TOMORROW’S MY 73RD BIRTHDAY

Quite apart from it being my birthday tomorrow, Dec 21st will be auspicious. It is the Winter Solstice, the shortage day and longest night of the year. It is also is first time since 1544 that that a Full Moon Lunar Eclipse falls exactly on the the Winter Solstice. That was 456 years ago!! A time when the Catholic Inquisition was already active and the Protestant Reformation was heating up, bringing religious persecution and “witch” burnings all around Europe.

Two friends of mine, Jodie Evans and Cristina Biaggi, have passed on what shaman friends, Starhawk and Vicki Noble, have to say about what all this means.

Winter Solstice is a time of darkness. But as Starhawk says, “Dark is a place of potential, of gestation, the black, fertile soil where the seed puts forth roots and shoots, the dark womb where new life is nurtured.  But being humans, we also have a natural affinity for the light, the time of growth and new beginnings, of warmth and color and bright new hopes.  Solstice reminds us that no darkness, no loss, no grief or disappointment is final.  Out of darkness, light is born.   Every ending gives rise to a new beginning.  Out of disappointment and despair comes new courage, new hope. Over the coming year, this seed–planted in the darkness of Winter—will sprout and grow, becoming something manifest in our lives by the fall harvest time. What is it you would like to bring to birth in this coming year? What do you care about and want to protect? It’s a night to take a good look at what you want to shed.  What are the behaviors, the beliefs, the patterns that no longer serve?  Let them go.  Make the commitment to change. What act of power can you make that would transform your fears and doubts into confidence and empowerment? How can you improve your health, your job, your relationships? These are the ruminations I would suggest you entertain on this powerful Winter Solstice; make it count!”

One ritual I do at this time of year is write on strips of paper the things I want to let go of, rid myself, even the world, of. I put the slip or slips of paper in a can or bowl and light them on fire, watching the smoke rise and focusing on those things I am saying goodbye to. Feeling them go up into the ether. I believe that, along with prayer and meditation, rituals like these can help our psyche move in new directions. This is a time, this evening and early morning, to envision the future you want to create.  

Then, on top of this, we will witness a total Lunar Eclipse, the first —as I said, to fall on the Winter Solstice. A total lunar eclipse happens when the Moon passes behind the Earth so that the Earth blocks the Sun’s rays from hitting the moon. This only happens when the Earth, the Moon and the Sun are exactly aligned with the Earth in the middle. And, unlike a solar eclipse, a lunar eclipse can be seen anywhere on the night side of the Earth.

Tonight and tomorrow, “Imagine the best,” says Vicki Noble. “Do something useful and refrain from doing anything harmful or destructive, since most traditional people around the planet believe that the eclipse magnifies and multiplies the effects of our individual and collective actions. We know that this eclipse is more potent than most (given that it takes place on the Winter Solstice), so let’s make it our business to do something  powerful and POSITIVE. That doesn’t mean being overly serious or heavy; I think it’s probably a lot more effective to have a fabulous time doing something joyful and expressive.”

Clearly I have a lot to celebrate!
Blessings and Peace to all of you. Love, jane

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135 Comments

  1. Happy Birthday! Thank you for your work and your spirit. -Brent

  2. Happy birthday greetings to you! Enjoy reading your blog and all the fabulous things that go on in your daily life.

  3. Hi
    I enjoyed your old movies on TMC today. That is until I had to go to the VA hospitle to get my hearing aids. I think I would have been better off staying home and watching the end of your movies.

    I was interested to see that you attacked questions that others don’t dare. Thanks.

    I can see why your husband fell in love with you!

