Friday, January 17, 2025

Spiritual Direction Training Programs for Many Faiths and Identities


Spiritual Direction Training Programs for Many Faiths and Identities

Are you seeking to augment your caring practice? Are you looking for a change of vocation? Are you hoping to deepen your spiritual well of resources? Perhaps you are ready to pursue spiritual direction work but worry your spirituality or identity will not be celebrated.

This is a curated list of Spiritual Direction training opportunities. These programs offer diverse approaches to spiritual direction training, accommodate various faith traditions, and emphasize interfaith and progressive perspectives.

Hot Air Balloons, Quebec by Nicholas Raymond CC3.0

All Souls Interfaith Gathering – School of Spiritual Direction

  • Website: https://www.allsoulsinterfaith.org/spiritual-direction
  • Description: An Interfaith/Interspiritual 24-month program meeting in person one Saturday per month from September through June, with a two-day non-residential retreat in January each year. Note that they are part of a consortium of similar schools located in other parts of North America. (2024: $2,000)

The Center for Advanced Interfaith Spiritual Direction – Master of Arts in Interfaith Spiritual Direction

  • Website: https://gtfeducation.org/home/the-center-for-advanced-interfaith-spiritual-direction/
  • Description: A 30-credit professional degree program oriented toward practical application in interfaith spiritual direction, emphasizing topical issues and problem-solving strategies. The program can be completed in 18 months to three years. Pre-requisites: BA, 5 years professional in lay or ordained ministry/Caring profession. (2024: $18,000)

The Chaplaincy Institute – Interfaith Spiritual Direction Certificate Program

  • Website: https://chaplaincyinstitute.org/spiritual-direction/
  • Description: This 18-month hybrid program is designed for individuals called to a private practice in personal, one-on-one spiritual direction, anticipating work with clients from various faith traditions. It emphasizes helping people discern their inner wisdom and live with a deeper connection to Spirit. (2023: $7500)

Cherry Hill Seminary – Spiritual Direction Certificate Program

  • Website: https://cherryhillseminary.org/certificate-programs-at-cherry-hill-seminary/spiritual-direction-certificate/
  • Description: This 24-month, all online, program is designed for individuals seeking to deepen their spiritual practice and provide spiritual guidance for earth-based, 'unchurched', and multi-faith clients. It includes lectures, discussions, case studies, role-playing, and guest speakers. The curriculum covers contemplative and devotional practices, listening skills, and tools for discernment and self-discovery and celebrates your uniqueness. Suitable for English speakers anywhere in the world.  (2025: $3120)

Hesychia School of Spiritual Direction

  • Website: https://desertrenewal.org/hesychia-sd-school/
  • Description: An ecumenical and interfaith program designed to provide resources and support for the ministry of spiritual guidance in a retreat format. 4 weeks of residency required. The school offers a contemplative approach to spiritual direction training. (2023: $4000)

Meadville Lombard Theological School: LIGHT Program (Leadership in Spiritual Transformation)

  • Website: https://www.meadville.edu/light/spiritual-direction/
  • Description: The 18-month LIGHT Program at Meadville Lombard offers a transformative journey for aspiring UU spiritual directors. This hybrid program blends online learning with in-person intensives, providing a supportive community and fostering deep personal and professional growth. (2025: $5600)

Phoenix Center for Spiritual Direction  

  • Website: https://phoenixspiritualdirection.com/
  • Description: A three-year training program that emphasizes personal spiritual growth, deep listening skills, and the development of a compassionate and non-judgmental approach. Apprenticeship model through one-on-one monthly online meetings. (2023: $3000)

Spiritual Guidance Training Institute – Certificate in Interfaith/Interspiritual Direction

  • Website: https://www.spiritualguidancetraining.com/
  • Description: A 16-month online learning program plus a residential institute in Racine, WI, resulting in a Certificate in Interfaith/Interspiritual Guidance. The program focuses on innovative, hybrid learning models suitable for both local and global participants. (2025: $5948)

Zeitgeist – Spiritual Direction Training Program

  • Website: https://www.zgatl.org/spiritual-direction-training.html
  • Description: A 2+ year multifaith online program. Enables participants to earn a Certificate in the Practice of Spiritual Direction. The program emphasizes experiential learning and practical application in spiritual direction. (2024: $3500)

Discerning the right spiritual direction training program is an important first step. To help you explore your options, I searched for respected programs offered in English, that emphasize respect for many faiths and identities. If you find one that I've left off the list that you think belongs, email me and I'll add it!

