...and many things which may or may not exist

In the interest of restricting my other blog, Food and the Weather, to those particular themes, I have decided to create a new blog specifically for what most would call "spiritual" explorations. Personally, I hate that word.

This blog might include my continuous explorations into gods--though I have yet to find a shred of evidence or a compelling reason to accept the existence of any of them (which makes me an atheist, not an agnostic). This blog will also likely include my newfound fascination for a liturgical year. Or possibly my thoughts on some Buddhist text I've sat with.

I'll open with the liturgical year. I love the idea of tuning my year to some greater cycle, and bringing deeper meaning into my everyday existence. I admire both the Christian and Jewish calendars (and don't really know any others). But the one I find most acceptable for my own consideration is the Wiccan.

The reason I like the Wiccan calendar so much is how it is based on natural solar and lunar cycles. Each of the eight holidays refers to a specific position of the Earth in orbit around the sun, and thus relates to the consequent weather. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm no Wiccan--still an atheist!--but I like the idea of celebrating changes in nature that I can see and experience.

A lot of this comes out of having moved about ten degrees latitude North. The annual cycle in Pennsylvania is profoundly more pronounced than that of Austin, Texas! I felt genuine joy this year when the winter solstice occurred, knowing that for the next six months, every day will be longer than the next. I can see why there's a mythology of a child--a new hope--born on that day. And the shortest day seems a reasonable start for a year.

The next holiday will be Imbolc. Until then, I will consider myself in "Epiphany." This is the name for the post-Christmas Catholic season, and refers to the revelation of God in the flesh. Having no truck with such nonsense, I elect to consider this a period for epiphanies...meditations to prepare for the next year, self-examination, planning changes, and preparing for Lent. The period between Imbolc and the vernal equinox I will consider Lent, and practice it in the manner of many Christians. I am considering giving up alcohol, meat, and television for Lent.

Part of this exercise also involves taking a moment to do something special (preferably contemplative) at the moment of sunrise, solar noon, and sunset. I will also be celebrating the phases of the moon...the Ice Moon or Old Moon will be on 11 January.