Day 14,687 - Consciously Re-Opening

I've been sick lately. It's nothing terribly major. Just annoying, really...

Before Hubby left for Afghanistan, I did have difficulties where my heart was concerned. High blood pressure. Given the situation, I'm not surprised that was the area where my difficulties resided. I did get it regulated, though...

When he came back for R & R, all was well. That was until it was time for him to leave, again...

The day after he left, I went to Urgent Care with my eldest daughter.  We were both seen and underwent treatment for Strep Throat. I have been sick since. Once the meds were taken, I seemingly succumbed to some sort of summer cold? Still throat problems... coughing...  I'm rarely sick.

Now, I don't say all of this for a woe-is-me sort of thing. Rather, I've begun to come to the conclusion that there is more to it than mere physical ailments. I've begun to look at the possibility that my throat chakra is out of whack; the possibility that I'm not speaking my Truth and the possibility that I'm "sucking things up" and not releasing the pent up energy that comprises my truth. As a result, I can feel myself being led back to the path that, admittedly, I have strayed from.

As of late, I've been living my dream, watching as it slowly manifests before me.  My dream/goal for my talents of storytelling and writing.  It's been a beautiful thing thus far, but has been coming at a price.  I've been living firmly in the physical and denying my spiritual nature, and, therefore, my "practices".

I've realized this and am making my way back... slowly, as is usually the case when one deviates from the trail.

I've been being called back, or so I believe...  The Universe has been "rubbing my back" and "drying my tears" in the manners that are natural for it.

The other day, my "faery garden" daffodil (a long story for another time) bloomed on the day I needed it most...

The next day, I was visited by a little friend...

Both yellow in color... Yellow (among other things):

"Activates and cheers up depressed and melancholic people. Gives lust for life."

Definitely what I've been needing as of late.  A bit more research with regard to my little friend, though, revealed a couple more things to me.

"Keynote: Awakening to the Nature Spirits" and "Black and yellow are the colors of the archangel Auriel" ~ Ted Andrews, Animal Speak

Suffice to say that I can see the messages that I'm most needing to hear at the moment, reflected among the Nature Spirits...  My vision clearly being confirmed in other incidents...  A respite from the Journey has been taken.  I'm reconnected... renewed.  It's time to begin the next leg of the journey.  In it, I know that I'm not alone.  Never alone.

~N

Day 14,620 - Emergency Response Rituals

One of the groups that I have been involved with in the past - unfortunately, they're too far away for us to physically visit with them now - is doing several workings that are focused on the oil spill in the gulf.  Tonight is the first one, and I realize this is rather late notice, but I still wanted to get this out with the belief that those that are supposed to find this... will.

Details taken from the CLG group at Facebook:

"We organized an emergency ritual plan to entreat the Shining Ones to help stop the oil leak, minimize the damage and heal the devastating effects of such a catastrophe.

!!PLEASE READ CAREFULLY--your physical presence is not required for the effort!! ♥

We are inviting those that cannot make it to the rituals to join us in sending energy, simultaneous ritual activity, etc from wherever you are. Invite your Pagan friends and even your non-Pagan pals to help us, either by attending the ritual, sharing in meditation, or adding the current prayer to your daily prayers/rituals.

The more the merrier--if there is interest in coordinating simultaneous rituals, we'd be positively delighted. Of course, for other Groves or Solitaries interested in taking part in the simultaneous ritual aspect, we offer the following suggestion for maintaining potency of intention: 

Keep the prayer the same, but form your ritual around which pantheon or patrons resonate deeply within your group for optimal efficacy.

We have prepared a series of prayers (subject to change depending on the current state of the emergency) for three (3) consecutive emergency rituals.

The first prayer is as follows:

"Stop the flow of the oil from the Deepwater Horizon well head with minimal repercussions."

The second prayer is as follows:

"Stop the spread of the oil slick with minimal repercussions to Earth."

The third prayer is as follows:

"Empower the healers in the cleaning of Mother Earth"

The first emergency ritual will be held this Friday, May 7th, at CLG. Meet at 7, the ritual will begin AT 7:30.

The Deities to be honored (at CLG) are as follows:
Thor
Jorth
Baldur

The second emergency ritual will be held next Friday, May 14th, at CLG. Meet at 7, the ritual will begin at 7:30.

The Deities to be honored (at CLG) are as follows:
Manannan MacLir
Lugh
Brigid

The third emergency ritual will be held May 21st, provided the above schedule is consistent with what action is necessary by that point. A pantheon has not yet been officially named. It will be addressed later.

Please, please, please Pagans: the Earth needs us.

For updates on this effort, you can read them on our Grove Forum here:

http://www.cedarlightgrove.org/board/index.php?topic=3815.0

Day 14,618 - General Busyness and PVE2010

This weekend past was quite a busy one for the Circle Clan, which is good.  It makes time that Ean is physically away from us go quickly by, while making many wonderful memories with my kids at the very same time.

Beltane was a quiet, private affair for me this year.  I'm planning to go more into detail and muse about them for a submission to Warriors and Kin, though, so I won't do it here.

With all of the busy-ness, I have gotten rather behind, I'm afraid.  So, between catching up on posts, the blogs I follow with Google Reader, and my email, I have my hands rather full this morning.  I did, however, come across something that I had come across on my Blackberry, but wanted to leave until such time as I could give it the proper attention it deserves.

International Pagan Values Blogging and Podcasting Month 2010 is coming up next month.