Remember, choosing the right program is a deeply personal decision. Consider factors like program structure, learning style, and spiritual alignment. I encourage you to talk to alumni, and members of your spiritual community as you reflect on your call to spiritual direction and discern the program that best supports your vocational discernment.

Cherry Hill Seminary's Spiritual Direction Certification Program. I'm an instructor for the Cherry Hill Spiritual Direction Certification program and I'm passionate about helping others discern their call to spiritual direction. You can learn more about our program by making an appointment with me at: https://app.10to8.com/book/fdyczb-free/1909480

Explore More:

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           • #NatureSpirituality

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• #EarthBasedSpirituality

• #SacredNature

• #SpiritualCertification

• #BecomeASpiritualDirector

• #SpiritualEducation

• #SelfDiscovery

• #SacredWisdom

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Wednesday, January 15, 2025

The Ethics of Using Tarot Cards: An Evolving Perspective

The Ethics of Using Tarot Cards: An Evolving Perspective

The world of Tarot has become embedded in Pagan culture. The recent use of Tarot imagery in the "Agatha All Along" television series is evidence that Tarot is also fairly well known in popular culture. In its long history, Tarot has evolved from common playing cards, to fortune telling, to an esoteric system, to a tool for personal exploration and self-reflection. It is complex to navigate the ethical implications surrounding Tarot practice, particularly regarding cultural appropriation, representation, and the responsibility that comes with utilizing these cards.


Images from the Visconti-Sforza Deck

A Brief History of Tarot

For the purposes of this essay, Tarot Cards are a deck of paper cards with images and usually numbers. The cards are typically divided into four suits and usually include a third category of cards that feature 'important' ideas/archetypes/concepts/principles/allegory. Tarot cards, as distinct from playing cards, are used for personal growth, religious instruction, or divination.

Ideas and Cards:

  • A Parade from Beggar to Lady Godiva: While some scholars suggest connections between medieval pageants and early Tarot imagery, there's no strong historical evidence directly linking them. The idea of pageant participants representing concepts that later became tarot archetypes is more of a speculative theory. Perhaps it belongs among theories of collective unconscious and persistent archetypes.
  • Asia: After the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe was fractured into small communities, but Asia was thriving and had invented paper. The first paper cards with suits and numbers emerged in Korea. This technology and the use of cards for games made its way to Italy.
  • Focus on Playing Cards: Historical evidence strongly suggests that Tarot evolved from Renaissance playing cards.
  • History is Written by the Victors: Oral history and ideas are ephemeral, viewed through the cloudy dim glass of time. Our written history does not always reflect our lived experience. We do not (yet?) know where the ideas and images in Tarot came from, but we can stay open-minded.

Renaissance Italy and the Sforza Deck:

  • Tarocchi: The earliest known tarot decks emerged in 15th-century Italy, primarily for playing card games like Tarocchi. We do not know what influences formed the choice of symbols used in those cards.
  • Sforza Deck: The Visconti-Sforza deck is a famous and well-preserved example of these early Italian tarot decks. It provides valuable insights into the artistic and symbolic styles of the time.   

Roma/Romani Influence:

19th and 20th-Century Occultism:

  • Significant Impact: This period saw a resurgence of interest in Tarot, particularly among occultists and mystics.
  • Development of Esoteric Meanings: Occultists like Aleister Crowley and Arthur Edward Waite developed elaborate systems of symbolism and esoteric meanings for tarot cards, significantly influencing modern interpretations.
  • The Rider-Waite-Smith Deck: This deck, designed by Pamela Colman Smith under the guidance of Arthur Edward Waite, became highly influential and popularized many of the modern interpretations of Tarot symbolism.

Thoth Deck cc4.0

On the other hand, Tarot is merely a smaller subset of a larger tradition of cartomancy, and 'visio-divina' practiced all over the world. In Middle School, I learned cartomancy from a Malaysian woman. Srisamorn Souffer used a traditional Las Vegas poker deck. Perhaps cartomancy from another lineage fits better for you than Tarot.