    If you like science, please check out my website.
    Sincerely,
    Dr. John Hait

  4. Happy Birthday Jane and wishes for many more, you have to stay around for a long time so we can follow in your steps!

  5. Happy Birthday Miss Fonda! Hope your Christmas is merry and your birthday is blessed!

  6. Hi Jane! I just wanted to say THANK YOU for doing the interview with Lisa Nova, you are so inspiring! Now I know of your blog and I adore it! I love the ritual you have for you birthdays! Happy birthday! You look much younger than my mum (who is 46), haha! 🙂

  7. Happy Birthday, Jane!

  8. Many birthday wishes and much love to you Jane. Thanks for all you do.

  9. Congratulations, Ms. Fonda!

    Just wanted to post this:

    I read your biography during Christmas a few years ago. It touched me. It really touched me. And not once, but over and over.

  10. My family and I would like to wish you a very happy birthday!

  11. Dear Jane,

    I hope that you had a wonderful birthday. May the year ahead be full of joy, love, light and prosperity for you and your loved ones.

    Merry Christmas to you, as well. Lots of love.

  12. I would like to wish a very Happy Birthday to someone who I have admired for 40 years. Happy Birthday, Jane. You have inspired countless people with your talent, bravery, generosity, and wisdom. Thank you.

  13. hope you had a great birthday. but i feel like i’m the one that got the present, not you, because your new fitness dvds are just what i need to get back on track in my fitness program. i don’t think you understand what it means to some of us to have you make these videos and help people. thanks and merry Christmas.

  14. Happy birthday, jane~these are quite extraordinary heavenly aspects your bday falls on. As a fellow sage, our journey is the message. Enjoy to your heart’s contentment. xox m&lb

  15. I just saw you on Craig Ferguson. Happy Birthday to you lady. You were fantastic on the show, so so entertaining you still are. I am 55, 56 in a month.

    People think I am 30’s 40’s thanks to you (and Clinique). Did you very first album workout for years, then the next and the next. Now I do your easy yoga one. Now I am going to buy your walking one for us “older people” as you told Craig.

    I live in Long Beach, Washington, with a beautiful boardwalk and many walkways and trails to our lighthouses here. I think your new walking workout is just what I need at this time in my life. A whole lot more to that story, but not tonight.

    Tonight was your night!! Happy Happy Birthday to you.

    Thank you for keeping me fit and healthy for so many years. There are songs I hear on the radio which were in your workouts, and I am always moving to the music with the exercise we did to that song.

    Happy Soltice!!
    Connie

  16. Dear Jane!

    I’m a great fan of yours and I love You with all my heart. I know that yesterday was your birthday, but I would like to say a huge thank You for you and your work in general. I re-watched They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? on Thursday and You gave one of the GREATEST performances EVER. I covered that Oscar year on my blog and You became my pick in that very strong year. That’s my birthday and Christmas present to You, God bless You!

    Love from Hungary,
    Daniel

  17. The morning after:
    Good morning. Well, I came here to read all about Jane’s birthday celebration, but no Jane! I’m afraid she had way too much fun ‘getting down with her bad self’! Hey, isn’t that what birthdays are all about?
    So, I’ll check back in later to read all about the fun–and hopefully there will be photos–of the joyful celebration.

  18. Happy Birthday Jane – You look GREAT!

  19. HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY JANE!!

    Your Craig Fergusen interview was really great!! you looked fantastic and were absolutely glowing — hysterically funny, smart, beautiful, sexy, full of energy and joy. You are definitely in your prime, Jane. Congrats on living life so well and always inspiring the rest of us.

    Love, love, love,
    Robert

  20. Happy Birthday Jane! You were adorable on Craig Ferguson last night. Charming and engaging! I’m so glad you’re doing so well….

    See you soon I hope…
    diane

  21. Enjoyed reading about winter solistice and the lunar eclipse. Happy Birthday!

  22. My grandfather, who has been dead for 34 years, used to say that women didn’t like Dec. 21. The reason? Since it is the shortest day of the year, they don’t have as much time to talk. I don’t think he could get away with saying it today.