Admittedly, I haven't been too terribly active within the blogosphere until most recently.  So, I didn't take part in this last year, but I have to say that I'm rather excited about it.  I believe it will give me an opportunity to better solidify within my own mind what my values, not only as a person, but as a pagan really are.  I hope you'll join me, as well as the rest of the participants for it!  It should be quite enlightening for all...

Day 14,614 - Beltaine

A Happy Beltaine to all!  The growing season within, as well as without, is moving into full swing.  If only it would become more apparent here in the North.  The weather gods are taunting us.  A beautifully warm and sunny day here, and a COLD rainy/snowy day there...  I'm certain, however, in the middle of the summer, though, we'll be wishing for the cold, again.

As I was saying, though, the growing season is moving into full swing, and the seeds that were sewn early in the spring are beginning to sprout.  The manner which I truly am seeing this in a physical manifestation is where my writing is concerned.

Storytelling has been a part of my life ever since I was able to string multiple words together in a coherent sentence.  Perhaps even before then.  So, I suppose it comes as no surprise that one of my greatest dreams has always been to become a published author.  It is that dream that I have recommitted myself to this growing season, and to a small degree this is something that I've accomplished most recently.  I have become a contributing writer in a couple of venues, including Warriors and Kin.

Warriors & Kin, will give a voice to Pagan men and women who are serving, or who have served, in the United States military. Military Pagans have often been at the front lines of many Pagan rights issues, and their honorable service has endured prejudice and misunderstanding from politicians, government agencies, and even the Pagan communities they call home. We are hoping that this project will not only shine a light into the struggles of both Pagan veterans and active duty personnel, but serve as a tool to build bridges within our faiths between those who have served and those who have not.

In addition, the blog will also see contributions from military spouses, family, and supporters, including a Pagan mother whose son is entering the armed forces, a military spouse who wrote an award-winning book concerning Pagans in the military, and a volunteer with Soldier’s Angels, a nonprofit personal support group for deployed troops overseas.

In all honesty?  I've read the bios of the other participants, and I'm feeling a little anxious.  Intimidated.  I know that we all have unique experiences and things to contribute, but still... An award winning author? There are even meritorious veterans.  What does a military spouse that is trying to better define her own spirituality within paganism have to offer others in light of such contributors?

I tell myself, and fully believe, that there is a reason for everything, and this is no exception.  There is a reason that I came across the call for writers and a reason why I was invited...

I know not what the Universe has planned for me, but I'll happily follow along, knowing that there is some bigger plan that I cannot yet completely see.  It is all good, and it all has purpose.

~N

Day 14,611 - Out of the Mouths of Babes

It just amazes me how much, as children, we innately "remember" with regard to our origins. That is, before we're taught to believe otherwise.

This morning, my littlest one, who we'll call Aine, and I were having a discussion that went something akin to this:

Aine: When you were a little girl, did you play dress up?

Me: Yes, I did.

Aine: Who did you play dress up with?

Me: I played by myself. I didn't have brothers or sisters to play with...

Aine: Awww. Well, when you grow up and then get smaller again, I'll be your big sister.

Now, naturally, I believe in reincarnation, but this is not something that I've yet addressed with her. She'll only be 4 next month. I don't want to say that she wouldn't understand because taking into consideration this conversation, I have little doubts that it's a concept that she still "remembers". Still... That, I believe, is on a spiritual level. On a mental one, though, I'm not entirely certain that she would understand...

This does cause me to recall a conversation that my mother related she and I had when I was still very small...

Apparently, we had been in San Francisco. As we walked along the street, I pointed out some old houses and told her that I used to live in a house like them. Now, she knew that we never had, and, therefore, concluded that I was recalling a past life memory.

This leaves me to wonder - How much more could we remember of other times, other lives, other states of being, if we were allowed to do so?

Day 14,610 - Ebbs and Flows

As of late, I have found that I am very focused upon the outward. My writing, it seems, has finally moved to the forefront of my life. It is a fact that I find I am most pleased about, but with the new steps I'm taking, I also realize that I've rather lost touch with some areas of my life. Namely, my spirituality, which one can easily recognize simply by looking at this blog.

For me, the time of the Little Sun (as the "dark" part of year is referred to within the Celtic Tradition) is a time for focusing within. That is exactly what I did. Now, though, as we move further into the time of the Big Sun, indeed, I am focusing more without. But to what sacrifice? What is being sacrificed within so that I may address the outward?

Indeed, I continue to look within to some degree. Memories long forgotten or tucked away, I have drawn to the surface and am reflecting upon. Yet, if I am honest with myself, I will realize that, truly, it is only surface reflection, if you will. Not the deep introspection that I am accustomed to during the time of the Little Sun.

This, however, is the time for planting seeds. Seeds which, when nurtured, will grow and, eventually, bear fruit. Do I only wish to plant seeds with shallow roots? Or do I wish to plant seeds, whose roots will spread and grow deep? I think I would much prefer the latter, and it is for that reason that I consciously make my decision to flow from the spiritual ebb I have been engaged in. It is time to address and regain balance between the outer and inner once more...

~N

Day 14,591 - A New Leg of the Journey

As I mentioned last night, I was applying to be a writer for a new blog project that Pagan Newswire Collective is launching soon. I received a response this morning! They invited me to join in and write for them! Words cannot express my excitement with regard to this newest opportunity...

With this expansion in creative outlets, I have decided to move my blog Notes From the Road, which originally resided over at Wordpress and was purposely left to be obscure, here to Blogger. As you'll also note, I tweaked the name a bit. It is my intention to finally reach out to others and invite them for a read. Who knows if anything shall ever come of this, but... I'll never know unless I do so, right?

Until this newest expanse of road brings us together again, dear friends, many blessings upon you and yours.

~N