Honoring the Heartache
Alchemy & Our Sacred Grief
During a full moon in Gemini, a heightened feeling for expressing thoughts and feelings may be emphasized. It is a time when people may feel more talkative, curious, and interested in engaging in conversations so this may be a nudge to tap into this energy. Gemini is also represented by the Twins, symbolizing duality which can manifest in a desire for balance and harmony in various aspects of life. I invite you to explore and reconcile opposing forces or dualities within oneself.
Radical Self-Care Reflection
Our Sacred Grief and Social Change Ecosystems during the current genocide of Palestine and the genocide of Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island
In times of collective trauma, we are confronted with the fragility of life, the impermanence of our existence, and the vulnerability that unites us all. It is during these moments of profound darkness that the flame of sacred grief is kindled. Rather than becoming stuck in helplessness and hopelessness, we can consciously embrace our grief as a sacred act, resistance, or revolution; a ritual that honors the depth of the collective suffering.
Sacred grief calls upon us to acknowledge the pain we share, to confront the harsh realities of genocide, oppression, imperialism, and the labyrinth of emotions that accompany tragedy. In doing so, we create a space for vulnerability, compassion, and solidarity. This shared grieving process becomes a catalyst for healing, fostering a sense of togetherness that transcends the boundaries of individual sorrow.
In this communal journey through grief, we recognize that our tear shed is not just an expression of personal anguish but a drop in the vast river of collective sorrow. It is a river that we all contribute to and draw strength from, a river that flows with the essence of shared humanity. In this way, sacred grief becomes a sacred offering—a poignant acknowledgment of the interconnectedness of our lives. The alchemy of sacred grief transforms suffering into a force for resistance and revolutionary change, fostering a collective commitment to create a world of justice and compassion.
What is the social change ecosystem framework? Why is it important now?
The social change ecosystem framework is a tool to clarify values, identify roles, and support organizations, campaigns, and networks committed to solidarity, justice, and equity created by Deepa Iyer (https://www.socialchangemap.com/framework).
Other Ways To Take Action
Rally
Contact your representatives to demand an immediate ceasefire and end of U.S. aid for Israeli apartheid. This link includes a script and click-to-call feature.
Join a local protest against the Gaza genocide. < this link is updated weekly
Donate
Emergency Relief for Gaza: PaliRoots and the Middle East Children's Alliance are mobilizing to deliver food and hygiene products to displaced families from Beit Lahia in the north to Rafah in the south.
Palestinian Youth Movement: PYM is a transnational, independent, grassroots organization of young Palestinians in Palestine and in exile mobilizing to end the occupation.
Anera: Anera provides life-sustaining humanitarian aid to Palestinian refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, and Jordan. Their staff in Gaza use donations to purchase hygiene and medical kits and prepare hot meals while the organization prepares relief supplies to be sent in if a humanitarian corridor is opened.
Learn
Join the How to Take Action for Palestine Solidarity Day Webinar on Wednesday, Nov. 29 at 1 PM ET
ALL OUT FOR PALESTINE Digital Action Toolkit created by The Palestinian Feminist CollectiveThe Palestinian Feminist Collective
Educational articles around colonialism and decolonization complied by Resource Generation:
How to support Standing Rock and confront what it means to live on stolen land
Resources on connections between stolen land and wealth accumulation
Indigenous Environmental Network’s Indigenous Principles of Just Transition
Music is Medicine
Song written by Saint Levant , born Marwan Abdelhamid. He is a Palestinian/French/Algerian/Serbian artist based in California. He was born in Jerusalem during the second Intifada due to complications in the city where he would eventually spend his childhood years – the Gaza Strip. In 2007, him and his family were forced to flee to Jordan following the outbreak of a civil war in the Strip, where he spent more than 10 years before moving to California (https://saintlevant.com/about/).
Hold Up, Wait A Minute Podcast Episode 5 Recap
Self-love is a lifelong journey, and it's intertwined with our ability to connect with others. When you're in a relationship, whether it's a romantic one, a friendship, or a familial bond, applying the principles of the Polyvagal Theory can help create a supportive, nurturing environment for growth and love.
Remember, understanding your nervous system and how it impacts your relationships can be a transformative step towards building self-love.