During our Autumn online course relating to the Inner Adult, we hung prayer flags outdoors that were devoted to the power of intuitive prayer. We courted the winds of spirit to fill them with its song. When we tied our flags to a pole or tree branch, we did it with the intent to bring the power of intuitive prayer into our consciousness. The prayer I expressed above offers my intent at the moment I tied my prayer flags to my dogwood tree.

"Lungta" is a Tibetan word for prayer flags which means Wind Horse. Prayer flags are tied outdoors to trees, poles and temple roofs as gifts to the winds of spirit. When the wind flutters a prayer flag, it is like thoughts tracing along the synapses of our minds. When I watch my prayer flags dancing in the wind, I'm reminded of my flashes of momentary prayers that drift on the edges of my daily thoughts and concerns. Like our thoughts, wind is a force that awakens the prayers contained in the flags.

With time and the elemental forces, prayer flags fade in color and fray on the ends. Like our lives, even our prayers are impermanent in this realm of physical life. Until we are called home to spirit, the wheel of life teaches us that all is temporary. Our prayers can fade too with the impermanence of our emotions and intent. It is hard to remain steadfast to our lofty hopes and aspirations when the forces of life challenge us, distracting us from our prayerful intent. I look at the frayed edges of the cloth and am reminded of those times when I feel worn and threadbare. Yet, the winds of spirit still blow through me, no matter my condition.

Remembering our spirit is the reason for this season, but too often, we become caught up in the headlines of holiday activity that barrage our sensibilities. Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving is the busiest and most colossal shopping day of the year. Newspapers reported long lines of shoppers awaiting the predawn store openings.

One holiday's light is barely snuffed out before the next one presses its weight upon us. There is a buzz in the air that is contagious, like a virus that infects so many with the frenzy to get out and go get it. What are we getting? What is the point of all the shopping and consuming? It all begins to blur and fray at the edges as we take this season's greetings and grind it into a momentary arcane gander at humanity's need for fever over what was meant to be a holy, joyous, and reflective time of year.

No matter how stressed or weary or threadbare our energy becomes, the winds of spirit blow through us during this season of light, softly and sometimes strongly reminding us of the ever presence of spirit sprinkled among the swirls of chaos and frenzy we create.

With the Solstice comes the return of the Sun's light, bringing renewal, regeneration of our hopes and dreams for the coming year. The winds of spirit are constant my friends, and it is time to take stock, to take that moment of silence and wonder, so we can feel our truest nature and spiritual calling. Look up to the Pleiades, twinkling at fullrise this time of year. Look to the lights on the trees and holiday decor and take a moment, a long deep breath of remembering your inner light.

Margaret Hart Lewis is a Spiritual Author, Educator, Counselor, and Ceremonialist

As a Spiritual Author,

Margaret has published two books - Wisdom Walks In Circles, The Spiraling Journey of Your Inner Voice, Authorhouse, 2004, and Landings, The Spiritual Return to Living Fully in the Body, Authorhouse, 2006. Margaret's books offer readers storylines that touch the soul, open the heart, and expand the mind.

As a Spiritual Educator,

Margaret offers her unique curriculum of exciting online courses and in person workshops and lectures. While generating highly stimulating discussions with participants, Margaret acts as a powerful catalyst for spiritual healing and personal development.

As a Spiritual Counselor,

Margaret's personal consultations provide assistance for releasing internal resistance from achieving your goals and vision of fulfillment. A session with Margaret consists of instruction for accessing personal pathways of spiritual guidance, inner journeys for self-healing and soul retrieval, intuitive coaching, trauma and abuse recovery, and self- development tools for personal empowerment.

As a Spiritual Ceremonialist,

Margaret conducts sacred gatherings to celebrate the Feminine Rites of Passage (puberty, motherhood, menopause), Spiritual Naming, Marriage, Soul Passing, and Fire Ceremonies of Initiation and Transformation.

Margaret is working on a new website! Coming soon is www.margarethartlewis.com. Keep checking wisdomwalks for updates!