Cultural Appropriation vs. Cultural Exchange


Cultural appropriation occurs when a member of a privileged group adopts elements from a marginalized culture without understanding or respecting the original context or significance. Examples in popular culture include wearing culturally significant clothing as a costume or utilizing sacred objects for aesthetic purposes. In the context of Tarot, this might manifest in commercialized decks that strip away significant cultural meaning or reduce complex traditions to mere aesthetics.

Conversely, cultural exchange involves mutual respect and acknowledgment between cultures, fostering understanding and collaboration. Engaging with Tarot ethically calls for due diligence, and honoring the origins and meanings behind the practice, images, and symbols used in Tarot practice.

Key to conversations about appropriation is the question of relative power. Just like humor turns into bullying when it punches down, exchange becomes appropriation when the direction of the borrow is from more marginalized to less marginalized.

I think of appropriation as on a continuum from theft to borrowing. Here are four types of cultural borrowing/appropriation:

Theft of Sacred Practices:

  • Description: This involves the outright appropriation of sacred or religious practices from marginalized communities by dominant groups. This includes practices like burning white sage, sweat lodges, the Sun Dance, and certain Yoruba songs and drum rhythms. These practices are often considered "closed," meaning they are not meant to be practiced outside the originating community. There is no evidence that tarot card reading has ever been considered a religious practice, nor tarot cards religious artifacts, by a marginalized culture. If any culture has a claim to Tarot as a religious artifact, it would be Neo-Paganism and Hermeticism. However, specific symbols, like the Kabbala tree of life as a tarot spread can be appropriation of mystical Jewish religious symbolism and certain practices related to fortune-telling are a part of closed Romani culture.
  • What to Do:
    • Respect the cultural significance and religious importance of these practices.
    • Seek to understand the potential harm caused by appropriating sacred rituals.
    • Learn about and build relationships with members of the originating community to gain deeper understanding and seek guidance.

Appropriation for Entertainment or Exoticism:

  • Description: This involves the use of cultural elements for entertainment, fashion, or personal gain without understanding or respecting their cultural significance. Examples include wearing "native dress" to a Halloween party, persons without ties to a dreadlock-wearing culture adopting dreadlocks, dressing like a "g****" to do tarot readings, or using cultural symbols as mere fashion trends.
  • What to Do:
    • Avoid the trivialization and commodification of cultural elements.
    • Recognize the potential for perpetuating harmful stereotypes and fetishizing other cultures.
    • Educate yourself about the cultural context and history of the practice and elements being used.

Exploitation of Cultural Practices for Profit:

  • Description: This occurs when individuals from privileged groups capitalize on cultural practices that are traditionally used for economic survival by marginalized communities. Examples include the mass production and sale of dreamcatchers, the commercialization of sweat lodges by non-Indigenous self-made 'gurus', offering high-dollar corporate teambuilding workshops utilizing djembes (without including any acknowledgment of the originating culture) and, arguably, reading Tarot for profit by non-Roma.
  • What To Do:
    • Recognize the potential for economic exploitation of marginalized communities.
    • Prioritize the well-being and economic stability of the originating community.
    • Support businesses and artisans within the originating community.

Borrowing, but Harming Relationship:

  • Description: This involves the use of cultural elements in ways that are insensitive, despite there being no explicit evidence of exploitation. For example, a person in a position of power wearing clothing from another culture may unintentionally signal that appropriation is OK. Also, participating in unstructured drum circles using the West African Djembe without knowledge of West Africa or Djembe music or referring to a meaningful trance journey as a "shamanic journey" without any knowledge or relationship to the Saami culture. 
  • What To Do:
    • Recognize the potential for unintended harm or misrepresentation.
    • Be mindful of the power dynamics and how one's actions might be perceived.
    • Prioritize cultural sensitivity, respecting the feelings and perspectives of others.

Important Note: These categories are not always distinct, nor are they comprehensive. There can be overlap between them.

By carefully considering these different levels of cultural appropriation, you can strive to engage with other cultures respectfully and ethically. Remember also, that there is no "perfect" path. Expect to fall short or over-compensate and frequently fail. What is important is not that you do this perfectly, but that you make a good-faith effort, with the willingness to learn and change.

