The first night of Kislev is Tuesday, November 17th 2020 KISLEV Activating Our Power Spiritual Energy of Kislev It’s Time For Kislev In the Northern hemisphere, the days are getting shorter and the evenings are lengthening. We’re tucking ourselves in at night, maybe covering ourselves in blankets, and settling into winter. It’s time for Kislev. Last month in Cheshvan, we were “in the muck” — working to make good on our Rosh Hashanah commitments and integrate them into our actual lives. How are we going to be in the world this new year? we asked ourselves. We answer that question every day with our actions. Pocket Of The Heart This month, Kislev, has a very special meaning. In Hebrew, kis means “pocket” and lev means “heart.” Put them together, and you get a little piece of poetry: “pocket of the heart”! Kislev asks us to reach down deep and put a comforting hand on our heart and its desires, so that we can bring them into the light. Now is the time to rekindle our dreams. Kislev offers a healing quality of sleep. In Jewish thought, sleep is the time when our souls ascend to a higher world and “see the light.” And speaking of light, this month we also celebrate Chanukah, which is all about bringing light to dark moments and rejoicing in miracles. Combining the themes of illumination and vision, our spiritual teachers say Kislev is an auspicious month to meditate on life’s purpose, move past our own limiting beliefs, dream about what is possible, and receive guidance — perhaps in our dreams — about how to live closer to our values. Have Faith, And Follow Your Heart When we see our core values missing from conversation, and from political and economic decision-making, we have a voice and a vision to tap into. Each one of us walks through the world with a desire to make an impact. But self-doubt, or fear of rejection or failure, can halt our efforts — or even keep us from trying in the first place. During Kislev, we are literally commanded to have faith, to follow our hearts, and to move forward, even if we can’t see the full clear path. We can step forward with trust and fearlessness. In Kislev, challenge yourself to move beyond logic. Tune into feeling and your intuition. Drop into the pocket of the heart. Embodied Insights: Surrender into Trust with Yoga for Kislev By Jenna Zadaka Jenna Zadaka, MA: CCC-SLP, RYT, blends Jewish ancient wisdom with mindfulness and movement practices into feminine, rejuvenating yoga sequences. Jenna offers specialized prenatal and postpartum yoga classes, as well as energizing Vinyasa flow classes for women. You can view her website at www.breathandsoul.net or connect to her via Instagram at @Jennazadaka. ​ ​ Kislev is a month of dreams, deep rest, and surrender to miracles.The word for Kislev derives from the Hebrew Beautifully, the gematria (numerical value) of the word “body” (guf) is the same as the .(ֶכֶּסל) word for trust Hebrew word for “Chanukah” (89), because it is through the vessel of the body that we experience the light and miracles of Chanukah. Kislev is an opportune time to connect to our bodies, our inner dreams, and to ask ourselves: what is the light that we have always dreamed of bringing into this world? Our embodiment practice for Kislev offers us an opportunity to be held and supported in order to enter into a state of deep trust. When our body trusts, we begin to open, tapping into our senses of wonder, possibility, and miracles. We begin to discover the aliveness within each subtle movement, the miracle of the breath, the vitality of our body. Our body senses that there is infinity in every moment! Even in the depths of a dark and cold winter, we can trust that light and warmth will return. Through deep trust, we allow space for miracles to enter into our lives. But in order for miracles to appear, we begin by acknowledging that there might exist infinite possibilities beyond our realm and outside of our control. Our limitless potentiality requires we relinquish the fallacy that what happens next in our lives is entirely up to us. Let in, let be, let go…and accept the fact that G-d is taking care of us. A joyous act of surrender. As women, we often experience many transformations in our lives, such as the transitions of familial or communal roles, the physical changes in our bodies, the hormonal cycles, and other emotional and spiritual waves that we experience. During spirals of evolution and uncertainty, Kislev reminds us to ponder: what gives us a sense of trust, security, and stability? Is there a place, image, prayer, or memory that we can bring to the mind's eye, no matter what? Here are three yoga poses and reflection questions to help you surrender deeper into the miracles of Kislev. 