  23. Jane,

    I have wanted to meet you Ever ever. I cannot believe you are 73 you are beautiful and powerful and i have always so admired you Jane. I watched you get the shit end of a bad deal girlfriend but you give right back. I love you Jane you have always insprired me. I am 54 and feel great but i am a fading. Send me some info if you can

    Make another movie jane

  24. Happy Belated Birthday Jane.

  25. My great grandmother was a Fonda before she was married. She used to live in the Fonda/Amsterdam, New York area before her death. Her name was Cora (Fonda) Filkins.

    We were always told that we were somehow related to your family.

    Just thought I would mention it.

    Hope you and your family and friends have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

    Smile

  26. Pardon the intrusion. I just stumbled upon your blog. Happy Birthday!

  27. I hope you had a wonderful birthday. I admire you so. Kind Regards and all the best for the coming year.

  28. I hope u had a great Birthday…U have the same birthday as my Mother had…so I will never forget your birthday….I am watching Oprah right now…U look great…and it is good to see that u are still with Richard….and I hope u two keep dancing…Happy holidays Jane…what is happening with the book…Hope u have a great new years

  29. Happy belated, belated Birthday Jane!! You are AMAZING and an inspiration to us all. Forever the sexy siren, witty, flirtatious, funny girl next door and I am so pleased to see you so happy, healthy & full of life on your 73 b-day. I could not have wished you a better birthday gift if I tried. I only hope that I would be just as witty, insightful, clever and curious in my 70’s as you are. Thank you for always staying true to yourself and for making aging something to look forward to.

    Peace & Love XO

  30. Hi Jane!

    Your appearance on Oprah is re-showing today and I heard you mention your blog. So here I am!

    I am delighted to see that we share the same birthday! I hope you post regarding your birthday festivities.

    Happy Holidays!

    Erin

  31. Dear Ms. Fonda: Saw you today on Oprah show. Wow!
    I am not a “blogger” but had to send this. When I was a young woman, friends used to tell me I looked like you. I had a similar “look”, even changed my hair-do’s as yours changed. I attended your workout studio in W. Holywood, and have admired you through all your life changes.
    I am 60 now and have hit a slump – don’t know where to go from here; unsure of my appearance, etc., even though I stay active and in my mind am younger than the 60 years. After listening to you with Oprah I feel rejuvenated. I KNOW I can move forward into the next 30 years with style and panache and dignity. I love your youthful style that looks fabulous on you. Most of all I so much agreed with everything you were saying about moving forward, staying interested and always learning. I know that is what I want for myself. Thank you for your TV appearance, your candor, and your continued style. I am going tomorrow to buy your book and the latest exercise CD. After a little work maybe my friends will once again tell me, “hey – you look like……” -the best compliment I could get. Merry Christmas and many, many Happy New Years. Sincerely, Linda M.(Daytona, FL)

  32. Hi Jane,
    Was just watching you on Oprah. First of all you look great at 73! We have much in common. I too was sexually abused (by my father) AND my mother committed suicide when I was 16 (and was never able to even utter the words “I love you”).I liked your descriptions of life stages regarding act I, II and III. At 46, I’m in my second act and only now learning that my self worth and value has been affected by the abuse and the inability for me to receive love by both of my parents.
    I am blessed to have learned through God’s grace that He loves me and that He wants me to love myself. I applaud you for speaking about your past and how it has shaped you and where it is taking you. We are all on a journey.
    In talking about the moon, it just happens to be my anniversary of what is a dead marriage. I married a year ago and my husband and I seperated in July. I’ve been standing in faith for it to be “ressurrected from the dead” and Hallelujiah I beleive God will do it.
    Thanks for sharing lessons on life reviews. Keep writing and sharing with us.
    Blessings,
    Coleen Johnson

  33. You are awesome. Just seen you on Opray’s show. I have mostly all your dvd’s exercise tapes. But now I need one for bad knees I can’t do swats. I have always stayed slim in the past but now with my bad knees I am gaining weight. Please advise me on a good exercise or a good tape for me.

