I might need to edit the title of this post, but we’ll see in an hour or so. Today I’m doing 108 Sun Salutations (Surya Namaskar A) in honor of the Winter Solstice, which is tomorrow. (After the first set of 28, I’m feeling really good, barely broke a sweat until the last rep.)
From Yoga Journal: “The number’s significance is open to interpretation. But 108 has long been considered a sacred number in Hinduism and yoga. Traditionally, malas, or garlands of prayer beads, come as a string of 108 beads (plus one for the “guru bead,” around which the other 108 beads turn like the planets around the sun). A mala is used for counting as you repeat a mantra—much like the Catholic rosary.
Renowned mathematicians of Vedic culture viewed 108 as a number of the wholeness of existence. This number also connects the Sun, Moon, and Earth: The average distance of the Sun and the Moon to Earth is 108 times their respective diameters. Such phenomena have given rise to many examples of ritual significance.
According to yogic tradition, there are 108 pithas, or sacred sites, throughout India. And there are also 108 Upanishads and 108 marma points, or sacred places of the body.”
I’m been thinking a lot lately about rituals, and the significance of them. I’m a very easy-going kind of gal for the most part, I roll with the punches and make lemonade out of lemons, etc. However, I think traditions are important, and I want more of them in my personal life and also my family life.
For me, it’s more about moments to stop and reflect and just stop running around that hamster wheel for a little while – to remember WHY we are here and WHAT IS important. Usually it’s not the little things that dilly-dawdl through our brains most of the time. (10 minute break up – onto set 2…after this set my body is kicking in with the i-don’t-wannas and my mouth is dry. Rewarding myself with a big glass of cold water.)
Perhaps all these thoughts have something to do with the Mayan’s ‘end of the world’ business. As much as I’m tempted, I haven’t done anything too crazy, using that as a rather flimsy excuse. (I really wanted to go out and buy a GIANT dog, just because…). That’s always an interesting thought – what would YOU do if it was your last day here on Earth?? Intruiging.
Somehow I seem to have volunteered myself for knitting several Christmas gifts this year. One is a hat for David’s friend/co-worker/boss, a great guy that he’s worked for a long time. Unfortunately he actually has a very particular style of hat that he wants, which is that makes-everyone-look-like-a-total-dork-but-is-actually-very-warm-hat, complete with the ear flaps and tassels. We’ll see what I can come up with for that one, but I already know he won’t get it until after the holiday. I think I should put a giant pom-pom on the top just to mess with him.
One of the others things I’m making is a new Leaf Sprouts Hobo Bag for another co-worker of D’s, this is the wonderful lady who prints all of my patterns with a smile. She has been so wonderful to me and is very giving, and well, it’s really the least that she deserves. I just hope she likes the color, I wanted this one to be a surprise!
After all the Holiday Joy & Madness has passed, I’m going to work on releasing my Roxie Cloche pattern. Here’s my favorite shot of my dollface in hers:
There are 3 sizes of this cloche, and I’m planning to make matching mitts!
I look like such a goob in this pic, but there you go!
Assuming that we’re all still here, Saturday we’re taking the girls to see the Big Man in Red, it’s also Mia’s 2nd Birthday. My lil’ Boo will be 2, crazy. (Oh NO, my 10 minutes is up already… and the little booger just woke up from her nap). The 3rd set was pretty hard, then midway through I got into ‘Zen mode’. (You can also think of it as similar to a runner’s high.) We’ll see if I can do this last 24. Oh boy.
I did it! Woot woot! Surprisingly the last set was a breeze. Now we’ll just see how I feel about all that tomorrow. I like the idea of doing this once every season, I think it’s a good way to welcome in the next chapter of life.
What are your personal and/or family rituals & traditions? I’d love to hear about them if you care to share. Now I am going to go and eat a cookie…and enjoy it thoroughly.
Hugs your friends, your family, yourself. Enjoy it.
Jan 01, 2013 @ 16:24:25
Q – Lovely hats!