The Mary Christopher Podcast

Spring has arrived in the Northern Hemisphere!  This means Fall is beginning in the Southern Hemisphere.  Farmers and Gardeners in the Southern Hemisphere are harvesting crops and getting ready for Winter.  In the Northern Hemisphere, we are waiting to get our native plants and vegetable seedlings in the ground.  For gardeners, Spring means tending new seedlings,  and watching the daily high and low temperatures.  
 
It is very important to wait until after the last frost of the season before planting any seedlings outdoors.  There are often late frosts that can damage young plants.  Sometimes we wait and wait and still have a very late frost with no warning.  It is usually worth the effort to wait as long as possible.
 
In the southeast and south central United States, early flowers are budding and getting ready to burst into bloom.  Most trees are showing tiny leaves and may have tiny buds that will burst into bloom overnight.  This is a magical time of year with amazing colors, blue skies, and often windy days.
 
This past Sunday afternoon, I was sitting with one of my favorite pine trees, looking at the tiny blossoms in the grass and checking the sky for birds.  Before too long, I saw one hawk making a large circle over the field, and then I saw 2 more, all making circles.  They were just floating on the higher air currents, occasionally moving their wings.  Their flight was so elegant and effortless, it was amazing to watch!  I could have watched for hours.
 
Creation is amazing, if only we take the time to pay attention.  Every time I sit and rest with a tree, I always relax.  And, after a few minutes, my heart rate begins to slow down, and I take longer and deeper breaths.  Recent studies have shown that the health effects of regular “tree sitting” are very specific and can last for several days.  Most of us know if we are calm and relaxed, our whole system functions more efficiently.  Our blood pressure goes down, our digestion improves, and our immune system functions much better.  And, we are usually in a better mood!
 
Maintaining our health is so important right now because of all the drama and nonsense in our world.  As we know, if our stress levels are high, we may not be sleeping very well.  Tree sitting is an excellent remedy for ongoing stress and insomnia.  Sometimes I can even take a nap, sitting with a protective tree.  And, I love to meditate with trees.  My meditations are usually longer and deeper when I am sitting with a tree.
 
Spring is a great time for catching up on Sunshine and Fresh Oxygen.  Spring is also an excellent time for “Birding” and counting those lovely light yellow butterflies that are flitting through our yards and parks.  If possible, leave the leaves in your yard as long as possible.  Tiny Creatures like Fireflies, Lady Beetles, worms, and all the ones that we can barely see need more time and protection from the weather to survive and thrive!  Fireflies need 2 seasons to mature, so if you want to see Fireflies this season and next year, leave the leaves and don’t use pesticides !!!
 
Remember, if we take care of Creation, Creation will always take care of us!

Spring has arrived in the northern hemisphere!  Winter is for resting while Spring is for Being Outside, breathing fresh air, and enjoying the Beauty of Creation.  Spring is tiny flowers opening in green grass, a new foal learning to run in the pasture, and buds showing up on fruit trees.  We are seeing new visitors at our bird feeders. Dandelions are everywhere in the yard.  Spring is radiant color and pure joy for us to savor.
As we are well aware, the world of humans can be extremely difficult.  We can’t ignore our responsibilities in the world, but we can heal our hearts by soaking up the beauty and wonder of Spring.  The world is often “too much with us” as my mom used to say.  At the same time, Creation is with us and all around us, and within us.  We are part of Creation!  The Beauty of Creation is also the Beauty and Light living within each of us.  We can always celebrate that Light.  Spring offers Renewal and Light and Hope.
 
~ Morning Prayers ~
Christ above me,   Christ below me,
Christ before me,   Christ behind me,
Christ within me.
Christ be on my right,    Christ be on my left,
Christ when I sit down,   Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I arise.
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me.
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me.
Christ in every eye that sees me.
Christ in every ear that hears me.
~ Evening Prayers ~
May the Angels watch me
As I lie down to sleep.
May Angels guard me 
As I sleep tonight.
Uriel be at my feet.
Ariel be at my back.
Gabriel be at my head.
Raphael be at my side.
Michael protect my Soul
With the strong shield of Love.
And the healing Son of Mary
Touch my eyes with Blessedness.
 
Mary Christopher
Celtic Spirituality Study Group

This morning when I woke up, I could tell it was windy outside.  I turned on my phone, checked the weather, and discovered it was 22 degrees outside and windy.  The wind chill was 12 degrees!  Brrrrrrrr….. !!!  So much for my morning walk!
 