Depth of Representation in the Cards

We've been talking about practices. What about the cards themselves? While Tarot has roots in European traditions, a growing recognition of human diversity has influenced its evolution. Many contemporary decks draw inspiration from various sources, incorporating aesthetics and themes from different traditions.

I was fortunate to encounter Tarot during a period of significant change and innovation. Many creators were developing decks that reflected a broader range of human experiences. These decks featured people of all genders, abilities, races, and body types. They featured desert, forest, coastal, and jungle landscapes, moving beyond the traditional Eurocentric imagery. They also explored themes beyond the confines of Medieval or Renaissance Europe, offering interpretations relevant to contemporary life.

However, this evolution raises important questions about cultural appropriation, especially when incorporating imagery from various cultures into “tarot” cards. For example, "Medicine Cards", a popular 1980s 'oracle' deck incorporating "spirit animals" drew criticism for inappropriately borrowing from Native American religious traditions and integrating them into a cartomancy context without proper understanding, relationship, or respect. Other examples are "The Ukiyoe Tarot Deck" (there is no tradition of "tarot" in Japan, and the deck was designed and commissioned by a Westerner, using a mishmash of Japanese, Buddhist, and Western imagery and archetypes) or the Book of Thoth (the deck that Aleister Crowley designed and Lady Frieda Harris drew, appropriates images from Jewish, Egyptian, Japanese, and other religious traditions.)

Some decks, like the Wildwood Tarot, emphasize connections with nature and use pre-Christian, Northern European imagery, providing a more intimate and inclusive representation than the classic Rider-Waite based decks. A fun variation (for instance the Tarot of the Cloisters or Oracle of the Dreamtime) offers a round design. This opens up nuanced, rather than polarized, interpretations. Other decks use photographs or art sourced from the community in which they arose. These are relatable and accessible, moving beyond deeply studied esoteric symbols. For instance: The Patella Tarot.

I urge Tarot practitioners to remain vigilant against tokenism, where representation exists without genuine inclusivity, relationship, or understanding. The creation of decks, and choices about which deck to use, are best when well-researched with explicit credit for the influences and intentions behind the images. This fosters a deeper connection and respect for diverse experiences.
Tarot of the Cloisters (Rider Waite-Smith imagery)

Responsibility in Practice

If you are not just reading cards for yourself, you have a responsibility to the querent (a querent is a person seeking a reading). Tarot readers and practitioners are ethically mandated to approach the cards with intention and mindfulness. Consent culture calls us to focus on the querent rather than some external authority of official meaning. Many well-inf
ormed practitioners utilize the Jungian approach to Tarot, emphasizing personal exploration and unconscious imagery rather than strict adherence to traditional symbol meanings and interpretations. For example, I draw from my studies of archetypes and the collective unconscious to enrich image interpretations.

I also use the practice of "Visio-Divina" - a term I derived from the practice of Lectio-Divina. This allows images to speak for themselves, similar to a Rorschach inkblot. Using Visio-Divina, I do not interpret the symbols on the cards based on a set of instructions. I work with the images, my 45 years of engagement with the images and other people's interpretations, the querent, and the querent's responses to the images. This operates much like dreamwork.

I found that a "tarot" deck of playfully anthropomorphized animals going about their days lends itself to this approach. There are MANY ways one can work with cards and with a person seeking guidance or insight. This is good news for those who wish to find new, ethical, ways to interact with the gift that is cartomancy. 


Tarot Caravan on Brighton Pier, UK CC2.0

Building Relationships and Contributing Positively

One of the most effective ways to ethically engage with Tarot is to foster relationships with the communities from which its imagery and practices are drawn. Developing an understanding of cultural contexts, seeking input from marginalized voices, and contributing positively to cultural conversations can help mitigate appropriation issues.

For many practices, including Tarot, relationship-building can manifest through respectful engagement, learning, and giving back to the communities involved. This may involve sourcing decks from creators who embody the cultures represented, or supporting local artisans and educators.


