New Year's Eve at Bluff Trail Labyrinth

Last night my friend Carl, Brian and I went out to dinner and then headed out to the Bluff Trail Labyrinth to celebrate New Year's Eve. Melanie, our hostess, guided us through three meditations, one of which was with 13 crystal skulls. Each meditation was unique and profound in their own way. I especially enjoyed the Crystal Skull meditation and connecting with these amazing and knowledgable creatures. I was downloaded with information and when the time is right for me to know what it is, it will come into my consciousness.

Just before midnight, the twenty of us gathered there, headed out single-file to walk the Labyrinth. It was amazing . . . Once in the center we stood in silence, reflecting on the year that was soon to be behind us and at the stroke of midnight, I threw in my good-bye to 2011 along with some letters I had written for releasing what I didn't want to bring into 2012. As I watched the letters burn in the fire, I was grateful to put those issues and concerns out to the universe to heal and take care of for me. I felt a physical release in my body as well.

With all the energy gathered in this amazing place, we were all delighted when the roar of thunder crossed the sky behind us. It was a fitting end to a wonderful evening.

May each and every one of you experience the energies of this New Year with anticipation, excitement and joy. It is destined to be your best year ever!

Happy New Year 2012!

A Simple Morning Ritual

In our fast-paced, hectic lives sometimes it can seem like adding a mountain to a molehill in trying to work in our spiritual lives with our mundane lives. While reading a book on Feng Shui the other day I came across a very simple morning ritual that takes only about five minutes out of your morning . . . longer if you have the inclination to meditate on the points.

It's called "Invoking by Pentagram". Light your favorite incense or essential oil. Facing East towards the morning sun if you can, take a few deep breaths and start by placing your right hand fingers to your brow, just between your eyebrows. Say, "I am Spirit". Next, touch your left hip and say, "I am Earth". Touch your right shoulder and say, "I am Water". Touch your left shoulder and say, "I am Air". Touch your right hip and say, "I am Fire". And finally, touch back to your brow completing the pentagram and say, "Thus I seal my affirmation". Inhale the incense or essential oil for a few breaths and then begin your day!

The Pagan Pride Project

Do you know who The Pagan Pride Project are? Don't worry, I didn't either until I came across the website for the Pagan Pride Day here in my area (see post below).

The following is directly from their website that you can visit at The Pagan Pride Project.

Statement of Purpose:
The Pagan Pride Project is a non-profit organization. The primary purposes of this corporation shall be the advancement of religion and elimination of prejudice and discrimination based on religious beliefs.

Mission Statement:
The mission of The Pagan Pride Project is to foster pride in Pagan identity through education, activism, charity, and community.

Defining the Mission Statement:
We try to keep our purpose balanced through the inspirations of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth:

Air: Education
We're never going to be able to practice our spiritual paths openly if we don't give the public accurate information about what we do and do not do.

Fire: Activism
People aren't necessarily going to go out of their way to find out what Pagans really do. We have to have the courage to act on our convictions and do what we need to do.

Water: Charity
We know that what we do returns to us. We need to demonstrate this by offering compassion to our communities where it is needed. When we share our own abundance, we show that we trust the Gods to share abundance with us in return.

Earth: Community
We're never going to be able to practice openly if we don't know anyone else in our local Pagan communities. We need to weave networking webs in our cities, in our towns, and in our rural areas. We need these webs to support one another. That support will also show those who would restrict our practice that we are not just a few isolated wackos, but are a growing congregation of people who adhere to a faith that, while different, is as valid as their own.

Don't you just love the use of elements in their mission statement? I know I do! And it makes so much sense. If we don't have accountability for our faith, who will do it for us? Each one of us has a role to play and we must play that role with love, grace, dignity, responsibility, by being informed, and by the way we live our lives.

I'm proud to be a Pagan . . . and I'm proud to share my beliefs in whatever way I can.

Litha/Summer Solstice

Litha is the Sabbatt that is celebrated at the Summer Solstice. The Goddess is in her full pregancy ready to give birth to the God. It is the longest day of the year and it's about celebrating the power of the Sun. The crops are growing heartily and the earth is warm and inviting. It's a time to spend long sunny afternoons enjoying the outdoors and getting back to nature.

I've created my Litha altar with reverence for the God and Goddess, but also with fun and frivolity in mind. Midsummer is a time to let your hair down, swim skyclad (if you're so inclined) and just enjoy 'being'.

Do you see the purple orb in the top right hand corner? Magick at work!

If you're looking for a ritual to celebrate Litha, I've added one to my 'Sabbatts and Esbats Ritual Pages'. It's a simple ritual that can be done in the great outdoors, but one that can also be done inside if required.

Wishing you a Blessed and Happy Litha!