Black Horse SpiritBlack Horse Spirit

Cindy L. McGinley, MS, CH, CCTP

Black Horse Blog

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The Prayer Tree at Rivendell Farm

New prayer flags on our special pin oak.

Everyone who visits Rivendell Farm is encouraged to ask the prayer tree to carry their prayers or affirmations to the God(s) and/or Goddess(es) of their understanding. This tree volunteered to be the one to help us with this, and it is fitting that she is a pin oak, a tree that is sacred to Brighid. Feel free to tie on a prayer, affirmation, or even something that you are grateful for (loosely, so the tree still has room to expand)!

This is a practice we plan to continue when we move to Edoras Farm in Manlius. We just need to ask for a new prayer tree volunteer!

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Medicine for the Earth: Transforming Personal & Environmental Toxins – June 21-23.

Weekend Workshop runs:

Friday evening 5:00 – 8:00 pm

Saturday 10:00 am to 5 pm

Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

$250 (Price includes a healthy lunch on both Saturday & Sunday.)

In this non-residential weekend workshop, we will learn how to transform personal and environmental pollution by learning how to transmute negative beliefs, attitudes, and emotions. We will learn how to work in cooperation with helping spirits and the spirits of the land as well as get in touch with our own internal divine nature to create healing and transmutation. Other key elements and spiritual practices will also be explored which can be easily incorporated into daily life to help heal ourselves and our planet. Registration deadline: June 10. Email info@blackhorsespirit.com or phone 315.289.2030 to save your spot!

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Mental Health Counseling

Q.) What is Mental Health Counseling?

A.) Mental Health Counselors hold to the belief that the individual has a specific blueprint of behaviors, genetic characteristics, and life circumstances that make up a unique and one-of-a-kind person. Counseling is designed to help the client gain a perspective on how he or she behaves. The client is also made to understand how genetics can influence a person’s characteristics and behaviors. The client is encouraged to gain a perspective about circumstances that were negative influences in early life. Self-knowledge is used to help the client learn how to make better decisions and to take responsibility for his or her own actions. The client is also taught coping strategies to deal with unpleasant circumstances or memories. The counselor works to establish a rapport with the client and to develop the client’s positive self-esteem.

– From Assessment, NCMHCE Study Guide

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Imbolc: Festival of Light

February 2nd is known to us in the US as Groundhog Day, a day upon which we traditionally divine the future weather from the behavior of a rodent. However, in both ancient Ireland and in modern Celtic practice, it is called “Imbolc” and is known as the Feast of Brighid (Brigit, or “Breej” in the Gaelic). This is the time when we honor a powerful female figure of light and inspiration. Some scholars believe that the name Brighid is derived from brio-aigit, “fiery arrow,” which is certainly a fitting name for a goddess associated with three fires: the hearth, the forge, and the flame of poetic inspiration. She is the Celtic Goddess of poetry, healing, and smithcraft. In Irish tradition, poetry and seership are interwoven, so Brighid is often seen as the imbas (inspiration) behind divination and prophecy as well. All of these are magical arts of transformation. They are also gifts that can be of great value to society.

Walking a spiritual path can cause us to consider, develop, and appreciate our own talents and/or gifts. In fact, the journey will demand that we come to know ourselves and our worth, and the inspiration of Brighid, the fiery arrow, can illuminate our gifts. We begin to focus on what is right for us. As we focus on what is right for us, we will start to see our special gifts and the best way to share our special gifts with others. We can connect with our imbas. We can then each be gifts to one another, serving the community and the Divine in the way that best suits us. We can also appreciate the gifts of our fellows and realize that they were given to compliment, not compete with, our own. We will begin to understand that each one of us is gifted in our own way.

Brighid is the Fire in the Head, Heart, and Hearth. Her feast day is a Festival of Light, as we celebrate the returning sun and the divine inspiration that Brighid bestows upon us. In the coldest, darkest time of the year in central NY, as a warm and youthful Brighid vies with the icy Cailleach (old woman of winter) for sovereignty, it is good to reconnect with community to remember, celebrate, and welcome back the Light.

In Irish tradition, this festival begins at sundown tonight and extends to sundown tomorrow. In our home, we will be lighting candles and looking forward to warmer days. Blessed Imbolc!