Why did I wake up so early? Perhaps it has something to do with retiring to bed so early as well. My children, when they are here, go to bed at 8:00pm. I wasn’t far behind.

So here I am, up before sunrise, up before those birds that are supposed to be catching their worms. Not that I can blame them, it’s hard to find worms under several inches of snow. What does one do with this sort of time? I realize some people get up this early almost every day, people have to work all sorts of schedules. I’m not among the employed, so where’s my excuse?

Sure, in another hour, hour and a half, I’ll be waking the kids up, making sure they get dressed and have breakfast, before I take my son to school. I’m taking some time to write here, but… something more.

This morning I’m being called. Called to by something more beautiful than birdsong, on a sense that’s more elusive than hearing. Something beyond sight, touch, taste or smell as well. I feeling, a need, a longing to greet the day. To stand facing east, to welcome the sun, to watch his slow ascent over the horizon, bringing life and color back into the world. Compound this with the humming of approaching spring, and it’s irresistible.

Lyon over at The Wandering Hearth recently made a reference to the television show “30 Days”.  On one of the episodes, the show’s creator goes to live on a Navajo reservation for 30 days, and learns to greet the morning every day.  I’ve always been drawn to and intrigued by Navajo spirituality, ever since I was a kid and read Tony Hillerman’s Navajo police mysteries.  The Beauty Way is … well … beautiful, and really speaks to me.

Something I’ve notice, in Pagan culture, is how often we look over the seas, back to Ireland, Greece, Rome, Egypt, Scandinavia, etc., for our ideals on spirituality.  I don’t have any problem with this, I’ve chose and been chosen by Gods and Goddesses from those cultures.  But we often seem to overlook the earth-born spirituality of the indigenous peoples of our own country.  This, of course, assuming you are in the United States.  We talk about honoring and worshipping nature, but we overlook the people that have been doing just that, in THIS natural environment, for time out of mind.  I often feel frustrated with the Celtic traditions as they pertain to Michigan.  I’m not going to find Rowan or Yew here.  I don’t live in a natural environment that supports that.  Were the Celts the only ones who had a line on the spirituality found in nature?  What about the Chippewa who used to live here.  Who would know better the spirits and practices of living in harmony with nature in the Saginaw Valley of Michigan, then they?  What did they used to practice?  What were their beliefs?  What trees, animals, etc, were sacred to them.  All I’m sure, but in what ways, etc.

I really want to find out more about what used to be (and may still be to some degree) practiced HERE.  Where I live and breathe.  I’m not forsaking other teachings, or giving up other Gods.  But what more meaningful and honest practice than to follow the path of nature in one’s OWN environment.  We brought our Gods and Goddesses to America, and overran the ones that existed here before us.  Wouldn’t it behoove us, as Pagans, to honor those that came before us in our localities?

I’m challenging myself to learn more about this.  To learn the ways of those that lived here before.  I adore the Navajo way, I love its teachings.  Now I want to find out more of the Chippewa.

I hope everybody’s mornings are filled with sunshine and positivity!

I took a little time this morning to step outside and greet the morning, right as the morning started lightening.  Not the brilliant golds, pinks, purples and dark blues of the sun cresting the horizon, but the gradual light of dawn beginning.  In a way, that time of morning reminds me of Imbolc, which is fast approaching.  The night is ending, and showing the first faint signs of morning.  Drawing a parallel between winter/spring and the dawn.  Random musing far too early, lol, don’t mind me.  I haven’t had any coffee yet.  ;)

As I mentioned, I have a new netbook.  I recently got paid for a website I had been working on for a while now, and since my old laptop was about 5 minutes from dying completely, I decided I needed something new.  It was a tough decision, as I could definitely be using the money for more bills.  However, as a person whose job skills entail web development and computer programming, it’s NECESSARY for me to have a computer.  I ended up going with a netbook, as it’s affordable and… well… they’re just so darned CUTE!  *huggles his netbook up*  Whoosa cute little netbook?  You are!  Yes you are!  LOL   Seriously though, this thing is doing much better than my old laptop, and I’m already used to the smaller screen and keyboard.  I’m very happy about this purchase.

All the running and visiting and whatnot of the past week was nice, I enjoyed myself, but I am definitely ready now for some serious relaxing.  *glances over at the kids who are no longer chilling, but are wiggling, hitting each other with toy frogs and laughing*  …. One of these days anyways.

Going to wrap this up and make us all breakfast.  Good morning to you all.  Sorry for the rambly, carry on.  ;)