What are my action items? Is It Ethical to Use Tarot? Let's Explore:

  1. Know the Historical-Cultural Context:

    • What is the historical context of tarot?
      • Where did it originate?
      • How has it evolved over time?
      • Are there any documented instances of cultural appropriation or misuse throughout its history?
    • What is your relationship to the cultures where tarot originated?
      • Do you have any ancestral ties or personal connections to these cultures?
      • If not, how do you approach using tarot in a respectful and culturally sensitive manner?
      • Are there other forms of cartomancy that resonate more for you, after you've done your research?

  2. Accessibility & Equity:

    • Is tarot a closed practice?
      • Are there any barriers to access (financial, cultural, etc.) that you should be aware of?
      • How can you make your tarot practice more inclusive and accessible to others?
    • Are you potentially taking food out of someone's mouth by offering tarot readings professionally?
      • How can you ensure your practice is sustainable and ethical in terms of livelihood?

  3. Ethical Considerations in Practice:

    • How do you ensure the ethical use of tarot in your readings?
      • Informed consent: Do you clearly communicate the nature of your readings and obtain consent from your clients?
      • Confidentiality: How do you maintain client confidentiality and protect their privacy?
      • Power dynamics: Are you aware of and addressing potential power imbalances in the reader-client relationship?
      • Avoiding exploitation: How do you ensure that your tarot readings are not used to manipulate or exploit others?

  4. Personal Reflection:

    • What are your intentions for using tarot?
      • Are you using it for personal growth, self-reflection, or to help others?
    • How do you ground yourself and center yourself before and after a reading?
    • How do you ensure your own biases and beliefs are not unduly influencing the reading?

  5. Impact on Others:

    • Are there any relationships that might be harmed or soured because of your choice to use tarot cards?
      • How will you navigate potential conflicts or disagreements that may arise?
      • Imagine (or better yet, actually have) a respectful, humble, conversation with someone who you believe has a significant cultural relationship with Tarot.

  6. Care for Yourself:

    • Do emotions show up as you contemplate these questions? Does it feel like a lot of work? Are you feeling ashamed that you may have missed the mark or fearful that you may have to give up something precious to you?
      • How will you care for your real fear, grief, frustration, or other unwanted emotions, honoring your whole self, so that your choices can be wholehearted and clear?

By thoughtfully exploring these questions, you can develop a deeper understanding of the ethical implications of using Tarot and cultivate a more mindful and respectful practice.

Remember: This is an ongoing process of learning and reflection. There are no easy answers, and the ethical considerations surrounding Tarot will continue to evolve as our understanding of its history, culture, and impact grows. With compassion, we can fail forward!

Utilizing Tarot cards can be a profound, enlightening experience when approached with care, respect, and awareness of the broader social and cultural implications. By engaging with the Tarot through a lens of ethics and responsibility, practitioners can navigate the complexities of cultural appropriation and representation. This work will enrich your practice while honoring the traditions and communities that contributed to Tarot's evolution. In a rapidly changing world, Tarot offers a unique opportunity for introspection and dialogue—let's make sure we approach it with integrity.
---------------

Footnotes/further reading

  1. Tarot History: 

    Patrick Maille, The Cards: The Evolution and Power of Tarot (Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2020).


