Alexander John Shaia - Author

Tuesday is the day we invite your prayers - concern, need, or gratitude. Please write them in the comments below.

Your intentions will be shared aloud during our weekly Gospel Reflection & Prayer that happens live on Wednesday (Noon Eastern; 9 am Pacific USA; 5pm UK) etc.

If you prefer to be more anonymous - please send your prayer to [email protected].

We would love to have you join our community live or later by recording. Click here for info: https://www.quadratos.org/communities/weekly-gospel-reflection/?fbclid=IwAR1CsJbLAW6KW1zHQd4ep--0pAPywRYNWW8w8nAOpyzQuxbBRE_yUR6p8lE

It is ‘Grounding Monday.’

As you gaze at this image, notice the sensations in your body. Share anything you wish, in the comments.

And thanks to Michiel Crawford for today's photo.

Do you have a nature photo for us? Please send it to Glenn at [email protected].

The Royal Season is here until Sunday 11 February. From now till Lent, we celebrate the royal nature of each one of us.

Design your own crown.

What will it look like? How do you feel when you are wearing it?

As we arrive at The Epiphany - closing the Christmas Festival - it is time for Mardi Gras.

Mardi Gras is not just a day but rather a whole season that begins on Epiphany and extends till Lent. It is also known as the Season of The Kings, Season of Royalty or Carnival.

Enjoy the music and let's move our bodies ...

PS - you can skip through the ads

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O RADIANCE: Gift of The Christos Manifest in All the Cosmos

- We Three Kings – Harry Connick Jr – What A Night: A Christmas Album, 2008

- Morning Has Broken – Cat Stevens – Teaser And The Firecat, 1971

- It’s in Everyone of US – David Pomeranz – It’s in Everyone of Us, 1976

- Go to the Mardi Gras – Professor Longhair – We Got a Party – The Best of Ron Records, Vol 1,
Second Line – The Treme Brass Band – Treme Traditions, 2011

13th Day: Epiphany - Radiance/Christos Made Manifest

Epiphany – Radiance Manifest! Let us sing out with The Radiance Manifest throughout the Cosmos and manifest within each of us. Each is a Royal Magi. Together we are a Royal Diadem. Let us put on our Royal Selves and celebrate us over the next five weeks.

Least understood - Mardi Gras is an entire season from 06 January until the opening of Lent.

Today – let's go to the Mardi Gras!

O ACTIVITY & STILLNESS: Gift of an Anchor amidst Action

- Be Still – Simon de Voil – Trust, 2017

- The Three Refuges – Joe Reilly/Plum Village Ensemble, Refuge Tree, 2017 (alternate words:
I take Refuge in The Christos, The Teachings & The Community in Harmony)

12TH DAY: Farewell & Welcome

As we arrive at the end of the Christmas Festival, we clear our space, saying "Farewell Christmas” and re-gather our energy so that tomorrow we may "Welcome The Epiphany" and its Season.

On 12th Day, review all the Days of Christmas.

Which reflection - which Day - most touched you? What do you want to remember about these Days as you move into the Epiphany Season?

O GRUMBLE: Gift of True Emotion

- Where Are You Christmas? – Faith Hill – Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Soundtrack), 2000

- You Are a Mean One Mr Grinch – Jim Carrey - Dr Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas (Soundtrack), 2000

11th Day: Distaff Day, Grumble, Grumble!

On this day, the Celts returned to work, and their usual life. So the day is dedicated to grousing and grumbling. This is such an emotionally wise practice.

As the Christmas Festival nears its end – grumble! The art of this day is to grumble with a bit of self-humor. Can you both grouse and laugh a bit at yourself? This can be healing after our long Festival Season.

On the Day that We Celebrate the Gift of Stability - In Honor of Roots & Trees.

