Day 44: Daily Omer Wellness Practice — Strength in Sacred Space

Omer Day 44
29 Iyar 5780
Saturday 23 May 2020

To tap into our own sovereign selves, we need to be able to create boundary and distinction in ways that allow us to center and root ourselves, to feel strong and safe within ourselves. For today’s practice of Gevurah within Malkhut — strength within sovereignty — we utilize physical objects of the material world that hold meaning for us to help create sacred space paralleling the sacred time carved out by the practice of Shabbat. This practice adapts a tradition Jewish wedding practice of circling the one who is special to you, here using the circling ritual to define and sanctify space. Similarly, we use the power of song and prayer with B’shem Hashem, the Angels’ Lullaby, which is traditionally part of the nighttime Shema ritual and calls in the attributes of the angels alongside the divine presence of Hashem (sky) and Shechina (earth) to protect us as we sleep. 

☀️Omer Day 44 practice [29 Iyar 5780 | Saturday 23 May 2020]☀️

1. Identify and gather four meaningful objects, one representing strength, then healing, identity, and light.
2. Place the objects in a diamond pattern: one in front, one behind, one to the left, one to the right. Play or sing “B’shem Hashem” — aka the Angels’ Lullaby — while doing this.
3. As you continue to play/sing, circle the objects six times.
4. Step into the center of the circle, continuing to play/sing, and either sitting or standing find a grounded, centered position. Continue the song as many times through as feels appropriate to create a sense of groundedness and connection to the qualities represented by each object around you, rootedness in the physical world beneath you, and connection to the divine presence above (and all around). Note how it feels to sit in this sacred space, with you in the center. How do you hold and maintain the boundaries of this space? When must they hold strong and fast and when may they become soft and flexible? 
5. Return to yourself by slowly bringing your presence back into the space, gather your objects, and return them with intention to their homes.

🌀Materials🌀

• Four objects representing strength, healing, identity, and light.
• Floor space or outside space
• Music player (optional)
• B’shem Hashem melody — this one from Neshama Carlebach is a favorite but feel free to use any melody that is compelling for you.

B’shem Hashem lyrics:

בְּשֵׁם הַשֵּׁם אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, מִימִינִי מִיכָאֵל, וּמִשְּׂמֹאלִי גַּבְרִיאֵל, וּמִלְּפָנַי אוּרִיאֵל, וּמֵאֲחוֹרַי רְפָאֵל, וְעַל רֹאשִׁי וְעַל רֹאשִׁי שְׁכִינַת אֵ-ל.

B’shem Hashem, elohei Yisrael
B’ymini Michael u-smoli Gavriel
U-milfanai Uriel, me’acharai Raphael
V’al roshi, v’al roshi, Shechinat-El

In the name of Hashem, G!d of Israel
To my right, Micha-el (“Who is like G!d”), and to my left Gavri-el (“Strength of G!d”)
In front of me, Uri-el (“Light of G!d”), and behind me Rafa-el (“Healing of G!d”)
And above my head, the divine feminine Shechinat-El.

☀️This post is part of our Omer Wellness Series – a daily 7-minute opportunity for introspection and intentional focus on caring for ourselves, each other, and our environment in this incredibly challenging time.☀️

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