    ;      "A Wicked Pack of Cards: The Origins of Occult Tarot" by Ronald Decker, Thierry Depaulis, and Michael Dummett (St. Martin's Press, 1996); Emily E. Auger, The Religion of Tarot: From Enthusiastic Pioneers to Contemporary Consumers (St. John’s, NL: Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2019).; Jewitches, “The Jewish History of Tarot,” Jewitches Blog, 2021, available online.
  2. Paganism and Tarot: Emily E. Auger, The Religion of Tarot: From Enthusiastic Pioneers to Contemporary Consumers (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, 2004). ; Joanne Pearson, Richard H. Roberts, and Geoffrey Samuel, eds., Nature Religion Today: Paganism in the Modern World (Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press, 1998). ; Michael F. Strmiska, ed., Modern Paganism in World Cultures: Comparative Perspectives (Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2005).
  3. Jungian Psychology: Carl Jung, The Archetypes and the Collective Unconscious (Princeton University Press, 1969); Sallie Nichols, Jung and Tarot: An Archetypal Journey (San Francisco: Weiser Books, 1980).
  4. Sforza Deck Scholarship: "The Visconti-Sforza Deck: A Study in Fifteenth-Century Italian Art" by Michael Dummett.
  5. Roma History and Culture: “Romani Studies: Journal of the Gypsy Lore Society” Published by Liverpool University Press. Biannual. Available in print and online through academic databases such as JSTOR, Project MUSE, and others.
  6. Hermeticism or Occultism: "The Tarot: History, Symbolism, and Interpretation" by Stuart R. Kaplan (Llewellyn Publications, 1978), "Tarot and the Hermetic Tradition" by Donald Tyson (Llewellyn Publications, 2001)
  7. Rider-Waite-Smith: "The Pictorial Key to the Tarot" by Arthur Edward Waite (1910)
  8. Aleister Crowley: "Magick in Theory and Practice" by Aleister Crowley (1929)
  9. The Rider-Waite-Smith Deck: Maria Luisa P. de Freitas, The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot Deck: A Study in Icon and Iconography and Iconology According to Art History Theories and Jungian Archetypes (Unpublished Thesis, Academia.edu, accessed January 14, 2025), https://www.academia.edu/52509363; Emily E. Auger, Symbolism within the Tarot and Comparative Visual Analysis (Unpublished Thesis, University of Minnesota Conservancy, accessed January 14, 2025), https://conservancy.umn.edu. ; The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot: A Tool for Spiritual Advancement and… (Unpublished Work, University of St. Thomas Research Online, accessed January 14, 2025), https://researchonline.stthomas.edu.
  10. Books on Cartomancy: Emily E. Auger, Cartomancy and Tarot in Film: 1940–2010 (Bristol, UK: Intellect Books, 2016). ; Patrick Maille, The Cards: The Evolution and Power of Tarot (Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2021).; Ã‰mile Grillot de Givry, Cartomancy and the Tarot (Kessinger Publishing, 2007). ; Michael Dummett, The Game of Tarot: From Ferrara to Salt Lake City (London: Duckworth, 1980). ; Gertrude Moakley, The Tarot Cards Painted by Bonifacio Bembo for the Visconti-Sforza Family: An Iconographic and Historical Study (New York: New York Public Library, 1966).
  11. Cultural Appropriation Scholarship: Liz Bucar, Stealing My Religion: Not Just Any Cultural Appropriation (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2022). This book delves into the ethical complexities of adopting religious practices and symbols across cultures, emphasizing the nuanced nature of such appropriations. ; “Appropriation as a Perspective and Topic in the Study of Religion and Spirituality,” Approaching Religion, thematic issue, 2020. This thematic issue explores various expressions of appropriation in religious and spiritual contexts, offering a nuanced perspective on the subject. ; “Cultural Appropriation in Modern Pagan Religions: Discourse and Praxis,” Journal of Modern Pagan Studies, vol. 5, no. 2, 2021. This paper examines how modern Pagan communities navigate the challenges of cultural appropriation, particularly concerning indigenous and traditional practices. ; “Stealing Their Culture and Religion? Uses (and Abuses?) of Cultural Appropriation,” Journal of Christian Mission and Theology, vol. 29, no. 3, 2017. This article addresses the negative experiences of non-Christians regarding Christian contextualization, shedding light on the complexities of religious appropriation.
  12. Ethics and Power: Campbell, A. G., Chin, J., & Voo, T. C. (2021). Principles of clinical ethics and their application to practice. Journal of Medical Ethics and History of Medicine, 14, Article 3. Available from PubMed Central.

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Sunday, January 12, 2025

Navigating the Aftermath: Responding Compassionately to the California Fires

Navigating the Aftermath: Responding Compassionately to the California Fires

The recent California wildfires have brought immense suffering and devastation to countless communities. As we witness the impact of these fires, it's natural to feel a range of emotions – sadness, anger, helplessness. It's important to acknowledge these feelings without resorting to spiritual bypassing, which can unintentionally minimize the very real suffering of those affected.

Spiritual bypassing occurs when we use spiritual ideas to avoid or suppress difficult emotions. For example, statements like "Everything happens for a reason" or "They're in a better place now" can inadvertently invalidate the grief and trauma experienced by those who have lost loved ones, homes, and livelihoods.

