Gifts that Heal: Support Local Artists this Holiday

For our ancient ancestors, Winter was a time year to honor cleansing and renewal. Within the collective psyche lies the cellular memory of a time where survival during what we now recognize as the holiday months, was dependent on coming together as a community. It was a time to honor and reap the benefits of all the hard work and strategic planning of those in the community over the previous 9 months that recognized the precession of the equinoxes and the coming of the harsh climate surrounding the Winter Solstice. With that in mind, the holidays are meant to be a time of honoring our connection to the environment, our family and community, and also recognizing the need for balance through letting go.

The most effective way to do this is by NOT giving into consumerism and the extremely wasteful practices we now associate with the holidays. It's no wonder the holidays have become so stressful; we do not appropriately recognize the HEALING that should be taking place during this time.

GIVE THE GIFT OF ART THIS HOLIDAY!

If we really want to honor one another during the "Holy Days," we must demonstrate a respect for unique creativity, rebirth and triumph over darkness. And I can think of no better way to do this than to SHARE AND DISTRIBUTE ART, in it's many forms. I promise the iPods, iPads and iPhones will still be there. But the holidays should be a time of recognizing our ORIGIN by showing our appreciation for unique, healing expressions within our communities. This is how we honor the Spirit of the holidays, no matter what traditions or beliefs you recognize.

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Thanks for reading, and I do hope what I've said here will have an impact on your gift choices this month. Below I've included some really cool art I came across at a cafe I frequent near my apartment, which actually inspired this post. Each piece comes with a little story about the character contained within the painting. They're all so creative and funny. The artist is Hannah Fierman, and you can check out more of her art here: www.hannahfierman.info. Injoy!

Constant Healing,

Victoria Moon