeting wonderful new people.

Anyway, after leaving San Francisco, where it was about 37 degrees that morning of February 1st, it was lovely to emerge into the bright sunshine and 80 degree weather of Puerto Vallarta. My old friend, Dr. Efren Calderon was at the gate to meet me and wave me through customs. Another Californian, unknown to either of us, had sent two large suitcases of much needed, donated medical supplies for Dr. Calderon to take to clinics in nearby communities, who were in need, and we found them and pulled them off the luggage round-about. What a great idea for my next trip!

What I hadn't realized was that I had arrived the day before the Fiesta of El Dia de la Calendaria (Celebration of the Day of the Candle), which is an important Mexican holiday and one previously unknown to me. But, apparently, it is a religious and family celebration fusing pre-Hispanic tradition with Roman Catholic beliefs. “Lots of businesses will be closed tomorrow, and everyone will have gone home to be with their families and eat tamales,” Dr. Calderon said. He went on to tell me that people would be bringing candles and “their Baby Jesus” to their local church for a blessing. He mentioned the words purification and pilgrimage. I must admit that I was focused on my own “pilgrimage” to the beach. If purification was part of the deal, well great! I didn't think any more about El Dia de la Calendaria.

The next day, another old friend, Gerardo Hernandez, a wonderful tour guide, picked me up at my hotel, bright and early, for a trip into the old Spanish mining town of San Sebastian, 5000 feet above Puerto Vallarta. It was a gorgeous day to be in the mountains. A bright red bird sitting on a fence post turned out to be a vermillion fiy-catcher, which I had hear of, but hadn't even hope d to spot. When we got to the main square of the town Gerardo explained that it was traditional to visit the church first to pay our respects. This particular small church was built in the 1600's and was quite rustic “We should enter by the door the left side,” he said. Of course, the left is traditionally the feminine side, (remember, the bride's family is on the left at a wedding, and the groom's are on the right) and he went on to point out that the baptismal font was just inside the door and in a chapel to the left. “We enter the world through our mothers and then we come to the water for purification (baptism),” he explained.

As we looked around the church, Gerry pointed out that the figure of the Baby Jesus was dressed in a freshly washed and ironed, white layette outfit complete with baby bonnet. There were many candles.

Sure enough, just as Dr. Calderon had said, almost all of the restaurants and businesses were closed. “Everyone has gone home to their family for El Dia de la Calendaria,” a local man told us. “Even if you're supposed to come to work, no one does,” he said emphatically and with a laugh.

Heading back down the mountain, we stopped off at the coffee plantation to buy coffee. Though I had been there before, I couldn't wait to walk again through the coffee trees growing in the shade of other trees, and buy ten pounds of coffee that was completely organically produced. The owner gave us a brief tour and showed us how she sometimes grinds the roasted coffee along with cinnamon and sugar in a perfect blend of flavors. I was glad I had remembered to bring my big suitcase for the return trip.

Back in town that night, I was happy to see that the same balloon man I had bought pinwheels and balloons from in years past was still in the square. He has a large stick with little holes drilled in it to hold his selection, and it was fun to choose the perfect pinwheel to bring home to my grandson.

The rest of my vacation was spent in quiet relaxation. But when I returned home I wanted to know more about this Mexican holiday and why it was so important as to be one of national celebration. And, why did it take place on Groundhog Day? Could there be a connection?

The answer is “yes,” surprisingly. So here is the explanation. I hope you find it as fascinating as I have and as meaningful.

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February 2nd is one of the great cross-quarter days, which make up the wheel of the year. It falls midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. In Celtic Europe, this midwinter holiday was celebrated as Imbolc. The cold of winter would begin to loosen its grip as the season shifted toward spring. Imbolc signaled this tipping point. Since farmers often observed aspects of nature on this day to determine if early or later planting should occur, the idea of the groundhog indicating this information led to our Groundhog Day and Punxatawny Phil.

When Ireland converted to Christianity, this day became known as Candlemas, a time to take stock of how many candles one had left, and if there were enough of them, to light one in every window to mark this tipping point. In addition, it was 40 days after the traditional date of the birth of the Baby Jesus. In traditional Jewish law, women were considered to be unclean after giving birth to a son for 40 days thereafter. On the 40th day, Mother Mary, could return to the temple for a purification ceremony and to present the Baby Jesus. With the melding of ancient ritual and more modern-day tradition, the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin and the Presentation of the Lord became church festivals on this same day.

In Mexico, this translates to bringing candles to the church, along with the Baby Jesus figure often found in Mexican homes, for blessing. Then, the family gathers for a meal based on corn (tamales), which is sacred to local indigenous people. In fact, Gerry tells me that in the Mexican Indian calendar of the Nahuatl's, this day is dedicated to Tlaloc, the Water God. It is a day to bless the corn and beans that will be sown soon thereafter. Individuals are meant to sit near a fire (candles) and reflect on their hopes for the coming year. What “seeds” are to be planted? What sort of creative inspiration is to be born from the resting, deepening, and strengthening of the winter months?

And so, I have been thinking about the importance of ritual, traditional and modern, in our present lives. We live in a time of immense change and great potential for extraordinary growth. The need for our individual and collective creativity has never been greater. We always have the option of lighting a candle and turning inward to listen to our bodies and our hearts. We have the great wisdom of nature available to us at all times for our personal observation and reflection. These are simple rituals that are easily enacted. We can use the changes surrounding us to strengthen and empower us, and to change us within.

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In keeping with my desire to bring more ritual, ceremony and creativity into my own life, and my life's work as a psychologist and a teacher, I will be offering several exquisite events in the spring and summer. The first event, “Finding Balance: Securing Your Footing in Swift Currents,” will be a weekend retreat at The Institute of Noetic Sciences at the Marin/Sonoma County line. Promises Treatment Center in Malibu, CA, Sierra Tucson Hospital in Tucson, AZ, and The Mayflower Center in San Rafael will be co-sponsors along with me, from the late afternoon of May 15 until after lunch on Sunday, May 17, 2009. As usual, this event will entail various presentations and exercises from a multi-cultural perspective, as well as time for reflection in nature. You may not even know that this lovely retreat center exists. Be prepared for a deep and delightful experience, as well as great food and newly refurbished rooms. Angeles Arrien and Albert Sombrero will join me as featured presenters. And, of course, Dana Patterson will be on hand for individual intuitive readings. Keith Arnold will be on hand to knit it all together.

And then on Saturday July 25, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (lunch included), the magnificently talented performer and teacher Dr. Ysaye Maria Barnwell of “Sweet Honey in the Rock,” will present, “Raise Your Voice: Creating a Vocal Community.” This is a day not to be missed and is appropriate for teens and adults of all ages. I produced this program with Dr. Barnwell in Stone Mountain, GA at the Tupac Shakur Center for the Arts several years ago. It was one of the more meaningful days if my life, and I have prayed for the opportunity to present it here. Again, this program will be presented in con junction with Promises, Sierra Tucson and Mayflower Center.

So, save the dates for these exciting events. More information and registration forms will be forthcoming in the next several weeks. Or, go to my website, www.DrSonneeWeedn.com to register. But, don't wait too long! Last year, one couple came all the way from Texas for the weekend retreat, and both events will sell out.

Meanwhile, don't forget to celebrate El Dia de la Calendaria, even though it has passed. It's not to late to light a candle and think about what you want to create, and what “seeds” are to be planted this year.

As always, my warm regards to you,

Sonnee Weedn, Ph.D.