Instead of focusing on abstract spiritual platitudes, let's focus on concrete ways to offer meaningful support:

  • Offer a Listening Ear: Reach out to friends and loved ones in California. Let them know you're thinking of them and offer to listen and be available. Sometimes, simply being present and offering a space for them to share their experiences can be incredibly valuable.
  • Practice Active Listening: When listening to those affected by the fires, practice active listening skills. This involves truly paying attention to what they are saying, reflecting back their emotions, and offering genuine empathy without offering unsolicited advice. (Don't start sentences with "at least..." or "could you have...".)
  • Support Reputable Organizations: Donate to established charities with a proven track record of aiding fire relief efforts. Focus on organizations that directly support those affected, such as the Red Cross, United Way, or local fire departments. UUs can donate to the Trauma Response Ministry. If you have sister or member entities in your organization who were affected, find out how your larger organization is responding.
  • Amplify Voices and Share Information: Utilize social media platforms to share information about reputable donation channels and volunteer opportunities. You can also use your platform to amplify the voices of those affected by the fires, raising awareness and encouraging others to contribute.
  • Consider Long-Term Recovery: Rebuilding shattered lives takes time. Stay informed about long-term recovery efforts and consider volunteering your skills or resources when the time is right. This could involve anything from helping with debris removal to offering emotional support services. Put a reminder in your calendar to check back in with folks who were affected, especially on anniversaries or when similar disasters strike.
  • Prioritize Self-Care: Witnessing tragedy can take an emotional toll. Remember to prioritize your own well-being. Engage in activities that nourish your spirit, and don't hesitate to seek support if you're feeling overwhelmed.


Nearly 3,000 acres were burned in the Pacific Palisades area. (AP pic)

One more thing: These fires are not caused by incompetence or poor firefighting choices. They are caused by global climate chaos that demands long-range planning, significant resource allocation, and action from all citizens of the Earth. This is not the time to make political points. (Arguing about the 2024 LA Fire Department budget is like discussing building codes in Hiroshima, there is no 2024 budget number that would have made a significant impact on the effect of these fires.) 

Nope, these disasters are not "someone else's problem" - they are everyone's problem. Even if you think you are in a safe location, be aware that no location can be safe forever. And if your current location  feels safe, now is the time to offer care and support to those suffering from this disaster.

Let us come together in solidarity with those impacted by the California fires, offering support, compassion, and a commitment to long-term recovery.

In addition to the above, here are some resources that you might find helpful:

Remember, even the smallest act of kindness can make a difference.

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January with Janus: Facing Back to Face Forward

January with Janus: Facing Back to Face Forward

The start of a new year often brings with us a wave of resolutions: write a book, cook and eat at home from scratch, learn a new language. While these goals can be admirable, the pressure to achieve them perfectly can often lead to disappointment and self-criticism.

This year, consider shifting your focus from rigid resolutions to more flexible intentions.

The Wisdom of Janus

January derives its name from the Roman god Janus, the god of beginnings and endings, doorways, and transitions. Depicted with two faces, one looking back and the other forward, Janus embodies the cyclical nature of time and the importance of reflecting on the past to inform the future. 


"Janus"- watercolour by Tony Grist CC1.0
By looking back at the past year, we gain invaluable insights.

  • What were your greatest triumphs?
  • What challenges did you face and what did you learn from them?
  • What strengths did you discover within yourself?

These reflections provide valuable guidance as we set our intentions for the year ahead, but we don't live in the past. We can learn from it, but not dwell on (and in) it.

Beyond Resolutions: Choosing a Word of the Year

Facing forward, we can imagine how the coming year might look. Again, we don't live in the future, we dwell in the present. Making resolutions can bring the focus to much into the specifics of (let's be real here) an  UNKOWN future. Instead of focusing on specific outcomes, I invite you to choose a word of the year. This word should embody the essence of what you hope to cultivate within yourself throughout the year. For example, your word might be "joy," "growth," "peace," or "creativity."

A year might be too much to wrap your mind around. Perhaps that word is good, but not enough. In that case, consider imagining the future by season.

