INSPIRATION | 41 CALENDARS

A Feast of Light

by Marlaina Donato

Despite the whirlwind of our to-do and places-to-go lists, the wheel of the year turns once more, allowing us to close another chapter of our lives with grace. If we take a breath, we might notice December’s invitation to kick off our shoes, curl up in our favorite chair and drop down into our heart space. Whether we light scented candles for ambience, drink cocoa while sitting around a bonfire or continue time-honored spiritual customs, welcoming the light can ignite hope when we need it most. By cultivating the inner sun, that place deep within us that blazes with resilience and plenty, we not only fortify ourselves, but everyone around us. Throughout the year, many of us invest in making healthy choices, but neglect soul sustenance. Swapping trivial distractions for more face-to-face conversations, answering someone’s forgotten email or bringing a homemade pot of

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soup to a neighbor that is busy packing for a move creates a feast of light during all seasons. “Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle,” wrote Gautama Buddha, and perhaps we would be astounded to see how far the smallest gesture can travel. Inviting a friend that has no family to a holiday dinner or out for coffee, spending more quality time with a child or buying a gift card for the receptionist at the dental office begets a chain reaction of small joys. When we fill our bellies with everyday magic, slow down to finish a cup of tea, turn off the news and notice the crescent moon nestled in the twilight, we become more inclined to feel blessed.

A few worthy inspirations to pass along: n Make it a spiritual offering to choose joy today n Close the year by letting go of a grievance or an outdated belief n Tell someone how they bring light into your life n Share a favorite book that is inspiring n Acquire a new source of light—a lantern or salt lamp—for your favorite room

n Leave an uplifting quote on a loved one’s voicemail

Marlaina Donato is an author, painter and composer. Connect at WildflowerLady.com.

SOUTH JERSEY’S

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Email Publisher@NASouthJersey.com for guidelines. We advise confirming in advance directly with the business or organization.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 1

Winter Wonderland Exhibit – Dec 1-31. 10am-4pm. Learn about ice, snow and all the wonder things that make winter so enchanting. Free with admission. Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, 4 Sawmill Rd, Medford. Registration required: 856-9833329 or CedarRun.org.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 2

Master Class: Pranakriya Signature Med-

itative Flow – 6-7:15pm. With Vladimir Tchakarov. A mid-level class and will include breath work and longer posture holds for a deeper practice. $25. Whole Body Yoga Studio, 103 E Walnut St, North Wales. 215661-0510. WholeBodyYogaStudio.com.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 3

Christmas in the Village – 11am-4pm. Handmade Arts & Crafts exhibitors will be spread throughout the historic village, free wagon rides and a candy cane hunt on the woodland trails. Hot cocoa and cookies, live music, food trucks and more. Free admission and parking. Whitesbog Preservation Trust, 120 W Whites Bogs Rd, #34, Browns Mills. 609-893-4646. Whitesbog.org. Santa Quest – 12-3pm. Bring your imagination and join us for our annual fun-filled holiday treat and self-guided adventure as we look for signs of Santa along the trails. Rancocas Nature Center, 794 Rancocas Rd, Westampton. 609-261-2495. RancocasNatureCenter.org.

Green Trading Post at Pinelands Preser-

vation Alliance – 12-4pm. Holiday bazaar featuring nonprofit organizations, local artists and authors. Pinelands Preservation Alliance, 17 Pemberton Rd, Southampton. PinelandsAlliance.org.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 4

Interpretive Trail Hike – 1:30-2:30pm. An interpretive hike through our varied habitats. Easy pace suitable for all ages. Inclement weather cancels. Registration limited. Free. Rancocas Nature Center, 794 Rancocas Rd, Westampton. 609-261-2495. RancocasNatureCenter.org.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6

NeuroDynamic Breath Workshop – 7-9:15pm. Limited to 6 attendees. A transformational process for personal growth which allows for healing and self-empowerment. The process is entirely guided by the breather’s own inner intelligence and creates the opportunity for breathers to process and release stuck or shoved down emotions, connect to their intuition and creativity, find profound peace and contentment, and improve their overall health and well-being. $100/person. Massage by Laura, 3 Deltona Ln, Marlton. 856-287-5840. MassageByLaura.net.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7

