On the Wings of Isis

Here's a link to the BlogSpot post with my contribution!

https://thegirlgod.blogspot.com/2020/07/the-love-of-isis-restores-by-hazel.html?m=1

5 to 10 Years and Poof!

Just some observations about groups.  This blog is my direct observation of covens, businesses, and nonprofits.   They all start out with the best of intentions.  A person or small group decides to gather regularly to celebrate,  worship, or provide a service.   People see the fun and good and flock to the organization.   Things grow rapidly.  This is where the fall begins.   The combination of growth without structure to keep the growth sustainable, short attention spans,  and greed seem to be the three factors that end the group.

Greed is a nasty thing.   From the local level where you see members disputing with class leaders whether or not fees for classes were paid or services rendered as agreed upon to the national level where the charleton comes in as a manager/fundraiser who promises growth to help others.  Recent examples include a charity that provided assistance to people injured as a result of service to their country and a political figure who established a charitable organization after leaving office.   Both organizations initially did wonderful things that greatly helped people.   They built reputations that couldn't be questioned.   Their good names brought more donors and volunteers.  Then those of questionable character arrive.  The result?  Injured veterans are without medical care and housing for those with injuries that can't heal are no longer being built.  Haiti is still without infrastructure to provide a better quality of life for their people. 

What about when greed isn't involved?  Growth of events and groups requires growth of people to maintain enjoyable events and provide quality services.   Here's where things get complicated.   People with young children and elderly/frail parents literally don't have enough hours in the day to earn a living,  show up for events, and provide care.    What happens when growth brings in so many people with diverse interests and needs?   It's impossible to be all things to all people.    Does ego raise it's ugly head to stop growth?  Is it wrong to say I built this and it continues along the path of my original vision?  I don't think that is wrong because your creation is your creation.   The original need will exist for others so maintain your original container.  It's beautiful when people realize that the original plan is valid yet needs to be modified to serve even more people.   I'm a big believer in honoring the succession of teachers.   Honoring the succession of teachers is a Dianic belief that recognizes that a person or a group has brought you much needed transformation and their wisdom is still valid even though it is time for you to learn from new teachers.  

All of this goes back to a theme that has been with me for about a year.   The theme is to look around you to see what is needed to improve the quality of life around you.   Is it more celebrations?  Is it more service?  If you are a carpenter and your neighbor is disabled and you build a ramp you have just provided an increase in the quality of life.   Maybe celebrations will increase because the neighbor with the physical limitations is someone who enjoys grilling.   Now you have provided a way back to enjoyment that could very well be also a path to a good community meal to children in single parent homes without extended family.   See how good deeds are like dominos?

I understand that all of this requires the ability to recognize and the desire to act as well as ability to act.  Then you get into whether or not someone is willing to accept help do it as often as possible.   Please continue to teach, build, and help those around you!  Local efforts create global solutions just like the ripples of the small pebble thrown into the pond.   Be a catalyst that contributes towards hate and division going poof in five to ten years.

Blessings on your journey!

Copyright January 2020

Reflections at the Autumn Equinox

This is a time of balance.   We balance that which brings us pain with that which brings us joy.   Keep in mind that the Earth only experienced balance two days a year at the Autumn and Spring Equinox.   We can't expect perfection in our balance.   We hover or float near the empowering and happy or challenging and stressful.   I wish to reflect to you that there is much stress in the community about the lack of balance.    Our greatest challenge is to recognize that failure,  mistakes,  and sometimes the why didn't we see that coming are all part of what moves us along our path.    Sometimes, through our own actions or inactions we have to f@#k something up beyond all chance of repair so that we can recognize where we truly are standing.   Once we have dusted off and determined where we are we then show up to our tribe.   Your tribe are the people who accept you for what you are,  where you are with compassion.   It's possible you walk among multiple tribes.  You are a part of a blood family,  a chosen family,  a religious family,  a work family,  a hobby family etc.  You belong in each of these houses.   Your home, your spirit family are the ones from each of these houses that hold a special place in your heart.   Remind your tribe they have a place at your home during troubled times.   I'm not suggesting that we take on each other's work just reminding that it is important to say I accept you in your broken,  troubled,  and confused space during troubled times.  It's okay to hold someone's hand as you travel along your Path.

Copyright September 2018

Rising During Descent

I've discovered that being a Priestess when the Goddesses of Discord and Chaos dance isn't for the faint of heart.   We support others during their time in crisis.    When the day comes that you realize every skill that you have artfully mastered is an ineffective tool in your war chest and always will be how do you continue?

I'm entering a portion of my Path that is overgrown with the razor sharp thorns of dementia.   This area of my Path can't be shaped up with pruning shears and a string trimmer.   I will make this journey with one I love.   I have to find a way to hold a hand that I will never want to let go as it gradually slips away. There is no other choice.

How does this coping thing work?  Do I let others know the available light for us is waning?  Will my attempts to keep my charge in the best possible place put others in the worst possible place for them?  Does she feel the love and comfort I send?  How do I know if my decisions are what is best?  How do I keep the light shining even though it can't be seen?  How do I share the descent with others and not cause them pain?  How do I know when it's time to step back and say I must rest for now so others can add their footprints to the Path?  Will others who have walked this Path be brought back to darkness if I seek their guidance and wisdom? 

I have no answers but I do have Sisters who have walked this Path,  Sisters who are walking this Path and those I love that I desperately want to protect from the pain.    It's going to take the whole community to help me through this one.  This area of my Path is so foreign to me.    I'm not familiar with being the one who needs help.  I'm one of the community who provides the help.    I am blessed with a support system that has always been a source of love,  support,  and compassion for so many.     During my journey on this Path one of the lessons I must learn is how to receive so that I can continue to give.

Tonight as Florida is in the grips of an ecological crisis,  California is in flames, Americans are looking for reasons to hate other Americans because "they" aren't "us" so surely they must be an enemy,  and appearance is valued above genuine my prayer is that my Mother will always feel and recognize the love and admiration we all have for her.

Goddess Bless!

I'm Baaaack!!!!

So after a lengthy pause in my writing I have decided to put fingers to the keyboard and step out of the shadows and back onto the public Path.     Don't interpret shadows as a bad place for me because I have strong nocturnal leanings.    I was reminded yesterday about the importance of making an influence on just one person for the better.     An important part of the Dianic Tradition is that we learn from each other.   I'm not claiming to be a source of infallible knowledge.    I will probably misstep my entire way back into the arms of the Goddess but that's okay because we are on this journey together and we are going to have a good time!   It's good to re-emerge stronger,  wiser,  and refocused.    May my musings inspire you or at least give you something to smile at as the journey continues.....

A New Day, A Full Moon, & Reminders

This day is done and the Moon is a little over twenty four hours from being full.    It's amazing how much a gentle reminder can bring inspiration in the face of exhaustion.   My body is full much like the growing Moon.   Physical ailments are reminding me sacred self care is in order.   When I get busy helping others I forget to help myself.    Seeing a picture of Lindsey reminded me of a number she gave me.    In her final hours she was quietly reaching out.   Later this evening a dear friend of the family commented on the amount of strength women have especially when faced with disaster.   The new problem solvers will soon be here.   It is a new day.  Command and Control.... I have returned to the Path... I bring every ounce my life force... The Priestess rises!!!!

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!