  34. Hi Jane:

    Happy birthday on your 73rd! You certainly do not look a day over 50. You have got to be one of the most beautiful women on the planet both physically and spiritually and I have always been a fan of your work as far back as the early 60s. I am going to read your autobiography because you just tell it the way it is for women getting older and I like the way you talk about your own journey/struggles through life.

    Your interview with Oprah was priceless. Loved the pictures of you when you were young with your family. I guess your mom and dad were not there you. Your dad was one terrific actor though and you followed in his footsteps.

    It’s too bad, the wisdom comes so late in life but at least it comes eventually and we have our “golden years” to come to peace with it all and enjoy.

    Have a wonderful holiday and so glad you have this blog. Blessings to you and your family.

    Virginia

  35. Thank you.
    As I read your blog entry for December 21st, I’m also watching you on Oprah. It was your 2010 interview, where you also appear with Ted Turner? I haven’t seen him come on yet.
    Anyway, your comment on being broken open in the most awesome love of a grandchild! Oh my, how that spoke to me!!
    I have always admired you!!
    Thank you.

  36. Ms. Fonda,
    I saw you on Oprah’s TV show today. How amazingly inspirational! You expressed the concept of “wholeness” so eloquently! Thank you for sharing your journey and for inspiring me to embark on my own journey toward wholeness as I prepare for my 57th birthday in a few months.
    Merry Christmas and a joyous holiday seaon to you!
    Cindie

  37. Happy Birthday.. watched you on Oprah today.. you inspire me.. There are no coincides, I came across your appearance on Oprah totally by accident..unreal… I can finally see the direction I need my life to go into…

  38. Hi Jane,

    I saw you on Oprah today and I was so drawn to your discussion on wholeness. I love what you said about becoming whole instead of focusing on perfection. I’m in my 30s and feel quite self-aware. I am one of the 1 in 3 that you talked about at the hands of my father. Your movie Georgia Rule made me realize in a new way that the incessant denial is a cover up. I confronted my dad and he admitted. It was part of my Life Review. It changed my life. I know now I am not crazy.

    We are naming our child Jane if we have a girl because it has great meaning to me: empowered, strong, teachable, wise and courageous. AND INTEGRITY. You’ve got it girl. And I want our girl to have it too.

    Thanks Jane for being vulnerable. You go girl!!

    Lesley

  39. Watched you on the Oprah show and @ 63 feel exactly the same way….re: everyday there is something new to learn in life and about life! I’m told I don’t look my age, and I believe it’s because I don’t act an age…(and injections…lol). You shared the fact that you have improved on your looks…would you also share who the doctor is? You look as beautiful now as you did on your first exercise video!
    Thank you….Alice

  40. Hi Jane,
    Happy belated birthday. I’m about 20 years behind you. Your positive energy is an inspiration. Thanks for sharing all the positive vibes.
    Best to you and your family.
    Pam

  41. Happy Belated Birthday Ms. Fonda. You look fabulous. Just saw you on the big O show today and you inspired me to get my fitness act together. I just turned 50 this year and it hit hard me how out of shape I am and how thats affecting all other parts of my life.

    But after seeing you I really feel that this time I can do a little exercise every day and get better, more fit than I’ve been in a long long time. You really really inspired me. i will be checking your blog with abandon. Again, Happy Belated Birthday…

    Ramona

  42. Happy Birthday. Just saw you on Oprah again — love the idea of becoming whole again after 59 🙂 PS Do you have a Vision Board?

  43. i have a new hero her name is “Jane Fonda”.
    I just saw her interview on the Ophra
    show and I just wanted to go out and buy
    her video.

    Here I am 66 years young and working so
    hard and feeling young, but when I saw
    Jane Fonda and heard her I knew exactly where
    she was coming from.

    This age thing is just a number. To me,
    we need more woman who like Jane feel like
    there is so much more to learn and never
    stop learning and growing.

    I also related to her feeling about being a
    mother and not really knowing what it meant
    until she was a grandmother and was given another
    chance.