I find my morning walk makes a big difference in my energy during the day, as well as my focus and concentration.  So, I do miss my morning walk, especially since the weather has been dry and warmer.  Regardless, I was not going for a walk with the wind chill of 12 degrees.  So, I did a few  breathing exercises to open my lungs and increase my circulation.  Then I did my morning meditation.
 
I have found that my early morning “spiritual workouts” are even more essential now due to all the chaos, confusion, and devastation in the world.  I need more time to get centered, relaxed, and at ease with myself.  This is one of the reasons that I am waking up earlier.  I need that extra time.  When there is so much violence and destruction and death on our planet, we all feel it, whether we understand how deeply we are connected or not!
 
We are related because we belong to the same species.  We are all Homo sapiens.  We descended from a small group of ancestors who lived in Africa approximately 300,000 years ago, give or take a few thousand years.  Regardless of our differences in appearance, all humans are 99.9% genetically identical.  This makes us one of the most closely related species on the planet!  If you trace your family tree back just a few thousand years, your ancestors - and the ancestors of someone on the opposite side of the planet - intermarried.  So, that works out to all of us being Cousins, x number of times removed.
 
Living in a chaotic and increasingly dangerous world does not help us to sleep, or digest, or make good decisions!  Wars and rumors of war always increase our anxiety and cortisol levels.  As we go into higher and higher states of alertness, our whole system usually slides into “fight, flight, or freeze” mode.  And, our amygdala is shouting “Danger, Danger, Danger”.  This is not good, unless we are actually in Danger!
 
Our amygdala is an almond-shaped structure within our brain's limbic system.  It is responsible for processing emotions, particularly fear, anxiety, and aggression.  It is focused primarily on our survival and reacts to any kind of danger or perceived danger like a fast-acting "smoke detector".  It triggers our fight-or-flight responses and regulates social behaviors.
 
When we live with such easy access to the “news of latest disasters” or bombings or major weather events, our amygdala can easily be constantly triggered.  This means we are living in and adapting to higher and higher levels of stress and alertness.  We are prepared for “danger”, but have no clear idea what that danger looks like.  Human beings are very adaptable, which is usually an excellent trait until we keep adapting to higher and higher levels of stress and our “danger hormones”.
 
When we are “super-stressed” and walking around feeling hyper-alert, our amazing physical and emotional bodies are primed for danger.  This is exhausting and can affect our perception of events, as well as our response to everyday challenges.  We may have difficulty “falling asleep” or digesting our food.  Or, we may indulge in food that is higher in sugar or salt, or drink more alcohol.
 
When we are living in chaotic and dangerous times, we need to take good care of ourselves.  In most cases, this begins with recognizing when we are “stressed-out”!  It also means knowing how to “unwind” ourselves and calm down so we can “rest and digest”.
 
This is why I look forward to my morning walk and give myself almost twice as much time to relax and slip into a calmer and more centered state.  I do this just so I can start my day with a good meditation.  When we can shift out of hyperdrive and back into “cruise mode”, our mind begins to clear, and our heart rate will slow down.  Our digestion begins to function better, and our immune system comes back online.  We may even make better decisions!
 
So, take the time you need to restore peace and calm to your system.  Be aware of your heart rate and where your “train of thought” is headed.  If you catch yourself having negative or fearful thoughts, then do whatever you need to do to restore your sanity.
 
As always, Creation is available to help us restore our sanity and good humor.  Remember, Creation is always providing Fresh Air, Water, Flowers, Food, Honey, and Butterflies.  Squirrels are still having a great time chasing each other up and down trees.  Sunrise is always dependable, and photosynthesis is working just fine!  Thank Goodness !!!
 
Take really good care of yourself.  We will get through this current Insanity.  See you next week !!!

Instinctively, we know that “caring for Creation” is directly related to our survival as Human Beings as well as the health and well-being of this Precious Planet.  These go hand-in-hand.
 
We are blessed beyond our understanding by the Beauty and Resilience of Nature.  When I have time to walk in a forest or sit with an old-growth tree for a while, I feel so Blessed.  After an hour or two, I feel calmer and more centered, and much more at ease with myself.  Now that we are going through such insanity and devastation, I find I need even more time with Trees, Sunshine, and lots of Fresh Air.
 
This is also one of the reasons many people are putting in vegetable gardens this Spring.  Gardening is Grounding and Healing!  And, we have fresh vegetables and maybe even fruit or watermelons!  When was the last time on a hot afternoon, you sat in a cool spot, under a Tree, and ate fresh Watermelon?  Probably too long ago … !  Remember, Watermelon is one of the very best ways to treat dehydration!  It is Nature’s answer!
 
