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The Way of the River

Don’t Always Go Forward

Don’t Always Go Forward

August 31, 2018 by Catharine Clarenbach 1 Comment

I am not fully healed. I am not fully wise. I am still on my way. What matters is that I am still moving forward. –Yung Pueblo   Dear ones – I am definitely not fully healed. I am definitely not fully wise. I am indeed on my way. And I am not at all […]

discernment Tagged: discernment, holidays, Samhain

Darling, I Care about This Suffering

Darling, I Care about This Suffering

November 1, 2017 by Catharine Clarenbach 4 Comments

As longtime blog readers, friends, comrades in The Way of the River Facebook Community, and readers of my Monday love letter know, I am extremely attached to the three days as some of the holiest in the calendar. And this year, while the Wheel is turning, I find that I am at least as concerned […]

seasons Tagged: All Souls, fall, Samhain, suffering

Samhain’s Ancient Grandmother

Samhain’s Ancient Grandmother

November 1, 2016 by Catharine Clarenbach Leave a Comment

One Samhain That Samhain we sat in the third floor Aerie. That Samhain we sat on the floor in the dark. That Samhain we sat with a row of candles and lanterns marking a pathway. That Samhain we sat smelling the sweet incense. Between those lights, we sat on the floor in the dark and […]

seasons Tagged: ancestors, autumn, dead, Samhain, seasons

Prayers for the Dead:  All Souls

Prayers for the Dead: All Souls

October 29, 2016 by Catharine Clarenbach 2 Comments

Blending in with the spirits, monsters, and long-legged beasties that go bump in the night. Carving turnips and later, pumpkins, into Jack O’Lanterns. Honoring the dead who move through the Veil between the worlds. Calling the names of the saints. Praying to our own Dead. There is a lot going on over the next few […]

seasons Tagged: ancestors, autumn, dead, Samhain

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

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Discernment means to make a difficult choice. To find a path forward that was previously hidden. To reflect upon your deepest values, desires, and hopes.

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.

One such tool is what I like to call “The Perfect Day.”

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