"There is a voice that doesn't use words--Listen!"

Rumi

I think spring is probably my favorite time of year. There is something exciting and exhilarating about the spring season. It's a time of spontaneous cleansing, releasing and, at the same time, nature's wild spurt of new growth.

I read about and shared on Sunday how significant the Spring Equinox has been in the teachings and in the building of ancient sacred sites throughout the world. In Christianity, the Spring Equinox is the time of the passion, crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Likewise, in ancient Egypt, it is the time of the resurrection of the ancient Egyptian God Osiris; and also in Mesoamerica, the resurrection of the Maize God Hun Hunahpu. The Great Spinx of Giza, in Egypt, a symbol of resurrection, was built to gaze precisely at the rising of the Spring Equinox sun. The temple of Angkor Wat in Cambodia also aligns to the Spring Equinox, and depicts the forces of light and darkness. At the temple of the feathered serpent God in Chichen Itza, astoundingly, hundreds come to watch as the serpent descends the nine terraces of the pyramid exactly on the Spring Equinox. The mathematical and astronomical genius that was present on the planet in these ancient times leaves us confounded.......no internet, no phones, supposedly no means of communication between the people living in these sacred sites all over the planet, yet all knowing and creating something simultaneously.

We can clearly see that springtime has been spiritually significant throughout time. Just as the renewal and rebirth happens so beautifully in every aspect of nature, the potential is there in us as well. There is a desire for us to do our spring cleaning, both internally and externally, to let go of the old so that we can embrace the new that is coming our way. It is a time of rebirth. Like nature, we may have a magnificent spurt of inner growth. What we plant in our consciousness will come to fruition, whether we are conscious of it or not. If we plant seeds of fear, worry, doubt and lack, that is what will manifest in our lives. If, on the other hand, we plant seeds of health, happiness and abundance, we shall experience more of that.

The question is what are you planting in your garden of consciousness? As we have heard so often, what you sow is what you reap!

In gratitude,    

Rev. Karen Wylie

Sacred Service Saturday 

Our sacred service on Saturday with Ojai Trees was lots of fun even though we were digging holes already filled with lots of roots. My particular team planted four trees which the lady of the house named after her female relatives......Florence, Marcy, Avis and Nancy. We earned our picnic lunch that day. I've included some pictures below of our day outdoors.  Our trees were planted just in time for the big rain on Sunday. Thanks to all those Symphony of Life folks who showed up in support of this service event.

Free Spiritual Cinema Night 

Our monthly Spiritual Cinema Night, sponsored by the Symphony of Life and Casa de La Luna Retreat, will take place tonight Friday, March 30, at Casa de la Luna, 710 S. La Luna Avenue (between Baldwin Road and W. Lomita Avenue). This month's feature is The Way, a powerful and inspirational story about family, friends and finding meaning in the tragedies and challenges of life. Martin Sheen plays Tom, an American doctor who comes to France to deal with the tragic loss of his son. Rather than return home, Tom decides to honor his son's intention to complete the historical pilgrimage known as Camino de Santiago, or "The Way," by walking it for him. As fate would have it, the trip has a profound impact on Tom, inspiring him to consider the difference between "the life we live and the life we choose."

Norman Carter, who has himself twice completed "The Way," walking from St. Jean Pied de Port, France, to Santiago de Compostela, Spain, will help lead the discussion that follows the screening. Others who have completed the pilgrimage are invited to come and share their experiences as well.

Doors open at 6:30 and the movie begins promptly at 7:00 pm. Although the event is free, donations are gratefully accepted and go to Casa de La Luna Retreat. For further info, contact Leslee Goodman, (805) 625-1031.

Symphony of Life Book Club

Our Symphony of Life Book Club will be meeting on Wednesday, April 4, 6:00 pm to discuss our current book selection A Year of Sundays by Edward D. Webster. We will also be choosing our next book for the month of April. The meeting is a potluck so bring a dish to share. All are welcome to join in at any time. Contact Peggie Williamson, (805) 640-2450, for more information and the location of Wednesday's meeting.

Tithe Recipient for February 

We are pleased to present our tithe recipient for February. This time we are honoring the work being done by Peggie Williamson and her non-profit 501(c)3 organization, Wishworks. Wishworks provides books, school supplies and other resources directly to teachers in Musoma, Tanzania, Africa. This helps to insure that all children have the necessary materials for a quality education. Wishworks is a totally volunteer organization with no paid staff. They rely on donations and purchases from Made in Musoma Artists Co-op (which Peggie founded to support women artists) for their funding. We are proud of Peggie and the work she is doing in Africa.

Creative Adventures Winter Program 

We are in gratitude to Brian Pavelko and Candace Hull who facilitated our children's program this past Sunday. We welcome children 3-11 years of age to enjoy prayer, story telling, visual arts projects and/or music and movement. Our program is enriching and appropriate for young people regardless of their religious backgrounds.

Open Invitation  

This is an invitation to singers and musicians out there who would like to perform at the Symphony of Life.  Contact Rev. Karen, (805) 640-3743, or Patricia Cardinali, (805) 646-2098, if you are interested.

New YouTube Video 

Check out the home page of our website to see our YouTube Video!  

Visit our SOLSC Website

Please go to www.solsc.org to visit our community website.

Visit SOLSC Facebook