1. Prop-supported Reclined Butterfly Practice: Prop-supported Reclined Butterfly Area of the body: inner thighs, hips, knees, stomach (which corresponds to Kislev!) Benefits: Promotes trust, stimulates the abdominal organs, activates the parasympathetic nervous system Bring the soles of the feet together to touch and let the knees “butterfly” open out to the side so your legs make a diamond-shape. Place two blocks, pillows, or rolled up blankets beneath your thighs (the placement will be a bit different for everybody, so find the sweet spot that feels like a gentle, yet supportive opening). For even greater relaxation, place a folded blanket, pillow, or bolster beneath the spine or place a block beneath the rib cage. Rest your head on a pillow or blanket, set an eye-pillow or cloth over the eyes, and relax the muscles of your face. Extend your arms out to the side or place your palms on your belly. Close your eyes. Trust the Earth below you as warm, loving, and safe. Allow your body to be held by the props and ground beneath you. Start to bring your awareness to your breath.. With every inhale, feel your belly expand and rise. With every exhale, feel your belly fall towards your spine as you sink deeper into a trusting state. Feel your vitality and creative life force. What does the miracle of being alive feel like now? 2. Practice: Supported Bridge Practice: Supported Bridge Areas of the body: Spine, chest, neck and crown of the head Benefits: Relieves headaches & anxiety, brings us into a dream-state Begin by laying on your back with your knees bent and feet hip-width distance apart. Shimmy your shoulders under your chest to open the heart space and lift your hips up towards the sky. Place a block, bolster, or a folded blanket under the low back. Gently rest one hand on the belly and one on the heart. Breathe into the fullness of your hands. 3. Melting Heart Pose with Prayer Hands Practice: Melting Heart Pose with Prayer Hands Areas of the body: Hips, Back (Thoracic Spine), and heart space Benefits: Releasing, Transforming Begin in a tabletop position. Walk your hands forward and drape your chest down to the ground. Keep your hips above your knees as you find a backbend through your thoracic spine (the upper back section from the rib cage to the shoulders). Bend your elbows in front of you, and place each elbow on a block or folded blanket. Draw your hands into a prayer position behind the nape of your neck. Lengthen through the biceps/triceps and open the shoulder girdle as the heart melts down. Imagine this yoga posture as a prayer with your body. You might even twinkle your fingers behind the base of the skull like a flickering candle flame, igniting movement through the finger joints and feeling the energy of transformation course through your hands. Find a quiet place to sit or lay down. Close your eyes as you reflect on each question. ● Where in the body do you hold resistance, fear, or tightness? Is there somewhere in your body where you can feel a sense of trust or openness to possibility? In which areas of your life can you soften more into a sense of surrender? ● In a dark and cold month, Kislev represents light from a place of darkness. In the depths of winter, we celebrate our ability to search for the pure oil of light. What is the pure oil of light that you are celebrating this Kislev? An Invitation to Create: Bottle Cap Tea Lights In Kislev, we bring light to illuminate miracles and ignite your dreams. Remember, darkness makes the light shine brighter. Materials Steps ● Bottle caps 1. If using crayons, remove paper labels, and put them (or the wax) ● Crayons (or wax) in a clean, empty soup can. ● Pre-waxed wicks 2. Place wax paper on table. Place bottle caps on top, design side ● Tin soup cans down. Place one pre-waxed wick inside each bottle cap. ● Wax paper (optional) 3. Fill a small cooking pan with a couple inches of water. Place on ● Small cooking pan stove, over a medium-high flame. Place soup can inside the pan to ● Scissors make a double boiler and melt the wax. Once the wax has melted, ● Water gently pour the melted mixture into the bottle caps. 4. Let the candles cool for 1-2 hours. Once they’ve cooled, trim the wicks. 5. Enjoy your homemade tea lights, and shine some light in the darkness. A Ritual for Kislev: Finding Meaning in Our Dreams Contributed by Rabbi Callie Schulman, a member of At The Well’s “Shechinah Counsel,” and spiritual teacher in Portland, Oregon.