9,500-Year-Old Tree Found in Sweden Is The World’s Oldest Tree The world's oldest tree, a 9,500-year-old Norwegian Spruce named "Old Tjikko," after Professor Leif Kullman's Siberian husky, continues to grow in Sweden. Discovered in 2004 by Kullman, professor of

O STABILITY: Gift of Roots & Stability - In Honor of Trees

- O Tannenbaum – Andrea Bocelli – My Christmas, 2009

- Standing Like a Tree – Plum Village Ensemble – Refuge Tree, 2017

10th Day: Honor the Oak & Evergreen. Stand Tall like the Trees!

Over the past year, when did you stand up for your beliefs or for yourself?

In today’s fast paced culture, what/who gives you a sense of stability?

O UNIQUE & ALIKE: Gift of Authenticity amidst Authenticity

- The Peace Carol – John Denver & The Muppets – A Christmas Together, 1979

- The Christmas Wish – John Denver & The Muppets – A Christmas Together, 1979

- It’s in Every One of Us – Sarah Morgann, Kirby Heyborne & Marvin Goldstein – You're All I Want for Christmas, 2009

- We are Beloved of God – Stefan Andre Waligur – Blessed are the Peacemakers, 2006

9th Day: One & Many, like a Grain of Sand or Snowflake

Remember a great conversation with someone so unlike you, yet you sensed the two of you as one. Share the story with your thoughts and feelings.

As the 13 Days of Christmas begin to wind down - prepare for the celebration to continue.

The Great Tree has gone from its simplicity in the Advent Season to the glorious ornaments of Christmas. Now - on The Epiphany (06 January) - the Christmas ornaments are removed and the Tree is dressed with the images and colors of Royalty.

[On this Tree are the colors of French Royalty -French Mardi Gras - Green, Purple and Gold.]

For many of us, sadly, the Season of Epiphany has been lost. But it was crafted to cover the time from the 13th Day of Christmas until the opening of Lent.

Over this time, we recognize our own inner Royal Nature. Each of us has the ability to be Magi and to seek and know Wisdom.

So let us remember - and let us celebrate!

O CO-CREATE: Gift of Collaboration

- Happy Xmas (War is Over) - Andrea, Matteo & Virginia Bocelli – A Family Christmas, 2023

-The Kentucky Wassail Carol – The Christmas Revels – Wassail! Wassail! Early Amercian Christmas Music, 1982

-God Bless Us Everyone – Andrea Bocelli – My Christmas, 2009

8th Day: Re-Green the Apple Tree / Co-Create w The Christos

The Celts poured mulled cider on the roots of an apple tree to aid its greening, drawing the robin’s return & heralding that Spring will soon arrive.

Integrity is pouring your values into your own actions. From the collaboration of values and actions – what are your resolutions for today?

O CLEANSE & BLESS: Gift of Cleansing

- Cleanse Negative Energy from House: Tibetan Singing Bowl Music – Meditative Mind, 2017

- Home Is Where the Heart Is – Nick & Anita Haigh – Celtic Roots & Rhythms 2: Homecoming, 2002

- Auld Lang Syne (The Millennium Mix) - Kenny G, 1999 (or) Auld Lang Syne - The Tenors, Christmas Together, 2017

7th Day: Hang the Mistletoe / Bless & Protect One’s Living Space

Celts cleansed their home by hanging sprigs of mistletoe over their doors. Mistletoe was believed to remove and protect one from harmful energies.

Buddhists sound a singing bowl. Christians light a beeswax candle or sprinkle holy/baptismal water throughout the house.

Move from room to room in your home, auto, office etc – cleansing old energies, and blessing the space for the civil year that will soon begin.

O HARMONY: Gift of True Oneness

Medley: Alfie & It’s in Every One of Us – John Denver & The Muppets - A Christmas Together, 1979

Boar’s Head Carol – Maddy Prior & The Carnival Band - Carols at Christmas, 2009

6th Day: Honor the Boar / Feast of the Holy Family

The Boar combines elements of valor, bold action, timidity, tenderness & the fierce protection of its young.