    Keep showing up and writing books and videos,
    we need more energy like “Jane Fonda” in this
    world .

  44. Jane:

    Loved your interview w/ Ophrah. I don’t watch her show, but am off on school’s Winter Break. I’m 62, soon to be 63 and everything you said was right on, especially about the last adult phase of growth – soul growth, I call it.

    I was pleasantly surprised to hear your birthday was on Winter Solstice. How wondrous a time to be born. You are a child of the Light. The Solstice is all about the Return of the Light.

    Several of us old critters celebrated Winter Solstice 2010 by having ceremony at my friend Elsa’s 7 circuit labyrinth. It is in Placitas, NM. You would have enjoyed the group. Everyone was very connected. No matter who you spoke to, there was a special connection to that individual and collectively with the group.

    I was actually looking for your exercise video and came to this site. You probably won’t get this message, but if you do, look me up on Facebook. We have a lot in common (in terms of spirit journey).

    Be well…
    Namaste

    Lynn – Raven Healer

  45. Aloha Jane and Happy Birthday,

    Honestly… You look young enough to card for alcohol!

    Just Teasing!

  46. Hi from BC Canada, A very Happy Belated Birthday to you Jane! It would have also been the birthday for my beloved brother Wendell, who sadly passed on much too soon.

    Saw you on Oprah, you are an inspiration to all of us. And you are looking great!

    All the good things and happy 2011, G

  47. Dear Jane,
    Happy 73rd Birthday, Merry Christmas, and May 2011 be filled with awesome testimonies, abundant blessings, and many miracles for you and yours. I was so impressed with your Oprah interview, I wanted to let you know about what the interview did for me. I used to work for The Salvation Army in Toronto, and when your book first came out, The Major told me that you had moved into a new Christian spiritual place in your life. I went to the bookstore, and couldn’t afford your book, but glanced through it enough to find confirming evidence of your new spiritual path. It was moving to me because I have admired you and your family for so long. I attended the Harvard Graduate School of Education 1986 Lifespan Clinical Developmental Institute, and I wanted to thank you for your generous contribution towards the studies of woman and children. I’m in the second chapter of my life and I recently turned 50. I now work for a state prison as a Chaplain, and one of my ministries inside the institution is “Purpose Driven Life” support group. I’m helping the men find purpose for their lives. For many, it is the first time they see themselves as special to God. My wife and my two sons are the most important things in my life. The first most important is my salvation, the second is my wife, and the third most important aspect of living is Isaac and Levi. Thanks a million for being transparent on Oprah and making the millions of us in the audience of our televisions realize it is never too late to make it right, and to make peace with ourselves and with God. I am so very proud of you.
    Rev. Paul H. Demers
    Cumberland, Maryland

  48. Happy Holidays to you as well. I watched your interview on Oprah yesterday and just felt so alive again!!! I am 44 years old and a recovering alcoholic. I am learning about this reach for spiritual things in my life and the healing one can get from love and acceptance. What you shared totally inspired me to work on my wholeness! To be at peace with myself and all that I am made of………good and bad, in the end my true self will come shining through. I will do my best to offer the best of myself this upcoming year. Thank you again for your message of self renewal and gratitude. Peace be with you now and always. Maryanne

  49. PS: I forgot to include this link last time, a post I wrote about wholeness at my poetry blog, that included references to some of your insights shared on Oprah:

    http://mypoeticpath.wordpress.com/2010/10/31/word-of-the-weekwholeness/

    Happy New Year to you and your family Jane, G :<)

  50. Dear Jane,

    Happy Birthday! I hope you get this email, I am sure you are loved by alot of people and I just want to take this moment to let you know I am one of those people. I love you very much and I have followed you throughout the years. I have high regard and respect for you and what you stand for. Thank you for your wonderful and beautiful life contributions and for everything and everyone you have helped in your lifetime. You are a beautiful soul.

    Happy Birthday,

    Much love,

    Robert Kidd

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