When was the last time you walked into your new garden, picked a few ripe cherry Tomatoes and popped them in your mouth?  That is exactly what I will be doing this summer, because we are putting in a Garden this Spring! 
 
Hanging out in the Woods with lovely Trees will lower your anxiety, slow your heart rate, restore your appetite, and your ability to taste food.  You will sleep better, and your immune system will start functioning again.  In general, Organic Gardeners are healthier, happier, and generally have more energy than people who are sitting in front of screens all day.
 
We will get through this current political insanity and cultural devastation.  It will not go on forever.  As we find our way through these absurd and violent times, we can create a better future by the way we care for the Earth and take care of ourselves.  Every tiny heirloom seed or small native plant that we put into the ground is our investment in the Future!
 
Here is one of my favorite morning prayers.  I like to read it outside, standing in the Sunshine.  I always feel stronger,  more grounded, and very Blessed by Creation and the Creator! 
 
~ Morning Prayer ~
 
I arise today,
 
through the Strength of Heaven:
 
Light of Sun,
 
Radiance of Moon,
 
Splendour of Fire,
 
Speed of Lightening,
 
Swiftness of Wind,
 
Depth of Sea,
 
Stability of Earth,
 
Firmness of Rock. 

Celtic Daily Prayers for the Week of March 8 2026
We have heard about the violence and destruction of the Nazi regime and the Roman Empire.  Did we ever even consider the possibility that our country would go down a similar road of destruction and devastation?  Regardless of our political persuasion, we are now seeing our current “government” acting deliberately beyond our Constitution.  This is beyond what most of us could have ever imagined in our wildest speculations.  But, here we are!  What can we do … ?
 
There is plenty to do right here and now!  We can speak up.  Even though we may be stunned by the constant news of wars and betrayal, there are groups, well organized, who are “speaking truth to power”!  We can do more for our neighbors and the people we know who are struggling.  And, we can take better care of the Earth.  Spring is just a few days away.  We can plant more Native Plants in our yards.  We can be sure the Birds in our neighborhood have food and access to water.  We can support Pollinators by using fewer pesticides and growing Nectar Plants.  And, we can dig deep into our own Hearts for strength and resilience in these difficult times.
 
~ Morning Prayer ~
 
Dedicating the Blessings of this Day for Peace.
 
The Glorious Sunlight,
The Fresh Breeze,
The cleansing of Clear Water,
The Beauty and Stability of the Earth,
To the Good of all Life,
To the Health of all Beings,
To the Joy of each Breath,
And, the Grace of each Moment
For Peace on Earth.
 
~ Evening Prayers ~
 
We ask
The Sacred Three,
To save, 
To shield,
To surround,
Our Hearth,
Our Home,
This Eve,
This night,
And every night,
Every single night,
Each single night,
May the Blessing of the Sacred Three Abide.

Caring for Ourselves in the Midst of Chaos 
We are currently going through extremely difficult and challenging times!  What matters most is the way we move through every day of this ongoing chaos.  The way we walk through every moment determines our health and well-being.  All this Insanity will not last forever, even though it feels like it might.  So, we need to be as conscious and creative as possible.  We want to be the ones creating a better world.
We all have feelings of frustration, anxiety, possibly depression, or extreme anger.  These feelings are normal given the circumstances.  However, we do not want these emotions to take over our lives.  We want to develop our ability to shift out of our dissonate, negative emotions.  That is easy to say and often very difficult to do.  If we linger in strong emotions, we are actually pushing ourselves toward depression and short-circuiting our immune system.  And, we may not realize what is happening!
Whenever we move from frustration or fear into prolonged anger, our nervous system reads that as “danger” and goes into fight, flight, or freeze.  Because our subconscious does not know the difference between “them or us”, “you or me”,  we are caught in the net of our own negativity!  Then our system flips our survival switch, and off we go on a roller coaster of survival emotions.
We all know people who have strong political affiliations.  Unfortunately, they may actually “love to hate”!  These intensely polarized people may even have “lists of people they hate”!  And, they are often very proud of their lists!  Meanwhile, their prolonged, intense anger is tearing their system apart.  Hatred actually constricts our heart!  People who sustain strong negative emotions for long periods often feel life is pointless, people are terrible, and the world is a total mess.  As they age, they can become bitter or move into deep depression.  No one wants to live like that!
What can we do to take good care of ourselves during these difficult times?  For starters, turn off the computer, the big screen, and your phone.  We know we spend way too much time sitting and staring at screens.  Then, weather permitting, go outside.  Breathe fresh air.  Close your eyes, and listen to the Birds.  Look up at the clouds.  If it’s going to rain, find your umbrella and walk through the park in the rain!  Move your awareness back to Nature.  Remember, Creation is working just fine!
The Sun came up right on time this morning.  The Moon continues to revolve around the Earth.  The Lunar cycles are consistent.  Water is still H2O.  Photosynthesis is working, as always.  Trees are beginning to bud!  Squirrels continue to chase each other up and down Trees.  They are having a great time!  It’s the human population that can’t seem to get along.
So, we need to set an example by being Good Neighbors.  Check in with Friends who live across the country.  Hold the door open for someone at the store.  Send a note to someone who just had surgery.  All these “little” actions add up to Big Blessings.  The more we bless others, the more we are blessed.  As we allow our Hearts to open, we begin to move out of survival and into a much calmer state of Being!  We move from “fight, flight, or freeze” into a much more Coherent state of health.  And, we become more of a Blessing to ourselves and others.  
We will get through this period of insanity.  We have had similar violent and destructive times in our country.  And, we have come out with better ideas and better systems for governing.  The more we work together and stand up for our Neighbors, the sooner we will move through all this upheaval and tragedy.  Remember, we are the ones we have been waiting for … !!!  

