Rosh Hashanah...the Gates of Heaven are Open!!

Most of you may not know this but I graduated from Boston College with a Theology degree. Theology defined by Webster is the STUDY of religious faith, practice, and experience; especially : the study of God and of God's relation to the world also the study of divine things or religious truth; divinity. The word “theology” comes from two Greek words that combined mean “the study of God.” Theology is the art and science of knowing what we can know and understand about God in an organized and understandable manner. I’ve been a “seeker” as long as I can remember. When I was 15, I used to pray for the wisdom of Solomon…not real typical for a teenage girl, I know. I just always wanted to know things..the big things…like how the world works, the mysteries of the Universe and just who is God, anyway.

I have always been intrigued by the sacred texts of world religions from the Bible, Bagavad Gita, Zohar, Tao Te Ching, to the Book of Mormon. I’ve studied Pagan practices, Kabbalah, the law of attraction, writings of Chopra, Dyer, Tolle, and Abraham-Hicks to name a few. Throughout these almost 30 years of continual study, I have gleaned different beliefs and practices that I have felt a particular spriritual “connection” with…things that have spoken to my heart personally. One of those practices or celebrations that has had a tremendous impact on me is Rosh Hashanah.

Rosh Hashanah is the Kabbalistic beginning of the New Year. The Zohar explains that this holiday is one of the major cosmic openings in the heavens that occur throughout the year. They believe that what you do in the next 30 days following Rosh Hashanah and more specifically the 48 hours beginning at sundown of that holiday creates a blueprint for your life for the coming year. That is, all your actions, behaviors and consciousness during these 2 days determine your year!! It is also a time to remove any negativity from the previous year from your ‘field’. Wow!! What would you do if that were true? And if thousands of Jews for thousands of years have believed this, then like a Sanscrit Sutra that has been chanted for eons of time that has come to hold the essence and energy of whatever meaning it was given or revealed, then who am I to say otherwise about Rosh Hashanah.

I have always believed in working with the energies and forces of nature like the lunar cycle, elements: ether, air, earth, fire, water, the directions, North, East, South and West along with all the astrological influences going on at particular times on the planet. I mean, why not…it’s what I call, “going with the flow”. Rosh Hashanah is one of those things that really struck me and I have adopted it as my sacred New Year celebration.

Michael Berg of the Kabbalah Centre International, said of Rosh Hashanah, that it’s as if all the banks or the vaults of Heaven are open during this time and the sign reads: Everyone come in and take what you want. He says to approach it like a poor person who has nothing so you need EVERYTHING….more love, more peace, more money, more everything!! Be greedy with your goals and desires. He says when you get stopped and start thinking, “this could never happen…” THINK EVEN BIGGER. If only you understood how much abundance is awaiting you…

Berg says to make two lists. The first one is all the things you want in the coming year. Then on the second, outline the behavior that will get you those things. He reminds us of a very important detail. In order to get something, you have to give it. So for example, if you want more love and kindness in your relationship, you must GIVE more love and kindness. If you desire more wealth and abundance you must give that. If you feel you have no money to give away, go through your closets find what you no longer need and go bring it to a friend or charity. There are plenty of things that we can give that don’t require money. We can give someone a sincere compliment, a flower, something from your garden, a love note, or a listening ear. We can assist someone weed their yard, move, clean, babysit, or cook a meal. We all have so much, no matter what our circumstances are currently. Some have this notion that they will give when they feel they have…that’s backwards…we must give in order to have.

What I have done in the past during these 48 hours is, I make sure I meditate and get in some yoga, I eat food that is healthy and that I love, I used to make sure I had several appointments lined up and made sure I got a sale during that time when I owned my window business…translation: do something that is income generating, I make plans with the people I want to be part of my life in the upcoming year, I do something nice for somebody else,  I do something fun with my kids and I always WRITE!! I do my best to include everything I can think of that feels yummy to me.  Also I make sure my emotions and frequency remain high and in good spirits by thinking about everything I am grateful for in my life.

The gates are open, the overflow of blessings is available during this time. Whatever you grab or connect with during this time you will have in the coming year! What are you waiting for…go make your lists and prepare for your amazing new year…when you think you have a great list…think even BIGGER!!! Here’s to dream’s being fulfilled and the most AMAZING year EVER…can you FEEL it…I can…bring it on Universe…we are ready!!!

*This picture was taken about 4 years ago during the month of Rosh Hashana.  It was a time that I had recently made some major life changes and my face and posture reflects the deep peace and gratittude I was feeling during that time. Breathe. Receive. Peace. Harmony. Joy. (It was actually the origins of  what has become my signature pose.)

*• There is a lot more information on this topic available at the Kabbalah Centre International. Please feel free to share here anything that you learn with the rest of us. Thanks.