Fasting.

 Its May and here in Virginia, its all about green grass, flowering trees, blue skies, the smell of roses and honeysuckle on the bike paths. People and animals and the plant world filled with hope and renewed vigor. Mother Earth at her most enchanting

Who needs food?  Seriously. When it was gray (or white with snow) that was all I could think about other than staying warm, and whatever we could do indoors that was lifegiving. This is when creativity is at its peak I think. In the darkest time of the year. That is when I am most creative whether in be in my painting to create another more vibrant world in my art) or writng, to wake me up and acknowledge that the emotions and the life force are flowing inside of me despite what I witness on the outside. Now that the weather invites me to play, and the outside world is filled with life (and Love if evident more so than ever) I am not so physically hungry.  But my 'family' is so I must cook and of course we both must eat. 

Today is a good day for me to fast. Coincidentally, it will be a new moon very shortly. In just a few days actually. So then I will continue but with a clearer "palette".  Dumping the old thought patterns, preparing for renewal from the Divine Love source, acknowledging mortality, weakness and all the thoughts I put at bay to go forward daily and put up a brave front. Today is my day to let it all go.I will go thru a 'winter' today. And probably for the next 2 days. Just as the moon is in its darkest phase monthly, I too will go thru this act of death, but only to the outer world which has given me so much joy as of late. Its time.
Mind you I don't do this often. I think when its time you just know its time. There is no hard and fast way to know other than the internal world will trigger you to do this. There is no one thing that is chiding me here, not depression or anxiety or a feeling of wanting anything in particular. Its just a knowing. I didn't even plan this. How can you plan on this if your knowing comes without warning. Anyway, if you never did this don't worry. If you don't want to do this who cares?  Just know that the results are wonderful. A feeling of calm and clarity  So, file this blog away for another month if you think this is something you want to experience.  In the meantime enjoy spring.


In preparation for a fast. Up to 3-7 days in advance
Cleanse the bowels with a good bowel cleanse product.
Drink water and lots of it.
Eat plants and plant products only the fresh raw organic kind, mostly green mostly fruit.
During the fast (Three days)
Rest frequently
Set aside mornings and evening for both breathwork and meditation.
Take salt baths to draw toxins from the skin. Add essential oils to the water. 
Drink warming teas, for me it will be Yerba Mate. And I will add raw honey and raw cream. I can't be that harsh on myself.
Drink lots of water, up to 3-4 liters a day. 
Yoga stretching routine.
Be creative as the thought patterns change so will your views on the world and so write it down or construct an outer replica of your inner world  through art. 
After the fast (First day)
Fresh organic fruit.
Raw nuts
Salads with very dark leafy greens. Just lemon juice, olive oil for dressing. OR your own homemade mayonnaise made with organic cold pressed olive,safflower, sunflower seed oil. 
Continue drinking lots of water.
Next week
Here is where everything can go to seed. To avoid the pitfalls of getting really sick you must stick to clean wholesome foods, avoid alcohol, and meat, and complicated dishes. Continue eating the foods listed above and add simple steamed dishes, minimum spices. Be kind be gentle in thought, word, and deed..... especially to yourself. Let things go, i.e. worries, annoyances, people who cause you to worry and be annoyed. At least know that you don't have to engage in your old ways of engagement. Its just as poisonous to feel these things as eating the wrong foods. Avoid like situations.  Be nice to yourself. The success of this time depends on it. It helps to continue hydrating with 3-4 liters a day. I know its not easy at first. I simply fill 3 glass milk bottles with water and set them in the kitchen. I try to have a bottle in the morning, one in the afternoon and one in the evening.