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The Way of the River

Are We Grieving? (thoughts on some poetry)

Are We Grieving? (thoughts on some poetry)

October 26, 2016 by Catharine Clarenbach Leave a Comment

There are two poems for fall that I love best. One, “Ode to the West Wind,” I’ve written about in Reflections. The other is by Gerard Manley Hopkins, one of my all-time favorite poems. (Check out “Pied Beauty” for sheer glory of words.) The Hopkins is called “Spring and Fall,” and has the dedication, “to […]

seasons Tagged: ancestors, autumn, death, poetry, Samhain

Into the Fire: Sunlight and Lightning

Into the Fire: Sunlight and Lightning

September 13, 2016 by Catharine Clarenbach Leave a Comment

Fire is both creative and destructive. Its reputation is often largely as something destructive, and yet it gives life, as well. The humble candle can lead to a house fire, destroying lives, possessions and a sense of history. Or, attended and respected, it can create a sacred atmosphere, a romantic environment, or even a place […]

classes Tagged: death, elements, fire

The Privilege of Rebirth:  Compost

The Privilege of Rebirth: Compost

June 21, 2016 by Catharine Clarenbach Leave a Comment

Last night, I had the privilege of talking with folks about the metaphorical and material power of gardening, of plants, of the powers of weeds, watering, thinning, and composting. Composting as a metaphor for “putting death in its proper place.” The need for death to feed life. Recognizing that even human death feeds the cycles […]

seasons Tagged: death, garden, gardening, poem, rebirth, solstice

Sweet Sweet Water

Sweet Sweet Water

March 22, 2016 by Catharine Clarenbach Leave a Comment

In my tradition of Wicca, when we call ourselves to look to the Directions that go out to the horizon, call ourselves to mindfulness of the Elements within us, we begin in the East. We begin where Sun rises and Day begins, with the Element of breath and breezes and gales, of Air. We begin […]

uncategorized Tagged: death, life, spiritual practice, springs, water, wells, Wicca

Of Limitations, Yoga, and Death: Ash Wednesday

Of Limitations, Yoga, and Death: Ash Wednesday

February 18, 2015 by Catharine Clarenbach Leave a Comment

Ah, the beauty of the movement of the body! The glory of muscles stretching, limbs pulling and pushing, bending and lifting! The rhythms of breathing, running, bicycling, rolling, climbing, jumping, dancing…the innumerable ways we can attend to joyful movement. So many! But then, sometimes, OUCH! I am a bit laid up this week, as it […]

seasons Tagged: catholic, death

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Learning the art of discernment — and yes, it truly is an art! — doesn’t happen overnight.

However, once you have learned it, it will serve you for the rest of your days. Choices may well still be hard, but after acquiring the tools of discernment you will be able to rest comfortably in knowing you came to the decision that’s right for you.

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I would not have made it through the gauntlet that is the MFC process without Rev. Catharine; it's as simple as that…
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