What disparate elements make up the unique harmony that is you? Celebrate the unique recipe of you.

O NON-ATTACHMENT: Gift of Being a Holy Fool

All is Welcome Here – Miten – Temple at Midnight – 2016
Puer Nobis – Megan Henderson – The Gifts of Odin: A Nordic Christmas Revels – 2018
Be Still and Know – Joe Reilly – Wide Open, Plum Village Records, 2017

5th Day: Celebrate the Holy Fool; Day of the Child Bishop
When was there a moment that you played ‘the fool’ - acting in a joyous, free or child-like way?

O PROTECTION & SHELTER: Gift of True Friendship/Parenting

Fall On Me – Andrea & Matteo Bocelli – Single, 2018
Bridge Over Troubled Waters – Simon & Garfunkel, 1970
Lean On Me - ArtistsCan - Single, 2020

4th Day: Protect the Vulnerable / Massacre of the Children
How did you offer shelter-protection for another this year?
Share the story & all your feelings.

O BEING, O ECSTASY: Gift of Feminine Energy

Let It Be – The Beatles– Let It Be, Super Deluxe Disc 1, 2021
Silent Night – John Denver & The Muppets – A Christmas Together, 1979

3rd Day: Drink of Ectsasy, The Great Mother & Feast of John, the Evangelist
When/How has ‘being’ brought you ecstasy this year?

O SELFLESS GIVING: Gift of Masculine Energy

Good King Wencelas – Loreena McKennitt - “A Winter Garden: Five Songs For The Season”, 1995

2nd Day: Wren's Day / Feast of Stephen - Boxing Day (Gifting the Disadvantaged)

When/How has strength been a true friend to you this year?

Welcome One & All. Join us for The 13 Days of Christmas – our Festival of Wonder, Generosity & Birth. Each day’s meme will offer a carol or song, a brief Celtic touchstone, and a reflective question.

Let The Festival of Christmas begin!

Each day starts just past sunset. So sunset on the 24th announces that the Great Feast has arrived. In this daily rhythm, as we move from sunset to sunset, let us rejoice that when darkness arrives, we are at a time of beginning.

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O NATIVITY: Gift of Being Truly as You Are

Come Darkness, Come Light - Mary Chapin Carpenter
from “Come Darkness, Come Light: Twelve Songs of Christmas”

1st Day: Ancient Solstice & Great Feast of Christmas
Come to this Day just as you are – really - just as you are.
So how are you - really?

Posts are from Alexander John's forthcoming book, "The Celtic 13 Days of Christmas." www.quadratos.org

Oh, please share these memes with friends. That is a gift back to Quadratos. Thank you.

Blessed Solstice to Everyone!

In this Season of the Holy Dark (Advent) – take a moment to reflect on the treasures and gifts that you have received from your own dark times.

Merry 13 Days of Christmas from All of Us at Quadratos!

Click on the link - and download the 13 Days Poster in one of two designs:
https://www.quadratos.org/shop/the-13-days-of-christmas-poster/

A Special Invitation!

Tuesday is the day we invite your prayers - concern, need, or gratitude. Please write them in the comments below.

We will add your intentions to our Gospel Reflection & Prayer that happens live each Wednesday (Noon Eastern, 9 am Pacific USA, 5pm UK) etc.

If you prefer to share more anonymously - please send your prayer to [email protected].

Would you like to join us live or later by recording?

More info here: https://www.quadratos.org/communities/weekly-gospel-reflection/?fbclid=IwAR1CsJbLAW6KW1zHQd4ep--0pAPywRYNWW8w8nAOpyzQuxbBRE_yUR6p8lE

It is ‘Grounding Monday.’

As you gaze at this image, notice the sensations in your body. Share anything you wish, in the comments.

And thanks to Glenn Siepert for today's photo - a snapshot of some interesting weather on a stormy Saturday morning.

Do you have a nature photo for us? Please send it to Glenn at [email protected].