At Year's End

What does it mean to walk in a woods and come upon a deer?

And what if the deer is still, doesn't run away, looks in your eyes, as if attempting to communicate with you?

Pagan wisdom says the deer symbolizes graceful gentleness and sensitivity, in that they blend very well with their environment but are hyperaware of every sound or movement. Capable of being hidden in plain sight, they choose visibility to very few.

People with a kinship to deer, who have "deer medicine" are often described as being swift and alert. They are intuitive, often appearing to have well developed, even extrasensory, perceptions. Sometimes their thoughts seem to race ahead, and they appear not to be listening.

Just as the deer bounds from one place to another, a person with deer medicine often moves quickly from one situation to another, often never staying long enough in one place to get a "full meal," so much restless energy.

So time spent is valuable. A blessing bestowed, with meaning that comes later, if you're still and listen.

It seems to me a good omen ...

Jahrzeit

I see my daughter at a distance:
dark-curled waif with wise eyes.

Now I see her through a glass darkly,
Someday I will see her face to face.

She watches and instructs me, when I listen.
Perhaps it would have been the other way around.

Ruah, tell me
you forgive me.

May the great Name of God be exalted and sanctified,
throughout the world,
which He has created according to His will.

May His Kingship be established
in your lifetime and in your days,
and in the lifetime of the entire household of Israel,
swiftly and in the near future;
and say, Amen.

May His great Name be blessed, forever and ever.
Blessed, praised, glorified, exalted, extolled, honored elevated and lauded
be the Name of the Holy One,
Blessed is He -
above and beyond any
blessings and hymns,
praises and consolations
which are uttered in the world;
and say Amen.

May there be abundant peace from Heaven, and life,
upon us and upon all Israel;
and say, Amen.

He who makes peace in His high holy places,
may He bring peace upon us,
and upon all Israel;
and say Amen.