Peace and the Priestess

So I am settling in learning another form of counseling.   Today's message is Peace.   The guidance for the card remindes us to focus on the fact that only love is real.   Powerful message in that it speaks to a way of life.   Make no mistake about it, in times of need this Priestess will pick up a weapon and fight.   There are so many opportunities to learn and grow by helping others.   My new counseling tools are reminding me of the gentle aspect of the healing process.   I am reminded that better outcomes are born from acts of love.  The recent 1000 Year Flood that brought destruction on a large portion of my beautiful and much loved South Carolina also brought much love and peace.  Our people picked up themselves and extended a hand to their neighbors.   As I go forward on my path I strive to be prepared, strong, and a reflection of love.   Goddess blessings on your journey along your own path!

Living & Loving

My faith tells me that I am a record keeper and one who continues the traditions by teaching.  I have noticed than when I offer condolences, congratulations, or blessings via social media I tend to type Live instead of Love.   The light bulb went on for me.  Goddess is reminding us we must continue to Live and be vibrant.  It is through our Living that we share and grow our Love.  

My choice of employment puts me in continuous contact with the worst our society has to offer.   I share this with you because at times, I become a spirit that wishes to withdraw from others instead of interacting with others.  This is where the Goddess is teaching me on so many levels.  She is reminding me of my sacred duty to continue to share her ways with those who wish to learn.  She is reminding me of the importance of celebration. 

This learning to remember to celebrate is another step I take along my Path.  I celebrate and by doing so teach others of Her traditions.  Teaching and learning best occur through doing something.   This Priestess is in the process of learning and completing the circle with the upcoming celebration of the Lammas.  Hope to share the loaves and blessings with you as I continue to walk the Path of a Dianic Priestess....

Adornment

I like pretty sparkly things.  Gifts from the Goddess.  My personal altars have crystals upon them.  My yard has flowers and shrubs.   They adorn Mother Nature.   Crystals, flowers, shells, and gemstones are what I choose to adorn my body and Temple.
I see a disturbing trend where women feel the need to surgically altar their appearance in the name of adornment.  Although I fully support an adult's right to the mutilzation of their choice, something is terribly wrong here.   Why do some feel they are less of a person based on the shape of their nose and lips or the size of their breasts and stomachs?
I pray for a time when women value and view themselves as Goddesses.  They is beauty in each of us.  Take a few minutes to recognize the beauty of the individuality of your Sisters.

Blessings

©

Grandmother Spider

Consider the connectedness of us all.  In 2004 a group called The Foundry and the Spring recorded a Goddess chant titled 81 Goddesses.   This group also produced a set of beads that had 81 stone beads, one for each Goddess and a large Goddess bead in silver.   The Goddess bead was matched to stones that best represented Her attributes.  Corn Maiden with Aventurine stones called to me. 

I had used the internet to find a local shop to purchase Pagan wares.  I was led to a shop run by Ginger.   My home soon resembled Ginger's shop.  Here I purchased my first Goddess Statue, many candles, oils, herbs, books, and 81 Goddesses prayer beads and cd. 

The internet intoduced me to something called Yahoo Groups.   It was there that I found a group belonging to Z Budapest who haf written a book I purchased in the mid 1990's called The Holy Book of Women's Mysteries.  This group helped guide and shape my understanding of Women's Spirituality.  I had found a home. 

Amy had found a home in Z's group, too.  Amy began to experience difficulties and asked for help both spiritually and mundanely.  Amy was in South Carolina.   I was in South Carolina.   Financially I was in a good place and willing to help Amy.   The only problem was I was unable to travel to the coast.   Mary was in the group and worked with a Pagan foodbank in the area where Amy lived. 

I contacted Mary and gave her Amy's information.   Mary provided me with an address to send a check to help replenish the supplies.  Mary and I began to correspond outside of the group.  I knew right away that she was a good person.  I liked Mary.  She didn't seem to be put off by my profession.  Even though we hadn't met in person, I knew from the phone conversations and email correspondene that I had a Sister in Goddess Spirituality right here in South Carolina. 

Flash forward to February 2013.  My much treasured and beloved Grandmother had crossed the veil the month before. Back pain had me physically in a bad place.  My Grandmother's departure and concern over a situation involving another loved one had left me emotionally drained.   Mary was singing with a group at an interfaith event at Newberry College.  I went thinking this would bring some light to my dark days. 

Indeed there was light in Newberry for me.  It was here that I met Mary in person, though very briefly.   I also met in person Holli who has been a tremendous asset to promoting Interfaith tolerance and understanding.   Holli was a friend of Mary's and I knew of her work in the Columbia area. Holli had introduced me to an interfaith women's group that met once a month. 

My demanding work schedule has resulted in me not attending meetings for several years.  In those few meeting I had the priveledge to attend a meeting at the local Ba'hai center.  Those ladies are some of the most sincerely welcoming people I have ever met. I also met a lady named Sister Nancy.   Sister Nancy is a Sister both figuratively and literally.  She is a Nun in the Catholic faith.  I spoke with my Mother and told her how much I enjoyed Sister Nancy's presentation on the many ways our faiths bring love and compassion.   Momma was already familliar with Sister Nancy.   She had been present when my Grandfather crossed the veil at the hospital where she worked almost a decade before.  The connections the Goddess gives us are everywhere. 

Now we are in March 2015.  Mary invited me to Kirtan and suggested we ride together.  During the trip we were discussing her jewelry making and I learned she was involved in the 81 Goddesses project.   My jaw dropped in amazement at the connectedness.   I could see the many threads that Goddess spun and attached from so long ago.   

Tonight I sit and wonder, will one of us be needing the gift that Goddess gave each of us as our area of specialty and theme.  Perhaps She introduced us because our skill sets are complimentary and we are meant to be mirrors that reflect those in need of our individual gifts to each other.  Maybe we are just two really cool people with simillar beliefs and likes.  Either way, I strongly feel the Goddess at work.

Whether you call her Grandmother Spider, Araidne, or the Fates one thing is certain, She is present and working in and through our lives for the benefit and betterment of us.  Our challenge is to hear Her soft voice call.  I listen as I continue along my Path......

©March 2015