Chodesh Tov,
Adar II is the moon of revealing. It’s a time to be open what may be hidden from plain sight and reveal things in their right time.
Adar is the month of the Leitzanit, the sacred fool, which comes into full power on Purim. And Purim is going to be weird for many of us AGAIN this year. G!d/dess willing it won’t be the first holiday cancelled because of another global pandemic (hahahahhahahah remember 2020?!). But many in the Jewish community are struggling with how to celebrate a holiday that ends with a reading of how we killed generations of our enemies, with what is happening in Gaza. Seriously. Read the end of the Book of Esther. It is dark AF. So dark that years ago my sister shouted at me that this wasn’t part of the story — because she didn’t remember hearing when we were kids. Most likely — they skipped that part for the kids.
But wait… what?
Over the past few years, we’ve had to relearn the meaning of Purim. It’s dark. It’s the use of humor to overthrow oppression and tyranny. It’s not just a cute holiday with banging snacks. It’s laugh until you cry because otherwise you’ll just cry.
So - how do we celebrate this when in the USA we’re on the verge of losing our democracy (again…) and we’re watching Israel play out revenge fantasies in real life — while knowing that people are still being held hostage by Hamas.
But the question I had when I read the end of the Book of Esther (again — fucking dark), is when is it enough? How many have to die to make the point. Fuck around and find out, right? Okay — but how much? An eye for an eye means a proportional response. How many have to die, starve, be maimed, and suffer for it to be enough?
The soul trait for the month of Adar is zehirut (זהירות) illuminated awareness — literally “caution.” Illuminated awareness is the gift of the Leitzanit, the sacred fool. It’s that rare ability to know the impacts of actions before you take them. So you don’t say that cutting remark to the king, and get your head cut off. How many times have you heard someone (or whole societies) say “we couldn’t have known…” But they could have — they just didn’t want to. Allowing ourselves to embrace the zehirut means that we take responsibility for predictable outcomes.
May we use humor to break through and reach people — and try to understand the impacts of the choices we are making before we make them.
Adar II Correspondences
Moon: Revealing
Soul Trait: Zehirut (זהירות) Illuminated Awareness
Symbol: Hamantaschen
Tribe: Naphtali
Constellation: Dagim (דגים) Pisces
Letter: Kuf (ק)
Tarot: The Moon
Netivah: Leitzanit (ליצנית) Sacred Fool
These correspondences are primarily the ones that I personally have received (aka channeled), with the exception of the Netivah. They have been informed by learning and working with dear friends/collaborators such as Kohenet Bekah Starr, Kohenet Aly Evershine, Rav Kohenet Jill Hammer, and Rav Kohenet Taya Mâ.
Looking Ahead to Nisan
Nisan: Overview
Moon: Speaking
Tribe: Judah
Netivah: Na’arah (נערה) Maiden
Symbol: Haggadah
Tarot Card: Emperor
Soul Trait: Simcha (סמחה) Joy
Haggadot for your Passover Seder from Devotaj Sacred Arts
Find source citations for correspondences and so much more.
MAKING
The 25th Anniversary Artomatic DC begins this week, and I’m so excited to be a part of it. I’m showing the art of the Netivot Wisdom Oracle in a shared room with my BFF
. On my side of the room I’ve hung limited edition framed prints on canvas with art from Eit/Aht: a Netivot Wisdom Oracle and on Angela’s side she is showcasing complimentary original paintings. It was really fun figuring out how we, once again, would make a space where a Jew and a Pagan can come together.And you can pre-order one of the limited edition prints I’m showing! Each is a framed print on canvas, signed and numbered. Only 10 of each will be created. Learn more and order at devotaj.com/oracle.
Artomatic is happening Wed-Sundays March 8 - April 28, 2024. You have seven weeks to see 7 floors of amazing art and creativity in Downtown DC!
Planner Stickers
I’m having a blast designing sticker sheets for each month of the Jewish year. I’m trying to stay a few months ahead, so folks can order and receive them in plenty of time. Pre-ordering really helps me gauge interest, because I’m only doing small print runs.
So… Get your Nisan and Iyyar stickers, and even stock up on Adar for next year.
ICYMI
Have you see the very affordable Netivot Talismans I’ve been making?
They are one-of-a-kind handmade talismans that includes a card from the Eit/Aht: a Netivot Wisdom Oracle, sealing wax, beads, and other embellishments such as fortune cookie fortunes. Each is unique and captures a special energy. I love making these, so expect new ones to regularly appear in the shop!
MUSSAR
Date: Sunday 3/17/2024
Time: 3pm - 4:30 ET
Where: Register for Zoom Link
Cost: None, but donations gratefully accepted
The soul trait that corresponds with Adar II, in the Kesharim K’doshim approach to mussar, is Zehirut (זהירות) Illuminated Awareness.
There is no cost to attend Soul Trait Studio, but registration is required each month — but now you can register for several months in advance.
Register and find upcoming schedule at devotaj.com/soultraitstudio
And if you can’t attend in real time, all registrants also receive the recording the following day. And you can add your thoughts and experiences on the monthly Practice Guide (posted the day of each session).
You can also purchase a copy of my ebook: Introduction to Mussar Practice.
MAGIQ
This is a great month to explore food magiq, especially baking. Between Adar and Nisan we have two holidays where food is a huge part of the magiq and the rituals. And let’s be honest — every week we have Shabbat, which has powerful food magiq (challah, dinner, besamim) as part of it.
What can you bake into your hamantashen to transform yourself, your community, or the world? How can your haman’s fingers unlock new possibilities? What cookies can you cook up that can make magiq?
Here’s a Hamantashen ritual I wrote a few years back to help inspire you.
It’s also good time to start planning your rituals and magiq for the time period between the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024 that cuts across the United States and the planetary conjunctions that coincide with Shabbat HaGadol (Jupiter/Uranus in Aries) and the last night of Pesach (Mars-Neptune in Pisces).
Thoughts? Questions? Ideas?
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Watch | Listen | Read
Key: Shows & Movies 📺 | Books 📚 | Articles 📄 | Music 🎼 | Podcast 🎙
📚 The Order of Time by Carlo Rovelli (amazon)
This is my second book by the very poetic physicist, Carlo Rovelli. I love his writing and deep diving on time has been amazing.
📺 The Brothers Sun (Netflix)
I am here for all things Michelle Yeoh. This is a super sweet, action packed show about a family in the Chinese Mafia. Think “The Sopranos” with more kung fu and comedy.
📺 Somebody Feed Phil, Season 7 DC Episode (Netflix)
I have never watched this show until local writer and acquaintance of my husband
hyped it last week. Turns out Nevin has a feature on it, which was great. It was a good look at DC, just beyond the federal city and definitely featured a few of my favorite upscale and affordable eats.
Note: Links to Amazon.com contain affiliate code that allows authors to earn a small commission on purchases