Despacho Full Moon Ceremony – 6:30pm. With Kathy Hardies & Shaman Owl Grey Fire. The Despacho Ceremony is held in a circle of sacred, ritual space around a fire. It invites participants to connect with gratitude at the soul level through creating a collective mandala while focusing intention on our blessings. $35. The Center, Life in Balance, 45 S. Main St, Medford. 609-975-8379 or TheCenterLifeInBalance@gmail.com

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 10

Winterfest – 1-7pm. Welcome the holiday season with a celebration of all things winter that will warm your heart. Historic Smithville Park, 803 Smithville Rd, Eastampton. Co.Burlington.nj.us. Night Hike: Adults Only – 4:30-6pm. Enjoy a guided hike to visit nocturnal habitats that are home to owls, raccoons, opossums and other wildlife that emerge after dark. $15/ person. Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, 4 Sawmill Rd, Medford. Registration required: 856-983-3329 or CedarRun.org.

Moonlight Hike – 7-8pm. Join an experienced guide for a night walk in the pines. $5/member, $10/nonmember. Whitesbog Preservation Trust, 120 W Whites Bogs Rd, #34, Browns Mills. 609-893-4646. Whitesbog.org.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 11

Unwind & Align: Yin Yoga and Crystal Bowl Sound Healing – 7-8:15pm. Includes slow, passive stretches to carve out space so you can soften into your body and balance your energy. The beautiful resonances of the crystal singing bowls act to purify, detoxify and clear out any stagnant energy in your body. $33/person. Massage by Laura, 3 Deltona Ln, Marlton. 856-287-5840. MassageByLaura.net.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 13

Dream Circle – 6:30pm. With Shelley Shayner. Discover what your own subconscious and the Universe want to tell you in this free style, fun and enlightening circle. Various techniques will be shared. Individual dreams will be interpreted. Please bring one recorded dream. $20. The Center, Life in Balance, 45 S Main St, Medford. 609975-8379. TheCenterLifeInBalance.com.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 15

Mediumship Gallery with Rich Braconi – 6:30-8:30pm. During this 24-seat Spirit Mediumship Gallery, self-taught International Spirit Medium and Medical Intuitive Rich Braconi will connect with family, loved ones and friends who have passed from your life. Rich will attempt to read as many attendees as possible but there is no guarantee that everyone will receive a personal reading. $50/person. Massage by Laura, 3 Deltona Ln, Marlton. 856-287-5840. MassageByLaura.net.

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Saturday Guided Hike – 10:30-11:30am. Studies show that taking a walk in a natural area is good for your physical and mental health. Free. Rancocas Nature Center, 794 Rancocas Rd, Westampton. 609-2612495. RancocasNatureCenter.org. Yule: Holidays Throughout Time – 11am3pm. Journey through time from the 700s to the 1920s at Historic Whitesbog Village in partnership with the Clan of the Raven and The Banner of Jasna Gora. Whitesbog Preservation Trust, 120 W Whites Bogs Rd, #34, Browns Mills. 609-893-4646. Whitesbog.org. Holiday Show: Albert Music Hall – 5:309pm. Come join the fun of the traditional musical gatherings of the NJ Pinelands. Free/kids under 11. Albert Music Hall, 131 Wells Mills Rd, Waretown. 609-971-1593. AlbertHall.org.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21

Winter Solstice Night Hike – 6-8pm. Celebrate with us by enjoying a campfire with marshmallow roasting and a hike along our trails under the moonlight. $15/adult, $10/ child. Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, 4 Sawmill Rd, Medford. Registration required: 856-983-3329 or CedarRun.org.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30

End of Year Celebration: Sound Healing with Restorative Yoga & Reiki – 2-4pm. A relaxing, restorative yoga practice, infused with reiki healing energy from our Reiki Master, all while being surrounded by the beautiful sounds of sound healing bowls, chimes and gongs. $55. Whole Body Yoga Studio, 103 E Walnut St, North Wales. 215-661-0510. WholeBodyYogaStudio.com.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 3

SAVE THE DATE

Yoga Cape May Holistic Yoga Retreat

– Feb 3-5. “Listening with our Hearts.” Deepen your experience with yoga and meditation. This retreat can help you connect deep within yourself to discover your true self and allow you to find your own path to wholeness. Experience various styles of yoga and meditation. All levels. $299 all-inclusive. Marianist Retreat Center, Cape May Point. Info, Karen: 609-827-8886 or KBosna28@ yahoo.com. YogaCapeMay.com.