Setting Intentions Through the Seasons

Don't limit yourself to setting intentions just once a year. Explore the cultural and natural rhythms around you to discover smaller seasonal opportunities for reflection and intention setting. For the Northern Hemisphere, the Solstices, Equinoxes, and days midway between them can be a way to mark seasons. For folks closer to the equator these seasonal demarcations may not fit. Notice what is real for where you physically dwell.

Here's one way to approach seasons:

  • End of January (called Imbolc in some Pagan traditions) (February 2): A time of hope and renewal, celebrating the return of light. What seeds do you want to plant within yourself?
  • Spring Equinox (March 20/21): A time for balance and new beginnings. How can you bring more balance into your life? 
  • End of April (Called Beltane by some Pagan traditions) (May 1): A time of passion, creativity, and abundance. How can you cultivate more joy and lightness in your life?
  • Summer Solstice (June 20/21): A time of peak energy and abundance. How can you make the most of this vibrant time of year?
  • End of July (Called Lughnasadh by some Pagan traditions) (August 1): A time of harvest and celebration. What have you cultivated this year? What are you ready to let go of?
  • Autumn Equinox (September 22/23): A time of balance and preparation for the winter. How can you prepare for the coming months?
  • End of October (Called Samhain by some Pagan traditions) (October 31): A time of reflection, honoring ancestors, and letting go of what no longer serves you.
  • Winter Solstice (December 21/22): A time for rest, reflection, and inward turning. How can you nourish your inner world during this time of quietude?

Lunar Cycles: 

You may want to approach your experience of seasons by moon cycles. Many cultures pay close attention to the moon and many name each 28-day moon cycle, such as a "Wolf Moon" or "Strawberry Moon" or "Harvest Moon." You'll notice that these moon names refer to what is happening naturally during that moon-month. Perhaps you will want to name the moon-months for your area yourself, or do some research about the cultures that have flourished in your area, instead of borrowing from another culture? 

You can also align your intention setting with the phases of the moon. The new moon is a time for new beginnings, while the full moon is a time for release and culmination. 

Remember to source information about these seasonal transitions ethically, respecting the cultural significance of these observances.

Phases of the Moon (Pexels)

Instead of setting strict goals, consider using this time to face back, and face forward:
  • Reflect: Spend time reflecting on the past year. What were your biggest accomplishments? What challenges did you face? What lessons did you learn?
  • Acknowledge: Acknowledge your successes and celebrate your achievements, no matter how small.
  • Identify Themes: Instead of focusing on specific outcomes, identify overarching themes for the year. For example, instead of "lose 10 pounds," your intention might be to "cultivate a healthier relationship with my body" or "prioritize self-care."
  • Set Guiding Principles: Establish a few guiding principles to support your intentions. These could be:
    • Mindfulness: Cultivate greater awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and actions.
    • Compassion: Treat yourself and others with kindness and understanding.
    • Gratitude: Practice daily gratitude for the blessings in your life.

Intention Setting Exercises:

Consider taking advantage of one of the many tools available to support this process. This reflection time in January is worth investing time and energy into.

  • Vision Board: Create a vision board to visually represent your intentions. Gather images, quotes, and symbols that resonate with you and reflect your desired themes for the year.
  • Journaling: Dedicate time each day to journaling about your intentions. Reflect on your progress, celebrate your successes, and adjust your approach as needed.
  • Mindful Meditation: Use meditation to connect with your inner wisdom and clarify your intentions.

For Deeper Exploration:

If you're looking for a more structured approach to intention setting, I recommend exploring the "Year Compass" workbook by Rebecca Campbell. This workbook provides a comprehensive framework for reflecting on the past year, identifying your core desires, and setting meaningful intentions for the year ahead.

By shifting your focus from rigid resolutions to flexible intentions and honoring the wisdom of Janus by looking both back and forward, you can approach the new year with a sense of openness, curiosity, and self-compassion. Remember that life is a journey, not a race. Celebrate your progress, embrace the unexpected, and enjoy the ride.

Working with a spiritual companion can help you deepen your reflection, gain new perspectives, and develop a personalized approach to intention setting.

If you feel called to explore the meaning and direction of your spirituality with a credentialed companion, visit https://shorturl.at/pr0ue or http://UUSDN.org to find a spiritual companion.


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