What do we do when the world around us seems to be going crazy and falling apart all at the same time?  We know distractions don’t work for long.  Falling into prolonged frustration and blame doesn’t work.  So, how do we stay healthy and useful to ourselves and others?
 
Staying Present and Grateful will usually move us out of the dumps.  People in ancient cultures lived more in the Present.  There was bread to bake, eggs to be gathered, cows to be fed and milked, work clothes to be mended, wood to be chopped and brought inside.  Celtic people were busy taking care of themselves, helping their neighbors, and using their daily prayers to keep themselves aligned with the Creator.  They were busy, and they were Creative!  Remember, Courage and Creativity come from our Heart.  Using Celtic daily prayers as a spiritual practice keeps us aligned with our Heart and with our Creator!
 
~ Morning Prayer ~
 
Christ above me,   Christ below me,
Christ before me,   Christ behind me,
Christ within me.
Christ be on my right,    Christ be on my left,
Christ when I sit down,   Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I arise.
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me.
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me.
Christ in every eye that sees me.
Christ in every ear that hears me.
~ Evening Prayers ~
 
May the Angels watch me
As I lie down to sleep.
May Angels guard me 
As I sleep tonight.
 
Uriel be at my feet.
Ariel be at my back.
Gabriel be at my head.
Raphael be at my side.
 
Michael protect my Soul
With the strong shield of Love.
And the healing Son of Mary
Touch my eyes with Blessedness.

One of the most obvious reasons is that we need the Earth!  We need Trees, and Bushes, and Grass for Oxygen as well as food!  Green plants produce fresh O2 through Photosynthesis, a chemical reaction that takes place in the leaves of Trees and Plants and even Cactus!  Photosynthesis is “triggered” by Sunlight.  The plant absorbs Carbon Dioxide, CO2, from the surrounding air and transforms it through an interior chemical process into O2, sugars, and water.  Remember, we need Creation much more than Creation needs Humans!
In order for us to survive, and thrive, we need O2 just to keep going through the day.  We also need clean water.  One new problem concerns the large amounts of water that are necessary to run the new AI Infrastructures.  These are being proposed across the country.  Many communities are having serious second thoughts because of the amount of water and the overall cost.  
These facilities use great quantities of water to keep the system cool.  The expense for a city or town can cause the price of water and other utilities to go up for the whole community.  Usage can also affect the local ecosystem.  So, what originally looked like a “good deal”, could easily become a liability!
Human Beings, as  well as All Creatures Great and Small, need daily nourishment.  In other words, we need food!  And, we need food that is healthy and full of nutrients!  Much of our soil is depleted.  Even using fertilizers and soil additives does not always restore the nutrients that we need to thrive!  
During WWII, backyard Victory Gardens supplied more than ⅔ of the fruits and vegetables that people ate every day.  There are ways to restore nutrients as well as the health of farm soil without using commercial fertilizers or spraying crops!  Healthy Soil is a key factor in the health and well-being of all Humans and Animals.  One solution is to grow your own produce!!!  We could all benefit by growing and sharing our “home-grown” produce !!!