A Music Gift for You

Spiraling round,
Darkness abounds,
I am bringing the light.

__________________

Merry Christmas,
  Happy Hanukkah,
   Blessed Advent,
    Joyous Kwanzaa,
     Wondrous Solstice,

               to you.

To celebrate you I am offering you the gift of song. To receive your free song, please either leave a comment below, or email me at the EMAIL ME link to the left just below the picture of me smiling at you. Then, I'll send you an MP3 of the song.

Called Spiraling Round, I wrote this simple and sparse chant last winter to accompany a ritual my husband and I led some retreatants in at Prairiewoods Spirituality Center.

When I decided I wanted to gift you with this song, my amazing guitar-playing husband and I went into our studio to capture it. What you'll hear on the MP3 is the dance of Richard's guitar and my voice. It's quiet. It's simple. It's like we're sitting with you right in your own living room. So go ahead! Dance. Sing with your unique voice. Add harmony. Play your drum or your pots and pans. Change the words, if you wish. Light a candle. Take some deep breaths. Let it lull you to sleep.

Why would I do this, you may ask? It's a rich and full season we are in. For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, we are experiencing shorter and shorter days. You may know that I am in love with darkness. In the midst of this darkening time we hear all around us the buzz of the winter holidays - many of which include stories of brightness of light. It can be disorienting. It can also stretch us to find the Sacred in the midst of all of it. In any way I can I want to offer blessings of hope and mystery for these days of intensity.

Over the next year I hope to be writing a book of rituals with accompanying chants (in the vein of Metta Chanting Circle) which will include a different arrangement and recording of this song.

I'd be remiss if I didn't also mention that this is one of our 5 year-old son's favorite songs. Last year on the Winter Solstice we called several friends and family members to sing them this song. He gets into it with full voice and drum - announcing his "Lightness" to anyone who will listen (or might just be strolling through the neighborhood). Consider calling your dear ones to sing Spiraling Round quietly in their ears.

However, wherever, and with whomever you mark this season, whether it is the Light or the Darkness that most calls to you, I bless you.

Finally, I wish to thank Christine at The Sacred Art of Living who has been clearing out her books and giving them away to her faithful blog readers. (I was a happy recipient! Thank you so much, Christine!) She was part of the inspiration for my own giveaway.

And thanks to Kashfia at Stock Xchng for the incredible picture above.

With blessings and deep bows,
Trish
The Story Midwife

Comments

[Heather Michele]

Thank you for the gift of this song again this year. Being one of the recipients of the "gifting" last year, I still smile at the memory of your voices and drumming over the phone. Blessings to you as well!

We are about Darkness AND Light here in the Burn Center today. Lots of big, big stories are held in these walls. I think of you often as we birth the journeys these patients take in our midst.

I love you and all the work YOU do in this world. -HMO

[Sacred Art of Living]

Hi Trish, I am delighted to be part of the inspiration and I am even more delighted to accept your gift of song to add to my growing collection of your wonderful music. Many blessings to you, my fellow lover of darkness! Christine

[cathleenmedina]

Dear Trish,
Thank you for brining the light to many corners of the world! Please send the chant my way. Perhaps I'll learn it well enough that we can sing it at my Winter Solstice Eve Bonfire this Thursday!! Blessings of darkness and light, Cathleen

[Julie M. Poore-Christensen]

Good morning, Trish. It's always a blessing to me to find a blog reminder in my e-mail. Your reflections and sharing mean so much. I can't wait to see you on Thursday at Plymouth! Thanks for the gift of the chant. Julie MPC

[Rena]

Dearest Trish,
Thank you so much for your songs. Song - a joining of words and music woven to connect our hearts, Song - makes us listen differently, Song touches that which cannot be seen. Thank you for your songs. We can all sing together.

[Bette Wappner]

Thank you Trish and Richard for your sacred gift of song, chant, word, instrument, and story that you beautifully and mysteriously unite. You are a blessing to my soul. I very much am looking forward to your book of rituals. Blessings!

[Karla MG]

Trish, What a joy to see your blog update! Thanks so much for the gift of music and insight you and Rich enhance our lives with! My prayers go out to you in this sacred, holy time! :D --Karla

[lucy]

hi trish--

what a delightful idea. i love the song already before even hearing it. my husband and i are doing a little combining of our own as i put his images with my words.

blessings to you this holiday season.

[Lisa]

Hello Trish --

(I hope I've not commented twice accidentally!)

I am new as can be to your blog, and would love to hear your song if you are still offering it. It has been an evening and a season of unexpected wonders!

peace
Lisa