NASouthJersey.com can help you access the resources you need for help in staying healthy and happy!

SUNDAY

Sunday Morning Yoga – 9:30-10:30am. Offers a hatha yoga practice, following a classic style that includes asanas (yoga postures) and pranayama (yoga breathwork). This gentle synchronized flow is guided by Fit Mind and Body LLC instructors helping us to bring balance to the mind and body and enhancing deeper spiritual practices such as meditation. $15. Studio 67 Medford, 67 N Main St, Medford. Studio67Medford.com.

MONDAY

Prenatal Yoga Classes – 6-7pm. Designed to nourish expectant mothers during their journey. Learn to connect with their own innate wisdom, body and growing baby. Strengthen pelvic muscles, improve circulation and increase comfort. $25/class, $130/6 classes. Whole Body Yoga Studio, 103 E Walnut St, North Wales. 215-661-0510. WholeBodyYogaStudio.com. Monthly Meditation/Mini-Workshop – 6:30-8pm. 1st Mon. An open invitation to those who are interested in exploring meditation, energy education/topics and reiki. No experience necessary. $15. The Center, Life in Balance, 45 S Main St, Medford. Pre-registration required: 609-975-8379 or TheCenterLifeInBalance.com.

WEDNESDAY

Midweek Meditation – 12-12:10pm. Also Fri. The focus of this meditation is love. Each week we will raise the love vibration personally and globally. Treat yourself to a mid-day refresher. Free. The Center, Life in Balance, 45 S Main St, Medford. 609-975-8379. TheCenterLifeInBalance.com.

Hump-Day Hikes – Dec 7-21. 2-3:30pm. Join us for a brisk guided hike in nature and view the week-to-week changes as the natural world comes alive. Inclement weather cancels. Free. Rancocas Nature Center, 794 Rancocas Rd, Westampton. 609-261-2495. RancocasNatureCenter.org.

THURSDAY

All-Level Vinyasa Flow – 9:30-10:45am. With Eric Herman. Tune into your true essence through asanas, breathwork and meditation experiencing a place of peace in the present moment, by the end of each class. $10. Live In Joy Yoga & Wellness, 118 W Merchant St, Audubon. LiveInJoyYoga.com. Yoga Mobility – 10-10:30am. Yoga Mobility is something very different from traditional yoga. It takes the best of many different forms of movement to create a flow within our body. Perfect for seniors and people who are physically disabled. 1st class free; $10/class. Barrel Factory at Whitesbog Historic Farm and Village, 120 W Whites Bogs Rd, Browns Mills. Whitesbog.org.

FRIDAY

Virtual Pinelands Commission Meeting

– 9:30-11am. 2nd Fri. The Pinelands Commission is the state agency that oversees conservation and development within the Pinelands boundaries. They hold a regular monthly meeting that is open to the public. Pinelands Preservation Alliance: 609-8947300 or RhyanG@PinelandsAlliance.org. Agenda: State.nj.us/pinelands. Midweek Meditation – 12-12:10pm. Also Wed. The focus of this meditation is peace. Each week we will raise the love vibration personally and globally. Treat yourself to a mid-day refresher. Free. The Center, Life in Balance, 45 S Main St, Medford. 609-975-8379. TheCenterLifeInBalance.com.

SATURDAY

Walking Group – 9am. 1st Sat. With Michelle, Teeming Health Wellness Studio. Walking group at one of our local county parks. For more info & location: Meetup. com/Healthy-Mount-Holly. Psychic & Healing Fair – 10am-2pm. 3rd Sat. The fair offers different avenues to healing. Be able to have an intuitive/psychic reading, a reiki session, energy healing or lie on the BioMat. $30/20 mins. A variety of 20-min free talks offered. The BioMat incorporates amethyst crystals, far infrared heat and negative ions to help the body heal and relax. Walk-ins welcome and encouraged. The Center, Life in Balance, 45 S Main St, Medford. 609-975-8379. TheCenterLifeInBalance.com.

Volunteer Service Day – 10am-3pm. 1st Sat. Volunteer in outdoor or indoor projects in the village. Whitesbog Preservation Trust, 120 W Whites Bogs Rd, #34, Browns Mills. 609-893-4646. Whitesbog.org.